Say No to Plastic

Plastic is made from fossil fuels - oil and coal – which damage the environment.

Less than 10% of the plastic ever made has been recycled; the rest has ended up in landfill or in the sea, where it will stay around for hundreds of years – and in the organs of living creatures, including us.

Using less is the best answer:

**Buy toiletries, cleaning materials and clothes that use no or less plastic in manufacture, packaging and delivery.** Check out Plastic Free Pantry, the Plastic Free Shop, Acala beauty products and Who Gives A Crap
**Avoid problem plastics** - black plastic food trays are made of polystyrene which is particularly harmful and hard to recycle.
**Seek out alternatives for unnecessary single-use plastic** like bags, cotton buds, wet wipes, stirrers, straws, plates, knives and forks, cigarette lighters etc.
**Take simple steps to avoid plastic around the house:** instead of plastic storage tubs use glass jars and replace bottled shower gels with old-fashioned soap bars. Cover leftover food in the fridge with a plate, reusable silicone or beeswax food coverings instead of clingfilm.

When you’re out and about…

Carry a refillable water bottle

Plastic bottles are an entirely avoidable source of waste and we have some of the highest quality tap water in the world.

To refill your water bottle use the Refill App – there are fountains at Old Street roundabout, Highbury tube, Clerkenwell Green, Archway Close and St John’s Gardens.

Carry a reusable coffee cup

2.5 billion disposable cups are thrown away in the UK every year. Most are lined with a waterproof plastic film that makes them extremely difficult to recycle.

Shops now offer discounts if you bring your own cup:

Costa – 25p off / Paul – 50p off / Greggs – 20p off / Café Nero – an extra stamp on your loyalty card

Watch what you eat

Try to dodge meals, sandwiches & fruit portions with unnecessary plastic packaging.

Look out for Vegware and other food and drink packaging made from compostable plant-based materials.

If local outlets don’t use it… ask why not!

… and always ask for tap water in pubs and restaurants

It’s way kinder to the environment than anything packaged!

Learn more

About plastic and ways to reduce your reliance on it

Check out Friends of the Earth’s page on living without plastic.

Take the Plastic Pledge with the Plastic Pollution Coalition.

There’s good information on plastics on the website of independent waste experts WRAP

Say No to Plastic

Plastic is made from fossil fuels - oil and coal – which damage the environment.

Less than 10% of the plastic ever made has been recycled; the rest has ended up in landfill or in the sea, where it will stay around for hundreds of years – and in the organs of living creatures, including us.

Using less is the best answer:

Buy toiletries, cleaning materials and clothes that use no or less plastic in manufacture, packaging and delivery. Check out Plastic Free Pantry, the Plastic Free Shop, Acala beauty products and Who Gives A Crap

Avoid problem plastics - black plastic food trays are made of polystyrene which is particularly harmful and hard to recycle.

Seek out alternatives for unnecessary single-use plastic like bags, cotton buds, wet wipes, stirrers, straws, plates, knives and forks, cigarette lighters etc.

Take simple steps to avoid plastic around the house: instead of plastic storage tubs use glass jars and replace bottled shower gels with old-fashioned soap bars. Cover leftover food in the fridge with a plate, reusable silicone or beeswax food coverings instead of clingfilm.