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It’s estimated that in the UK alone, we throw away around 295 billion pieces of plastic every single year.
Much of this is single-use plastic that is not recycled.
Plastic uses fossil fuels in its creation, it can take hundreds of years to decompose, it litters beaches and parks, much of it ends up in our oceans where toxins leak into the seawater, and it can kill animals who mistakenly eat it and then starve to death.
We’re two weeks into the month but it’s not too late to join Plastic Free July, a global movement to help people understand how they use plastic in everyday life.
The special month is an opportunity to share ideas about how you might make plastic-free swaps.
You can also find waste reduction suggestions, help and advice on initiatives in the local area by joining the North Somerset Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Facebook group.
Top five tips for cutting plastic use at home:
- stop using single-use plastic – look for reusable alternatives to plastic straws, water bottles, coffee cups, carrier bags and more
- ditch the soft plastic packaging – try to buy loose fruit and veg rather than packaged items, or dried goods from refill shops
- switch your beauty products – look for items in recyclable or re-fillable containers
- make your own – bread, soup, hummus and potato salads can all be easily made at home. Cleaning products can be made from common household items
- look for plastic-free alternatives – try using alternatives to clingfilm or gift wrap.
Have your say on waste strategy
We want your views on how we deal with waste and recycling in North Somerset.
Two years ago we declared a climate emergency and since then we’ve been developing a range of measures to tackle the challenge.
How we deal with our waste and recycling is going to be one of the big issues in the coming years.
We only have one planet and all waste goes somewhere – so we must all rethink waste as something we value.
Find out more about our waste and recycling strategy and have your say by visiting our website before Wednesday 18 August.
Help collection crews in hot weather
Summer heatwaves can make it hard work for recycling and waste crews collecting our kerbside boxes and bins.
Recycling crews keep working whatever the weather but shift patterns might change if it gets too hot.
Please put your bins and boxes out by 6am, or the night before, during the summer months so that crews can start work earlier and avoid the hottest part of the day.
Keep up-to-date with the recycling and waste team on Facebook or Twitter.