Plastic-free(er) in everyday life

Avoiding plastic can be a very personal thing. Because we all eat differently and shop in different ways. Some are vegetarian, some are gluten or lactose free . Some like to try on new clothes in the shop, others prefer to shop comfortably from home. In addition, the circumstances that influence our way of consuming are of course also decisive. A lot depends on whether we live in a big city or in the country and what kind of shops are within our reach. Income, employment and the general living situation also play an important role.

However, there are some aspects that span most of our lives and where small actions can have a big impact without affecting your life too much.

In the following I would like to introduce you to some of these tricks and thus enable you a kind of "kick start" into plastic-free (re) life. As always, the most important message I want to convey is, of course, that no beginning is too small, no action too insignificant. Nobody is perfect, and that's not the point. The most important thing is that we all join in and do our best where we can.

Here are my simplest, plastic-free hacks for everyday life:

1. Lunch box

For me, the lunch box is the absolute all-rounder among plastic-free aids. It can be used to take ToGo food, to transport snacks from home without mess or to buy some baked goods without packaging. Some supermarkets now even allow you to take your groceries directly into your own lunch box at the meat or cheese counter. By the way, it does not have to be made of a material other than plastic, no, continue to use what you already have. Because as soon as you dispose of that box, just because it is made of plastic, it becomes garbage. Use it as it continues to serve a purpose and prevents new plastic consumption.

2. Cloth bag

In addition to the water bottle, it is probably the classic among plastic-free everyday alternatives. The cotton bag became the figurehead of the sustainability movement, at latest when supermarkets abolished free plastic bags. But it is also practical. A simple fabric or jute bag can be packed incredibly small and placed anywhere where you could use it. These include a car, handbag, sports bag, backpack, in the briefcase and, best of all, put the rest of them at hand in the cloakroom at home to always remember. So you always have a fabric bag at hand whenever you need to stow something extra spontaneously or quickly want to get bread without a plastic bag. Cloth bag , because a cotton bag simply can take an incredible load. I have transported several heavy hardback books through town several times on my bike. And the bag stayed strong!

3. Jars

It is my personal insider tip to continue using jars or mason jars. Everything can be transported in them and it keeps your stuff safe as everything is sealed. In addition, they do not have to cost anything to buy. Simply clean jars of, for example, Bolognese sauce, white beans, pickled cucumbers or yogurt and use them again and again. Everything that has a wide neck can be used for everything from fruits, nuts, gummy bears and lunch from home.

4. Water bottle

Probably the most obvious trick to avoid plastic. Simply take a bottle of your choice with you whenever you are on the go. Refill it with water at home and again whenever you have the opportunity to refill it out. This way you avoid the consumption of plastic particles, which come loose from bottles made of soft plastic, especially in summer, and also always stay well hydrated! In my experience, a bottle with a maximum volume of 0.5 - 0.75 litres makes sense, because it fits better under most taps and you can actually get the bottle refilled wherever you ask nicely (Also often in cafes where you are not a customer.)

5. "Spork"

A rather new, fancy tool to avoid plastic on the go and in everyday life. It is a utensil that connects the fork and spoon. Hence the name "Spork". They are now available in most outdoor and household stores, or online. Often made from a sustainable and hygienic material such as bamboo and so small that they fit in the smallest handbags and some wallets. I myself have only had a spork for a few months and at the beginning thought that it was not necessary. However, I use it more often than I thought I would, especially in situations that I (in the past) I could't prevent plastic cutlery. Now I can enjoy my spontaneous snacks on the go, without single use cutlery contributing to plastic waste.