Reduce plastic without being drastic

Bayside City Council has committed to eliminating avoidable single-use plastics from council's operations and is now working on removing them from Council-owned buildings like sporting clubs and community centres. For Plastic Free July we are encouraging residents to join us in saying no to single-use plastic.

How close are you to a Plastic Free July? Last week we discussed what plastic is and this week we take a closer look at how to reduce plastic in your daily life. Let us know on our social media how many of these you are already doing or any tips we may have missed.

In the kitchen Avoid cling wrap for storing food and opt for reusable containers, beeswax wraps or other reusable food coverings. Reuse or repurpose old containers for storage. Coffee jars are great as flour or nut containers. Avoid individually wrapped items such as sliced cheese and dishwasher tablets.

  In the bathroom Opt for bars of soap rather than plastic dispensers. Alternatively, purchase your liquid soap in bulk and refill the same dispenser. Bamboo toothbrushes are now widely available in most major supermarkets as an alternative to plastic. Tear up old clothes to use as cleaning rags, these can be washed over and over again over single-use wipes.

  At the shops Don’t forget your reusable bags to carry all of your shopping, of course! Get organised and keep a stash of reusable shopping bags in places they'll be useful like at work, in the car or the hallway at home. Bring reusable containers whenever possible: containers for your deli or bakery products. A lightweight veggie bag from home could be a laundry bag! Avoid pre-packaged fruits and veggies and select loose fruit and veg instead. Buy in bulk when you can- less packaging, less time at the shops and it's often cheaper in the long run.

At cafes and restaurants Choose to refuse single-use items like straws, sauce sachets and single-use cutlery. Every ‘no’ adds up. BYO reusable products! Coffee cups, water bottles, straws, containers, cutlery and more. Get used to bringing your own reusable items when out and about. Bring along a container, just in case you have leftovers you’d like to take home.

The internet is your best friend when it comes to ideas for plastic alternatives. If consumers avoid products with unnecessary plastic packaging it sends a message to manufacturers to change their procedures.

There are more ways than ever before to minimise or even remove single-use plastic from our daily lives. How many above have you already tried? What will you commit to doing for Plastic Free July? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram!