We are heading on into May and July is starting to creep up. I have enjoyed my journey so far very much and now I feel ready to make a few more changes to my lifestyle. We have been buying more things in bulk than ever before, using re-usable packaging options wherever possible and visiting organic markets where possible. As a side note, I will just say that I am a very big fan of Harris Farm as they have a huge range of fresh fruits and veges however I love to browse their imperfect options for slightly bruised oranges or overly large sweet potatoes.
So now it is time to move forward again into the world of "less plastic" and make another step towards my new year's resolution of living plastic free by July.
So now it is time to move forward again into the world of "less plastic" and make another step towards my new year's resolution of living plastic free by July.
Handkerchiefs for girls?
This is something that has really caught my curiosity in the last few days and I am very interested to explore it further. Tissues are extremely wasteful and I know that, in Autumn especially, we go through a lot of tissues. I also have a small suspicion that the reason I get such but sneezing attacks (and honestly, ask my family - I can sneeze for a long time!) is that the fibres from the tissues get into my nose and make me sneeze more. Handkerchiefs, on the other hand, are totally re-usable, can be washed in the washing machine and are much softer on your nose. My dad uses hankies over tissues (and I'm sure your dad or a friends dad probably does too) but I have never really noticed girls using hankies. I didn't really reserve it only for guys but I never considered trying them myself.
So I have done some research to try and find out where I may be able to get a hanky of my own. There are lots of stores that sell them for men, namely all the department stores, however handkerchiefs that are attractive to girls are harder to find. There are a few online stores that sell them but I don't particularly like shopping online (don't ask me why, I just have never gotten into it). But of course, there is always another option. If you have seen the Hobbit, you will know what I'm talking about here...
DIY handkerchiefs are actually super easy to do. All you have to do is cut some old fabric and you are done. You could even embroider on it to make it a bit more special. Using soft fabric is also much nicer than tissues which are course and can leave your nose dry and sore.
So as the holidays come to a close, I think I might just try my hand in DIY handkerchiefs and try save a few boxes of tissues from ending up in landfill.
Here is an article from "The Zero Waste Nerd" on the art of DIY handkerchiefs.
A Zero Waste Alternative to Tissues
DIY handkerchiefs are actually super easy to do. All you have to do is cut some old fabric and you are done. You could even embroider on it to make it a bit more special. Using soft fabric is also much nicer than tissues which are course and can leave your nose dry and sore.
So as the holidays come to a close, I think I might just try my hand in DIY handkerchiefs and try save a few boxes of tissues from ending up in landfill.
Here is an article from "The Zero Waste Nerd" on the art of DIY handkerchiefs.
A Zero Waste Alternative to Tissues
Bamboo toothbrush
This is something I have been wanting to try for a very long time. Bamboo toothbrushes are much better from the environment and personally, I like the look of bamboo.
While bamboo is bio-degradable, the bristles on the toothbrush often aren't. This does mean that they cannot be completely chucked into the compost at the end of their lives however, I have heard that you can pull out the bristles to be disposed of in the normal bin and then put the bamboo handle in the compost. Another bonus of these products is that you can buy then on their own without packaging or in a paper box without plastic packaging.
I know that many bulk shops sell bamboo toothbrushes so I will have my eyes on those once my current toothbrush starts to fall apart.
While bamboo is bio-degradable, the bristles on the toothbrush often aren't. This does mean that they cannot be completely chucked into the compost at the end of their lives however, I have heard that you can pull out the bristles to be disposed of in the normal bin and then put the bamboo handle in the compost. Another bonus of these products is that you can buy then on their own without packaging or in a paper box without plastic packaging.
I know that many bulk shops sell bamboo toothbrushes so I will have my eyes on those once my current toothbrush starts to fall apart.
bar soap
This is another product which is stocked in "The Source Bulk Foods" but also in almost all gift shops and home-wares shops. At home, we currently use liquid soap for the shower in plastic bottles. This is not my preferred arrangement however these bottles can be recycled and my dad has special soap as he has sensitive skin.
Despite this, I believe that making changes for yourself will still make a difference. I would really like to try make the switch to bar soap (free of plastic packaging of course) to minimise my impact on the planet. If I can stop using these liquid soaps, then they will last longer and we will not have to buy as many plastic bottles in the future.
Despite this, I believe that making changes for yourself will still make a difference. I would really like to try make the switch to bar soap (free of plastic packaging of course) to minimise my impact on the planet. If I can stop using these liquid soaps, then they will last longer and we will not have to buy as many plastic bottles in the future.
Refillable Pen
I love stationary and writing, and being in school, I go through pens VERY quickly. My mum was telling me that when she was a kid, everyone had a special re-fillable pen that could be replenished with ink when it ran out.
I love the idea of having a beautiful pen that I can keep forever and just re-fill with ink when I need it. I already have a pencil like this with led that can be refilled and I am loving it so I can't see why I shouldn't make the leap to pens as well. Although such pens can be quite expensive, I believe that this is totally worth it for the environment as I will not have to be constantly buying plastic pens in plastic packaging just to make notes at school.
So the next mission is to work out where I can find one. Let me know if you have any suggestions. I have already been told that MUJI does pens like this and I know "LARRY POST", an online and retail stationary store, also does them. I'll keep you posted and let you know when I do find one!
I love the idea of having a beautiful pen that I can keep forever and just re-fill with ink when I need it. I already have a pencil like this with led that can be refilled and I am loving it so I can't see why I shouldn't make the leap to pens as well. Although such pens can be quite expensive, I believe that this is totally worth it for the environment as I will not have to be constantly buying plastic pens in plastic packaging just to make notes at school.
So the next mission is to work out where I can find one. Let me know if you have any suggestions. I have already been told that MUJI does pens like this and I know "LARRY POST", an online and retail stationary store, also does them. I'll keep you posted and let you know when I do find one!
So there are my four things to adopt in the coming weeks as preparation for July. I am getting very excited about this "less plastic" adventure and cannot wait to see what the next few months bring. I have been shocked about the amount of plastic in my life but more importantly, I am overwhelmed by the products and businesses out there working to support people like me who want to preserve our planet and move away from single use plastic.