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The challenge with tree planting I've found is that I run out of space very quickly! My aspiration is to buy a few more acres of unproductive land and plant it up bit by bit over many years, but it doesn't look very likely.
What surprised me was how easy it is to plant whips. In a good day I reckon I could plant 250 and have a lovely time doing it. So the difficult bit is definitely finding and paying to buy the land.
On cars again, how often does google maps flag up that a different route is something like 3 minutes quicker, despite being multiple miles further? It is nudging you to drive much further, much faster, so quite a lot more fuel per mile as well as more miles, all to save 3 minutes. Some kind of setting to compromise resource use, only accepting an increase in energy used if it gets you a big time saving, would I think have a positive impact.
Riiise from your graaaaaave....
Minimal waste toothpaste tablets-
https://www.anythingbutplastic.co.uk/product-page/denttabs-toothpaste-tablets-with-fluoride
and I stopped using shampoo a few days ago after the last lot ran out. I'm going to try a bicarb of soda hair wash later with a lemon juice condition after. I shall report back if anyone's interested. My hair's just about shoulder-length so it should be easy to manage the initial greasiness...
I still don't know how to stop using the planet up in order to pay our rent and buy food though 🙁
Less driving, more cycling to work, and I've started waging a campaign for us to get an EV (or a hybrid maybe) with the missus based on both environmental and financial arguments...
Our big things for a starter...
Mrs g-d is working on single use plastic packing reduction and I'm giving the yoghurt pots a re-use role in the shed.
I'm on a mission to reduce my car use. I'd like to roughly half my normal annual mileage this year (down from 20k to 10-12k). I have to drive for work on occasions but I'm trying to cut the car commute down to 1-2 days a week with careful planning. I set up a blog to track my progress and how to overcome some of the challenges but I've not yet got round to publishing anything. I don't want to just do for me I also want to be an advocate for better transport choice.
As part of that I decided not to buy a new car (sorry car industry). I didn't want the I'm paying for it so I'll use it mentality to creep in.
We have a zero waste store down the road now so I'm getting dried goods, washing up liquid, shampoo etc all from there by taking along my containers to fill.
I’m going to try a bicarb of soda hair wash later with a lemon juice condition after.
Well, my hair's still there and hasn't gone all frizzy or green or anything, which is nice. The bicarb cleaned it down to a squeak like you get from shampoo and the lemon juice did the job of conditioning it. We'll (tentatively!) call it a success. I'll give it another go in a few days' time.
Late to the party but pleased to see more contributions where people really are embracing change and how they can help.
Stonking effort from luket with planting so many trees, also your posts really nailed some pertinent issues and demonstrated the need to change our way of thinking. Must undoubtedly be exciting to watch the growth and also spot wildlife that makes an appearance. Do keep us updated!
Hey kayla and you're one brave lady using bicarb and lemon juice! Are you intending to only use these ingredients? Guessing you don't colour? Definitely interested in regular updates.
Brief review of Georganics mouthwash tablets: made from natural and non-toxic ingredients and being in a glass jar means that it can be repurposed. I dissolve one tablet in warmish water before brushing teeth then by the time I've finished it's ready to use. The spearmint flavour is rather mild for my liking and really struggle with the lack of 'zing' compared with conventional brands. Also available in wild thyme. It must be said though that changing back to large plastic bottles of mouthwash is not an option so once these have gone I'll investigate other eco-friendly options.
https://georganics.co.uk/collections/mouthwash-tablets/products/mouthwash-tablets-spearmint
Next product to tackle was lip balm of which I get through tons. Made up my mind that I was not buying any more in plastic containers so spent some time researching online to see if it could be made easily. Found a recipe for imitation Bert's Bees lip balm and luckily happened to have all the ingredients in the cupboard. So simple to make with beeswax, Shea butter, coconut oil and peppermint oil. Managed to repurpose a glass jar and it turned out really well.
