• Why are paper cups not environmentally friendly?
• Disposable plastic bags, carrier bags, aluminum foil and cling film – a burden on the environment
• Wax cloths, thermos cups and reusable bags as an alternative to disposable paper, plastic cups and foil

Environmental problems have been regularly addressed for decades. Ecological debates and disturbing photos of polluted beaches and oceans with mountains of plastic create a depressing impression, and yet we still find it very easy to reach for products in plastic packaging. Human activities and their impact on the environment have become greater than ever over the past half century. The ubiquitous packaging made of plastic, foil, and Styrofoam has become a staple on store shelves. We drink water and juice from plastic bottles and takeaway coffee from plastic cups. Bread, fruit, vegetables, rice, pasta, and groats are packaged in plastic bags. And although more and more Poles say they regularly and thoroughly separate their waste, and waste separation is required by law and can result in a fine for non-compliance, tons of plastic waste still end up in landfills every year. According to Eurostat data, the average European inhabitant produces about 35 kg of plastic waste per year.

Why are paper cups not environmentally friendly?

Ordering takeaway coffee in a disposable cup is very convenient—it's lightweight, doesn't require washing, and can be quickly disposed of by throwing it in a paper waste bin, leaving you with a clear conscience. Unfortunately, it turns out that only 0.25% of paper coffee cups are recycled. The rest ends up in landfills. The environmental friendliness of disposable paper cups is deceptive. Not everyone knows this, but these "paper" cups aren't just made of biodegradable cellulose. They're impregnated with plastic to prevent water absorption. In fact, they're not easy to recycle later. There's only one place in the UK that can recycle these types of cups.

Disposable plastic bags, carrier bags, aluminum foil and cling film – a burden on the environment

These days, shopping in an average supermarket without using plastic is almost a miracle. Cheese, cold cuts, meat, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, bread, yogurt, milk, nuts, cereals, and sweets are all packaged in plastic. Fruit, vegetables, and bread? We often instinctively, without thinking, reach for them because it's most convenient. Unfortunately, the "lifespan" of such a one-time "kicking" is on average 20 minutes. After the shopping is brought home and unpacked, it ends up in the trash and then in a landfill, where it rots for several decades, contaminating the soil and groundwater with microplastics. The same goes for plastic cling film; we throw it away after one use. Aluminum foil is also very popular; we sometimes use it several times a day—it's easy to tear it off, wrap sandwiches in it, cover a bowl or pot of food, then roll it up and throw it away. Unfortunately, if it remains in a landfill, it takes several dozen to hundreds of years to decompose.

Wax cloths, thermal cups and reusable bags as an alternative to disposable paper, plastic cups and foil

Reducing the production of plastic waste in our own environment is one of the simplest ways to impact our own environmental protection and our health – it's well known that the less polluted the natural world around us is, the better for us and our children. While at first glance, working comfortably in the kitchen without plastic or aluminum cling film and shopping without disposable plastic bags may seem impossible, the solutions are actually quite simple and very convenient. Here they are:

• Wax Wrap is a zero-waste, eco-friendly food wrap made from a single piece of cotton soaked in natural beeswax. It has antibacterial properties and is reusable; it can be washed under running water. Wax wraps are ideal for wrapping and storing food, such as chocolate bars, vegetables and fruit, sandwiches, bread, cakes, dried fruit, meat, and cheese. You can wrap them around bowls, pots, and jars of food stored in the refrigerator. They can also be used as a rolling mat. Wax wraps should not be used in direct contact with raw meat or fish, but you can place the meat or fish in a bowl and then cover the bowl. Wax wraps are biodegradable—they decompose and do not release substances harmful to our planet.
• Thermos cups – the production of new disposable cups, which we use at gas stations, at work, or in the city, requires the felling of approximately 20 million trees per year. The most ecological solution, therefore, is the daily use of a thermos flask or thermos cup. The latter, in particular, are practical, handy, and fit in a handbag or backpack. They ensure a constant temperature of the drink and are particularly useful on cold and frosty days. To maintain the temperature even longer, we briefly pour boiling water over them before filling them with tea or coffee. This warms the inside.
• Reusable bags and pouches - your own shopping bag is the foundation of an eco-friendly lifestyle. When we seek advice on how to reduce plastic production in our immediate environment, the first thing that is often mentioned is eliminating single-use plastic bags. To avoid forgetting them, it's worth keeping them in your handbag, backpack, or trunk. Interestingly, we can not only pack purchases in a cotton, linen, or canvas bag after leaving the checkout, but also in small bags. We can also pack, for example, bread, fruit and vegetables, nuts, or delicatessen products such as dumplings or noodles, which can be purchased by weight in some stores.

Applying these few, subtle lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the amount of waste we produce. In fact, they don't require any major sacrifices, and after just a few days, we'll get used to bringing our coffee from home, putting our groceries in our own bag instead of a plastic one, and not having to remember to buy a new roll of cling film. These changes benefit not only our planet but also our wallets.