On the go

Remember your plastic free

On the go

Reducing single-use plastic can feel difficult when you are out and about, but a few small changes can make a big difference.

This page shares simple tips to help you cut down on single-use plastic when travelling, shopping, eating out or spending the day away from home.

Remember your plastic free essentials kit

A small reusable kit can help you avoid single-use plastic while you are out.

You do not need to carry everything every day, but some useful items could include:

• reusable shopping bag
• reusable cup for hot drinks
• reusable water bottle
• lunch box or food container
• reusable cutlery
• napkin

Optional extras could include:

• reusable pint glass for festivals or events
• reusable straw

Make it easy to remember

The easiest reusable item is the one you actually have with you.

Try keeping your reusable items somewhere you are likely to remember them, such as:

• by the front door
• in your work bag
• in the car
• in your desk drawer
• in a camper van or day bag

You could also keep more than one reusable cup, bag or bottle in different places. This can help if you often forget to take one with you.

Simple swaps when you are out

Small swaps can help reduce single-use plastic over time.

You could try:

• taking a packed lunch in a reusable lunch box
• using a reusable cup when buying hot drinks
• carrying a reusable water bottle
• keeping a reusable shopping bag with you
• using reusable cutlery or a napkin when eating out
• reusing suitable takeaway containers for lunches or leftovers
• choosing products with less plastic packaging where possible

Some cafés and shops may also offer discounts if you bring your own cup or container.

Food and drink on the go

Food and drink can create a lot of avoidable plastic waste, especially when buying lunch, snacks or takeaway drinks.

You could reduce this by:

• batch cooking lunches at home
• taking leftovers in a reusable container
• making drinks at home and taking them with you
• choosing loose fruit or snacks where available
• using refill shops or buying in bulk where possible
• choosing places that let you use your own reusable cup or container

Even doing this once or twice a week can help reduce the amount of single-use packaging you use.

Shopping while out

It can be easy to forget a bag when popping into a shop.

Keeping a folded reusable bag in your coat pocket, handbag, work bag or car can help you avoid buying another plastic bag.

You could also reuse suitable bags you already have, such as bread bags, cereal bags or carrier bags, before throwing them away.

Days out, events and travel

If you are going on a day out, to work, school, a festival or on a longer journey, it can help to plan ahead.

Before you leave, think about what you might need during the day. This could include:

• a water bottle
• a packed lunch
• a reusable cup
• snacks in a reusable container
• a shopping bag
• cutlery or a napkin

Planning ahead can help you avoid buying items in single-use packaging when you are out.

What will you try?

You do not need to make every change at once.

Start with one simple swap that feels easy, such as keeping a reusable bag by the front door or putting a reusable cup in your work bag.

Once it becomes a habit, you can add more small changes over time