As part of Plastic Free July, I have been making more effort to find new ways to reduce waste in our home. We have been on a journey to consciously gradually reduce our waste, and especially plastic, for a while now anyway but there will always be more action we can take! So I walked around the house, and looked at our current waste and recycling, to come up with an action plan. Then I did some online shopping for zero waste essentials! Here are some of my purchases:
Bamboo Cloths
I purchased these Cheeky Wipes reusable cloths through Amazon* for multiple purposes. They come in a pack of 25 in five different colours (£17), which is handy for keeping separate cloths for own their different uses/ remembering who they belong to!
I was disappointed that they arrived in plastic wrapping! However, aside from that I am pleased with them; they are a nice size and wash well.
Bamboo Toothbrush
I needed a new toothbrush so it seemed the perfect time to opt for a more sustainable alternative than the usual plastic toothbrush! This lovely bamboo toothbrush (RRP £2.75) was kindly sent to me directly from Save Some Green, along with one to giveaway as part of my mini eco bundle too! (See below to enter). It even comes in eco friendly packaging, very impressed!
Coconut Scrub Pads
Again, the Safix scrub pad (RRP £2.70) was kindly received from Save Some Green and is a super environmentally friendly alternative to usual versions. It is biodegradable and compostable so zero waste.
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Food Wraps and Zip Bag
I purchased this Planet Wise zip bag (£5.95) and Abeego food wraps (£14.95) from Babipur. They are really easy to wipe clean and a very handy alternative to cling film!
Babipur have also kindly offered these two fab items as a prize for one lucky winner. You can enter via instagram below:
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Reusable Straws
I have already written about my fab straw purchases from Eco Straws.
These are definitely some good product ideas to help reduce waste in the home
I recycle and use canvas bags for shopping
I compost all my confidential shredded material, use cloth bags and recycle all tins cans etc. I am trying to make tthings out of things I already own ie make storage boxes etc
Meal planning! Then I only buy what is needed
It reduces waste and saves us money
I don’t recycle as much as I could / should – so I’ll make an effort to do more.
Take my own canvas bags to the shops and recycle
we recycle everything we can
My boyfriend hates it, but I try to not flush the toliet as much as I possible can. I like to reuse my cotton bags at the shops and now i’ve invested in some washable cotton pads to remove make up with
Recycle as much as I can x
charge households that dont recycle
I try to recycle as much as I can x
I recycle everything that I can, I also try to buy only what I need and cook up and freeze to avoid wasting things.
We recycle anything we can
we recycle as much as we can and use some recyclable items for craft projects with the kids
I use fabric bags at supermarket check-outs, refusing plastic bags. We recycle glass, tins, paper & compost garden rubbish. I buy fruit & veg at local farm shop as produce tends to be loose & not pre-packed in plastic & I use my own cardboard box for carrying the items
I’m doing more and more each year. I’m going to learn to repair clothing and shoes so that I can make a move away from disposable fashion – I’ll buy better quality so that it lasts longer and will also make minor repairs rather than throwing away and buying new
We never waste food
I’m reducing waste by trying to buy less, reuse more and where possible buy 2nd hand or up cycled
I’ve started to use reusable straws, have a menstral cup, use reusable bags and trying to buy more produce with less plastic packaging!
I will buy a reusable bottle for water rather than buying bottled water
Try to keep the car an extra year – a huge amount of energy and natural resourcesgoes into building every one. Likewise, keep washing machines and other domestic equipment until it really wears out.
I’ll be taking a couple of ‘bags for life’ with me when shopping, instead of buying 5p carrier bags.
We recycle most of our waste, re-use bags etc
Only today we ordered some holiday switch timers as we’re sick of the kids leaving their devices on charge and televisions on. We also pass on additional food to those in need and have brought full meals to homeless and those that are in financial hardship as I reguarly cook more than I need as the sell by dates are getting close, this means we get to use the food yet others get to benefit too.
We recycle and upcycle everything we can as well as donating things to our local freecycle for people who may need or can make use of things and we always freeze leftovers to be eaten at a later date 🙂
We recycle anything we can and reuse our shopping bags
We already recycle and do food waste etc but still end up throwing food away so would like to start doing a menu each week to cut down on food waste
We’ve really cracked down on food waste by planning meals and only defrosting what we need.
Use ” Bags for Life”. Reuse all leftovers or freeze them
I’m already pretty good at reducing waste but I haven’t seen those food bags before. I’m going to buy one for my daughters lunch.
Turn waste into something new
Never waste food, Even if we do, it usually goes to the dog if its suitable xx
only buy what food I need, then I won’t have to throw as much out
I’m trying to use up all my consumables so I’m not buying more. I’m also taking apart an old dress so that I can use the fabric to make my daughter a new dress.
