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).

Have also been unsubscribing emails for sometime now..
Spent a good hour or so browsing a website called big green smile - thinking of buying 5l eco friendly products..
Can't make up my mind between
Method 1l refills vs 5l faith in nature washing up liquid
Have got 5l faith in nature laundry liquid
as well as 5l tea tree and aloe Vera hand wash.. costs a lot so hesitant to go ahead
Thought I will avoid postage if I buy all together.

I really like Big Green Smile - when they have Method laundry concentrate refills on offer (usually 342 in February) I buy enough for the year plus any other bits I want - then I get free delivery.

I don't think they do Method laundry concentrate.. Has any one tried faith in nature laundry liquid
Have used their hand wash and they smell lovely

refill:
www.biggreensmile.com/products/method-laundry-refill-85-washes/mlaundrefill.aspx?productid=mlaundrefill

pump:
www.biggreensmile.com/products/method-laundry-detergent-fresh-air-25-washes/mlaundfreshair.aspx?productid=mlaundfreshair

I didn't know Faith in Nature did laundry cleaner - I'm well stocked for now, but will make mental note to try it in the future. One of those large bottles would probably last us a year

Our small steps for this week -

we've not bought anything for 5 days,

and have decided to holiday in the UK this summer - no flights.

Does anyone have a reliable method of making liquid shampoo,I have very long hair and have found it takes ages to get even coverage and rinse sufficiently with bar shampoo.This is not so much a problem if I washed my hair at night but would then need a hair dryer but I fit it in with my morning shower and dry it n the car.
ATM it is taking a good while and some of my hair looks a bit ropey.
Any tip please?

www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-make-organic-shampoo-from-scratch
I found that 1 that looks simple enough.
With the bars I found that lathering it in my hands works best for dd1 she has long hair down to her bum.

weekly food shop at Asda and i managed to get the onions, leeks, courgettes and peppers unbagged. Same could not be said for potatoes and cauliflower. Bought mayonnaise in a glass jar instead of normal plastic squeezy bottle.

ProfessorLayton1 I think that faith in nature have the edge on eco credibility and plant based contents. I'm new to this but that was my conclusion yesterday when I was stocking up.

Thanks Woodpecker
May I ask where you bought them?

I had a good look round the Indian & Turkish shops in my town centre today & realised that I can get all the loose fruit & veg I need within walking distance of home. Which made me really happy. Just ordered mesh bags & I'll see how it goes.

I ordered from there own website professor but it seems to be dispatched by big green smile so whichever works out cheaper.

Hello, may I join please?

I've been doing a lot of this for quite some time (probably about 10 years!).

I've been using the Ethical Superstore for ages as they supply Faith in Nature, Bio D etc. I use Faith in Nature shampoo, conditioner etc and Bio D for washing up liquid (in 5l bottles which I decant) and washing powder. Also they supply Divine Drinking Chocolate, which, according to DH and the DSs is far superior to any other you can buy! I do one big order every three months or so and that keeps us going.

Years ago, Lakeland sold veg bags called 'Weigh and Store' bags which were zipped mesh bags that I've been using ever since. Sadly, they seem to have stopped selling them, but I think that they were 'ahead of their time' (I must have had mine 12 years!) and they stopped, but I think I might get on to them again to ask if they'll re-stock them as I always get positive comments when I shop and have a new cashier.

Pigeon pie - does BioD washing powder have bleach in them ?

Today is 2 years since I last used shampoo. Turns out that for me it's not necessary at all. I have quite short hair. I just rub it when I shower (like when you shampoo but without any shampoo) and towel dry.

Prof - according to their website they leave out bleach - see biodegradable.biz/laundry/washing-powder-2kg.html and look down the page at 'what we leave out'.

Cancelled Biden sending me paper catalogs. Ridiculous amount of waste. I get two every 2-3 weeks.

Got water bill. We used loads less! My one bath a week each rule has helped!

Boden not Biden.

Years ago, Lakeland sold veg bags called 'Weigh and Store' bags which were zipped mesh bags that I've been using ever since.

I was thinking the IKEA delicates laundry bags would be suitable, but they seem to be discontinued.

I just try and get a box as I go into the supermarket and make up my own "veggie box" . Most supermarkets have packaging boxes available for reuse.

I've just asked Lakeland if they will re-stock their Weigh and Store bags!

Anyone watching the one show? Gordon Ramsey is a dick. He wouldn't even say he would get rid of straws in his establishments and laughed at using reusable coffee mugs.

Heard back from Lakeland - they discontinued the bags due to 'lack of demand'. If you want them - contact them!

Just been in Poundland and they have "Veggie Bags" which seem to be linen with a sort of plasticised mesh inner lining. Drawstring with a zip on the side.

On a station concourse, bought a baguette in a paper bag from Upper Crust - and refused napkins! - rather than going into M&S to buy something in plastic packaging.