Eco kitchens: 5 ways to make your home more sustainable and reduce single-use plastic on a budget

Looking to cut down your use of single-use plastic and help the environment? These small, budget-friendly changes will help you overhaul your kitchen habits.

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Sophie Warner1 August 2019

David Attenborough made the nation sit up and listen with Blue Planet II, his programme aired on BBC2 in 2017, which focussed on the devastating effect single-use plastic is having on the world's marine life.

Shockingly, research by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation found that eight million tonnes of plastic seeps into the ocean each year around the world and there is set to be more plastic than fish in the sea by the year 2050.

In the two years since Blue Planet II aired, the issue of single-use plastic and a corresponding awareness of how each of us impact the environment has been at the forefront of more our minds than ever before.

While massive changes in global government policy are clearly needed if we are to combat the problem effectively, we don't need to rely only on global companies to make changes.

"Big companies need to change, but we have so much more power as individuals than we realise because of our spending power," says Lizzie Rivera, founder of ethical brand BicBim.

"If we spend our money with companies that reflect our values then others will suddenly realise their magical ability to turn things around much quicker than they are at the moment."

Completely overhauling the way you live your life can be overwhelming, expensive and even counterproductive — after all, if you throw away all the plastic you already own, you're merely adding to the problem.

Instead gradually start replacing your everyday products as they run out and try to change old habits — before you know it, it'll be second nature.

"Take it one challenge at a time. Being 'sustainable' isn't a destination, it's a journey and no-one is perfect", explains Rivera.

"If you fall off the wagon, don't punish yourself. Do what you can, keep an open mind to new ideas and celebrate and share your wins — we're in this together!"

It's also getting easier and easier to make small changes thanks to the growing number of single-use plastic alternatives available on the high street and online.

Tincture offers a starter set of 100% natural cleaning products for the kitchen priced at £14 

1. Use plant-based cleaning products

With the staggering rise of social media sensation and cleaning fanatic Mrs Hinch, 'hinching' your home is now more popular than ever and spending your spare time cleaning is no longer thought of as a waste.

But keeping your home spick and span doesn't mean using chemicals that will potentially be harmful to both yourself and the environment.

Instead, opt for plant-based products to clean your dishes or keep your floor pristine.

"Using locally sourced natural ingredients is beneficial for the environment", explains Jackie Ashley, founder of plant-based scent company Ashley & Co.

"Sourcing products locally contributes to companies reducing their carbon footprint during both the product development phase."

Swap your cleaning wipes for Ashley & Co's Benchpress all-purpose cleaner and a washable dishcloth. Priced at £16, it's made from a biodegradable blend of plants with essential oils including citrus, clove bud and cinnamon bark.

Ecover have introduced a new washing up liquid bottle, priced at £2.60, which is made from 100% recycled plastic — it's fully recyclable too.

Available in four different scents including a fragrance-free one for allergy sufferers, the plant formula has never been tested on animals.

Tincture offers a starter set of 100% natural cleaning products for the kitchen priced at £14.

Consisting of all-purpose cleaner, washing up liquid and floor concentrate, Tincture offers refills in glass bottles so there's no need to throw away the packaging either.

This hand-blown glass carafe from Black & Blum comes with an active charcoal filter. 

2. Invest in a water filter

One of the biggest offenders of single-use plastic is water bottles.

The water in London is hard with high levels of calcium and magnesium, but instead of reaching for a plastic bottle invest in a water filter to keep in the fridge.

"With scary estimates that over 500 billion single use bottles are now produced every year worldwide with few being recycled and many ending up in landfill or our oceans, a filter carafe or jug at home seems like an obvious solution," says co-founder of Black & Blum Dan Black.

"It will make your tap water taste better, removes impurities and goes some way to countering the misconception that bottled water is somehow cleaner, fresher and better."

Brita's 2.4L filter jug slots easily in a fridge door and has a special smart electronic sensor which sends a reminder when the cartridge needs to be replaced. Each filter usually lasts for around four weeks.

To banish the plastic altogether, Black & Blum's hand-blown glass carafe with sustainably sourced Portuguese cork stopper has a charcoal water filter, which lasts for up to six months.

Used by the Japanese for centuries, the charcoal is renowned for its ability to soften water, add good minerals and absorb unwanted tastes and odours, such as chlorine.

Leave the water to filter over the charcoal overnight to gain maximum results.

Made with a blend of bamboo and sugarcane, this forest friendly kitchen roll from Who Gives a Crap is free from inks, dyes and scents

3. Make bamboo your new favourite product

Growing cotton requires large amounts of water and pesticides, wild trees are cut down in much paper production and the issues with plastic have been explored above.

There is an alternative material, which can be used to replace all of the above.

From kitchen roll to crockery, bamboo is now used to make a huge range of products — although of course we shouldn't switch our dependence to one single material either.

Bamboo requires no fertiliser to grow and regenerates from its own root, removing the need for replanting and reducing the human labour involved in farming.

Made with a blend of bamboo and sugarcane, Who Gives a Crap paper towels don't use any scents, inks or dyes.

The brand also donates 50 per cent of their profits to help build toilets for those in need — to date that amounts to the equivalent of £1 million given to the cause.

These quirky leopard print wraps from Harris & Hall are infused with pine resin, jojoba oil and beeswax.

4. Stop using clingfilm

Making up roughly half of all the plastic packaging used in the UK, clingfilm ​can't be recycled because the chemicals used to make it 'stretchy' cannot be removed.

“Enough clingfilm is used in British homes every year to reach around the world nearly 30 times; most of which can pollute our oceans and harm marine life," says Sky Group Head of Inspirational Business and Sky Ocean Rescue Fiona Ball.

"Beeswax wraps are just one great alternative to help pass on plastic.”

Containing three different sized beeswax wraps, Harris & Hall's leopard print clingfilm alternative prove saving the planet can be stylish too.

Once used, wash in warm soapy water and hang up to dry. Each wrap will last up to a year.

Priced at £20 for the set, once the 100 per cent biodegradable material has come to the end of its life you simply compost or use as a firelighter.

Designed by a range of celebrities such as Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Fearne Cotton and Cara Delevinge, Sky Ocean Rescue has released a range of food wraps priced at £20 for a pack of three.

Available in a variety of sizes and priced at £90 for six pieces, Robert Welch offer shatterproof stackable storage jars

5. Start using refillable storage jars

In their Oxford Botley Road store Waitrose is currently trailing a test due to run until August 18.

The supermarket has unpacked 160 different varieties of fruit and vegetables, removed the plastic from flowers and introduced 48 products across the store to refill, including pasta, rice, wine, coffee, beer and grains.

Customers are also able to bring their own containers to the meat counter.

Available in a variety of sizes and priced at £90 for six pieces, Robert Welch has shatterproof stackable storage jars which can easily be taken along to shops to refill.

They have an airtight silicone seal to help keep the food fresh.

On a tight budget? Sisterma has lots of options starting from £3.56 for a small round jar.

The stackable jars come with an airtight seal and a screw-top lid for easy access.

Scroll through our gallery above for more ideas on how to give your kitchen an eco-makeover.