The Marine Conservation Society, based in Ross-on-Wye, has been encouraging people to #GOplasticfree in July, and I am going to do my best to take on their ‘Plastic Challenge’.

I recently purchased the MCS’ new book, ‘How to Live Plastic Free’ to get me started, as it is often hard to think of alternatives when we use so much plastic in our everyday lives.

Now the MCS isn’t against plastic, in fact they call it a “phenomenal material” and also list some of its amazing uses, such as in hospitals and solar panels for renewable energy, which are made of plastic.

However, more than eight million tons of plastic are dumped in our oceans every year and half of it comes from unnecessary disposable plastics that are only used once before being thrown away, such as baby wipes and makeup wipes, cutlery, tampon applicators and food wrapping.

To begin my plastic-free challenge, I chose a few areas of focus:

Milk:

Milk is purchased in quantity, every day of every week of every year - which is a lot of milk bottles in circulation. Thankfully milk bottles are one of the easiest things to recycle, but sadly some people don’t clean them or put them in the correct recycling bin.

Until supermarkets start bringing back glass bottles, my milk will be delivered daily by a milkman! I’ve ordered some to be delivered three times a week to my doorstep, which was really easy to set up as a recurring card payment, but it is more expensive in the long run.

However, it is fresh and helps a struggling industry - as well as being plastic free.

Bathroom essentials:

What is the alternative to aerosol deodorant? Well the MCS suggest making your own out of coconut oil, bicarbonate of soda and anti-bacterial essential oil, but there are also plenty of natural sticks and bars you can buy - I aim to buy the ones packaged in cardboard, not plastic!

However, I’ve started using a coconut and vanilla deodorant balm which comes in a small glass pot. The only downside is that you have to make sure you apply it somewhere where you can wash your hands after.

I also bought some plastic-free soap, moisturiser and lip balm from Lush Handmade Cosmetics in Bristol on Sunday, as well as a bamboo foundation brush from Boots in Ross-on-Wye, to apply my makeup. No plastic sponges for me!