Sustainability burst to the forefront last year, becoming a non-negotiable in our daily routines, ways of thinking and even national school curriculum. But how can we keep those good habits going in 2020?
Here are a few family-friendly sustainability ideas.
BYO containers, straws
We’re all practiced at bringing our own sustainability bags when we go shopping, and many of us probably bring a reusable cup with us on our coffee runs, but there is more waste to be avoided. Have you ever considered taking your own containers with you when you’re getting takeaway? Some places won’t do it for health and safety reasons, but it’s worth asking when you place your order. Then, all you have to do is arrive with containers in hand and they will fill them up for you. Same deal with straws – it’s not hard to have a few reusable (bamboo?) straws in your car for when you stop by a restaurant or a drive-thru etc with the kids in tow. It’s a small change that will help reduce the more than seven million metric tonnes of plastic that enters the ocean every year.
Think before you order
How many times have you ordered a drink and been given a plastic straw that you don’t want or need, or a set of plastic cutlery with your food? If you can’t use your own containers when ordering out, remember to ask the restaurant, bar or café you’re at to leave out any plastic cutlery, straws or unnecessary napkins they may automatically include in your order. This could also include sauce, salt or pepper sachets. It seems small, but the more people say they don’t want these unnecessary items, the more businesses will realise they don’t need to order them in the first place.
Cut out packaged drinks & snacks
How many of your weekly food items come wrapped in plastic? No matter how healthy you eat, it can be hard to avoid if you aren’t shopping consciously. Think through your decision to buy drinks or packaged snacks like juices, water bottles, chips, chocolate or lollies, and consider whether you could find or make a plastic-free version. This won’t just help the planet – it will also help you save a tonne of money, and make healthier, more conscious decisions.
Cleaning products
A great way to minimise your plastic use is to make your own cleaning essentials – and it’s a lot easier than you think! Many of the cleaning products sold at the supermarket are not only packaged in plastic, but also carry a lot of harmful chemicals. This simple recipe will have you making your own all purpose cleaner in no time, and help you banish unnecessary packaging.
Toothbrushes
Did you know that 3.5 billion toothbrushes are sold worldwide, every year? What’s more, most of them get lost in the recycling process and end up in landfill – or worse, make their way into rivers and oceans. Plastic toothbrushes also take up to 400 years to decompose. Scary stuff! By making the switch to biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes for your family, you are taking a step in the right direction.
