Here we will create a list of the worst examples of single use plastics and along side recommend alternative plastic free products.
Plastic Straws
Plastic straws are one of the worse single use plastics in existance, the UK alone uses around 8.5 billion per year. They are easily dropped or discarded and can easily be blown into water courses. Once in the environment they can cause devastation to marine life as due to their small size they are easily ingested by animals.
One of the most famous examples of straws effecting marine life is the widely viewed video on YouTube of a plastic straw being removed from a turtle’s nose.
The EU is now looking at banning the production and supply of these straws whilst restaurants and coffee shops such as Wagamama and Costa have already announced that they will replace plastic straws with non-plastic alternatives.
Paper Straws
Before the introduction of plastic straws, paper straws were the norm. Originally patented in 1888 these straws are now seeing a huge resurgence and are fast replacing its problematic plastic cousin.
Straws Paper 150Pcs with Recycled Packaging Biodegradable Bulk Drinking Straws Decorations for Party Birthday Wedding Baby Shower Valentine in Bright Rainbow Lollipop Multi-Color
- Wonderful fun ideas art paper straws for the wedding parties, celebrations,or when you host to guests.
- Nice for DECORATING and DIY projects such as cupcakes, photo prop holders etc.
- Adorable and gorgeous chic appeal WITH 6 color stripes included light neon (25 pcs),organge(25 pcs),pastel yellow(25 pcs),pastel green(25 pcs),blue(25 pcs),pastel purple(25 pcs)
- Package is also eco-friendly,no plastic bag.Pattern comes in separate space by cardboad then hold in High Quality Box.
Glass Straws
Glass straws can be reused indefinitely they are non toxic, food safe and easy to clean.
Bamboo Straws
Bamboo straws are natural, reusable, you can wash them in a dishwasher and eventually they will biodegrade 100%.
Stainless steel straws
Stainless steel is highly reusable and easy to clean, they look good in cocktails and are a good durable choice for restaurants and cafes.
Disposable hot drinks cups
Disposable coffee cups have become a daily encounter for many people who just want to enjoy a hot drink on the go. These cups sometimes appear to be eco-friendly due to being manufactured from recycled paper however they usually contain a plastic lining to stop the paper absorbing the liquid. This renders the end product as being completely un-recyclable. We wont even mention that black plastic lid!
The key to finding alternatives to this type of disposable product can be summed up in one word… ‘RE-USE‘!
With many high street cafes now offering discounts to people bringing their own cups there is simply no excuse not to make the decision to take a reusable cup with you. Just think of how many cups you may have thrown away after enjoying your favourite drink. All those cups are currently still somewhere in the environment having only been used by you once!
Stop using disposables and get yourself a reusable hot drinks cup which you can carry with you every day. Available in all sorts of sizes, materials and colours, we have listed some of the best reusable cups here.
Coffee to go cup with screw-on lid and silicone cup sleeve from kaufdichgrün I reusable bamboo coffee cup organic bamboo tableware dishwasher-proof BPA-free drinking cup I green 300 ml
- The bamboo cups that are made from regrowing resources have a filling quantity of 300 ml, a bamboo screw-on lid and score with a haptic isolating silicone cup sleeve
- The ECO cups can be used for cold and hot drinks and are also perfectly suitable as children’s cups, because they don’t splinter, when they fall to the ground by accident
- The bamboo tableware is made of organic bamboo fibers, corn starch, wood fibers and melamine resin. The high quality coffee to go cups are of course free of BPA and plasticizers
- The bamboo fiber cups are dishwasher-proof up to 70°C, reusable, food-safe and significantly less carbon dioxide is emitted during the manufacturing process compared to plastic cups
- The coffee to go cups with lid have are all unicolored. The cups have a discreet, natural surface on the inside due to the processing of the bamboo fibers
Plastic bottles
Plastic Bottles are everywhere, it is estimated that it takes 17 million barrels of oil to produce plastic bottles every year. Only 1 in 5 of these bottles are recycles meaning 13.6 million barrels of oil in the form of plastic bottles are ending up in the our environment.
Why not start filling up our own bottles at home to take out with us or just asking someone to use their tap to refill on the go, water is pretty much free so make the most of it and save money at the same time!
Bottles that we can use again and again are now becoming more and more popular. with some unique designs and ideas on the market the choice is endless. See some of our favourites here.
Stainless Steel Water Bottle 500ml/750ml/1000ml Steel Water Bottle BPA Free for Outdoor Drinking, Running, Cycling, Hiking, Camping
- 100% BPA Free, non-toxic, but not suitable for hot water.
- Made of high quality 304(18/8)Stainless steel, designed to last and no rust.
- Twist-off & wide mouth design, leak proof and able to add ice cubes or fruit to your drinks.
