Single-use plastic products are everywhere. And, for many of us, they've become integral to our daily lives. Around 50% of all plastic produced (830 million tons a year) is for single-use purposes. Yet, less than 9% of single-use plastic gets recycled.

Reducing the use of plastic isn't always easy. But you can take some simple steps towards eliminating it from your daily life. 

FIVE THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOU LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY 

1. REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE.

One million plastic bottles are purchased across the world every minute. So, by switching to a reusable bottle, you will contribute to reducing plastic production demand.

My personal favourite is from justbottle.co. It's made from stainless steel and is 38% lighter. It keeps my drinks hotter and colder for longer. This bottle comes in three simple yet stylish designs - and I honestly love them all!

Source: justbottle.co

2. REUSABLE STRAWS.

Metal straws tend to be the most popular choice. They’re super durable - they won't break or bend! Bamboo straws are also a great alternative to plastic straws. They are organic and completely biodegradable. 

Source: The Kitchen Gift Company

3. REUSABLE CUTLERY.

Plastic cutlery is everywhere, but it can be used only once. We throw away billions of utensils every year, and many of them end up in the environment. A sustainable solution is to carry a reusable cutlery set!

High-quality cutlery is made of sustainable bamboo and should last for several uses. Once it reaches the end of its life, the cutlery becomes compostable material.

Source: Wearth London

4. BEESWAX WRAPS.

Beeswax wraps are a reusable alternative to plastic wraps. They are breathable and can keep food fresh for longer. My favourite wraps are from beeswarwraps.co.uk - and the beehive design is so cute! They're available in different sizes to suit every need.

Source: beeswaxwraps.co.uk

5. REUSABLE BAG.

Plastic bag pollution is well researched and documented, and yet over 16,000 of them are used every second around the world! Keep a reusable bag in your handbag to ensure you never forget to take one with you. I'm still looking for that perfect bag, but I really like this sustainable alternative from Harrods. It's not cheap, but it comes in a pack of two and it's very sturdy.

Source: Harrods

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIAL?

I hope you found these tips useful and will try to incorporate some of them into your daily routine. What would you add to this list?