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Family Life, the Universe and Everything with a Latte on the Side

Sustainable Me

Thursday, 1 March 2018

I can't be the only person who watched that episode of Blue Planet and was mortified to realise how much unnecessary waste our family produces and the impact it's having.  While we've always tried to do our bit, I wasn't really aware of how much we've trashed the planet we live on.  Each bottle of water, each coffee cup, those plastic bags, that fibre lash mascara ... While our household is unlikely to go zero waste any time soon, if we do a bit and others do a bit it all adds up.


Here are some ways we're doing the something that must be done:
  • I've bought some reusable water bottles.  A small one for when I'm out and about and a bigger one for the office.  It helps me keep up my water in-take, saves me money, stops me spilling stuff all over my desk and is one less plastic water bottle to end up where it shouldn't.
  • ... And a Keepcup for my morning coffee.  As the plastic element in the take-away cups takes about 50 years to biodegrade.  One less cup in landfill and a discount from Leon, Pret, Starbucks or Nero.  It lives in my desk drawer alongside some metal cutlery for my lunch.  For those days when I can't get to my desk drawer I have a collapsable Stojo cup that lives in my pocket or bag. 
  • We're trying to buy loose food items instead of pre-packaged, bagged ones.  It also means we buy exactly what we need and use everything before it goes off saving us money. 
  • Ditched the plastic bags.  We always take bags for life with us when we do the weekly shop and I always try and keep a small, reusable bag on me.  It's so annoying when you forget to bring it and have to hand over 5p.
  • I've switched to washable cotton face pads for toner etc instead of cotton wool pads. I don't use face wipes, but if you do, you could switch to flannels and a face wash.  Cheaper too.  (You can also buy washable sanitary towels etc as well)
  • I've started using bar soap instead of shower gels.  Bar soap is usually sold in paper packaging rather than plastic bottles and lasts for longer.  I'm investigating shampoo bars as well.   
  • If it can go in the recycle bin, that's where it goes.  If it's paper, plastic, foil etc then it goes into the council's bins so they can recycle it rather than sending it to landfill.  
  • Using cruelty free products around the house, not just on my face and looking for eco-friendly alternatives.

These small, simple swaps haven't made any difference to our lifestyle, but hopefully they'll all add up to something bigger and better.  I'm sure that we'll find other changes as well.  Bamboo toothbrushes, no more plastic straws, eating more plants and less meat, getting the bus into town instead of taking the car where possible, signing petitions and donating to causes, shopping second hand or borrowing / hiring things ...

Let me know what ways you're trying to go green this year.  

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Posted by Tubbs

45 comments

  1. Fran Back With A Bump1 March 2018 at 14:09

    Great tips. I think we're pretty good in that I rarely buy shopping bags and instead make sure I always have a few bags for life in the car and normally an old shopping bag in my handbag. The washable pads sound good so will have to look them out! #sharingthebloglove x

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    1. Tubbs3 March 2018 at 19:30

      It's been a bit of an adjustment and I keep having to fish them out of the waste bin as I forget they're not cotton wool balls! Thank you for commenting :)

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  2. Fran Back With A Bump1 March 2018 at 14:35

    Me again! #sablogginggoodtime

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    1. Tubbs3 March 2018 at 19:30

      Thanks again!

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  3. Veronica Lee2 March 2018 at 10:29

    Great tips you have here. We've ditched the plastic bags too and the use of straws. I felt so guilty after watching a turtle with a straw sticking out of its nose in a youtube video.

    #FabFridayPost

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    1. Tubbs3 March 2018 at 19:32

      I know! We were all horrified. Haven't used a straw since.

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  4. Morgan Prince2 March 2018 at 10:30

    Great tips. I've done some of these too. Particularly the plastic bags and the recycling. :)
    #FabFridayPost

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    1. Tubbs3 March 2018 at 19:32

      We are recycling like anything. Hopefully it'll make a difference.

