Trying to limit plastic use during the Covid pandemic

Reducing buying plastic packaging 

During lockdown almost all shopping has been early morning at the nearest supermarket and using a cloth bag for items such as potatoes. The packaging of many vegetables and fruit is not avoidable as is that of meat and fish on supermarket shelves. Recycling the packaging where possible is done and some of the thin plastic which cannot go in the green bin is accepted in the recycling bin at supermarket. When it feels safer to shop in fishmongers, butchers and farmshops, it will be possible to have less packaging. 

^{_{Buying unpackaged fruit and vegetables at Bankhead Garm Shop}}

The use of bamboo toothbrushes and tooth tablets instead of tubes of toothpaste costs a little more but shampoo bars and conditioner bars are long-lasting and probably in the end cheaper than shampoo and conditioner in plastic bottles. Shower gel in plastic bottles has been rejected in favour of delightfully scented soap bars available in cardboard boxes. 

Cling film is a product which has found many uses but has been replaced by beeswax wraps for covering food in the fridge and re-use of freezer bags for fruit and vegetables to be frozen is quite effective. 

^{Beeswax wraps can replace cling film and can be bought in most zero waste shops, such as Happy Earth Place}

Re –use of plastic items 

It has been fun to see how plastic food containers can be used over and over again for other purposes. Some are used to grow seeds and bring on plant cuttings. Cream pots are used to soak paint brushes and to put on top of wooden posts in the garden as protection against rotting. Old CDs/DVDs strung on string over growing vegetable seedlings sometimes deter birds but not always! Margarine tubs sunk in the ground and filled with beer can attract slugs away from juicy young plants.

Litter picking 

Plastic bottles and drinks cups are regularly dropped on roadsides, probably from cars. These are picked up and put in the plastic recycling bin when out on walks. 

^{Litter picking is a nice activity to do with the family. Plastic-free Dunfermline organises regular events or you can join the Fife Street Champions}

Plan to avoid buying magazines which contain plastic toys for grandchildren!    

Written by Mary Scott