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Battling Single Use Plastics in Covid-19 Days

15/7/2020

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How has waste and recycling been affected by Covid-19? I attended a really good webinar this morning about this question, and I thought I'd share some information about single use plastics. 

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Lockdown has had an affect on our types of waste and the behaviours we display around getting rid of our waste. For example, who could have predicted 5 months ago that so many face masks would be dropped into supermarket bins as people exit the building? I certainly didn't have any face masks at home in February, but we have a stash now, ready for whenever the weekly shop is called for. 

Even during the pandemic, it's important to remember to AVOID, REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE your waste. The environment can't take a 'messy break' and litter, waste and pollution are not something to allow just because "times are unprecedented". Through lockdown, more single use plastic has been used, in an effort perhaps by people trying to reduce their contamination risks. This is often things like

 - plastic cutlery and plates on picnics and in school canteens, when reusable ones from home would be easy to take instead, and easily washed to use again. 

- delivery packaging from supermarkets. If you've been lucky enough to 'bag' *ahem* a supermarket delivery slot, you may have noticed they are not using reusable containers anymore, and are relying on plastic carrier bags a lot more. 

- takeaway containers not only from your normal Chinese or fish and chips shop, but also from restaurants and cafes who are now offering a new 'lockdown' takeaway service. Most of these are (recyclable) plastic or (non-recyclable) polystyrene containers, many of which are not disposed of properly when the meal is over. 

The reduced choice and availability in supermarkets has also contributed to the issue. Many people who would have chosen the 'plastic free' produce now have now option but to buy the cellophane wrapped broccoli and the huge 1kg bag of carrots instead of buying loose. 

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​Masks are a new challenge in waste generation circles: A growing demand (which will continue to grow next week with it becoming compulsory to wear masks in supermarkets), a complex material, and a very visible one when some people simply cannot be arsed to dispose of them properly. Some people even have been flushing them down the toilet.

Masks need to be put responsibly in the bin; They are made from a mix of materials, including plastics, and cannot be recycled. Masks often end up thrown on the floor when used, left available for wildlife to eat and to create an eyesore in public areas. I know I've seen some on the pavements in my local area, and in green areas...

​And marine pollution doesn't escape either. The Guardian reported 'more masks than jellyfish' recently. 

How can we combat this?

- Report littering and flytipping to your local council. You can often just fill out a quick form online and they generally clear up the issue within a few days, if you're lucky. 

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​- Social media the hell out of irresponsible plastic littering! I found this on Instagram recently, specifically for plastic gloves litter on beaches >>>

 - It is still safe to litter pick, if you wish, but I'd strongly recommend using gloves and a litter-picker if possible (the grabbing stick kind). 
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​- Now the recycling centres are open again, make full use of them if your recycling is overflowing. This will leave more space in your refuse bin for things like masks and rubber gloves which cannot be recycled. 

- Make sure your mask is binned - and stays in the bin! If the bin is overflowing, take it home with you and dispose of it there.

 - Use reusable masks 

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On the plus side, waste carrier Veolia has reported a 30% increase in recycling since lockdown began, and the materials are 'cleaner' too, with fewer waste items contaminating the bins and boxes. This is a big win, let's hope it continues!

​You may have seen this striking photo from Oceans Asia. Possibly does more with the image than my 100s of words here. 
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Throw nature a bone - not a mask - and dispose of your waste properly, folks!

Lou x
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Baking Pretzels

5/7/2020

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Yesterday I made pretzels for the first time.

Yes, I know, some are submarines and the pretzel holes are far from defined, but they tasted perfect. Yum yum! One more from the buns of the world baking book!
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 This is my last Lockdown diary style post. I feel like all that's missing from 'before' is the social distancing, the 2m rule still being advised. It's feeling doubly like the end of lockdown as I'm working again, albeit returning from mat leave, and only upstairs in the spare room, but still, feels like a new beginning.

​Honestly, on meeting friends, once we got over the initial 'can't hug hello', a walk or a cuppa continues as normal, especially now we're allowed indoors. Still waiting for the cinemas to re-open, personally, but it's not bothering me much at all nowadays. Hope you're feeling similarly!

My final wellbeing lockdown challenge looked like this yesterday...

Something for me: Online Zumba class
Something to make someone else smile: Pretzels for friends and neighbours
Productivity: The pretzels - they took forever to make!

Lou x
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    I'm a writer from Bristol, UK, with an unhealthy obsession with stationery and baking. I mainly blog for my own sanity, but I'm also working on a novel. Still. 

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