It's easier when you are at home to cut down on your single-use plastic. When you are out and about, single-use plastic is everywhere because it is so convenient. Whether it is buying something for lunch, or getting a cup of coffee, almost everything comes in plastic. So here are some suggestions for how to be prepared before you leave the house, to avoid lots of unnecessary single-use plastic.
If you take a few minutes before you leave the house to decide which of these to take with you, you’ll be more successful than you think at keeping your plastic waste down when you are out and about.
Refillable reusable water bottles - Remember to always carry refillable water bottles with you when you go out. Download the ‘Refill’ App to find places that will refill your bottle with water for free. But even if a café or restaurant isn’t part of the refill scheme, it is very unlikely anyone will turn you away if you ask for them to refill your bottle, especially if you say you are trying to cut down plastic bottle waste.
Reusable bags - Always take your own reusable shopping bags when you go shopping. Material bags are light and take up little room so take more bags than you expect to need. Making your own bag from an old t-shirt is fantastic - click here to see how
Resealable containers - When you go shopping take along your own clean, resealable containers. When buying in shops that are not used to plastic-free buyers (delicatessens, supermarkets, butchers, bakeries etc), make sure you tell your server when they start to serve you that you are trying your best to live plastic free and that you have brought along your own containers.
Coffee Cups - If you like a hot drink when you are on-the-go don’t forget a reusable coffee cup. More and more coffee shops are now offering discounts if you take yours along. If you struggle for space in your bag consider investing in a collapsible cup by Stojo.
Straws - When you have a drink in a café or pub, remember to tell your server that you don’t want a straw. Even if they tell you that straws are biodegradable, they are still single-use items and should only be used if needed.
Sporks – A cross between a fork and a spoon, this super-useful little utensil is the perfect size for travelling and food on the go or keeping in your drawer at work. Ideal for a lunch box and for picnicking it will soon become indispensable. You can get them online from many websites - this one here is only £2.
Packed lunches - If you are not sure where you are having lunch when you are out and about, make yourself a plastic-free packed lunch. It’s often difficult to avoid plastic when buying lunch from shops; and packed lunches are cheaper. For good quality lunchboxes try Elephant Boxes available from AnythingbutPlastic.co.uk
Plastic-free lunch options when out and about – If you plan to buy lunch to takeaway or a picnic when you are out and about, it can be tricky to find sandwiches or snacks that aren’t packaged in plastic. We’ve found the places to get a plastic free lunch on-the-go in Dunfermline, as elsewhere:
- Dunfermline food-to-go venues:
- Café Wynd - Fabulous sandwiches, salads, soups, cakes and more! Their takeaway boxes are vegware. They are also happy for you to take along your own boxes to take your food away in. They positively encourage it, by offering 10% off if you take your own containers or coffee cups. They are a plastic free champion.
- Café Fresh - A expansive menu. Their takeaway boxes are vegware, and they are a plastic free champion.
- Pizza shops serve pizzas in cardboard
- Fish & Chips – check that these are served in cardboard boxes rather than polystyrene. Use your spork to eat it!
