Is it just single use plastics that we need to reduce or is it all of them?

[KatyMac]

I can replace Clingfilm and freezer bags by using silicone sheets and tupperware but is that any better?

And why do people go on about toothbrushes - they aren't single use?

I think toothbrushes because people dispose of them and they can't be recycled I hardly ever replace mine and have about 20 years worth in stock

Some people are against all plastic apart from medical use. I think tupperware is fine, it works better and is less likely to break than glass and bamboo versions, which come with their own sustainability problems. I used to buy cheap "tupperware" but now I see the wisdom in looking for stuff that is good quality and unlikely to break. I don't need any more, but if I did I'd look at actual tupperware brand, because if it's still as good as it used to be it lasts forever.

I feel I should stop buying so much full stop. But when I do buy stuff, I try to do less damage by buying second hand, from local businesses etc. Often I don't do very well because I have an Amazon habit.

I think plastic is ok if it's going to be used for a long time. My kids are 20s/30s but i still have some plastic cups and bowls that they had as babies. I use them to mix hair dye, for cleaning paintbrushes etc.

If I buy a bogger pack of chicken or sausages there is less packaging but then I need to divide it down to freeze - so use silicon sheets to freeze things separately and then stack them in tupperware - hope it works ok

'Single use' is maybe not the right term. 'Disposable' is a better word maybe.
Re. toothbrushes, I use a (non-electric) plastic one with a replaceable head so only a little gets chucked away.

Single use is misunderstood. It means it can't be recycled.

At the risk of sounding wanky there is a nicer feel to my kitchen and bathroom with less plastic. I mostly use glass as an alternative - eg put chicken to freeze in an old mayo jar

I think that using anything non-natural could be an issue in the future. Surely the first step is to stop using single use/disposable plastic, and at the same time stop using any plastic that can't be recycled. Government intervention is needed here.

So brands of tupperware that recycle?

It's not that easy I know - but neither do I want a freezer of food with freezer burn

I put soup into a silicone tray for cupcakes then decanted into a tupperward box.....but when I went in todau I found they had stuck to each other

We buy sturdier freezer bags and wash and reuse them lots of times. Not ideal but alleviates the guilt somewhat.

I keep meaning to switch to bamboo toothbrush

Single use plastic is the worst because it is thrown away after very little time, but all plastic needs to be reduced because the planet simply can’t keep taking it. Every bit of plastic ever made is still in existence in and on earth. Even if we use that Tupperware box for 30 years at some point it will be thrown away and then languish in a landfill for 500 years.

I switched to bamboo toothbrushes and bought some that had good reviews, but they're far too soft. Would like to find some 'good' ones.

Same with washing up brush - started to lose its brush 'hairs' long before it needed replacing.

I want to do the right thing, but it ain't easy.

@Cynderella, that's why I went for the plastic replaceable heads brush (the brand is Yaweco). Couldn't get on with the bamboo at all.

@zzzzz Not if you already own the Tupperware, use what you already have.

One of the plastics issues that bothers me is why are the government not working with toy manufacturers?
A lot of toys marketed now are single use (McDonald's toys, Squishies, any other "collectible")

Ah, gotcha @zzzzz. I do the same with freezer bags 😊

Well that was a bit tongue in cheek - I'm certainly not going to buy any more tupperware....if I was that thoughtless I wouldn't have started the thread

But lets be fare - if they make a recyclable (within a reasonable time period) tupperware it would be great

But like the bags that go in the food waste box (that I don't use) they recycle too soon.....

I'm concerned about plastic meat trays/platic tomato sauce bottles etc

It really is everywhere! Clearing out office drawers and finding tat they give away at conferences (adult equivalent of McDonald's toys).
Refuse it all now that I'm more enlightened!

Trays under fruit/veg could be egg box cardboard (I'm sure they used to be)

Toothpaste tubes could be metal again & bottles!! Glass bottles for everything

Well strawberries etc need a punnet of some sort as it protects them from damage

I agree about paper bags with plastic windows fgs make up your mind!