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Oh yes, just taken delivery of some melt and pour soap base that will become bars of soap at some point. Really wanted to try the cold process method, seriously investigated but decided that my cupboards are simply full up with no room for more saucepans and ingredients.
If you live in Leeds and surrounding areas then read up on refill stores, you're spoilt for choice:
http://www.little-birdie.com/jenlittlebirdie/2019/3/22/seagulls-refills-leeds-amp-live-green-live
Next product to tackle was lip balm of which I get through tons.
Can you not just buy a catering pot of Vaseline?
But I'm not a caterer Cougar.
Hey kayla and you’re one brave lady using bicarb and lemon juice! Are you intending to only use these ingredients? Guessing you don’t colour? Definitely interested in regular updates.
Ta! So far, a week and a half in, it's ok, not much different to shampoo and conditioner really and probably easier with shorter, finer hair like mine than a huge mane of curls. I've done a few bicarb washes and lemon juice rinses and a 'wash' through with just water on nights I don't wash my hair. I did a lemon tea rinse once (with no wash beforehand) which worked nicely. OH says it's no different to how it was which is either a glowing review of the bicarb/lemon juice thing or a damning indictment of the state of my hair before I stopped using shop-bought bottled shampoo...
I got some no-plastic Fit Pit bicarb, tea tree and orange oil deodorant too- it works nicely! I'm going to try making some of my own when it runs out. **** plastic!
Can you not just buy a catering pot of Vaseline?
Vaseline's an occlusive and doesn't actually moisturise- it'll stop moisture escaping but it'll also stop moisture getting in.
We also looked into making some cold-process soap but I decided I'd rather support someone else's endeavours than spend bike-riding time making something I can buy for a quid or two.
We've yet to try the Dentabs toothpaste tablets but the tube's about dead so it won't be long.
I have just gave up Coffee and Ice Cream (Hard).
Feel better as well 🙂
God... I miss Ice Cream :_)
I aim to cycle to work more. I have been very poor at this over the last 6-9 months. I work away slot which involves unavoidable air travel. Being away a lot means I am fitting stuff in the evening so driving to work hence the lack of cycling.
I have tried selling the shampoo soap at home but it had a cold reception. I am using soap instead of shower gel.
I have made a sandwich bag out of the bottoms of some gortex trousers.
Renovating a house and hope to use many reclaimed items as possible. Plus add insulation. Planning on a DIY solar thermal setup for hot water in the summer.
Plan in building a composting look for summer use.
Need to try and do some veg growing but time is tight.
I am trying to figure out a way of building a electric utility bike on the cheap. Really requires purchase of a Tig welder (something I have fancied for yeeeears!) so I am on the lookout for one
I am trying to figure out a way of building a electric utility bike on the cheap. Really requires purchase of a Tig welder (something I have fancied for yeeeears!) so I am on the lookout for one
We made some axle plates for this bolted-together cargo e-bike-
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You just reminded me of it- thanks!
edit- found the link from my emails-
edited again-
http://www.n55.dk/MANUALS/SPACEFRAMEVEHICLES/spaceframevehicles.html
Our local dentist is now recycling used toothbrushes, empty toothpaste tubes and even electric toothbrush heads. I believe these go off to be made into kitchen worktops (this was told to me be a neighbour - so maybe hearsay)
I'm still naughty by driving to the swimming baths. But will get the bike up and running soon.
Got our bin down to a quarter now.
Noticed that more schools are promoting 'pedal,walk and ride' to school. I urge any parents on here to get in touch with their school and push this. Most children have a scooter or bike or are able to walk.
All good stuff!
In Dentabs-related news, they're ok. Nice and minty and my teeth felt as clean (subjective, I know) as they would if I'd have used toothpaste. I'll see at my next dentist appointment...
Glad it's working kayla but did laugh at using lemon tea! Have you ever tried the 'no poo' method? Doesn't appeal I must say but, then again, have loads of bottles of (hair loss) shampoo hiding in the cupboard that need using despite them not working.
