Ten tips to reduce your plastic waste

Tackling waste is a growing challenge around the world. Plastic pollution is a particular problem, with around eight million pieces of plastic ending up in our oceans each day. The world's largest ocean cleanup has just begun with the launch of a US$20 million floating boom system designed to clean up the 1.8 trillion pieces of trash floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

In New Zealand, we recycle glass, aluminium and cardboard locally, and until last year our mixed paper and mixed plastic waste (along with much of the same waste from the rest of the world) was sent to Chinese processing plants.

A change in Chinese government policy back in January resulted in a ban on foreign waste, and mountains of mixed paper and plastic waste are now building up in recycling centres around New Zealand.

While the New Zealand government has pledged to phase out single-use plastic bags by July 2020, there's a lot we can do as individuals to cut down the amount of plastic we use (and waste.) Here's some simple things our household has done to cut back on our plastic use.

1. Keep reusable bags in the car. I don't know about you, but if I keep them in the house I forget them every time I go grocery shopping. You can use them for more than just groceries too - I also keep one in my handbag for anything I pick up on my travels.

2. Speaking of grocery shopping, pick up some mesh produce bags. Way better than using the plastic ones, and you can throw them in the washing machine when they get dirty.

3. If you brown bag your lunch, use wax wraps for your sandwiches instead of Glad/Saran wrap. If you're keen you can make your own beeswax wraps, but they're pretty widely available to buy now too.

4. Choose compostable garbage bin liners. They're marginally more expensive than the plain plastic ones, but way better for the environment.

5. Think stainless steel - clothes pegs and straws (pop these in your car or your bag for when you're out about with the kids) are available in stores and online.

And did you know teabags have plastic in them to stop them from falling apart in boiling water? You can switch to stainless steel tea balls for leaf tea.

6. Invest in a keep cup for your hot drinks. I have one at home and another at the office to grab when I head to the cafe. No more annoying plastic lids to dispose of.

7. Bamboo toothbrushes are almost the same price as the plastic ones, and they're biodegradable.

8. If your family drinks bottles of soda (as my husband does), think about investing in your own pop machine, like a Soda Stream. This has drastically cut down on our plastic waste.

9. If you enjoy takeout, ask when you order if you can use your own containers.

10. Try shampoo and conditioner bars. They smell great and are way better for the environment too.