‘From then on recycling was no longer the solution for me, and I started to refuse single-use plastics.’

Michelle Cassar is a photographer who has been living PALL – ‘plastic a lot less’ for ten years. Three years ago she became the creative director of local plastic campaign organisation City to Sea. In this interview we find out her inspiration, get some less plastic living tips and hear of some of the highlights of her work.

What does being PALL mean?

PALL means ‘plastic a lot less. Plastic’s everywhere, so rather than saying plastic-free, I prefer to say a lot less, as this is more realistic for me. It is also the name of my blog ‘Being PALL’

How do you feel about the ‘plastic free’ campaigns?

I think it’s brilliant that these campaigns are happening to get the lifestyle out there. But I find the term quite daunting as we can’t be completely plastic free, for example people will be reading this on their plastic phone or computer.

What inspired you to go PALL?

In 2008 in Portugal, we did a beach clean and put all the plastic that had been washed up in the recycling bin. That evening I read an article that said that every piece of plastic that has ever been made still exists, and much of it is in the oceans.

I lived in a campervan during the summers and in that small space, I was faced with all my plastics. From then on recycling was no longer the solution for me, and I started to refuse single-use plastics.

Michelle doing a beach clean in Portugal in 2011 removing 5 m3 from the beach.

So what plastics do you try and live a lot less with?

Single-use plastic items, such as those in my food shopping basket and my bathroom. I even try and avoid them on a night out by taking a reusable stainless steel cup out with me. It has a pint measure on it making it easier for bar staff to recognise when it’s full.

Where possible, I buy second-hand plastics such as my computer and camera equipment.

What tips do you have for people trying to cut down on single-use plastics?

I found the bathroom an easy place to start, as there are so many things that can be bought differently. You can buy soap and shampoo bars, wooden toothbrushes and metal razors- this may cost more upfront but saves money in the long run, and they don’t need to be replaced very often like food does.

When you start out it’s good, and fun to keep a tally of the things you have refused and changed on the fridge. so you can see progress.

And of course carrying a reusable bottle has been said many times before, but it’ so easy to refill now with the Refill scheme.

Michelle Cassar and Natalie Fee even took their reusable bottles to the Royal Wedding for water refills.

What is Refill all about for those who don’t know?

Refill is our (City to Sea) tap water initiative with over 12,000 refill stations across the whole of the UK, including cafe’s, bars and businesses. So people who feel shy or uncomfortable know they can ask for free tap water by looking out for a sticker or use the free app.

What is one of your proudest moment since you’ve been involved with City to Sea?

As Creative Director at City to Sea, I have had quite a few. Our first video for our campaign Switch the Stick was one. It was amazing to see the views of the video and the engagement we got with the 38 degrees petition. Now all the major retailers have phased out plastic cotton buds stems and have switched to paper, preventing over 400 tons of plastic a year.

Following this, I have been amazed at the views of other video campaigns we have run, knowing so many people are interested in the issue now is wonderful.

Another highlight was going to the Royal Wedding with City to Sea founder Natalie Fee. Nat was invited by Bristol’s Lord-Lieutenant. I made a PALL picnic fit for a princess. We sat in the grounds of Windsor Castle enjoying it after the wedding. I even managed to find prosecco without plastic.

Michelle’s PALL picnic for the Royal Wedding

What do you think Bristol could do more of as a city?

Why are we still seeing polystyrene takeaway packaging? People are buying chips that they eat in seconds. The problem is that it is so light. Even if it’s in a bin, it can blow out into our rivers, which it does as is all to clear to see down the harbour.

Also, the millions of single-use cups that are used in bars all over the city. It would be fantastic to start a Bristol cup scheme with reusable stainless steel.

Michelle with the stainless steel bar cups she would like Bristol bars to start using over plastic

There’s a lot of great things happening in the city though! Bristol Water, for example, is putting in new water fountains in memory of Alison Jennings who made the first two happen. So as well as Refill there’s going to be water fountains for refilling at. In fact, Bristol Water are looking for Bristol businesses to sponsor some, so get in touch with Rob to find out more Another fine example of Bristol leading the way in preventing plastic pollution.

Ali Jennings from Bristol Water, who led on getting the water fountains fitted, with Michelle and Nat from City to Sea at the Queen’s Square fountain.

This article is part of a six month series on waste, investigating what is happening at a local and national level and where Bristol businesses and residents can get involved to make change.

For further inspiration on getting involved with plastic activism in Bristol visit b247.staging.proword.press/lifestyle/environment/plastics-activist-bristol/ ‎

Find about how Bristol’s drinking venues are tackling plastics visit: b247.staging.proword.press/business/news-business/dont-be-a-sucker-giving-a-sip-about-drinking-apparatus-in-bristol