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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Giving up plastic

57 replies

StrongLegs · 25/10/2021 20:00

Hi,

I just saw Boris Johnson's comments on giving up plastic and it seems sensible to me.

I wondered if anybody had any tips on how to do it?

We always seem to have a lot to go in the recycling bin every week.

I get groceries delivered, and my worst sin is that I have gut problems that mean I can't drink tap water and have to buy bottled. I'm working very hard on sorting that, but haven't managed yet.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Cynderella · 25/10/2021 20:11

I'm guessing you have tried filtering tap water? I've never heard of people unable to drink tap water although I know lots of people who don't like the taste. I guess the only answer is bottle in glass bottles, but that's definitely one to work on.

Could you try shampoo bars and bar soap if you use liquid stuff now? I use a lot less than I used to, but still not there yet. Washing powder instead of alternative. Ditch fabric conditioner. Reusable shopping bags.

Generally buy less!

puddleduck234 · 25/10/2021 20:23

Small changes over time, and don’t get disheartened.

We’ve switched to a milk man, cloth nappies and wipes (but still use disposable when we’re out and about - we do our best) soap and paying slightly more for fruit and veg to avoid plastic covering and avoiding plastic toys. I haven’t managed to give up shampoo and conditioner yet as I’ve not found an affordable one I like on my budget.

You can get water in cans now but I wouldn’t know where to buy them.

StrongLegs · 25/10/2021 20:24

Thanks, good point. I'll try glass bottles. I should try boiling the tap water, or letting it stand for 24 hours too. Maybe that would work. Filering didn't seem to help. I think it's the chlorine that's the problem as swimming pool water also doesn't work for me.

I didn't know that shampoo came in bars. Thanks, I'll look out for that. We do use bars of soap for handwashing.

I used Ecover which I buy in massive bottled, and then I decant it into one of those tiny shampoo bottles that are intended to be taken as hand luggage onto planes, because they I can put a tiny squirt into the washing machine drawer. It really cuts down how fast I get through the stuff. I wondered if they would sell it in glass bottles?

I do order food shops with no bags, and when they come I just carry them through to the kitchen in the crate and then empty the crate in one go, onto the kitchen floor.

I almost never drive and haven't flown in years, so at least we have that covered. Also we pay for entirely renewable gas and electricity. We have an old house that is eligible for a huge grant to have one of the new heating systems, but I the work to have it put in would be epic. I'm pretty certain we'd have to move out.

Sorry - I didn't mean to go entirely into the climate change stuff, but I feel as if the COP26 thing is not going to solve it and we need to do stuff ourselves - everybody I mean. I feel as though it's really quite urgent, and I can't really see how to do it.

OP posts:
ivfbabymomma1 · 25/10/2021 20:28

I use a reusable deodorant stick (you buy a one off case & the re fill it) it saves me buying a plastic roll on once a month! A very small change but still!

BabyRace · 25/10/2021 20:29

I use homethings cleaning products, got the glass bottles and the refill tabs. They're pretty good

WineIsMyCarb · 25/10/2021 20:30

Milkman
Stop buying cling film, tin foil or old Tupperware, or bowl with a plate over it for in the fridge is fine
Buy ham from local deli /bakery/butcher and take own takeaway container
Stop buying 'stuff'. Take a more minimalist approach to life.
Washing powder in a bid cardboard box
Who gives a crap loo roll
Brand name fairy liquid, water it down by 30-50%
Greengrocer or just loose fruit and veg wherever possible
Butcher rather than supermarket (also supports local businesses)
Don't buy takeaway coffee or supermarket sandwiches, take own food on days out as much as poss

Imagine if we could all halve our plastic usage. Aim for half reduction.

For your water leave a glass jug in the fridge - the chlorine will have evaporated after 24 hours, and most of that after 8 hours (overnight)

Lucia574 · 25/10/2021 20:31

Do you have a refill shop near you? Ours sells cleaning and toiletry stuff plus dried goods: pasta, flour, dried fruit etc. Liquids fold by volume; dry stuff by weight. There are lots of them
Popping up, so worth googling.

Cynderella · 25/10/2021 21:17

Yes to a milkman - it would have been unaffordable when kids were little, but doable now. We don't have veg boxes all the time, but we use a local one that is low plastic.

I don't buy cling film or kitchen roll any more. Oh yes, and microfibre cloths - all those microplastics leaching into the water supply.

WhereYouLeftIt · 25/10/2021 22:52

Look in your recycling. What products are filling it up most? That's where you start.

To use myself as an example:

We go through a ton of milk, half my recycling seemed to be 4-pint packs (even when squashed). Started getting milk delivered in glass bottles which the milkman picks up and takes away. More expensive, but worth it to me.

Once there were no milk cartons in the recycling, looked for what was filling the bin up now. A dead heat between yoghurt pots and coleslaw pots.

Coleslaw pots - started buying cabbage and carrots and mayonnaise in glass jars. Really easy to make coleslaw! I actually prefer it now. Coleslaw and carrots stay fresh in the fridge for ages, so the coleslaw is always nice.

Yoghurt pots - went onto the internet to find out how to make yoghurt - surprisingly easy! Milk is delivered in glass bottles, I make yoghurt with that, pour it into clean jam jars. Sorted!

Other items have been replaced too. I use washing powder in cardboard boxes, not liquids that come in big plastic bottles. Soap bars instead of showergel. Shampoo bars. Dishwasher powder in cardboard boxes. Soft drinks in cans not plastic bottles (multipacks are usually in cardboard not plastic now).

Have a look at which products are creating the most plastic waste in your household, and pick them off one by one.

Have a look if there are any zero waste shops nearby, where you take your own jars and fill them there. I can get all sorts of things from mine, like nuts, dried fruits, herbs and spices, pasta, flour, coffee, tea, etc. All those 800g mayonnaise jars from making coleslaw come in very handyGrin.