Following Cougar's comment I took a look at the Vaseline website in an attempt to find out exactly what the ingredients are. Only managed to see mention of minerals, no specifics though, together with petroleum jelly.
Melt and pour soap is bought in a block, sliced into small pieces and zapped in a microwave. Just need to add essential oil, colour etc. then pour into a mould. You can buy kits. Some links that may be useful:
www.wellnessmama.com
www.draxe.com
All 'merican I'm afraid, doesn't seem to be much in the way of UK home-made personal care product websites.
redthunder - why have you given up both coffee and ice cream? Sounds tough-going!
Great efforts by TheBrick especially for a novel use of Goretex.
Bunnyhop - well done that dentist, hadn't realised those could be recycled. I know that some people are using bamboo toothbrushes but am not prepared to give up my electric one although these should have rechargeable batteries to stop replacement every few years.
I'm trying the no 'poo thing now- baking soda = bicarb of soda and I use lemon juice or any mild acidic as a rinse straight after it. You can do a green or black tea rinse once a week as well (hence the lemon tea rinse!) I'm a fan, so far.
I've also stopped using sellotape where possible.
When buying gifts. I pop the unwrapped gift in a small paper bag ( the type with handles, not the type you put mushrooms in), then pop a piece of tissue tucked in over the top. The bag and tissue then can be re-used.
Also our local bookshop sells greeting cards without the plastic wrapping (card and envelope loose).
Maybe I should get a life - Ha ha.
Mini review of Georganics spearmint tooth powder: it's foul! A bit more detail - used this morning for the first time and pretty much gagged, made my eyes water too. The taste is extremely unpleasant with one ingredient being overpowering although not sure what it is yet. Had to buy some toothpaste cos this is being chucked in the bin except for the lovely little glass jar which will be repurposed.
Any recommendations for eco-friendly tooth powder?
Trying to drive the car as little as possible (even thought taking bus take twice as long). Trying to buy as little plastic packaged food as possible (nuts, oats lentils and pasta without any packaging) Trying to buy as local as possible, switch from cow to seed milk, no red meat (ok it's been almost 20 years now) and cutting down on eat. When I do eat meat trying to get as much as I can from my fellow MBTer (he's an organic butcher). Trying to repair as much as I can before disposing, no buying stuff i don't need anymore. I have start to build my own furniture from reclaimed palletes (although more for fun than political statement). Only buying second hand cars and I might kill my dream of my 40th to buy a new bikes (F800R) for a second hand one.
Recycling only what can be recycle (Metal, glass and paper) at recycling center. Using the honey pot as jar for food.
When at mine heating doesn't get turned on until it drops below 16°C. I have refurbsihed my flat so double glazed windows and a very fancy heating system for the water meaning I can turn it on demands.
Far from being perfect I know but trying to do my best
EDIT : I don't have kids (don't plan too either) a TV or a Dryer. Planning on stopping to buy new books, but owning my taste not sure i'll find a suitable alternative.
My resolution is to use NO disposible coffee cups this year. To that end I have a collapsible silicone cup with a lid from Amazon. 1/4 of the year in and I've used only one so far. And that was me being lazy at work and forgot to go downstairs to fetch my china cup.
Out and about with no cup means the cafe had better offer a seat and china. No cup and no china means no coffee.
Worked in the US for a week too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collapsible-Silicone-Reusable-Portable-AniSqui/dp/B07DDDTKKX
Any recommendations for eco-friendly tooth powder?
I can recommend Denttabs- they work and taste like toothpaste, they just don't foam up like toothpaste does.
Hair news- I'm off the bicarb and lemon juice am using plain bastille soap with buttermilk (from ebay, because Lush is really £xp£nsiv£) every 2-3 days with a plain water 'wash' in between and my hair's in really nice condition now, I think I might have found a working plan. The upside of this is that the soap is just soap; you can use it all over, it's only a few quid for a bar and there's less crap in the bathroom now.
