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9 ways to reduce your plastic use

Posted by Alice Hunter (/author/alice-hunter-2/) - 1st August 2017

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We’ve all seen the headlines about the huge environmental problems caused by single-use plastics. Governments
Become
and corporationsa have
supporter
a responsibility to take action – but what can we do to cut down our personal plastic
footprints (https://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/page/content/plastics-calculator)?
Here’s our 9 top tips:

1. Carry a reusable bottle (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/plastic-bottles/?

source=wb&subsource=20170310ocwb03)

In the UK we use over 35 million plastic bottles every day! Carrying a reusable bottle is a great way to cut your plastic
use and save money too! There’s even an app that tells you where you can refill your bottle for free!
(https://www.refill.org.uk/about-refill/)

2. Say no to plastic straws (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/final-straw-20170310)

Plastic straws are bad news for our oceans. Next time you order a drink, think about whether you need a straw – and
if you don’t, just say no! You can also ask your local pub to stop adding straws to drinks as standard and offer paper
straws to those who want one – more info here. (http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/pft/2017/6/23/say-no-to-
plastic-straws-for-plastic-free-july)

3.Take a reusable coffee cup (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee/?

source=wb&subsource=20170310ocwb01)

2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown away every year in the UK – and less than 1 in 400 are recycled. Carry a reusable
cup with you – some cafes even offer a small discount if you use your own cup (and if they don’t ask them why not!)

4. Avoid excessive food packaging (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/cut-it-out-20170313/?

source=wb&subsource=20170313ocwb01)

Before you go… 

Whether it’s making different choices in the supermarket or choosing a different place to shop, we can all try and cut
down the plastic we buy. And as an added bonus, loose fruit and veg is often cheaper than pre-packaged
Greenpeace is 100% funded by people like you. Want to chip in and help protect the
alternatives!
planet? Become a regular supporter today. >>

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5. Use refill stations for detergents

There are some products where it’s difficult to avoid a plastic container (for example washing up liquid or laundry
liquid) – the good news is that there are an increasing amount of places where you can refill your old bottles. Find
your nearest refill station here. (https://zerowastehome.com/app/)

6. Say no to disposable cutlery

We’ve all been there – caught out in a cafe or at a train station when we’ve bought a salad or a yogurt but the only
cutlery on offer is plastic! Whilst it’s hard to plan for every opportunity, consider carrying a spoon or fork (or spork!)
in your bag or keeping cutlery in your desk at work.

Before you go… 

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7. Get your milk delivered

Although the early morning sound of a milk float is not as common as it used to be, there are still lots of places in
the UK where you can get milk delivered in glass bottles – which are then collected and reused. You can find your
nearest milkround here. (http://www.findmeamilkman.net/)

8. Avoid microbeads

The good news is that the UK government have announced a ban on microbeads! However until the ban comes into
force in 2018, there will still be products on the shelves, so keep checking those labels before you buy
(http://get.beatthemicrobead.org/)and avoid products containing polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP),
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and nylon.

9. Carry a shopping bag

Since the plastic bag charge was introduced in England, there’s been a massive 85% drop in their use. Many of us
are used to carrying an extra bag with us – if you still find it hard to remember, try a foldaway one that you can carry
in your normal day bag.

Before you go…

Making just a few small changes can have a big impact on the amount of plastic we use on a day-to-day basis. 
Share your top plastic-reducing tips in the comments below! And if you haven’t already – sign the plastics pledge
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(https://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/page/s/plastics-pledge?source=wb&subsource=20170801ocwb01) to take
planet? Become a regular supporter today. >>
action on ocean plastic pollution!

Become a supporter
 Help us end ocean plastic pollution.
Support our campaign.

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Article Tagged as: Featured (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/category/featured/), Oceans

(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/category/oceans/), Plastics (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/category/oceans/plastics/),
ocean plastics (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/tag/ocean-plastics/), oceans (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/tag/oceans/),
plastic pollution (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/tag/plastic-pollution/)

Other posts by Alice Hunter

(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/festive-pointlessplastic/)

Before you go… 

Greenpeace is 100% funded by people like you. Want to chip in and help protect the
planet? Become a regular supporter today. >>

Become a supporter
(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/festive-pointlessplastic/)
Festive #PointlessPlastic
(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/festive-pointlessplastic/)
Nets of satsumas, sprouts bagged in plastic and Christmas puddings wrapped in shiny plastic layers – as the
festive season approaches, our supermarket shelves start to groan with even more excessive plastic packaging than
usual. Most of us like to indulge in festive treats at this… (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/festive-
pointlessplastic/)Read More (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/festive-pointlessplastic/)

Alice Hunter - 6th December 2018

(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blackplastic/)

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planet? Become a regular supporter today. >>

Become a supporter
(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blackplastic/)
Black plastic: what’s the problem?
(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blackplastic/)
Black plastic is one of the most problematic forms of plastic you can find on supermarket shelves – but what makes
this microwave meal tray favourite so bad? Any plastic food packaging that’s designed to be used once and then
thrown away is not good news… (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blackplastic/)Read More
(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blackplastic/)

Alice Hunter - 23rd November 2018

(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/government-ban-problem-plastics/)

Before you go… 

Greenpeace is 100% funded by people like you. Want to chip in and help protect the
planet? Become a regular supporter today. >>

Become a supporter
(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/government-ban-problem-plastics/)
Why the government should ban “problem plastics”
(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/government-ban-problem-plastics/)
What do black plastic trays, styrofoam takeaway boxes and PVC clingfilm have in common? They’re all “problem
plastics” – non-recyclable, too expensive to recycle or toxic to the environment. Obviously these materials aren’t the
only… (https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/government-ban-problem-plastics/)Read More
(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/government-ban-problem-plastics/)

Alice Hunter - 2nd November 2018

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