We’ve been trying to reduce our plastic use and waste for a couple of years now and as we’ve been making changes I’ve kept a list of everything we’ve done so far. We’re not perfect, and I can’t see us fitting a year’s waste in a mason jar any time soon, but we have reduced our waste quite significantly. Our black bin is collected fortnightly and usually only has one bag of waste in and our recycling normally isn’t full. I thought I’d share our list of changes in case it provides any inspiration for changes you could make. The important thing is to start with changes that you know you’ll stick too and not try to do everything at once. Even changing one thing can make a big difference; after all, imagine the impact that would be made if we all gave up disposable coffee cups.
Blocks of butter in butter dish
Milk from milkman
Yogurt in glass jar from milkman
Vegetables from market
Making own bread
Soap instead of shower gel
Refillable washing up liquid
Refillable liquid soap
Refillable laundry liquid
Toilet rolls wrapped in paper
Reusable make up remover pads
Traditional razor blade
Wooden washing up brush
Bamboo toothbrush
Washing powder for washing machine
Box of dishwasher tablets
Shampoo bar
Apple cider vinegar instead of conditioner
Cosmetics in glass or packaging free
Shop for clothes made from natural fibres
Reusable coffee cups
Paper straws
Glass/stainless steel drinks bottles
Reusable shopping bags
No more kids magazines with toys
Fewer plastic toys
Make own cakes and biscuits
Make own pastry
Sandwiches wrapped in paper bags
Loose leaf tea instead of tea bags
Sunscreens in a tin
Wrap presents using no sellotape
Starting to grow own fruit and veg
Making beeswax wraps to replace cling film and foil
Making own pizza
Buy loose croissants and pains au chocolat
Using bottled ink and fountain pen
Buying veggie sausages in boxes
Using deodorant in glass bottle
Making own tortillas
Buying mainly secondhand clothes
Using plastic free dental floss
Plastic free sanitary towels
Making own biscuits
Refilling cereal and pasta
Darning, patching and mending clothes
Meal planning to cut food waste
Use rags and old cloths instead of kitchen roll
White vinegar for cleaning
Eco Family Life 