We live in a throwaway society but now more than ever, we’re all becoming more away of the consequences of our purchasing decisions. Here are our top tips for wasting less:

Interested in how this can be used in your business or organisation? Visit our Simple Swaps page. 

Reduce your reliance on single-use plastics

Whether it’s plastic bags, plastic bottles or disposable food packaging, you can’t escape hearing about the impact that unnecessary plastic is having on our planet. Convenience products have become a day to day reality but with some minor changes we can all help to reduce the need for single use plastics and encourage manufacturers to look at alternatives.

• – Takeaway coffee cups – It’s estimated that 2.5 billion coffee cups are being thrown away in the UK every year. Purchasing a reusable cup can not only help the environment, it can also save you money as many coffee shops now offer discounts each time you use a reusable cup.
• – Plastic bags – Since the introduction of the plastic bag charge in 2015, we’ve drastically reduced the number of plastic bags in circulation. Some retailers now offer paper or compostable bags instead of
  plastic, but these are often not as long-lasting as their plastic alternatives. Having a reusable cotton bag in your bag, car or coat pocket means you will always have one to hand if you need it.
• – Water bottles – Plastic water bottles are so common place in society but we need to look at alternatives. Purchasing a reusable bottle will save you money as well as reducing your plastic production and there are more and more water refill stations available to fill up your bottles for free.
• – Plastic fruit and veg wrapping – Many types of fruit and vegetables do not need additional packaging – they come with their own natural packaging (think oranges, bananas and avocados). If we all choose to but the products with the least packaging, the retailers and manufacturers will be encouraged to make changes.
• – Plastic alternatives – Due to demand, manufacturers are working to develop ways to avoid plastic all together. From using blocks of shampoo and conditioner to avoid bottles, to replacing plastic ring can holders with recyclable glue, we can make purchase decisions that remove the need for unnecessary plastic.

Upcycle where you can 

Make do and mend! You can find many ideas online for how to refurbish and upcycle older furniture, clothing and other projects. Whether they are products that you already own, have been donated by a friend or family member or have picked up from a charity shop or online marketplace, think about their potential, not just what they look at right now.

Donate your old furniture to be used again

Save large products from going to landfill by taking furniture that could be used by other to your charity shop or community organisation to help others less fortunate.

Cancel unnecessary mail

Stopping junk mail from being delivered to your home can help to considerably reduce the amount of waste you produce. Check out this advice from Citizens Advice.

Start composting at home

Home composting is an easy and inexpensive way of transforming food and kitchen waste into nutrient rich compost for your garden.