Unilever want to know the things your family does to help create a brightFuture - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

As part of their on-going brightFuture initiative, Unilever wants to hear about the little things you as a family do to help make the world a better place. We know that having children often makes parents think more about the world around them and makes you want to take steps to help provide a better, more sustainable future for your children.

Here’s some more information from the team at Unilever:

“The Unilever brightFuture initiative focuses on small changes that can make big differences and how we can build a world where everyone lives well and lives sustainably.”

“Since the launch of the Sustainable Living Plan, Unilever has helped 482 million people all over the world; for instance the Dove Self Esteem Project has helped 19 million young people have more self-confidence, Domestos has given 5 million people improved access to toilets and Persil, in partnership with Unicef, has given 10 million children access to education. This work is extremely important to us and we are really proud to have been awarded industry leadership for our work in the Household and Personal Care products industry group by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.”

“To see some of the amazing stories from the Unilever brightFuture initiative so far, have a glimpse at this short video.”

“Unilever brightFuture is looking to inspire and celebrate people who are making a difference in their local community. This is often through small acts that tackle wider, global problems and therefore make a positive impact for the planet as a whole. We want to encourage others to join the brightFuture initiative at brightfuture.unilever.co.uk which has already seen over 290 million acts shared!”

We’d love to hear what you and your family do to help make the world a better place and what you would like to do in the future. Whether it’s small things such as turning the tap off while you brush your teeth and doing laundry at a lower temperature, or helping your local community get together to help make a positive impact, Unilever want to hear from you.

Everyone who posts a comment below will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thank you and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

We have a smart meter, watch what we use and the things off that we're not using. Every little helps in trying to preserve resources for the future.

It's all little things here- line drying, recycling, not using the car, being mindful of packaging etc. but I would love to have an Eco house that runs off of mixed solar and biomass.

Fingers crossed that I will be able to afford it!

We energy save around the house, and hang our washing on this airer which lifts right up to the ceiling. We turn everything off at night (except fridge), but we also walk as much as possible.. gets us all out of the house too!

I encourage DD to turn lights off when she leaves a room, and not to leave water running.

We walk everywhere we can - a trip to the shops, library, school etc. If it's within a mile or so we always walk.

We take her old clothes and toys to the charity shop and buy from there too.

The tumble dryer is a last resort - if I can I line dry. Wash at 30 unless it's bedding.

All small things but they add up.

we are much more aware of turning things off,having the lights of when your not I the room.turning the wash down from 60 to 40 and finding no difference.cooking better batch meals and always using up leftovers.

trying to get the kids to appreciate the wildlife and animals.having respect for people and animals and things.there seems to be much less contact with the outside world and nature nowadays.days out go by the way side.so trying to keep some of the 'old time' practices going and not becoming addicted to the want and get and taking for granted how basically anything they want they can have in todays society when it needs to be worked for and loved.

We buy secondhand clothes, it saves us money and stops so much stuff going to landfill.

We wash at lower temperatures, turned our hot water on a timer, we try and use space in the oven as effectively as possible (i.e. Use it for more than one dinner)
I use my tumble dryer less.

We reduce waste reuse things and recycle.

And we buy less "stuff"

We recycle as much as we can, try not to waste food by buying just the things we need (from a list) and walk wherever possible

We're getting much better at conserving energy. DC1 will even remind DH if he's got more lights on than necessary. We've cut down on our food wastage a lot to by doing smaller shops and planning meals around what leftovers we have. I also batch cook to save on waste as well as gas & electricity running the oven. It also teaches us to respect money a little bit more and not see that go to waste either.

Well all the little things add up..
-My DS and I share a bath - not only does this save water but it gives us time together to chat and play without the distraction of any gadgets.
-My DS is desperate for a canine buddy but I work full time and it wouldn't be fair so we have contacted our local community and volunteer to walk dogs for people with mobility issues. This helps the dogs stay with their owners, gives me some much needed exercise and lets my DS run off some energy.
-We have switched over to all energy saving light bulbs
-I use Soapnuts for all my laundry cycles and wash no hotter then 40 deg

• we grow a small amount of veg in the garden

-we always pop something in the foodbank trolley at our supermarket

• I buy second hand clothes
• I donate as much as I can to charity collections
• we sort our recycling out so that nothing goes to land fill unnecessarily

We try to avoid buying unnecessary "stuff". I will repair and mend items rather than throwing them out and buying new if I can, and donate used items to charity shops. We try to avoid getting sucked into the mindless consumerism which often accompanies festivals like Halloween or Christmas - it's homemade costumes and decorations all the way in this house.

