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GUIDANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS ON HOW TO REDUCE THEIR WASTE FOOTPRINTS

ACTING ON WASTE FOR THE GLOBAL GOALS

Despite enabling our culture of convenience and being critical to sectors as diverse as construction, healthcare, automotive, electronics, and food and drink, concern around plastic – specifically single-use, has reached a tipping point in the last couple of years.

One of Midtown BID's current priorities is to help businesses in Midtown reduce their waste footprint, with a particular focus on plastic, as part of our contribution to meeting the UN's Sustainable Goal 12: Responsible Consumption.

To achieve this, the following guidance - which you can download here - intended to equip you with the tips and inspiration you need to be able to reduce the use of single-use items in your day-to-day business activities.

INTRODUCTION TO THE 'WASTE HIERARCHY'

The so-called 'waste hierarchy' is a tool that supports waste reduction activities, setting out guidance in terms of what is best for the environment.

The hierarchy works in order of least to highest environmental impact (top-down), guiding users to prioritise the prevention or reduction of waste in the first instance (e.g. avoiding single-use plastic cups) and to only use disposal as a last resort. Waste disposal has the greatest impact on the environment and is typically the least cost-effective waste management system. Therefore, it is best to aim to ‘move up' the waste hierarchy in order to save money – as well as improving your environmental reputation.

Businesses are required by law to follow the waste hierarchy as set out in Article 4 of the revised Waste Framework (Directive 2008/98/EC).

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR WASTE FOOTPRINT

There are simple switches we can all make in our daily routines to reduce reliance on single-use items.

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

Understand your throwaway habits: Before you start on your waste reduction journey, it can be helpful to make a mental assessment of when and where you use disposables the most in your daily routine. You could even keep a diary – taking a note of all the items you use and throw away in a regular week. As well as being an eye-opening exercise, understanding the daily flow of your waste will help you identify problem areas where you can make the most impact.

EASY SWITCHES TO MAKE TO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

Swap disposable for reusable, the most common single-use culprits in our daily routine – plastic bags, water bottles and coffee cups (which, despite popular belief, cannot be easily recycled) – can be avoided by purchasing and carrying a few essential items:

Reusable shopping bags: Canvas bags are an easy way to refuse 5p plastic bags. Keep one in your handbag or briefcase for unexpected purchases and leave some at work and in your car, so you don't get caught out. For larger food shops, it is advisable to bring along sturdier reusable shopping bags.

Refillable water bottles: Save both plastic and money by investing in a refillable water bottle. Stainless steel is recommended, since both plastic and aluminium may leach chemicals. When you're on the move, keep an eye out for public water fountains, which are now widely available in stations, shopping centres, museums, and business districts across London.

Reusable coffee cups: Takeaway paper coffee cups are lined with a plastic coating which is difficult to separate for recycling. If you regularly buy a coffee on your way to work, carrying a reusable cup is an easy way to make plastic savings.

Mindful recycling: Not all plastics were created equally, and in some cases it can be confusing knowing what you can and can't recycle. Take a look to see what your local recycling plant is able to accept, then make it a priority to separate your waste at home.

Consider your clothing: Every time you wash synthetic fabrics, millions of microfibres are released which then end up in our waterways and oceans. While not entirely avoidable, you can consider washing synthetic clothes for a shorter duration and fill up your washing machine (washing a full load results in less friction between the clothes and fewer fibres released). There are now also products available to buy that trap microfibres in the washing process.

EATING AT WORK AND ON-THE-GO

Prepare your own lunch: Avoiding excess packaging when buying your lunch out is problematic but when preparing your own, you are more in control. Instead of wrapping your sandwiches in cling film, opt for reusable stainless steel containers or reusable beeswax food wraps.

Carry your own utensils: If you know you are going to buy lunch, remember to bring your own food containers and cutlery so you are in a position to refuse disposables.

Refuse the straw: For after work drinks, ask the bartender to hold on the plastic straw. If you prefer to sip your drink through a straw, you can buy stainless steel alternatives.

EATING AT WORK AND ON-THE-GO

Buy loose vegetables: If you shop in a supermarket, it can be extremely difficult to avoid excess plastic packaging (especially in smaller convenience stores). Where possible, buy loose and wash them when you get home. But watch out for food waste – plastic plays an important role in keeping fruit and veg fresher for longer and in some cases (e.g. cucumbers), it is advisable to buy with packaging.

Find a local food supplier: A butcher, fishmonger, market vendor and baker are much more likely to supply food in less packaging than your local supermarket. But even supermarkets are slowly starting to encourage customers to bring their own containers to use at fish and meat counters.

Grow your own: Replacing bagged salads and tomatoes by growing your own (in the summer) is an easy win. Herbs can easily be grown all year round in pots on your windowsill.

Buy in bulk: Buying larger multipacks – for products you know you will use – will not only reduce packaging, but costs. Bulk buys are ideal for store-cupboard staples including oats, rice, pasta and flour. There is an increasing number of zero waste shops opening up around London, that allow customers to bring their own containers to fill up.

HOUSEHOLD PLASTICS

Laundry and household cleaning refills: Invest in the largest size containers of eco-branded laundry, household cleaning fluid and washing up liquid and when you need to refill, locate your nearest refill service (usually in health food or natural stores). Alternatively, consider switching to household cleaning products in concentrated form. To go one step further, try making your own natural household cleaners with white wine vinegar and baking soda.

Swap takeaways with meals prepared from scratch: Vast plastic savings can be made by cooking more from scratch, including avoiding black plastic trays that are notoriously difficult to recycle. When you do treat yourself to a takeaway, check to see if the app you use offers a tick box allowing you to opt out of plastic cutlery, straws and sauce sachets.

Say no to microbeads: Many personal care products, including facial scrubs and shower gels contain plastic microbeads, which are washed down drains and into oceans where they impact marine ecosystems. Check ingredient lists and avoid items which include polyethylene. Instead, opt for products that contain natural exfoliating materials such as ground coffee, salt, or oats.

Switch to soap bars: You can replace liquid handwash with traditional bars of soap and even bottled shampoo can be replaced with solid shampoo bars.

Opt for bamboo toothbrushes: Plenty of brands now sell bamboo toothbrushes as an alternative to plastic. As well as being a very fast growing and renewable material, the bamboo handle can be composted after use. Dental floss made of natural fibres is also a great swap.

GET INVOLVED IN THE PLASTIC-FREE MOVEMENT

Volunteer in local clean up events: Consider taking part in an organised beach clean or litter pick in your local area, or even organise your own. Speak to your local council and community groups for litter picking resources, ideas and tips. Useful resources can be found at www.plasticpatrol.co.uk and www.litteraction.org.uk

Write a letter: Whenever you come across unnecessary packaging, write or Tweet to the company responsible. It may fall on deaf ears but be persistent – many brands are acutely aware of criticism.

MIDTOWN BID AND THE UN'S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Most businesses today are engaged in creating wider social value, whether via what used to be termed ‘philanthropy' or through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) related programmes. Increasingly business is looking to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework for sustainable profitability for the long-term.

Many businesses are recognising that the future of business and competitive advantage come from bringing economic and social needs together with profit.

We have identified four for Midtown businesses:

Reduced Inequalities
(SDG 10);

Sustainable Cities and Communities
(SDG 11);

Responsible Consumption and Production
(SDG 12);

Partnerships for The Goals
(SDG 13);