Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: ariadne on November 10, 2018, 04:00:31 PM
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Looking around at home and seeing just how much that I buy is in rigid plastic containers, I've decided to try and reduce it wherever possible. It's not going to be easy.
After a bit of research, I've just ordered a pack of 5 different dissolvable sachets of concentrated cleaning liquid that you put into 750ml empty spray bottles and top up with water. They will make multipurpose cleaner, floor cleaner, bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, window and glass cleaner. They cost 6.99 so I'm looking forward to seeing how this works out.
Not sure what to do about liquid soap, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. I could go back to solid soap bars but I remember the messy soap dish with scum underneath the soap and it puts me off. I know you can get solid shampoo bars too but have never tried them. Has anyone given them a go?
I hate that sausages, bacon, meat portions, fish and some veg etc. all come in oversized rigid plastic trays. I must try going to the meat and fish counter instead.
For loose veg I've started taking small net bags (like the washing bags you can get) as I realised all I do is throw away the plastic bags as soon as I get home.
Wet wipes. I do use a lot of these. Face and household. I have just tried making my own face wipes and I'm actually rather pleased with them. Might give home made household wipes a go next.
Plastic sandwich bags. I use a lot of these too but am going to buy paper ones instead like you get sweets etc. in. For keeping and freezing bread I usually save the waxed bags from cereals and use those.
Have any of you ladies any suggestions on how to reduce plastic in the home?
Ariadne xx
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I've bought smaller bottles of more concentrated floor cleaner and fabric softener. Realise it is still a plastic bottle though however small.
My daughter is using bamboo toothbrushes i ought to follow suit.
I'm conscious that our "plastic and can" tub is fuller each week for recycling than the glass and cardboard tub. I do try and avoid it where possible. Loose veg and fruit much better than wrapped in plastic on a small plastic tray.
So many bitty plastic childrens' toys too. I try and rescue toys from and return to charity shops and rescue from the recycling shop at our recycling centre. They were having a clear out at our local recycling centre shop the last time we were there. Tubs of jumbled childrens plastic toys were off to landfill. Talking to a chap at the tip shop he said one person he knows fills plastic bottles with plastic bags and then uses them as building bricks. I looked this up on the internet and it all has to be dry inside the bottle to be of use.
Gangan X
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My daughter makes her own liquid soap. It's lovely and I've made hints that I would like some for Christmas! Commercial ones upset my eczema prone skin. Usually I use block soap, which don't so much. Ariadne, I could get the recipe for you if you are interested. She does buy the ingredients in bulk.
I'm frustrated as I was able to recycle all my food trays and yoghurt pots at a recycling centre near my daughters, but the bin has disappeared. I can only recycle Tetrapaks locally, but not trays etc.
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Ju Ju, I would love the recipe please. I had already googled home made liquid soap but wasnt sure if I would like the result. But if you say its lovely then thats recommendation enough for me. Thank you ☺
Gangan I just googled plastic bottle buildings as I'd never heard of it before. Fascinating! But looks like it requires lots of cement (and bottles of course)
Ariadne xx
Ariadne xx
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I'll ask my daughter. She has experimented on consistency and some of the oil fragrances aren't that wonderful, but lavender is nice. I'll ask her for tips. Of course, it's personal preferences. You need to experiment at first. I've bought her a lovely soap dispenser from the Range, where they do have a good range.
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Thank you Ju Ju 😚
Ariadne xx
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I try very hard with the plastic and take a snap lock container to the butchers. He was a bit surprised but I said just stick the labels on the containers after they are weighed and I then wash it off later. I have also used net bags for quite a few years which are drawstring and washable in the machine. The weight of each bag is negligible so not a problem when going through the till. I saw the other day that Lakeland do a pack of 5 for £6.99 (product number 73241). A bit of an outlay but as I said before I have been using mine for at least 5 years so pretty good
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Oh good thread! Where do you buy paper bags? I asked my grocers but they weren't telling but a lady in front of me had taken hers to be re-filled. We try to use the butchers but they still put stuff into plastic bags unless 1 specifically asks. I take paper bags to Mum at the Home as she likes them to put her used pads into.
I think I began a similar thread ages ago ....... it's something we need to keep in the forefront of daily shopping etc.. We often go to Charity shops and buy hessian etc. because we forget other bags so have plenty around the house.
I tend to get bags from the bread area to put fruit and veg into but looking at the shelves last week, everything is in plastic! Our LA have a very good re-cyling kerb-pick-up collection service and we build our own compost in the garden.
I'll have a look round the house. It's the 'plastic' bags that aren't plastic, i.e that crisps and muesli are sold in, that are the hardest to re-cycle ::)
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Walkers are starting a scheme where you can recycle your crisp packets and any others too i think.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-45759712
Gangan
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The weekend paper supplements are wrapped in plastic. Our monthly camping magazines are now wrapped in rice plastic which will compost.
Tins in the cupboard - food keeps years and the tin can be recycled.
Newspapers and cardboard - into the recycling bin for kerb collection or our compost
Everything else: packets of nails, Grandad used to buy as many as he required - now it's 5 or 10 in a plastic/cardboard holder. Nail files - covered in a plastic sheath. Greetings cards - plastic covered.
Biros; shampoo bottles; squeezy washing up bottles; cling-film over meat products on a tray ....... even post cards are plastic coated so that they no longer tear easily to go into the compost ::)
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I have started buying paper sandwich bags and try to avoid plastic as much as possible. However I have discovered that much of the stuff that we put in our recycling box is not recycled at all. >:(
I do think that it's diabolical that it's the consumer that has to take the lead in this.
