InSinkErator is supporting Plastic Free July this month by spreading social media awareness and sharing tips for consumers to reduce their plastic footprint.

With UK households on average throwing away an estimated 1.7 billion pieces of plastic packaging weekly, totalling around 90 billion pieces per year1, it’s clear that plastic remains a major part of daily life. However, this reliance comes at a cost.

Plastic Free July focuses on reducing single-use plastic waste and Google searches for ‘how to reduce plastic waste’ were up by 91% in the last month, showing that the topic is still very much in the nation’s thoughts.

Recognising this and to support the cause, InSinkErator has revealed five easy swaps that anyone can make this July to cut down plastic usage.

Anne Kaarlela, Marketing Communications and Customer Service Manager, Europe, InSinkErator, says: “While single use plastic may seem like a convenient solution to completing day-to-day tasks, its impact on the environment could be detrimental. Regarding ways to cut down plastic usage, this July people should look to take on board our tips to help with this.”

Five quicks swaps to help reduce plastic footprint are:

1. Swap cling film for beeswax wraps

While cling film is good for keeping food fresh, preventing spoilage and extending shelf life, beeswax wraps are the perfect plastic-free alternative. Wax wraps are reusable, washable and also compostable, making them a great eco-friendly choice for storing food.

Commonly made from cotton and infused with the likes of beeswax, tree resin and jojoba oil, this creates an antibacterial seal which can be easily moulded and wrapped around food and packaging.

2. Give up takeaways

In 2024, Just Eat recorded 242 million orders in 2024 in the UK and Ireland alone3, equating to 661,202 each day. With many takeaways nowadays making sustainable choices when it comes to packaging, plastic tupperware containers are still commonplace, where certain establishments are concerned.

This July, to reduce plastic usage, consumers should consider giving up takeaways or reducing consumption of fast food. With around 50 million takeaway boxes ending up in landfill in the UK4, cutting out takeaways for July alone could reduce this by 8% (4.1 million).

Additionally, food waste is often unavoidable with takeaway meals, and if left in the bin, it can produce unpleasant odours. Therefore, takeaway lovers should consider installing an InSinkErator to their home so food waste can be dealt with effectively and hygienically.

3. Replace bottled cleaning products with bars

From shower gels to washing-up liquid, cleaning products are commonly packaged in plastic. However, with as many as 2.5 billion plastic cleaning bottles ending up in landfill yearly5, it’s time for the switch to be made to products like dishwashing bar soap. Eco-friendly, long-lasting, and often made from natural ingredients, they’re a sustainable alternative to plastic packaged liquid soap.

4. Switch plastic bags for bags for life

Billions of plastic bags, from carrier to black bin bags, are used each year in the UK, and the majority of these are used only once and can take up to 100 years to decompose6.

Wherever possible, homeowners should opt for reusable ‘bags for life.’ While they may cost more than traditional plastic carrier bags, bags for life are a durable and long-lasting alternative.

5. Drink tap water over plastic bottled water

The UK uses over 7.7 billion plastic water bottles each year and throws away 15 million single-use plastic bottles a day7, making plastic water bottles one of the biggest contributors to plastic pollution in the UK.

This July, people should be drinking straight from the tap as opposed to from the bottle and for those wanting to enhance their tap water, they should consider a filtered water tap.

InSinkErator’s 4N1 tap range delivers hot, cold, steaming, and filtered cold water at the touch of a button. Available in Chrome, Velvet Black, and Brushed Stainless Steel, it’s a stylish way to stay hydrated.

 

For more information on InSinkErator and its products, please call 01923 594104 or visit: https://www.insinkerator.com/en-gb