The silliness of single use plastics
- Sienna
- Jun 12, 2023
- 2 min read
Trying to cut down your single use plastics can be difficult but it is so much better for the environment and your pocket. Read this post to find out alternatives for single use things that can be used in everyday life.
1. Plastic bottles
Most people know that plastic bottles are bad for the planet, yet so many are being sold in shops and then being thrown away! Plastic is not biodegradable which means it isn't disappearing in the soil but instead is breaking up in the earth and releasing plastic particles in the ground.
2. Straws
Everyone loves a straw to suck their smoothies with but think about the impact on the planet. BAD.
Plastic straws have the same effect on the wildlife as the plastic bottles, harming the area around it.
But paper straws aren't much better as they don't really work and they are still single use. So how about metal? Yes! They work, they aren't plastic and they are reusable!
3. Coffee Cups
Doesn't everyone love a nice drink of coffee, tea or hot chocolate in the car on the way home from school, work or anywhere else you've been? Not nature. As nice as a drink of coffee might be, the impact on the environment isn't as good. So, switch to reusable cups! The bonus is, many of them can also keep your hot beverage at a nice drinking temperature for hours on end! So, sip, savour and enjoy whilst knowing that you have prevented another plastic cup ending up in landfill!
4. Plastic Bags
Plastic bags should be banned. They are bad for the planet and, although many claim to be 'bags for life' they split as soon as they are filled with your weekly bottles of milk, juice and other heavy goods. There are so many fabric bags available in different shapes and sizes and these really are bags for life. Despite introducing a cost for using plastic bags, the UK is still using approximately 560 million per year (reduced down from over a billion/year historically). This is crazy! Reusable bags also come in funky designs so jazz up your weekly shop and save the planet too!
I think it's really important to cut down on single use items like plastics and paper straws, unless we went to a biodegradable material, but use of reusable items that are washable is the way forward. I love the passion and promotion of this. Thanks for raising awareness.