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???

So, someone in India chucks a water bottle into the Ganges. How is that my fault exactly? What do I need to take responsibility for? I don’t even drink bottled water - I can get from one tap to another without dying of thirst.

As for soap, it is bad for your skin. There is tons of clinical evidence.

Using soap does not make you a better person or even give you a better character.

If your choice to use soap something to do with not wanting the plastic bottle, there is some logic in that, but thinking that soap, in itself, is better is baffling.

Taking a retrograde step, and failing to contribute to a solution to the environmental problem is, IMO, a waste of effort.

Instead of drinking bottled water in a big scale (and failing to dispose of the bottles), we need to remove the desire for bottled water (make sure there is safe, running water) and make sure there are adequate disposal facilities - that’s in India, because we are not a big part of the problem.

Just back from the weekly shop at the supermarket - didn't buy soap or shower gel as I'm using up what I have before buying more but there were about three sections full of shower gels and creams of various colours, sizes and brands and one small shelf with bars of soap and about three brands - simple, imperial leather and pears. Hopefully if more people start switching back, there will be more choice of soaps.

I know there's a local soap maker to me who's always at the farmers' markets and craft fairs with lovely soaps so will seek her out. I also volunteer in a charity shop and we get nice boxed soaps handed in fairly regularly, probably from the shower gel users. I have fond memories of Pears soap from my childhood too - and not so fond memories of pink carbolic.

As an aside - I always buy onions and carrots during the weekly shop and this time made the conscious decision not to put them in a bag. Loose in trolley, loose on conveyor, into bag. Easy. OK so it's only 2 bags, but if everyone did the same that would be a huge quantity of bags over the course of a year. And I purposely didn't buy mushrooms as they didn't have any loose and the only ones were packaged in plastic trays.

So using soap is a "retrograde step"

Yep - moving low tech

I plan to buy some bar shampoo for a trial. (Hey, it's more within my locus of control than the water supply in India.)

I'm will ask around again for glass bottles of milk. They are hard to find near us. Plastic milk containers are the largest part of our plastic waste.

There will be a stevedore in Delhi who won’t throw away his plastic bottle knowing that someone in the UK is trying out bar shampoo...

Well seeing as a stevedore works at a docks and Delhi is inland.... unlikely.

But most of us, unless we're involved in lobbying or international politics, can only change our own behaviour and purchasing decisions. I don't get the mentality of "well it's a lot worse in India/China so crack on with the plastics".

Er, clearly noone thinks this Crafty Gin so why type it?

Because CraftyGin thinks they're funny.

Ah right.

Crack us a joke crafty gin and I'll judge if your other material works better.

It was a logical conclusion to draw, especially after TPA that talked about being responsible for the actions of those who make our clothes, owtte.

Email your local supermarket about what they're doing?

Email your local MP about your concerns or check out the MPs on the environment committee and email them?

Lots of packaging used,is not because the manufacturer loves wasting money on it, but because it is needed to comply with food regulations or to prevent it getting damaged in transit.
Also a large proportion of plastic used, is the film wrapped round and round a palette to hold it all together for one pallet 20+ metres.Necessary for the safety of workers.

For a couple years now have found a bit of ecover washing up liquid in warm water with a soft cloth and buffed dry with another clean cloth cleans windows brilliantly. So haven't needed to buy window cleaning spray. Another little change,but saves money and less in the bin.My mum has always used vinegar.

I bought a reusable cup in Waitrose today.

Initially they used to have the milk in a metal flask but now it is in those small plastic cartons. This needs rethinking.

Crafty at least people care and give a shit

What do you care about ?

I suspect most people on this thread like me haven't suddenly become evangelical about using less 'stuff' and creating waste,but have quietly felt uneasy for some time about the amount we buy,use and throw away that's unnecessary.Saying there is no point in cutting down on single use plastics here because someone in India will throw a plastic bottle in the river is akin to saying why bag up your rubbish and take it home ,fling it out of your car window like some idiots do.We have to start somewhere surely ?I can only be responsible for my own household,and picking up litter whenever I can,and if enough of us do hopefully a difference can be made.Been reading about the fantastic efforts in Penzance to clean up the beaches,and become less wasteful.Great stuff I say !

Oh, I care all right, but I am pragmatic and am influenced by evidence.

Snuggle,

I have been consistent in saying that plastics are not evil, but they need to be disposed of properly. I never said anything about flinging bags of rubbish out of the car window. Quite the opposite.

Cleaning up beaches, and putting litter in the correct place, is a good way to channel efforts. Trying to avoid protective packaging is insignificant, apart from giving the person the warm fuzzies.

I think you have a point Crafty. I used to feel frustrated in the USA when recycling was non existent and only Disney had a bottle recycling point.

It needs to be global but at the same time individuals need to step up.

Ffs, I bought soap instead of shower gel in a plastic bottle today - and then bought some plastic soap dishes [useless emoticon]

Has anyone looked at "Find Me A Milkman" or similar? I'm going to explore further.
Also, no one else for fizzy tap water in the Sodastream??

I was just going to ask about soap dishes. My abiding memory of soap is that it goes white and slimy underneath after a short while. I'd only consider going back to it if I had a soap dish that someone could recommend that stopped the sliminess.

soap dish

I'm sure I have seen similar in supermarkets/department stores

davros I am pondering getting a soda stream.

brownelephant thank you for the link. Am still suspicious, I'm afraid, but open to being convinced by positive reviews.