- 3 Size Option, 17oz(500ml)/26oz(750ml)/34oz(1000ml), and come with a free hook to help carry.
- Ideal water bottle for outdoor sport, hiking, cycling, camping, gym or home using.
Cotton buds
Cotton buds are basically like tiny straws. Once the cotton has dissipated all that id left is that tiny thin piece of plastic that can easily find its way into drains and water courses and end up in our oceans. They can understandably cause untold damage to marine life as they are so easily digested by fish, birds and sea mammals.
Many shops and supermarkets are now starting to stop the sale of the plastic variety and are replacing with paper based products. It would be great not to see these still packaged in a thick plastic box however!
From paper to bamboo there ARE alternatives to the plastic cotton bud. We have collected together the most environmental friendly versions we can find here.
Pandoo 4 pack bamboo cotton swabs (800 pieces) – 100% biodegradable, vegan & sustainable – Compostable premium cotton swabs
- ♻ ECO-FRIENDLY & SUSTAINABLE – The bamboo and cotton pandoo cotton buds are 100% biodegradable and made from organically grown bamboo. Bamboo is a rapidly growing resource and thus the sustainable solution to traditional plastic cotton swabs.
- ♻ PRICE & PERFORMANCE – The earsticks are completely odorless and they do not contain any dyes, chemicals or plastics. They are made of natural raw materials and very stable. The packaging contains 800 pieces. These are enough for the whole family.
- ♻ DESIGN & QUALITY – The pandoo care sticks are a natural product therefore they have a very appealing design and effectively and thoroughly cleanse the ear through the cotton.
- ♻ COMPOSTABLE & VERSATILE – absolutely natural & vegan, we pay attention to a sustainable life cycle of our products. Not only suitable for the ears, but also for cleaning small other things.
- ♻ MATERIALS & DIMENSIONS – The optimal alternative to plastic or wooden sticks. The cotton swabs are 7.5 cm long and have a cotton head on both ends and therefore usable on both sides.
Plastic bags are the most famous of all the disposable plastics, with many governments now imposing a ban on the free supply of plastic bags by shops. While this is a big step in the right direction and has really worked to decrease use, why not impose a full ban on the sale of plastic bags?
People would then be forced to make a change to the way they shop, after all 5p per bag for many people is not going to break the bank or cause them to change their bad habits. With estimated global consumption of plastic bags thought to be between 500 billion and 1 trillion units produced per year its easy to see why all this crazyness has got to stop. The animals and ecosystems on the earth are suffering directly simply as a result of our sheer laziness,
We need to incorporate reusable bags into our lives now.. yes right NOW!
From cotton to hemp and from jute to straw the shapes, sizes and designs of reusable bags are endless. The best are also 100% biodegradable so when after using it and hopefully wearing it out with so much use we can simply dispose of it on the compost heap where it can turn into food for our plants! We have listed some of our favourite types of reusable bag here.
Reusable Produce bags with tare weight, muslin bag, zero waste drawstring bags reusable bags produce bags cotton Produce Bag, cotton bag Set of 7 (6’x10′,8’x10′,12’x10′,14’x10’,15’x12’,18’x12′)
MUSLIN ORGANIC COTTON REUSABLE PRODUCE & VEGETABLE BAGS TO JOIN GO GREEN MOVEMENT: Many people trying to attain a closer to zero waste lifestyle, our muslin bags or mesh bags for produce allow you to do your weekly shop without the need for single-use plastic can fulfill the Life with Organic Cotton. Convenient plastic free produce bags to use when selecting and carrying your fresh fruit and veggies. Our Reusable Bags are created an easy alternative to paper bags, nylon produce bags for fruit- REUSABLE PRODUCE SHOPPING BAGS: Neatly double stitched, beautifully designed, look clean, elegant, lightweight as farmer’s market bag, grocery shopping, reusable sandwich bags, cloth produce bags, rezip reusable storage bags. Moreover, these reusable ziploc like cotton produce bag are vegetable bags keep fresh, reusable, recyclable for Chips Bags, Pasta Bags, Bread Bags, Raisin Bags, Cotton Reusable Bulk Bags, Reusable Shopping Bags, Storing Big Toys and Travel Storages.
- VARIOUS SIZES TO FULFILL ALL NEEDS: The cotton bags can be used as a material for Arts and Crafts Project by paint and style your favorite kids character and themes to make it as a special event. Great to store products from Automotive Parts Accessories, DIY Crafts, Baby Products, Beauty & Personal Care, Books, Handmade Clothing, pet foods, gift bags for birthdays. Available in 6 sizes – XX-Large (18 x 12 in), X-L (15 x 12 in), L (14 x 10 in), Med(12 x 10 in), S(8 x 10 in) and X-S (6 x 9 in)