I have also read that the worry about plastic is a distraction and we should worry more about greenhouse gases. That's the biggest danger apparently.
Hayho, what do we know. ???
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Brian Cox told us on TV last week that humans will die out anyway ........ so LIVE GIRLS, LIVE ;D
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I have also read that the worry about plastic is a distraction and we should worry more about greenhouse gases. That's the biggest danger apparently.
Hayho, what do we know. ???
That too yes, but after seeing photos of seas and shores overflowing with plastic, not to mention the poor creatures swallowing it, we must try our hardest to reduce it. I admit it's not easy because some products just can't be placed naked onto shelves or fridges and cardboard and paper isn't always suitable.
I like the idea of taking a container to the butchers. Good idea 😊
Ariadne xx
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Supermarkets are encouraging own-use plastic boxes etc.. Until they get used to wrapping items in paper as we did years ago it's the 2nd best way? Trouble is, remembering to take the boxes as far as the counter ;D
Stop buying pet food pouches? Expensive way of buying food as well as not being able to recycle them. Tins are far better value and can be washed and recycled.
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I recorded The Prince at 70 and it was interesting because in the 70's (maybe 80's) he was made fun of during one of his speeches because he talked about plastic and what impact it would have. He got laughed at a lot when he was younger, still does today by many but he was talking sense because now look at what is happening
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It was the early 1970s. An interesting programme about the Prince. A man B4 his time!
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There is also palm oil to worry about. Practically everything has it in now, from food stuff to cleaning products and cosmetics. Nightmare.
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Yep. Man is cutting down rain forest the size of Wales; daily :'(
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Two of my sacks of bird food are at last, recyclable when empty :bounce:. The others however >:(
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There is also palm oil to worry about. Practically everything has it in now, from food stuff to cleaning products and cosmetics. Nightmare.
This 2018 christmas advert by Iceland has apparently been banned for it's controversial message. Why ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdpspllWI2o
Gangan
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Who asked for it to be removed? I expect it will be seen by a lot more people ........ and when do Companies begin removing products with palm oil or making it obvious that palm oil is included?
Tnx for sharing.
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Another sustainable choice - use Tetrapaks unstead of plastic bottles eg for milk and juice. I have read that these are a more sustainable choice. They are delivered to the bottling plant as flat packs and therefore a huge amount of energy is saved in transport. With plastic bottles mostly what is being transported is air. Also many tetrapaks take up less space when full also than round plastic bottles.
Hurdity x
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Not all Councils have recycling facilities for Tetrapak fortunately ours does. Currently though our 'stuff' is going to go elsewhere due to funding problems >:(
[My friend designed Tetrapak ;) ]
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That's one if the things I miss about Spain.everywhere I shopped they wrapped the meat, bacon ,sausages etc in greaseproof paper.for some reason I have a thing about my meat being covered with a plastic film I hate it.good work ladies 😘D.D
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This week I bought Danone Yoghurts as I thought this company was making a step towards reducing plastic waste. The yoghurts containers appeared to be made of cardboard so I thought I would do my bit. On removing the cardboard sleeve holding the four yoghurts the containers looked as if the were made entirely of some type of paper based composition, it was not until I removed the top of the yoghurt pot that I saw that the inside of the pot was hard plastic with a paper outer. What a disappointment. Next time I will buy yoghurts with plastic pots at least I am not wasting paper as the logo is directly on the pot.
In another world many moons ago with lots of water under the bridge, ice cream and other similar products came in cardboard waxed cartons surely we have the technology and ability to replicate something like this similar to tetra packs.
On the plus side the removal of free plastic carrier bags has reduced the waste in our trees and hedgerows. Some time ago I bought a jumbo bag from the supermarket for £0.50 in the belief that this was a so called "bag for life". On Thursday my "bag for life" failed as the stitching had come apart and I had a good view of the floor. I took this to customer services to get another and was politely told that "bags for life" are £0.10 and made of a type of polythene. My bag was not returnable so I took it home and re stitched the seams. The morale of the tale is the bag is made from recycled materials but is not a "bag for life". ;D ;)
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I don't do sewing ;D so well done .......
I have started looking for large shopping bags in Charity shops: they can be used either supermarket shopping, carrying books from charity shops, a picnic ..........
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I'm very pleased with the pack of 5 sachets of concentrated household cleaning liquids I mentioned in my original post. You put the dissolvable sachet into an empty 750 ml trigger bottle with warm water.
I thought the bathroom cleaner was going to be rubbish because it was thin and didn't seem to cling to the shower doors like the well known brand I usually use. But honestly, my shower doors have never shone like that before.
I'm going to ask the manufacturer if they will consider also shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and hand soap liquid.
Because I'm trying to reduce plastic, I have started reading packaging to see if it says they are recyclable. I have been shocked to find that things I had assumed were recyclable and had been merrily throwing into my green bin, are not recyclable at all. Even things like the plastic wrapping over rolls, teacakes etc. And the blister packs with small cakes in.
It's very difficult to know what should go where.
Ariadne xx
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If it helps i think i read or saw it somewhere that if you can scrunch the plastic i.e thin then don't put it in the recycle.
I've put baby wipe packets in my recycle and they get left behind.
Gangan X
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Our Council web-site tells what can/not go into the various bins.
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Ours does too but it's just a summary and you will find if you read the back of the packaging, that things you would expect to be recyclable, actually aren't.
