Go Plastic Free This July.
Single Use Plastics
It’s daunting and may seem overwhelming, but it is possible. You can join a worldwide movement called ‘Plastic Free July’ and take the first steps to reducing your single use plastics now. Plastic Straws are the scourge of marine wildlife & the symbol of destruction we associate with our disposable lives. EcoStraws.ie helps you to Go Plastic Free with a range of reusable & sustainable products to replace single-use plastic. So what are you waiting for? Visit Ecostraws.ie now and say no to disposables for ever!
We are surrounded by plastic; we drive plastic cars & wear plastic clothes. Even the gum we chew is plastic.No one is suggesting that you eliminate plastic completely from your life, however a few simple changes to your daily routine can create a ripple of change. You may initially get a few funny looks at the supermarket when bringing your own containers for meat/fish but you may also influence others to follow suit. The satisfaction you feel when you use your own produce bags instead of plastic packaging on bananas (really??) and other fruits, far outweighs any sideways glances you may receive!
Be The Change
We are the consumers. It is up to us to lead the way and by refusing single use plastic items in our groceries, we put pressure on the suppliers to find an eco-friendly solution. By keeping track of the single-use plastics you avoid, you will begin to get a sense of achievement.
By making a few of the changes listed below I managed to avoid 45 pieces of single-use plastic in a week! Go me! Certainly, no one can do it all at once, just choose a few that seem doable and take it from there.
31 changes in 31 days
- Bring a reusable bag. I find these produce bags really handy as they can roll up and fit in a pocket or handbag.
- Always have a reusable water bottle & refill from taps & water fountains. There are so many stainless steel options available now & great value to be had. Check out Narcissips and http://susanadams.ie/bottles/.
- Ditch the fizzy drinks & improve your health as well as your bottom line. If you really crave fizz, why not invest in a Soda Stream which comes with reusable glass bottles.
- Refuse plastic straws & choose instead a reusable straw from ecostraws.ie. There are different types to suit differing needs and all are dishwasher safe.
- Buy fresh bread, which comes wrapper free or wrapped in paper. Yes, it can be more expensive but if you replace just 1 loaf per week to begin with, you cut out 52 plastic wrappers in a year!
- If you like take-away coffee carry a reusable coffee cup. Although there are compostable alternatives available, would you believe it takes 5.6L of water to make a paper cup! Choose convenience with a collapsible EcoCup & you’ll never need a disposable cup again.
- Shop at markets such as Limerick’s Milk Market. The veg is better quality & you are supporting local businesses.
- Return containers for berries.
Plastic Free Fruit
- If you need to stick to the bigger retailers bring reusable produce bags for fruit & veg. Lidl & Aldi provide bins after the checkout so you can ditch the excess packaging. Without doubt it’s only a matter or time before more retailers follow suit. Remember you, the consumer, create the demand for change.
- Avoid convenience foods.
- Bring your own reusable containers for meat & fish.
- Opt for take-away that uses cardboard packaging eg. Lana or Dominos
- Choose an ice-cream cone rather than a cup. Smooch do amazing ice-cream cone options.
- Don’t chew gum. Yep, chewing gum is mostly made from plastic.
- Switch to washing powder. It generally comes in a large cardboard box which is recyclable. You can find lots of eco-friendly detergents in Dargan Healthfoods Castletroy.
- Likewise with dishwasher powder. Loose powder has no plastic wrapping!
- Never use wipes. There are too many alternatives to list here but wipes are an unnecessary modern convenience/scourge. Check out Jackson Reece Baby Wipes on Earthmother.ie.
- Treat yourself to a safety razor & blades. There’s a fabulous shop on Wickham St. Limerick called M Cahill & Son where you’ll find a range of options to suit all needs.
- Order some toothpaste bits online. They come in little glass bottles & look really cool on your bathroom shelves!
Plastic Free Toothpaste
- While you’re at it, get yourself a bamboo toothbrush. They’re widely available from health food shops such as Eats of Eden.
- Another simple bathroom change is to switch to bar soap and bar shampoo. Sunvale soap company in the Limerick Milk Market has a vast range available.
- And check out the many alternative feminine hygiene options from reusable cotton pads to moon cups.
- Need a hairbrush? A wooden one is just as good as a plastic one but will biodegrade faster.
- Bring your own lunch to work in reusable containers.
- Wrap sandwiches in kitchen roll or paper bags.
- Make your own snacks such as protein balls & power bars. They’re healthier too! Check out http://www.naturalhealthstore.ie for a huge selection.
- Browse vintage shops & second hand stores. You’ll be amazed at the quality available and at the prices. Spice Vintage is a gem of a store!
- Give & request plastic-free gifts such as vouchers; take a friend to lunch or treat them to concert tickets.
- When you do give gifts wrap them in paper & tie with string or reuse an old ribbon. It makes for unique & memorable presents. Check out https://www.lifewithoutthewrapping.com/
- Order on-line & request zero plastic packaging with your purchase. Companies such as EcoStraws.ie strive to deliver products completely plastic free.
- Switch to online statements. Most bank statements, phone bills & utilities come in envelopes with plastic windows. Online statements rid us of envelopes with windows!
Do it!
As you can see, none of the above suggestions are impossible. It may take some forward thinking & a little extra planning to achieve but Plastic Free July is attainable. It’s up to you to be the catalyst.
#gogreenin2019 #thinkoutsidethebox #reduce
#zerowaste #bethechange #reuse
#sustainable living #plasticfreelife #plasticfreejuly
