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.
Let me know what ways you're trying to go green this year.
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
ReplyDeleteIt'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 :)
DeleteMe again! #sablogginggoodtime
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
DeleteGreat 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.
ReplyDelete#FabFridayPost
I know! We were all horrified. Haven't used a straw since.
DeleteGreat tips. I've done some of these too. Particularly the plastic bags and the recycling. :)
ReplyDelete#FabFridayPost
We are recycling like anything. Hopefully it'll make a difference.
DeleteWe 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
ReplyDeleteThank 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
DeleteYou are definitely not the only one, I was so moved and depressed at the same time after watching it. Great ideas. #fabfridaypost
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteI 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 :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us and linking up to #FabFridayPost
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 :)
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a greengrocers near us otherwise we'd do the same. So much of our plastic comes from veggies
DeleteWe 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!
ReplyDeleteBuying 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
I hope so too! We've only got one earth and we need to look after it. Thank you for the lovely comment :)
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteI 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. :(
DeleteEven 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
ReplyDeleteOh, 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 :)
DeleteWe'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
ReplyDeleteMy 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 :)
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteI 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.
DeleteSee Claire's other picks: https://painpalsblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/monday-magic-inspiring-blogs-for-you-39/
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
ReplyDeleteI've gone digital with my books and am seriously considering joining Prime so I can borrow rather than buy.
Deletesome really great ideas here and a good reminder that we could all be doing just a little bit more #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteIt 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
ReplyDeleteI 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.
Me too! Thank you for asking me along to the linky :)
DeleteThank 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!
DeleteWhat typos where?! Should be fine, thank you for the reminder though. A happy Easter to you too :)
DeleteIn 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
ReplyDeleteMost 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.
DeleteWe’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
ReplyDeleteIt all helps :) I keep coming across more things we can do ... Some of which may not happen but others maybe!
DeleteThose 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!
ReplyDeleteNo worries and thank you for hosting each week
DeletePopping back. Thanks for linking to #pocolo
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting each week :)
DeleteI've stopped using straws and I rarely buy water - any water bottles I have are old and resued often. #kcacols
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to wean Rev T off buying water, but I've stopped so we're a third of the way there
DeleteHi Mrs Tubbs,
ReplyDeleteI 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!