How to go plastic-free on a budget

By 2050 there could be more plastic in our oceans than fish. Do you know how much plastic you throw away? Here's how to reduce your plastic use while saving yourself some cash.

Single-use plastic is just about everywhere you look. Whether you're buying a meal deal, some loo roll or a toothbrush, you're probably buying plastic that you'll end up chucking in the bin.

The big sticking point is that plastic is often the cheapest and most convenient option for products and packaging. Opting for the eco-friendly choice often means spending more money... Or does it?

Plastic-free living is actually not quite as difficult as you might initially think. We've listed the best ways to cut down on plastic while also saving money.

Why go plastic-free?

Almost everything we buy contains plastic in some form. The big problem is that this plastic never really goes away.

Here are some key stats* that show how serious the plastic pollution problem is:

• Around eight million pieces of plastic pollution enter our oceans every single day.
• 50% of plastic is used once and then thrown away. It cannot biodegrade and ends up in our oceans where it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastics.
• Research suggests that 14 million tons of microplastic exist on our ocean floors.
• A plastic bottle can last 450 years in our oceans. It will eventually become microscopic, but it will never go away.
• One in three fish caught in the UK is thought to contain plastic. Not only are our fish ingesting these microplastics, but we likely are too.
• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is three times the size of France. It would take 67 ships one year to clean up less than 1% of it.

You might be wondering how one person going plastic-free is going to make any difference in the face of such a huge problem. And you would have a point.

But at the risk of sounding cliché, big societal changes start with individual people making small changes. Plus, if you can convince your friends and family to join you, then you're no longer just one person. Never underestimate the impact of your individual actions.

Read on to find out the top ways to cut out plastic and massively reduce your waste.

23 ways to use less plastic

Here are the best and cheapest ways to go plastic-free:

Credit: akvarelmed – Shutterstock

1. Use an eco-friendly shampoo bar

   To go zero waste on a budget, one of the best ways to start is by getting shampoo bars instead of bottles of shampoo.

   Shampoo bars can be free from plastic packaging, they last longer and they're easy to use. Win-win-win.

   It's worth trying one from an independent seller on Etsy. Or, if you'd rather stick with a big-brand name, you could try Lush. They have loads to choose from so you can get one that matches your hair type.

   You could also have a look at other plastic-free online shops like Plastic Freedom.

2. Replace face wipes with a face cloth

   Face wipes might be convenient. But sadly, they're expensive and really bad for the environment.

   They're single-use and come in plastic packaging. Plus, it's generally thought that they're not as effective at cleaning your skin as regular face wash and water.

   You can buy a couple of washable cloths for your face and another two or three for your body. That way, you'll still have fresh, clean ones while the other ones are in the wash.

3. Buy sustainable bars of soaps

   It might seem a tad old-fashioned to use a bar of soap instead of a pump but, it'll last much longer. And it gets a wash after each use (unlike a plastic soap dispenser).

   Just make sure to find a bar that doesn't come wrapped in plastic. Again, you could look on sites like Etsy for independent soap sellers who use sustainable packaging.

4. Use a wooden toothbrush

   Wooden toothbrushes aren't to everyone's tastes (we mean literally, it can feel a bit like licking a tree). But they're much more eco-friendly than regular plastic toothbrushes.

   Brushes from Save Some Green have handles made from (panda-friendly, sustainable) bamboo. On top of that, the bristles are BPA-free** biodegradable nylon 4 (meaning they are plastic, but they will degrade), and they're also infused with bamboo.

   At the time of writing, they're around £2.50 each. You can get them a bit cheaper if you buy them in bulk.

5. Use deodorant bars

   Like the other plastic-free toiletry bars on this list, you can get deodorant bars from Etsy and Lush.

   Although they might take a little while to get used to, they're more environmentally friendly than using a plastic roll-on or spray can.

   They last quite a while too. Keeping your bar wrapped in paper will help to preserve its scent.

6. Buy plastic-free makeup

   

   Credit: Jacob Lund – Shutterstock

   It can be quite difficult to go plastic-free with makeup when all the major cosmetics brands use plastic, but there are alternatives out there. For example, Glow Organic has a large range of plastic-free make-up.

   You might not get quite the same level of quality that you might with bigger brands, but you'll get that extra glow knowing that you're saving the planet.

