The way to wasteless waves
Drink dispensers -
To limit the use of plastic bottles, we suggest companies and supermarkets to offer drink dispensers. This is because customers can refill reusable bottles (glass bottles, metal bottles). Think how many plastic bottles would be saved, thousands. Not only will it reduce the amount of plastic but they can be reused as well as recycled. Glass and metal bottles damage the environment and the sea less than flimsy plastic NON-REUSABLE bottles. You could even get a discount every time you use a reusable bottle, encouraging people to reuse.
Online shopping -
Customers should pay a deposit when ordering online, and the products arrive on their doorsteps in a tote bag (cotton). Next time companies go back to the customer, they collect the tote bag. This is to reduce the use of single use plastic bags. This happens in a loop. This should also be introduced in normal grocery shops.
Say yes to paper packaging -
Dry products like pasta and powders should be packaged in cardboard of or a thick paper bag as well as other general supermarket products. Imagine how much plastic that would save. Then you would recycle it afterwards. Cardboard takes three months to decompose and paper bags take 6-8 weeks to decompose in a landfill where as plastic bags take 10-20 years to fully decompose depending on the environment. Normal plastic packaging products like containers take 1000 years to decompose in a landfill. REMEMBER, although paper packaging if beneficial for the environment, it can cause large problems including deforestation and soil problems in agricultural areas. Paper packaging is a solution however it can only be used to a minimal extent in order to prevent deforestation.
Other packaging -
The best way to prevent the release of plastic bags into the environment is to either reuse your bags or use different options. These options can include backpacks, tote bags and woven bags which are found in most supermarkets around the Mediterranean. By reusing plastic bags, we can help less micro plastics enter the ocean. Remember anything can help to achieve our goal, Wasteless Waves.
Our coasts and beaches are irreplaceable. Let’s save them.
Shampoo and conditioner
Use shampoo and conditioner bars, not only are they nice but also Eco friendly. They are also amazing for travel since they are not liquids.
Soaps
For any soaps, from hand soap to body soap, use either bars or buy them at refill stores. You can use your own containers and they easy to refill and reuse.
Toothbrushes
Bamboo toothbrushes are made from the bamboo plant and decompose easily in any environment. They have nice textures and are easy to find. These bamboo toothbrushes are much better than plastic tooth brushes. Give it a try.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste tablets are solid dentifrices that work just like regular toothpastes. They clean and protect the teeth from cavities. But unlike the traditional toothpaste that we usually get in tubes, toothpaste tablets are liquid-free. They usually come in mint-sized tablet form, which makes them great for travelling.
Refill stores
Refill Shops Let You Easily Buy Home Products in an Eco-Friendly Way.
Refill stores aren't very common; however it is one of the best ways to help buy everyday products from flour to laundry detergent. At these refill stations, you can easily reduce the plastic waste in your home with minimal effort. Some shops let people bring their own containers for the products they want to refill. A benefit of these stores is that you can either bulk buy products or buy as much as you want from them. This not only reduces the amount of food waste produced, it also reduces any excess food packaging. Use silicone containers or even glass containers instead of plastic non reusable bag.
If you have a refill store nearby try and buy there to support the local businesses and help the environment. Sometimes, depending on the shops, the products can be cheaper than other supermarkets.
Market shops
In our opinion Market shops are amazing, they supply both fruit and veg and sometimes other fresh products like fish and meat. The packaging of these products are Eco friendly and don't harm the environment. This is because they provide paper bags (which are surprisingly strong) and they also provide mesh cotton bags which are compostable. Also the products are from local businesses which most likely are more environmentally friendly. They provide food products with less food miles and let's be honest the food is much fresher than the groceries found in the supermarkets.
Market shops are found in many places and are quite common throughout cities and villages. Either way they are worth the visit.