We all know that the world is drowning in a sea of plastic pollution. It’s estimated that only 9% of all the plastic ever produced has been recycled, and in some places up to 11 million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans each year.
To help tackle this global issue, World Refill Day is making waves as an initiative to prevent plastic pollution and help people live with less waste. Become a friend of the ocean, and take a look at our small guide on how to reduce your single-use plastic consumption…
1. Use a reusable bottle
Did you know that over 7 billion plastic bottles are used each year in the UK? For the average person, that’s a whopping 150 plastic bottles per year! Reusable bottles are the ultimate lifesaver to reduce your single-use plastic consumption and save money.
2. Use a reusable coffee cup
Single-use coffee cup waste continues to be a major environmental concern, with 2.5 billion coffee cups being used and discarded in the UK each year, and less than one out of every 400 is recycled. Replace your disposable coffee cup with a reusable coffee cup; some cafés may even give you a small discount on your order if you bring your own cup!
3. Avoid excessive food packaging
We can all make a splash and reduce the amount of plastic we buy by making different choices at the supermarket. Buying loose fruit and veg instead of the pre-packed alternatives can help limit your single-use plastic consumption. And, as an added bonus, they are often cheaper too!
4. Say no to plastic cutlery and straws
Straws and plastic cutlery are bad news for our oceans; a plastic fork can take 200 years to decompose, meaning it’s in a landfill or polluting our oceans for two centuries. Thinking about whether you need a straw the next time you order a drink or having a re-usable spork in your bag will help you make ocean-conscious choices to help reduce your single-use plastic usage.
5. Have your milk delivered
Although it’s not as common as it used to be, there are still lots of places across the UK where you can get your milk delivered in glass bottles which are then collected and reused. Not only is it good for the environment, but you’ll also be supporting a local business and the future of British dairy farmers.
6. Carry a reusable shopping bag
Plastic bags alone kill up to 100,000 marine animals every year. Since the UK government introduced the single-use carrier bag charge, the amount of plastic bags used has dropped drastically with the average person only using 3 single-use plastic bags a year compared with around 140 in 2014.
If you find it hard to remember to carry a reusable bag with you, try a foldaway one that you carry in your car or in your normal day-to-day bag. Making just a few small changes to adapt can have a big impact on the amount of plastic we use.
7. And, of course, buy a sustainable toilet roll/kitchen roll like Oceans!
Ditch the single-use plastic packaging and discover our range of premium, eco-friendly toilet paper and kitchen roll that cares for both you and the planet.
At Oceans, we believe that if we all take small steps to live a more sustainable lifestyle, our oceans will reap significant benefits. Our products are 100% plastic-free and support the Marine Conservation Society – a UK charity working for seas full of life.
