Dried beans and lentils instead of canned
Cans have a thin plastic lining. Dried beans, chickpeas and lentils avoid it, and cooked from dry they cost about 40% less per serving.
Kitchen
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Heat ready meals on a plate, not in the black tray
Many ready meals, including some sold as healthy or high-protein, come in black plastic trays. Tip the food onto a plate or into a…
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Wooden or steel utensils instead of black plastic ones
Black plastic spatulas and spoons can contain flame retardants from recycled electronics, and heat helps them move into food. Wood or stainless steel avoids…
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Returnable glass milk or bigger bottles
A returnable glass bottle only beats plastic if it is returned and refilled many times; if that is not on offer, buy the largest…
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Look for Plastic Free and How2Recycle labels
Vague eco claims are everywhere; third-party marks such as Plastic Free Certification, Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and How2Recycle tell you what the packaging is…
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Avoid bamboo-fibre melamine tableware
Reusable bamboo-fibre cups and plates are melamine plastic that can leach formaldehyde; the EU withdrew them in 2021 and the UK still sells them.
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Coffee pods: reusable steel pod or ground coffee
A capsule a day is over a kilo of plastic and aluminium a year; a refillable steel pod or a stovetop and cafetiere removes…
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Stainless steel lunchbox instead of cling film and zip bags
A steel lunchbox and bottle replace a daily set of wrap, bags and cutlery for a school child or worker for years.
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Bring a container or use a return scheme for takeaway
Takeaway containers are the heaviest single-use plastic most people handle; returnable-container schemes reach payback in three to four years for venues.
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Loose fruit and vegetables
The EU will ban single-use plastic packaging on fresh produce under 1.5 kg from 2030; choosing loose produce now avoids about a kilo of…