Hope you are well. Ages ago, I saw this 'A Swap a Day list' on @sustainablelivingonabudget's Instagram and I took a screenshot intending to have a closer look at it. It lists ways you can try to address waste habits and to try and make swaps to reduce waste in various ways. It gives it as a Swap a day which could feel overwhelming (hence why I saved it and I didn't actually do the challenge at the time) so I like the idea of it being a list to work towards.
I thought I'd break this down into a few posts to see what I have managed to do so far and what I need to still do. This isn't to show off, to make anyone feel bad, encourage anyone into making changes that could cause them financial difficulties, nor have any other ulterior motive other than share ideas and show ideas for good practice. It's good to be inspired, right?
sdsdsdsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
So...
1. Plastic Containers/Food bags:
Status on progress: YES! Been working on this one for a while.
I'm going to break this down into two areas.
For me, it doesn't make sense to throw out the containers I already have but I interpret this as trying to AVOID food in NEW plastic containers, trying to reuse those I have and try to use other containers where possible. It's not just a case of chucking out all the plastic you have and buying all new glass containers.
PLASTIC CONTAINERS- Solid.
How have I done this?
Examining my waste: If I HAVE bought something in plastic or even glass, I look and see if I can use it for another use before putting it into the compost. An Innocent Smoothie bottle last week is now filled up with Toilet cleaner from my Zerowaste shop, a glass bottle that housed a drink has been used for Almond milk a few times, an ice-cream tub which my Mum gave me which had some homemade biscuits in, has been used to house my chocolate crispy cakes. When I go to the Greengrocers, I take some clear plastic tubs which once had nectarines, tomatoes, raspberries and blueberries in them to house their loose counterparts in the same way.
Takeaway: If planning to get takeaway food (I'm sorry, I have a busy, tiring life, I travel 2.5hours+ a day to and from work, I do eat takeaways), I take my own OLD takeaway containers and carrierbag. Our local Chinese takeaway is happy to use my containers and various establishments have been happy to put my food in my own tubs- a hot deli in Nottinghill, an Indian fastfood counter near school, a bakery have put cakes in them.
Deli Counter: Sainsbury's, Morrison's, Waitrose have all taken my containers to put fish, cheese and fresh items in. Some are a little more expensive but not all.
Leftovers: I try to ALWAYS keep a light container in my bag because if I don't finish my food in a restaurant or lunchtime, it's always good to have an option to save it for later. The fridge has some Thai Papaya Salad in it from our Thai meal out on Friday.
FOOD BAGS:
Any junk mail that comes in plastic A4sized bags, are carefully cut out and folded into my school bag. Give them a clean if you are squeamish.
Paper bags can be reused. Sometimes, if I am running late for school, I buy a pastry from the shop on the train platform. A lot of the time I just go without breakfast but sometimes I need something. I have quite often asked the girl to put the item into the paper bag from the previous day/week/occasion which is saved, folded in my bag. Or I keep a plastic tub in my bag which can be reused.
Toilet roll bag: My Eco-leaf toilet roll has housed bread, rolls, fruit and vegetables. The cashier in Lidl actually made a point of commenting on how much she liked my use of the Ecoleaf bag on Friday. If anyone is squeamish- remember this bag had CLEAN, NEW toilet rolls in it.
Cotton net produce bag: I bought a few cotton bags from the Ecofair to keep for taking to the refill room if I want to fill up on Lentils but don't have room to carry lots of large containers. I also a carry around a cotton net bag. It's easy to make your own though.
Finally, why not write to your supermarket to ask for more fresh produce if you aren't as lucky as me to have access to naked veggies and products. Also, worth checking out if there are any farmshops or market days within easy reach of you.
AND always keep bags wherever you go so if you see a packaging free opportunity, you can take advantage of it!
Swap 2: Washing Powder:
Status: Addressing
As long as I have been buying my own washing powder, I have been purchasing Ecover washing powder which is kinder to the environment. I have tried to buy the largest box I can (when on Special - it always seems to be on special at times when I want to buy it). It DOES come in packaging which is Cardboard. Paper and cardboard do have a higher carbon footprint than plastic but currently I do not have a packaging free solution where I live. By post, I could order a larger quantity of Ecover powder but I'd prefer to buy from a local supermarket rather than pay for it to be shipped.
