Single-use plastic shopping bags and other plastic waste is finding its way into our waterways and oceans, harming our sealife and contaminating a valuable food resource.
Remember years ago when we realised that our overuse of paper products was destroying the rainforests? Well, it seems our Plan B was a dud. The introduction of plastic, most notably in the form of shopping bags, whilst being convenient, has resulted in an ecological disaster.
Whilst the act of recycling has been ingrained into our daily routines for quite some time now, it is estimated that only around 9% of plastic is recycled, so environmental organisations are concentrating efforts on the importance of reducing our reliance on single-use plastic.
With the banning of single-use plastic shopping bags in New Zealand from 1st July 2019, what better time to look at what you and your family can do to reduce the amount of plastic that we dispose of. Here’s 7 ways to get started.
Reusable shopping bags
Supermarkets have been phasing out the use of plastic shopping bags to encourage shoppers to bring along their reusable bags for some time now. Now I’m sure we are all aware of what a “Bag for Life” is (unlike Simon Cowell in the video below), but remembering them is a different story. Now that retailers no longer supply plastic shopping bags, it is essential to get into the habit of popping your reusable bags back into the car boot after you’ve unpacked your purchases so you don’t caught short next time you shop. A small bag that rolls up into a pocket size is ideal for keeping in the handbag for smaller shopping items whilst you’re out and about – try craft or dollar shops.
Our Pick: The Ministry for the Environment has some ideas on how you can make your own reusable shopping bag from old clothes – a win win!
Eco-friendly produce bags
So you’ve got your reusable shopping bag but what do you do when you enter the fruit and veg aisle at the local supermarket and you want to purchase something like tomatoes or grapes? You need to keep them together for weighing purposes (and so they’re not rolling around in the trolley), but you don’t want to use the small plastic bags. Luckily, reusable produce bags are now quite commonplace. Throw a few in with your reusable shopping bags and you’re on your way to being plastic-free.
Our Pick: Purely Natural NZ has organic cotton drawstring bags that are a great size.
Ditch the bottled water
Drinking bottled water may give you a clean and clear taste but at what cost? Plastic water bottles are a huge environmental problem. Opt for a drink bottle that you can refill with tap water and you’ll be helping the environment and your budget. If you don’t like the taste of tap water than try refrigerating it before filling up your drink bottle, use a filter or infuse with fruit.
Our Pick: Double-walled stainless steel drink bottles keep your water cold for up to 8 hours. We love this easy-open sipper design from Eco-friendly Water Bottles & Lunchware.
Bring your own coffee cup
Billions of disposable coffee cups are used around the world every year. We don’t look like breaking our takeaway coffee habit anytime soon and mixed messages over what is recycleable, compostable or biodegradable is causing confusion. Some cafes have started mug recycling – you use a ceramic mug for your takeaway and return it the next time you visit. A great option is a reusable coffee cup that still gives you convenience without the waste.
Our Pick: Because rugby and coffee are life! Check out this cool Rugby Road Code Cuppa Coffee Cup from Not Socks.
Reusable drinking straws
Cafes and restaurants are starting to get on board the plastic-free juggernaut by no longer supplying plastic straws with drinks. Some offer the paper version but we prefer the BYO waste-free option of stainless steel drinking straws. You will get some strange looks from the fast food outlets when you tell them they can keep their straw but somehow they even make the drink taste better!
Our Pick: Add some fun to your drink with rainbow coloured stainless steel straws from Purely Natural NZ.
Better lunch boxes
Bento-style lunch boxes are great for giving kids a range of foods for their school day breaks without the need for plastic wrap to keep things from getting jumbled up together. There’s a huge variety to choose from so consider how much food your child devours to find one that suits. Leak-proof styles are even more versatile.
Our Pick: NZ business, Eco-friendly Water Bottles & Lunchware, have a fantastic range of stainless steel bento-style lunch boxes that will last and last!
Wrap it up!
It’s easy to ditch the plastic wrap or plastic sandwich bags with some clever product ideas. Beeswax wraps are not only reusable, they shape around your sandwich or snack easily and stay put. There are also reusable snack and sandwich bags like these Rainbow styled Bumpkins lunch bags.
Our Pick: For sandwiches, snacks, leftovers or cheese, beeswax wraps from Messy Moments are very versatile.
How are you reducing your household’s use of single-use plastic?
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Written by Julie Scanlon
Julie is Editor for Kidspot NZ and our MVP. Her hobbies include laughing uncontrollably at her own jokes, annoying her family by asking questions about movie plots, and never taking anything too seriously. She speaks a little Spanish and a lot of Yorkshire.
Favourite motto to live by: “It ain’t nothing but a thing”
I have recently come across norwex which has a lot of good products to say on plastic waste, They have these great covers for your salad bowls that you can use without gladwrap, they also have bags you can use for the fruit and vegs in the supermarket.
The reusable straws look fantastic and did not realise there were so many kinds that you can purchase. I also recently have used shampoo bars which have been great.
Recently bought stainless straws from Hakaa, it was a great idea and it comes with a thin brush to clean with. I enjoy having a variety of re-usable bags too, it’s only when I forget to bring them. The habit needs to start somehow. Plastic free July is such a wake-up call. I’ve been seeing videos lately showing beaches with lots of plastic bottles. It was horrible to see and I am saddened by the state of our world that we are leaving to our kids.
Loving this article 🙂 We are trying to cut down (if not cut out) our plastic use. I am looking for stainless steel straws for our daughter to use currently. Our local cafe uses paper/recycled cardboard straws and recyclable coffee cups which is awesome. We always have reusable shopping bags on hand to use at the supermarket, if I forget then I carry the stuff in my hands. I also want to get some wraps for our daughters school lunches.
I think this is great especially when you seeing the pictures of beach’s overseas it so horrible and horrendous for any wild life. We use reusable bottles, bags and the kids lunch box’s are good with lots of separate departments. I have been meaning to get bees wax wraps as they sounds great as well.
I recently finally got some reusable shopping bags. But as soon as I had them I became so aware of all the other single use plastic I’m using. I’m about to order mesh bags for produce because it felt silly to be bagging fruit and vegetables in plastic after making the first switch!!
My 3 boys and I have just over last 3 days made our own natural shampoo, washing liquid for both clothes and dishes, lavender and eucalyptus cleaning spray and some DIY honey wraps.. Mwe are loving challenging ourselves to use less plastic where we know we can easily enough and without breaking the bank… I just need to get into habit of taking my reusable shopping bags, have so many and always forget them grrrr
Would love to know how you make the lavender and eucalyptus cleaning spray?
Hi so sorry just seen this reply.
I use apple cider vinager (1part) cooled boiled water (3parts) and as many desired drips if lavender essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil. I used 10 drops of lavender and 5 of eucalyptus in a 1litre sized spare bottle. Apparently it’s great for spraying on linen and furniture too