No-plastic bog roll from here- https://www.thecheekypanda.co.uk/product/100-bamboo-plastic-free-toilet-tissue-48-rolls/
OH has the allotment going now, the first taties are in and the polytunnel up and running with peppers, chilies, courgettes, tomatoes, butternut squash and is composting everything that isn't nailed down...
We're trying to find a local supplier for rapeseed in a 20L metal drum so we can stop buying plastic bottles of cooking oil. The stuff in glass jars is nice but too dear just to fry stuff in.
This town's crying out for a zero-waste co-operative grocer...
Remembered to take the Starbucks reusable cups with us to Center Parcs last week, think I was quite restrained and only had two Caramel Macchiatos all week, but better than landfill cups and saved 25p per cup too (they now charge 5p extra per non-reusable cup).
Still getting used to mine, but better half has been using a wooden tooth brush for a while.
Seeing less and less point in gift wrapping paper, either re-using gift bags or simply using carrier bags.
I hate how Tesco encourage people to buy banana bunches of five in bags for a squid, instead of 25p each loose.
kayla - have seen it mentioned that denttabs shouldn't be used long term with an electric toothbrush. As there's no way I'm giving up the electric toothbrush have sourced an alternative that will be used tonight. Have decided that at some point I'll try making my own.
Do you think you had a build up of residue from commercial shampoo and conditioner? I'm wondering whether the bicarb and lemon juice has helped with that. Is this castille soap you're now using? Great effort with growing your own veg!
Just made my first batch of melt and pour soap, fingers crossed! Taken delivery of deodorant in a push up cardboard tube, no plastic whatsoever. Shall report back in due course.
Bad news - the zero waste shop I was intending to visit (quite a distance from me) as was daughter who works in the same town - it's now closed due to owners wanting a work/life balance. So disappointed, sounds as though it was a victim of its own success.
Hi CG, it's a bastille soap (part olive oil, part coconut oil) with buttermilk and pureed carrots in it. I don't think the extras are doing much to be honest 😆 It's nice and gentle though and I don't need to use a conditioner. It was maybe just a few weeks off from using commercial shampoo and conditioner that made the difference rather than using bicarb and lemon juice, but I don't know. I won't be going back to bottled stuff anyway.
The 'Fit Pit' deodorant I got (bicarb, arrowroot, cornflour, tea tree oil & orange oil) in a glass jar is easy to use and I'll be making my own version soon cos it works well and I don't stink, which is nice.
We went to the Scoop n Save in Houghton on Wednesday, OH took his HT with a pannier and we took our own containers to fill with stuff we needed. Called into a pub on the way home, obvs.
edit- oh, and we're collecting a tandem tomorrow to use for longer trips and stuff, via the divorce court probably...
Like pretty much everyone I always try to have some bags with me or use a box when I go to the supermarket, or just load the items from trolley to boot, but I find a bit questionable the latest move to only selling "bags for life". I only buy a bag when caught out, I don't need or want any more bags, and I read that these bags need something like 50x the number of uses to make sense environmentally in place of the basic thin bags. Therefore if I get caught out in this way it has 50x the impact it would've done if they could sell me a basic bag for 5p. Crazy is it not? Or have I the wrong end of the stick?
Mini tooth powder review: now using Truthpaste's Peppermint & Wintergreen and, my goodness, it has a zingy taste and actually feels that it's cleaning my teeth. OK this definitely feels less of a compromise to toothpaste and would happily accept this as regular tooth powder. I bought the 40g size which is in a glass jar, 120g size also available as well as a fennel flavour. Vegan too.
https://www.truthpaste.co.uk/product-page/copy-of-peppermint-wintergreen-40g
Mini deodorant stick review made by Earth Conscious with a most subtle fragrance of jasmine and rose. This comes in a cardboard tube that you simply push up from the bottom, no plastic whatsoever due to simple packaging. Works well so far, non-sticky and my only grumble is the price.
https://www.truthpaste.co.uk/product-page/jasmine-rose-earth-conscious-deordorant-stick
cinnamon girl do you have a guesstimate on how long the deodorant lasts for?
