PlastIC FREE BUSINESS HACKS
Being a Plastic Free Business Champion doesn’t mean that you use zero plastic!
Instead, it means that you are working to eliminate unnecessary single use plastic in your business.
Get some tips from this toolkit [PDF], see what these local businesses have done and, if you fancy becoming a Plastic Free Champion, feel free to contact us for further information.
BUSINESS CHAMPIONS
Some of the businesses in and around Mold who’ve achieved Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Business Champion status, pictured at the inaugural awards ceremony with Hannah Blythyn, Member of the Senedd for Delyn.
See below to find out what these great local businesses are doing to reduce their plastic footprints!
Six things they’ve eliminated:
1 – Plastic tamper seal over stopper and replaced with plant based biodegradable seal
2 – Plastic glasses are replaced by glasses where possible
3 – Changed suppliers to eliminate excessive bubble wrap on glass bottle deliveries, used wrap is given to other local businesses
4 – Changed supplier to eliminate the use of a composite plastic bottle stopper – supplied with bottle but not used
5 – Changed supplier to buy Spring water in bulk in returnable containers
6 – Removed plastic display materials and use upcycled materials for displays.
Future Plans:
Investigate with sales outlets if they would be willing to take back bottles for collection for re-use; confirm that the label does not contain plastic.
Five things they’ve eliminated:
1 – Plastic tasting straws replaced with wooden tasting sticks
2 – Plastic tamper labels replaced with paper ones
3 – Replaced polypropylene (PP) labels with paper labels
4 – Plastic food wrap replaced with beeswax wraps
5 – Switched supplier to replace plastic wrap on new jars to cardboard packaging.
Future Plans:
Remove plastic container for cut comb – looking at waxed paper alternative; investigating methods to reduce carbon emissions including carbon free honey extraction.
Three things they’ve eliminated:
1 – Toilet rolls now come in paper wrapping instead of plastic (supplier: Who Gives A Crap)
2 – Plastic promotional pens have been replaced with a sugar-based product (Senator Pens)
3 – Padded envelopes lined with bubble wrap have been replaced by envelopes with corrugated card lining (Enviroflute).
Future plans:
Investigating having the water cooler plumbed in or replaced by a water filter, to avoid using the associated plastic bottles; looking at eco-friendly document wallets.
Five things they have eliminated:
1 – Plastic Milk Bottles
2 – Plastic Marketing Gifts
3 – Tea & coffee in plastic packaging or which contain plastic
4 – Plastic bottled water for client meetings
5 – Plastic drinks bottles.
Plus: signed up to Refill.
Future Plans:
Investigate swapping presentation folders with plastic cover to non-plastic alternatives; switch to reusable coffee cups when using takeaway coffee chains; continue to support Mold Plastic Reduction, including via access to Celtic Business Group; remain active on social media and support events such as litter picks.
Four things they’ve eliminated:
1 – Plastic drinks bottles replaced with a stainless refillable bottle
2 – Bringing in a reusable coffee cup instead of disposable coffee cups
3 – Use a reusable cloth instead disposable wipes
4 – Having milk delivered in glass bottles rather than using plastic ones.
Future Plans:
Any remaining plastics will be recycled via the waste management company; actively promoting action taken and helping encourage others, including at Celtic Business network; investigating friendly cleaning products for the office; getting organised to bring lunch instead of getting take-out lunch.
Ten things they’ve eliminated:
1 – Envelopes with plastic windows replaced with paper envelopes
2 – Use a refill handwash and washing up liquid, refilled at the Good Health Emporium
3 – Plastic- free fruit purchased from Jones and Price Wholesalers
4 – Removed plastic milk bottles and now picking up milk from refill station at a local farm
5 – Use reusable coffee cups when travelling or at events, and using a reusable water bottle
6 – Installed a bean to cup coffee machine to reduce waste
7 – Plastic free tea and coffee
8 – Recycle printer toners for charity donation to the Dogs Trust
9 – Recycle crisp packets
10 – Request that materials are supplied in paper and card.
Future Plans:
Moving towards e-documents to reduce printing and waste.
Seven things they’ve eliminated:
1 – Plastic drinks bottles / containers
2 – Plastic wraps for cakes / sandwiches
3 – Plastic carrier bags for take-outs
4 – Plastic stirrers
5 – Washing up liquid in plastic bottles
6 – Coffee in plastic packaging
7 – Water in plastic bottles
Future Plans:
– Investigating alternatives to plastic wrap used to keep food in the fridge fresh (maybe switch to lidded containers)
– Investigating alternative suppliers to eliminate plastic wrap on products purchased
– Moving to making all packaging plastic free
– Switching to plastic free takeaway cups
– Actively promoting customers using their own cups for takeaway drinks, plus selling and promoting reusable cups
Nine things they’ve eliminated:
1. Shampoo & conditioner in plastic bottles
2. Plastic Toothbrushes
3. Plastic Carrier Bags
4. Earbuds with plastic sticks
5. Plastic toothpaste tubes
6. Soap in plastic packaging
7. Plastic plasters
8. Disposable Cups
9. Plastic crockery for toddlers.
Future plans:
Join Refill.org after lockdown and find a supplier of beeswax wraps.
Three things they’ve eliminated:
1 – Plastic olive pots (switched to vegware pots)
2 – Plastic bags and containers (encourage shoppers to use their own containers)
3 – Plastic carrier bags (using paper bags)
Additional actions include:
– Offering a discount to encourage customers to re-use glass bottles for oils/vinegars
– Segregating waste for recycling and pay for separate recyclables bin
– Saving and reusing packaging from deliveries
Future plans:
Investigating alternatives to using cling film wrap on products such as cheese
Five things they’ve eliminated:
1 – Swapped plastic cutlery for wooden for takeaway food or onward sale
2 – Replaced plastic drinks stirrers with wooden ones
3 – Paper plates used for heating takeaway food
4 – Sourcing fruit and veg with no plastic packaging
5 – Removed plastic straws and replaced with paper straws (seasonal).
Plus: Signed up to Refill.
Future plans:
Confirm whether local coffee on sale is plastic free; stock milk in glass bottles; offer eco-refills for washing products
Eleven things they have eliminated:
1 – Plastic take away cutlery, replaced with compostable
2 – Plastic straws replaced with paper
3 – Polystyrene takeaway containers replaced with cardboard
4 – Laminated menus replaced with paper menus
5 – Plastic sauce sachets removed and bulk sauces dispensed into pots
6 – Removed all plastic water bottles and signed up to Refill
7 – Majority of cold drinks now sold in cans
8 – Using recycled and recyclable napkins
9 – using jugs not sachets for milk
10 – Food waste & cardboard collected separately & recycled
11 – Trying to buy from local suppliers to reduce air pollution & carbon emissions.
Plus: Signed up with ‘Too Good to Go’ to give away unused food at the end of the shift.
Future plans:
Looking for alternatives for orange and apple juice currently sold in plastic bottles; seeking supplier for takeaway cups; replacing sugar sachets with shakers; looking for other fully compostable items; talking to suppliers about how to reduce plastic in their products (spoken to Henllan Bakery who said they are in the process of removing plastic from theirs).
