Things you've found you can live without

[DontFundHate]

I no longer buy body scrub (I make my own from used ground coffee), I've decided I'll try to stop using bubble bath, maybe a bath bomb for the occasional treat. Instead I'm using some essential oil. I very rarely use kitchen towel, foil and cling film now. Instead I use beeswax wraps, plates on top of bowls in the fridge, tupperware that I already had to carry sandwiches etc. I'm really surprised by how much I've been able to reduce my consumption of things that actually aren't all that necessary for me anymore. What have you stopped using?

newtlover Tupperware it is then, though I was thinking maybe stainless steel containers might be easier to keep clean... heavy though to carry.

Found these www.notonthehighstreet.com/greentulip/product/leak-resistant-stainless-steel-lunch-boxes

Cling film. I have a roll but never use it.

Shower gel and face wash, soap is fine and I have bar face wash from lush. Liquid laundry detergent, use powder from a cardboard box.

Never use the tumble drier (we rent so we have one but it’s not ours).
Never used fabric conditioner.

Red meat at home.

All my beauty products are now ethical/cruelty free. Unfortunately I didn’t really get on with bar shampoo and conditioners, will try again in a few years and see if they have improved.

Crappy quality, cheap new clothes.

Next steps are to get a mooncup, I always forget about my period until it arrives then it’s too late to order one.

Reduce food packaging and use more seasonal fruit and veg. We generally only get through 1 black bin bag of general waste a week and recycle everything else, but I think we could still improve.

@sepsisqndAKI it’s earth conscious deodorant. I’m seriously impressed as I was very sceptical.

Sorry @sepsisandAKI for above

@newtlover my mum made me some beeswax wraps for Christmas. AFAIK she just grated some beeswax over fabric and ironed it before cutting it with pinking shears.

I've tried wrapping cheese which was ok although I'm not sure I wrapped it tightly enough. Was fine for sandwiches too.

Hellbentwellwent I get that - I've been reusing the packets for keeping hair bands, grips, packet clip things etc, so I haven't really thought about it!

I have a sodastream for water and I love it, use it all the time.

thanks Magpie
just ordered some beeswax! maybe I need pinking shears too....

Thank you. Will take a look.

Crap, was just researching soda stream after dh had mentioned the whole BDS boycott of their factory in the West Bank, just seen they’ve just announced they’re building a new one in the Gaza Strip.... mint press have a pretty damning article on it

yes, and there doesn't seem to be any alternative either

Noooo. Can't do right for doing wrong.

@wonkydonk87 @trumpton
I bought those bamboo ones too. I really like them.

@lost5stone
Can I ask what you use instead of shampoo and conditioner?
A shampoo bar? What do you replace conditioner with? Thank you

Following...

@Nonomore3
DD has now made me bamboo towelling squares backed with pretty cotton to use as washable “paper” towels .
So pretty and so far working really well.

Clean and Clear face wash with microbeads. I use another brand and a sponge instead now.
Tampons (loving my Lunette cup!)
Building my way up to no disposable sanitary towels. It's getting easier each month.
No cat litter bags. I use clumping, flushable litter instead now and empty the whole thing every 6 weeks into the normal bin.

@newtlover don’t need pinking shears for beeswax wraps. The wax stops them fraying.

Surely there are better places to buy all these brilliant green products than Amazon?

@Nonomore3 yes a shampoo bar. No conditioner just apple cider vinegar rinse and some Argan oil. Find I don't need the conditioner now. I think when I read about it we use conditioner because shampoo strips the natural oils in your hair. But natural shampoo bars don't strip the oils (That could be made up!)

@Lost5stone
Interesting!
And it must be working for you. I will give this go. You are just ‘conditioned’ into using things like conditioner. It’s good to question everything really given the dire state of our planet and in these desperate times it shouldn’t even really matter if the substitute isn’t quite as good. I mean who cares about how shiny our hair is when the world is drowning in plastic and our water systems are overrun with chemicals?!
I will try it. Thanks

@Trumpton
Great initiative from your daughter! I dont believe that product exists.
That is the only issue with them. They do get stained and to keep things as eco friendly as possible I don’t really want to be bleaching and washing at high temps. I don’t mind using, alongside a casual meal, if they are a bit stained but doesn’t feel quite right for guests. ‘Pretty’ ones would be perfect for that. And I could
Make an effort not to use those on dark things that could stain.
Great idea. Thanks