Each week we're focusing on various different aspects of spring cleaning and including some great tips to ensure you're as green as possible whatever you do! This week we're looking at ditching the plastic.

Cutting down on plastic is one of the best eco-friendly things you can do to aim to be more sustainable, but often plastic can creep into your daily lives more than you realise. Whether brushing your teeth with a plastic toothbrush or taking your lunch in a plastic container, plastic does often seem to be everywhere. However, it isn't great for the environment and by making just little changes in your day to day lives, you can gradually move towards a plastic free life. Check out some of these useful tips below:

Take Your Own Bags - It's so easy to arrive at the checkout and just use the plastic bags provided. However, taking your own reusable bags reduces plastic waste; if everyone did it, think how much would be saved! Many shops now encourage you to bring your own, and many sell reusable ones too. Think of the bags you have around the house – even things like gym bags or a large canvas bag you usually use when clothes shopping is perfect for the supermarket.

Straws, Mugs and Cups - Plastic cups are very popular around offices for the coffee machine, but not good for environment, especially in the quantity they are used around the world daily. The resolution? Encourage everyone to bring their own mug to work, and wash it after use. When it comes to water, don't buy a new plastic bottle at the shop every time you're thirsty, use a reusable glass container, and fill it up. The same goes for straws too; try glass ones instead.

Eat Fresh, Support Local - When you buy fresh and local foods, you're not only supporting local businesses, but preventing plastic packaging usage too. When foods are transported, they're often cased in plastic, but buying fresh (that often will have been picked that day) won't need to use plastic. If you do buy anything in packaging, aim for foods stored in paper or glass containers.

Cut the Plastic at Lunch - It's very easy to place our lunchtime sandwiches in a plastic bag, or take a plastic lunch box. Instead, try reusable sandwich bags. Not only are they plastic free, the best ones keep your food fresh and can be reused every day. If you need to use cutlery, take a metal fork or spoon from home.