20+ easy ways to reduce single-use plastic
Plastic free July is a global movement to reduce plastic pollution, where people all around the world make even more of a concious effort to reduce their plastic-use throughout the month of July.
Start by following the simple tips below. It is almost impossible to be 100% ‘plastic-free’ so just remember that every habit and action you choose adds up and can have a positive impact on the environment.
We all love food… but when it comes to buying, storing and eating food, we can all make more eco-friendly choices and say no to single use plastic.
Continue reading for some simple, affordable (and free!) ways to reduce your plastic-use this Plastic Free July
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Here we go…
20 ways to eat & drink without single-use plastic
- Bring a jar with you for takeaway smoothies juices etc.
If you don’t have a reusable cup, use your empty jars (from peanut butter, jam, pasta sauces etc.) wash them out well and bring them with you when you plan on buying drinks on the go! Just kindly ask the worker if they can use the jar for your drink instead of their takeaway cup. (Most places will even give you a discount for bringing your own cup!)
- BYO container or bowl when ordering food to takeaway
Same as above, most places will gladly let you BYO containers for takeaway food too. (I love bringing these natural coconut bowls, spoons, forks and knives with me everywhere to use instead of single-use takeaway containers – Click to shop coconutbowls.com *)
*(Thankyou for your support when shopping through the affiliate link above x) - Ask for no straw in your drink & bring your own reusable straw instead
There are so many types of reusable straws to choose from these days: glass, metal, bamboo, silicone; find your favourite and keep it in your bag with you wherever you go.
- Store your leftovers in reusable containers instead of using plastic wrap
This one is pretty self explanatory. You can buy reusable food wraps made from silicone or wax, to help keep your food fresh and prevent spoilage but it will last even longer inside an airtight food container with a proper lid/seal.
- Choose the loose produce at the supermarket instead of those wrapped in plastic packaging
Pick out your own single pieces of fruit and vegetables instead of buying the bundles of veg packaged in plastic. This also allows you to be particular with the quality of the produce you choose and will most likely be cheaper!
- Bring reusable produce bags when grocery shopping
Buy or DIY some reusable produce bags made from a lightweight material to put your fresh produce in at the grocery store (or you can always just put them straight into the trolley). You can find them in most health food stores, shop for them online or find a tutorial on how to make your own for cheap!
- Use the brown paper bags at the grocery store
If you don’t have reusable produce bags on hand at the time, opt for the brown paper bags provided (usually near the mushrooms section) instead of using the plastic ones for produce.
- Buy the whole fruit/vegetable instead of the pre-portioned wrapped produce
You may only want 1/2 a watermelon or pumpkin, but why not buy the whole fruit/vegetable without the plastic wrap. Cook it up and/or freeze it if you aren’t able to eat it all before it goes bad.
- Swap that tub of icecream for some homemade ‘nicecream’
Make your own instant icecream at home without the plastic by blending frozen bananas with whatever flavourings you desire.
CLICK HERE for a super simple 2 ingredient Chocolate nicecream recipe. - BYO reusable shopping bags
Always keep some in your car, at the back door, or in your handbag so you don’t forget to take them with you to the shops/grocery store.
- Shop at bulk food stores, or in bulk sections at the supermarket
Not everyone may have access to a bulk food store in their town. However if you do, make use of it, as bulk food stores allow you to use your own reusable bags, recycled jars, produce bags etc. to buy the specific amount of ingredients and produce you need without any packaging involved.
- Shop at your local farmers markets
Support your local businesses and farmers at the farmers market. Most of their produce should be plastic-free since they generally come straight from the farm.
And don’t forget your reusable bags! - BYO reusable coffee cup
This is an easy tip that every regular coffee/tea drinker should be implementing these days. Bring a reusable coffee cup for takeaway hot drinks from cafes to avoid those single-use cups. You can even bring a regular old mug from home! (Also remember most cafes will even give you a discount for bringing your own cup!)
Those single-use coffee cups don’t breakdown and they soon add up, especially if you buy a coffee (or multiple) every single day. The amount of takeaway coffee cups that are thrown out every year is insane. - Keep a reusable water bottle on you everywhere you go
Buy a reusable drink bottle that you can carry around with you so that you won’t be stuck buying plastic water bottles.
- Grow your own herbs & produce
Unfortunately it can be hard to find fresh herbs that don’t come in plastic at the grocery store so why not try growing them yourself! You could grow a simple micro-greens or herb garden on your kitchen windowsill or out the back door. Growing your own food will not only reduce the amount of plastic that’s involved in buying them, but you’ll also save money! win win
- Make homemade snacks, protein bars, treats etc.
It may be convenient to buy packaged granola bars, bliss balls, biscuits etc. but it can be just as convenient if you make big batches of them at home and freeze them, so you’ll always have them on hand.
Whip up a double (or triple) batch of tasty homemade granola, 5 ingredient cookies or these delicious Chocolate Protein Balls for week and freeze the rest for later. - Choose boxed, canned or bottled over plastic packaging
Stick to as many fresh, whole plant foods as possible when grocery shopping, but when it comes to non-perishable items, opt for those packaged in glass jars/bottles, cans or cardboard boxes. For example: choose the pasta that comes in a cardboard box instead of plastic packaging; or a jar of olives, instead of those in a plastic container from the deli.
