It’s great to recycle plastics but it is better to reduce the amount of plastic products we use in the first place. One of the greatest problems is all the plastics in the seas.
Plastics break down into microscopic particles which fish ingest, making them feel full. Poor nutrition results in reduced reproduction, plus predators end up with these microscopic particles in their systems, which we ingest when we eat the fish.
The microscopic particles act like sponges, soaking up carcinogenic chemicals. I’ve read about the alarming rise of plastics showing up in recent human autopsies and also the research by the Medical University of Vienna which has shown the faecal matter of every participant in their research had plastic in it. Other research suggests plastic bottles and food wrapped in plastic might be the biggest contributors but I think plastic is entering the food cycle in a number of ways.
So I’ve listed five really easy things I do to use less plastic.
1. Keep a reusable cup in your bag for coffee or tea when you’re out rather than use a plastic lined paper or polystyrene single use cup. Also try and buy cotton buds with paper stems as the plastic ones are one of the most common pollutants found on beaches in the UK.
2. Shop at a green grocer and have your fruit and vegetables put in a paper bag, if they need a bag at all, before putting them in your bag or basket. Avoid polystyrene trays and plastic wrap. The green grocer will also know where the products were grown, unlike many supermarkets.
3. Try and wean yourself off the very useful and clean plastic dispensers of hand wash and shower gel and go back to using soap. It comes in paper wrappers, although I buy it without any wrapping. If you’re still not convinced read the ingredients on the liquid wash and gel and compare them to what’s in soap. Unfortunately, soap is messy but I’ve found some pretty china soap dishes.
4. Decant from a big container into a smaller, reusable one to minimize the number of bottles and containers you are using. Buy your olive oil in a 3 or 4 litre tin and decant in to a bottle with a pouring cap. Eventually, the tin can make a pretty plant pot.
5. Use beeswax or silicone covers instead of plastic wrap. I’m still getting this organized but my mother covers bowls with saucers and other small plates before putting them in the fridge. To find out how to make the beeswax covers, look online, watch one of the many YouTubes or buy them on Etsy. There’s also silicone ones available and they’re all reusable.
An estimated 150m tonnes of plastic in our seas means more than 100 000 mammals die each year from eating or becoming entangled in plastic rubbish. Let me know your clever ways of using less plastic!
In 1990, on the 23rd of November, Roald Dahl died. He was a famous British novelist, poet, screen writer and fighter pilot, and his works were adored by adults and children alike. His books sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Known as the most popular childrens’ author since Enid Blyton, his “Revolting Rhymes” remains one of my most favourite books to read to children.