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  5. Talya2 March 2018 at 12:00

    We are trying to do a lot of this...the episode of Blue Planet was soul destroying! But I feel like there is so much more to do. I guess every little helps though....but we all need to do more! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub with this x

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    1. Tubbs3 March 2018 at 19:33

      Thank you for hosting each week :) I figure that we make a start, then we'll find other things to do along the way that will make a difference as we get into our new mindset

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  6. Eva Katona2 March 2018 at 19:55

    You are definitely not the only one, I was so moved and depressed at the same time after watching it. Great ideas. #fabfridaypost

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    1. Tubbs3 March 2018 at 19:33

      Thank you :)

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  7. Sarah TheRealLaraShoe2 March 2018 at 22:51

    I love the washable cotton face pads, I should get some :) We bought some re-usable straws a couple of years ago when the children kept wanting to use straws. It does seem like a drop in the ocean :(
    Thanks for sharing with us and linking up to #FabFridayPost

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    1. Tubbs3 March 2018 at 19:34

      It's a start though! We get into a mindset of not doing anything because we don't think it'll make a difference but I think we all do something then it'll make an impact. And then we might find something else :)

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  8. one frazzled mum3 March 2018 at 07:57

    I always try to recycle everything I can and as I work in a greengrocers I cut down on prepackaged fruit and veg this way by just getting what I need from work loose. #pocolo

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    1. Tubbs3 March 2018 at 19:35

      We don't have a greengrocers near us otherwise we'd do the same. So much of our plastic comes from veggies

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  9. Unknown4 March 2018 at 01:56

    We moved to reusable water bottles recently and it's been working well. Even my husband has been remembering to bring his home! I've been good about taking my own bags to the grocery store for a long time now. I HATE when I make an unplanned stop and have to buy a bag!
    Buying loose food items is a great switch as well. I'm still working on that one. If we can all make some small changes I'm sure it will add up to something good for the Earth!
    ~Jess
    #FabFrdayPost

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    1. Tubbs6 March 2018 at 20:12

      I hope so too! We've only got one earth and we need to look after it. Thank you for the lovely comment :)

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  10. Sophie4 March 2018 at 14:04

    I was also horrified by Blue Planet although not surprised if I’m honest. We compost all the waste that we can to reuse in the garden. This has cut down on a lot of our waste. I don’t buy any prepackaged fruit or veg anymore -such a waste. I’m trying to find alternatives to toothbrushes and I love your idea of using flannels. Every little bit will help. Now let’s see our governments put money into wind/solar and tide power.....#KCACOLS

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    1. Tubbs6 March 2018 at 20:13

      I wasn't surprised either, but that episode has raised awareness in a way that a billion Greenpeace campaigns haven't. I agree with you about the need to invest in renewables. It's a shame they cut the subsidies. :(

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  11. Topsy Turvy Tribe4 March 2018 at 16:10

    Even the smallest things really do make a difference. We try and reduce our impact as much as possible too. I have some onya weigh bags to put loose fruit and veg into; it allows the supermarket or market to weight them in a small mesh bag which weigh the same as a plastic counterpart. We also use washable wipes and have done with the boys for faces and bottoms. Let's hope that your tips make a difference #KCACOLS

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    1. Tubbs6 March 2018 at 20:15

      Oh, onya weigh bags sound excellent and aren't too expensive: http://www.onyabags.co.uk/onya-weigh-fruit-and-veg-reusable-bags-purple. Something for payday. Thanks for letting me know these exist :)

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  12. Katy4 March 2018 at 21:04

    We've just switched to KeepCups and reuseable water bottles. I didn't know you could get reuse-able cotton pads though, I'll have to investigate that! I use Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser, so have reuse-able cloths for that, but for toner I use cotton pads at the moment, so stopping that could be significant for me given that it's twice a day. It really is everyone taking the little steps that has the big impact. Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

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    1. Tubbs6 March 2018 at 20:17

      My main adjustment has been remembering not to throw the reusable pads into the bin instead of the wash! They work really well though. I'm looking at flannels too as it means I won't need micellar water. Thank you for hosting :)

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  13. Claire(PainPalsBlog)5 March 2018 at 18:14

    I love your post and we are trying to do our bit too! The BBC One Show followed a family last week and it was a great topic around our dinner table - with our 3 kids now teens/young adults you can imagine the amount of plastic alone in our house! - I have shared your link on my regular feature on PainPalsBlog "Monday Magic - Inspiring Blogs for You!"Claire

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    1. Tubbs6 March 2018 at 20:21

      I watched that and was really cross at how bad we are at dealing with mixed items where one bit can be recycled and the other can't. So frustrating to watch things go up in smoke. I'm still uncertain if that's better or worse than landfill.

