How to avoid the plastic TIDE at Christmas

The amount of waste produced increases by 30% over Christmas. That’s an extra 104,000 of plastic packaging that will be thrown away and not recycled*. Christmas is a time for parties and gatherings, and for many of us it’s a difficult time be plastic free. So here are our top tips to reduce the impact this year.

1. Refuse plastic bottles

We still use 38.5 million plastic bottles every day in the UK. Schemes that would tackle drinks packaging pollution in the UK, such as the Deposit Return Scheme, have continued to be delayed by the UK government. So it’s more important than ever to say ‘No’ to plastic bottles. Swap out plastic bottles of soft drinks and mixers for cans and glass, and ditch bottled water. We love jugs or refill bottles of iced tap water with chunks of lemon, lime or things like cucumber.

2. Unwrap your dinner

It may feel impossible to remove all plastic from your Christmas dinner shop, but choosing loose fruit and veg can have a big impact. Many supermarkets provide loose options and reusable bags. But the biggest win (and possibly cheaper option) is to shop local and go plastic free at a local grocer, farm shop or farm stall. Watch out for greenwashing too. Soft plastic food packaging is difficult to recycle, so taking it to supermarkets collection points is not a solution. Not buying it in the first place is.

3. Take your own Bags

Bags for life sales are increasing, which suggests many of them are not being re-used enough. We still buy on average 57 bags a year each. More than one a week! A lot of the thinner, plastic bags for life are still being used. Stick with the sturdier plastic or hessian alternatives if you do need one, and better still remember bags from home to save cash and another plastic item being bought.

4. Re-think gifts

Giving experience gifts, such as meals, activities, vouchers or even charitable donations, gets rid of waste completely … and can lead to a more thoughtful, meaningful gift too.  Supporting local businesses, producers and makers at Christmas is also a great way to give back to the community. Many are doing amazing work to reduce plastic, as well as supporting healthy and vibrant high streets. We have over five and a half thousand Plastic Free Champion businesses across the UK. Spot them by their plaque and certificate, so you can see where it’ll be easier to get plastic free options.

5. Share the message

The biggest way to have an impact is through sharing what we are doing to reduce plastic in our own lives during the festive season, as it will encourage family and friends to do the same. If you are cooking Christmas dinner this year, or holding a Christmas party at home or at work, pick one plastic item that you would rather they didn’t bring. You could start a trend with a plastic free Secret Santa. There’s power in numbers, and at a time when we all get together, it’s a perfect time to spread the plastic free message.

If you would like more tips on going plastic free, sign up with Plastic Free Communities and get your Individual Action Plan >> HERE

Want to find out if you local Plastic Free Community is running any event this Christmas? Head to our map and fine your nearest community >> HERE

*What a Christmas waste! – Government urged to get tough on packaging as new figures show scale of waste in the festive season (wcl.org.uk)