5 ways to reduce before you recycle

As part of Plastic Free July, we are turning our attention to some quick and easy solutions for reducing your plastic use before it comes to recycling.

At Tala Studios, we are proud to say that none of our waste goes to landfill. Our partners First Mile see to that.

As individuals, we also try our hardest at home to reduce, reuse and finally, recycle. It’s not always easy but the more you know, the more you can make informed decisions when shopping and disposing of items at the end of their life.

Here’s a round-up of some of the trickier items to dispose of, with suggestions of alternatives and recycling solutions. Let’s get to it.

PLASTIC FILM

The problem:
For this one, we’re talking about the clear plastic that can often be found wrapped (unnecessarily) around our fruit and veg.

Alternative:
Shop loose. There are great options out there to help you shop everyday products without the packaging. Apps that can help you find refill stores or major supermarkets now allowing you to use your own containers for their refill offerings.

Recycle:
The Co-op have just launched a new scheme to provide a recycling point outside almost all of their stores for you to recycle your film plastic. Simply wash it, then bin it.

For the US we found this great tool to find where to stick your plastic

PHONE CASES

The problem:
Every new model of phone means an adjustment in shape, size and charging ports – and you bet there’s a phone case for that. Over 1 billion plastic phone cases are sold every single year.

Alternative:
Compostable phone cases are becoming increasingly popular, and there is a reason why. Made from plant-based materials such as wheat and flax these designs mean at the end of your phones life you can dispose of your case in your own home compost bin.

Recycle:
Many of the companies who design these cases also host a recycling scheme, encouraging you to post your old phone case to them to ensure they are recycled properly.

If you’re in the US, you can also use the Teracycle program and mail them your phone case

TOOTHBRUSHES

The problem:
Roughly 3.5 billion brushes are sold worldwide each year and 99% of those are made from plastic. We think you see the problem.

Alternative:
Bamboo is having a real moment right now. With the ability to grow a metre a day without the need for fertiliser, it is a highly sustainable, safe and eco-friendly material to replace the typical plastic alternative. Due to some debate from dentists, plastic bristles are still recommended but watch this space as the technology evolves.

Recycle:
If you’re not down for a manual brush, the next best thing might just be shopping with eco-friendly brand Live Coco. They have produced a recyclable electric toothbrush head which you can mail back to them when you’re finished with it. They also have a whole host of eco-friendly alternative bathroom products on their website.

COFFEE CUPS

The problem:
Lined with plastic, coated in carboard, sealed with a lid. Coffee cups are a big problem.

Alternative:
God bless reusable cups. They can be made from glass or bamboo, and they can be flat packed, thermal, lightweight or personalised – the possibilities are endless! This is a daily change that you won’t regret.

Recycling:
It’s Monday, it’s raining, and you’ve realised you’ve forgotten your cup (for the first time in a month😉). We will let you off this time. Once you’re done with your single use cup give it a rinse and take it right back to your local barista or to any big chain to be disposed of responsibly. Costa, and Starbucks are just two of the major players who have in-store recycling and will accept cups from any vendor.

Shout out:
These guys at Ottos Coffee in Sevenoaks, UK, have been on a mission to drive down waste in their community. Collecting 15,000 used coffee cups in just 3 weeks to create a strong visual message, these guys no longer serve takeaway cups and require all customers to bring their own. We love to see it.

LIGHTBULBS (OBVIOUSLY)

The Problem:
It’s hard to believe, but there are still plastic, halogen, inefficient lightbulbs out there. With a lifespan of less than 2 years, and little recycling options.

Alternative:
Tala, of course. Excluding our latest technical range, all of our bulbs are made from glass and have a recommended lifespan of up to 10 years, so you won’t need to think about recycling any time soon.

Recycling:
When the time comes and your Tala bulb bites the dust, we hope you can still find this blog and the internet hasn’t had its day. In the UK, we are part of the Recolight scheme to cover the cost of future recycling of our bulbs, and as individuals, you can use this handy tool and find out where you can drop off your bulbs. All LEDs are accepted.

Stay tuned for more updates over the coming months on our own sustainability goals. In the meantime find us on Instagram or Facebook to see what we are up to.

Team Tala