Hello. This is a great idea. We are always careful with water consumption (turning tap off whilst brushing teeth, filling sink to wash hands as opposed to running tap for long periods, showers mainly). We have metered water so we're v conscious of the cost also! We recycle almost everything that's allowed in the recycle bin and it's usually more full than our normal bin. Biodegradable bin liners, cotton bags for life for shopping, grow our own herbs, eat minimal meat, use natural cleaning products such as "You". Buy organic foods exclusively now, and try to avoid processed foods altogether unless they're healthy ones from ethical companies. Try to buy clothes made from real material not polyester! No plastic food containers or non stick oven ware; glass and ceramic is our main choice now but also stainless steel as all are healthier and have longer lifespan. More walking and cycling, less car use now. Turn lights off when not in room but have energy efficient, long life bulbs also. Our home is extremely well insulated to minimise heat loss and our heating is on a timer so it's off while we're all out at work and school. We're now looking st solar panels too. My husband is s chartered surveyor so he's v aware of issues such as energy efficiency in the home.

We always always switch off every light and plug the second we stop using it. We have wooden floors so I tend to sweep and not hoover to save electric. We recycle as well and we haven't bought a tv license so as not to tempt ourselves with having tell on all the time. We have DVDs but we rarely watch them as we try to be outdoors at every possible opportunity. We also shop from our local farmers and farm shops so we can support them and we know exactly where our food has come from!

We are recycling together, my daughter loves to create things from boxes - bed for her dolls, etc (so we are not buying plastic ones), and we have a small vegetable patch so she can see how things are grown.

I really try to make sure my children understand that it's important to tread softly in the world. We recycle and try to save water, and my children already know what goes in each different bin.

We really try to behave positively in the community, so we volunteer at Scouts, toddler group etc. I try to make sure my children are happy and positive and that they understand that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. A simple smile and a cheery hello can have a really positive impact on the people who live around you.

I help run the local Cub Scout pack and get involved in community events like litter picking. We also recycle, grow our own fruit and vegetables and compost our garden waste

We recycle as much as possible, always take unwanted items to charity shops rather than land fill. We turn off lights when not in the room or not needed. Every little thing you can do is helpful if everyone does it.

We repair things rather than chuck them, pass anything usable on and recycle anything that our local centre will take. We endeavour to be respectful and kind to everyone we meet; pleasant interactions with people give everyone a boost.

We installed solar panels and (try to) only run machines in the day, so only using our own generated electricity. We also use the machines as economically as possible, 30 degree washes etc. DH has fashioned guttering and hoses to collect rainwater and use that to water the flowers in the summer. DS(3) enjoys filling his watering can with the rainwater to "help"

We wash at lower temperature, don't use the dishwasher, iron only the necessary clothes, walk as much as possible instead of using a car, my husband uses public transport to commute.

We recycle everything we can, and I try to mend stuff too rather than buying new all the time. And we (I) try to walk or cycle at the weekend rather than use the car automatically. And I'm a bit of a one for insisting on putting on another layer of clothing before the heating goes on/up.

We do many of the things other posters have mentioned.

One thing I will not do is buy anything that comes under the branding of a huge company that tests on animals, not even under the fluffy disguise of 'unless testing is required by law'.

No Unilever. Animal testing has to stop. It is brutal and unnecessary. There is no 'bright future' whilst this abuse continues.

We walk where we can; get the kids involved in recycling and avoiding food waste; try to buy ethically made clothing when possible.

We teach DS to be tolerant and kind to everyone. A little added kindness in the world will make it a better place.

I always wash at low temperatures and use the Eco setting on my dishwasher, as well as composting our food waste, huge amounts of recycling and buying local produce to avoid wracking up food miles. I try to drive as little as possible so use public transport for commuting.