I'm trying to save our planet

Nanasam I've been using solid shampoo & conditioner for two years now and wouldn't return to liquid versions. You can get them at Lush uk.lush.com/products/shampoo/new or there are other companies mentioned here. www.standard.co.uk/shopping/esbest/beauty/hair/best-shampoo-bars-uk-a4052631.html

Oops! dud did.

Dud you know that Pizza Express is wholly owned by Chinese company Hony?
There's no getting over the fact that China has a fist (never mind a finger) in every pie.

Our local Sainsbury's tried doing away with plastic bags for vegetables, and using paper bags. Unfortunately, they say that the demand was so high, they ran out of supplies and then could only offer little plastic net bags at 30p each, which were made from plastic bottles. I felt sorry for the assistant, as a group of us complained that any plastic was unwelcome, I hope they have got their act together this week when I go. We have decided to give up air travel, only using railways if we want to go abroad. A friend of ours takes at least 14 holidays a year, usually cruising to some exotic spot on the globe, I only hope my small attempts at saving the planet make up for her waste!

Nfk I've been using my mesh produce bags for some time now and the shops have no objections. They are see-through, so they know what's in them at the till.

Its good to learn from each other though.

Companies are sneaky too, letting us think their products are environmentally friendly.

They should face a big fine, I think.

Nanasam
Have you given any thought to the packaging on your biodegradable (not!!!) wipes. None of it is.
Souce: Friends of the earth.

If your serious about trying to save our planet you have a way to go yet.

Oh dear, one very embarrassed nana here, I honestly thought that biodegradable wipes, although put in the general waste, would degrade in the landfill. Stupid me, I won’t buy them again . I’d like to know where I can buy shampoo in bars.

Am following this thread with interest but I have nothing to add to all the stuff you are all doing.

I like Bathsheba’s idea of the net curtain grocery bags. DH does take the single use bags back to refill with more veg/fruit so it’s not single use but those net bags would be even better provided shops don’t object to them.

(I did read that fruit such as apples are delivered to the stores in packaging to stop damage and then taken out so we think we’re doing good for the planet by buying loose.)

If it were legal to travel by horse I would-

Wipes are awful, and I tend not to use them. For my face, a facecloth and gentle soap, or cotton pads. I just read up on cotton pads, and will switch up to organic if I can find them.

We recycle most of our garbage. Our small city does not pick it up, so we have to do our own separating and bring it out to the recycle depot ourselves.

Natural gas is used to heat our house, which is better than other fossil fuels. Our electric is generated by hydro. Solar power is not viable in our area, but I would love to add a wind turbine if I could.

We commute less than 4 km to and from work so do not use too much fuel. Next summer I may look at getting an electric bike to use for the commute, but will stick with my car for now.

It breaks my heart to see what the planet has become, and whatever little bit we can do will help. The worst polluters in the world are China and India, where most of the manufacturing in the world happens. So we try to consume and purchase less, and recycle what we can.

I buy lots of stuff in bulk, because its much cheaper, mainly.
I have huge cupboards here, my mum used to call one of them my 'shop'.

Completely confused all at work by buying 5 litre container of washing up liquid, instead of the usual bottles (Reduce plastic waste)

Had to put a notice on the fridge explaining, they all thought I'd lost the plot and forgotten to order any. Idiots!

Missadventure thank you for the link to info about wipes. Very informative!

Kitchen wipes and face wipes are unnecessary. Kitchen cloths last for years or can be made out of old linen or shirts. Face flannels or muslin or cotton cloths can also be used on the face.

Baby bottom wipes have their uses, especially when travelling and in nursery situations, but soft loo roll and/or cotton wool work too. 100% cotton wool can be composted, although cotton is a water-thirsty crop. For wiping children's hands and faces, I'd always prefer a flannel/cloth and water to wipes.

All good ideas, particularly the wipes which are a scourge. I try and buy less stuff, particularly clothing and wash it less frequently, and it doesn't smell ?.

Laundry has quite a high carbon footprint, releases toxic chemicals into the water system, and uses gallons of water. The fashion industry has a huge carbon footprint.

Yes - a lot of these things. I grow some veg on the patio, buy other veg at local farm shop, use reusable shopping bags, buy stuff with less packaging, try to buy less, or secondhand. But the biggest thing I do is probably switching to a vegan diet a year ago. It really isn't hard to do, it isn't weird, it isn't just salad and veg! There is some amazing vegan food! Can be unhealthy or healthy - last night made some pizza with vegan cheese, tonight curry, cereal and oat milk for breakfast, vegan cheese sandwich for lunch. Bacon crisps occasionally (yes, these are vegan!!), and other goodies! Good for the environment but even better if you are an animal ?

I think most of us our doing our bit in one way or another. But I feel it is a drop in the bucket, until airports stop being built, flights are decimated, manufacturers stop their packaging etc. etc. But we can but try.

These monster ships are at sea for almost 2 months before they even enter the Tyne .

But we have exchanged one problem for another by shipping in colossal amounts of Biomass from Canada to burn .

www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2019/oct/09/half-century-dither-denial-climate-crisis-timeline
This article makes interesting reading. Apparently the impact of fossil fuels was predicted in the 60s. The big polluters have been covering it up ever since. While every little helps, changes must be made at national and international level. Now.

I recycled food waste- egg shells, tea bags, banana skins, vegetable peelings etc etc

However the council have stopped this service due to cost!

Oh, I might have a go myself.

A water company van drove past last week, and on the side is said something about wipes being the single most damaging thing to the environment (I think! It drove fast and my eyes are bad)

I never flush baby wipes (I tend to wrap them with the nappy) and put them in the bin but I appreciate they have to go somewhere as does the nappy itself.

Thank you for the link MissA I notice there is a "how to" on making your own baby wipes. I never use them on her face (to wipe food etc.) as she suffers from eczema so we have to be very careful. Not promising I will switch but I will definitely give it a go.

friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/wet-wipes-keeping-them-out-our-seas-and-sewers