For most of us, going completely plastic-free feels overwhelming and impossible.
If you’re looking for a place to start, here are some easy swaps for common single-use plastic items. (You’ll barely miss them.)
Plastic produce bags – Once it’s your default setting to keep reusable produce bags with the reusable shopping bags, you can cut the plastic ones out of your life. Search ‘reusable produce bags’, or pick some up from our flagship store.
Single use coffee pods – Nespresso admits that 71 percent of its billions of pods end up in landfill. Consider other ways to caffeinate that produce far less waste. Some local roasters, like Kokako, sell excellent organic, fairtrade coffee in home compostable bags.
Tea pyramids – What pods are to coffee, ‘silk’ pyramids (usually plastic) are to our other favourite cuppa. Most traditional paper teabags also use a thermoplastic in the heat sealing process. Consider using loose leaf tea, and make a ritual out of your morning cup.
Takeaway utensils – It’s usually easier to refuse the cutlery than the takeaway container itself, although it does take some organising. Pop a set in your bag from your cutlery drawer, or buy a special set in its own container.
Bottled water – Hundreds of billions of single use plastic water bottles end up in landfill each year. Gulp. All you need for this (money saving) swap is an aluminium or glass bottle, and tap water. If you run out while you’re on the run, many cafes are happy to refill it for you.
Takeaway coffee cups – One takeaway coffee every workday adds up to around 260 single-use coffee cups (and lids) headed for landfill each year. And with so many beautifully designed reusable cups, you can enjoy your treat even more. Some cafes will incentivise BYOing your coffee cup with a discount.
Non-refillable plastic bottles – Ecostore is constantly working on solutions to single-use plastics: like the new aluminium refill bottle that can be topped up at one of 80+ refill stations. Or for your hair, switch to plastic free, solid haircare bars.
Dryer sheets – These are disposable, synthetic, and full of nasty chemicals. Instead, choose a laundry detergent and fabric softener combo with a fragrance derived from essential oils, and dry clothes outdoors – they’ll smell like fresh air and sunshine!
To start your plastic free journey, visit our flagship store for reusable drink bottles, cups, cutlery and produce bags, plus refills of your favourite ecostore products.
ECOSTORE, 1 Scotland Street, Freemans Bay, T: 09 360 8477, www.ecostore.co.nz
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