I rarely eat takeaway food but had a curry on Friday with mates. About 10 plastic boxes so that’s on my list of no no.
Gone for bamboo handle toothbrush if anyone has good recommendations.
All my good intentions are probably wiped out by my old diesel van I drive but do what you can and all that.
Marin only started using it this weekend but it's not as moist as some so perhaps that would mean less wastage. Was using Jason deodorant stick containing 71g compared with Earth Conscious 60g. Actually when you see them side by side you realise how much plastic is used - height of Jason is 13cm compared with Earth Conscious at 9cm and half the width!
To be honest I will have a go at making my own, bound to work out a lot cheaper.
That's a lot of plastic boxes, can you not reuse them even for something like chain links, nails etc?
We're all compromising in some shape or form but I always ask myself whether I can do better.
It's a tricky one, isn't it? Until such a time as capitalism finally ****s off we're stuck consuming the planet in order to survive.
Yes!! On the positive side though, I now have quite a collection of ingredients which means that I don't need to buy that much. For example, one thing I don't have is bentonite clay but if I bought it then it can be used for making both tooth powder and deodorant. This is my wimminz logic at work, ha ha!
The Mrs uses a crystal rock for a deodorant but I’m a lot smellier,dirtier job and need something with a bit more “power”
I’ll give the Earth conscious one a try and see how it goes.
Someone bought me an easter egg on the weekend - unbelievable amount of plastic in the packaging of them! (It was bloody horrible chocolate too (Reeses))
[url= https://friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/easter-egg-firms-still-failing-crack-plasticfree-packaging ]This[/url] was last year and they still haven't changed it!
The Mrs uses a crystal rock for a deodorant but I’m a lot smellier,dirtier job and need something with a bit more “power”
I’ll give the Earth conscious one a try and see how it goes.
Just looking at their website and there's a few stockists scattered around the Southern part of the country. Good selection of scents with some being unisex. Have seen those crystal rocks but can't quite get my head around the idea!
Can't believe this has been staring me in the face for a long time ... butter!! Why do I buy it in plastic containers when instead I can buy a foil-wrapped block. Grrrrrrrrrrr
Some great news - by pure chance I read about a newly-opened zero waste shop not a million miles from my hood. Also the owner makes unsponges, dishcloths, reusable kitchen roll etc. Can't wait to visit!
Has anyone made any more changes or been inspired to do things differently?
Paid a visit to the newly-opened local zero waste shop and was really impressed. They're stocking goods made by local small businesses such as candles, soaps etc., all smelled lovely. Took some empty containers along and was able to buy hair conditioner costing 50p per 100mls which is bargaintastic, also some fabric conditioner. You can also buy a selection of shampoo, body wash and washing up liquid in whatever quantity you want. Owner will be taking over the unit next door to sell dried goods as well.
As I've been baulking at the cost of non-plastic personal care products, a search online threw up loads of recipes. It helped that I already had some ingredients but still needed to buy some really random stuff. Mouthwash was a doddle to make but will need to tweak the recipe. Remineralising tooth powder was also easy despite numerous ingredients such as bentonite clay, ground cinnamon and ground cloves. Added my favourite essential oil for dental products namely wintergreen and am really pleased with this recipe, teeth feel so clean. Only downside is that I need to have some sort of spittoon handy as the clay is making a right mess of the basin! Lastly, lavender deodorant which took a little longer to make as the ingredients needed melting but must confess to not having yet tried it.
Still more work to do though!
We've been knitting (or you can crotchet) old cotton tee shirts, or balls of jute at our local WI, to use as cleaning cloths.
