Save the planet!!! What small steps have you taken today?

[Mrscog]

Following on from a thread where we were all discussing how we wanted to reduce our impact on the earth I thought I would start this thread for us to share ideas/motivation etc.

This is a non-judgmental thread and is about whatever steps you want to take to reduce consumption. None of us are perfect and we've all got to start somewhere.

My small steps today -

1. Morning school run incorporated as part of DH's commute.
2. Afternoon school run due to be done on foot.
3. Didn't bother going to Aldi as to be honest I have enough food in to cobble some stuff together.
4. Just used microfibre cloth with water to wipe down kitchen rather than dousing with chemicals (hadn't chopped any raw meat etc so no need to be too clean).

Thanks for the info on Splosh. Yes, sounds like they need to do some tweaking. I needed 5 bottles you see, just to be awkward .
Is it free to send the old packaging back to them too? Doesn't mention that either on their website.

. Just done loads of present wrapping and I now have a bin full of plastic. Really not good. Ive put any plastic with the recyclable sign on into the recycling bin but I'm pretty sure they don't take it in this area.

from what I remember the return postage is already paid yes.

You could just get one spray bottle, and use that to measure and then mix it up on other recycled spray bottles. Same for the washing up stuff.

I haven't tried their clothes wash as I don't think the Method super concentrated stuff can be beaten. I only ever bought one pump bottle & it has lasted many years now, so it can be done. But now Method have discontinued it .....

(I might have stockpiled a years supply of the refill packs)

from what I remember the return postage is already paid yes. That's good to know.

Now Method, over the past few years I've been using Ecover or Ecozone but as Ocado were having a special offer this week on Method stuff I've bought some laundry liquid to try, the peach one. I also got a special offer on the mint bathroom spray and the handwash only because it was in the hummingbird bottle a while back. The bathroom cleaner does the job but for some reason the chemical smell seems a bit overpowering compared to the lemon Ecover all purpose cleaner.

So what are Method discontinuing then? Glad you mentioned the laundry liquid being good.

this stuff is fantastic and a refill lasts us 3 - 4 months (family of 3): www.biggreensmile.com/products/method-laundry-refill-85-washes/mlaundrefill.aspx?productid=mlaundrefill

but it is being discontinued and replaced with less concentrated/no refill/high fragrance/in plastic bottle alternatives. They are OK - I tried some on special when they first came out.

www.biggreensmile.com/products/method-laundry-liquid-wild-lavender-1-56l-39-washes/mlaund39washlav.aspx?productid=mlaund39washlav

But why go less concentrated & add fragrance and colouring, when the original product was loved and widely raved about. its a shame.

I agree with you about the bathroom cleaner smell - I use the splosh one :)

the Method kitchen/general spray cleaners are all lovely scented.

Ah right, doesn't make sense them changing it like that, odd.The second link you posted is the type/size bottle I've ordered.

I'll see how this new laundry liquid goes but I'm not 100% about the Method stuff, as I'd only get it when on special as I've not had any bother with Ecover and Ecozone. Method is more expensive, also the stronger chemical smell is putting me off.

I just spotted this range of Tesco's today, prices are good but not tried them yet.

www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/search?query=tesco%20eco%20active

In a potentially TMI post, , today I am wearing my washable, made in the U.K., soft and comfortable, reusable sanitary towels from www.honouryourflow.co.uk
I was quite cautious about reusable sanitary ware but these are awesome.

Just did my first Milk and more delivery so this will massively reduce our plastic bottle recycling as we go through juice and milk like tap water.

I'm disproportionately excited to try out their products!

I'm with Co-operative for my gas/electric. I've just had an email from them and apparently by 2019 they will be purchasing 75% of their energy from renewable sources . No idea what the other energy suppliers are up to but this sounds pretty good to me.

I am contemplating sewing reusable Christmas present bags. I just don’t have the time before Christmas!

Be aware that renewable does not automatically equal good. Biomass and wind turbines are the two big greenwash cons.