Ariadne xx
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I keep meaning to make an appt. to go and see the new operation at Cherwell but I haven't done so yet. That would give me an idea as to what is possible to separate and which to put in the recycling bin.
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I'm very pleased with the pack of 5 sachets of concentrated household cleaning liquids I mentioned in my original post. You put the dissolvable sachet into an empty 750 ml trigger bottle with warm water.
I thought the bathroom cleaner was going to be rubbish because it was thin and didn't seem to cling to the shower doors like the well known brand I usually use. But honestly, my shower doors have never shone like that before.
I'm going to ask the manufacturer if they will consider also shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and hand soap liquid.
Because I'm trying to reduce plastic, I have started reading packaging to see if it says they are recyclable. I have been shocked to find that things I had assumed were recyclable and had been merrily throwing into my green bin, are not recyclable at all. Even things like the plastic wrapping over rolls, teacakes etc. And the blister packs with small cakes in.
It's very difficult to know what should go where.
Ariadne xx
Great step forward...
Better still take your containers to one of the many "zero waste" shops that are springing up do that your household products can be put straight into your own containers. Ditto oats pasta etc - just like the old days ::)
We have been re-using Chrstmas wrapping paper for years - the children were taught from an early age to open presents carefully so as not to rip the wrapping and on Boxing Day I would cut off the sellotape bits and make new squares of paper for the following year. All the cards get made into labels ( with hole punch and twine. And I even save the homemade labels from year to year since the family are still called by the same names!!! I won't be buying any more wrapping paper and have already bought/saved brown paper ( or kept the stuff that comes as packaging), and use raffia, and ribbon or twine saved from bouquets of flowers or anything else I've been given - to brighten up the parcels....
:ange: Can you see my halo shining ;D
Hurdity x
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You and me both ;D - 'they' talk about re-gifting but our families did it for years. Mum would mentally make a list of who was given what: this in a family group of over 15 ...... so that she didn't give the present back to the gifter ;D
We kept paper - some went round this family for over 10 years, particularly the shiny stuff. It would be commented on and bring back it's own memories ::). Cut carefully and ironed :o ........ then the smaller pieces would be used to wrap the presents that Santa would bring, Mum did that until last year, she had wrapped B4 she went into the Home. She even found some wedding paper from 1975 in which to wrap our 40th present from her to us :-*
No use by dates then so it didn't matter. Talc, bath cubes, bath salts all went round until eventually were used by someone ::). We've used cards as labels since about 1966. Sadly I have more labels than people these days but am loathe to throw them. Mum made small tapestry cards for gifts, I found some in the loft recently so could be reused or hung on the tree.
What was the question ;D
It's known as 'make do and mend' ;).
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I keep meaning to make an appt. to go and see the new operation at Cherwell but I haven't done so yet. That would give me an idea as to what is possible to separate and which to put in the recycling bin.
If you look at the back of the packaging, most manufacturers are including this information.
Ariadne xx
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I've bought proper dishcloths that can be washed instead of the disposable type but I've discovered that I can wash the better quality disposable ones in the machine. They came out looking like new. The flimsy ones fall apart though.
Funny thing happened in Tesco today. I had put carrots in one of my net bags that I bought from Lakeland, so as not to use the plastic ones. Instead of going to the self service till I went to an actual lady! When she got to my net bag, she studied it for a while before trying to scan the Lakeland label😂. We had a chuckle when I explained.
Ariadne xx
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We never use the self service, we like to speak to a Human Bean. I have started taking bags which fit into the trolley without problems. It's the weekend supplements that I get my knickers in a twist over :D
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I didn't even know you could get disposable dishcloths? J cloths are very strong and washable and last me months!
I also bought some face wipes once and now wash these and buy eye-make remover etc and just keep re-using these wipes. The scary thing about these is that they are indestructable and have been through the washing machine for two years and still can be used. The effect of these if used only once - on the environment is shocking. No-one should be using these any more (single use wipes...)!
Hurdity x
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Which eye make up remover do you use Hurdity? I bought some once that was recommended online as a best buy and it was no good. It didn't remove my eye make up. My home made face wipes are lovely on my face but don't remove eye make up easily.
Ariadne xx
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No-one should be using these any more (single use wipes...)!
Hurdity x
What can be done about baby wipes though which are tough too ? My daughter went back to using cotton wool and water for cleaning bottoms for a while with reuseable nappies, napisan etc. She had to give up as it just doesn't fit in with her lifestyle. Busy working mum with 2 toddlers.
I think it will take some doing to get young mums to go back to cotton wool and water like i used to use. Maybe changing what these wipes are made of is the only answer.
Gangan X
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It fitted in with my parents :-\. There wasn't any choice! Nappy buckets which were rinsed in hot water then put through a mangle, liners and Terrys were hung on the line to blow. No washing machine. No spinner. Plenty of sunshine bleached them.
Liners were burned on the fire last thing t night if too messy to wash.
The Water Companies are complaining that those bottom wipes etc. are fouling up the sewage plants. :-(
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Nowadays a lot of people live in flats or rented accommodation without access to outside space for drying clothes and possibly no space for tumble driers either. And a lot more young parents work and have little time for the lengthy Terry nappy process. And if their babies go to minders or nurseries, they are unlikely to be able to cope with Terry nappies.
I think suppliers need to come up with more products that are biodegradable.
I just washed a used face wipe, as Hurdity suggested, on a 60 degree wash to see what would happen. To my surprise, it came out intact and beautifully clean! Now I can reuse these for my home made face wipes instead of kitchen towel 😁
Ariadne xx
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Why not just use a flannel??
