small eco things

My biggest g-o-a-l for 2019 was to be more *eco*.
I've become hyper aware of plastic–I'll be in the bath and all I can see is the amount of plastic that surrounds me. Or in a bar and everyone's using plastic cups and plastic straws and all i can think is 'this shit isn't going to go anywhere'.
Oh man, being in Tesco is the worst.
I've taken a few easy (and probably, on the scale of human destruction, relatively ineffective) steps to try and cut it out, and hey maybe my single actions won't do that much, but at least I'm doing something.
Plus these products are actually generally better for us because who knew, plastic is actually quite toxic.
I'm still on the look out for more alternatives and there are still so so many things I could do to limit my damage on the world (i.e. cut down on chewing gum consumption) and be more conscious, but this is a start. And we have got to start.



Shampoo bar
I mean I never really know what to say when I write these. Other than these r gd. I haven't used this specific one before, however my mum bought me a green one for Christmas and it left ugly green slime all over my shower. So I figured this might be a better bet. Shampoo bars are great because no plastic, nd (despite my preconceptions) they actually do the job!

Conditioner bar
My mum posted this to me a few months ago and I'm yet to use it. But I'm hoping for good things. And its got even less packaging, wowee. My only question with these bars is its transportability. I don't want them to sit in a sludge in my shower. I think the lush metal tins could be the answer to such a conundrum, however its all experimentation.

Period pants
My mum was on an eco hype at Christmas. We were inundated with eco alternatives–and these were one such example. I'm not fully fully converted, purely because of the washing issue (I don't do enough washing at uni to use them for a full period) but they are super hassle free (u just rinse until all the blood has gone then wash 'em) and so comfy and liberating to just wear a pair of pants and nothing else. Well, trousers. But u know. So, whilst I think I need a little more practice, these are a winner. Especially if diva cups freak you out (thats me).

Cotton pads
Whilst I have been deliberating and testing out the pants, these have provided an eco alternative. Also a very healthy and necessary alternative. Lets be real–bleached, synthetic pads and tampons are not good for your vagina and, environment aside, we should all be using more natural stuff. These are 100% cotton and biodegradable (inc. all the packaging) which is ace for days when period pants just are not an option (or when I haven't done any washing in 3 weeks lmao). They are pretty spenny (like £3 for 10) and so deffs not viable for everyone but a) I think if you can you should, b) if we don't show there's a consumer desire they won't reduce in price (capitalism y'all!) and c) the above pants, whilst are expensive for the first purchase (£15ish), are (almost) entirely cost free after that.

Keep cup
I'm such a keep cup knob in the library but boy do I love it. It means I can procrastinate by making a coffee, get money off and just feel way more put together than I actually am (not when its sat unwashed in my bag for 4 days yum). But slowly the world is coming to realise single-use coffee cups r just not the one. It's a small change, but undeniably easy.

Bamboo toothbrush
I think this might be my fave. A plastic toothbrush takes 400 years to decompose. And u don't even think about it. My mum has tried many a bamboo toothbrush (lol) and I can vouch that these are like actual toothbrushes, they just feel normal but also natural. Get one!!! (they can vary so much, the best ones we've found are 'banaboo' but i can't find them anywhere online fml)

Obvs these things won't change the world. But if everyone takes small steps, like these, it might actually make some difference. There are still so many things I do which are detrimental nd I'm still hunting for alternatives, but we're slowly beginning to see.

9 comments

  1. Yikes, that bar scene makes me squirm, but I love to hear how others are changing their habits to be more environmentally sound. Imagine if everyone stopped using plastic toothbrushes, how nice that'd be.

    I tried using a shampoo bar a few months ago and just as I was getting used to it, I lost it. I have reverted back to using normal shampoo since then, but you may have convinced me to give it another shot! Also, I giggled at your diva cup. I feel the opposite, and totally prefer my cup over period pants. Each to their own! Look forward to hearing more.

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    1. It does make me laugh when bars etc are like "look how eco we are, we're using paper straws" but then use endless plastic cups nd packaging...but I guess its a start!!! That's so annoying, definitely get another one (although it is so easy to slip into shampoo just from the shops). Haha thats funny, everyones so specific!!x

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  2. Oh I like this haul Katie. I know what you mean about being hyper-aware of plastic consumption. I get so freaked out and have real moments of panic when I see how much plastic is in my house. Like the excessive wrap they put around Avocados in Aldi, whyy. I've been using Lush shampoo bars for a while now and love them, I do struggle getting them out the tin though as they sort of get stuck? Will have a look at the ones you've linked too! Also desperate to try out period underwear and the brand you've linked doesn't seem to expensive either! V excited now xo

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    1. I KNOW!!! Although I did see a thing today that apparently Tesco are trialling getting rid of all plastic packaging on their veg?! which if its true, is amazing. The cashiers must hate me when i dump like 10 loose carrots on the till lol. Yes! i found that, guess its all just experimentation. Let me know you find them!!xx

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  3. This post made me so happy wth. I just feel inspired to chuck away everything plastic and live my best eco life :') Maybe I'll give period pants a go - the idea of them freak me out a bit and I'm worried I'll still leak no matter what? Also I've been meaning to get a non-plastic tooth brush for months, and I feel like its time to now invest in a bamboo one!! Defo also gonna invest in a resuable coffee cup so I can have warm bevs with me during the winter! I genuinely think that the trend of having a re-uasble water bottle is the beginning (although minuscule) of something great, and more and more people seem to be getting them. (They're genuinely quite life-changing. I can never imagine buying as many plastic water bottles as I have before.) But anyway, thanks for this post Katie - definitely gave me a mini wake up call! I feel like unless you're eco crazy and going on about it 24/7 it's so easy to slip back into old and less eco-friendly habits!

    Sending luv,
    Zoe xo
    delicate--musings.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. except *recycle* ples (lol)–so far they've been entirely leak free but I also havent work them on my heaviest days becuz i am a bit scared and dont wanna carry like bloody pants around with me all day if i do have to change??? But i'm gonna experiment!! SO true, its so easy to just buy a water bottle when you're out or whatevs, and I've found loose things like in supermarkets etc are more expensive than plastic??? But even small changes are making a move!! glad it made you happy hehe :') <33

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  4. I need to get a bamboo toothbrush! Those period pants seem intimidating/ strange concept but I am intrigued. I love a shampoobar but it annoys me that you have to pay extra for a tin from lush, already expenny enough, just hand it over without an extra cost in my professional opinion ! x

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    1. BITCH You do!!! I'll get you one for ur bday! they are, but also amazing! I agreeeeee, i'd avoided the lush ones precisely becuz they are 'expenny' (nice variation of spenny!!!) x

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