Every little bit helps
I’ve been on a bit of a mission.
Unless you have been living under a stone over the past few weeks you will have noticed the sudden surge of interest in global plastic pollution. Momentum has increased with the BBC Blue Planet, and media coverage of how our wildlife is being harmed by plastics.
If you haven’t heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, have a look. And yes, it IS our problem too. Over the years, the ocean currents have taken all this plastic, and made an island of it. Quite shocking.
A couple of months ago, you may have seen my little video posts on Face Book, about the changes I have made to my own household shopping. I thought I was quite good with the reduced amount of plastic I used, but there were a few things I needed to make a conscious effort to change. One being to order boxes of loose apples for juicing from Abel and Cole, (other veg box companies are available) rather than buying eight plastic bags of Lidl apples a week.
Plastic meat trays are a huge issue.
Some of the big culprits are the plastic trays for supermarket meat. Not every county can recycle them, and that’s often a cost issue. Mushrooms and soft fruits that need to be transported in big containers, are also in plastic trays. If you have a veg box delivery, the fruits and veg will come in cardboard trays.
I understand that mass production and transportation needs strong stackable containers, but there are other options that could be considered. Cost is an issue, but I’m sure things will change eventually.
You don’t have to be an eco warrior.
I’m just suggesting that we all take a moment to look at what we really do need, and what we can do without. There are alternatives, especially with packaging. Containers made from corn starch and bio plastics are out there, we just need to ask for companies to change.
Buy your vegetables loose.
It’s not always possible, but try to take your own little veg bags with you to the supermarket – we have finally got into the habit of taking carrier bags, now we can take these – It saves having loose potatoes on the conveyor belt!
The easiest thing to change is the STRAW!
The biggest and most simple change for many, is to say no to a straw! Do you really need it? Probably not. The more we say, ‘no straw’, when we order a drink, the more restaurants and pubs will have to change. The biggest culprits are the juice bars. You don’t really have to drink your juice while walking down the street. Stop, take the lid off and be a little more mindful. If you take your own container, most juice bars will give a discount.
If you are a cocktail drinker, I see you may need for a straw, but bars could now be offering cardboard ones. The more we notice things, the more we can change.
If you do need a straw, there are metal or BPA free silicone ones you can purchase and take with you.
Be responsible.
If you see a restaurant or bar putting plastic straws in their drinks…..say something. I was dismayed by Cafe Rouge at Cribbs Causeway, putting straws in their breakfast juices! They have since stopped this, and so have Pitcher and Piano, where the company policy used to be TWO straws in each cocktail. A friend recently sent me this photo of The Bath Brew House who are doing their bit……
It’s a shame that other pubs and restaurants haven’t quite cottoned on yet. So, it’s up to us to make them aware.
This is the Christmas season and parties are in full swing, with drinks, especially cocktails, all around. Be aware. Be responsible. You really don’t need a straw in a mineral water or a coke!
Say #NoStraw – Your drink will still taste the same!