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After 12 years of living less than a mile from the local farm shop and a another disappointing delivery of fruit and vegetables from the on-line shopping I made a brave decision to visit the farm. I thought this only sold logs and manure but after checking their website this was not the case. I now get all our vegetables and some fruit from the local farm shop. Their prices are about the same as the supermarket but the standard of the fruit and vegetables is far superior. I can pick my own fruit and vegetables as there is no nasty polystyrene or plastic wrappings. The quality of the eggs is very good and when used for baking gives a good high rise with cakes and meringues and again no packaging as we take the empty boxes with us to refill. On this trip I use my mended recycled bag so far the stitching has not given up. If it does I will mend it again. Visiting the farm shop has reduced the volume of unnecessary packaging which used to end up in the recycling bin.
This week I was shocked to find the Cranberry Juice I drink daily which used to be in a tetra pack has now been put into a plastic bottle
which contains 25% recyclable plastics, why???????? :o
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Hello ladies.
I agree that re use and/or recycle is the way to go!
I grew up in a flat in London in the days before disposable nappies or washing machines! My mother had to wash the terry towelling nappies and then put them in a bucket of water and boil them for twenty minutes to disinfect them. I don't recall me or my brother having any health issues but apparently rates of urine infections in babies plummeted when disposable nappies were introduced so perhaps no everyone was so thorough when washing the fabric ones.
The amount of plastic rubbish that has accumulated in the last fifty years is frightening and, as with climate change, I hope we can solve the problem while there's still time.
Wishing everyone well.
K.
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Which eye make up remover do you use Hurdity? I bought some once that was recommended online as a best buy and it was no good. It didn't remove my eye make up. My home made face wipes are lovely on my face but don't remove eye make up easily.
Ariadne xx
Hi there ariadne - sorry haven't visited this board for a couple of days! I normally use Boots sensitive unperfumed eye-make-up remover lotion (like baby lotion) - cheap as chips! Rcently got soem Garnier micellar water of something - which is nowhere near as good. The lotion does the job fine. Mind you I only use mascara and eye pencil (under the eye) so not much to remove....
Nowadays a lot of people live in flats or rented accommodation without access to outside space for drying clothes and possibly no space for tumble driers either. And a lot more young parents work and have little time for the lengthy Terry nappy process. And if their babies go to minders or nurseries, they are unlikely to be able to cope with Terry nappies.
I think suppliers need to come up with more products that are biodegradable.
I just washed a used face wipe, as Hurdity suggested, on a 60 degree wash to see what would happen. To my surprise, it came out intact and beautifully clean! Now I can reuse these for my home made face wipes instead of kitchen towel 😁
Ariadne xx
Great stuff - I bought the wipes for when I was away but couldn't bear to throw them away - you only have to buy one pack and you're sorted!
What can be done about baby wipes though which are tough too ? My daughter went back to using cotton wool and water for cleaning bottoms for a while with reuseable nappies, napisan etc. She had to give up as it just doesn't fit in with her lifestyle. Busy working mum with 2 toddlers.
I think it will take some doing to get young mums to go back to cotton wool and water like i used to use. Maybe changing what these wipes are made of is the only answer.
Gangan X
Yes they already exist - I bought some last year made from biodegradable material. Problem is they are expensive and they didn't have a proper resealable container ( more plastic!) to keep them moist. These need to be made mainstream and the others phased out, just like is happening with everything else.
Hurdity x
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Why not just use a flannel??
What for?
I wouldn't remove eye make using a flannel because you need something clean every time to avoid infection. Washed wipes are perfect for this.
As for baby's bums..... when they were tiny I always used to use cotton wool - but that's not made of cotton any more. I didn't use wipes until maybe the last one was born - instead I used baby lotion and cotton wool. You wouldn't want to use flannels to clean off anything nasty.... :o
I do approve of flannels generally for daily washing though!
Hurdity x
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I never use anything else other than a flannel. Ours are boiled every day, along with hand towels and kitchen towels ......... and if there isn't infection present they won't encourage it. I would encourage anyone to do a hot wash every time, 30 simply doesn't 'do it' despite what we are led to believe ::). Anyone remember Grannies boiler with steam then the mangle ???
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There are some useful Facebook Groups on this theme.
Some of the things I do:
- flannels for make-up removal is fine as I use different half of the flannel for each eye. But then, I don't wear much makeup.
- I take my own containers to the butchers & ask them not to use plastic bag. I also buy eggs at butchers - they have trays of eggs with empty egg cartons on the side, so I take my own egg cartons (yes they're just paper but there's a limit to paper's recyclability too so I always try to reuse paper things as well as plastic if there's still life left in them)
- I make good use of the plastic packet from inside cereal boxes. I cut them up into strips to layer food for freezing, and use the bags whole as freezer bags. Secure them with reusable plastic clips. For more delicate foods that go in the freezer, I reuse ice cream and other similar tubs, or Tupperware.
- Fruit & veg shopping: I try not to use any new bags - neither plastic nor paper. Anything that is single use is not great. Not only plastic. Even paper. Lots of energy & resources used to create & distribute paper bags. So always try to reuse something.
- Storing opened tins of cat food in the fridge - use empty pasta/pulses packet secured with reusable plastic clip.
- soap - I use a bar that is stored on a soap dish with ridges & a hole in it so gunk drains & soap stays dry.
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I store unwrapped soap bars in the airing cupboard. It make them harder and they last much longer.
