to ask what you're doing to reduce your use of plastics?

[k2p2k2tog]

Lots of coverage on the BBC yesterday about how we used to ship loads of plastics for recycling to China, and China have said they aren't taking it any more.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42455378

Of course recycling is a good thing. But that should come third after reduce and reuse.

Plastics are an environmental nightmare - we can't avoid all plastics but we can certainly reduce what we're using. I've just ordered reusable sandwich wraps for the kids to take to school rather than wrapping in cling film. Little steps. If everyone does a little bit, we can reduce the total amount of plastics.

So what are you doing???

Also i'm pleased you like to check for your own hairs and hope you don't get them hours mixed up with other people's...TMI

Soaps

or your soap rather it should read

Thanks for the very sexist 'get your knickers in a twist' comment.

I wasn't rude to you so there was no call for that remark.

I often find that people who bang on about germs often have the dirtiest homes.

Don't waste time on MN, go and get your bleach out and start scrubbing.

Cantuccit You put a deliberately cheeky comment on and then wonder why I retaliate? You throw around words like sexist flippantly, I hope you don't use other random words in the same mannor. And look at you most recent comment. My house is clean and tidy thanks, I don't have bars of soap though so it may not be to your 'standard.'

Passthestarmiz what was my cheeky comment?!

Your comment was sexist. It was offensive.

And I'm not sure why you're grinning like a hyena in all your posts, you're not funny.

And the comment about your house was in response to your comment about my use of soap.

I’m trying to convince DP that cloth nappies (and wipes) are a good idea for baby due this summer. He’s worried about more work but we’ll be doing more washing anyway so I’m not overly concerned about that. My main concern is drying as we live in a not particularly well ventilated cottage and have no tumble drier. Line drying should be fine in summer but I’m not so sure about winter!

So what is the solution to the soap dilemma?
For those who aren't happy with soap bars but would like to avoid the use of plastic which typically comes with liquid soap?
Sorry there must be something we can come up with?

Cantuccit Your comments have all been extremely offensive to me actually. And now you're taunting me one what symbols I use? Is picking at my word choice not enough for you? I'll use what ever symbols I like thank you.

on

My main concern is drying as we live in a not particularly well ventilated cottage
What about a spin in dryer?
I love mine, surely it's more economical than a tumble dryer?

I use bars of soap. As do the dcs.

When buying loose veg, I won’t put them in a plastic bag unless I’ve got a group of them (eg carrots). I do wish they had paper bags though

I’m going to write to my supermarket to complain about about the packaging.

For my dcs birthday parties, I made sure I got paper bags, used paper table clothes and paper decorations where possible.

At Christmas I made decorations using paper and we only have real trees.

Im switching to e-cloths for the kitchen. For heavy stains in the kitchen, I’ll use washing up liquid, a sponge and elbow grease instead of kitchen spray to reduce buying them.

I’m adopting the mentality that companies just want me to spend money - they don’t want or care if things are more convenient- the use of plastic is linked to “convenience” in my head. So that helps me question plastic use more.

I make my own kitchen spray using an old spray bottle and a bit of detergent topped up with water

Passthestarmix my comments were so offensive but you can't give me examples.

I'll tell you why 'knickers in a twist' is sexist. It's offensive because it's used to teach women to be passive.

I haven't read the full thread.

Pret A Manger coffee is now 50p if you bring your own cup.

My main concern is drying as we live in a not particularly well ventilated cottage

Do you have any outside space? I know it's not ideal in the U.K. because of rain (unless there is any covered area), but I actually prefer to dry clothes, towels, etc. outside.

I hate plastic straws. Especially since seeing a sea turtle on FB post with one up his nose. Seeing as they are so plentiful at beach resorts and on cruise ships, I wish they could be banned. I will never buy them or have them in a drink when out.

Does anyone have a solution for cat litter?

We used to reusue plastic shopping bags that came with shopping deliverey but we've changed the way we shop and now use bags for life. However now we are actively buying a pack of small plastic bags.

All rubbish has to be bagged to go in the bin
Not clogging up the toilet by flushing it.

Any ideas gratefully received!

I definitely go buy reduce and reuse. Recycling has had a good reputation for years but it's impact on the planet is still costly. (as is having cats I know!)

I dream of being able to dry clothes outside. When we move to a house with a garden maybe...!

I’m drying all our clothes in living room (as it’s the sunniest) until they’re almost dry then throwing them in the tumble drier.

The phrase to me means when one gets upset or crazy over something most people think is unimportant; like your crazy ranting about my dislike of soap. I would say the same to men or women. I found all of your comments highly offensive and don't wish to repeat them as once as as enough. Cantuccit you use words like sexist so easily yet your comments were in the category of taunting/goading yet I wouldn't throw harsh labels around.

was quite

Re: cat litter. We just have a small plastic (yes I know... it's many years old and came from my late DM's bathroom) foot lever bin next to the litter tray. Line it with a sheet of newspaper. Rinse it out when we rinse out the litter trays. Try to encourage the cats to go in the garden (being winter they spend about 2 mins per day outdoors at the mo )

Re: soap. Either each person have their own bar of soap in an attractive dish. Or get bottles of liquid soap that can be refilled such as Faith in Nature or Ecover. The local health food shop has a refilling area, or you could order a huge bottle in bulk from one of the large online eco retailers and decant it into the empty small containers. See if you can match up with neighbours or friends to split the order, or look to see if you have a local food co-op that does the same thing.

Thanks Bah will try that. It'll certainly reduce the number of plastic bags used.

peppermint - there's an option on Sainsbury's and Waitrose delivery for bagless delivery. Basically they carry big crates into your kitchen of food, you scrabble to unpack it fast, then they take the crates away. It's an option just before you pay and it means you don't pay for the bags, so it saves you money.

Ocado only do delivery with bags, but they offer you the option of returning them the following shop and getting a refund (5p back per bag), then they reuse them for the next shop. However I know I regularly forget, and when you have plastic bags in the house, they get used and binned for other things. Perhaps a good campaign would be for a bagless delivery option for Ocado too, the others manage it.

BahHumbygge I love your idea on refillable bottles and will look those brands up.