   We've got loads of tips on how to save money and recycle your makeup. This includes the Back to Mac scheme, which rewards you with a free lipstick for returning your packaging.

7. Try a reusable menstrual cup

   If you're looking for a way to cut plastic out of your periods and save money, you could try out a menstrual cup or reusable sanitary pads (if they work for you).

   We recommend sticking with the leading menstrual cup brands like Mooncup or Lunette so that you know they use safe materials. Lunette also offers a 15% student discount.

   We've rounded up the cheapest sanitary products in our full guide. It includes reusable options.

8. Get paper-wrapped toilet roll

   With Who Gives A Crap, you can get loo roll that's much more attractive than your usual while also being super eco-friendly.

   If you buy direct from their website, you have to buy in bulk. For example, you can get 48 rolls for around £45. It might not be as cheap as you're used to, but you can get £5 off when you subscribe with the code SAVETHESTUDENT via this link.

   Plus, to save money further while still at least cutting down on plastic, you could mix it up with your usual loo roll and buy a box of paper-wrapped rolls every now and then.

   Once you're finished with it, why not sell your loo roll tubes to make back some cash? Yep, it really can be done.

   

9. Shop at local independent stores

   For food without plastic packaging, it's much better to shop at places like butchers, delis, grocers and markets, rather than mainstream supermarkets.

   For fruit and veg, in particular, you should be able to find them for pretty good prices on grocery stalls in a local market. Plus, they'll be free from plastic.

10. Check food packaging labels carefully

    If you do ever need to buy something that has plastic packaging, you can cut down on plastic wastage by making sure the packaging's recyclable before getting it.

    You'll be surprised to find some food products aren't recyclable at all, while others are that you wouldn't expect.

    For example, things like cling film and many food and drink pouches can't be recycled. On the other hand, breakfast cereal liners and frozen food bags can.

11. Buy loose fruit and veg, not pre-packaged

    As well as helping you cut out plastic, buying loose fruit and vegetables will help you save money (and prevent food waste) in the long run.

    There's also no need to put your veg in the little plastic bags they have in shops. You'd need to wash them before eating them anyway, so it's really not worth the extra packaging.

12. Buy frozen meat and fish

    Most fresh and raw meat comes wrapped in plastic, but the freezer aisle is your friend when you're aiming to reduce plastic.

    Frozen fish fillets and chicken steaks often come in cardboard boxes. Annoyingly, it tends to be breaded foods that come completely plastic-free (which aren't the healthiest options).

13. Replace plastic-packaged food with tins

    You can get so much food in the tin aisle. Beans, tomatoes, sweetcorn, tuna, soup... Even bacon brunch, whatever that is.

    Canned foods have recyclable packaging and they tend to be very cheap at supermarkets.

    Better yet, you can save even more money by buying them past their best-before date (but not their use-by date) from Approved Food.

14. Find shops that sell your favourite foods without plastic

    

    Credit: nelea33 – Shutterstock

    If your local food shop only has your favourite foods in plastic packaging, don't be disheartened. You might be able to find similar products in other shops without plastic.

    For example, do you love an apple pie, but can never find one that is plastic-free? Try Sainsbury's.

    They sell apple pies that come in a cardboard box and foil cartons. Pair that with a tin of custard and you have a dream dessert.

    When food shopping, always try to go for the cheapest brand available. The supermarket downshift can save you over £500 a year.

15. Use your own Tupperware

    Local butchers, grocers and delis (and some supermarkets) will likely let you take along your own Tupperware to transport food in, cutting out the need for extra plastic packaging.

    Tupperware is useful when you need an airtight container for food, but you want to avoid single-use plastic.

16. Find a local milk delivery service

    As more people try to use less plastic, milk delivery services are becoming increasingly popular again.

    They allow you to get your milk delivered in glass bottles to your home. You then leave the empty bottles on your doorstep to be collected and reused – completely zero-waste. Some services even offer orange juice too.

    Have a quick look on Google to find milk delivery services in your area.

17. Buy cereal in plastic-free packaging

    It can be difficult to find breakfast options that aren't packaged in plastic but if you do some extra digging, you'll find some.

    As an example, Flahavan's Organic Jumbo Oats come in a paper bag which is 100% recyclable. You can get 1kg of oats for around £2.50 from Tesco.com.