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Oh that reminds me: years ago we kept our lemon scented soap in the airing cupboard - until the mice age it :D
Good ideas crazycatlady! :thankyou:
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Many people enjoy packets of crisps but the packets are made from plastic which is not recyclable at the moment as they are made of two layers one of plastic and one of bonded foil. Thanks to protest pressure from the public throughout the UK, Walkers Crisps have introduced their own recycling scheme. Empty crisp packets can be taken to dedicated drop off points throughout the country where they will be collected and then processed to make recycled plastic furniture, or individuals can save their own packets a minimum of 400 and a collection can be arranged.
Where I live a local shop has become a dedicated collection point for empty crisp packets and these are to be donated to a local charity which raise funds for premature babies at the local maternity unit.
If anyone is interested in learning more about this please google "Walkers Crisps Recycling" I have looked at this site myself and have found it to be very informative. Walkers Crisps are currently working on making their packaging 100% recyclable so it can go directly into our recycling bins but this will not be until 2025.
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:thankyou: the way is to avoid buying crisps. Of any type. Many of the bird feed bags are not recyclable so I put those in2 the bins at supermarkets that take those that can't be collected from the kerb side.
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Bought an eco friendly birthday card this morning. Must admit i was drawn to the picture first as it is suitable for the person i am buying for but pleased to see that the usual "cellophane" bag it is in is made of compostable cornstarch. The card and envelope are recycled card, vegetable based inks, alcohol free printing powered by green energy.
The company is online and of the eco friendly name for cards. From Newton Abbot. (trying not to advertise !)
Another bag for our compost bin and i will be getting more cards from their website now.
Gangan x
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Gangan, I carefully sorted my Christmas cards into those that could be recycled and those that couldn't (with glitter or coloured foil on) There was one from The Woodland Trust encouraging me to recycle it but it had foiled writing on so I couldn't.
I tried to buy a birthday card for a friend without glitter or foil on and had to give up as there were so few that I couldn't find one that was suitable.
Ariadne XX
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I have to thank Hurdity for the tip about washing used wet wipes. I'm so happy with that. I've even washed some at 90 degrees just to see what would happen and was surprised to see that they came out intact and beautifully white. No wonder they clog everywhere up when thrown away.
I have been putting them in a Tupperware box with Micellar water and using them to remove make up. I reckon I could re-use floor and surface wipes too.
Ariadne XX
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Ariadne - I'm guilty of buying glittery charity cards at christmas and sending them out. It's because i think they look more cheery. I will have to think again now.
Stellajane - We go to two different recycling centres locally. In one the workers there do care a lot more and the site is well organised. One person we see regularly at the later knows he can do little about what eventually goes off to landfill. He doesn't charge much if you want anything either. I pick up and rescue decent childrens' toys there and am amazed at how some have even ended up there.
Gangan x
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Woodland Trust ought to know better, I would have sent it to HQ ;)
Like the idea of a 'natural' card, Gangan - PM me with details please?
The Sat. Supplements are in plastic - again. Our rubbish gets recycled really well, lots of digesters in the area as farms are diversifying. If you note bin men putting it all in the same lorry, ring your Council!
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I haven't read all the comments so I might have missed if this has already been discussed.
I'm drinking a lot of sparkling water now instead of diet coke and wondered if anyone has bought a soda stream they can recommend, as I feel a bit guilty about all the plastic bottles I'm generating.
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We won one in a raffle in 1986 ;D. But didn't use it much. Locally any plastic bottles are re-cycled and I don't feel guilty. Do you add cordial to the water, I found that made a difference.
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My hubby takes sandwiches to work daily, to avoid the use of clingfilm etc, I have made some reusable sandwich wraps. There working a treat, and when opened out also act as a serviette.
Ive also stopped shopping for veg at the supermarkst. Hate all the plastic wrapping. Now visit the local garden centre weekly to stock up on locall grown, in season produce ;)
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I plan to use up what shower gel we have and then buy no more. I have a whole drawer full of beautiful soaps so I will use those.
I buy eggs from a farm and return the boxes to be refilled.
I buy most of my veg loose but if I do ever have to buy something in a plastic bag I use it to put peelings in which I take to my friends chickens and goats. She keeps the bags and we reuse them over and over.
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We won one in a raffle in 1986 ;D. But didn't use it much. Locally any plastic bottles are re-cycled and I don't feel guilty. Do you add cordial to the water, I found that made a difference.
Ahhh good old 1986! I also had one about the same time but must have thrown it out years ago.
I guess I'm seeing too many wildlife programmes featuring animals entangled or feeding on plastic that doesn't seem to biodegrade ::)
I do like a splash of lime cordial in water :)
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In that circumstance I would keep recycling to one side or take it myself to our Collection Point, 4 miles away. We go there 2-3 times a week anyway so it wouldn't be any extra mileage.
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:sick02: watched Inside Out for our region and Anglian Water were dragging out yards of what looked like rope. But it wasn't. It was WET WIPES :o :-X ....... they were sawing it with knives :-\ with thin gloves on :-\ :-\ but no face masks :o so had anything splashed ....... no Risk Assessment there then!
However: I haven't used wet wipes for months. Due to becoming aware of how they clog up our water treatment systems. Even those that suggest on the packets that they are flushable. Add to that the packets themselves go into Landfill ..........
Watching Inside Out - Birmingham bin people on strike again ........ I would be double wrapping and sorting B4 confining to the bin.
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I've started using cellulose and cotton kitchen cloths from a Swedish company. They should last ages and when finished with can go on our compost heap. I'm using much less kitchen paper and the cloths are better than microfibre ones which I don't like. I did look online for organic cotton cloths but they were very expensive and couldn't be washed at 60 degrees.
