Would like to chat about Less

[WhitegreeNcandle]

So, I’ve just read Patrick Grants book Less and found it really thought provoking. I’ve never bought from places like SHEIN but I had been trundling along thinking I was doing ok. Since reading it I’ve realised how much tat we are surrounded by and I don’t want to be a part of it any more. I hadn’t realised how insidious it’s become really. It’s not just the quality of stuff it’s about how the economy could work on a quality scale.

Would love to just chat about easy swaps to make. Preferably cheap ones and it is a more expensive lifestyle I think. I went into our local refill shop yesterday and found there is a local company who do cleaning refills. Manufactured within 20 miles of where I live, reusable glass bottles etc.

As for 'still trying', I don't really think of it as 'trying'. It's just how we live.

I agree, plastic film is on everything. Years ago a soft fruit was be in cardboard tubs. But I don’t think cardboard can survive the trucks etc.
If they have to use soft plastic, why can’t it be home compostable. I’m sure cardboard shapes etc could be used more. I know has a higher carbon footprint but is easier to recycle and does rot!
I take a couple of bags of plastic to supermarket. I use the cat litter bag as my big bag. Hope that makes sense!

I'm still wearing the same clothes I bought over 10 years ago. I don't buy lots of new clothes because I don't need it. I also have a lot of old furniture that is solid wood and I like it. I know it's not fashionable but I don't really care. I have had my wooden wall units and dining room table for over 40 years and it was not new when I got it. My DS has IKEA furniture and I think it's flimsy compared to mine.

I'm still plugging away here. I've had quite a bit of 'new to me' stuff from vinted, which was necessary due to not having any clothes that fit me. I've made it a rule that I can only spend from my vinted balance, so I'm treating it a bit like a library, buying and selling but cost neutral to me. This also limits me to only getting what I really need / want, rather than impulse buying loads because I can.
I think going forward, the only new stuff I'll buy will be underwear, and I'll try and get stuff that will last well - any recommendations gratefully received.
I've also done quite well swapping plants and seedlings, even managed to trade some for eggs 😁

I have another book recommendation for those who liked Less. Craftland by James Fox. I’m only a few chapters in but adoring it. It’s sent me down a bodger shaped rabbit hole. Have a look at this skill!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/videos/cp0gz9gm8z8o

Anyone still trying?
We have recently got food waste bins! I’m horrified at our waste! Not so much me and DH!
But the waste from my adult children is shocking! I suppose at least I’m not paying for it!

We have just gotten food waste bins and I’m a convert 😄 Due to guinea pigs ours is mostly coffee grounds and tea bags, with an honorable mention for egg shell. Simultaneously pleased by how little food we waste and horrified by how much coffee we drink!

Yes we've just got food waste bins too, but there's not a lot goes in them, mainly egg shells and banana skins. Not even teabags yet, because I save them over the summer and turn them into fire lighters for the winter.

Hope I'm not derailing, but how do you do this please?

@snoopydoopydo Dry them out (I peg them out which gives the neighbours a laugh) then dip them in melted wax - there's really not much to it.
I started out using the stub ends of old candles, but I'm not much of a scented candle person so had to beg them from friends and neighbours.
This year I've bitten the bullet and bought wax pellets from a candle making web-site.
It's not really a money-saving thing, I like the idea of things not going to waste. Also, they don't smell petrol-y like normal fire-lighters.

That’s very clever!
Our firelighters are tumble dryer fluff stuffed into toilet roll tubes.
obviously if we were fully eco we wouldn’t be using the dryer in the first place, but we have lodgers who prefer it.

Ooh I like that! I don't use the drier much, but i'm going to become a fluff collector now too!

Thank you, I love this idea and will give it a try!

Anyone watching the #landfillcore thread!
Very interesting.

Hello! Nice to see some activity here again. I’m definitely still trying. Still living without a tablecloth! I buy far less but much better quality clothes. Always looking (but don’t always suceed) buying British made. As an aside as a farmer we had been warning about salmonella from
imported eggs for ages. There’s been outbreaks in Europe and the industry have been trying to shout for ages that it will happen here if we don’t put tariffs on imported eggs.

anyway, I also grew a bit more veg than normal this year and still try hard to support local business when I can.

Love the firelighters idea - will steal both of those. I know we shouldn’t use a tumble dryer but farming is mucky and it does run off solar panels!

Hadn't seen that one, but will have a look.
I'm still trying too. Good quality clothes (largely from vinted) and I'm also trying to get a bit of a garden produce swap thing going in our village at the moment - I quite like the idea of bartering ...