There is a lot in the news at the moment about how we are all using too much plastic and the need to cut down in order to save our oceans and the planet. You may think that cutting down on plastic can be expensive, but long term it can actually save you some money.

Here are our top 10 tips to save money and save on your plastic waste!

1. Refill your water for FREE

Don’t be fooled into buying plastic water bottles when you’re out and about. Make sure you always carry a water bottle around with you and you can ask for a refill for free.
Water UK has an app with over 1,600 mapped out locations where you can get tap water for free such as high street shops and coffee chains. They have ensured that you don’t need to be a customer and you don’t need to feel obliged to purchase anything.

2. Get up to 50p off your hot drinks!

If you regularly purchase hot drinks from coffee shops then invest in a reusable coffee cup, which doesn’t need to be expensive. Costa and Starbucks offer 25p off your hot drinks if you bring in a reusable coffee cup and Pret A Manger offer 50p discounts!

3. Switch shampoo and shower gels for soap bars

Shampoo and soap bars last much longer than bottles and can be cheaper, and are usually completely plastic free. Shops like Lush offer shampoo bars that you can purchase with no packaging at all! Just invest in a shampoo bar container to keep your products safe, dry and ensure they last for longer.

4. More fakeaways!

No, we sadly don’t mean eat more junk food – but if you’re tempted by a takeaway Chinese, Indian or even pizza, think about how much plastic packaging or waste it comes with. So why not try and make your own? It’ll save on waste, money and it will be much healthier for you too.

5. Reusable wraps

Instead of using cling film, invest in beeswax or soy wraps. The initial outlay is a bit pricey, at around £10 for 3 wraps but they’re lifelong and plastic free. The heat from your hands when you wrap it around a bowl is what sticks it into place, and then they can just be washed, dried and reused rather than being thrown in the bin.

6. Reusable menstrual cups

It may sound a bit unusual at first, but investing in a reusable menstrual cup or ‘moon cup’ can save you money each and every month! You can buy one for around £10-20 online and if you look after it, it can last for years. An initial investment that is worth the price as it will pay for itself within a few months.

7. Safety razors

Rather than purchasing plastic, disposable razors why not invest in a metal safety razor? You can get them online for around £15 and they will last a lifetime. Plus, you can purchase 100 blades for them for around £5-10 – that means smooth, fuzz-free legs for a long time!

8. DIY cleaning goods

To save plastic on chemical kitchen and bathroom cleaners, why not try your hand at making your own? We all know that bicarbonate of soda is effective around the house when it comes to cleaning, and vinegar is excellent for streak-free windows. Try raiding your cupboards for even more super easy and cheap cleaning goods.

9. Carry a fold up bag around with you

By carrying around with you a spare little shopping bag within your handbag or keeping a few in your car it can reduce the temptation of saying yes to those 5p plastic bags that are polluting the oceans. It will also save you 5p each time!

10. Reusable nappies

For some people this might be a complete no-no! But reusable nappies cut costs and drastically reduce the environmental impact compared to disposable ones. Even if you just purchase a few disposable nappies to use when you’re out and about and use a cloth nappy at home it will still reduce your waste!

There you have it – our top tips for saving plastic and saving you money. Being green doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and there are always other little things you can do to reduce the amount of plastic in your household such as purchasing fruit and veg without packaging in the supermarkets.

Are there any others that you can think of that you do to help save the planet? Let us know on our Facebook page or Twitter!