7 small steps for cutting down your plastic waste

DITCH THE RESEALABLE BAGS

If you’re a meal prepper with a freezer full of well-organised meals, there’s a good chance you’ve got an abundance of zip-lock bags stashed somewhere. If you want to part ways with plastic, consider investing in a set of silicone food storage bags instead. They’re microwave, freezer and dishwasher friendly and – most importantly – reusable. Just make sure they’re manufactured with food-grade silicon.

If you need to pack food on the go, a stainless-steel bento-style lunch box is a great option. Steel doesn’t stain or trap odours and will withstand years of daily use.

SWITCH THE YOGHURT POUCHES

Moving away from disposable yoghurt pouches and shifting to a more environmentally friendly (and healthier!) option is not as daunting as it seems. Instead of packing a disposable yoghurt pouch in your kid’s lunch box next time, have a look at making your own yoghurt and using reusable food pouches instead.

Next time you’re in your local supermarket, have a look for an at-home yoghurt kit. They’ve come a long way since they first hit the shelves a few decades ago, with plenty of delicious flavour options to choose from. As an extra bonus the sugar content is usually much lower than pre-packaged yoghurts too. Pop a serving into a reusable yoghurt pouch and you’ll be good to go!

BIN THE CLING

Single-use cling wrap can’t be recycled. An alternative you’ve probably already got in your kitchen is aluminium foil, which is recyclable when scrunched into a shape larger than a golf ball (sorting machines can’t detect smaller scraps).

Beyond this, beeswax wraps are great for sealing open containers. They’re widely available to purchase or, if you’re feeling crafty, you can make them yourself by treating cotton with cosmetic-grade beeswax. When cared for properly, a single wrap should last for a year. When it’s time to replace them, you can safely compost the older wraps – a much more environmentally friendly approach to disposal.

Beeswax wraps may even be superior to plastic when it comes to safe food storage. Studies have shown that propolis – produced by bees and found in beeswax – has antimicrobial properties, acting as a natural barrier that shields its contents from food-borne bacterial pathogens.

BREAK UP WITH TAKEAWAY CUPS

New Zealanders love coffee. So much so, we collectively throw away about 295 million takeaway cups per year. And while you may think these paper cups are recyclable, unfortunately, they’re often lined with a thin plastic film that isn‘t biodegradable. If cafe coffee is an essential part of your routine, make it a habit to bring along a reusable cup. Most cafés don’t mind what type of vessel you bring, and some even offer discounts if you BYO. Better for the environment AND your pocket!

Alternatively, consider allowing enough time to sit down and enjoy the experience. You may even find that taking 15 minutes out of your day to enjoy the moment with intention can become a powerful self-care ritual.

CLEAN SUSTAINABLY

Most products to keep your home spick and span come in single-use packaging. To cut down on your plastic consumption, you can try making your own cleaning products and storing them in reusable bottles.

A quarter cup of baking soda mixed with half a cup of vinegar and two litres of warm water makes a great all-purpose cleaner. If you need disinfectant, mix a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in a reusable spray bottle filled with warm water (pro tip: add your favourite essential oils for a fresh scent). As for cleaning clothes, you can make washing detergent by mixing two parts of washing soda and borax with one-part soap flakes (purchased flaked or grated from a bar of castile soap).

If the idea of DIY-ing is too daunting, there are plenty of other options. Ordering cost-effective concentrated tablets to use with your own glass spray bottle (and delivered to your door) is one way, or you could find an eco-store or bulk food retailer which you can pack into your own containers.

GREEN CLEAN YOUR BODY

Have you ever stopped to look at how many shampoo, conditioner and body wash bottles you go through? Most of these bottles eventually find their way to landfill where they can stay for up to 450 years depending on the material used.

If you’re creative, you can easily make these at home which not only reduces your environmental impact, but home-made goods can leave you with more coins in your back pocket. If you’re time-poor, there are plenty of ready-made bar options in supermarkets or online through smaller local businesses or markets. The extra bonus is you get to support your local community!

ALL THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GREAT FOR THE PLANET

You know how you end up finding sparkly flecks for days after you’ve handled glitter? Well, it turns out the same phenomenon occurs in the environment. In pre-packaged form, glitter won’t break down naturally and will inevitably find its way into the wider world. While it might seem insignificant, it’s a textbook example of a microplastic.

Most parents actively try and stay as far away from glitter as possible (kids, glitter and carpet do not mix!) but if you can’t forgo a touch of glamour, don’t despair. Many companies are now manufacturing eco-friendly glitter made from plants. These alternatives are available for both makeup and kid-friendly craft applications. Just double-check the manufacturer’s website to be certain you’re not introducing more plastic to the environment.