Biomass is much worse in america where it is adding to climate change, and we really don't want it here.

Marking place to read through for ideas later.

Specialsubject we use green energy - I will check whether that includes biomass and wind turbines. Do you have a link?

Re disposable coffee cups - my local coffee shop has cups which say 100% biodegradable "made with plants not oils". Anyone know how environmentally ok these really are??

For whoever asked about freezing liquids:

I use ice cube trays (with very large size cubes). Yes plastic but I bought them 6 years ago and they've been used 100s of times. Once frozen I empty the cubes into a ziploc freezer bag. Once the bag is empty I wash it and use it again, or just refill with another batch of the same sauce. Benefit of this method over glass jars or other "solid" storage containers is 1) complete flexibility on portion size, just defrost more or fewer cubes and 2) less wasted space in freezer.

I've also ordered some dishwasher safe silicon freezer bags - as my ziplocs are getting a bit old and ripped and i think the silicon ones will last even longer.

They seem to be using, solar, wind and hydro.
I have read about some problems with wind power, what are your main concerns specialsubject?
I know they're using the green issues to exploit.
I also don't believe climate change is down to human activity. But not pumping poisonous gasses into the atmosphere and stopping the creation of nuclear waste makes total sense to me, so this is what I keep in mind.

A friend has just given me some mesh bags for loose fruit and veg and a big stash of paper bags for loose things like porridge oats etc. The paper bags can apparently be reused a few times before they need recycling she has suggested I write on each bag what has been in it so I can reuse it for that again.
I've set the challenge of going as zero waste as possible and reducing our carbon footprint in the next year. We already recycle what we can and I use reusable nappies and baby wipes for dd3 and reusable sanitary towels for me. Ds4 is still in disposable nappies as the reusable ones are too tight for him. He's three next year and starting to show signs for potty training so will try him in the new year. We also use ecover products as 3 of the dc have allergies to certain chemicals and it's the only thing that doesn't irritate them. We have been using up all our shower gels and liquid shampoos etc and moving on to the soap bars. I've tried the ecoegg but it didn't seem to get marks out of clothes so I'm not sure if I was doing something wrong. We have reusable sandwich wraps and snack bag for school as me and cling film have never gotten on and I got tired of boxes breaking. They have been brilliant so far but I still use a plastic tub for things like tomatoes and grapes as they tend to get squished.
My ex has just helped me transfer my gas and electricity to green star as they are cheaper then my last supplier and use 99% renewable energy. I've also bought some bags of recycled clothes pegs from Morrison's and a washing line to use instead of the drier when the rain stops. I'm going to look over the thread and see if I can pick up any more tips. We are also sorting through clothes and have 3 bags on the go 1 for charity shop, 1 for my ds4 nursery for spares and a bag to take to h&m as they give £5 off a purchase for every bag you take in. I've seen they have sustainable produced clothes so will make a few purchases there in future.

a bag to take to h&m as they give £5 off a purchase for every bag you take in. Could I ask, do they have to be just reusable or will they except rags too?

Also @Lostmyemailaddress are the tariffs any more expensive with Green Star do you know?

They said any type would do as they recycle them to turn them into new clothes when I asked at the counter.
Gas Unit Rate : 2.99(p/kWh)
Electricity Unit Rate : 14.09(p/kWh) they are the charges on the welcome email I received. There's an electricity standing charge of 24.55p a day and the gas is 21.08p a day. It's a lot cheaper then what I was on previously.

The ecoegg does nothing, total con, just extra plastic.

Tomatoes and grapes in December are not exactly ecofriendly!

That's good to know Lostmyemailaddress Thanks.

Specialsubject I know but I have 2 dc with sn and both on medication for adhd and they are one for the few things they will eat during the day as snacks with cheese as they need the calories to keep their weight up. I have been trying to find something to substitute it with but other then homemade flapjack which neither school will allow it's been a struggle so far.

So school won't allow home made flapjacks but are happy with plastic wrapped bought ones?

That's not right.