A Guide to Ditching Disposable Plastic

If you want to ditch disposable plastic, the best place to start is with whatever kind of single use plastic you dispose of the most.

Water bottles

In 2016 thirty five million plastic bottles were being used every day in the UK. That’s a lot of bottles, but only just over half were placed in a recycling bin.

If, like many of us, you like to have a bottle of water when you’re out and about, consider taking your own reusable bottle. Here is our guide to choosing a reusable water bottle that will last.

Refill on the go

If you need more water while you’re out and about look out for premises with the Refill sticker or check out the Refill app to find somewhere that will gladly let you refill your bottle with tap water for free. Café Mila, Changing Perceptions, The Godalming Food Company and Thyme for Tea have signed up to the scheme as have the Borough Hall, Godalming Museum, Costa Coffee, Greggs, The Jack Phillips, Hamptons estate agents, The Salon. In Farncombe you can refill at Natter Café, Natter @ PlatformOne and Godalming Leisure Centre.

Reusable Cups

In the UK we use 7 million disposable coffee cups every day – that’s 2.5 billion every year.

Most disposable cups are not easy or efficient to recycle because they are made of a paper and plastic mix to keep the drinks from leaking through.

One solution would be to decide to only drink where reusable cups are available.

If you frequently buy drinks to take away another solution would be to carry your own reusable cup. Some coffee shops and cafés will give you a discount for bringing your own cup.

Check out our guide to find the right reusable cup for you.