Have you been thinking of reducing your everyday plastic use but don’t know where to start? Well here at Chambers we have been cutting down on plastic both at home and at work, so would love to share our journey with you so far. And since it’s #plasticfreejuly, we hope you give it a try.
As specialists in recycling, skip hire, and waste management, we would love to see single use plastics banned. The culprits in question – like straws, cling film, shopping bags, take away containers and shampoo bottles – are thrown away after one use. And because plastic isn’t biodegradable, they then break down into tiny particles over centuries, releasing dangerous chemicals that poison our planet, people and animals.
Reducing plastic in the home
So let’s begin with our plastic-free drive at home, where every member of the Chambers household is making a big effort. Even our youngest family member has set up an Instagram account recommending plastic alternatives for the home. Check it out at @partingwithplastic112
Our efforts include:
- Buying loose fruit and veg, and fish and meat in paper bags
- Choosing sauces and condiments in glass jars instead of squeezy ones. Glass is 100 % recyclable.
- Carrying our own bags around with us, so we never need to buy a plastic carrier bag
- Ordering milk and yoghurt in glass bottles from the milkman
- Replacing cling film with umbrella food covers, silicone pot covers and glass jars
- Always carrying re-usable water bottles
- Using non plastic packaged shampoo and soap bars
- Swapping plastic straws for a stainless steel version
Reducing plastic in the workplace
Next up are the steps we are taking at work. We have waved goodbye to the following items both at our headquarters at North Moors in Guildford, as well as our Homefield Sandpit in Runfold, Farnham.
- Disposable cups and bottles. Staff use Chambers’ mugs and glasses or their own reusable bottles
- Plastic milk bottles. Milk in glass bottles is now delivered to the company
- Plastic money bags. We have asked our bank to stop supplying these. Paper envelopes will do.
- Laminating pouches. Not necessary!
- Lunch box containers supplied by external companies. We will only allow cardboard alternatives – or food can be served straight to a plate
- Hand wash bottles. These are being replaced with bars of soap
We are constantly looking out for single use plastic items that can be cut out – so we will keep you updated on our progress. We hope we have inspired you to give it a go and would love to know how you are getting on!
- Businesses looking to reduce their waste output and use of single-use items can take advantage of our free waste audit. Contact: enquiries@chambers-group.co.uk
