1. Switch to reusable shopping bags
It's likely that you do this already, as supermarkets and shops charge extra for the use of plastic bags. But instead of using more durable plastic bags, why not buy tote bags made of recycled material or organic cotton?
2. Drink tap water instead of bottled water
Banish the plastic bottle from your kitchen by drinking tap water instead. If you don't like the taste, you can get hold of a water filter. Another alternative is to make your own flavoured water - we like to refrigerate a jug of water infused with lemon, cucumber slices and mint.
3. Buy a plastic-free veg box
There's nothing nicer than having fresh organic veggies delivered to your door every week, particularly if they aren't covered in plastic wrap. Riverford offers a veg box that’s completely packaging-free, without even a rubber band! The box itself can be reused up to 10 times before being composted.
4. Make a meal plan
This is a way to reduce both your food and plastic waste. By making a meal plan, you'll buy only what you need for each recipe. It also means you are more likely to buy your produce loose; just the three apples you need for that tasty crumble recipe, rather than a cellophane bag full.
5. Ditch the cling film
This piece of plastic is commonly used in our kitchens, but the good news is there's a fantastic alternative – beeswax wraps. Made by infusing cotton with beeswax and other natural ingredients, they can be wrapped around everything from sandwiches to cheese. Each piece can be used around 200 times - after that it can be composted or used as an organic firelighter!
6. Buy plastic-free kitchen cleaner
Cleaning products are another form of plastic waste, but it's easy to find an eco friendly alternative. We like Ocean Saver, which provides concentrated cleaning refills. Just mix with water and use in their recycled plastic bottle.
7. Get your milk delivered - and more
In Britain, it was once very common to get your milk delivered in glass bottles, which could then be left outside for collection. Well, you can still get your milk delivered like in returnable glass bottles, and much more besides! The wonderful Milk & More also deliver a range of tasty fresh juices in glass bottles, as well as liquid soap, body wash and much more, all of which can be refilled.
8. Make yourself a plastic-free lunch
Instead of buying pre-packaged sandwiches or salads with disposable plastic cutlery, why not make your own packed lunch? Use Tupperware or a plastic-free lunchbox and fill it with a tasty seasonal lunch. If you don't want to take cutlery from the kitchen, buy some bamboo utensils to eat it with instead.
9. Discover your local refill shop
One of the best ways to get zero waste groceries is to visit your local refill shop. Take some glass jars along and fill them with dried pasta, lentils, and anything else you'll be cooking with. Not only is it good for the environment, it also looks much nicer to have food arranged neatly in glass jars than it does in disposable plastic bags!
10. Ditch the frozen convenience foods
While frozen convenience foods might be a great quick fix for an easy weeknight dinner, they are also wrapped in single-use plastic packaging. Instead, why not buy produce without plastic and use it to batch cook some delicious weeknight supper recipes. They can then be frozen and defrosted when you need them.
