Plastic free july

When we’re new to living plastic-free or zero
waste, just looking at the journey ahead can
seem a little daunting. On one hand, we’re eager
to make changes, and excited to be making a
positive impact on ourselves and the planet.

There are so many options it can almost feel
overwhelming. If you’re keen to get going with
plastic-free or zero waste living but don’t know
where to start, here’s a handy guide to help you
on your way.

Before you begin, don’t just throw all your plastic
in the bin, or dump it at the charity shop. Whilst
it can be tempting to “begin again with a clean
slate”, it creates a huge amount of waste. If your
main motivation for embracing plastic-free living
and zero waste is to reduce waste, this
is completely counter-productive.

In time you’ll be able to decide whether you can
re-purpose things, pass them on to someone
who will use them, or use them up yourself.
You’ll learn the best way to dispose of things
responsibly. You’ll also know whether you need
to replace them.

Plastic-free and zero waste living is a journey,
not a race.

REMEMBER
CHANGE TAKES
TIME, AND THE
MORE TIME YOU
SPEND ON IT, THE
FASTER YOU’LL SEE
RESULTS

Going plastic-free or zero waste is about
changing habits, and change takes time. Like any
habit, if you practice every day you’ll get there
faster. The more you practice, the easier
it will get.

Yes, you can go plastic-free or zero waste and
work full time, have children and pursue other
hobbies. You will just make slower progress.
Take into account how much time you have to
spend learning new habits, and set yourself
realistic goals.

If your expectations exceed what’s likely or
practical for you to achieve, you’ll end up
disappointed and disheartened.

GO TO YOUR
REGULAR STORE
WITH NEW EYES

Bulk stores are an ideal place to buy packaging-
free groceries, but in the beginning, don’t rule
out your regular stores completely.

Instead, take a little extra time, and go to your
regular stores and walk up and down every aisle,
looking at every single product. Look for
products in glass, cardboard, or paper.
When we shop, we often operate on autopilot.

We don’t browse the overwhelming choice of
products. We tend to buy the one we always buy,
or we choose what’s on offer. Now is your
chance to look with a different parameter –
plastic-free.

You might find there are more alternatives than
you realised.

When you first go zero waste or plastic-free
grocery shopping, take more reusables than you
think you’ll need. As well as reusable shopping
bags, take reusable produce bags, glass jars,
glass or plastic containers with lids of various
sizes.

Almost everyone has reusable shopping bags; if
you don’t, I recommend looking for natural fibres
rather than plastic ones that will eventually end
up in landfill.

There are many options for reusable bags, and if
you sew you can make your own out of old net
curtains or bed sheets. If you can’t sew,
handmade reusable produce bags can be found
via Etsy, an online marketplace for people who
do know how to sew.

If you don’t have glass Pyrex or stainless steel
food containers, consider using plastic in the
short term until you know which sizes work best
for you. Glass and stainless steel is an
investment, so knowing what you need is helpful
before you splash out.

LOOK FOR BULK
STORES,
FARMERS
MARKETS &
HEALTH STORES
IN YOUR AREA

Before you step out the door, it makes sense to
look on the internet. Are there any bulk stores
close by? Are there any cooperatives that might
have food in bulk? What about bakeries or farm
shops? Italian grocery stores often have dry
goods in bulk, and well-stocked deli counters.
Check when local Farmers Markets run, and
where.

You can call places to find out if they have a bulk
section, but nothing beats going to have a look.
Even if bulk isn’t an option, there might be
plastic-free and lower waste solutions. Just
having a browse can open your mind to some of
the potential.

Rather than change everything at once, focus on
one thing at a time. It makes sense to tackle
things in the order they need replacing.

With food, fresh produce comes first, like fruit
and vegetables, milk, and bread. Then there’s
longer life fresh stuff like yoghurt and cheese.

Then there’s dry goods, and it might be a few
months before you need alternatives for some of
these.

The same will apply in the bathroom, the
cleaning cupboard, the wardrobe and the rest of
the house.

Work on replacing things as you need to.

Zero waste and plastic-free living is a movement,
and a movement needs people! You will find it so
much easier and far more rewarding if you
connect with others on the journey. You’ll be
able to share ideas, vent frustrations, ask
questions and guide others.

Not everyone has the support of family and
friends, at least not at first. Finding a community
of like-minded people will give you a strong
support network to keep you motivated.

If you can find people locally to connect with,
that’s awesome, if you don’t know where to
look, the Transition Town movement is a good
starting point. If not, there is plenty of
opportunity online – and these groups will
welcome you with open arms!

Remember, no-one has all the answers on the
first day! Plastic-free and zero waste living is a
journey. Enjoy the process, have fun, and know
that everything you’re doing makes a difference.

Plastic Bin Liners
Line your Bin with Layers of Newspaper
Dog Poo Bags
Take Newspaper With You
Coffee Cup & Lid
Take Your Own

Glad Wrap/Cling Film
Reusable Container/Alfoil/Fabric Wraps
Pasta
Make Your Own/Buy in Bulk or
Cardboard Packaging
Plastic Bags
Use your Arms! Or Cardboard Box/Reusable Bags

Plastic Drink Bottle
Reusable Drink Container
Straws
Use your Lips! Or Metal/Glass Straws
Toilet Paper
Look for Rolls Wrapped in Paper

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