Haven't tried the jute yet, but have knitted a tee shirt. It tales a bit of patience to cut the shirt in such a way to ensure a continuous strip. I purchased some enormous knitting needles from a charity shop because the tee shirt was cut at strips of 1cm.
When we moved to Scotland in 2004 we decided to try to be more ecologically aware. We bought a croft cottage which we renovated completely. The building was completely gutted inside, fully insulated, then had underfloor heating and a ground source heat system installed. When we extended it the new annex had an air source heat pump. We had a barn built across the road for our horses and when we got electricity to it we also added PV panels.
We try to limit our use of cars but as we live 10 miles from the nearest shops this can be difficult. We are also foster carers which can involve a lot of travel in local trips. We would like to use the train more to visit family in the South but this can also be difficult as we need transport at the other end. We have decided to stop flying, which we don't do very often but it's a gesture. Public transport locally is not great, we only have 3 buses a day each way and 1 on Saturdays.
We have reduced our meat consumption, partly due to my wife changing her diet to avoid wheat and dairy. This is helped by the 2 girls we have on placement who will only eat processed food products which I refuse to eat. We recycle everything we can although I'm not convinced that the council deal with it as well as they suggest - I think plastic recycling particularly may be more ineffective than people would like to think. We don't grow our own vegetables mainly due to lack of time.
One area which I think we could do more is in packaging. We use bags for shopping at the supermarket but I am appalled by the amount of packaging of foodstuff. I think food producers must do more to limit product packaging. We buy a lot of prepared foods, largely because of the foster placements we have whose diets have been taught badly and they refuse to eat home-cooked meals. We end up feeding burgers, chicken nuggets and pizzas because it's all they'll eat.
We're not really sure now what else we can usefully do. I feel a little bit that it's not going to be the efforts of individual people and families that is going to sort out this problem when governments and multi-national companies just seem to pay lip-service to making changes.
I’m really trying to not buy stuff in plastic packaging, i drive as economically as possible, i recycle as much as i can, but mainly I’m trying to talk my lad out of having kids. Too many people on the planet as it is.
Totally agree about population and the need to control growth. Present world population is around 7.5bn, estimates of sustainable population seem to vary from c1.7bn to 11bn depending on the level of standard of living. The question is how to educate people to limit their families.
As I am sure you all know - reduce, reuse, recycle. Of these reduce is by far the most important.
In our household? No car, no children. No clingfilm, no fabric conditioner, no deodorant ( natural fibres instead for clothing and wash!)
Consumer goods are only replaced when no longer repairable and second hand ones bought if possible - never bought a new TV for example nor a new camera nor most of the stereo equipment. Computer is more than 10 years old. Phone was new but is now 3(?) years old. We only have one between us. Never print anything at home or at work unless work insists. I refuse all handouts of material on paper when at training.
Unfortunately tho going from one small local supermarket to 4 large ones has killed all local shopping so plastic waste on food is hard to avoid but I do not buy much food that is flown to the UK, very little out of season stuff. Buy scottish first, UK second, EU third, almost never anything from outside the EU. Reduce those food miles. I grow herbs in pots ( can't grow more food or I would)
Bike parts mainly secondhand. Never bought any new furniture or cutlery or crockery - all second hand. clothing 50 / 50 secondhand. Pots and pans mainly secondhand
WE tend to fly on once every two years ( been a bit more than that the last few years tho.) Train and bus wherever possible. I think I have had about 4 days of hire vehicles in the last year. I very rarely drive to ride. Holidays are walking and cycling mainly
Our flat is in a 150 year old building and has been insulated to the point the central heating rarely comes on ( top floor flat, we are effectively an insulated cap on the top of it)
Decisions on what to buy and what to do have embedded co2 taken into account
Even with all that our lifestyle is still not really sustainable in the true sense of the word but our co2 footprint is lower than most in the developed world but if everyone in the world had our co2 footprint it would be unsustainable
Vote green.