Apparently some people throw lots of different things down the toilet including food, items of clothing etc
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Hi! Why can't organic cotton be washed at 60 - surely that's what cotton does ::). I don't like the feel of that material: micro-fibre : which is supposed to soak up ......... seems to be everywhere: dog towels, hand wipes ........ makes me go all funny :D
Well, funnier ........
I use 'jay' cloths or kitchen roll, both go into our home made composting system. We turn it over twice a year and it is ready after 18-20 months for sieving. Which is hard work but cheaper than the gym ;).
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I'm still happily washing my used wet wipes along with my whites at either 60 or 90 degrees and they come out fine. I then put them in a plastic sandwich tub with some miscellar water and reuse them to take off my make up. I'm really pleased with this method.
I've also washed the better quality blue checked dishcloths and they too come out fine. I didn't know you could wash them until Hurdity mentioned it.
Ariadne xx
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Hello CLKD, I hate the feel of microfibre cloths too. If I hold a plastic milk carton for more than a few seconds the skin on my hand itches a lot. This also happens with other types of plastic. The organic cotton washcloths I looked at online said to wash at 40 degrees. They were expensive to buy (£6.00 - £7.50 each ) so I didn't want to risk washing at 60 degrees. Compostable cloths are definitely the best option.
I hadn't thought about putting kitchen paper into our compost bins. I will start doing this.
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Did you know you can now recycle other plastic bags (besides carrier bags) at Morrison's and Waitrose. So toilet roll bags, fruit bags etc (anything with the recycle ♻️ sign on the bag). Very happy about that.
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Your local Council web-site is accountable and should tell you exactly what happens to your kerb-side collections. I keep meaning to make a visit to the local recycling system, when we drive by it I remember ::): by the time I get home :D
I have always put used kitchen roll on the compost bin, as I do most paper and cardboard. Media companies are now wrapping magazines in rottable plastics ....... I have a small corner in our home composting heap to see what does rot after a couple of years ;) by which time plastics will be improved.
Toilet roll and kitchen roll inners
Letters
Soft boxes
Peelings
Tea/coffee
Stopped buying tea-bags when we discovered that the bags don't rot
Newspapers go into the kerbside collection.
Thick cardboard
Weekend magazines
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Our Council has one of the worst recycling records in the UK, about 27% of rubbish. Rubbish goes to an incinerator but it's not an EFW (Energy from Waste) incinerator. When we go to the tip it says 47% waste is recycled. We have to take garden waste (waste that can't go in the compost bins) to the tip as it is not collected by our Council although people who can't get to the tip can arrange a special collection.
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At a cost probably - so another Council that didn't comply with EU Regulations then!
Anyone remember paper knickers :-\
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I was surprised to see in Waitrose that the plastic bags provided by them on the self service fresh fruit and veg counter has the words HOME COMPOSTABLE BAG written on them in large green lettering. When I got my shopping home I sat down to read blurb on the bags. It said that the bags could be used for fruit and vegetables, food waste caddy liner and compost bin. Also noted were the words 'Do not place this bag into a recycling bin.' I have also read in the Waitrose newspaper free to all customers, that their egg boxes and labels will soon be totally compostable. The Waitrose plastic bags have the logo TUV Austria on them but I am no plastics expert. I do get a lot of my fresh vegetables from the local farm shop where the only bags used are old fashioned brown paper bags. Lets hope this is the way forward for all supermarkets.
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Yes Waitrose advertised that they were introducing this a while back.
You can also recycle ordinary plastic if they have one of those large black recycling bins at their entrance.
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........ which are always full! Morning, I bought bread rolls from there this week and after years of my asking, the bags are paper through and through - they also encourage shoppers to take back plastic containers for deli items too. I remember the carriers, what more do they want ;D
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This is not directly linked to plastics, but I heard an interesting topic on the radio this morning, it was about recycling disposable nappies. The boon to modern mums since the late 1970s, which are sitting in landfill, blocking sewage pipes, and sitting on the roadside after being thrown out of cars near service stations. A firm in Italy is in the process of developing a method to reduce these objects into pulp which will then be converted into pellets to make bottle tops and garden furniture. Whether or not this process has found a way to reduce the health hazard element from these items is not clear, but the Italian firm is working on a way to reduce the disposable nappy ending up in landfill. The Italian mums are in support of this, perhaps there is some incentive to do this. How long before the rest of the world decided this might be a good idea?
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Not long ;-)
Recycling Wales' dirty baby nappies in Ammanford - it was on the News last night. Once they get beyond the smelly bit it's quite easy. Me, I think that these types of nappies should have been banned long ago. Although it is supposedly greener to use them than soaking and boiling liners and nappies ......... until it is realised that they are blocking up landfill etc.. OK for going away where it isn't possible to wash out easily but hey, my family managed without pampers!!! Even when camping ::). I love seeing a line of white Terry towelling flapping on a line, as long as they aren't connected to me ;D
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Waitrose have introduced a trial at their Oxford store. More loose fruit and veg with no plastic bags. Also loose dry goods where you can bring your own containers to refill.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48498346
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Plastic? I've never come across a plastic tent :-\ in all the years we've been camping: canvas which stinks when wet, a thin material coated with a water-proof outer which allows the early morning sun to shine through ........ most can be re-proofed as can water-proof clothing. It makes me angry that these so-called environmentalists do such stupid things ......... [another thread? :D :-\ ]
Most left-behind tents are picked up at Festivals that I have attended by the Scouts, wiped down and sent to the Shelters. It is being noted on various Festival web-sites and the question is asked to please take your tent home! I haven't yet come across a 'flimsy' tent that can't be recycled this way, it's because they are marketed as 'festival tents' apparently that buyers believe they are 1-use only >:(. Chairs, umbrellas, blankets - all left in the fields which are picked up, dried and recycled appropriately.
