As she picked her way through mountains of discarded packaging, cellophane wrapping and plastic bags strewn across her kitchen floor, Teresa Walters had a brainwave.
It was Christmas morning 2017 and she had just emptied the bin for the fourth time in 24 hours. Her daughters — aged seven, nine and 12 —were unwrapping presents as her husband James gathered armfuls of plastic waste.
'I was floored by the amount of plastic we were chucking away,' says Teresa. 'I started wondering how much we used in a week, and how we could reduce it.'
The Walters family are far from unusual. The average Briton bins 76kg of single-use plastic a year, (five million tonnes) — enough to fill the Royal Albert Hall a thousand times — across the country.
The Daily Mail's Turn the Tide on Plastic campaign — part of a ten-year initiative to end the scourge of plastic waste — has already seen tens of thousands of readers take to the streets to collect litter.
Mary Strong (left) and Teresa Walters - the sisters are competing against each other to reduce their plastic waste each month since January last year
Mary Strong and Teresa Walters weighing their rubbish loads at the start of their contest in January 2018
But as small steps are made nationwide, it's up to us to make changes in our own homes. That's how, Teresa, 38, and her sister Mary Strong, 36, who live in Lichfield, Staffordshire, came up with a plan: to go head-to-head in 2018 to see who could cut their plastic waste most.
'Sisters Against Plastic' was born, an ambitious project requiring both families – Mary is also a mum-of-three – to cut their plastic usage by changing their weekly shopping habits, mealtimes and household activities.
But with husbands to win over, young mouths to feed and day jobs keeping them busy (Teresa is a part-time secretary and baker; Mary is a civil servant), they had set themselves a formidable challenge, especially when everything from laundry detergent and shampoo to toothpaste and crisp packets comes in plastic packaging.
Taking January's waste amount as a base, Mary and Teresa estimated the amount of plastic they usually produced over 12 months. Then throughout the year they kept every item of plastic used in each house and weighed it, adding up their monthly and annual totals.
Fast-forward 12 months and the two families have slashed their plastic waste by three-quarters. Here's how, with a healthy dose of sisterly competition, they did it . . .
The winner of the sibling's monthly weigh-ins receives a home-made trophy as a prize for reducing the most plastic
JANUARY
Mary says: I'm the environmentally-friendly sister — Teresa says James and I are like Tom and Barbara from The Good Life because we grow veg — but we still get through lots of plastic. Our first effort is swapping multipacks of ketchup and baked beans for industrial-sized containers, which we decant into glass bottles.
I start baking bread, which tastes better and is cheaper than a supermarket loaf.
Teresa says: I don't have home-grown veg like Mary, so I'm stuck with supermarket fare. Sweetcorn, aubergines and carrots tend to be free from plastic packaging; but salads and berries are a no-go.
I buy mesh grocery bags from Amazon (£12 for nine) and start collecting fruit and veg in those. The other shoppers — and the cashiers – are intrigued —
Mary: 3.487kg plastic waste
Teresa: 4.592kg plastic waste
Winner: Mary
Teresa wrestles with a vast amount of plastic delivered to her home as part of some packaging
FEBRUARY
Mary says: My family gets through 16 pints of milk a week — cartons make up a third of our waste. But 16 pints in glass bottles costs £13, compared to £4.50 for four cartons.
I've swapped hand wash and shower gels for soap bars, and we even had a go at making our own hand wash.
Teresa says: One of our biggest vices is tea, but most teabags contain polypropylene, a long-lasting plastic. We switch to loose-leaf — a £2 box of PG Tips makes 80 cups – and the girls love the posh teapot.
I buy stainless steel straws from Amazon (£5 for eight) and we vow never to use plastic straws again.
Cling film is also out and I buy reusable beeswax wrap (£13.50 for three sheets) — made from cotton coated in beeswax and oil — to cover leftovers.
Mary: 2.9kg (17% reduction on January's total)
Teresa: 3.1kg (32% reduction on January's total)
Winner: Teresa
MARCH
Mary says: Wonderful news — I'm expecting a baby in November. My thoughts are already turning to how I'll juggle a newborn while limiting my plastic usage.
I've been searching for detergent substitutes and came across the 'Ecoegg' — a hollow 'egg' filled with natural cleaning pellets, you throw in the drum with your clothes.
My laundry comes out clean and smells fresh. Food-wise, we've ditched ready meals and takeaways. Our one indulgence is proper butter in foil.
Teresa says: Avoiding laundry products wrapped in plastic proves hit-and-miss. First, I try soapnuts — dried fruit shells that have been used for centuries as a natural alternative, that cost £10 a bag, but they look and smell weird. I try a soap bar (£1.50) you rub on fabric like a stick of Vanish. It removes a curry stain from jeans, but I feel like a 1920s housewife.