Fabric Softener: I have taken my Ecover Fabric softener bottles to be refilled at my local Health food shop which is quite cheap to do comparitively and have been using white vinegar as well. This is available from the Refill room also.
So, hope my waffling about my swaps for these two might give you a bit of food for thought or at least have you nodding in agreement rather than condemning me or hoping I'll go away!
Have a great day!
x
Great idea for a series of posts and I'll look forward to reading more. I use soap nuts for washing. I've been using them for about 8 years now. Sometimes I use a bit of Bio D laundry bleach poweder too. I very rarely use fabric conditioner but the odd time I do want to use a bit, I use white vinegar in its place. It does a great job (and your clothes won't smell of it either!). An added bonus for the washing machine too I imagine as I live in a hard water area.
ReplyDeleteI use cereal bags as freezer bags and now have an eco ball for washing with plus some washing powder for whites as it wasn't as good on them. I gave up using fabric conditioner years ago as my towels came out rough whether I used it or not! Arilx
ReplyDeleteWe bought washing powder from the zero waste shop (it still comes in packaging though - a giant cardboard box from which we filled our tin. I mean, obviously it had to get to them in *something*). Unfortunately it leaves white marks on black clothing so we'll need to buy an alternative for those.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it doesn't make sense to replace plastic containers you already have. Throwing away perfectly good plastic tubs is not going to help the environment. If you need new ones at some point you can look for an alternative then.
I agree, don't throw out plastic you already possess. Make as much use of it as you can. And accept that your lifestyle will make some compromise unavoidable. Don't beat yourself up about small things (a takeaway meal or pastry in a plastic bag...) But continue to be thoughtful and make changes as and when you can.
ReplyDeleteWe went to Leicester on Saturday and I loved the market where people were buying things by the bowl which were then decanted into shopping bags (I know that's a really common thing, but we just don't have that here).
ReplyDeleteI don't like washing powder so I was really pleased to see I could get a refill of my chosen brand of liquid in a place we visit quite often. I don't buy Ecover but refills are now available at our local supermarket.
You never need to explain your reasons for buying a takeaway or anything else - it's just as important to keep the community alive by using local businesses as it is buying eco products and reducing packaging to help the wider world in my view.
You're doing a grand job!
ReplyDelete1. I always wash my clothes with soda crystals from Wilkos, yes they do come in a plastic bag but they last ages, don't smell of anything, don't endanger animal or plant life and clean without bleaching.
2. I loathe fabric softener, I value my precious vintage clothes too much to use it and soft towels disgust me - scratchy all the way. I sometimes add a capful of white vinegar to the wash if I've bought something from the chazza that stinks of that artificial perfume washing powder and it works a treat.
3. Jon does all the supermarket shopping and takes his own bags (which I've made from vintage fabric. We live in a fairly poor, working class post industrial town, our nearest zero waste shop is 9 miles away in Birmingham city centre. Even Waitrose is exotic, I've never set foot in one and the nearest is 5 miles away.
4. I get my fruit and veg off the market. Soft fruits come in plastic punnets which is unavoidable but I like to think I'm supporting local traders as opposed to big corporate monsters.
xxx
I love using Borax for the tough greasy jobs, It cuts grease like a charm and cleans well. I also use baking soda alone and with vinegar as cleaners. It all works fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI sewed my own sturdy fabric bags for shopping. Many stores now are no longer providing plastic bags . I'm becoming more and more conscious of the over abundance of single use plastic and I try to stay away from it as much as possible.
You are doing a great job.
Hugs, Julia
I have been washing my clothes with vinegar and soda, but then I read somewhere it is not good for the clothes- something I'm not sure it is true. I never had bad experiences using vinegar, I think I'll continue doing that. I don't know of any ecological washing powders, but there might be some in DM (a German store chain that is very popular here), I'll check it out.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea cardboard had a larger carbon footprint than plastic. I thought my boxes of Ecover washing powder was one thing I didn't have to worry about... I'll keep an eye open for another alternative.
ReplyDeletexx