Environmentally Friendly Ideas

Thought I'd start a thread so that maybe we could start to share any eco/environmentally friendly ideas we have which could either help reduce plastics that we use or help reduce chemicals etc etc.

I decided this year that I needed to make a more conscious effort to get rid of plastics in my day to day use. I know my singular efforts wont make a massive difference, but doing something is better than nothing.

Please share your tips - I'd really like to read them and take them on board.

 

To start the ball rolling these are the small things I've made a conscious effort to do since the start of the year:

1. I am no longer buying those trays of ready cooked rice anymore - they were so quick and easy to use (and I was rubbish at cooking rice) but I made the effort to learn how to cook rice properly and so no longer buying that micro-rice in the plastic trays - just one plastic bag that the rice comes in.
2. I've got back to using washing powder rather than liquid. Although the powder can be messy, it isn't in plastic bottles - it comes in the cardboard boxes which can be recycled more easily. I wish there was an alternative for softner!
3. Changed use of feminine hygiene products so they don't contain plastic.
4. Got a composter for up at the allotment
5. Buying the "refill bags" of dettol surface spray and hand wash etc instead of just buying new plastic bottles every time.

I'm stuck with plastic dog food trays at the moment - our dogs have a special diet and really sensitive tummies (and LOADS of allergies) so it's really difficult to find the right meat for them. Unfortunately the one they are ok with is in plastic trays. I've tried using the trays to do seedlings in, but we use one tray a day and there's only so many seedling trays you need.

 

Oh no evangelical speeches here - I hate that whole preaching malarky. When I was veggie I hated it when I heard vegans and veggies going really OTT. If people want to change they will and they don't need forcing, it's more likely to push people to the opposite extreme.

Oh and I second the bamboo - my husband has bamboo boxers and socks and they're very soft. Good idea though - I will look for more of that to replace my clothes when they're worn out.

I've just message the dog food company on facebook about the plastic trays...lets see what they say.

Agree with the garden plastics - I've been going for the terracotta or fibrecotta type too. And have been recycling plant pots over and over best I can. Also nipped to a local nursery to pick up a few plant pots to use and they were happy for me to take what I wanted. All good ideas.

 

I reuse Coffee take away cups to grow Runner Beans in, the ones I have must be 5 years old, yes a bit tatty but still useable.

 

I use a keep cup on the odd occasion that I have a take away coffee.

Plant pots are reused

All of the grass cuttings and chicken shavings are composted and put back onto the beds.

We are part of a local plant swap group who aim to swap plants locally rather than buying imported plants, reducing carbon footprint. We do buy plants from afar if we cant buy locally

We collect egg boxes from friends and reuse these to supply people with our hen eggs

For our waste management business we chose the greenest routes wherever possible although some companies are driven by cost only so chose a less green option

Our wax melts (new sideline) have no glitter / plastics in them, use sustainable soy wax and very limited packaging. We are moving to biodegradable cello bags once the current stock runs out.

We repurposed a load of cups & saucers for use as fragranced candles as gifts. They can be used as cups once the candle has burnt out.

 

@snorky - I used to have issues cooking rice until someone, from St. Vincent, told me that they don't do the 2.5 cups water to each cup rice and cook until the water is absorbed - they put about 4 cups in the pot, cook the rice until it is the tenderness they want, then strain. (The water can be cooled and used in the garden) This is so so easy and never any stuck to the bottom of the pan. I've also made rice in the microwave. Same as for 2.5/1 , cooked on high for a few minutes. Let sit 5. Check. Cook on high, let sit... etc. When done, spice and eat.

I give my empty egg cartons to an acquaintance who sells eggs collected from her own flock.

I foot wash some of my clothes. I have a Drumi which uses only a few gallons of water and a drop of soap.

I always reuse my plant pots. Some are over 18 years old. I put my egg shells in the garden and potting soil.

I use solar power for my greenhouse fans and lights etc.

I use microfiber clothes for wiping things down and dusting. Only need water. Not chemicals.

My dishwasher soap is in those pillowy thingies but the container lasts me about a year and then I reuse it as it has a handle which makes it easy to use when harvesting peppers or other small items. I also have one that gets all of the bits and pieces that won't fit in the junk drawer.

Guilty on the textile front - I am now sewing my own clothes and I don't see any affordable sources for bamboo cloth. I have cut apart garments and remade them into something else, or updated them.

@john558 I'm glad you posted - I rarely do take away but I have a large Styrofoam cup from my lunch combo of hotdog/soft drink today. I was in the US and obviously no one in their right mind takes anything across the border that is not absolutely necessary. We don't have foam cups up here any more (at least as far as I know) and the idea to use as a pot will at least get it used one more time before going in the trash.

My grandchildren think I'm a green granny - not sure though if that's because of my eco friendly attitude, my growing stuff, or the look on my face when they tell me about some of the things they get up to!

 

For those of you wondering what to do with those empty plastic chocolate/biscuits tubs, if you live near to a Greene King pub they can be taken there. The money raised goes to Macmillan .

Tub2Pub | Greene King for Good