Hope this helps you see how to make a start, rather than be overwhelmed by the task. Good luck!

hemhem · 25/10/2021 22:57

@whereyouleftit great advice, brilliant post! I feel quite inspired
Our plastic recycling bin is mostly milk cartons and fizzy water bottles. Going to find a glass bottle option for both now instead!

StrongLegs · 26/10/2021 01:21

This is brilliant! Thank you very much.

I am going to try a load of these suggestions and see how it goes. Definitely the water in the fridge is task no 1 for me. It would save a ton of money as well if I could switch to tap water.

I just checked and we do have a zero waste shop that delivers here. I had no idea that existed.

I did previously get milk from the milkman, but it was often sour so that's harder to fix. Will have to think about that.

Thanks so much for all the great tips. I'll get onto it!

OP posts:
StrongLegs · 26/10/2021 01:44

I just wrote to the supermarkets that I use and asked if they could put a filter checkbox on their website so we can search for products that are in compostable packaging or in glass packaging that can be returned and refilled. I wondered if anyone else would be willing to write to their favourite shops to ask the same?

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StrongLegs · 26/10/2021 06:41

I got a nice reply from Ocado:

"We do have a section on the website if you put Eco Shop into the search bar you will see many products with thoughtful packaging that enables customers to reduce packaging waste. They also have responsible contents that are specifically designed to be environmentally sensitive. The products also are focussed on reducing food waste and also aim to enable our customers to make lifestyle choices to become more sustainable."

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StrongLegs · 30/10/2021 10:53

I just noticed this helpful article:
www.theguardian.com/business/2021/oct/30/uk-supermarkets-climate-crisis-cop26-environment

OP posts:
garlicandsapphires · 30/10/2021 10:58

God I hate plastic. Every time I go into M&S it gives me the rage, plastic everywhere.
I get refills of hand wash, shampoo and conditioner and bulk buy detergent and washing up liquid. It’s awful how plastic is so pervasive.

theneverendinglaundry · 30/10/2021 14:02

I try my best, but it is bloody hard. I ordered a big box of dishwasher tablets a couple of weeks ago and it was only when I opened the box that I realised I had ordered the ones all individually wrapped 😭

theneverendinglaundry · 30/10/2021 14:13

@StrongLegs

I got a nice reply from Ocado:

"We do have a section on the website if you put Eco Shop into the search bar you will see many products with thoughtful packaging that enables customers to reduce packaging waste. They also have responsible contents that are specifically designed to be environmentally sensitive. The products also are focussed on reducing food waste and also aim to enable our customers to make lifestyle choices to become more sustainable."

Ocado is the best for this, I have found. They also take back all of their carrier bags and recycle them.

I have been folding my lockdown stash and giving 99 bags to the driver everytime I get a delivery!

Cakeonthefloor · 31/10/2021 10:27

Splosh and other companies do zero waste cleaning products. I find them really good. If you live in a hard water area, them many shampoo bars don't work. Ethique, beauty kubes, faith in nature do work. They don't use sodium lauryl sulphate.

Caspianberg · 31/10/2021 19:27

@hemhem
For sparkling water I really recommend Aarke.
www.aarke.com/uk/

Our waste has dramatically decreased now we aren’t buying any sparkling water.

Cloth nappies and wipes here also.

I can’t get a milkman here, but can buy milk in glass so that’s probably the next step

MistyFrequencies · 31/10/2021 19:35

So glad I found this thread. Great advice. I've just today asked everyone not to buy anything plastic for my kids for Christmas. Some are going to do "days out" instead which is great as that means avoidance of extra "stuff" altogether.

Booksandwine80 · 31/10/2021 20:19

I’ve been making lots of small changes, have switched to shampoo bars, refillable cleaning products (ocean saver), switched from washing pods to powder in a box. Recycling soft plastics at Tesco, have cut out using cling film.

It sometimes feels pointless and a drop in the ocean but it makes me feel a bit better Smile

StrongLegs · 01/11/2021 07:40

This is brilliant that so many people are doing this. I wish the government would just make a rule that all single use non-compostable plastic needed to go by X year or something. Then the big retailers would need to commit funds to sorting it and the scientists could get the job done.

OP posts:
IrisAtwood · 01/11/2021 07:53

I’ve switched to a shampoo bar and soap. I also have bought hand cream from Lush who have closed loop recycling. When I need more toiletries if I can’t get it without plastic packaging then I’ll buy it from there too.
I carry a fabric shopping bag and have stopped online unless it’s something that I can’t get anywhere.
Buy fruit and veg loose either using paper bags or a reusable net bag.
I also cut the tops off any plastic containers and have found up to three weeks more product! I clip the tops with bulldog clips to keep them.
Aside from underwear and shoes I buy clothes from charity shops. I have reduced the amount of clothes I have because I am now retired.
I also carry a reusable mug with a lid so that if I buy a takeaway coffee I don’t take a single use cup.
I buy yoghurt in big pots as this reduces (a bit) the amount of plastic compared to single portion pots.
I also recycle any soft plastics I have via the Co-op or Tesco.
I have fabric face masks instead of disposable.

IrisAtwood · 01/11/2021 07:55

I also bought a product made from beeswax which replaces clingfilm and is reusable.

ChateauMargaux · 01/11/2021 07:58

Also look at your gut health from the inside.. probiotics, no sugar, reduce dairy and gluten... it might help.

I agree with looking at what waste is in your bin or recycling and reducing that rather than looking at what plastic is in your house.

Leaving water to stand will remove a lot of the chlorine as mentioned above. Also consider an inline filter like this one.. tappwater.co/en/ecopro-sustainable-faucet-water-filter/