We’re on the last day of January and I’m not sure that we’ve really succeeded. On the other hand, ALL progress is worth celebrating!
How did we do with the 3 criteria?
The change must be ethicalYes, our attempts at refills and swaps have used less plastic than we would have otherwise, albeit not a huge amount yet.
The change must have the potential to be permanent (if it works out we stick with it). Yes – we cracked the herbs and spices and some refills but others are a work in progress
The change must be measurable.Sort of – we won’t be buying any more herbs and spice in jars or plastic bags but we won’t be keeping count. Just to know that we’re buying less plastic is a measure!
Since my last post only one thing has changed. The lovely people at Wild Oats replied to my email and said that Ecover do NOT take their plastic refill bags back – thus making our decisions even more complicated. The other firms they use do though, so I will continue to get shampoo refills while thinking about the rest.
These Ecover Refill boxes are lined with thick polythene bags so that the retailer just has to change the bag. Unfortunately Ecover do not take the bags back to use again.
The other thing I’ve done is ask on one of the wonderfully helpful Facebook groups if anyone knows a simple recipe for shower spray. I currently use Method which don’t appear to offer refills. I’m not keen on making my own stuff to be honest but might make an exception, as long as it doesn’t include vinegar which makes me heave.
Who knew at the beginning of the month that it would be so long-winded? When I’ve made all the decisions I need to, I will write again. Meanwhile I’ll concentrate on February which promises to be a lot more straightforward. (I won’t forget January though – it will haunt me until I get it sorted).
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 