So last week my reader sent me this article about how opinions are changing (at last) about the use of plastic. I think we can assume that, in general, Guardian readers are behind the reduction in the production of single-use plastic anyway.
I do worry though, that outside of my cosy middle-aged, middle-class world things may not be as rosy and that legislation may be the only way forward,
The article gave me the confidence to start a petition to the government to stop the production of black plastic for food packaging. I wanted to be very specific because ‘stop producing black plastic’ would just get thrown out immediately due to its use in many industries, the manufacture of cars, dustbins, IT equipment, furniture and shoes to name but a few. So I came up with “Make the use of single-use black plastic for food packaging illegal by 2020” after a several re-writes and deletions to get few-enough words.
The process involves getting five people to agree – this proved slightly more difficult than I expected, not because I don’t know five people who agreed, but because it took a while; one was abroad and it was the weekend so one had to wait until she saw her work email on the Monday. But we got there and on Monday 27 August I thought I was ready to go.
NOT.
Understandably I then had to wait (“usually a week or less”) for it to be checked. I get this; a petition asking for free ice cream for all or for Theresa May to be jailed is unlikely to get through.
STILL WAITING
When I get the all-clear I will let everybody know. Hopefully my five supporters already count and I will only need 9,995 more signatures for a response and another 90,000 on top of that for a debate!!!! So be ready – find out the email of your MP here
I am a woman of a certain age (not 60 yet!) who lives in Bristol. I’ve lived almost my whole life in Bristol, with a short sojourn in Cornwall in my teens. I am trying to lead my life in an ethical way in all areas and hope to explore what this means.
I have four passions and several interests so I hope I will have plenty to write about. My passions are my family, knitting, cricket and St Peter’s Hospice. My other interests are volunteering, the environment, reading, TV, films & theatre, fundraising, chronic fatigue, mental health and eating. My non-interests are animals, housework, football, rugby and cooking.
I come from a family of four – two sisters and a brother. Our parents dies a few years ago. I am married to my soulmate Colin, an amazing man who tolerates my funny ways and supports me in everything I do. We have three children and two wonderful granddaughters. I am so proud of my family – we must have done something right as they are all good people. I have two sons-in-law who I love like my own and together we all make up a family unit where everyone loves and respects everyone else.
I am a total hypochondriac but do have some genuine problems, some of which I may talk about at a later date. At the moment I am overweight and have just started to eat more healthily, which I think is the answer to weight loss. We were on holiday last week and enjoyed puddings and cakes every day.
I work part-time and Colin is recently retired. This means that we have been able to spend much more time together doing some of the things we’ve been meaning to do – some planned and some spontaneous. I love this period of my life – I just wish I had the energy to match the time and the opportunities available!
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Ethical Knitting Nana 