How to | Make Easy Eco Switch Ups

Photography by Sophie April Photography

Moving to a zero waste lifestyle is as easy as taking one small step

We all want to do a bit more to look after our planet but it can feel a little overwhelming. Perhaps you don’t know where to begin or maybe you’ve already made some eco changes and want to do a bit more. Possibly you’re an eco queen already, looking for the next switch to really make a difference. Wherever you are on your eco journey, there’s a switch that’s achievable for you. Why not pick one of the ideas below this month? Your local zero waste store should have a good stock of buys to help.

First step switches

You might think everyone must be on top of the basic eco measures we should all be taking now but it’s easy to overlook the obvious. If you don’t have one yet, how about a really good water bottle and reusable coffee cup so you never again have to throw one in the bin?

We like: Circular and Co. 12oz Reusable Coffee Cup, £15.95

Switches to level up your eco game

Swapping wipes and kitchen towel for reusable cloths is an instant way to reduce your landfill. While you’re in the kitchen drawer, how about switching from cling film to reusable beeswax wipes? 

We like: Queen Bee Wraps Beeswax wrap variety pack, £15

Ready for the next stage switches

One area that’s often forgotten when considering eco changes at home is the bathroom. Next time you finish your shampoo or shower gel, instead of replacing it, consider a refillable bottle, which you can take back to the store and refill rather than buying a new one. You could even think about solid shampoo bars (like soap) rather than liquid shampoo, so you don’t need a bottle at all! 

We like: Lush Honey I Washed My Hair Shampoo Bar, £9

Next level eco switches

If you reckon you’ve covered most of the basics, try looking at areas of your life you might have overlooked. How about lunches out? Getting together a zero-waste lunch kit to keep in your bag means you’ll never have to put a plastic sandwich packet or fork in the bin. A sandwich bag, set of reusable cutlery and food flask means that even if you don’t make your lunch at home, you can get a cafe to serve your lunch straight into your reusable packaging. 

We like: Keep Leaf Reusable Sandwich Wrap, £7.95

Eco Queen switch-ups

Ready to really make a change for the better? How about going packaging free for your entire weekly shop? Zero waste stores are popping up everywhere now, offering food without the plastic. This takes a fair bit of organisation and a little investment at first, but then you’ll be able to shop straight into your own reusable packaging and never find your bin full up after unpacking the weekly shop again. 

We like: Wild & Stone Reusable Mesh bags, £10.95 for 5

If you’re keen to know more about zero waste stores, don’t miss our ‘My Living’ feature on them in our November issue, where we meet two owners of zero waste shopes, including the lovely
Zero Waste Pantry in Wrington, Somerset, pictured above.

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One small change | lose cling film

Little changes you can make to create a big difference for the planet

Here at The Simple Things we’ve been trying to make one small change to our lifestyles each month - things we know we should be doing, like switching to refillable soap and cleaning products, using cloths instead of throwaway wipes. This month, inspired by our Cups of Tea feature with the co-owner of The Beeswax Wrap Company, Fran Beer, we’re hoping to try getting shot of cling film.

Let’s be honest, cling film is super-convenient. But it’s plastic, it’s not (very) reusable and there are much more attractive options. Here are a few swaps you could make to bring a little more joy and a little less wrappy plastic to your life…

Leftover cake

Use a pretty tin instead. If you don’t already have a dedicated cake tin, you need to practise a little more self-care anyway.

Cheese

Beeswax wraps (above) are ideal for odd bits of cheese. Get a pack of different sized wraps and you’ll have enough for your large wedge of brie or your knob-end of parmesan.

Lunchtime sandwiches

Wax or cloth wraps work well for sarnies, too, but a reusable sandwich box will save it from getting squished in your bag.

Half a tin of soup, beans (or anything)

Reusable can lids (like the ones they sell for pet food) work a treat and just pop in the dishwasher after use ready for next time.

Half used veg

If pre-chopped most veg can be kept from spoiling by putting it in a bowl of water in the fridge (good for carrot sticks, scrubbed potatoes etc). Otherwise, store cut veg like peppers and cucumber in the salad drawer. In all honesty, the cut side gets a little dry whether wrapped in cling film or not so you’re best not bothering and just slicing off a thin bit of the exposed edge before you next chop some off.

Bread

Get a bread bin. See our self-care note above re cake tins. It’s just wrong not to have one.

Homemade biscuits

Don’t be silly. Just finish them off, for goodness’ sake!

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