Plastic Free Tips for Households Starting Out

Whether for Plastic Free July, Zero Waste Week or you are looking to make positive lifestyle changes; if you are looking for solid ground to start reducing plastic, the home is a great place to start. These are some of my top tips and suggestions for households starting out on their plastic free journey.

Start on the Right Foot

I frequently bring it up and I apologise if you’ve heard it before; however, it is critically important to make clear that it is OK to not go 100%. Especially, when starting out.

Trying to do so will overwhelm you and overpower your headspace. Plus, the reality is that certain developmental and medical needs mean you just can’t. It’s down to you to decide what you can and cannot reasonably do.

Whatever your situation, whatever limitations you do or do not have; start simple. Take it slow, make substitutes and work towards the goal of improvement and refinement rather than perfection.

First Steps

Once you’ve decided to cut the plastic and have a firm, realistic mindset (very important to forming good habits); you then need to take stock of the plastics currently in circulation in the home.

This is the perfect time for a good declutter. Understand how and where plastic comes into the household. Whether single-use or not, take note.

If during this process you find unneeded plastics (toys, cases, packaging etc); don’t hastily throw them out. Stop and consider first, whether they can be reused; could these items go to a charity store or a specialist recycling unit?

Refuse Single-Use Plastics

For most households, the biggest offender is single-use plastics. Typically, in the form of food packaging but hygiene and sanitary products are equally problematic.

These items are incredibly convenient, so much in-fact that they can feel unavoidable. However, the environmental impact is phenomenal and terrifying and so should be the point of focus for anyone looking to make a difference with their plastic consumption.

You can find some swaps to start with here.

Borrow or Buy Pre-Owned

As something of a retro videogame enthusiast, I am no stranger to buying pre-owned. In doing so, you reduce the likelihood of existing plastic going to landfill and help halt the market saturation of more plastic. Buying pre-owned can be a way of escaping the fast fashion loop too.

There a number of websites out there and you shouldn’t forget the buy, sell, swap Facebook groups too.

If buying online through these messages and having them delivered; you can request that they don’t use plastic materials too. Many will be willing (depending on product) to use carboard, newspaper and such.

Know Your Recycling Options

Recycling is not always the answer. Every area has different options available and has set limitations and resources available. It is lower in your priority list than you may expect (see the 5 R’s) but sometimes, you will need to. So, before that happens, it is useful to have a good grasp of what options you have available to you locally and an understanding of what your curb side collection will not take.