Sarah Allen, environmental campaigner, writes for the Journal

With the joy of ending 2020 came the lockdown of 2021! Lots about this year, so far, feels the same as last year (although the hope created due to Covid vaccines is something to cling on to).

One thing that can easily be different is waste, including single-use plastic.

Last year, just as it felt there was real change happening, a turn in the tide against single-use plastic, with the English government planning a ban in April 2020 on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds along came a global pandemic.

The war on plastic turned into an embracing of plastic with supermarkets stopping bag-less deliveries, zero waste shops shutting their doors (temporarily, at least, they are open now), the plastic straw ban facing delays and a new form of plastic pollution being generated by the general public in the form of single-use masks.

PPE is obviously important and life saving. However, as individuals 2021 could be a great year of eco-friendly changes and reducing waste as reusable or plastic free alternatives are available for many everyday items.

A new year and time for a change is how I felt 4 years ago. I was frustrated about the amount I was throwing in my bin, despite recycling everything I thought was possible. So I decided to only buy items in recyclable packaging. This became my New Year’s Resolution for 2017.

The first couple of days were easy, I didn’t go shopping! Then I failed on my first shopping trip of the year! Despite trying to look for alternatives, an item I needed was in non-recyclable packaging. However, I didn’t give up.

Slowly, one item at a time I made changes and now my wheelie bin for our family of four is only full every six months. I’ve saved money in the process and the planet has fared a little better with less pollution and lower carbon emissions being generated by my household.

So, I invite you in 2021 to be a waste hero and a changemaker simply by changing one thing at a time. As something runs out, if it’s not in recyclable packaging, look for an alternative.

Even in Exmouth and Budleigh where we don’t have a huge range of shops, even in lockdown I know this is possible with many, many items.

Swap plastic bottles of soap (yes the bottle can be recycled in kerbside collections but the pump can’t) for bars of soap bought in cardboard or without packaging (shop at Mother Earth, Boots, Tesco, Holland and Barratt or Budleigh Unwrapped).

Sometimes these bars of soap seem more expensive (depending on which brand you might be buying) but they usually last a lot longer so work out fairly comparable in cost. When your next bag of pasta runs out switch to pasta in cardboard, paper or bought in your own container at a zero waste shop (shop at Tesco, Heart and Soul, Zero Exmouth or Budleigh Unwrapped).

If you are using disposable face masks switch to reusable masks to save money and stop plastic pollution (so often I see these disposable masks strewn on the streets, they will break down into microplastics and could easily enter waterways and become part of the food chain).

Then continue with this process one item at a time and notice how slim your bin becomes! 2020 will be remembered because of covid, of course, and we are still dealing everyday with the restrictions and heart ache of this virus but let’s make 2021 the year we turned on waste and looked after our beautiful planet and the well-being of all creatures that call it home.

Are you inspired to make a change and reduce the waste you are creating?

Would you like some help in achieving this? If so, you might be interested in my book, based on my experience and including local recommendations of where to shop. ’52 Tips To Reduce Waste’ has a tip every week for a year.

It’ll reduce waste, single-use plastic, carbon emissions, save you money and I even think it will make you happier! For more information visit: www.rhubarbandrunnerbeans.co.uk