Packaging is a necessary evil – it protects products in transit and in the stores and supermarkets but some products are definitely over-packaged or the packaging isn’t suitable for recycling.

Here are some tips to help you reduce and avoid packaging life:

Where possible buy products loose such as bananas, turnips, broccoli etc just put the weight sticker on the product; Purchase larger or bulk quantities of non-perishable goods such as washing powder, toilet rolls, shampoo etc. Avoid single sachet items such as jam, butter, coffee, juice pouches etc Invest in a thermal mug & use it when you are buying take-away drinks Bringing a packed lunch? – then use a lunch box & avoid tinfoil, cling film and sandwich bags Avoid composite packaging that can’t be recycled such as foil lined tubes of crisps.

In general it’s great for the environment if you can avoid as many disposable items as possible such as razors, hygienic wipes, napkins etc – reusable items last longer and can be cheaper.