20 pledges for 2020: The five key steps I'm taking to cut down on single-plastic use

Though I can't afford the time nor money to do so with ease, I will reduce my plastic waste dramatically this year

A reuseable water bottle can aid the planet and your bank balance (Getty Images)

Can you think of one New Year’s resolution that you’ve stuck to?

I didn’t manage to read 30 books in 2019 nor did I keep up my plans to run once a week. But I seem to be succeeding at this one.

I’ve managed to do the unexpected and made it past Quitters’ Day; the day most people reject their resolutions. Therefore I see this as a serious milestone.

As someone who would ordinarily not think twice about doing a last minute Asos order or grabbing another plastic bag, I’m surprised at how much of an anti-plastic zealot I have become.

I find myself casting aspersions when I see people doing things that my-2019-self would have done. When my friend, for example, nonchalantly reached for a multipack of tomatoes as opposed to buying them loose, I had to hold back my tuts, and, when that same friend admitted to not owning a KeepCup, I definitely judged her.

In hindsight it might have been worth adding ‘get friends on board with going plastic-free’ to my New Year’s resolution list - team spirit aids sticking to resolutions - but I fear this challenge is going to be hard enough alone.

If you’re reading this while eating your fourth meal deal of the week whilst drinking from a single-use Evian bottle, I'm not shaming you.

But, with every day bringing a new addition to the horrifying roll call of plastic facts, perhaps take this as a cue to bring a packed lunch in tomorrow or order a reusable water bottle, you’d not only be saving the planet but your wallet too.

Just like me you needn’t go cold turkey. Try to make one change. My makeup bag still has the remnants of yesteryear’s products, frankly it would be wasteful and woeful to throw them away.

However, I’m aware that the day will soon come when I have to go through the painstaking process of replacing my £6 The Ordinary foundation with a budget-friendly plastic-free alternative that probably doesn’t exist yet.

I’m also aware my advantages are many. I am in a privileged position of living within an area that is dotted with local produce and speciality shops where I can refill my washing up liquid and washing powder with ease.

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, making plastic-free swaps needn’t be restricted to what you can find on your doorstep. My toilet paper is no longer bought from the supermarket but delivered from Who Gives a Crap, a plastic-free toilet paper subscription service. I’ve broken up with plastic milk bottles in favour of a weekly visit from my milkman. And shampoo and conditioner bars have been introduced to the shower all thanks to Ethique. These are all things that you can find online in the comfort of your home.

There are a whole host of other accessible swaps you can make this week that are budget-friendly and might even save you some cash in the long run:

1. Say no to a to-go cup, buy a reusable one and be rewarded with a discount on your coffee too
2. Say no to fruit and veg wrapped in cellophane, and instead buy them loose where possible
3. Say no to a plastic bag, invest in a reusable carrier and keep it on your person at all times
4. Say no to tea bags that contain polypropylene, opt for plastic-free tea and keep an eye out for a plastic planet’s plastic-free trust mark
5. Say no to plastic wrapped meat, fish and dairy and take your plastic container into your local supermarket deli counter. 

If you feel like giving it a go this week don’t worry about trying to do everything at once, that’ll only end with another failed resolution. Don’t try and be perfect. Do what you can and remember no effort is wasted.

If you promise to make some changes, I’ll promise to keep my zealot-self at bay. Good luck!