SPONSORED EDITORIAL

As the country got back on its feet after the Second World War, 1950s couple Nancy and Norman knew how to save their pennies.

And in an age before the arrival of the piles of plastic that are now drowning the planet, they did it by reusing and recycling.

Today we think nothing of popping to the beach or country park with a picnic complete with drinks in single-use plastic bottles, our sarnies wrapped in clingfilm and lots of other treats covered in plastic wrapping that all needs to be disposed before it blows into the sea or the bushes.

But for Nancy and Norman throwing money down the drain in this way would have been unthinkable.

On a romantic day out or one with the family, they would have carried their hamper to their destination and burned some calories.

Next the couple would have laid out their food, which had been stored in a reusable lunch box or bag or sealed in beeswax paper, on crockery they would take home with them and use again and again and eat it with cutlery that would just need washing up when they got home.

Their tipple, hot or cold, would have been stored in a flask that would have been used hundreds of times before.

And as the sun shone and dehydration set in, Nancy and Norman would not have headed to a corner shop. Instead, they would have filled up their flask at the nearest public water fountain.

Day in and day out, Nancy, but rarely Norman, was a canny shopper too. She would often pop to the shop with her reusable bag to pick up the couple’s essentials.

To make the most of her money, Nancy would only buy what the family needed. She was an expert in making her shop last as long as possible and turning leftovers into another meal was an absolute art.

Today, we all need to be a bit more like Nancy and Norman to cut our use of plastics to help us save money and the planet.

You could make a real difference with some small and simple steps including:

• Taking a reusable cup with you so you have a latte without sending a plastic-covered paper cup to landfill
• Make use of a reusable water bottle and fill it with the help of the Refill app which lists friendly shops, business and council facilities which will be happy to do so for free
• Use lunch boxes, reusable food bags or beeswax wrapping
• Remember to take your reusable shopping bags with you when heading to the supermarket

By taking these simple steps you will be doing your bit and making the world a better place for Nancy and Norman’s grandchildren.

Click here for your chance to win a reusable £50 goody bag