Over recent years, we have all become more aware of the impact our waste has on the environment. Earlier this year, McDonalds even announced that it was replacing its plastic straws with biodegradable paper ones. It is with this growing awareness that we become mindful of how much waste we ourselves produce. It is estimated that the average household in the UK produces more than a tonne of waste every year. Take a look at these easy changes you could make that could have a huge impact on our planet.
Ditch The Plastic Water Bottles
We are all guilty of buying single-use plastic bottles of water when we are out and about – but many places in the UK now offer free water refills so you don’t have to buy a new bottle every time. There is even an app called “Refill” which shows you where your nearest refill stations are. Buy a good quality water bottle and reduce your waste as well as saving yourself money in the long run! We love this funky vacuum insulated bottle from Amazon.
Get a Reusable Coffee Cup
We know coffee is a staple in many people’s lives, but why not use a reusable coffee cup instead of the single-use ones they give you? Starbucks rolled out this idea in 2013 when they launched a £1 reusable cup in the UK which also offers the incentive of 25p off your drink if you use it. Have your morning coffee and feel proud in knowing you are doing something positive for the environment!
Say Goodbye To Make-Up Wipes
If you are a make-up wearer then you probably use make-up wipes or cotton pads daily to remove it. However, we bet you didn’t know that a single wet wipe could take 100 years to biodegrade! One way to combat this waste is to invest in reusable cotton pads like these ones which can be put in the washing machine and reused. They are super soft too!
Take Your Own Shopping Bags
Ever since the UK introduced the 5p single-use plastic carrier bag charge, it has become the norm to bring your own shopping bags. However, if you are like us, you find yourself forgetting to bring them. One way to stop this happening is to keep your plastic bags by your front door in a basket so when you leave the house, you are reminded to take your bags with you!
Cancel Unnecessary Mail
You probably have a pile of bank statements sat by your front door that you haven’t opened, especially since we all use online banking now. This produces a lot of wasteful paper. But you probably didn’t know that most banks now offer electronic statements. Depending on who you bank with, check on the statements tab on your banking app to change your preferences.
