The Week Junior is very proud to have become plastic-free. However, it is only a small step. In order to reduce the amount of plastic in our environment, we all need to do things differently by changing the way we behave every day. Why not start by taking our challenges. Can you do all 10?
Recycling can be confusing. There are lots of different types of plastic, but not all of them are recyclable and not all local councils collect them, even if they are. Find a guide to recycling symbols and discover what can be recycled where you live at recyclenow.com.
Ensure your packed lunch is environmentally friendly by putting it in a reusable box, avoiding plastic cutlery and using waxed wraps instead of clingfilm to keep your food fresh (turn to page 25 to find out how to make waxed wraps).
Plastic straws will be banned in England from April 2020, but you can stop using them straight away. Reusable straws made from bamboo, shatterproof glass, stainless steel and wheat are much kinder to the environment, as are single-use paper straws.
Reuse any plastic bags that you already have as many times as you can. When they’re worn out, make sure that you dispose of the bags responsibly (see recyclenow.com) and replace them with a woven carrier or the sort of “bag for life” that is sold in supermarkets.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garden, but if you do have space for a pot or two, it can be really satisfying to grow plants such as tomatoes and cucumbers from seed in the spring and summer. They’ll taste lovely and the bonus is they don’t come packaged in plastic.
Plastic rubbish is everywhere – on the streets, in parks, on the beach. So, why don’t you pick some of it up? Collect it in a bin bag then sort it out for recycling. Make sure you ask your parent or guardian’s permission and always protect your hands and clothes.
Do you really need that magazine bagged in shiny plastic along with its selection of sparkly “free” plastic accessories? Or the pack of apples displayed in a film-wrapped plastic tray when you could buy them loose? The answer is almost certainly “no” if you’re serious about saving the planet.
Many clothes contain plastic. When they’re washed, tiny fibres end up in waterways, where they can be swallowed by fish and other animals. That’s not good for them, and it’s not good for us if we eat the fish. When washing clothes made from man-made materials, put them in a specially designed bag or ball that stops the microfibres being expelled with the waste water.
Have you ever thought about what happens to all those sweet and chocolate bar wrappers, biscuit and crisp packets? They might look pretty but they’ll be hanging around for a long time after you’ve eaten their contents. Try making your own biscuits and look out for tins of sweets, and chocolate that comes wrapped in paper instead of plastic.
Take every opportunity to tell people what you are doing and why it’s so important. Start by showing your friends and family this plastic-free poster and encourage them to take on the 10 challenges too. You can download this poster to share with others at theweekjunior.co.uk/plasticfree
