It’s difficult to avoid plastic, but Emma Beddington’s article makes it seem impossible and it isn’t (My no-plastic life: I tried to cut out single-use items for a month – and it almost broke me, 12 February). We have a routine that eliminates most plastic waste. We shop at the market for fruit and vegetables, all in paper bags, and use vinegar for all cleaning. We use tooth tabs in glass jars, shampoo soap bars and laundry sheets. We’ve had dairy milk and oat milk delivered in glass bottles for years.
Supermarkets can cut plastic packaging, but don’t. When I asked a manager at a big store why they can’t do more, I was told they have long-term contracts with big producers, which have long-term contracts with plastic producers. So vote with your wallet and shop where they help you – Lidl has compostable bags for many loose veg and fruit, and Aldi has nuts in paper bags. And there are always refill shops, though they tend to be expensive. Cutting down on plastic is possible, it just takes a little more time and effort.
Sue Kellaway
Christchurch, Dorset
