We have been called a ‘throwaway culture’ for the amount of plastic we are chucking away on a daily basis.

Much of it can be and is recycled but a lot ends up going into the oceans and landfills.

Theresa May recently put forward an environmental plan that pledges to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste within the next 25 years.

If 2042 is too far in the future for you, there are plenty of things you can be doing right now to reduce how much you're putting into rubbish.

It can seem pretty daunting and unrealistic to think about being plastic-free when the stuff is everywhere but there are simple tips on how you can at least cut down on what you're using.

Reusable bottles

Take your daily beverages with you so you don't keep picking up bottled drinks.

When it comes to water, not only is tap healthier than bottled, it's obviously cheaper too - and you can keep topped up during the day at work. There are refilling stations out there, while various shops and cafes will also be happy to fill water bottles.

Coffee shops give discounts for bringing your own cup

You can get up to 50p off your morning coffee by using your own reusable cup. Why not fill up a flask in the morning which should keep you going with tea or coffee during the day.

READ: Here is how much money you could save by bringing a reusable cup to your favourite coffee chain

Buy fruit and vegetables that haven’t been packaged

You do not need a plastic cradle for your fruit and veg. It managed in the wild without one and will continue to do so just fine. Look out for loose groceries rather than packaged whether it's at the supermarket or in other smaller shops and market stalls. There are weird anomalies where it fruit and veg can be cheaper in rather than out of plastic packaging - so just be mindful of what you're paying.

Get a bag for life

You can buy bags for life really cheaply and use them repeatedly. In some cases 'bag for life' can mean just that as supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury's will replace them if they get damaged.

Supermarkets obviously charge 5p for single-use carrier bags and this will is due to be extended to smaller shops. Morrisons and Ocado will pay 5p to take plastic bags off you for recycling when you shop online - hopefully other retailers will start doing this too.

READ: 5p charge on plastic bags set to be extended to tackle ‘throwaway culture’

Swap shower gel for a bar of soap

Bars of soap will last longer than bottles of shower gel, so it will work out cheaper in the long run.

No more microbeads

Even though you think that products with microbeads will exfoliate and clear you skin better, they are also going down the drain and filling the sea. The government is banning these products, and there are much more natural ways to get nicer skin.

Say no to straws

Many pubs and restaurants are now ditching plastic straws and either abandoning straws altogether or replacing them with paper versions. Wagamamas and Wetherspoons have already ditched the plastic. This won't save you money but will definitely help cut plastic.

Read: Bid to ban use of plastic straws backed by environmentalists

What are your top tips for cutting down on plastic? What plastic products have you managed to repurpose and reuse? Could you go plastic free for a week? Let us know in the comments below.