Plastic bags alternatives

Each high quality reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate hundreds, if not thousands, of plastic bags over its lifetime. To keep the supermarket staff happy we recommend you hand it to them as soon as you get to the register with a big smile, always keep it clean and don't ask them to fill it up with loads of heavy stuff and then expect them to lift it for you.

A great way to live your life without plastic bags is to compost your food waste. If you compost your food waste the wet and sloppy waste is taken out of your rubbish and you don't need to use a bin liner at all. You can transfer your rubbish directly from your kitchen bin to your wheelie bin or rubbish bag. For info on composting check out Create Your Own Eden.

If you are not ready to compost then there are still ways to avoid using a plastic bag as a bin liner:

• Keep a container with a lid on your bench and stick all your food and meat scraps in it. When it's full tip onto a couple of sheets of newspaper, roll it up and chuck into your kitchen bin, wheelie bin or rubbish bag.
• Make a newspaper bag - click here for instructions on making a newspaper bag - put all your food scraps in this and then chuck into your kitchen bin, wheelie bin or council rubbish bag.
• Line your bin with newspaper - this works well if you've got a small bin.
• Warning! This idea is radical and not for the faint hearted..how about ditching your bin liner, putting all your rubbish in YOUR BIN and then washing it after you empty it!
• Use a biodegradable bag for your food scraps..wait till it's full then into your kitchen bin, wheelie bin or council rubbish bag.

It seems such a waste to use a non-biodegradable bag with a 15 litre capacity to pick up something that's biodegradable and only a couple of hundred mls.

A better option is to use a much smaller bag like a bread bag or better yet a specially made biodegradable doggy doo bag. Call your local pet store, vet or council to see what's available in your area. Some even have a handy cannister that attaches to your dog lead.

Do you really need a plastic bag for your swimmers and towel? If you wrap your swimmers up in your towel and put them in a reusable bag with your goggles and cap it works just as well. Your towel will soak up the water and prevent a big leaky mess in the boot of your car. If you are swimming regularly you'll be putting them out to dry when you get home anyway.