4 simple tips to reduce plastic

admin

September 27, 2024

Our goal is not to make the plastic (waste) mountain even bigger. It's good to recycle plastic and glass (here we have 9 tips on recycling), but it's even better to buy and use less plastic.

1. Buy without packaging

Ask yourself for all products while shopping: Is this product also available unpackaged? Fruits and vegetables are often bought loose and pre-packaged. Opt for the lemons without netting and for the loose apples. In the meantime, reusable fruit and vegetable bags are available everywhere and also with us. You can also often get bread at the bakery and stow it in your bag. In unpackaged stores, you can take all products available there, such as pasta, rice, cereals, etc., in your own containers/bags. Then you have to prepare the purchase well and the bags will be heavier if you take your glasses with you. This is certainly not always possible, but maybe from time to time?

2. Prepare

For all spontaneous purchases, it is good to always have a (foldable) shopping bag in your handbag. And if the bag is big enough, you might also fit a reusable water bottle and/or a reusable coffee bucket. In the long run, you avoid a lot of plastic waste and it is (often) cheaper!

3. Concentrated 'solutions'

Toilet rolls with more leaves, cleaning agent concentrates (e.g. green or black soap) or syrup for dilution instead of fruit juice. More content in less packaging!

4. Refill

Choose packaging that can be refilled. For example, you can buy herbs in a large jar and refill the jar over and over again.

In the case of detergents and cleaning agents, there are some shops that have a refill system. (E.g. the Dille & Chamomile stores in Den Bosch, Tilburg and Amsterdam De Pijp!) Search the Internet for refill opportunities near you.