- Make connections with people in your community
Why not offer your friends & neighbours something in return for some of their homegrown fruits/veggies. Get to know the people in your community and get behind your local businesses that sell grow/produce locally. You could even seek out whether there is a community garden that you could get involved with.
- Dine-in instead of takeaway
Take a few minutes to stop, slow down and eat your food at the cafe/restaurant instead of getting it to takeaway (but if you’re really in a rush, make sure you are organised and complete Tip no. 2)
- Communicate with your local grocery stores
Encourage your local store owners to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging in their stores. The more concerns they hear from customers about plastic packaging, the more likely they are to actually make a change.
B O N U S T I P S!
- Bring a set of cutlery (like these beautiful natural fork, spoon, knife, chopsticks etc.) with you on-the-go so you can refuse all single-plastic, disposable cutlery.
- Switch to reusable, washable un-paper towel kitchen rolls and you’ll never have to buy regular paper towel over and over again.
Which of these have you already implemented in your life?
and which one are you willing to try next?
Share it in the comments below or on the Instagram post.
Going “plastic-free” is not about being perfect, it is about doing the best that you can with what you have and choosing to take the next step further.
and don’t forget to continue implementing these tips and tricks even after Plastic Free July is over…
Found these tips helpful?
Share the link with your friends to help them have a more positive impact on the environment.
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Alison Waddell
Hey Georgia,
Thanks so much for your foodiee gee email. Your ideas are absolutely fabulous. I love them! They’re so good for the environment, our health and relationships in the community. Well done!
Ideas I will comment on and implement:
1. Bring own jar for smoothies – what a wonderful idea!
5. I now plan to choose loose produce instead of bagged items (eg potatoes, apples); and
8. … to purchase whole items such as watermelon and pumpkin, instead of wrapped portions. Good idea! So simple yet I hadn’t thought of doing that.
9. Ice cream – your cuz Andy has been making homemade ice cream this year in the Waddell household. He makes it
scientifically (oh ok, all cooking is scientific; LOL). He combines Milk, cream, sugar and vanilla in little press lock
seal bags ( plastic; which he washes and reuses). Adds salt to crushed ice. This causes a reaction as follows: “Adding salt lowers the freezing temperature of the water; it means that the water won’t freeze as easily. For our ice cream, it allows the temperature of the mixture around the ice cream to get colder. Since the ice cream isn’t just water, it needs to be a little below 32°F to freeze.
He packs the milky/creamy bags in amongst the ice in the freezer overnight. Next morning, delicious icy cream is ready. 🙂
14. Reusable water bottle – I have a story for you. Your Uncle Jim and I travelled around the UK, Estonia and Finland in May this year. We took a water bottle each in our luggage that went into the hold of the plane ($5 metal bottles from Kmart). Each time we entered a new country or place, we’d fill and use the bottles. Each time we left a country or travelled by plane, we’d empty the bottles and pack in them in our luggage again. We did not purchase a single plastic bottle anywhere. (Unfortunately airlines have no plastic bottle/cup free option yet that I know of).:(
15. In spring we would like to grow our own herbs and produce again. Like Wangaratta, Canberra is a very dry place and water is expensive, so we will be very selective in what we plant and how much of it is planted. Can’t wait to have fresh homegrown foods again though. Thanks for the heads up about this idea!
18. Connecting with the community – Awesome idea! I have a story about this too. We have neighbours two doors down our street who have chooks. Whenever the neighbours go away on holidays, they say, “Alison, would you please do us a favour and collect the eggs whilst we are away?” LOL They are so sweet. I always chat to the four chooks when I visit them, take lots of long grass and weeds from our yard and our food scraps.
Thanks again G for bringing such important issues to the forefront of people’s minds. You’re doing an amazing job. Keep it up.
I would love for you to give me a cooking lesson using cacao one day.
I wish you well.
Love,
Aunty Al
Gee
Wow thankyou! I’m so glad you found it so helpful/interesting! Amazing to hear all the new things you’re thinking of implementing! lots of love x
Lyssa
These are all awesome tips. I am trying to get better about this. My husband and I started a garden to try and be less wasteful.
Deanna | Life By Deanna
Great post! I have started bringing my own straws and bags! Small steps but it’s all helpful 🙂
Christine
Great tips! Where I live, the city has banned plastic bags in all stores since 2021.
Andi
Love this! So many great ideas!
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Really appreciate your tips. I know we each can do better. Thank you for sharing on this topic.????
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
Nicolle
Totally in love with these ideas!!! I am already doing quite a few things that are mentioned here, but there were definitely a few additional points that I can easily adapt. Thanks so much for sharing, such an important topic!!
Literally Laurie
Love this post as one of my goals is to be environmentally conscious!
Angelia
Great tips for going plastic free! I try to avoid plastic whenever possible. I have stopped using paper plates and napkins, I use stainless steel straws and reusable bags. I feel every little bit helps. Thank you for sharing.