Plastic pollution: how you can do your bit to help
Plastic pollution was brought to the public’s attention in a major way last year by Sir David Attenborough, and it’s an environmental issue which is very important to many of our staff and students. Here are a few easy changes you can make to help our planet.
Buy a reusable coffee cup
One of the easiest things you can do to help the planet! Buy yourself a portable coffee cup and ask for your morning coffee to be placed in that instead of a disposable cup. Plus many coffee shops, including our own Lo & Co, offer a discount for customers who bring their own cup, so it’s a win-win.
Stop using straws
Many major companies have replaced their plastic straws with paper alternatives, which is great but if you can avoid using straws altogether – do. It prevents further waste which is ultimately good news for the planet. If you find you use straws regularly, why not purchase a reusable metal one? Search the web and you’ll find a huge variety of reusable straws for you to purchase, including ones which can be attached to your keys!
Avoid unnecessary packaging
Many supermarkets and green grocers give you the opportunity to buy your fruit and veg singly rather than in a pre-wrapped plastic bag. This means you can buy just what you need, which prevents both plastic waste and food waste, excellent! You can also go one step further; some shops allow you to buy nuts, spices and much more by weight, meaning you can avoid having spices in your cupboard which have only been used once!
Recycle
We hope you do this already, as most households in the UK have a blue bin for recyclable materials. At CU, we have recycle bins dotted around campus so even when you’re not at home you can easily recycle your paper notes or plastic water bottle.
Ditch the (plastic) glitter
Yes, you may be compromising your killer festival outfit, but most forms of glitter are made of a type of micro-plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is harmful to fish and other marine creatures if ingested. Instead, purchase biodegradable glitter which is just as sparkly and insta-worthy!