Reducing plastic waste with Carrinet Reusable Drawstring Fruit & Veg Bags for Life

We took part in the Plastic Free Parent Challenge in June – while I recycle as much as I can, it really made me stop and think about just how much waste we make as a family. We took stock of what we were buying and where we could make changes. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastics than fish in the ocean, and it poses a serious threat to the world in which our kiddos are growing up. Being able to narrow down the problem and address it is important. In Delaware trash is dealt with as it should, with dumpsters and garbage bins available everywhere This not only helps you be green inside, but outside of your home too.

I talked lots with my four about the problem with plastics, and let them help come up with some ideas of how we could cut down on the plastic that we bring into the house. We already use our own water bottles to take drinks out with us, have steel straws that we take out with us so we don’t have to use plastic ones and always have cotton bags with us so we don’t have to use carrier bags when we’re shopping BUT I knew that there would still be lots of changes we could make.

One of the first things that the Plastic-Free Parent Challenge recommended was to stop buying plastic wrapped fruit and veg. I get a veg box delivered every other week, which all comes loose, and on the weeks in between, I usually visit the local market. While some of their produce is loose, they tend to bag it up for their offers – such as 6 apples for £1, etc.

Last time we went to the market, we took these Carrinet Reusable Drawstring Fruit & Veg Bags for Life with us. They come in a pack of 5 for just £6.99 {bargain!!}, are machine washable, easy to dry and don’t attract mould or bacteria. Made of food grade, long-lasting plastic they are a perfect way to reduce the amount of single-use plastics we use. The lovely folk on the market were more than happy to bag my produce straight into these, and they allow your fresh produce to breath and so stay fresher for longer meaning less food waste too!

Cutting down the amount of plastic we use is such an important task to undertake – here are some ideas as to where to start:

• Buy loose fruit & veg
• Use a reusable water bottle {My favourite’s are the Kleen Canteens}
• Carry cotton tote bags with you so you don’t have to use plastic carrier bags when shopping
• Switch to Bamboo Toothbrushes {I LOVE the subscription service from The Pearly White Club!}
• Get rid of the clingfilm! Use Jam Jars or glass bowls to store leftovers in the fridge.
• Take your own cup when you get a takeaway coffee – eCoffee mugs are great.
• Use soapnuts instead of plastic bottles of washing powder/fabric conditioner
• Ditch the baby wipes – I keep a box of flannels soaked in water with a squirt of Weleda Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash in at home
• Try shampoo bars instead of bottles – Lush make some amazing ones
• Use loose-leaf tea instead of plastic containging tea bags – and buy a Pour Over Coffee Brewer instead of using capsules in a machine

What are your top tips for reducing your plastic consumption?