Reduce plastic waste

Reducing the amount of plastic and other packaging you buy helps reduce the amount of energy and water used in manufacturing and recycling. This also helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.

You might already be recycling hard plastics in your recycling bin. In some areas, plastic bags can be recycled at supermarkets. Most other types of soft plastics are not recycled and end up in landfill.

For most situations, the best solution to reducing plastics and packaging is to choose re-usable options as much as possible.

Refuse and reduce

An easy way to reduce plastic waste is to reduce the need for plastic shopping bags. You can:

• Remember to take your own bags with you when you shop. You can use re-usable bags, boxes, a backpack or your own shopping trolley.
• If you need bags for a specific purpose, ask your local shop if they have bags made from recycled plastic.
• Encourage and remind friends and family to use re-usable bags.
• Take note of where you are using bags and think about whether you can reduce them.
• Save on plastic wraps, freezer bags and other soft plastics by using re-usable containers as much as possible. Think about covering food in a bowl with a lid or plate instead of plastic wrap.

Re-use and recycle

Many of the plastics we use can be re-used for other purposes, and eventually recycled:

• Washed takeaway containers make good stackable containers for frozen food and can be used again and again.
• Use bread bags, cereal bags and any other plastic packaging to wrap wet and smelly rubbish like meat bones or dirty nappies. You could also use these as bin liners.
• Most supermarkets accept plastic bags for recycling.
• If you have left-over plastic bags, see if other people need them. Charities and community groups often need bags for markets and sales.

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