10 Ways to Reduce Single-Use Plastic

Thanks to Boomerang Alliance, here are 10 of their top tips to reduce single-use plastic!

1. BYO Cups

BYO cups! This includes water bottles – fill it up at water stations around town or ask at a store. You are likely to have fun conversations this way and can flaunt your individual style with your cool accessories. 2 billion water bottles wasted each year. You can also get some lovely reusable coffee cup, and many coffee shops will offer a discount for BYO cup. Find out who they are, take your cup and support them. BYO will save you money.

2. Plastic-Free Straws

Slow down and dine in – eat and drink with reusable cutlery and crockery. Stop using plastic straws, even in restaurants. If a straw is a must, purchase a reusable straw. Much of the single use plastic that is littered comes from takeaway food and drink.

3. Reusable Shopping Bags

Pack a reusable shopping bag with you each day so you never have to say yes to plastic bags again. You can keep some in your car for any unexpected shopping trips. Most states are introducing bans on lightweight single-use plastic bags anyway (and Coles and Woolies are also doing the same) so it makes sense to get into the habit now!

4. Say NO to Plastic Bin Liners

Stop using plastic bin liners. Many people think this is inconceivable but bin liners were never the norm many years ago and we can survive without them. Some practical tips include:

  • reusing or composting leftover food
  • wrapping food scraps in sheets of newspaper prior to disposal. In doing this, waste will not ‘sweat’ and begin to smell as it does in plastic bags
  • lining bins with several layers of newspaper
  • freezing food scraps prior to the scheduled collection day

5. Shop Local

Boycott single use plastic. Consider the packaging every time. If there is a plastic-free alternative, buy that. If not… maybe you don’t need it and can wait. Shop locally and at farmers markets, they often have options with less packaging.

6. Support Businesses who reduce Plastic Use

Support business who are making an effort to reduce their plastic. It matters where you spend your dollars. Also, let them know you appreciate what they’re doing.

7. Buy less cheap disposable plastic items 

Buyer fewer, high quality things that are made to last, not cheap disposable plastic items that you’ll throw away.

8. Avoid Synthetic Clothes

Avoid synthetic clothes, they shed plastic microfibers with every wash that are not picked up in the wastewater system. Huge amounts of microfibers make their way into the ocean every year. Instead, choose natural fibres.

9. Buy in Bulk to avoid unnecessary packaging 

Buy in bulk. Purchase food, like cereal, pasta, and rice from bulk food stores and fill a reusable bag or container. You save money and unnecessary packaging.

10. Create a Plastic-Free Living Kit

Be prepared. Make yourself a plastic-free living kit that you can keep with you. Include a reusable bag, drink bottle or mug, straw and cutlery set. You can easily find these items online and many cafes sell reusable them too.