My favourite is from a UK company called Splosh. They send me £5 powder sachets that dissolve in water to make detergent.
Teresa Walters hold her head in her hands at the amount of plastic from an Ikea wardrobe purchase
Mary: 2.463kg (15% reduction)
Teresa: 2.974kg (4.1% reduction)
Winner: Mary
APRIL
Mary says: I ditch my usual face cream for soap and water. I don't wear a lot of make-up, and my skin seems fine. But washing my hair is another story. I order a shampoo bar from Plastics Free, an online shop in Cornwall. Though it smells lovely — like avocado and lemon — my hair feels greasy.
James and I try plastic-free toothpaste. Technically called 'tooth soap stick', you rub your toothbrush on it for a few seconds and then brush. It smells pepperminty, but tastes like soap. Yuck.
Teresa says: As a mum of three girls, I can't get on board with shampoo from a bar. Instead, we wash our hair less. I used to do it every day; now it's twice a week.
Another change is toilet paper. We find a brilliant company called Who Gives a C***, which delivers recycled, paper-wrapped rolls to the door (£40 for 48).
I invest in plastic-free deodorant (£8.50 from PlasticsFree.co.uk), made from coconut oil, cocoa butter and bicarbonate of soda. I'm dubious, but it seems to work.
Mary: 2.451kg (0.5% reduction)
Teresa: 2.825kg (5% reduction)
Winner: Teresa
MAY
Mary says: James and I take the children to Germany and Spain for half-term. We take our own water bottles everywhere and ask people to fill them — even on the plane. We get a few stares. But foreign markets are great for picking up unwrapped fruit and fresh fish. We eat plenty of lollies: choc ices and Cornettos don't come in plastic.
Teresa says: We go to Lanzarote with some friends – the first time we've taken the children abroad.
Not until we get to airport security do we realise we can't take our water bottles through, so we have to buy new ones in departures.
Back home, we host a Royal Wedding party for 70 and it's a plastic disaster. From drinks bottles to fruit for Pimm's, my bin is brimming with plastic (all brought by guests). I've fallen off the wagon.
Mary: 2.237kg (9% reduction)
Teresa: 3.221kg (14% increase)
Winner: Teresa
JUNE
Mary Strong (left) and Teresa Walters, with their children, surrounded by plastic waste as part of their monthly competition
Mary says: We test out online shopping — none of the big supermarkets comes out well.
On Ocado, there's no option to go bagless; Tesco gives us veg in plastic bags; and Asda puts loose bakery items, fruit and vegetables in polythene.
Morrisons is the best: not only do they recycle bags (the driver takes them back) but they offer a £3.50 'wonky veg box', containing seasonal produce.
Teresa says: My middle daughter asks Mary and me to speak to her class at school. It goes well — they ask lots of questions and go home brimming with ideas.
My triumph this month is dishwasher tablets. I examined all the supermarket boxes, shaking them and reading the back — I must have looked mad — but couldn't find any that were plastic-free. Finally I come across Aldi's own brand, which are great.
Mary: 1.853kg (17% reduction)
Teresa: 2.457kg (23% reduction)
Winner: Teresa
JULY
Teresa Walters with her waste plastic in January 2018. She set herself a formidable challenge to dramatically reduce plastic waste
Mary says: BBQ season and I've been buying steaks and burgers at Morrisons, where you can go to the butcher's counter with Tupperware for them to fill. Other supermarkets will do it if you ask nicely.
It's a great time of year for veg from the garden and we've got courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes, aubergines, peas and beans.
Teresa says: Mary gave me a few plants which are starting to yield fruit, but I can't feed a family of five with a handful of tomatoes.
I've sourced a veg box from a local farm shop, so we get a tasty selection of in-season produce.
We have a plastic-free picnic on a weekend away with the kids: strawberries in cardboard punnets and skewers of melon. Yum!
Mary: 1.781kg (4% reduction)
Teresa: 2.305kg (6% reduction)
Winner: Teresa
Mary Strong (left) and Teresa Walters bagging up some plastic rubbish
AUGUST
Mary says: We focus on packaging, and I'm shocked by the number of things — particularly online orders — wrapped in bubble wrap or polythene.
A great find is bubble bath lolly sticks from Lush, packaged in water-soluble starch chips.
Teresa says: We run an 'inflatable amnesty', sending 14kg of broken paddling pools and beach inflatables to a British company called Wyatt and Jack, which recycles them into beautiful bags.
I wrack my brains for treats to put in party bags for my youngest daughter's birthday. Sweets in cardboard boxes and hand-decorated paper bags do the trick.
