People more concerned about doing their washing quickly than the environment.

[Starryskiesinthesky]

AIBU to think it is totally depressing that people arent willing to make even small changes to try and stop the environmental crisis that is here. For example, not wanting to use an eco programme on machines because it takes longer, not prepared to dry clothes outside rather than use a dryer, driving everywhere rather than walking. If people who could, made small changes, it would all add up and we might be able to halt some of the damage we are doing to the environment and childrens futures.

I think that, if I saw the countries that are pumping shit out into the environment every day doing their bit, I might think to put my dishwasher on Eco.

The attitude absolutely stinks and I can’t believe anyone here is seriously defending it!
Loads of other attitudes and actions stink too (no shit Sherlock).
Folk are right that all that will REALLY change things is international regulation, but every kilo of carbon you ‘waste’ on something frivolous is one less that can be used later for something essential.

This thread is going well.

Agree with PP. I do what I can, but it really fucks me off with this holier-than-thou attitude I see from people who have done the things that don’t cause them much aggro and are sniffy about how others should do the same (even if it’s not as easy for them).

I agree that everyone should do their bit but I also think that people shouldn’t be a twat about it unless they live completely off the grid and grow and knit their own lentils.

Maybe it's good if manufacturers listen to the people actually using their machines when they say the eco cycle isn't practical for them. People are giving good reasons like not wanting to leave the machine unattended while they are out at work, or it damaging or fading the clothes so that is not very environmentally friendly as they would need to replace the clothes more often. They need to be making a cycle that works well and is practical for most people, then it will be used.

@canigooutyet

I don't drive, own a drier or use planes.

What are you doing to encourage companies to use less packaging? Or to stop with the plastic bags they use?

The UK isn't even in the top 10 of the worst polluters
China
US
Russia
Japan
Germany
Iran
South Korea
Saudi Arabia
Indonesia

What are you doing to lecture them about reducing their pollution?

A lot on those list are polluting for things that we buy in the UK 👀🤨 and a lot of our recycling is shipped overseas so we can be do gooders and chuck our shit over the border.

Surely you must know that. We aren’t self sufficient as a country.

@canigooutyet

I don't drive, own a drier or use planes.

What are you doing to encourage companies to use less packaging? Or to stop with the plastic bags they use?

The UK isn't even in the top 10 of the worst polluters
China
US
Russia
Japan
Germany
Iran
South Korea
Saudi Arabia
Indonesia

What are you doing to lecture them about reducing their pollution?

Most of these countries are big polluters because they are producing things that people in the UK and other relatively rich countries consume. What we all need to do it to start consuming less.

The only way to reduce pollution is to either get rid of capitalism or find a profitably way of being low carbon.

Sadly, all of our problems can be traced to greed and power.

@Feelslikealot

Do you have children? If so, congrats. You've already cancelled out any environmental benefit you might get from using eco cycles on your washing machine.

THIS! Anything else makes a fraction of the difference. So if you are so concerned about the environment, don't have children.

@canigooutyet
You list is pointless because it ignores the fact that the West has mostly exported it's pollution to many of those countries. We make very little in the UK, most of it is made in China, so that is where the emissions are. It also ignores the emissions per head, which place the UK much nearer the top.

Do you have trees/hedges in your garden? Do you have a wildflower area and a small pond? Do you keep the same car until it dies?.Do you have only one child? Do you eat meat only once or twice a week.. Do you have a water butt to water plants outside and use bathwater for inside?

I kind of agree, but hope we just do what we can, really.

I'd love to not use a tumble dryer and never had one for years, but then we bought a house with no outside space and a damp problem 🤷

When we tried to dry washing on airers it stayed damp for days. I would LOVE to have a sunny garden with a washing line, believe me!

On the other hand, I've never had a car, I rarely put the heating on and I've been abroad once in the last 20 years (and only a handful of times before that), so there's that.

What's really depressing is how people go after people for the smallest thing.

I very much suspect that often it's not wven about environment but about
1-virtue signalling and showing how amazing person is
2-my way is the only correct way, how amazing am i
3-you are all horrible compared to me, amaing I

Half the threads about environment and wide eyed "I don't understaaaanad why people just can't do this" are attention seeking bullshit and just want a pat on a back

I really don’t think it’s helpful to frame it in that way, OP. I assume you posted this because you read the other active thread about eco cycles on washing machines. Just compare the responses on this one (many angry and defensive) and the other thread where people are having a proper conversation.

@AgathaX

Is that you Meghan?

Haha, while she’s at it, maybe she can tell us how we should be sharing vaccines with developing countries.bet she didn’t give up hers though. Pathetic virtue signalling idiots.

@Iggly

The only way to reduce pollution is to either get rid of capitalism or find a profitably way of being low carbon.

Sadly, all of our problems can be traced to greed and power.

The biggest issue is actually selfishness, most people are not prepared to make changes themselves, but want others to change their livestyles instead. It is the same with taxes, around 80% of people want higher taxes to fund increase spending, but only around 15% of people are prepared to pay more in tax themselves, the vast majority want someone else to pay for everything.

Thanks for letting me know.

@Iggly

The only way to reduce pollution is to either get rid of capitalism or find a profitably way of being low carbon.

Sadly, all of our problems can be traced to greed and power.

The irony is just off the scale in this post. I presume you posted your message on mumsnet on telepathically. You didn’t use the internet or a smartphone. Laughable amount of virtue signalling going on.

When we all have to switch over to electric cars, where is the electricity going to come from? How are we going to generate all that? Where are the charging points going to be for terraced houses with no parking? Who is going to pay for all that?

I don't know anyone for whom time is the only reason they don't use the eco cycle on a washing machine.

On mine it uses less water and it simply does not clean the clothes as well. I have young children so the clothes get real stains, and the eco wash setting just doesnt work. It's more efficient to run one one effective cycle than 3 poor ones which dont clean the clothes.

@Feelslikealot

Do you have children? If so, congrats. You've already cancelled out any environmental benefit you might get from using eco cycles on your washing machine.

This. Thank

I suppose using a washing machine is not eco friendly. Maybe just use a washboard and soapy water on wash day @Starryskiesinthesky.

I hear you OP. People get really defensive and come up with lots of different excuses not to make small changes as shown in the posts above. Humans are inherently selfish for survival reasons.

I actually agree that we need serious and drastic change at the top across the whole planet and that's never going to happen. Too many men in charge destroying the planet so they can hoard money.

However, that’s no excuse for everyone else not to try and make small changes that do make an impact and delay the decline although they may not ultimately save the human species. E.g. If a million people in the UK use glass milk bottles instead of plastic ones it will make a different albeit a small one.

You don’t need to take onboard every suggestion others make but everyone could do something. The council had to give everyone coloured bins to force them to recycle because the majority wouldn’t do it without being pushed to.

Our planet will survive but humans will end up causing our own extinction. I’m not trying to sound disheartening. It’s still worth the fight to make things better.

Would add
Do you live with a dated bathroom and kitchen rather than replace, forgo the extension, keep old furniture

@Cosyblankets

When we all have to switch over to electric cars, where is the electricity going to come from? How are we going to generate all that? Where are the charging points going to be for terraced houses with no parking? Who is going to pay for all that?

Not just electricity. The batteries etc. They are quite harsh yo make.

Nothing is a holy grail. Including washing programme.