Sustainable choices when you’re out and about

Hannah Johnson

December 3, 2019

Convenience vs sustainability

When you’re out and about, convenience is king. Whether it be a coffee to get you through the daily commute, a quick sandwich while you’re out shopping, or a bottle of water for a long train journey, most people will need to consume goods on the go from time to time. The UK’s reliance on food-to-go is expected to grow by more than 25% over the next 5 years.

Meanwhile, public concern over climate change in the UK has reached a record high, with 85% of adults now being worried about global warming. Single-use plastic packaging has also been targeted for elimination by many organisations and campaigns. In fact, “single-use” became the Word of the Year in 2018.

The question is: can you do both? Is it possible to maintain a busy on-the-go lifestyle and do your bit for the planet?

Some say that the answer is going vegan, or only using electric vehicles (or no vehicle at all). That just isn’t practical for everyone, but there are things you can do to leave a smaller footprint on the Earth whilst out and about.

1. Reusable coffee cups

If you are a familiar face at the local coffee shop, switching from a disposable coffee cup to a reusable one could be a good place to start.

For example, by using a reusable coffee cup 3 times a week, you will prevent 3 kg of waste each year. If everyone in the UK made the switch, we could prevent over 100,000 tonnes of waste annually. Most coffee chains also offer discounts for bringing your own cup.

But what if you forget your reusable cup? Try to find a recycling option. Valpak has worked with Costa Coffee to support a national paper cup recycling scheme, and some train stations such as London Marylebone also provide cup collection points.

2. Reusable water bottles

Everyone needs to stay hydrated. Bottled water sales in the UK have grown significantly, with over 7.7 billion plastic bottles consumed annually.

Switching to a reusable bottle can be more convenient, saving both time and money. Tap water costs around 0.1 pence per litre compared to 65 pence per litre for bottled water. If everyone switched, it could prevent around 77,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year.

Refilling your bottle is becoming easier thanks to initiatives such as the Refill app, which helps you locate refill points nearby. Many public places and train stations now also offer free water refill stations.

3. Think before you buy

If you are on the go and need food, take a moment to consider the packaging.

Instead of buying pre-packaged fruit, choose whole items like an apple. Opt for clear plastic packaging where possible, as it is easier to recycle than coloured or opaque alternatives.

Make sure packaging is empty and clean before recycling. If you can’t clean it immediately, hold onto it until you get home.

Compostable packaging isn’t always simple

Some packaging is marketed as compostable, but this often requires industrial composting facilities rather than home composting. Even food waste bins may reject this material due to contamination risks.

Until systems are widely available, standard recyclable packaging is often the more reliable option.

Final thought

At the end of the day, it is your waste. Your responsibility.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author, Hannah Johnson, and do not necessarily reflect the views of recycle-more, Valpak Limited, or any other organisation.