AIBU to ask you to change your life in 5 ways to help the environment

[Deadbudgie]

The world is messed up. We are killing our life support systems. What 5 ways, big or small, are you willing to change your life to help the environment? Mine are:

Walk anywhere less than 2 miles
Stop buying “stuff” where I could make do and mend with what I have and where I can’t I’ll think about it for at least a week if I really need it! Especially round Christmas/Easter etc
Buy British/local wherever possible
Buy stuff that will last made out of natural materials rather than cheap plastic covered crap.
Cut back to one foreign holiday every 2 years at most.

What’s yours?

The stainless steel straws are good , the ones I have came with a little brush and a silicone holder to keep them together in the dishwasher .
It does make the DC look like they're using an animal's water bottle though and they're a hazard to your teeth if you knock them.

The biggest issue is over-population. I didn't have children, so I am feeling pretty smug about this thread

On a less combative note, I don't eat meat, only drink tap water, (have a series of glass bottles that I carry about and refill), use soap nuts for laundry, don't use the heating (or hot water during summer) and was a reusable bag lady long before the 5p charge or it was fashionable. I wash thoroughly twice a day, with soap and water, and only wash my hair and shower once a week, in order to reduce water usage. (Took nearly a year for my long, thick, very greasy previously hair to adapt, but it's been so worth it) and never use heated appliances on my hair. Although I can drive, I don't have a car, and walk or use public transport instead. I don't use a tumble dryer.

Actually, I'm still feeling pretty smug, on reflection

I need to do more, think in the past I have not been environmentally friendly. But trying to think more now and take little steps.

1. re-use costumes, dress up things more.
2. cut down on buying plastic rubbish, no plastic rubbish in party bags.
3. buy and sell more second hand.
4. buy brown paper for Christmas wrapping paper.
5. recycle more.
6. give plastic bags back to delivery guy to be reused.
7. reuse plastic bottles
8. buy local fruit and veg
9. buy recyclable party wear for dcs up coming parties.

It frustrates me so much that I have to throw plastic stuff away so much. Why can't we recycle so much of our plastic yet?

1. Replace halogen spotlights with led bulbs.
2. Just got solar panels so need to invest in some timers so we are using renewable energy.
3. About to get a hybrid car delivered.
4. Aiming to buy more second stuff rather than new but possibly more for cost over eco credentials if I’m honest!

Have used washable nappies and wipes in the past and sold or passed them on for reuse. Still use muslins we had from child 1 for spills and stuff. Also use washable sanpro and Mooncup.

Struggling with:

1. The amount of unnecessary packaging around even if it is recycled or recyclable.
2. Reducing meat consumption although doing better than we used to.
3. Composting - we have a compost bin but other than chucking stuff in I’ve no idea what we are doing with it!
4. Reducing stuff purchased for the kids by well meaning family members who have seen how many toys we already have.

Only a few people have mentioned heating: put a jumper and slippers on and have the heating on lower, and bring your kids up to do the same. Plus have lined thick curtains (you can buy thermal liners really cheaply that hook onto any normal curtains) and whatever other energy saving measures you can afford.
I need to switch energy supplier, plan a holiday by train for next summer, get better at growing vegetables.
I already limit heating, am veggie, don't waste food, minimise packaging, buy second hand kids clothes and toys, buy few clothes for me that will last, don't use disposable anything except nappies (as the carbon benefits are marginal to reusables)

Palm oil isn't inherently bad: it uses less land than other vegetable oils. Certified sustainable palm oil is better

@John4703 that’s an amazing attitude re wanting to leave a better world for your grandson, if only everyone felt that way!

• No DC
• Reusable water bottles
• Grow own veg on allotment
• Switched to washing powder in cardboard packaging (used to use Ecover refills but no outlet round here)
• Take own reusable straw and sizzle stick to the pub
• Zero waste shop due to open shortly in our town so will shop there

Switched energy supplier to an eco friendly one as well. Try not to have heating on when possible.

Another thing I need to do is get a microplastic catching bag for my clothes as they will be shedding every time they are washed.

I did use bicarbonate of soda only on my hair for a time but now I have to dye it I’ve switched back to shampoo and conditioner.

• Buy 70% Second hand

-walk or public transport everywhere and holiday in UK -Meal plan and don't waste food -Still no heating on and will be on short periods when we do -Fix things and try to be resourceful -Reusable bags, bottles, cups Really need to try to cut down on plastic toys

Buy second hand, eco friendly tea bags(!!!), Wooden toys, less plastic in general!

Almost vegan already but so inspired!
Sanpro and beeswax food wrap are my next steps!
Thank you

I'm replacing broken plastic things with non-plastic. Have now got a row of wooden pegs on the washing line.
I'm not sure if I'm right but I thought bulk buying might use less packaging, eg. I'm buying 6 pints of milk instead of 2 4 pints and got a supersize ketchup and fairy washing up liquid.

Bamboo toothbrush- finally found one that doesn’t come in plastic packaging (although unfortunately the bristles are still plastic :( )

All house has low energy LED bulbs.

Good shout on the wooden pegs and the tea bags.

I’m never going to be the best I could because I do selfishly hope to have a child.

What I would like to see is eco friendly being more accessible and dare I say less the preserve of the middle class. Would be good to see affordable olive oil soap and bamboo toothbrushes in boots and so on.

Cycling way more

Composting

Encouraging proper office recycling

mooncup

It’s fuck all really

I'm really trying to cut down on plastic and try to buy second hand where possible. Absolutely hate all the traffic congestion and would love to use public transport more but finding that hard when it adds hours onto my commute and you have to get home for the kids etc. We all lead such a manic life dashing from one place to another.

1. Use Iceland branded products over other supermarkets own brand (palm oil free)
2. Buy second hand clothing
3. Use brown paper as wrapping paper
4. Consider veganism but certainly begin vegan Mondays whatever
5. Quit smoking

I walk if I can
Cycle if I can’t
Drive if not

But local food

I like ‘stuff’ so don’t compromise and live travel - sorry

Love travel.
I also do many, many airmiles each year.

Mostly vegetarian.

Problem is, when you travel to the US and see how they live, everything I do seems irrelevant

I'm trying to use less plastic. I need to try solid shampoo and conditioner.
I try to use products not tested on animals, and I'm trying to use eco friendly too.
I cut out meat a few years ago and have got a good few tasty enough signature dishes that my non veggie family will happily eat them.
We rehome six ex battery hens every year. Our neighbours buy our spare eggs.
I collect unwanted school uniforms and shoes locally, plus other kids clothes and my colleagues and I personally take them to orphanages and schools in slums around the world (we're airline crew, so fail on the not travelling bit!).

Out of interest, do you think cat food sachets are better than tins?

I love the concept upthread about ‘re-use costumes’
I am honestly not being snarky. It is just a fantastic thought that costumes are a given in life!

@Honeyroar I use sachets but I don’t think they can be recycled? So tins would be better but my cat’s on a special vet ordered diet that only comes in sachets.

Birth rates are already decreasing in developed countries like the UK and we need to keep having some children otherwise who else is going to work and pay taxes and care for the elderly?

Go vegan
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/veganism-environmental-impact-planet-reduced-plant-based-diet-humans-study-a8378631.html

Use public transport and don't fly often

Buy second hand clothes

You can recycle etc as much as you want. The simple truth is humans need to stop over breeding.

@selfidentifyinggiraffe if you want any information about veganism pop over to the vegan board if you like. I think signing up to this is a pretty good resource too www.challenge22.com/challenge22/