Anything that’s recyclable goes in the appropriate bins
We are growing our own veggies and salad leaves, and composting any waste!
Recycling all that I can, reusing bags when i need them and make sure to save food for another day.
Buy a reusable bottle for water rather than buying bottled water
I’m working to make my small business at least 90% recycled output
I recycle a lot but sadly, I know I waste a lot of water. So turning off the tap when I brush my teeth will be the first thing I do!
We do recycle as much as we can and we’ve stopped using plastic bags.
I aim to buy loose fruit and vegetables whenever I can and I always reuse any plastic bags.
We use bamboo or metal straws instead of the disposable plastic straws, we do not use plastic bags, instead we have lots of cloth bags for our shopping, we recycle all our packaging, use our food scraps for our compost heap, we have a water butt which we use to water our plants.
We can all recycle more so I will ensure I do as much as I can
Water bottle and take my coffee with me in a reusable cup
Turn the lights off when leaving the room
I’m going to get our reusable nappies out and give them another try.
Turn the tap off whilst I’m brushing my teeth 🙂
We are very good at recycling but need to generally use less plastic, it’s everywhere!
I don’t use a bag when I buy loose fruit and veg. I never buy carrier bags if I forget my bag I load it into car without bags and get my bag when I get home
I use portion control I don’t make too much food I male what I know my family will eat
I recycle as much as possible, I use microfiber cleaning cloths, eco washing powder and washing up liquid, I have a water butt and a wormery as well
I try to buy all my fruit & veg from shops that don’t use pre packaging (shopping local)
We try to find another use for as much of our rubbish as possible and my three compost bins turn loads of waste into usable compost which I then don’t need to buy in plastic bags!
i recycle as much as i can
I never waste food and I recycle everything that is recycleable
Optimising the use of fresh produce, cutting down on the use of plastic
To reduce food waste and reuse stuff when and where possible
I get a real kick out of recycling and reducing waste with everything. I recycle all my old possessions by taking to the recycling centre or charity shops. I use bag for life bags always. Tesco have just introduced a policy where only bags for life at 10p are available. About time. When I see people taking numerous bags just to take their shopping to a car makes my blood boil.
For me it has to be recycling and using food waste in the compost bin
put my recycling rubbish in seperate bins
I recycle as much as possible and try not to waste food
I try to recycle as much as possible
Refilling water bottle instead of buying it in plastic
I’m going to separate my food into compostable waste!
Recycling as much as possible
I always try to use everything more than once – for example plastic bags
I’m constantly checking any rubbish to see if i can recycle it and i’m also trying to educate my children to use less water when brushing teeth etc
i try to recycle everything
My mother used to make us one meal a week of leftovers rather like scrambled vegetables. I have started using cold, leftover vegetables in salads and sauces so they are not thrown out. And I rarely buy plastic drinks or handwash bottles these days.
Always reuse takeaway containers or sweet tins for cakes or sandwiches ?
I try to use reusable containers
I recycle everything possible and upcycle old furniture
Buy my fruit and veg from the local market, no bags, straight into my basket.
I am trying to make meals with leftovers, being creative to say the least, to reduce the food waste this house produces
I am already really waste conscious – I am choosy about what I buy and recycle packaging as much as possible
Make do and mend as much as possible
These items look really great. I’ve been following a lot of “Plastic Free July” accounts and I’m learning a lot. We’re trying to actively reduce our plastic use by doing things such as making our own cleaning products.
I am trying to buy loose fruit and veg so I don’t have excess
Buy a compost container, like my grandad used to !
I recycle everything I can and never waste food.
I always bring my reusable shopping bags when buying groceries and I bring my reusable water bottle and travel mug everywhere to reduce waste
I a man going to plan meals to avoid food waste.
Recycle everything and re use things
we already use cloth nappies, wipes and csp. I’ve ditched the disposable razor. Next I want to reduce the amount of plastic we buy
I try to recycle as much as I can x
I am going to weight the fruit and veg that I need so that I dont waste food when it goes bad 🙂
I think I’m pretty good- but most of us could do better. I’ve started to look at not just recycling or reusing what we buy but also vetting what we buy in the first place to reduce packaging etc coming into the house to begin with.
Cut the ends of toothpaste tubes as they last longer this way
ensure that all electrical appliances and lights are switched off when not in use
Turn the tap off while i clean my teeth! to stop wasting so much water!
I am generally pretty frugal – I am transitioning to become a vegan, I have solar panels, use slow cookers, tend not to heat my house in the winter etc – I sound great fun don’t I?!
