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).

NinaMarieP, that does sound expensive. I buy mine from a local no plastic shop and they sell them by weight. 50 tablets or so cost about 20p. Maybe there are other providers you can find?

That sounds much more reasonable! Unfortunately there are no shops like that where I am (at least none I've heard of). I'll have to have a look and see if I can get some online cheaply.

Today's step - have opted to buy good quality secondhand winter and rain gear for our youngest daughter for a fraction of the price it would cost new.

Okay...please be gentle with me. I'm very new to trying to do much environmentally other than the obvious recycling.

However spurred on by worries about plastic and the latest climate change report I have made a (small) start:

• I've finally ordered cloth san pro which should arrive in time for my next period (tried a mooncup, just couldn't get on with it)

• I'm changing to reusable coffee cups from tomorrow, if I don't have my reusable cup I won't have a takeaway coffee

• From this Saturday we will buy our veg from the local grocers down the road using re-usable produce bags instead of from the supermarket

I've already made the change from shower gel to soap.

So those are my first small changes though they're not much in the whole scale of my diesel guzzling, consumerist lifestyle...have to start somewhere though I guess!

That's what it's all about umpteen, small, manageable changes. And then maybe when you talk about them to a work colleague about it, maybe they will be inspired to make a small change of their own.
I have stopped using clingfilm completely. And I have cycled to work rather than driven for 8 out of the last 11 days. Should see a positive change to my waistline at this rate as well!

The packaging on Border's biscuits makes me wince @WooWoo1000 Used to love their chocolate gingers 😢

Im waiting to run out of cleaning stuff laundry liquid etc as I would love to try the splosh stuff.
Have just bought some ecloths too but then read somewhere about fibres coming off them and polluting the environment.
Changed from shower gel to soap.

@mrsjackrussell if you’d like to try Splosh you can get £3 off a starter pack with referral code 10A2CC (I also get £1 for referring - hope it’s ok to post this). Also if anyone else wants to use the code it is good for 5 uses so please feel free. I would genuinely (not just for the money!) recommend their products - I buy their laundry powder, washing up liquid, kitchen spray and floor cleaner at the moment. Easy, works well and all the packaging is either home compostable or can be posted back to them free of charge.

E cloth/microfibre cloth problem discussed here: www.asustainablelife.co.uk/7-easy-ways-to-reduce-microfibre-pollution/

About to start our 2nd box of Who Gives A Crap loo roll. No plastic and it lasts forever so not (much) more expensive than the supermarket stuff.

I am still on my first box of Who Gives A Crap toilet paper, it really does last forever, with the bonus of doing some good too - I am definitely a convert.

I was very sceptical and only trialled in on an offer - but one roll equals at least 2 Andrex style rolls (3-4 rolls of the cheap ones). Plus no bleach, no plastic - really is excellent.

Also the inner tubes are extremely solid and the DC are planning all kinds of awesome builds with them.

I ordered reusable san pro yesterday.
I’m getting a bundle of second hand Barbies on ebay to box up for the 2 yr olds birthday.
I’ve asked for refillable coffee pods for my birthday.

First time using my home made wax cloth instead of cling wrap. It's awesome.
Also pulling together some materials to make reusable sanpro for my dd.

I wonder what us more eco friendly - ebooks or paper? I have around 1000 ebooks and charge the kindle once a month.

I've joined a local zero-waste FB group where people are making small changes. I also found out that the local town to us is getting a new shop where you'll be able to refill all types of household cleaner and shampoo, conditioner, laundry solutions, etc.

Quite excited for that to open.

In a second I'm off to the local butcher and greengrocer with my cardboard box for groceries

@ChilliHobnobs

This is the kind of quandary I find myself mulling over all the time now. It's not always an easy thought process...I've just purchased a kindle (for entirely selfish reasons) so wondering the same thing.

I easily get through 50-100 books per year...

@ChilliHobnobs

I just found this article where hopefully someone has done the thinking for us! Haven't read it yet...

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2010/oct/05/ebook-printed-books-kindle-environment

I also just found a pretty thorough 148 page study...in summary it seems they are about the same but much depends on various factors, so..

Someone who only reads a few books a year, passes them on to be read by others = hard copies are better

Someone who reads many books, the books aren't re-read = kindle

Yesterday I bought the eco friendly all purpose cleaner - it still comes in a plastic bottle but I'm going to dilute it in my Mr Muscle bottle when that runs out. Had an almost vegan day and bought the loose washing plant based washing powder instead of the plastic pout of tabs

@umpteennamechanges - Kindle all the way for me then :-)
thanks for the link.