Every day our media seem to highlight bad news stories about the detrimental effects we are inflicting on our planet. It’s all a bit bewildering. How do we even start to tackle it? Plastic has to be the big one, it’s everywhere! You can’t seem to do a food shop these days without coming home with a bag full of unnecessary plastic packaging.
But what can we do to avoid it? Reusable grocery bags is a simple switch, I think most of us went away from carrier bags once the 10p charge came in. Try to avoid prepackaged fruit and veg, that’s a biggie! I have reusable produce bags and opt to buy loose fruit and veg. Of course something like bananas wouldn’t need a bag at all, they’re already perfectly wrapped.
You’d be surprised how easy it is to make switches away from plastic at the supermarket if you start looking a little closer. Squash can be found in glass bottles, as can instant coffee and cooking oil. Give it a go.
The best switch for milk has to be going back to the milkman to get glass bottles, though obviously there are cost implications. But what would be better than waking up to fresh milk every morning on your doorstep? And no more lugging it home from the supermarket!
Many of us don’t seem to be able to live without clingfilm. It’s so handy for covering left-overs or keeping food fresh. But there are alternatives these days that means our dependency can be broken. Beeswax wraps, made with organic cotton, are wonderful for covering cold foodstuff. As you wrap them round a plate or bowl the warmth of your hand allows them to mould into any shape, giving you a good seal. Silicone lids are great too. They can be used for covering cold or hot food, some can even go into the oven!
It’s definitely time to rethink our drinking habits! Reusable coffee cups or water bottles are the way forward. Some coffee shops even give you a discount for bringing your own cup and there’s an app now to show you where you can refill your water bottle for free! refill.org.uk
And don’t forget the new shop coming to Cranleigh, For Earth’s Sake, forearthssake.uk. It will make shopping without single use plastic so much more achievable. It’s opening soon!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s ditch single-use plastic for good! 
