PLASTIC FREE JULY: OUR TOP FIVE WAYS TO REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE (AND WHY IT MATTERS)
Plastic is omnipresent in our lives. From food packaging and clothing fibres to cosmetics and electronics, plastic is literally everywhere. While it’s cheap and versatile, it also presents one of the biggest environmental threats of our time. Plastic pollution is choking oceans, filling landfills, harming wildlife, and even entering our bodies through microplastics.
But the good news? We can do something about it! This is why we set up Lentils and Lather - to provide the people in the South Manchester and Stockport with an accessible and friendly way to make small changes in their shopping routines to reduce their plastic footprint. We're big believers in the theory that we all have a collective responsibility to address this global issue - every individual action or swap adds up!
And there's no better time to get started than now. Plastic Free July is a global campaign that encourages people to refuse single-use plastics for the entire month of July. It's a brilliant way to raise awareness, discover new habits, and connect with a worldwide community working toward the same goal. Whether you go completely plastic-free or just take a few small steps, it all counts.
Here are our top five most effective ways to reduce your plastic waste—and the important reasons to start today.
1. DITCH SINGLE USE PLASTICS
Why it matters:
Single-use plastics make up around 50% of all plastic produced. Items like plastic bags, straws, coffee cup lids, wrappers, and cutlery are designed to be used for just minutes, but can take hundreds of years to break down. Along the way, they pollute waterways, threaten marine life, and as they break down they create microplastic that contaminate soil and air.
What you can do:
Bring your own bags. Keep reusable shopping bags in your car or backpack.
Carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled drinks.
Say no to straws or bring your own metal or bamboo straw.
Use reusable coffee cups and containers when getting takeaway food or drinks.
Buy in bulk to reduce packaging and choose loose fruit and veg when possible.
These are simple swaps that reduce demand for throwaway plastics, and over time, make a huge difference.
2. CHOOSE TO REFILL AND REUSE
Why it matters:
The traditional linear consumption model of "make-use-dispose" is wasteful and unsustainable. Every plastic bottle or container we throw away adds to the mountain of global plastic waste. But choosing refill and reuse options supports a circular system; one that keeps materials in use longer and reduces the need for virgin plastic production.
What you can do:
Support refill shops or zero-waste stores where you can bring your own containers for food, household, and personal care products.
Use glass jars, old containers, and tins to store items at home.
Look for brands offering refill pouches, returnable packaging, or deposit schemes.
Embrace DIY solutions like homemade cleaners or skincare products using simple ingredients.
Refill culture isn’t just good for the planet, it often saves money and reduces clutter too.
3. RETHINK YOUR BATHROOM ROUTINE
Why it matters:
The bathroom is a plastic hotspot: shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes, razors, floss, and more. Many of these items are difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills. Some, like wet wipes and cotton buds, contribute to blockages in sewage systems and marine pollution.
What you can do:
Switch to bar soap, solid shampoo, and conditioner bars.
Try a bamboo toothbrush and refillable toothpaste tablets.
Use reusable cotton rounds, plastic-free period products, and plastic-free deodorant.
Ditch disposable razors for a safety razor or reusable electric model.
Overhauling your bathroom routine is one of the most satisfying and effective ways to shrink your plastic footprint.
4. SHOP SMARTER
Why it matters:
Our purchasing choices drive production. Brands and retailers respond to customer demand, so when we buy less plastic, or choose more sustainable alternatives, we send a strong message. Every plastic-wrapped item you don’t buy is a small vote for a cleaner waterways, parks and roadside verges, which are some of the most polluted areas we see in our daily lives.
What you can do:
Support local shops, markets, and makers that use less packaging.
Choose glass, metal, paper, or compostable materials when buying packaged goods.
Avoid products with excessive or non-recyclable packaging.
Use your consumer power to support eco-conscious brands and boycott unnecessary plastic.
Speak up! Leave feedback for shops and brands asking for less plastic.
Being a conscious consumer helps create a ripple effect of change across industries.
5. GET INVOLVED AND SPREAD THE WORD
Why it matters:
Plastic waste isn’t just an individual issue; it’s systemic. Governments, corporations, and institutions play a massive role in plastic production and waste management. But public pressure leads to real policy shifts. When more people care, more gets done.
What you can do:
Join local clean-up events to tackle plastic pollution in your area.
Support campaigns and petitions that call for bans on harmful plastics or better recycling systems.
Talk to your friends, family, and workplace about reducing plastic use.
Share tips and successes on social media to inspire others.
Vote with the environment in mind—support leaders and policies that prioritise sustainability.
Collective action creates real momentum. By making personal changes and encouraging others, we help build a plastic-free future.
WHY REDUCING PLASTIC WASTE IS SO IMPORTANT
Reducing plastic waste isn’t just about tidying up the planet—it’s about protecting life itself. Here’s why this matters more than ever:
Plastic kills wildlife. Over 1 million marine animals die every year due to plastic ingestion or entanglement.
Microplastics are in our bodies. These tiny particles have been found in human blood, lungs, and even placenta. The health impacts are still being studied—but early research is worrying.
Plastic production accelerates climate change. It’s made from fossil fuels, and the extraction, production, and disposal processes emit huge amounts of greenhouse gases.
It’s a justice issue. Plastic pollution disproportionately affects low-income communities and countries that bear the brunt of rich nations’ waste exports.
The system is broken. Only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. The rest is incinerated, landfilled, or ends up in nature.
By reducing our reliance on plastic, we help tackle all these problems at once and move toward a healthier, more sustainable future.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly—we need millions doing it imperfectly. Reducing plastic waste is less about being perfect and more about making small, consistent changes that fit your life. The top five actions above are just the beginning, but they’re powerful. If you choose even one to focus on this Plastic Free July, you’re making a difference.
Remember: your choices matter. Let’s use them wisely for the sake of the planet, future generations, and our own well-being.