Refusing straws with drinks
I will reduce wrapping on food I buy as much as i can, buy food according to set menus in order to avoid food waste
I am going to replace my light bulbs with energy saving bulbs.
We do but could recycle more .
I’m going to use more reusable containers
I try to freeze fruit and veg rather than throwing it away.
we make the effort to compost everything.
I am really good at recycling but am try ing to be as green as I can.
I am going to make sure I remember to recycle!
We try to use up every bit of food, even if it means having strange combinations for dinner – some of which have turned out really well x
I try to reduce waste as much as I can, from food waste to water. I would freeze the veggies that I can’t prepare fast.
At my previous house I had a compost bin and a wormery, but when we moved house they did not come with us. I need to get composting again!
ive recently bought a brita fill and go to stop all the bottle water i buy 😀
We do try to be eco friendly at the moment but we could always do more. We pop all veggie leftovers on the compost heap and grow a lot of our own veg and salad! Kids absolutely love it! Sounds silly but I have a tiny bag in my shopping bags for loose veg so I don’t need lots of little plastic bags for 2 carrots etc. 🙂
I always recycle and I don’t drive, but I do tend to borrow my parents dryer quite a lot so I’m going to do that a lot less often!
we use soap nuts for washing when they are done with they get put in the compost bin along with other compostable waste that is then used to grow my veggies i use jute bags for shopping buy bars of soap then save all the bits and grate them up and boil them in water to make liquid soap we don’t waste food i recycle old clothes etc and use them for clothes or in quilting always look for another use for something before throwing it away theres lots more we do its just remembering them all because we do them daily
I try to buy ‘preloved’ clothes where possible and practical. The amount of clothes we wear, driven by the fashion industry etc is truly wasterful and disgraceful!
I want to start using reusable makeup remover pads, instead of cotton wool pads. 🙂
i try and freeze left overs so that we dont waste any food
I’m teaching my son how to reduce waste. We are recycling whenever possible and making things out of junk. Hes wanting to recycle spoons and forks into jewellery next
I have bought bags for life in all shops I go
We actually have recycling bins by the council, we have also cut right back on food waste by planning meals and using leftovers is different sauces
I composte – surprising how easy it is once you get used to it
I’m going to try and use less plastic. I would love to try the toothbrush above.
We do our best to reduce waste by buying loose fruit and vegetable. Use canvas bags. Reuse any plastic bags we are given, irrespective of their size.
We are open to suggestions / ideas to improve recycling, etc.
tend to buy fruit and veg loose rather than in unnecessary extra packaging
I reuse yogurt pots for seedlings.
I buy fruit and veg loose and provide my own reusable bags as i dislike all the packaging. I have also invested in a stainless steel flask for cold drinks to take with me when i go outside.
recycle as much as possible
I use very few household cleaners as is (allergies etc) but recently have become much better with food waste. Freeze anything and everything for stock, also make the whole jar up when I’m using a prepared paste/sauce and freeze extra portions rather than end up chucking the half in a jar lurking in the fridge.
Turn the water off when brushing my teeth
Recycle everything and use jute bags.
I already recycle as much as I can, have 3 compost heaps and 2 wormeries!
I am trialling only buying what we need to eat for each on the day (apart from things like cereal bread milk coffee and auger lol we gotta have the mornings sorted right!)
I shall try very hard to recycle
Bring reusable bags and containers when shopping, travelling, or packing lunches or leftovers.
Choose products that are returnable, reusable, or refillable over single-use items and avoid individually wrapped items, snack packs, and single-serve containers.
I’ve been trying to cut down on plastic use this year and I’ve been encouraged with the alternatives that are about. The one thing that has been a struggle for me has been an alternative to cling film so this has been helpful, I love my bamboo toothbrush
Avoid food waste by using all of the veggies (e.g. Carrot top pesto – delicious!!) and growing my own where possible to avoid the need for any packaging!
I have reusable bags
Already using ‘bags for life’
I’m going to get some of those food wraps.
I’ve already managed to switch my partner from using paper towels to reusable cloths for cleaning. I’ve also switched to more eco friendly toiletries and household goods wherever I can, use as many recycled products as possible and make an effort to reuse or repurpose anything non-recyclable. We keep plastic bags to a minimum and I’m currently knitting the few I have into a durable shopping bag that will hopefully last us forever. Plus we eat food scraps such as potato peels which people would usually throw away!
Sorry, managed to delete part of my post – eco friendly products which come in reduced packaging and reuse containers such as spray bottles.
Recycle more and turn off plugs when not in use
I keep cloth bags folded in my handbag so avoid plastic bags at all costs. I also use a travel flask and mug as well as bamboo toothbrush.
I am going to recycle more!