Single-use plastics cost energy to produce and are one of the biggest pollutants of our seas. Unfortunately, they’re also everywhere – from the wrappings on our food to the packaging of home goods. Up to 5% of Bristol’s harmful emissions come from the burning of waste that isn’t recyclable, particularly the fossil-fuel plastics it contains.

While it might not be possible to get rid of single-use plastics overnight, there are actions we can take to cut down on our usage and produce less waste overall.  This could look like choosing loose vegetables over those wrapped in plastic in the supermarket, or filling up your reusable bottle at one of the city’s free water fountains rather than buying a bottle in a shop. Here are some other things you can do right here in Bristol:

1. Head over to Bristol Waste which has tonnes of useful information from simple guides to using your different bins, helpful hints on avoiding waste, to stories from the real waste champions taking the year-long Zero Waste Challenge.
2. Take the Going for Gold pledge to “Ditch the Packaging”
3. Don’t believe the hype – myths about ‘all your recycling ends up in landfill’ or ‘I saw the recycling guys chuck it all in the same place’ aren’t only nonsense, they can also prevent people from sorting and recycling their waste, costing us and the planet in the long-run.
4. Look out for Bristol’s new cup recycling bins – next time you pop out for a takeaway coffee in town, think twice before throwing your cup in the bin. Use Bristol Waste’s new paper cup recycling bins … you can’t miss them!
5. Help Bristol based charity ‘City To Sea’ to Bring Back Water Fountains. City To Sea want to help Bristol residents avoid tonnes of plastic waste and bring back more water fountains to our city. Download their new ‘Refill’ app to find out where to refill not just your water bottle, but also your coffee cu, lunchbox, groceries and even your cleaning products and toiletries!

A 2019 poll by YouGov for Oceana found the majority of British people think banning single-use plastics is the best way to tackle ocean plastic crisis. 83% said businesses are not doing enough.  People felt that people, politicians and businesses shared the responsibility to lead the prevention of plastic pollution in our seas.

City To Sea founder Natalie Fee’s book is useful for this and if you can’t afford £12.99 check out whether Bristol Libraries have a copy.