What we can do to help!

1. Start at home. Do a plastic audit of your household. Shower bottles, deodorants, washing up liquids, shampoo bottles. Aim to make reductions here by ditching shower gel for soap and the plastic cotton buds for recyclable ones; buy liquid detergent in recycled plastic bottles and find a refill station to fill them up. Shampoo bars and toilet paper in recycled packaging are also available.
2. In the US, 1billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown out each year. Try using bamboo toothbrushes instead which only take about six months to biodegrade back into the soil when you have to replace your brush.
3. Carry reuseable fabric shopping bags.
4. Try buying wholesale and putting dried products such as rice, pasta and lentils into glass jars to avoid buying products wrapped in plastic.
5. Recycle old plastic children’s toys. Search for a toy library in your area to borrow from or donate to. And consider charity shops when looking for gifts.
6. Carry a reuseable coffee cup or flask; 7 million plastic-lined coffee cups are thrown away in the UK every day.
7. Say no to plastic cutlery. Carry a fork with you or use a compostable alternative.
8. Ditch cling film wrap for your food. Foil is recyclable, so use foil instead or tupperware boxes.
9. Use an electric razor instead of plastic disposable one.
10. Write to companies whose packaging is non-recyclable, asking them to consider using less destructive materials. Maybe even think about starting a social media campaign to raise awareness. Strength in numbers!