Mary: 1.465kg (18% reduction)
Teresa: 2.559g (11% increase)
Winner: Mary
SEPTEMBER
Mary says: I manage to rid my house of crisps and yoghurt pots, but as I can't find an alternative, we're going without. Crisps (and their plastic wrappers) are our nemesis!
My greenhouse is blooming with lettuce, rocket and cucumber, though I'm struggling to find a garden centre to take back plastic pots. Next year, I'll plant from seeds.
Teresa says: I start a uniform recycling group at my kids' school. It takes off — hundreds of items are donated and sold, we raise £300 and give 48 dresses to children in Africa.
Mary and I investigate plastic-free pet supplies — boxes and tins, rather than bags or pouches. And our cat loves leftovers from Sunday dinner.
Mary (left) Teresa toasting the results coming in for their yearly challenge. Mary stormed it to the finish line but 'we're all winners here', they said
Meanwhile, my husband develops a nifty technique for turning old newspapers into bin liners — interlock several sheets of paper by folding them along one of the edges, then hook them together to make a huge square. Fold the square diagonally, fold the corners inwards and turn over the edge around the top to make it stronger (online videos will help you perfect it!).
Mary: 1.193kg (18.5% reduction)
Teresa: 2.026kg (20% reduction)
Winner: Teresa
OCTOBER
Mary says: Inspired by Teresa's uniform project, I launch a plastic-free buying group. It means getting dried goods — rice, pulses, pasta, etc — in bulk from wholesalers and encouraging friends and neighbours to come round and stock up, using their own containers.
I've been experimenting with conkers. I read online that they can be turned into washing detergent, by chopping and soaking them in water. I'm amazed — it works!
Teresa says: We're getting a new kitchen installed, mostly from Ikea, which isn't great with packaging. It's to blame for 50 per cent of my October waste.
Discouraged by yet another plastic charity bag through the letterbox, I put a sign on the door telling them to stop delivering. It's sad but necessary.
I persuade the PTA to stop using disposable cups at meetings.
Mary pictured with the Facebook caption: 'Teresa has been sent to the naughty step to think about what she's done'
I collect a crate of second-hand mugs, bring them along to meetings and then take them home to wash.
Mary: 747g (37% reduction)
Teresa: 2.221kg (9% increase)
Winner: Mary
NOVEMBER
Mary says: A joyful but challenging month, as my son is born — and I'm determined he'll be a zero-waste baby.
I get advice from my local NCT 'Nappy Library' on washable cloth nappies and look into eco-products such as Naty nappies, made of soft, plant-based material.
I have reusable baby wipes (Cheeky Wipes) and plan to make my own baby food, though Ella's Kitchen, with its recyclable packaging, is a good back-up.
Teresa says: Mary is a marvel — I can't believe she's still reducing plastic waste with a newborn!
I start looking into plastic-free Christmas essentials. Most supermarket cards are wrapped in plastic, but Tesco, M&S and Oxfam sell them in boxes. The scrunch rule applies to wrapping paper (if you crumple it and it doesn't unfurl, it can be recycled), but I'm making homemade wrap from newspapers and magazines.
Mary: 883g (18% increase)
Teresa: 1.493kg (32% decrease)
Winner: Teresa
DECEMBER
Mary says: I finally track down compostable crisps, from British brand Two Farmers, which has helped satisfy my snack cravings on very little sleep!
Cutting plastic at Christmas is all about the basics: recycling foil trays from mince pies, buying cheese in wax paper. We found plenty of plastic-free crackers, including some filled with chocolate Brussels sprouts, which put smiles on everyone's faces.
Teresa says: This month is all about hosting, so I'm spending most of my time in the kitchen, cooking and baking.
The sisters decided to cut down their plastic waste after their families were unwrapping gifts on Christmas 2017 and collecting armfuls of rubbish
I track down some great eco-friendly gifts — such as bamboo coffee cups, craft supplies, bath bombs and even a shaving set. The only thing I ban outright is chocolate coins in plastic netting. Our tree is decorated with wooden ornaments and paper snowflakes — a real family effort.
Mary: 321g (64% decrease)
Teresa: 1.328kg (11% decrease)
and the overall winner is... MARY!
Mary: 3.166kg (91% decrease)
Teresa: 3.264kg (71% decrease)
Winner: Mary
They say: What a year! Mary triumphed at the finish line but we've both learned so much and changed more than we ever thought possible.
Our children, husbands, friends, family and neighbours are now converts to cutting plastic waste — and, it just goes to show, having a young family and busy lives doesn't make it impossible.
At this stage, we're just glad wine comes in glass bottles…
photo link
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/sisters-who-went-to-war-on-plastic-rivalry-drove-pair-to-ingenious-lengths-to-banish-waste/
News Photo Sisters who went to war on plastic: Rivalry drove pair to ingenious lengths to banish waste
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