Shoppers are being urged to make a major change in 2025 when purchasing washing up liquid in an effort to combat plastic pollution.
Environmental campaigners are urging consumers to stop buying single-use plastic bottles of the everyday product this year as new research highlights the alarming scale of plastic waste.
According to Ecover, millions of plastic bottles from household cleaning products, including washing up liquid, end up in landfills and the ocean each year.
Astonishingly, less than half of all plastic bottles used for household items across the UK are recycled, with only 7 per cent of those actually being repurposed into new products.
Meanwhile, a staggering 12.7 million tonnes of plastic end up in the sea each year, contributing to devastating consequences for marine life, as well as the environment.
Shoppers are being urged to make a major change in 2025 when purchasing washing up liquid in an effort to combat plastic pollution (stock image)
Now, Ecover is persuading people to shift away from traditional plastic bottles and instead choose refill options.
The company explains that the process of recycling plastic is energy-intensive, with many plastic bottles failing to make it into the recycling stream at all.
Instead, they suggest refilling reusable plastic bottles at one of over 700 refill stations across the UK, which can be found in local health food stores, zero-waste shops, and large supermarkets.
On its website, Ecover said: ‘In 2016, less than half of all plastic bottles were collected for recycling and only 7% of those were turned into new bottles.
‘The resulting impact on waterways and marine life is, to put it bluntly, horrifying – with an estimated 12.7 million tonnes ending up in oceans each year.
‘Why melt a bottle to make a bottle, when you’ve already got a bottle? Does seem kinda crazy when you say it out loud. But where to start with that reusable plastic bottle?’
Environmental campaigners are urging consumers to stop buying single-use plastic bottles of the everyday product this year as new research highlights the alarming scale of plastic waste (stock image)
The shift to refills isn’t just limited to eco-brands, as major brands such as Fairy are also offering more sustainable alternatives.
For £4.50 at Ocado, consumers can purchase a refill carton of Fairy Max Power antibacterial washing up liquid, which allows users to refill their 370ml bottle more than twice.
Its upside-down bottle eliminates the need for a flip cap and allows for an easier, faster dishwashing experience.
The refill carton is also recyclable, which seals the company’s promise to reduce plastic waste by up to 85 per cent, while still providing the same effective cleaning power.
With millions of tonnes of plastic still entering the oceans every year, environmental campaigners are now calling on consumers to make small changes in their daily habits – one plastic bottle at a time.
Meanwhile, Asda and Sainsbury’s have issued an urgent recall and ‘do not eat’ warning for a popular lunchbox staple.
The two supermarkets have warned that a ‘packaging error’ means the product could be a health risk to those allergic to soya.
Packs of McGhee’s Family Bakers 6 Scottish Brown Rolls were shipped with White Morning rolls which contain soya.
Affected packs have an expiry date of January 12 and a batch code L5007.
Food Standards Scotland advised consumers with a soya allergy to not eat the product and instead return it to their point of purchase for a full refund.
