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[Krystal]

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?

[CLKD]

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 

[Sparrow]

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

[CLKD]

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?  ]

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  , 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  - but everything is used over and over purely when camping.  Harrods silver knifes, stainless steel cutlery and plastic plates anyone 

[CLKD]

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.

[Pennyfarthing]

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.

[CLKD]

Let me know how you get on with those, it's the soggy bottoms that puts me off soap  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 

Hey ho! I does my best I does 

[Sparrow]

Store new soap in the airing cupboard after purchase.  They harden and last much longer.

[CLKD]

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 


Also your comment on tents/recyling etc. has sent me off on a Mission 

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 

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?

[Yorkshire Girl]

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.

[CLKD]

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.

[Sparrow]

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.

[CLKD]

   Shadyglade. 

[CLKD]

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?

[Sparrow]

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.