When I saw David Attenborough’s programme, I was overwhelmed by the damage we’ve done to our planet, and couldn’t think what we could do to help, especially in the light of governments that only seem to make decisions based on money.
But I decided I would make changes! I thought I’d do it step be step and try and limit the amount of single use plastic I use.
When I was a child we survived without wet wipes. They hadn’t been invented. Until recently I used wipes to take off my make up everyday. They were quick and convenient. I went out and bought a bottle of make-up remover, which comes in a recyclable bottle and some basic cotton pads, which comes in a recyclable plastic bag. It is not quite as convenient and probably takes me about thirty seconds longer per day!
The next thing I tackled was wrapping sandwiches. I take sandwiches to two or three classes a week and used a plastic bag to wrap them. I swapped to wrapping in grease-proof paper. Just as good.
I used to buy oranges in a plastic netting. It troubled me that an animal could get caught in it, so I chopped it up, but then it could be mistaken for something edible. I now buy my oranges in a box (which I recycle). You can get smaller boxes than the one pictured above.
I took a mug to an event I attended last week, which saved using disposable mugs. I’m going to pack my mug for future events. Washing up a mug really isn’t a great effort and paper cups are often lined with plastic, which is difficult to separate.
If I think I’ll want a drink of water I try to remember to take a re-useable water bottle.
This year we are wrapping Christmas presents in non-metallic paper, so it can be recycled.
This post is not meant to be a rant. There’s much more I can do and I will. Bit by bit, I will add to the changes I’m making. None of them are causing me any hardship. If you have any simple ideas, please feel free to add them. Let’s try to make a difference.
pennyluker 