I’ve been thinking about the various things/values that I/we have to weigh up as we work on our less-plastic initiatives. Different people will include different things and put them in different orders. I’ve started with Plastic because it’s what this group is about, but you may have Zero Waste higher up, or lower carbon footprint. Then again, you may be struggling with any of these issues because you have serious health issues, or a family with special needs. We all do what we can.

Sometimes our own priorities are what hold us back. Or other times, we recognise we are focusing in on one important thing but missing something that’s much more important in the process.

Anything I missed? I will edit this now and then… (I’ve added in some things I’ve seen on the Plastic-Less Living Facebook group)

  • Less plastic
    • Reduce/eliminate single use plastic – that is probably at the front of most folk’s minds who are reading this
    • Reduce/eliminate plastic replacement objects (though personally I am inclined to get the full life out of the plastic item first)
  • Refuse – Reduce – Reuse – Re-purpose – Recycle
    • Zero Waste – this is another movement which goes well beyond avoiding plastic, but the two have much in common
    • Buy 2nd hand and/or re-purpose items at home for a new use
    • More conscientious recycling – like saving wraps that can be recycled at stores for when I can go there, or my bottle caps to give to someone whose council recycles them.
  • Social and political action:
    • Email stores, petition and lobby politicians
    • Join cleanup groups
    • Conduct “Economics as if People Matter” by supporting small and local business
    • Avoid Nestlé, Amazon, etc
  • Family needs/likes/dislikes
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
    • Medical & health needs
    • Avoid E numbers or other specific ingredients
    • Keeping within a tight budget
  • Global well-being concerns
    • Avoid water-hungry cotton, rice, sugar cane, wheat
    • Reduce consumerism
    • Avoid palm oil, hydrogenated oils, SLS etc
    • Buy Fairtrade
    • Avoid GM products
  • Reduce carbon footprint
    • Reduce personal mileage
    • Reduce food miles (buy local, in season when possible )
    • Find ways to live with more efficient use of energy and materials