2024 Week 16: Unpackaged

The theme of this year’s Earth Day (celebrated tomorrow and on April 22nd every year, since 1970) is Planet vs Plastics. The theme aims to draw attention to the serious issue of plastic pollution and how it harms nature.

To mark the day I have made a commitment to rid our house of plastic toothpaste tubes and ordered a repeat supply of refillable toothpaste. This is a drop in the ocean (pardon the pun) but it bothers me that to be able to reduce plastic waste these days you need to be relatively well-off financially. We’ve eliminated non- compostable plastic by ordering a veg box (£23 per week paid in advance via BACS) and drastically reduced plastic packaging in the bathroom by buying in bulk (pay in advance, decant to glass containers and have the ability to store the bulk containers without it severely encroaching on your living space).

Don’t get me wrong. We can all do our bit by shopping less, taking advantage of council recycling facilities and not buying unnecessary plastic but it is not as easy as it once was. Mr Country Gate celebrated his birthday this week and was gifted a copy of My 1970s Childhood. Reading this led me to the realisation that there was virtually no plastic in my own 1970s childhood. Not because we had a load of cash to buy in bulk or stay at home parents who shopped locally and cooked from scratch. Because it was easy.

Bread, milk, fizzy pop, vegetables, cheese and meat were all readily available, either delivered to the door in glass bottles for no extra cost, for a refundable fee of a few extra pence or within walking distance of home, wrapped in paper or put directly into a shopping basket. Even my packed lunch sandwiches were wrapped in paper. Later my mother embraced the tupperware revolution – and those boxes are still in use. Before she discovered Tupperware sandwiches for our beach picnics were stashed in a Family Circle biscuit tin. We had a productive garden – like many of our neighbours – and a bartering economy. I still remember being sent up the road with an armful of runner beans to exchange for a brown paper bag full of tomatoes picked from Aunty Doreen’s greenhouse. All neighbours and friends of my parents were aunties and uncles in those days.

Anyone can use less plastic but there is no doubt that in 2024 it is far easier for some than others. Real change will only come when the default rather than the luxury is plastic-free. A revolution in your habits is all well and good but small steps taken by everyone are better than nothing. My own children’s childhood was low cost out of necessity. We didn’t make grand gestures to save the planet but we did tread lightly with these ten simple steps anyone can take.

• walk more
• buy second hand from charity shops
• use the library
• use your community more – travel as little as possible for school, work or shopping
• mend it – learn how to or find someone who can
• eat less and don’t buy more than you will eat.
• love your leftovers
• eat more plants
• plant a garden – even a windowbox
• get to know your neighbours – share tools, swap books……

Happy Earth Day.

May you and your children tread lightly and find joy in simple things.