GUEST POST: INSPIRATION FOR A PLASTIC FREE SUMMER
As we near the end of the month and of course, Plastic-Free July, it’s time to reflect on the changes that we’ve made to reduce our single-use plastic waste at home, work and school. The global movement has inspired over 100 million participants in 190 countries and helps many people find great alternatives solutions to plastic that can become new habits forever.
So as the weather warms up and the school holidays begin, it’s a great excuse to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. There is nothing more exciting than planning a picnic, even if it's just packing up your snacks to eat in the garden or the local park... So let’s continue our plastic free habits and follow these top tips for a plastic-free adventure.
1. Remember your reusable water bottles
On hot sunny days, there is always the temptation to pop into a shop to buy a bottle of water but just tossing away the bottle means that it ends up in landfill, contributing to a growing waste issue. So when you’re out and about this summer, remember your refillable bottle - lots of parks now have water fountains or taps for a quick refill. For hot drinks, think about taking a flask or reusable cup. To mix it up a little, fill up your bottle, add some ice cubes (and some fresh fruit for a bit of natural flavours) and leave it in the fridge overnight to keep you hydrated during the hot summer days!
2. Make your own ice lollies
Who doesn’t love an ice lolly during the summer? But often they are wrapped in plastic that’s tricky to be recycled. Why not create your own ice lollies at home, in whatever flavours you like, perfect for a family picnic? Ice lolly moulds are available in all shapes and sizes allowing you to get innovative with your creations - strawberry lemonade, bananas and sprinkles or just plain orange, the choice is yours. All you need is a mould, juice and a freezer.
3. Keep your food plastic free
Often you could find yourself bringing single-use plastics to the park without thinking too much about it as so much convenient food is individually wrapped. Take 30 minutes before your picnic to prepare your food and enjoy an earth-friendly feast with your friends. Use food containers or even tea towels to wrap food in (these can be used as serviettes). You could even invest in some beeswax wraps or reusable sandwich bags. Why not opt for homemade dips like hummus and guacamole that taste fresher and are better for your body than store bought?
Dig out the traditional picnic basket
Now all we need is something to carry our drinks, lollies and food in... like a picnic basket. Not only are picnic baskets aesthetically pleasing, they are durable and eco-friendly as opposed to plastic carrier bags which are often filled with food and disposed of at the end of the afternoon. You can even choose a picnic backpack that comes with thermal insulation to retain temperature, and enough compartments to ensure you can transport everything you need for your plastic-free picnic this summer.
Written by Reche, Community Lead at Nudj for It’s Our Planet Too.
Nudj is the new, free app that empowers you to live more sustainably in the long term, one small Nudj at a time. We believe every step, no matter how big or small, towards a sustainable lifestyle will have a positive impact on climate change.
Nudj’s goal is to achieve a one tonne carbon reduction for every adult by 2025, by empowering people to make simple, sustainable changes to their habits.
Like an app that tracks your footsteps, Nudj captures your carbon impact improvements. Nudj empowers you to make small habitual changes to your daily life that collectively have a bigger impact.
Take on the Nudj challenges to help you on your journey towards being more sustainable; choose how many, what level and how often you take part. Nudj will track your progress which you can share with the Nudj community, your friends and family.