How to reduce the amount of plastic at home
Want to do your bit to help cut down on plastic waste? Try these simple, yet effective, tips to decrease the plastic you and your household use - and make your home as eco-friendly as possible.
An attractive basket in the hallway is a great place to store them, or you could hang a couple of stylish shoppers on a coat peg.
Cut down on cling film
Grab a coffee cup
Stay hydrated
If you’re partial to a glass of chilled water it can be tempting to stock up on mineral water. For a low plastic eco alternative, consider purchasing a filter jug that you can keep in the fridge. The filtered water will taste just as clear and fresh as the bottled version, but you’ll avoid the plastic bottles piling up in the recycling bin.
It’s also worth investing in an attractive glass bottle or jug that you can fill with water from the filter jug and serve to guests at the dinner table.
Look beyond the obvious
It’s possible to find plastic-free versions of some of these items, including biodegradable tea bags and glitter. Browse online to see what’s available.
Wash with care
If you wash clothes on a cool wash and avoid tumble drying, you’re well on your way to an eco-friendly laundry routine, but there is something else you can do to help the environment. Many synthetic fabrics contain plastic and release microfibres when they’re washed. These small bits of plastic can end up in our rivers and the ocean. Some garments, like fleeces, shed many more fibres than others.
You can prevent this by choosing clothes made of natural fibres or by buying a special wash bag to capture microfibres during the wash cycle.