6 Simple Plastic Swaps YOU Can Make

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues. Shows like Our Planet have highlighted the devastating impact single-use plastic is having on ocean wildlife.

Here are some simple ways to help cut down your single-use plastic consumption:

Invest in a reusable bottle

In the UK alone we use 13 billion plastic bottles every year. 7.5 billion of them end up in landfills, in the ocean, or being incinerated. In fact, they account for 1/3 of all plastic pollution in the sea.

Save money by not buying drinks on the go and cut down on plastic by buying a reusable bottle. Listed below are 2 great bottles that will raise donations for your favourite charity when you click via Give as you Live Online:

Lakeland 500ml Infuser Bottle: If you prefer your drink with a fruity infusion, this BPA-free 500ml bottle from the homeware experts, Lakeland, will fit the bill. Even better, it comes with a Lakeland 3-year guarantee and is an absolute steal at only £5.99!

Oxfam's Online Shop Dopper Bottle: These fun sustainable, reusable bottles are ideal for drinking on the go, featuring a built-in removable cup as well as a screwtop lid. They come in yellow, mint or pink, are dishwasher safe and Dopper will donate 5% of its net turnover to charity to reduce plastic pollution and provide clean water where people need it most.

Swap your cotton buds

They're small, but they make a huge difference. In fact, if Europeans chose paper stems or sustainable cotton buds over plastic stems, it would stop 450 tons of plastic from harming the environment every single year. Paper stem cotton buds are easy to pick up - you can get 200 for just £1.50 at Sainsbury's!

Use a reusable tote bag

The use of single-use plastic carrier bags in the UK has fallen by a whopping 86% thanks to the carrier bag charge, which has also raised £66 million for good causes.

You can pick them up in most supermarkets or if you'd prefer something more personal, take a look at Etsy's range of recycled tote bags

Ditch shop-bought toilet rolls

Thoughtfully named Who Gives A Crap makes 100% recycled toilet roll and paper towels that don't come wrapped in plastic AND they donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets - which is pretty amazing when you learn that 1 in 3 people don't have access to any kind of toilet. You can order yours here and you'll raise up to 2.5% for the charity you love!

Swap your straws

Telescopic Stainless Steel Travel Straw with Carry Case and Cleaning Brush - £6.99

Thankfully lots of restaurants have already made the move away from harmful plastic straws, why not keep your own reusable stainless steel straw in your bag? Home experts Lakeland have a stainless steel straw with a carry case and cleaning brush for just 6.99 here.

Stop buying cling film

Bee’s Wrap Assorted Reusable Food Wraps - £19.99

If you're a fan of batch cooking or making packed lunches for your household, swap your plastic cling film for reusable wrapping. We absolutely love these cute Bee's Wrap reusable wraps from Lakeland. They come in an assortment of sizes, are made of natural cotton, beeswax, oil and tree resin, and are reusable.

What is Give as you Live Online?

Give as you Live Online is a FREE online fundraising platform that has raised over £25 million for UK charities just through online shopping. There are over 6,000 stores listed and over 200,000 charities available to support. Sign up, click through Give as you Live Online and raise free donations whenever you shop!

Offers, donation rates and participating stores are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. Please visit the Give as you Live Online website for the most up to date information.