What changes have you started to make to be more envormentally friendly?

[GlamGiraffe]

I was just wondering?
People I meet seem to be split between 2 distinct camps, those who are making a real effort and those who don't care/dont have a clue in the slightest.
We,(nagged by me) are on a mission- albeit starting small , I wondered about other people.

I'm really determined to crack veganism. I've tried before and given up due to disorganisation and lack of planning (I live overseas so not as simple as just go to Cook and buy some delicious vegan ready meals). Giving myself the summer to learn a good number of recipes and then try again properly once kids go back to school. Other stuff

• pushing back on business travel
• dont buy any plastic bottled drinks
• loose F&V in reusable bags and generally more packaging conscious (buy glass rather than plastic packed)
• deleted über app and using public transport/ walking more

Trying to cut out plastic bottles, remember to pack a drink each day from home.

Keep a reusable bag in my handbag for shopping.

Walk more, drive less.

Go meat free more- 3/4 evening meals a week meat free.

Buy less- only get things I really need. Cut down on gifting

Recycle/charity shop more.

Buying fewer plastic bottles. Have tried to really cut down on buying bottled drinks. I get cans now as that's better for recycling apparently. Also switched to soap bars instead of shower gel in bottles.

Trying to cut down on single use plastic:
No more wipes
Wax food wraps instead of clingfilm
Tupperware instead of sandwich and freezer bags
Soap instead of shower gel
No convenience foods like single serve porridge pots which come in plastic.

Trying to cut out a bit extra every week.

Lots of recycling.
Got ourselves a soda stream as we love carbonated water and just couldn’t justify the mountains of plastic bottles.
Keep reusable bag in my handbag.
Stopped using cleaning wet wipes for cleaning and bought decent dish cloths that I can just chuck in the washing machine after a couple of days.
Trying to avoid using cling film and use reusable containers and bowls covered with a plate instead.
Still a long way to go though until I am plastic free...

Done:

• Switched to a green energy supplier (boring, but a good way to have a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions).
• Try to reduce energy use around the home (putting on jumpers before putting on the heating, making sure not to leave things on etc)
• Stopped buying liquid shampoo, meat, dairy, eggs, and products containing palm oil except where I can't find a palm oil free alternative.
• Not flown for over 5 years.
• No car.
• Never shopping unless I need something.

But in terms of starting small, reducing food waste and reducing beef/pork/lamb and dairy are a great place to start!

The two biggest changes individuals can make is stopping flying and stopping eating red meat (cows worst, pigs second).

Swapping to bar soap and reusable pant liners. I drive but use public transport a lot and am even when going on holiday (train)

We now only buy tinned cat food instead of pouches.

Have also started buying a lot more of Iceland own brand things like frozen pizzas as they're palm oil free and are also aiming to be plastic free too.

Never shopping unless I need something

Yes- I’m not much of a shopper but this year have been much more conscious about what clothes the kids really need ( we don’t really have a winter here, which helps). I was also more proactive about both sourcing and donating second hand school uniform.

We have swapped to the milkman. The kids drink a lot of milk so it costs much more but we have so much less plastic recycling.

I have dramatically cut down on diet coke bottle and sparkling water, though I miss it. I am also really trying to reduce my amazon prime purchases to reduce the packaging the footprint of the delivery.

We're cutting way down on beef, maybe only having it once a week an trying to stop pork altogether.

I try and buy all the toddler's clothes and toys second hand.

What reusable panty liners do you use Mirali? Are they effective? I already use a mooncup but interested in trying these too

recycling as much as i can
using soap in the shower instead of shower gel,
using reusable cleaning cloths
using a refillable bottle for spray cleaning i just refill it with washing up liquid and water does most jobs
using washing up liquid with white vinegar for glass and window cleaning
only buying coffees out from cafes or outlets that use proper crockery cups and saucers, never buy one use bottles of water or soft drinks
make sure the washing machine is full before using it
dont use a tumble dryer or dishwasher dry on drainer or airer
reuse butter tubs as lunch boxes,
reuse tin foil containers for cooking small things
batch cook and freeze some foods like lasagnes, curries etc
tinned cat food instead of pouches
im not perfect but try to do my bit

Cutting down on buying "stuff".

Washable sanitary protection.

No plastic bottles.

Cutting down on meat.

Stopping happy meals/kinder surprises etc.

No plastic crap in party bags.

Bulk buying in larger containers.

No plastic bags.

Moomin. I got them from ebay and they are advertised as "6*6 Inch Menstrual Pads Reusable Washable Bamboo Cloth Sanitary Maternity Hot. They are comfy

-Reusable bottle so that I never have to buy bottled drinks
-Bought beeswax wraps to use instead of sandwich bags/clingfilm
-Bought reusable face pads instead of cotton pads/face wipes
-Set up a terracycle campaign at my place of work for crisp packet
-Don't have a tumble dryer. air dry instead
-Never buy plastic bags - either take cotton bags or find an empty box to use
-Never use plastic bags for fruit/veg

No sandwich bags for school lunches - reusable Tupperware sandwich boxes

No cling film or freezer bags

Water bottles instead of buying water when out or for journeys

Two water butts in the garden to collect rainwater for watering

Cutting down on meat

More home made meals, fewer takeaways

Meal planning so less food waste

Recycling as much as I can so that no paper or plastics at all go in the waste bin

I stopped eating meat about 4 years ago, and dairy/eggs about 2 years ago.

In addition to this, I've stopped using one-use things as much as possible - toothpaste tablets, reusable face wipes etc.

Trying to cut down on one-use plastic as much as I can, but so hard when so many things from the supermarket come unnecessarily wrapped in it!

Using up all remaining plastic gels and shampoos and in process of swapping to soap and bar shampoo and conditioner
Refuse yo use tumble dryer
Switched to led lightbulbs everywhere
Try to keep heating down and sit like a layered up mummy😂

Accidentally pressed too fast then..
No more fabric conditioner
Forced family to be vegan 3 days a week, im a veggie but havent found a milk subsitute a can bear in my coffee
Don't drive
Recycle everything and collect things like pasta bags for ages to take yo the nearest banks.
Always take tons of reusable bags and inflict them on my friends too.
Give any food I can't use in time to someone who can.
Won't have baby wipes for my baby, do use cotton wool though
Moon cup

Wondering what else to ease us in gently?

@WellTidy youre on to a winner with the water butts at the moment ( assuming youre in england) !!😁

Thanks Mirali - will give those a try

Beeswax isn't ethical , nor is harvesting honey tbh , especially not in the vast commercial setting it is done
Commercial bee farming is thought to be a contributing factre in the decline of honey bees due to disease

Its a mine field
And thats' before you start thinking about the ecological damage caused by cotton farming

Ive changed my 14 mike round commuting trip to cycling.

Really trying to buy products with less packaging.

Only eating meat very occasionally. Normally when out. Can't remember the last time we had meat at home.