Unilever want to know the things your family does to help create a brightFuture - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

As part of their on-going brightFuture initiative, Unilever wants to hear about the little things you as a family do to help make the world a better place. We know that having children often makes parents think more about the world around them and makes you want to take steps to help provide a better, more sustainable future for your children.

Here’s some more information from the team at Unilever:

“The Unilever brightFuture initiative focuses on small changes that can make big differences and how we can build a world where everyone lives well and lives sustainably.”

“Since the launch of the Sustainable Living Plan, Unilever has helped 482 million people all over the world; for instance the Dove Self Esteem Project has helped 19 million young people have more self-confidence, Domestos has given 5 million people improved access to toilets and Persil, in partnership with Unicef, has given 10 million children access to education. This work is extremely important to us and we are really proud to have been awarded industry leadership for our work in the Household and Personal Care products industry group by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.”

“To see some of the amazing stories from the Unilever brightFuture initiative so far, have a glimpse at this short video.”

“Unilever brightFuture is looking to inspire and celebrate people who are making a difference in their local community. This is often through small acts that tackle wider, global problems and therefore make a positive impact for the planet as a whole. We want to encourage others to join the brightFuture initiative at brightfuture.unilever.co.uk which has already seen over 290 million acts shared!”

We’d love to hear what you and your family do to help make the world a better place and what you would like to do in the future. Whether it’s small things such as turning the tap off while you brush your teeth and doing laundry at a lower temperature, or helping your local community get together to help make a positive impact, Unilever want to hear from you.

Everyone who posts a comment below will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thank you and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[Bubblebloodypop]

Lots of little things really, we wash at low temperatures and use the line whenever possible. We used reusable nappies for a while and try to very conservative with water usage.

[somefarawaydream]

We watch our water usage and have cut out using the dishwasher. We also turn off lights when we aren't in the room

[fitzbilly]

We only use energy saving lights, and turn lights off when we leave a room, we have quick showers rather then long baths, our hot water temp is turned down, we delay putting the heating on for as long s possible (wearing more layers instead) and we walk anywhere that is less than three miles away rather than drive. We all have bikes and cycle rather then drive as much as possible too.

We are not big consumers, using what we already have rather then buying new things, and fixing things that break rather than replacing.

[JoolsSchmools]

We are on a water/gas/electric meter which makes us think more about the energy and water we are consuming.
All lights are energy saving where possible. School/work run is always on bike or foot as it's too close to justify driving.

[CMOTDibbler]

We're part of a group who are trying to promote cycling for short journeys - both campaigning for infrastructure improvements to make it safer and doing things like bike recycling and ride training to help everyone get on a bike.

[ohlittlepea]

Beautiful idea.
We do meat free Monday and try to spend lots of time outside so that we are connected to our environment which helps us want to protect it...we do lots of junk modelling too to help us reuse things more than once. I wish we did more will.have to read everyone else's ideas :)

[sharond101]

We recycle everything, buy second hand and watch our energy usage. We also try to be kind, and ds loves his random acts of kindness so much.

[lduff18]

As well as the little extra bits around the house,I have just started up my own business from home and only try and work with 'conscious capitalist' businesses. I donate to various charities and the business owners I work with do too. It's nice to know that a lot more small businesses nowadays are thinking more about the ethical side of business than just the money. For example, one of my clients will only use suppliers based on how they treat their workers, how much their workers are paid and what kind of conditions they work in. The products work out slightly more expensive to have made but he is very aware of the issues around sweatshops and donates 10% of profits to a charity that helps those who work in sweatshops.
It's nice to know that everyone is gradually becoming aware of how their actions could affect others.:)

[KeepOnPlodding]

We spend a lot of time as a family volunteering at our local sports club. Without the volunteers we wouldn't be able to run training for 200+ children every week and a full fixture list.

I firmly believe that getting kids into sport at an early age promotes good habits, community spirit, teamwork, discipline and tenacity - all of which contribute towards a better society.

[purplepandas]

Avid recycling here. I love the fact that the children just recycle automatically!

[SouthWestmom]

Dh left private practice and eventually went back to work for a charity. I volunteer at a youth club. We are (except) dh vegetarian.

[mummymummums]

My children and I set up a Facebook group to go litter picking in local forest - shouldn't be necessary but it is! Over 50 members now. We make it fun by naming certain types or brands of litter to find too - little prizes - so funny to see children scrapping over a crisp packet!!! It's made them very litter aware.

[defineme]

We have given up the tumble dryer, time showers, given up the dishwasher and put the heating on less. Lots of meat free meals too.

[ataraxia]

Washing on 30 (except for towels and sheets), turning lights out, unplugging, minimizing running water, recycling/

[misson]

My kid are enthusiastic believers in 'if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down'.

Bit too enthusiastic tbo

[LifeIsGoodish]

We volunteer in our community. Dh is a Cub and Scout Leader, I am involved in multi-faith religious education.

[JollyHockeyGits]

We try to keep our family strong and teach DS to respect other people, whether it's 'his elders' or kids the same age. As he gets older we want to teach him to appreciate what he has, that others aren't as lucky and that poverty can happen to anyone. Sounds a bit depressing but I think it's an important message to get across - when you haven't experienced poverty it's too easy to separate yourself from those who have.

We donate money and goods to different charities and will involve him in this as he gets older.

[allthingsred]

We recycle, compost & try to grow some of our own fruits & veg
We do a lot of walking & the kids will go on bikes or scooters instead of taking the car.
My children know that even though we don't have a lot we still are luckier than most so will pick an item our of shopping basket to put into food bank collection at the supermarket

[forkhandles4candles]

Agitate against the destructive planetary system known as capitalism at each and every opportunity. Bring my children up to reject the nasty values of neoliberalism.

[IToldYouIWasFreaky]

I don't own a car. I borrow my mum's (tiny, very fuel efficient) car when necessary and we bus/walk everywhere else.

[Rigbyroo]

We turn lights off when we leave a room, wash at 30 and try and walk/get bus whenever we can.

[Iwasjustabouttosaythat]

One thing we do is not buy products from companies that carry out brutal and unnecessary tests on animals. This mean we do not buy Unilever products.

I am aware that Unilever claim not to actually carry out animal testing but they instead use products that other companies have tested on animals for them.

I think we make the world a better place by not supporting horrific practices. Please stop animal testing, Unilever.

Thanks for asking!

[WowOoo]

The children are well aware that I hate to waste things, especially food. We never buy more than we need when we go shopping.

The best thing my children do is help out in a community garden. They weren't so keen at first, but changed once they'd seen what a difference lots of people coming together can make. They saw (and tasted) the fruits of their labour this summer and are now happy to help....especially if it involves a wheelbarrow.

[bambooleaves]

We walk wherever possible and have taught the kids to care for their environment- no litter dropping and respecting the nature around them.