Plastic-Free Beasts and Where to Find Them

 With the impact of plastic consumption gaining traction in the media, I wanted to know just how difficult it would be to cut single-use plastic out of my day-to-day. I've shared the highs and lows of my plastic-free week below. 

Day one: 

It's lunchtime and I've bought a batch-cooked soup from the freezer. Rather than my usual accompaniment of crackers (wrapped in plastic) I opt for a cheese twist from Sainsbury's bakery instead. When I arrive I haven't considered how I'm going to get the cheese twist from the supermarket back to the office. Carry it and risk it getting soggy in the rain? Put it in my bag loose where it risks coming into contact with fossilising receipts and old tampons (unused) from my pre-mooncup days? Luckily, one of the trays of baked goods is empty and I'm able to swiftly swipe the paper lining from the basket and wrap my cheese twist in this. I pay for it at the self-checkout to avoid a potentially awkward conversation and note my own perceived stigma surrounding a plastic-free purchase.  

Day two: 

My organic veg box arrives. I'm pretty sure I can trust Riverford to provide a box of plastic free organic veg and am a bit gutted to find that the salad comes in a disposable plastic bag. Even the eco-conscious suppliers can’t seem to get away from the convenient manmade wrap.  

Day three: 

I've invited the work pals over for dinner and a movie so cycle up to Scoop Away on my lunch break to pick up some bits and bobs. I leave with two types of rice, red lentils, a bunch of spices and some pricey but delicious kombucha in a glass bottle. Later I throw together a butternut squash and mushroom risotto made entirely from plastic-free ingredients. I can’t really do much about the fact that the pals have brought plastic encased movie snacks and wonder where I am supposed to draw the line with this plastic free fortnight as I guiltily snaffle Maltesers.  

Day four:  

I arrive at work feeling a bit sleepy from the late night. Normally this is where I’d pick up a take away coffee from Small Street Espresso but seeing as I haven’t got around to buying a keep cup yet I resign myself to a cinnamon bun only. I can barely contain my excitement when I see flat-white sized keep cups on sale inside and am happier still when I buy one and get a free coffee. Win!  

Day six, seven and eight:  

Being away for the bank holiday weekend means I manage to eat out pretty solidly for the entirety, thereby avoiding directly using plastic. I bring the remainder of my trail mix from Scoop Away for a train snack but the water in my reusable bottle soon runs out. I end up buying a fancy glass bottle of what turns out to be sparkling water to sip for the remainder of the journey.  

Day nine: 

Back in Bristol the fridge is empty. Without another Riverford box on the way I'm forced to nip to my local Sainsbury's and find that pretty much the only plastic-free foods are jars of pesto and loose red peppers. I pair this with some pasta from the back of the cupboard. I'm all out of almond milk (a challenge purchase) to make my usual desk porridge and so boil some breakfast eggs for the week and buy myself some handprinted beeswax wraps from JAX to transport them to work.

Day ten: 

I haven't been organised enough to bring lunch to work today and grab a baguette from Boulangerie on Union Street. It's made fresh and comes in a paper bag. I also share one of their tortillas with my with my boyfriend and have to eat it with my hands so as to avoid using a single-use fork. It crosses my mind that I could buy some portable cutlery but what with my keep cup, water bottle and various tupper wares of snacks my bag is full and my bank balance is depleting.  

Day eleven:

I'm feeling very pleased with myself for managing to bring breakfast and lunch to work. I ruin this by accidentally buying a hand cream on my lunch break. I don't consider the fact that it comes in a plastic tube until its too late. 

Day thirteen: 

I am ashamed to say I turn a blind eye when my boyfriend pops to Sainsbury's and returns with bagged salad and other vegetable goods for dinner. I ease my conscience by making hummus from scratch from a tin of chickpeas. I also remember to take my Ecover washing up bottle down to Southville Deli on Church Road and refill it, avoiding buying a whole new bottle and disposing of the old one. I discover that Southville Deli sell glass jars of fresh soup and make a note of this for future lazy lunchtimes.  

What I've learned: 

A plastic-free existence is definitely possible but it does mean compromising convenience. The start-up costs could also be prohibitively expensive for many people; the costs of reusables do add up but will pay for themselves over time. Non-plastic toiletries are also limited and considerably more expensive than many high-street options. As I'd only challenged myself to two weeks I didn't have to restock any of these but will certainly be more aware of the plastic I'm consuming in the future and will be attempting to cut down considerably.