I've come to realise that most of my fight against plastic has consisted of experimenting with making things myself instead of buying them in plastic packaging. Here are the top 10 things I have got into the routine of making from scratch instead of buying. Some are more time consuming than others but they are all well worth the effort and they might turn out to be a lot easier than you might think.
1. Hummus
This tasty dip rarely comes without plastic when bought in the shop, but it is super quick to whizz up, if you have a food processor, while the rest of your dinner is cooking. If you would like to make it by hand, it might take a bit longer, but it is certainly achievable with a fork and lots of mushing.
Find the recipe here.
2. Cheese
You can very easily make ricotta cheese or cream cheese with just milk and lemon juice. It doesn't take very long once you know what you're doing.
Find my recipe here.
3. Bread
This includes every day loaves, as well as burger buns or fancier bread for special occasions. With a bread machine, it is super easy to do a standard loaf. Sometimes, when I have more time, I set the machine to just make the dough, and I shape into burger buns or plaited bread for a change. You can experiment with lots of fun variations too.
Find my recipe here.
4. Flatbreads and wraps
Pitta breads or tortilla wraps are really useful for many recipes, but unfortunately they almost always come in plastic packaging. With this simple flour and yoghurt recipe you can make your own in no time and ditch the plastic in the process.
Find my recipe here.
5. Coleslaw
This is usually sold in plastic tubs when it is incredibly quick and cheap to make at home. All you need is some shredded cabbage and mayonnaise. This is an example of something that is super simple but lots of people got into the habit of buying because of the convenience.
I follow this recipe but you don't need all the ingredients (cabbage, mayo and mustard are enough).
6. Milk alternative
I decided to buy an Almond Cow a while ago as I was annoyed by the amount of cartons of oatmilk we were getting though. Tetrapak is a very difficult and energy intensive material to recycle. I thought I'd give it a go at making my own milk alternative. I've tried many recipes before I found one that works in the coffe machine to froth the milk 'cappuccino style'. If you're not too fussed about frothability, you can probably follow any recipe out there. You also don't need a dedicated appliance, you can easily make it with a food processor, but you will need a nut milk bag to strain it through.
Here is the recipe I follow.
7. Limescale remover
Out of all the cleaning products, this was the easiest to replace. Mix distilled white vinegar (comes in a glass bottle or you can buy it bulk) and water in equal quantities, place in a spray bottle and you're done. You can also make other cleaning products but this is the one that is so quick and easy that it is a no brainer.
8. Biscuits
Biscuits usually come in very thin, flexible plastic packaging, which is not recyclable or reusable in any way. It is also one of the worst types of plastic as it flies away in the wind very easily, making it very likely to escape the system and interfering with wildlife. I stopped buying biscuits a long time ago, and I don't really miss them too much, but when I do I make some from scratch. They are quite fun to make and if you bake them dry they can last up to a month in an airtight container. I also find that it is easier to monitor your sugar intake if you bake things yourself, as shop bought biscuits can sometimes contain rather a lot of sugar.
9. Smoothies
Smoothies are a fantastic vitamin boost and a great and tasty way to make sure you get your five a day. I have recently got into the habit of having a smoothie with my breakfast and it definitely helps me to feel a lot better in the day. Although shop bought smoothies are expensive, packaged in plastic and don't last very long, it is super-easy and fun to make your own if you have a blender. Whole fruit lasts longer than a smoothie and by making it fresh you know it hasn't been sitting on a shelf for days. You can even freeze larger fruits (pineapple, melons, etc...) into chunks so it is easier to add them in on the go and they make your smoothie ice cold. Berries are also very good for freezing for last minute smoothie making, they can be frozen whole in a tray and then placed in a container or pouch once frozen.
10. Granola
This one will save you quite a bit of money as granola is not cheap. The other advantage is you get to put in it exactly what you like.
You'll need oats, your favourite nuts, your favourite dried fruits, your favourite seeds, egg white and honey for sweetness. Mix all your ingredients together, making sure they're well coated, then spread in a thin layer over a large baking tray. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 160°C, mixing it every now and then. Let it cool completely before placing it in a repurposed jar. It will keep for up to 4 weeks.
(picture coming soon)
What do you make from scratch to avoid buying in plastic packaging? Let me know in the comments.