Cutting down on plastic at home

[stanleysmummy1]

Has anyone any tips for how as a family we can cut down on the amount of plastic we use? It seems everything we buy comes in plastic packaging and there’s been lots in the news about the damage it does to oceanlife etc. Plastic drinks bottles are a particular issue for us – we get through loads but I’m not sure there’s much other option when we all drink bottled water?

I feel your pain and am also concerned – I read the other day that 8 million tons of plastic are dumped in the ocean every year and really want to do my bit to help. We’ve been considering one of those filtered water taps, but don’t really have the funds to replace what we’ve got right now. Feel guilty and think there must be a better option.

I've started using bar soap instead of handwsh/shower gel. I have to use special shampoo so unfortunately I can't reduce use with that. We now have a milk man instead of using plastic bottles we get them delivered in glass. I've stopped buying plastic straws and now have a set of metal ones. No cling film, use foil, Tupperware or bees wax wraps to cover/wrap food. It's not world changing but I feel like I'm doing my little bit. It also has the benefit of saving money as these things last longer than using single use plastics.

I tried to move to a solid shampoo and conditioner to reduce the packaging but neither product seemed to be as good as the liquid ones so I have now moved to the largest bottle size I can so I don't have so many empty bottles.

If you really can’t drink your tap water than a filter jug and reusable bottles is the answer. If your tap water is ok then just refill bottles. Once you’ve done this then look at paper straws, solid shampoo etc. Single use water bottles in a country where tap water is safe and readily available are completely unnecessary.

Just don't drink bottled water. We live in a country where its perfectly safe to drink water from a tap.

Don't drink bottled water then! Buy some aluminium refillable bottles and use tap water.
Get your veg, meat and bread from local shops and take your own containers /cloth bags to put them in (or get box deliveries)
re-use lidded containers and stop using clingfilm.
Bar soap (I'm still trying to find a bar shampoo and conditioner that are kind on my hair)
recycle and reuse as much as you can.
Milk man for glass bottled milk.
bamboo toothbrushes are my next thing to do.

Think about it everytime you buy something. Not just food but EVERYTHING you buy. Do you really need it? Can you buy a more environmentally kind version. Do your research.

Some great items sold here: www.babipur.co.uk/eco-living-home.html
AND
www.babipur.co.uk/natural-toiletries-skincare.html
AND
www.babipur.co.uk/reusable-menstrual-cups-pads.html

I think ‘buddy’ gives you 10% off most things, free delivery on orders of £40 or over (before discount).

Also worth checking out the Yes Bebè website, think ‘babble’ will deduct 10% off final price, can’t remember what the free delivery threshold is but I’m sure it’ll say on their website.

We got a device that filters the water straight out of the tap, had it installed earlier this year and so glad we did. We don’t buy water in bottles at all now and the water from the tap is always pleasant to drink (we live in an area with hard water). Originally did it to encourage the kids to drink more water and now the whole family is hooked! It’s saved us loads of money on mineral water and we had it fitted to our existing kitchen tap, so wasn’t a huge amount to pay. The kids love the twist mechanism too, getting water for them is turned into a game half the time! This is the one, if anyone has the same problem with the taste of hard water - www.abode-shop.co.uk/d/Swich-Water-Filter-System_20.html