Plastic pollution is one of the worst forms of man-made waste causing big problems for our planet and wildlife. The damage that plastic causes the environment is horrific, but it can be reduced and eliminated if we all do our part.
Across the globe, the majority of plastic is used only once, then sadly thrown away, a terrifying notion as most plastic takes decades to hundreds of years to break down. Now is the time to eliminate plastic from your lifestyle, so we asked Christina Kjaergaard Commercial Manager at Pure Planet Club, for five easy ways to go plastic-free this year.
1. Bring your own shopping bags
“Grab yourself a bunch to keep and reuse every time you go shopping. Alternatively, why not reuse all your delivery boxes before recycling?”
Having a stash of these enviro-bags should be an essential, but they run the risk of taking over your car and cupboards. If this sounds like you, keep them nice and tidy with this simple organisation trick.
2. Say goodbye to disposables
“When you buy something, consider its life expectancy. How long can it be used.” Will it have more than one use? When you’re finished, will it end up in landfill?
Giving up single-use plastic is not only good for the environment but it’ll save you a lot of money too. In fact, the average Australian could save (on average) up to $763.05 and 797 plastic items from landfill per year just by swapping these common household items.
3. Choose eco-conscious beauty products
“Look for plastic-free options made from compostable and recyclable packing, uncoated paper, or even bamboo.”
Any beauty lover is sure to have an abundance of old bottles, tubes and tubs lying around the house. These empty products are difficult to dispose of, as they shouldn’t go into landfill but might not be recyclable through the council. Luckily, the brand Banish has teamed up with TerraCycle to solve this problem.
“All you need to do is collect all of your empties, pop them into an old box or a compostable satchel, making sure they’re all empty,” explains founder Lottie Dalziel on the Banish website.
Then, write your name and email address on the inside of the box, seal it up and send it off to Banish and in return they’ll send you a $15 voucher to spend on the site. The program also extends to kitchen products, but have a look at the list of items they accept first.
4. Never buy bottled water
“Water from the tap is perfectly beautiful, pure and free. Why pay for bottled water in the first place, especially when it’s in a plastic bottle you’ll just toss in the bin? Everyone should invest in a good refillable, thermos-style bottle.”
5. Choose an eco-friendly plastic-free toilet paper
Toilet paper is an absolute necessity, there’s no denying it. But you can make the swap to eco-friendly toilet paper.
“Try a toilet paper made from 100% plant-based materials, such as bamboo and sugarcane waste, like Pure Planet Club toilet tissue. It’s also BPA-free, cruelty free, biodegradable and vegan-friendly.”
You might also like:
How to make your backyard more eco-friendly
Easy changes to live a more sustainable life at home
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