When thinking about single use plastics, the immediate example that tends to spring to mind is plastic bags. Many of you may have started reusing the plastic bags you’ve already been given or have a shopping tote that you already take to the store to avoid using new plastic bags. But what about the things that are less easy to refuse using altogether, and what are the alternatives if we can’t give up these products?
bazaar has a few solutions to help you on your way, and to make it fun, we’ve come up with a range of choices for you, so everyone can #beatplasticpollution. If you can’t reuse it, refuse it!
Plastic bags
No doubt you’ve got loads of plastic bags from the way they pack groceries in Kuwait; a separate bag is required for every category of product it seems! An easy way to reduce the number of plastic bags used is to tell the packers that you want as few bags as possible but what is ideal is to bring your own reusable bags to the supermarket, at only 250fils, it’s a small investment to make for the planet. Fancy something a bit more luxurious? Try the Balenciaga Arena extra-large shopper tote bag for under 750KD Joking aside, there are many affordable bags to fit everyone’s price range, there are even bags that fit inside your daily use bag, your glove compartment or on your key-chain so you’re not lost for a bag if you unexpectedly need one. Start your search here.
www.cosmopolitan.com
Steal with IKEA or Splurge with Balenciaga?
Plastic water bottles/coffee cups
There are many reusable bottles on the market, but trending at the moment seems to be s’well, with new sizes added to their collection online, but there are many cheaper alternatives on the market too. Head down to your local souq or supermarket and pick up a flask that can keep you hydrated with hot or cold beverages for only a few dinars. Take your reusable beverage container to your favorite coffee shop; we’re sure they will embrace saving on expensive disposable, plastic coffee cups! Support local start-ups like leef bar or find a solution to bulky beverage holders with collapsible options. Head over to your local outdoors activity store for reusable solutions that campers and hikers have been using for years!
Plastic cutlery, plates, and take away containers
During picnic season we may laugh at the spork but this handy reusable utensil essentially eliminates the need for single use cutlery. Keep one at your desk for lunch breaks. If you insist on forks, knives and spoons then choose bamboo or plant based options.
Refuse Styrofoam or plastic containers and plastic plates by using stainless steel or silicone options or go natural with palm leaf or sugarcane fibre options.
There’s not much that gets up a sea turtle’s nose but if does, it’s usually a straw
Plastic straws
Refuse plastic straws or carry your own reusable straws with you, from practical to luxe, whether it’s a 1KD find or Tiffany’s 150KD monkey straw, you can find the perfect reusable straw for you
Plastic toothbrushes
It can take half a millennium for some single use plastic or plastics we use every day to degrade. All the plastic toothbrushes that ever were made (since the 1930’s) are still in existence today. Swap your plastic toothbrush for a biodegradable option and make sure your great (x23) grandchildren aren’t dealing with the marine litter legacy you left them 500 years ago. Fully biodegradable handle toothbrushes can be found on brush with bamboo the bristles are plant based, so this product is vegan friendly too!
Justin Hofman’s seahorse cotton swab image went viral in 2017
Plastic cotton swabs
Whose heart didn’t break when they saw Justin Hofman’s viral image of the seahorse gripping onto a plastic cotton bud? We’re not sure either what the product replacement would be for these swabs but you can choose cardboard buds which biodegrade fully. If you must clean your ears look to the East to find sustainable and biodegradable choices like the bamboo ear scoops or goose feather sticks.
Plastic feminine hygiene products
The average woman uses 11,000 disposable sanitary products in her lifetime. The Diva Cup and Mooncup silicone solutions save money and the planet with some cups lasting ten years with care. Diva Cup advises annual cup replacement.
Dispose of your disposable razors, go luxe with Mondial 1908 and Ouishave
Plastic razors
Similar to toothbrushes, but they’ve been around for less time, plastic razors take hundred of years to degrade. Go for old school and replace disposable razors with elegant, hand crafted solutions or go super luxe in rose gold. Or try at home, natural and cheaper alternatives for hair removal.
Wet wipes
It was a shock to learn that wet wipes are a major contributor to marine litter. You can make you own wet wipe solution and use with wash cloths, store them in a small silicone container to transport wet, or keep the solution in a reusable bottle and keep a spare cloth with you at all times. There are also vegan options online.
Really want to commit to zero waste? Read about the kit you need at Zero waste kit blog
If you absolutely can’t replace your plastic products do you know the types of plastic from which they are made? Understanding the seven plastic codes will make it easier to choose plastics and to know which plastics to recycle.
Share how you will be refusing to use a single use plastic using the hashtag #beatplasticpollution there’s even a great Tag game you can play to challenge others to do so too! We did the challenge (see the video below), now it’s your turn!
For more information on the effects of single use plastics on marine litter, examples of what is a single use plastic, and to register an event or see where one is being held, go to www.worldenvironmentday.global and follow the #beatplasticpollution.
