To help me with the depression of modern daily living...

[pianoplayer90]

Has anyone figured out a solution to the guilt of using single use plastics?

[brokenlight]

I just do my best to recycle and use my reusable water container when I remember to.

[pianoplayer90 in reply to brokenlight]

Plastic water bottles have become a no in my life.

[snow_queen]

same as brokenlight, I recycle and I also have multiple reusable water bottles, silicone drinking straws, lots of tupperware, even a few silicone bags in place of ziplocks (they are pricey though, I didn't buy them for myself)

[pianoplayer90 in reply to snow_queen]

Silicone straw would be good to have!

[Mary-intussuception]

Yes. Try to cut down on use with ultimate goal of total non-use of single use /non -recyclable soft plastics :

1) I use food containers instead of freezer and food bags - yes, it's more washing up but try to get into the habit.

2) Don't use the supermarket bags for loose fruit & veg - I joined Scan & Shop. So I weigh the items then scan the price sticker & place on one of the fruits.

3) Get into the habit of taking reusable shopping bags to the supermarket if ever you forget ask for a cardboard box. (Our cardboard is collected every week for recycling with paper, hards plastics, metals, glass jars & bottles & food waste).

4) I don't buy bin bags anymore. I use loaf bags on hooks for non-recyclable rubbish. We frequently have plastic bags put through the letter box requesting clothes etc. Rather than put those bags in the bin , I use them as bin-bags for the non-recyclable rubbish which is collected every two weeks.

It takes effort initially but soon becomes part of routine if able to stick to it.

Edit

5) Write to supermarket & store bosses asking them to change to biodegradable packaging on all plastic wrapped fruits, food stuffs & non-food items. Also ask them to discourage the purchase of plastic carrier bags and make cardboard boxes available in stores.

[pianoplayer90 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Yes, it's that last one that gets me. I use tote bags to shop, try to use paper bags to take out trash (actually had one break today because a coffee cup leaked. It was pretty disgusting), but produce still largely comes wrapped in plastic!

[Mary-intussuception in reply to pianoplayer90]

Some stores here are changing to biodegradable packaging. Hope they identify it so we know. I guess, if we all say we will refuse to buy it if not wrapped in biodegradable stuff then should make a difference ? Make them take action?

I also sent an email to a famous pitza brand head office re their polystyrene base and plastic wrapping suggesting that they switch to card base and corn-starch wrapping which I thought was doable with fresh pitzas. They responded positively but I don't think they've made the changes yet. Haven't bought any since.

Disposable coffee cups -

How many do you use regularly? Can you not buy one or two reusable hard plastic refillable coffee cups? We get a discount of 20 or 25 pence on coffee when we use them here.