How are the New Year resolutions coming along? Dry January? Me neither. However, it’s not too late to start some better behaviour for 2018.

A friend of mine has been trying to live more sustainably (and writes a terrific blog about it) together with getting rid of plastic from their life. (We all know the consequences).

They’ve ditched tea bags (contain plastic), are shopping smarter to reduce packaging and instead of buying the latest iPhone, bought a Fairphone.

I was impressed by this and started digging around about it. There’s a lot out there. Here are my top ten favourites from the hundreds to try, so we can all improve our sustainability and still go for a January pint.

1. Say no to the pizza widget that props up the middle of the box when ordering delivery – apparently called a ‘package saver’. Right…

2. Switch to glass milk bottles – whether the clink of nostalgia or something new – it’s a better way to buy milk.

3. Bake your own bread – no plastic and your partner/kids/pals will (rightly) think you are truly awesome because nothing tastes better than freshly baked bread, dripping with butter.

4. Don’t buy 5p supermarket bags. It’s a tax you can legitimately and proudly avoid.

5. Stop buying drinks in plastic bottles – your body and the planet will thank you.

6. Return the packaging cr4p – I confess I have yet to try this but I love the idea that you just rock up and empty it out, saying, “This rubbish is yours…” – Hint: make sure it really is theirs.

7. Buy in bulk, not easy but smart. Saves money too.

8. Chewing gum is mostly made of plastic. Nice…

9. Coconut oil lube. Apparently…

10. Use a handkerchief instead of paper tissues – you’ll also look much more stylish.

- Matt Turmaine is Labour councillor for Holywell