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’m taking steps to actively recycle things now we’ve moved house and have a garage. Much easier now we have storage for this.

I want to see how much we actually use.

I leave a picnic bag in the car with six plates, cups and cutlery. It's all reusable (after washing). This means that a family lunch out can be larger packets divided up rather than lots of individual packaging which for 6 people, can fill a bin!

I always carry cloth bags for shopping, stored in the car.

I reuse packing from postal deliveries.

I print and stick barcodes directly to lose fruit and veg. They don't need an extra plastic bag.

I take reusable cups if I'm having a take away coffee.

I use half measures of washing powder with a tablespoon of washing soda if needed for soiled items.

We share baths.

I clean with recycled cloths, hot water and washing up liquid.

We recycle responsibly, a shocking amount each fortnight, about 350 litres. Making it around 700 litres a month. Luckily our recycling collection will take extra, if left open beside the recycling bins.

This surely demonstrates that packaging is a problem, but at least it's being reused/ recycled.

Or possibly not @cookingteaforsix (re. the recycling) ☹️
There just needs to be less single use packaging full stop.

UK plastics recycling industry under investigation for fraud and corruption

www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/18/uk-recycling-industry-under-investigation-for-and-corruption

That's quite worrying. I'm recycling thinking I'm helping when maybe I'm not.

I know. It's so disheartening. I know that a lot of packaging in food is about logistics and reducing waste etc. but the current system just isn't sustainable. We can do our bit as consumers to a degree, but major change will need to come from supermarkets etc.

In the house move I’ve throw away one thing (coat hanger which broke). Al other stuff has been taken to recycling point or charity shop. So hopefully it’ll be recycled reused relived as applicable.

This thread is amazing, just spent the last few days glued to my screen (maybe not so eco friendly!) reading everyone's tips. As a result of this thread I've ordered reusable sanpro and have decided not to buy new winter boots as I usually do every year, instead I will clean up some completely fine ones that I already have. I'm also planning to source as many clothes as I can for DS1 from charity when he's ready to size up. DS2 has his hand me downs and I'm trying not to buy any clothes anyway. I'll also ask royal mail to stop spam mail and will email those who send me catalogues. Thanks for the tips

For those finding it hard to remember a reusable bag, try clipping one to your car / house keys, then it will always be with you

Oh you also inspired me to cut down even more on my use of kitchen towel. I've placed some old muslin clothes next to my room to remind me to use that instead where I can

I’m so glad I’ve found this thread!

I have been feeling so down about the recent IPCC report and reading threads where people say ‘It’s too little too late’ and not to bother because you’re only one person etc has made me so anxious. Coming here and reading about the small every day things that I can swap has made me feel much more positive. Surely it’s better to try than just to accept the future is bleak for our children? I personally can’t just give up.

So far I have:

• swapped to a reusable bamboo cup
• metal water bottle for toddler
• bamboo tableware for toddler
• reusable baby wipes
• menstrual cup and cloth wipes
• bio nappies (hope to switch to cloth soon)
• cloth bags for shopping
• milk delivery
• switching to glass spray bottles and natural cleaner
• finding new skin care made in glass containers
• no plastic toys for Christmas

Going to switch more things as they break and look into how to reduce plastic in our food shopping. Any tips for this?

I've been reading this thread with interest. We've done a lot in the last year to reduce plastic and become more eco friendly but still have a long way to go, it seems.

Only about half way through, but some great ideas I'm going to implement:
Reusing glass jars for storing soup/pasta sauce etc for the freezer (we go through a lot of jam so can use those
Getting washable breastpads then using them as make up remover pads (I'm pregnant with #2)
Bamboo toothbrushes
Also inspired me to restart using out local fruit and veg shop. Everything is as local and seasonal as possible, very tasty and they deliver everything in a big cardboard box with zero plastic. Plus they'll happily just reuse the boxes if you give them back.

