The idea of zero waste.

So, now I'm getting the hang of reducing my plastic waste, my internet journeys have introduced me to people who produce zero waste. To be really honest, at first they irritated me, the idea was just too much. But that's the point we have always had a bin in the kitchen and always thrown away loads of things every day. However as time goes on, I'm gradually reducing more and more and finding new ways to use less disposable plastic. Here are a few links to share their ideas:

Lauren Singer:
https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1161010843939772/?theater


Bea Johnson
http://www.zerowastehome.com/p/about.html

Morgane Croissant

http://matadornetwork.com/life/steps-towards-going-zero-waste/

Good luck!

An amazing man!

Check this out he has an amazing idea! I want some, in the summer we have loads of BBQ's we use regular cutlery and after the last person has gone I have to wash it all up. I dodn;t buy plastic cutlery because of the waste. I would buy these for the convenience though! 
https://www.facebook.com/NowThisNews/videos/1023251154431675/?fref=nf

Bye bye plastic bags in Bali

Well done! to Melati and Isabel, they now have governmental backing and from 2018 you won't be able to get a plastic bag in Bali. How on Earth they are going to remove the plastic that is on the island now is another question I guess...

Take a look to see what they are up to:

http://www.theage.com.au/world/bali-tourists-bagged-to-support-girls-monumental-plastic-rubbish-goal-20160310-gng8xs.html

Toothbrushes are plastic, but we can't go without those can we?

So, ever since I was tiny I had a toothbrush, it's a necessity not a luxury. Sadly, today there are still too many children who don't own a toothbrush and who are paying the price with painful tooth extractions. But that's for another day.....

During one of my never ending room clear ups I found myself throwing away our tooth brushes and replacing them with new ones as you do every now and then. As I did so, I thought 'more plastic for the bin that I can't seem to avoid'. But a little investigation proved me wrong again!

there are many different bamboo toothbrushes that you can buy! I opted for these ones as having a coloured bottom meant everyone knows which one is theirs! They are not expensive, in fact a lot cheaper than many of the plastic ones on the market. We do use an electric toothbrush as well, but my family seem to like both systems!
Go on treat yourself, they are great!

March round up.

So it's the third month of 2016 already! At the beginning of this Blog I said that this year, as a New Years resolution I wanted to see if my family could reduce the amount of plastic we use, recycle and throw away. Over the last 9 weeks I have thought about and researched this issue. I found that plastic is everywhere and at times thought there is almost no point but at other times I have been really pleased with the 'new' ideas I have discovered. I say 'new' because in a lot of ways, it is the old ideas, or they way we did things when I was little that I have gone back to! So, what's changed in my house?

1. I no longer buy washing liquid or fabric conditioner in plastic bottles. I get my empties refilled 

in http://www.betterfood.co.uk/ or http://www.scoopawayhealthfoods.co.uk/


2. I now buy soap instead of shower gel and soap shampoo instead of shampoo in a bottle. I'm sure they are not the only shop to sell them but Lush is where I have shopped so far. https://uk.lush.com/

3. I take bags with me wherever I go so no more plastic bags, http://byebyeplasticbags.org/

4. When buying things like Olive Oil and I'm presented with a huge choice I make glass a priority. 

5. I have signed a petition to ask Lidl one of the worlds largest supermarkets to take steps to reduce the amount of plastic it uses, so that others may follow suit...

6. I have applauded the city of Hamburg by making sure the city employees stop using coffee capsules:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35605927

7. I've shared a number of links that discuss this subject.

8. Most importantly I have raised the profile of the impact we have on the environment with my family. All four of us are becoming critical shoppers and have a greater understanding of the harm we can cause and how we can make small changes to improve the situation.

I wonder what the next few months will bring?