Although going zero or minimal waste can be a time-consuming journey, there are some things that are truly effortless. For this reason I have decided not to go to lengths to explain the reasons for these substitutes or behaviours, I am simply calling this the No Excuse list. Plastic is very much an issue of convenience, but if people lived in many ways perfectly well before it, why can we now not seem to do without it? If everyone, including those who have less time (or motivation) for a truly low waste lifestyle, were to follow this list, then the world would be saved from tonnes of plastic waste going into landfill and the oceans, doesn't sound too bad does it?
Contrary to popular belief, most coffee cups can't be recycled. As takeaway culture has taken over our high streets, its worth considering the effect these single use plastics (yes, almost all takeaway coffee cups have a plastic lining) have on the environment. I go into more detail about this in another article, here, in case you want more information.
Until then, here is a summary of your easy-peasy options:
2. Straws
Straws are used for only moments and end up in landfill for hundreds of years. No doubt you have also seen the destruction they have caused in seas, and hopefully I need not remind you of the viral footage which showed a straw being pulled from a turtles nostril. Thankfully, this message seems to have hit home, and after the success of David Attenborough's Blue Planet a wave of straw rejection crossed the country. Many restaurants and cafes have now switched to paper straws in an effort to meet customer demand - look at what happens when public opinion changes! At home, use metal or glass straws instead, and take one with you in your bag (alongside your other reusable cutlery of course) if you're desperate enough!
3. Plastic shopping bags
Since the plastic bag charge came in in 2015, plastic bag sales have fallen by 86%. That being said, 1.04 billion plastic bags were sold by seven main supermarkets in 2017-18 and on average 19 bags were sold per person in the UK. This may be an improvement from 140 per person, but this is still not enough. Invest in a 'bag for life' and use it until it breaks, or even better, spend a little more on a canvas or more sturdy hemp bag that will biodegrade quicker if you do need to throw it away, and should last a lot longer. It is so easy to remember to take some bags when you are heading out to the supermarket (or even better - local greengrocer!), or keep a foldable keyring bag on your set of keys. Don't forget to remind your friends and family to do the same! It's often just a case of remembering to take them than a refusal to use them, find your own way to make sure you remember - be it a phone notification, a note by your door or keeping your bags somewhere you will always see them.
4. Toothbrushes
I go into more detail about this in a longer article here, so click through if you want a more in depth explanation of the negative aspects of plastic toothbrushes and some recommended alternatives. If you don't then all you need to know is that plastic toothbrushes are BAD and you shouldn't use one, and bamboo alternatives are GREAT and you should definitely start buying those instead.
5. Plastic water bottle
Single-use plastic water bottles wreak havoc on the environment. In almost all European countries most tap water is drinkable (and non-drinkable tap water requires signage), so bottled water is really not necessary. Invest in a reusable water bottle and remember to fill it up before you leave the house in the morning. Apps like Refill indicate places to get free drinking water in the UK. In London, participating retailers will often have a sticker in the window, and the app has a good database for Cambridge too!
When purchasing a reusable water bottle, really think about your needs for sizing and design, try to buy a bottle that will last you a good few years and a design you won't get fed up of. Best to buy are plain metal flasks, that can also be recycled at the end of their life, and will survive a good bashing. Buying flask style bottles also means you can keep your water cold, or ever use them to keep warm drink! Bear in mind water bottles also need a good wash and scrub every now and then, so think about getting a thin cleaning brush if you buy a bottle with a thin neck. If you tend to not drink tap water due to the taste, consider a bottle with a built-in filter to improve it, or a little basket to add fruit.
For more information and some snazzy infographics head to https://greenerideal.com/infographics/the-environmental-impact-of-plastic-water-bottles/
Well done for making it to the end! Now step 1 is to incorporate these new habits into your daily routine. Already do these things? Or managed to complete the list? Move on to Step 2 : Lower waste kitchen.
