Hello! I hope you are well wherever you are reading this from.
Here's to let you know that the 2nd episode of the podcast is ready to listen to on Spotify:
In this episode, we were focusing in on all things plastic!
Plastic is definitely something we are seeing, using, and disposing of massively in excess in our lives. You only have to go into a supermarket, open your fridge, or look in your bathroom for example, to see how plastic really does seem to be everywhere!
We are becoming more and more aware of the real dangers and horrific consequences this human made material is having on the planet, wildlife, as well as our own health.
So, what can we do to help?
In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of recycling, and how actually avoiding plastic where you can is a better option. Also, check in with your local council to see what their recycling policies are.
Some quick fixes in your home:
Keep your jars!!! They’re great for storing loads of things – dried food, extra sauce, paint pots, pen and pencil holder etc. the most sustainable thing you can do is use up what you already have!!
Old clothes into rags for kitchen surfaces
Swap to plastic free shampoo bars and soap as opposed to bottles!
When your toothbrush next needs replacing, opt for a non-plastic alternative! These include bamboo, wheat, wood for example.
DIY cleaning products – store in those jars you kept, or old cleaning spray bottles. Super easy, not for everyone. I can share more recipes but there’s loads online – using white vinegar, also lemon juice etc. works really great, and so much kinder. No harsh/toxic chemicals.
Recipe link:
It can be as simple as 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, and some essential oils or lemon rind for a nicer scent!
Rather than buying rags for the kitchen surface, you can cut up old clothes and use them instead, saving on money, reducing plastic and just using up what you already have!
Value what you have and make it last! Push back against the disposable culture that’s leading to so much waste, and causing so much damage to the planet.
I love a quote that OLIO shared, a food waste prevention organisation which I will go into more in an episode looking at food waste.
The quote by Anne Marie Bonneau says:
“we don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly”.
And just a few more quotes to remind you that the choices you make really do matter:
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make" – Jane Goodall
“It is our collective and individual responsibility … to preserve and tend to the world in which we all live.” —Dalai Lama
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." – Edward Everett Hale
"We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." – Howard Zinn
Here’s a link to some plastic documentaries that are definitely worth a watch if you’re looking to find out more about this huge problem:
On Netflix – A Plastic Ocean, Blue, Chasing Coral, Mission Blue
On BBC iPlayer – War on Plastic, Plastic Not Fantastic
Here are some petitions you can sign to help push governments and companies to do more:
I hope some of this information and tips have been useful, and remember you don’t have to do everything all at once, it’s about making it a sustainable practice in your life, and doing what you can to help the planet.
If you have any questions, any thoughts or information you’d like to share, you can email me at alittlebitoflagom@gmail.com, or drop me a message on Instagram - @alittlebitoflagom I’d love to hear from you.
Sending love!
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