Hello and welcome to Day 17 – 21 of our 30-Day Eco-Living Challenge.
There is just over a week left to go and wow, we’ve really learnt a lot already.
Let’s recap the last 5 days!
Day Seventeen
Lunchtime reusables
I have managed to get hold of some bamboo cutlery, reusable wraps and snack pockets ready for back-to-work or eating on-the-go.
Put simply, disposable cutlery is single-use plastic! Used for minutes, and then thrown away to last for 1000 years in landfill and waterways. Plastic cutlery is one of those items that will not recycle even if put into a recycling bin as it is too contaminated and too small. Some of the materials used to make plastic cutlery gives off toxic chemicals when heated and some harmful chemicals can leach into your body.
You can get hold of more eco-friendly cutlery for single-use made from wood or corn, which can be compostable.
Day Eighteen
Shampoo & Conditioner
This is a review of The Sheffield Skincare Co Yorkshire Goddess Shampoo Bar and their Herbalicious Conditioner Bar.
Was I skeptical at first? Absolutely! 33 years of shampoo in a bottle will do that to anyone.
First, the Shampoo Bar. The smell is absolutely divine; such a lovely natural smell, not the synthetic smells of whatever is trending, just a really nice scent. I rubbed it a little under the water, then after wetting my hair I started rubbing it round my head from scalp to tip as per the instructions. As I kept scrubbing, there was some definite lathering going on but not as much as I normally get from shampoo from a bottle. Confident I’d reached all my hair with the bar, I started rinsing and I honestly don’t think my hair has ever been so squeaky clean! I always wash my hair twice as it tends to get greasy but I didn’t even feel like I needed to.
Now the conditioner. Again the scent was incredible; a lovely mixture of herbs, which just made me feel like it was going to do wonders to my hair. I rubbed from root to tip following the instructions. Normally you can feel the conditioners work on your hair instantly but this felt different. There wasn’t as much build-up smothered on my tresses. I left it for the recommended 2-5 minutes and started to rinse. Wow, I could feel the difference but it didn’t feel weighed-down with chemicals, it just felt moisturised; a real deep clean and care.
As I said, my hair is normally greasy and I can push back washing it until every other day, but I’m a few days in now and it still looks great. I can only imagine all the rubbish that chemicals in the bottles must leave behind. I would have thought my hair has just had a real cleansing treatment, but actually its simple bars of shampoo and conditioner!
Find conditioner and shampoo bars here.
Day Nineteen
Straws
Straws! Even the word gives me chills, as all I can think about is a horrifying video I watched of a poor sea turtle having a straw removed from its nose. That image has stayed with me, as my favourite animal in the whole wide world is a turtle. The first time I ever saw those magnificent creatures I’ve been in love.
I have very sensitive teeth at the front, so when I get a drink with ice it’s not very pleasant, but not to worry as I now have my own metal straws! Reusable, easy to wash, with a very handy pouch that keeps 3 straws in so I’m never caught short. There are plenty of options out there from bamboo, silicone, glass and even corn, and we’ve even had edible straws before!
Find silicone reusable straws here.
Day Twenty
Small businesses
Even if you’re not necessarily interested in eco-living, we really do need to support our local and small businesses. A small business local to me has been delivering essential dry store cupboard items to our area. We received a delivery from them yesterday and we were chuffed to bits to finally have bread flour! Hooray! Everything was delivered in recyclable paper packaging and I got to put my empty tubs and containers that I’ve been collecting to good use.
Let’s get the eco-living positives out of the way: local, small businesses often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies. In addition, your carbon footprint as a customer will be reduced as you may not have to travel as far (or get it delivered from across the country), perhaps even being able to walk or ride a bike there. Their packaging is also more likely to be eco-friendly. I love the convenience of Amazon as much as the next person but they aren’t exactly eco-friendly, with the amount of vans on the road and the giant boxes for tiny products.
If you’re not already sold on those reasons then consider these: you are supporting your local economy. Yes, it might be dirt cheap from China, but you’ll be getting much better service and quality! You can also choose to support things you care about; I see so many of my small business buddies supporting local charities or good causes!
Some small businesses are side projects to boost a family’s income or a way of sharing their talent, creativity, passion and innovation. Many small business owners, including myself, are women and mothers. We can do all the things on our daily lists and still make time for our real passion! I’ve come across a lady making stationery items while working for the NHS during the pandemic! Imagine how much that side business means to her after a day working on the frontline!
Which brings me to the small business happy dance! Every order gets a huge smile, maybe a WOOP WOOP, maybe even a little kitchen party. Don’t underestimate the power of your order choosing a local/small business.
Day Twenty-One
Lighters
I’d like to take this opportunity to say something very easily said rather than done: QUIT SMOKING. Then you wont need a lighter, simples!
I use matches to light candles in the home, however I won’t get on my high horse too soon as while matches might seem a more eco-friendly option, matches are made from trees.
So, after some research, I’ve decided to invest in a refillable lighter. Instead of throwing them away when they run out of gas, you can refill with a gas can.
Now, stand up, go to your smoke alarm and test it, right now. Get up and push the test button, I mean it…
