5 Ways To Reduce Microplastics In Your Home

4 March 2026

Toby Patrick

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The topic of microplastics is bigger than ever. Microplastics are plastic particles that gradually release from plastic as it degrades, and there has been an urgent call for increased research over fears for the impact it can have on human biology. Aside from benefitting your overall health and gut health, reducing microplastics in your home can also help the environment, reducing single use items and in many cases, also helping you to save money.

Three glass containers with colorful salads, featuring corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, greens, and lentils on a light textured surface.

Microplastics are all over our home, so we’re here with 5 simple swaps you can make to reduce them, support the health of your family and help the environment.

Swap plastic tupperware for glass

Glass tupperware may require an upfront investment, but it is so worth it. Plastic containers can release microplastics during heating or storage, not to mention they don’t last very long and they also can absorb food odours and colours. Instead, if you make a simple swap to glass containers, you will keep them for years, they’re more food safe, they don’t hold smell and it keeps food fresher. When buying, check they’re safe for the microwave and oven, then you’re good to go! You can also make use of glass jars from cooking as storage for things like fruit and homemade sauces in the fridge, so you can get rid of smaller plastic tupperware, too.

Get milk in glass bottles delivered

The milkman is making a comeback, and a great way to reduce microplastics and single use plastic in your home is to get milk in glass bottles delivered! Family companies like McQueens Dairies deliver fresh, local milk straight to your door, with the option to get your milk delivered in glass bottles. It will be dropped outside your front door before 7am (also making mornings easier!). Then when you’re done, simply rinse and put outside your door again. It’ll be collected by the milkman on their next round, washed, sterilized and then re-used up to 25 times! You’re helping the environment, reducing microplastics and you can enjoy fresh milk. They also offer milk alternatives like oat milk in glass bottles if anyone in your house is dairy-free.

Choose stainless steel reusable water bottles

Next up, you should swap out single use plastic bottles, or reusable plastic bottles, for stainless steel versions. Not only will it keep your water colder for much longer (many options for up to 12 hours), but there is no risk of microplastics, they’re more durable and there is no risk of chemical leaching. When you’re out and about, if you pop into any cafe, they’ll more than likely fill your bottle up for you, so you don’t need to worry about buying an extra plastic bottle whilst you’re out. Next Christmas, make this a stocking filler for your whole family and it can make a huge difference!

Swap non-stick pans for cast iron

Swapping your pans that have non-stick coating out for cast iron removes toxic coatings that can release chemicals and microplastics into food. Cast iron pans can last forever when seasoned properly, so are absolutely worth the investment. They’re also so handy for cooking one pot meals, as you can place the entire thing in your oven (of course, making sure to remove very carefully with oven gloves, and being careful after as they’re very good at retaining heat). You won’t look back after making this simple swap!

Switch to bars of soap and shampoo bars

Lastly, get rid of your bottled soaps and shampoos and swap out for bars. Not only can the containers release microplastics, but often the contents of the bottles themselves are full of different chemicals. However, when you choose bars of soap, shampoo and conditioner instead, the ingredients are much more simple and do just as good of a job, if not better as they’re kinder on your skin and hair. You can get bars of soap really easily, more so now than in recent years as more people are making the swap. You’ll save money here too which is an added bonus!

Even one small swap can make a positive impact to our health and the environment, so over the next few months, perhaps budget for one change per month and you can transform your home in as little as 5 months. This is such an exciting project to get started on, and one that will benefit you massively.

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Are companies switching from in-person interviews to AI chatbots?

Ellie Waiton
Aug 13, 2025
3 min read

If you've applied for a job recently, you might have noticed something different: the first “interview” often isn’t with a person at all, it’s with a chatbot.

More and more companies are using artificial intelligence to help them with the hiring process. From screening resumes to conducting initial interviews, chatbots and AI-powered tools are becoming a regular part of how businesses find new talent. But is this a smart move, or is something important getting lost along the way?

A robot in a suit holds papers, facing a person in an office with a city view. The setting is professional, with modern decor.

What is AI actually changing?

Traditionally, job interviews started with a phone call or a face-to-face meeting. Now, for many roles, especially high-volume or entry-level positions, companies are turning to automated systems. These might ask candidates to answer a set of questions via video, or they may chat with you in real time to screen your qualifications.

It’s faster and cheaper for companies, but not everyone’s a fan.

Why companies are doing it

Let’s be fair: using AI can make hiring a lot more efficient. Businesses like Nestlé and GM have saved thousands of hours and even millions of dollars by switching to automated tools. These systems can scan through applications, schedule interviews, and even give feedback to candidates all without involving a human recruiter until much later in the process.

For companies hiring hundreds or even thousands of people, it makes sense logistically.

So… What’s the problem?

The biggest complaint? It feels impersonal. Many candidates say they don’t like talking to a machine, especially when it’s a job they care about. Others worry about fairness. Can an algorithm really judge someone’s personality, creativity, or potential?

There are also concerns about bias. If the AI is trained on data that favours certain types of candidates, it could end up unfairly filtering out great people.

And then there’s the weird stuff. There are TikToks going viral of AI interviews glitching out, repeating phrases, mishearing answers, or just being plain awkward. One user even joked it felt like applying for a job in a Black Mirror episode.

What About Real Interviews?

Smiling woman in striped shirt shakes hands across a desk in an office with shelves, books, and plants. Bright, friendly atmosphere.

Don’t worry, human interviews haven’t gone away. Most companies still bring in real people for the later stages of hiring. AI is often used just to get through the first wave of applications. For smaller businesses or more senior roles, traditional interviews are still the norm.

Some companies are even trying hybrid methods. Meta, for example, is letting candidates use AI tools during their interviews for some tech jobs, kind of like using a calculator during a math test. It’s all about testing real-world problem-solving.

Is this the future?

Probably. AI isn’t replacing human recruiters entirely, but it is becoming a bigger part of the process. As tools improve, they’ll likely become more common, especially for screening and admin tasks.

But here’s the key: people still matter. The final hiring decision usually comes down to a human being, and for good reason. No machine can fully understand passion, personality, or potential the way another person can.

So, are companies switching to AI interviews? Yes, but not completely. Chatbots are helping with early steps, but in most cases, real conversations are still part of the process.

If you're applying for jobs, it helps to be prepared for both. Practice answering questions on video, but also be ready to connect with an actual person when the time comes. And if the idea of talking to a chatbot feels strange, you’re not alone.

Would you trust a robot to hire you?

Or is this one task better left to humans?