Our very large canvas tent went to the Scouts eventually. We had 1 so large that we could drive the Escort underneath and cover it ;D , it really was too big but was at the time a bargain: a £700 tent for £150.00. It went all over with us but was a PHAFF ::) so when the Scouts hut was burned due to arson, we donated it, either as a Team Building exercise or for use .......
Then we had an 2-man A-frame, in tent material that lasted for years++ eventually went to a friend in the mid-1990s who was doing one of those long walks/hikes/Muro-type thingies - he had to repair the holes where the string went to anchor it to the ground ......
Now we have the camper and R unlikely to leave that anywhere :D - but everything is used over and over purely when camping. Harrods silver knifes, stainless steel cutlery and plastic plates anyone :D
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Cotswold Camping:
Tough and dependable for travel, these duffel bags from Mountain Equipment are made from highly durable waterproof tarpaulin and have reinforced straps. There's a wide, u-shaped zipped lid for easy access, two internal mesh lid pockets for smaller items and another internal pocket to help keep wet and dry kit separate. There is a zipped end pocket on the outside and features large carry handles which can also be worn over the shoulder. There are also grab handles on the sides so you can grab it easily from the top of the car or the cabin storage on the plane or train.
While the fabric used on the Wet & Dry Kit Bag is waterproof to keep a lot of water out, the seams are not taped and the zip is not waterproof, therefore this cannot be considered a fully waterproof bag.
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We are using up the last few plastic bottles of shower gel then we are going on to soap. I bought some lovely organic soaps with felted wool covers recently and the covers stay on and stop the soap going soggy. You just dampen it and it lathers up beautifully. Shower gels have lots of microbeads in them.
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Let me know how you get on with those, it's the soggy bottoms that puts me off soap ;D but we do buy huge re-fills of hand wash at 'cost' and top up the bottles in the bathroom and kitchen. I find a bar of soap comforting though :-\ but what are they wrapped in? I had a lovely bar of olive hand-made soap from Italy sent to me, in a paper wrapper with a plastic lining >:( ::) ....... I think that manufacturers will get the message. Eventually and probably not in my Life-time :P
Hey ho! I does my best I does ;)
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Store new soap in the airing cupboard after purchase. They harden and last much longer.
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Oh you've jogged a memory - many years ago we kept soap in the air-ing cupboard, it was lemon scented. Didn't bother the mice though who shinned up the internal water pipes and nibbled the soap ;D
Also your comment on tents/recyling etc. has sent me off on a Mission :whist:
Halfords 4 Person Double Skin Tent
Simple to pitch, the Halfords 4 Person Double Skin Tent is ideal for festivals and short camping trips. The front door cleverly converts in to a canopy to create a sheltered living area whilst the double skin provides better insulation and more protection from rain and condensation.
Halfords 4 Person Double Skin Tent Extra Info
Berth: 4
Pack Size: 66x19x19cm
Hydrostatic Head: 1500mm
Design: Dome
Number of Bedrooms: 1
Number of Doors: 1
Approx Pitch Time: 15 mins doesn't suggest how long to stuff it back in to the bag though ;D
I have posed the question to one of the largest tent manufacturers, 'outwell' as I am unable to find out exactly what their products are made from! Our drive-away awning is in a firm, plastic coated bag with a pump-up system for erecting it but I have to be honest, I can't remember what the awning is made from. It does have plastic windows with material privacy curtains ...... watch this space?
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We are using up the last few plastic bottles of shower gel then we are going on to soap. I bought some lovely organic soaps with felted wool covers recently and the covers stay on and stop the soap going soggy. You just dampen it and it lathers up beautifully. Shower gels have lots of microbeads in them.
I was given one of those soaps as part of a birthday present, really pretty.
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Why not take water from the tap? We have the best tap water in the World but I don't like it ::). Or using bottled water and rinsing out the bottles 4 re-use? It is cheaper to make and transport plastic bottles than glass ;-).
Charcoal is good for the bowels. Apparently.
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Does anyone use charcoal sticks to clean water?
I want to get away from using my Brita filter as I don't like the plastic cartridge. The charcoal sticks can go into compost once finished.
I've found a company called Black and Blum that do them and also have seen the charcoal in other health shops, but wondering about a glass jug which I'd like to find so as to keep in fridge with charcoal.
Does the charcoal stick filter hard water?
That's a step to far for me, I'm afraid.
The Brita filters can be put in you recycling box at home. Alternatively, for full recycling, this has been done by Brita since 1992. See www.brita.co.uk/recycling for where to take your used filters.
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:thankyou: Shadyglade.
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Apparently the heart is better protected for those living in a hard water area ........... and one can remove the lime-scale from the kettle element. I draw off cold water from the rising main to fill the kettle each time. 65 and no problems so far ;-). If you are worried contact your Water Company?
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Our water area is moderately hard. I clean the kettle when necessary. As for the washing machine, never used calgon or anything like it but last machine lasted 12 years.
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You can have a watersoftener connected to your mains supply. No idea how that works though. Could be expensive. ::)
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Why would you? I think that some people can't use softened water ..... pacemaker springs to mind?
