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).

I went shopping at my local community food cooperative today for the first time.
They do local organic fruit and veg, locally sourced organic meat, zero-waste grains and cereals in bulk, ethical beauty and clean in products and lots of other random lovely things!
I bought some washing up liquid (this was the actual reason I went there) and then also some organic beef burgers for a treat, some buckwheat to use in a new recipe I'm going to try out, some fancy snacks and DS chose some organic raspberry jam biscuits for himself.
It was a lovely experience. The staff were really helpful and friendly as well. I came out feeling terribly worthy and very evangelical about my lifestyle choice!
Then when I got home I rang my mum and bored her to death about it!

I tweeted a couple of supermarkets with photos of their plastic-wrapped fruit & veg and asking when they were going to cut down on plastics. Quick replies back from both saying they'd pass on the feedback. Maybe if enough people put the pressure on...

www.countryliving.co.uk/news/news/a3189/iceland-supermarket-plastic-free-packaging/?utm_campaign=syndication&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=upday

Iceland are going to be stopping the use of plastic hopefully others will follow suit

eu declares war on plastic waste

We already use reusable nappies and are only having one child, but I've also just convinced DH to switch to soap bars and we are looking in to alternative shampoos and I've made an order for milk from the milk man, in glass bottles.

I took my mesh fruit &veg bags shopping for the first time today. I was half-expecting to be challenged as I set them on the conveyor belt but the cashier just glanced down & put them through as normal.

I ordered a couple of cloth pads to try. If I like them I'll have to build up to having enough for my entire period as it's too expensive for me to buy them all at once. Luckily I have a small stockpile of disposable san-pro so as i use them I'll increase my cloth.
What do cloth users do about storing used pads till you wash them?

GinandSonic I have only started using cheeky wipes pads recently and the box they come in is great for soaking them. You also get a bottle of essential oil. Think it was a £40 Bundle.

I rinse in cold water and use a bit of hand soap then soak and spray a bit of vanish on before washing at 30 degrees.

I thought it would be a real pain to make sure I had enough clean and dry ones in circulation but it's been fine, even with a heavy period. Wish I'd tried these years ago.

I don't even have 40quid spare I've just remembered I have a spare kitchen compost caddy with a lid, will stick it behind the loo with cold water for soaking.
We use an appalling amount of plastic here (I'm a bit of a fizzy pop addict) and I really want to try to reduce it. I'm going to get shampoo and conditioner bars, I'm already switching to bar soap.

Not sure if this is a good idea Gin but have you thought about a soda stream? I have seen a few good options in ebay and you can re** use the bottles.

I think a large Tupperware could also work for used pads. Something with a lid anyway. Worth a try x

I rinse my pads off after use and throw them straight into the washing machine drum until I put a wash on

We popped into TKMaxx today and topped up our glass dish collection. Trying to go ‘tupperware’ free at home, although still have a few for taking food out etc.

On that note, has anyone tried stainless steel food co trainers for snacks, lunch boxes etc? If so, how do you find them and can you recommend any brands?

co-op aiming for own brand plastic free tea by end of the year

I’ve either re- found this thread of found it (can’t see that I’ve already posted...)

Was talking to dh about this by coincidence this morning so decided to take a look at the ethical living boards.

I am trying to think a bit more about waste and recycling.

I use a plastic reuseable water bottle.
I don’t buy take away coffee - I used to have a cup a day but worked out that it was costing me £500+ a year...
I’ve bought an eco egg for laundry - I like it but my washing doesn’t smell clean (I know this is all in my head though). I still have detergent but use this for visibly dirty stained clothes only.
I’ve been using cheeky wipes for make up removal for a while now - am yet to try them on ds at nappy change time - just can’t bring myself to do it.
Ordered reusable sanitary pads yesterday - have been wanting to try these for ages but was never brave enough.
We rarely waste food - dh likes to cook so enjoys inventing dinners and we take leftovers to work for lunches.
We live close enough to work so we can walk - it’s a 35 minute walk so I try and do it in the nice weather.

Em can you just use the cheeky wipes after he has done a wee? It is years since I had a brief spell of using terry cloth nappies, but you just need to soak them in Milton before bungling them in the wash.

I am trying to eat some of the crap that has been lurking in my freezer. I'm really good at not wasting food by freezing it, but not so good at remembering to eat it!

I'm taking the ethical thing one step at a time, but am almost out of tea bags. Need to retrieve my teapot from DS before I buy loose tea.

wilderness I could....just haven’t...I should probably.

I'm really pleased that the amount of plastic surrounding Easter Eggs has reduced significantly. All of the ones I bought this year are only in cardboard.

@ememem84 we use Cheeky Wipes for nappy changes. You don't need to do anything afterwards - just stick them in the washing machine. No different than clothes with pee/poo on.

@belfastsmile see even the clothes with poo on freak me out! Haha!

I have separated them out into their colours though. Pink and purple for my face. Yellow for ds (currently using some in the bath) but may start using on his bum , blue for kitchen cleaning and green for bathroom cleaning.

Love this thread. I came across it a few months ago but bookmarked it to read at another date as was moving house and had a very busy few months.
I’ve recently switched to plastic/chemical free deodorant, shampoo and conditioner from a company called plastics free.
I am soooo impressed with the deodorant. I was really sceptical about it being as good but it’s bloody marvellous. I wear it for running, working out, all day in work etc and never smell anything other than fresh. Lovely.
Shampoo and conditioner bars i am using and impressed with but I think it’s going to take a little while to get completely used to it as it makes my hair such a different texture. Pros are not as much dandruff as I used to get and my hair is easier to manage (not so big and frizzy now). But it has a sort of waxy texture to it which is mostly apparent when I first blow dry it and then seems to disappear after the first day. Maybe I should let me hair dry naturally and see if that helps. I might try it without the conditioner too to see if that makes a difference - never thought I’d ever say that, conditioner has always been vital in managing my hair but seriously, it’s the shiniest and easiest to manage it’s ever been so I might be okay to go without!
I’ve also bought soap nuts to use on the laundry, I’m going to get some essential oils to go with them. I’ve read that you can use soap nuts to make your own washing up liquid/shower gel/soap too so might give this a try.
Any recommendations for face cream? I love my Nivea, have used it for years and years but alas, it’s plastic, so has to go. Might google for a homemade face cream recipe.
I’ve just read up thread about washable sanitary pads, eager to give this a go too.

I've put the washing outside to dry for the first time this year - I love being able to do this. I don't have a tumble dryer but do use a heated airier in the winter. They just need an hour or so inside to finish off.

I found a great ethical blog called Moral Fibres - she has lots of recipes for in the home, she might have a face cream too.

Three of us have been using a lush shampoo bar for over 2 months now and there is still at least half of it left. I'm very pleased with it!

Soap bars not shower gel.
Will never buy tampax with stupid new pointless plastic applicator again.
Bought a metal water bottle for each member of family.
All plastic food tubs to be recycled into the --utility room— potting shed ; the transparant ones are perfect for germinating seeds.
Share kids clothes and boots about with friends between babies.
Buy biggest volumes or refills wherever Poss.

Does anyone know where we can get refillable cleaning products from? Or shampoos? Remember body shop used to refill its bottles? Thanks, great thread xx

Haven't bought anything yet from here but have a look at biggreensmile..

Anyone used this?
www.splosh.com/what-is-splosh/