5 Tips To Start Reducing Single Use Plastic - Forever!

With over 10 million plastic bags used everyday, Australia is one of the most wasteful countries in the developed world. So, let’s face it, things have really got to change. Most of the time, reducing plastic waste simply comes down to our daily habits, and realising that even the smallest choice can have a bit impact.

Here at My Grandma Ben we believe that small changes made often is the way to changing our habits in the long run. It's about not feeling guilty and overwhelmed if you fail and to keep persevering until you find solutions that work for you and your family.

Check out our top five hacks to start living life plastic-free.

Ban the bag

It might seems like a simple task but many of us still end leaving our reusable bags at home when we go shopping, resulting excess plastic bags. The trick is to be organised, and not leave yourself with the option of using plastic. This goes for single-use plastic produce bags, as well as shopping bags.

Reusable produce bags are great from the using in the supermarket to bag fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains and salad mix etc. These bags will even help extend the life of produce that you transfer to the fridge and weigh next to nothing so you won't get slugged at the cash register – what’s not to love?
 
* Our tip: Leave your reusable bags in your car. No longer will you be left bag-less on an impulse super market trip! Pile them all into one bag to save space.

Line your Bin With Paper

Sometimes when looking for ways to reduce plastic waste, the best way to tackle the question is by asking: what would Grandma have done?

The plastic bag wasn’t invented until 1950, and their widespread use didn’t come until the late 1970’s or early 1980’s when supermarkets began to introduce them at check outs - crazy hey?

A paper bags were often used as bin liners, and also as common was lining with newspaper. There are a million different ways to line your bin, YouTube as plenty of tutorials. However we think this way is the best:

Steer clear of plastic water bottles

It is scary how unsustainable disposable plastic bottles are. In 2010 alone, Australia produced over 580 million litres of bottled water, generating more than 60,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – the same amount generated by 13,000 cars in one year.

Luckily, there is a pretty easy way to fix this problem. Carry a metal or glass reusable water bottle with you. You’ll be reducing plastic waste, decreasing your exposure to harmful BPAs, and what’s more you’ll save a bunch of cash by not consuming bottled water.

Buy your food in bulk

With the rise of whole food bulk stores it is becoming easier to shop waste free. Take your own jars, containers or use paper bags to stock up on all your bulk food goodies to minimise or eliminate plastic packaging in the pantry all-together. Bulk food stores often stock grains, pulses, seeds and other hard-to-find ingredients that your supermarket might not, plus you can buy the exact amounts that you might require! It’s win, win. You can even make your own cleaning products using bulk store bought ingredients.

Scrap Plastic Wrap

Believe it or not, there were plastic-free ways of storing food before cling wrap was invented in the 1950s. If you don’t have a glass jar or container handy to store food in, instead of covering or wrapping it in cling wrap pop it in a bowl and cover with a plate. Or, invest in some reusable food wraps instead. Food wraps made from silicon or cotton and beeswax are now quite readily available, and once you get into the habit of using them, you’ll wonder why you ever even used plastic wrap.