Have been to Hobbycraft this afternoon and they have linen bags - one can tart them up if one wants to or use them 'neat'. In different sizes.
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Reply from Outwell tents: brief and to the point - their first response was 'take them to your local tip'!
Thank you for your e-mail.
Mainly polyester for the flysheet and polyethylene for the groundsheets.
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I grabbed from the village shop shelves earlier, without thinking, 3 bars of soap wrapped in - I'm not sure what but the soaps inside are also wrapped - I think I can put it into recycling or bury it into our compost to rot. Shows how easy it is to simply 'shop' without consideration though when buying washing powders etc., I am more focussed.
Tired, in a hurry, feeing cold whilst shopping didn't help.
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Bamboo toothbrushes anyone?
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Now it's face masks on beaches and nappies/pads that have escaped from a ship off the UK :-\
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The UK's first city mayor to declare a climate crisis has been questioned for flying nine hours to attend a conference to urge leaders to cut CO2.
:cuss: :bang: :beat:
Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees told the TED conference in Canada that city mayors could influence carbon policy.
Climate campaigners Flight Free UK calculated the trip created 2.016 tonnes (2,016kg) of CO2 per passenger and was at odds with his message.
The mayor's office said he had a full agenda with networking opportunities.
A spokesman said the mayor was invited at the expense of the TED organisation as a speaker to share ideas and help change attitudes.
We have all had to ZOOM ......... so why not those who think that they are more important than the general public? Leading by example was how I was dragged up ;-). Perhaps this should be in the 'electric car' thread. Hey Ho!
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I do a monthly supermarket shop for basics, the same items. I try to opt for stuff with less packaging but still managed to unpack it leaving a bin liner of plastic trays & cellophane lids/bags. I use the same supermarket on the continent without this volume of waste.
The bill has risen by 33.3% too!
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Me too, I find it so annoying we have no choice. They managed to impose a levy on plastic bags and usage has fallen dramatically. They should do the same for everything else that comes with unnecessary and/or unrecyclable packaging. My local coop used to sell loose veg, now they think a plastic bag is necessary for 6 sprouts. They might be right for the broccoli though, too many people breaking off the oversized stem they charge you for and you can't eat (unless you're a goat).
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I can’t find the embarrassment smilie, I thought the stalk was ok to eat! ::)
I can’t work the Co Op out, they sell pastries on an open shelf but put carrots in plastic? I can wash carrots but not the 300 snotty sneezes on a Portuguese Tart!
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You can eat broccoli stalk. You should remove the bottom few inches which are quite woody, but otherwise peel and chop. I too hate all the plastic wrap and trays on veges.
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I can’t find the embarrassment smilie, I thought the stalk was ok to eat! ::)
I can’t work the Co Op out, they sell pastries on an open shelf but put carrots in plastic? I can wash carrots but not the 300 snotty sneezes on a Portuguese Tart!
The Portuguese tart may think she shouldn't be sneezed on either ;D
Actually I eat broccoli stem too but only if they're narrow ones, they seem to specialise in the 3" wide woody ones.
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my smilies won't work >:(
ROFLOL ........... Portuguese tarts, those that are meant 2 be eaten are too rich for me :-\ but I love 'em ::)
As for stalks - apart from the woody/dry bit then sliced into soups is 1 way of using them. Cucumbers do keep better in wrap. Other items should be sold loose into paper bags, though some of those are so thin that it's dangerous to even consider them!
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The video of the aftermath of the Reading Festival shows the extent of the clear-up needed.
MayB ticket prices should rise to cover the cost of any clear up? Disgusting. It wasn't wet, nor too hot. Don't tell me that people are struggling if this is the way the young people leave such a mess.
Hopefully most of the tents/bottles etc. can be reused?
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I think they already do factor that in looking at the ticket prices! Reading always seems to be the worst of the festivals for the mess left behind. >:(
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I wonder if asked how many would say that they were 'green' ::).
I believe that Reading sent the useable tents to a homeless shelter? Pity that they don't ask goers to pile them in a specific area of the field .
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Perhaps they should ban the sale of tents under £100, most of the cheap ones are so poor quality they aren't worth passing on.
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Good idea. Or hire ready erected camp sites as they do at Glastonbury in some areas, F1 and MotoGP, there are companies that do the whole thing: Yurts, glamping in teepees (or wigwams, can't remember the difference :-\), tents, hotel pods .......... how many of those that left rubbish behind will go on to complain about the cost of living?
It's easy to get credit these days so £100.00 would be nowt if they wanted to go to Fesitvals. The irony is lost on them?
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I agree that it is upsetting seeing such waste but some of this year's problems were caused by tents being set on fire during Sunday afternoon. People left the site early with youngsters being picked up by parents in order to escape the violence. Reading and Leeds does have a bit of a name for itself. I had two sons there so they've filled me in with the details.
https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/reading-festival-chaos-tents-torched-violence/
Taz x
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How Awful. No Licence next year then?
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How Awful. No Licence next year then?
I think the licence will be safe. The crime rate isnt too high when you think there are just shy of 100,000 people attending and the income it generates for the town over the 5 days is really welcome. Mind you Rage Against the Machine having to pull out and then being replaced by The 1975 probably didn't help ;D
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I was flabbergasted by a report in the Telegraph yesterday about the donated clothing in Ghana along the coast line :'(. So what should we do with our cast offs :-\. I usually put mine into the RSPCA ............
Apparently the above is due to charities rejecting many often soiled rags which get sent abroad to be sorted through. Awful.