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).

Thank you thank you for telling me about bamboo toothbrushes. They're an item I didn't know how to go green on, so this is great.

They won't allow any biscuits or cakes but I know they serve them as my dc have school dinners the snack bags they take in is if incase they refuse to eat what on the menu. They both being assessed for asd and both have sensory issues and certain textures and tastes make them retch and sometimes vomit. We have the same over some smells so they both carry a cotten handkerchief with essential oil dabbed on.

School banning homemade flapjacks that ridiculous.

My dd1 is due to leave soon so hoping her new one will be more understanding. She's currently in mainstream but moving to specialised provision soon.

Thank you for telling me about bamboo toothbrushes. I've been using mine for a few days now, I've changed it from an electric one, I find I have to concentrate on cleaning more, making sure I'm being thorough but I'm not just saying this, after when I floss, there's definitely less coming off on the floss. I know it's nothing to do with the actually bamboo but still. It's been that long since I've used a manual toothbrush.

I am switching back to tinned cat food after learning that the foil pouches aren't re-cyclable but tins are. I am also buying a soda stream to replace bottles of soda and fizzy juice, and have switched to shampoo bars.

Re. Splosh: for using your own bottles it does tell you the proportions on the site, although you have to search through the FAQ.

Here:
can i use my own bottles and fill them with splosh products?
You can use your own bottles – from our Home page go to Order Refills then click the Get started button. Select the bottles you want to order refills for and, once your account is set up, these refills will be visible to you.
Please note the following when using non Splosh bottles:
Liquid laundry detergents – pour the refill pouch into the bottle but please note our liquid is highly concentrated so you only need 20ml per dose. (The Splosh bottle automatically measures this dose).
Laundry powder – pour into a canister that can keep the powder dry. The dosage is only 20g per load.
Fabric conditioners – pour the refill pouch into the bottle but please note our liquid is highly concentrated so you only need 10ml per dose. (The Splosh bottle automatically measures this dose).
Washing up liquids – the concentrate has to be diluted to 1 part concentrate 2 parts water before use.
Surface cleaners – one sachet per 500ml bottle then dilute.
Hand wash gel – 2 sachets per 250ml bottle then dilute. NB The sachets may not fit into other hand wash bottles.
Please note the bottle labelling will be incorrect if you use other bottles. If your existing bottles don’t work, you can always order the Splosh bottles later.

I have just measured the correct amount of water into my method spray bottle and marked it with permanent marker for next time.

I've just ordered a filter jug to see if that way I can drink tap water instead of bottled.

I also hunted out all my left over Xmas cards from past years and have used them this year instead of buying another new pack.

I keep Xmas cards and then use the picture bit the following year as a gift tag.

Good investigation re Splosh measurements lois - I've never found those! I am more likely to place another order now.

I used to love doing that as a child rebeccabunch!

My mum used to get all of the last years Christmas cards out at the beginning of December. Me and my sister used to cut the picture bit out and then we'd punch a hole in the corner and put some string through.

I'd forgotten completely about doing that until your post jogged my memory. So thank you!

Love this thread. I've always tried to recycle, buy 2nd hand etc but over the last year or so my awareness/horror over how much unnecessary packaging etc we produce has really been growing and bothering me.
Here are some of the things I've been trying to do;

Buy mostly local unpackaged veg from local stalls (realise this is not an option everywhere in the UK). Still give into the temptation every so often to buy e.g. grapes in a plastic box...
Carry my reusable water bottle everywhere and reusable shopping bags.
Never really do take away meals/coffees etc anyway.
Recently begun making fresh juice in blender instead of buying packaged
Stopped taking milk in tea, have resolved not to buy more cheese til the new year (a real test of willpower ). On a low meat diet, toying with going veggie or vegan... maybe....
Bought a mooncup, have not braved it yet!
Using bar soap instead of showergel.

Does anyone have a good alternative to disposable razors?
What else should I be thinking about now?

You can get a DE razor, the old fashioned kind that uses blades rather than cartridges. My son didn't get on with his, though.

Yes, I've bought a nice pink metal DE safety razor from Edwin Jagger. Replacement blades are extremely cheap and only come wrapped in paper in one tiny plastic box so much less waste all round.

I know that we should kick our Nespresso habit altogether, but we do recycle all of the capsules. And I use some of the coffee grounds as face and body scrub.

I bought my hubby a reusable razor - he has never showed the slightest bit of interest in reducing single use plastic but he does baulk at the cost of gillette razor blades so hopefully frugality will win him over. Then I can use it too so double win.

Took my own cup to the coffee shop for a take away. Really trying to reduce, reuse, recycle more

I'm trying washable sanitary towels for the first time. All good so far although they need a pin in to hold them in place better.

I have ordered a local veg bag which is no packing, organic and seasonsal but now I have to learn how to cook a huge red cabbage, beetroot and 2 Savoy cabbages, help.

Interesting clip about real vs. fake Christmas trees: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05rjwjl

Fantastic thread. I’ve been taking baby steps in the last year but I’m reeling after the massive ecological nightmare of Christmas. This thread has given me loads of inspiration to haul myself back on the bandwagon.

Did weekly shop and used reusable bags to grab and weigh/carry the loose veg rather then the throwaway thing plastic ones that I normally use in Tesco.

Made it to a Lush yesterday and got some solid shampoo and conditioner to try. Also a bunch of soap which was 50% off. I think I have a years supply 😀.

Felt great not buying plastic.

Managed to find a small independent cobbler to get my boots resoled and DH's shoes resoled. The cost at Timpsons for the shoes was only £2 cheaper than buying a new pair! The soles we have now should outlast the boots/shoes. That's been done on 1 x boots and 2 x pair of shoes.

Walked to shop instead of taking car, and went to butcher, green grocer instead of supermarket as they are closer. Only bought what I could comfortably carry home so maybe less chance of throwing out spoilt food in a week’s time.
Milkman doesn’t deliver glass and costs 50% more than going to aldi but maybe worthwhile as milk shopping is my primary reason for shopping with the car
Those of you who don’t use plastic, what do you in the butchers?

I take my own Tupperware to the butcher as he is happy to use that instead. We don't eat much in the way of meat as a result as it's more expensive but I figure that's good for the planet too as cattle use up so much water.