      See Claire's other picks: https://painpalsblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/monday-magic-inspiring-blogs-for-you-39/

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  14. The Queen of Collage5 March 2018 at 23:00

    You are right that the little things all add up. I have started using my rucksack to put things in rather than buying yet another bag and I tend to buy a lot of things second hand. I forget the last time I bought a book brand new for instance. #ablogginggoodtime

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    1. Tubbs6 March 2018 at 20:22

      I've gone digital with my books and am seriously considering joining Prime so I can borrow rather than buy.

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  15. jeremy@thirstydaddy7 March 2018 at 02:57

    some really great ideas here and a good reminder that we could all be doing just a little bit more #KCACOLS

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    1. Tubbs8 March 2018 at 21:48

      Thank you :)

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  16. A Green and Rosie Life7 March 2018 at 14:05

    It is really great to read that one episode of a TV programme can have such a positive effect on your attitude towards plastic. I am hopeful this is the beginning of many more TV ripples that will change into waves of change! Perhaps it is tie for the bog soap operas to tackle these issues too! #pocolo

    I host the monthly linky #GoingGreen which is currently open on my blog, A Green and Rosie Life, and would love it if you would consider linking up this post.

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    1. Tubbs8 March 2018 at 21:49

      Me too! Thank you for asking me along to the linky :)

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    2. A Green and Rosie Life28 March 2018 at 17:25

      Thank you for linking up with #GoingGreen and apologies for all the typos in my earlier comment! The next linky opens on Easter Monday so I hope you can join in then. Happy Easter!

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    3. Tubbs29 March 2018 at 13:49

      What typos where?! Should be fine, thank you for the reminder though. A happy Easter to you too :)

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  17. Unknown7 March 2018 at 16:51

    In all honesty, I can't see our family doing many of these. Recycling is probably the closest we're going to get. It's the convenience, speed and often the lack of mess that lures me in in most cases. Total kudos to your for all you're doing! #kcacols

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    1. Tubbs8 March 2018 at 21:50

      Most of the one and done changes have been pretty easy so far. The longer term ones like recycling and avoiding plastic packaging have been much harder and we're still working on it for the same reasons as you.

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  18. Frankie8 March 2018 at 12:19

    We’ve started making changes like stopping using plastic straws and some of the others you’ve mentioned but hadn’t thought about washable cotton pads #KCACOLS

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    1. Tubbs8 March 2018 at 21:51

      It all helps :) I keep coming across more things we can do ... Some of which may not happen but others maybe!

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  19. Unknown8 March 2018 at 14:03

    Those images of plastic in the sea make me feel so ill. It can't be sustainable! If everyone makes efforts hopefully it will start to make a difference! Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime last week and apologies for the delay in commenting!

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    1. Tubbs8 March 2018 at 21:51

      No worries and thank you for hosting each week

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  20. Morgan Prince9 March 2018 at 10:28

    Popping back. Thanks for linking to #pocolo

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    1. Tubbs11 March 2018 at 13:17

      Thank you for hosting each week :)

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  21. Bread9 March 2018 at 21:06

    I've stopped using straws and I rarely buy water - any water bottles I have are old and resued often. #kcacols

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    1. Tubbs11 March 2018 at 13:17

      I'm still trying to wean Rev T off buying water, but I've stopped so we're a third of the way there

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  22. Marla2 April 2018 at 16:07

    Hi Mrs Tubbs,
    I love everyone of your tips and ideas to live a greener lifestyle and reducing waste whether its plastic or other items. Plastic is such a big problem but we can change all the pollution if we follow a daily routine of recycling and reusing. Sharing on social media. Congratulations on being featured on #GoingGreen Linky! Have a healthy happy & blessed day!

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