The solutions

Take steps to reduce single-use plastic in your life and in your community

Carry reusable cloth bags with you, and leave a pile in the boot of your car. Leave bags everywhere!  Bringing your own bags to the shops is just a habit, and habits can change with practice. Keep practicing, and remember to reward yourself when you remember, so that you remember next time!

Avoid plastic packaging where possible. Buy fruit and veg that is not wrapped in plastic, and avoid the white rolls of plastic produce bags in the supermarket. Reusable fabric produce bags can be made easily from lightweight materials, or you can purchase some Onya bags made from recycled plastic bottles to use instead!

Take your reuseable containers to the butcher, deli, bulk food stores and fill up! Just remember to weigh your container first or ask the attendant to do it for you so they don’t charge you extra for saving the world.

Take your reusable coffee cup everywhere with you! When you forget, you can either take the time to sit down and drink your coffee in the café or find a café that has a mug library, where you can borrow a mug. If you can’t afford to buy a reusable cup – improvise! Glass jars work really well if you wrap some fabric around them so that your hands don’t get too hot.

Say no to bottled water. Use a reusable drink bottle, stainless steel or glass is preferable, as these materials don’t leach harmful chemicals into your drinking water. Fill it up in cafes and ask your local council to install drinking fountains at beaches and parks.

Replace your plastic toothbrush with a bamboo one. Bamboo toothbrushes are so much more friendly than their plastic relatives, and can be added to your compost when you are finished with them (just pull out the nylon bristles with pliers first).

Spread the word amongst your friends, family and colleagues!