Hampshire County Council encourages residents to reduce single-use plastic waste this Plastic Free July, offering simple alternatives that save money whilst helping the environment through affordable swaps and discount schemes.
This Plastic Free July, Hampshire County Council encourages residents to discover straightforward methods to cut single-use plastic waste and make environmentally conscious decisions that can also reduce household expenses.
Statistics show that UK residents generate 76kg of plastic waste per person each year – twenty times higher than five decades ago – with households discarding 66 plastic packaging items weekly.
Items such as disposable packaging, nappies, and hygiene products generate carbon emissions during manufacturing and prove expensive to process through household waste collection systems.
Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet Lead Member for Universal Services, commented: “Nearly half of all plastic production serves single-use purposes – items like beverage bottles, coffee cups, and food packaging. However, accessible and budget-friendly alternatives exist that many residents are already adopting. These minor adjustments can create significant impact – both financially and environmentally.
“Each time we prevent discarding a single-use item, we’re not only reducing waste – we’re also decreasing disposal costs for taxpayers, benefiting everyone.”
Straightforward substitutions such as utilising refillable water bottles, carrying personal shopping bags, or selecting loose produce rather than pre-packaged items can create meaningful change.
KGV Football Complex wins double at prestigious awards
Practical methods to reduce single-use plastics include:
- Carrying reusable shopping bags when visiting shops
- Switching to refillable shampoo, soap, and cleaning products
- Using reusable coffee cups and water bottles
- Selecting loose fruit and vegetables over pre-packaged options
- Using beeswax wraps or containers rather than cling film
- Trying cloth nappies or reusable sanitary and incontinence products
To make reusable alternatives more accessible, Hampshire County Council has collaborated with suppliers to provide all residents with a 15% discount on reusable nappies, period products, and incontinence wear.
Nappy Libraries throughout Hampshire also provide a try-before-you-buy service, featuring rental kits and specialist guidance to assist families considering reusable alternatives.
Visit Hampshire’s Smart Living webpages for guidance, discount programmes, and additional methods to reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle.
New Signs Enhance Portsmouth’s Shipwrights Way Coastal Route
