How to reduce waste when out and about

We might be in the height of summer and having to wear masks, but you can still think about how to reduce waste when you’re out and about. You might be dog walking, running errands, braving the beach or heading to the forest for a picnic. Or you may simply be thinking about your work routine and how to reduce waste on your commute or on your lunch break.

So why not make sure you’re prepared for any eco needs while you’re out? Once you start on the journey to become plastic-free or zero waste or just more in tune with your environmental footprint, then there are some changes that you can make to your lifestyle which will seem completely natural, and from which you won’t switch back.

Here’s our top ways to be eco-conscious while you’re out and about:

1. Take a reusable water bottle with you

I find when I am out in the car, travelling, going shopping, on a long walk with my dog or meeting up with friends, that I often want to drink water. Whereas before I may have stopped off at a shop and grabbed a plastic bottle of water, I now always take my own bottle with me. It’s like an extension of myself! I leave the house with it full of filtered tap water, and when I am passing a public drinking tap, friendly bar, or even water dispenser then I know I can easily refill it. If you want to avoid plastic, have a look at our stylish stainless steel bottle range

2. Take reusable cutlery with you

This may sound like an odd one, but if you stop off for some take away food, the last thing you want is to be given plastic disposable cutlery. Whether you’re grabbing a baguette and some filling (wrapped in paper from the deli of course!) or a salad in a (cardboard!) box or even an ice cream, if you have your own set of reusable cutlery then you’ll never get caught out. You could even bring out a set from home in a small pouch, or invest in a smart bamboo set, which can also come with a straw and cleaner as well, the beauty being that when it’s at the end of its life it’s completely biodegradable. Have a look at our bamboo spork to pop in your bag, and away you go

3. Bring your own reusable cup

Whether it’s tea, coffee, chai latte or soya flat white that floats your boat, if you like to have a hot drink ‘on the go’ then in makes perfect sense to grab your own reusable cup from home and have it with you. Where we’re based in southern Spain a lot of those aforementioned drink options don’t exist (coffee of course is not a problem!), but if you live in a place where you want to grab a take away skinny latte, then in many cases some of the cafe chains will offer a discount as well for using your own cup. There are so many funky reusable cup options on the market so opt for something sustainable. And if, like me, you spend too much time at home trying to work and do a million other things, then because the cups have lids, they work to keep your drink warm so you don’t need to re-heat it in the microwave!

4. Always carry a reusable bag (or two or three!)

If you’re new on the eco journey to less waste and less plastic then remembering to take a bag with you at all times can be tough, but once you do it a few times and visibly see how fewer plastic bags are being stuffed in your cupboard under the sink (or other such places to stuff plastic bags) then it will soon become habit. I have a few different ones, but there is always at least one in my handbag, even if I don’t plan to go grocery shopping. You never know when you might just stop and see something you need and then you can happily refuse a plastic bag and just use your own. Try our cotton tote bags and show people you’re living a life without plastic.