In previous posts (here and here), I mentioned the problem of plastic being burned in waste incinerators and how we were taking small steps to minimise our usage. These are some of the other small steps we are taking:
Electric Toothbrush Heads: Strictly speaking, this is not a plastic reduction step as these replacement heads are made from a thermoplastic. However, LiveCoCo claim these are recyclable and included a stamped addressed envelope for returning the used items (you have to buy a dozen heads).
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| Photo 1: Recyclable Electric Toothbrush Heads from LiveCoCo |
The stamp on the addressed envelope is out-of-date (no barcode) and invalid but I have no issues with paying postage if it means the toothbrush heads will definitely be recycled. The cardboard boxes are fully recyclable via our regular doorstop waste collection service.
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| Photo 2: Returns Envelope fro Recycling Brush Heads (no-valid stamp) |
Toilet Paper: For a good few years now, we have been buying our toilet rolls from Who Gives a Crap, They were recommended by a friend and one of the main attractions for us is their donation of 50% of profits to provide clean water and sanitation to those who currently cannot access such facilities.
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| Photo 3: Toilet Paper from 'Who Gives a Crap' |
The two options for toilet paper are (i) made from recycled paper, and (ii) made from sustainable 100 % bamboo. The bamboo version is our preference because of its greater wet strength. The toilet rolls have cardboard centres and are wrapped in paper and supplied in cardboard boxes. Not a hint of plastic anywhere. Everything is recycled via our doorstep waste collection service although I do sometimes shred the cardboard boxes for my hot composting bins.
We also add the kitchen towels and paper tissues, all made from recycled paper, to the shopping list when placing our 6-monthly order.
Bulk Buying of Cleaning Products: For many years we have purchased our cleaning products in bulk from BigGreenSmile: shampoo, shower gel, washing up liquid, laundry liquid, fabric softener, hand soap & toilet cleaner.
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| Photo 4: Bulk Cleaning Products (2.5L and 5L) |
In principle, buying in bulk reduces plastic use when compared to buying lots of small bottles of the same product; this assumes you refill the existing small bottles (
Photo 9). Chances are you will also save money by buying in bulk and, possibly, reduce your carbon footprint by cutting the number of shopping trips.
We have installed dispensers for products such as hand soap, shower gel and shampoo ...
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| Photo 5: Manual Shampoo & Body Wash Dispensers in the Shower Cubicle |
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| Photo 6: Electric Soap Dispenser (Bathroom) |
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| Photo 7: Manual Soap Dispenser (WC) |
The manual dispensers have minimum lifetimes of 10+ years and the electric versions (Photo 6) of at least 5 years. For the electric hand soap dispensers, the product is diluted (1 part soap with 2 parts water) thereby reducing its environmental and carbon impact even more.
Furthermore, I no longer buy fabric softener (Mary used to complain about the scratchy hand and bath towels) as I dry stuff in our heat pump clothes dryer because I need the
distilled water it produces for my citizen science work. My heat pump tumble dryer only runs on renewable energy either from my PV solar panels or via my green tariff electricity supply. I do realise the electrons coming through my mains electricity wires are not all carbon-neutral but I will have more to say on this in a future blogpost.
We have also made the change from laundry liquid to laundry powder ...
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| Photo 8: Washing Powder has Replaced Laundry Liquid |
The powder is a little more expensive than the liquid but has the advantage of no plastic and easily recyclable packaging.
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| Photo 9: Important to Refill Small Bottles |
Deodorant: For stick deodorants, we use the
Wild reusable cases. The refills are plastic-free. Not the cheapest on the market but they are effective - the choice of 'flavours' is extensive!
We'll keep looking ...
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