18. Get a reusable shopping bag

    It sounds like an obvious one, but you'd be surprised how many people don't do this already. You can buy a reusable bag that folds up really small for a few quid, and it'll save you paying 10p for a plastic bag every time.

    For a no-plastic shopping bag, have a look at Etsy where you should be able to find plenty of reusable fabric ones from independent sellers.

19. Avoid sweets and chocolate

    Things like sweets and chocolate usually come wrapped in plastic, so fruit and veggies are a great alternative.

    Apples, bananas and oranges are brilliant study snacks. You could also try making your own vegetable crisps by roasting some peelings.

    Or, when you do fancy a sweet treat, try to find chocolate wrapped in recyclable paper or card. Seed & Bean makes ethical chocolate, with 100% compostable packaging. They use paper and a material called Natureflex™ for the inner foil, both of which you can recycle.

    Another way to get your hands on plastic-free fruit, vegetables and herbs is by growing your own in your kitchen or garden.

20. Cut out chewing gum

    Did you know chewing gum is actually made from plastic?

    This means that once you ditch it, it won't degrade. Hence why you see so many lining pavements. However, there are some brands, like Simply Gum, which have developed a biodegradable and plastic-free alternative.

21. Buy a stainless steel water bottle

    Of course, plastic reusable water bottles are also an option here. But the plastic can go a bit funny after a few months and make your water taste weird, so we'd recommend stainless steel bottles for longevity.

    Plus, you'll save money in the long run by cutting out those random bottles of water you buy when you're out and about. Some places like Pret A Manger offer free water refills in-store when you have a reusable bottle.

    Equally, it's a great idea to get a reusable cup or flask for hot drinks, too. You can even get discounted hot drinks in some locations when you use a reusable cup.

    

    Credit: Sebastian Duda – Shutterstock

22. Use laundry powder or detergent instead of capsules

    To avoid plastic, you should avoid using the capsules that come sealed in plastic. Instead, opt for a good old-fashioned box of laundry powder (it's the cheapest option anyway).

    It's difficult to say whether bio or non-bio laundry powder is better for the environment. Bio powders contain enzymes that can irritate sensitive skin. But, when using non-bio, you'll usually have to wash your clothes at a higher temperature, which uses more energy.

    If you would like to keep using capsules, Smol send them in plastic-free boxes. And you can get your first nine washes for free when you first try them. You just have to pay £1 for postage.

23. Clean with bicarbonate of soda

    Bicarbonate of soda makes a great alternative to traditional cleaning sprays which come in plastic bottles.

    Have a look online for bicarbonate of soda in plastic-free packaging.

    For more plastic-free options, you could also try these eco-friendly home and cleaning products.

24. Use biodegradable bin bags

    Bin bags may at first seem like a type of single-use plastic that's impossible to avoid. But, you can actually get biodegradable bags that are eco-friendly, making your waste a little less wasteful.

    Be careful though – some sites sell biodegradable and degradable bin bags. We'd suggest avoiding degradable bin bags.

    Unlike biodegradable bags which are broken down by living organisms, degradable ones contain chemicals that cause them to break down. Therefore, they're not as environmentally friendly.

    Unfortunately, though, biodegradable bin bags will likely be pretty pricey compared to your usual bags. You might want to consider getting them now and then as a way to reduce your plastic use.

    For an idea of prices, Greener Walker sells 30 bin bags that are biodegradable and compostable for around £9. They're able to hold 30 litres of waste each.

As with most things – like quitting smoking or cutting out junk food – it's better to take small steps that you can maintain over a long period of time, rather than go cold turkey for a week and cut out every plastic product from your life immediately.

Since the carrier bag charge was introduced, the UK has used 95% fewer carrier bags*, showing just how much of an impact a small change can have if everyone gets on board.

So while going completely plastic-free might not be feasible for everyone, we can all take small steps to start phasing plastic out of our lives. This will put pressure on companies to stop selling us plastic at every available opportunity.

While you're at it, have a go at cutting down on your food waste. Here are some tips on making your food last longer.

* The data for these stats come from various sources, including Plastic Oceans, Condor Ferries, Harvard, WWF, iNews, Forbes, National Geographic, and Gov.uk.
** BPA is a chemical used in plastics that some experts claim is toxic and should be avoided.

All prices were correct at the time of writing.