I've started using our greengrocer again who uses paper bags which is great, but also was warmed by how much they are part of the community: an elderly lady was in there (possibly had dementia) and the shop assistant knew exactly what she wanted and guided her round the shop.

I'm off to refill liquid soap and laundry detergent from my no waste shop today.

Has anyone used Olio before? It's an app for reducing food waste.

I had heard about Olio, on Ed Miliband's podcast of all places!! I keep meaning to check it out. Are there many people on it in your local area wilderness?

Had a look at olio thanks, loads in my local area. I kind of get the impression it's for people in need though? At least around here that's who people wanted to give to

Hound there's hardly anyone on it in my area which is a real shame. I don't think it's for people in need necessarily (although I imagine the bulk stuff from places like Pret a Manger does go to the homeless), it's more about reducing waste.

Liquid soap refill is nice but about four times the price I would pay in Aldi, so I think I'll be moving to bar soap in the future.

Has anyone uses TOTM organic tampons? They say they’re environmentally friendly etc. I don’t want to use pads or a mooncup so these sound good.....

Hello, joining for inspiration - here's to a greener, cleaner & leaner 2019!

Have started drying my washing outside. Haven’t used the tumble dryer for 2 weeks now.

Have also planted some veggies in our garden.

Still using reuseable cloth wipes for removing make up and for kitchen cleaning bathroom cleaning etc.

Dishwasher goes on when it’s full. Maybe every other day...

@ememem84 nice one!
We're enjoying using cloth nappies & reusable wet wipes - feeling quite proud of our efforts though know it's only a drop in the ocean.

The cloth wipes I’m using were actually bought to use as wet wipes for nappy changes. But I couldn’t face it. The Ick factor was too much for me!

Dc2 is on the way and maybe for her I’ll try.. but I doubt it. I thought about cloth nappies too but again. Ick factor won.

Also I don’t think nursery would deal with cloth nappies so that’s a non starter really. Which is sad.

I don’t flush wipes although I know tons of people who do. 😱

I try and reuse plastic stuff we have at home - eg we used yoghurt pots this weekend as planters for seeds. And I bought a fruit pot for my breakfast at work the other day and kept the pot so will now make my own fruit pots. Much cheaper and gives the pot a reuse so cuts down on single use plastic.

Picked up some coffee grounds at Waitrose yesterday for the garden. And popped to the stables and grabbed some pony poop for my roses. So recycling there!

Dh bought a compost bin and were composting all our food waste (well not all but the uncooked peelings etc and teabags and coffee grounds etc). Once the garden has finished growing veg this year we’ll dig the nice compost in. And will hopefully get more lovely things next year.

Decided against reuseable nappies for dc2.

Washing machine is on eco setting now and heating is off.

We’re looking into getting a garden table made (by people at our local prison) from recycled wood. Not entirely sure how much this will cost but will do research.

ememem, sorry to be annoying but are your teabags the compostable kind?

Haven't been I this board for ages and I've been off putting things into place but I'm back for more ideas.

Has anyone been shopping at zero waste store recently? I found 3 in my area then one closed down sadly. I drive to them so not great for carbon but I'm going to train/cycle to one this Thurs to see how long it takes me and it's only a top-up shop.

I'm debating whether I should order from plastic free pantry or go smaller and often but drive.

We are getting an electric car soon so I'm excited for that!

I haven’t bought cling film for a year - we used to use it quite a bit. I just bought some snack sized plates to put over deep bowls of leftovers and found it works fine in the fridge. Also discovered greaseproof paper sandwich bags and bamboo toothbrushes. Gone back to bar soap for the sinks. If I occasionally buy yoghurt I get the little glass jars. My dd is vegetarian and dh and I eat meat about once a week.
There’s a zero waste shop in my nearest town - but I will need to be organised to visit it regularly.

It's very easy to make yogurt, geranium. Use a small live yogurt for your first batch, with UHT milk, in a slow cooker. I do mine in my instant pot in individual jars. So easy.