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Reduce your reliance on single-use plastics

By: Robynn de Klerk

In line with World Oceans Day and World Environment Day this month, I thought I would share a few practical steps we can all take to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics. And I don't just mean recycling because recycling isn't really the solution we think it is. In fact, recycling should be the last resort and only after we have tried the following: -

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Reuse plastic in your home:

You probably buy the same cleaning products again and again, right? So, do you really need the same original, branded, plastic-heavy packaging every time? Fortunately, we have the clever Hermanus Eco Project to help us change this one small habit, which can save many bags of plastic waste per household.

Fiona Matthes from Hermanus Eco Project sources the best biodegradable, natural and septic-tank-friendly cleaning products in bulk and then repacks them for us in upcycled and reused plastic or glass containers. After all, your laundry powder or wonder gel gets hidden in a cupboard anyway, so what does it matter if it's in a reused jar or ice-cream tub? It's one easy, but meaningful change we could all make to instantly reduce our monthly plastic use.

Buy more items in bulk, less often:

Before there were supermarkets in every neighbourhood and latenight convenience stores, families would plan their big monthly shopping. This habit saved them money, time and resulted in far less throw-away packaging.

If you're anything like me and dislike the busy, artificial supermarket spaces with their endless rows of commercial products, then consider rather buying your nut butters, oats, lentils and other pantry staples in bigger bulk quantities as part of your once-a-month shop.

I've sourced some wonderful pantry products for our Food Club, including organic and gluten-free options, which you can pop into your virtual trolley when the shop opens for orders. Which, of course, is infinitely more pleasant than fighting with actual big plastic trolleys! Am I right, or am I right?

Reduce excess packaging and waste:

With group buying, the tremendous benefit is that every supplier delivers only once with everyone's combined order, all in one big box. Contrast that with your last Takealot order and multiply all that excess packaging by all the people in Stanford and Hermanus alone who may have ordered something similar.

It may be convenient, but that system of any-time online shopping is exceedingly wasteful and expensive. What makes the Food Club concept so smart is that you still have all the ease of online shopping, but with none of the excess packaging and waste. Fewer delivery miles split over more Food Club members makes it all more affordable, too.

Switch to reusable silicone and smart kitchen solutions:

The Souper Cube is a silicone food storage tray with clever space-saving portion sizes to allow for easy freezing. When ready to use, simply pop out your sauces, soups, stews, hummus or yummy leftovers. And these clever cubes are freezer, oven and dishwasher-friendly!

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