Everyday Plastic have launched a petition calling for all UK supermarkets to remove plastic packaging from five top-selling fruit & veg products so that shoppers can #ChooseLoose.
Potatoes 🥔, apples 🍏, bananas 🍌, carrots 🥕 and onions 🧅 are some of the top-selling fruit & veg products in UK households. It’s estimated that selling these five items loose would:
- Prevent an estimated 1.7 billion pieces of plastic packaging from being thrown away.
- Avoid more than 77,000 tonnes of food waste by allowing people to buy only what they need.
- Save shoppers a combined total of over £85m per year in uneaten food.
Agree that it makes total sense to #ChooseLoose? Then click the link below to join us in calling on the supermarkets to remove the plastic packaging 👇
Outdoor Cushions
So I’m looking for the plastic-free cushions to go on our purpose-built a pergola.
The pergola has been made out of recycled handrails and secondhand Key Klamp fittings. Never worked with these materials before so there have been a few mistakes made. On the whole though pretty happy. It’s extremely easy to put up and very easy to move around and adapt.
The seats are made with pallets we have collected from here and there.They are 80cm wide.
Now I need something to soften the blow. Most out-door cushions are made from waterproof polyester and filled with plastic foam. Obviously waterproof for outside is a good idea. But…. I don’t like synthetic fibres.
However if I go with an all natural fibres cushion than I have to move in the cushions whenever it rains. In the summer there is very little rain so for much of the year I can leave them out. But Winter is cold and wet. Which means they have to be reasonably light weight and not too bulky. We don’t have a huge amount of storage space.
They also have to be cheap.
And comfortable enough to sleep out on.
I was thinking of some kind of cotton roll-up Japanese futon.
Here are some interesting options.
Natural Fibre Mattresses
These mattresses from European store Maisons Du Monde look good. They are filled with cotton scraps look nice and firm – but at 70 cm they might be a bit narrow and at 90 they are rather wide.
Plus they look rigid and little heavy. I’m guessing I can’t roll these easily. If at all.
or Ecru Quilted Recycled Cotton Floor Mattress 70 x 190
€119.00 – 139
Dimensions (cm): Height11 x Width190 x Depth 90 or 70
Weight (kg): 13 or 15
Main Material: Cotton
Made In India
Product description
Additional information
100% cotton
Filling : 100% recycled cotton
Gaddiposh yellow cotton mattress 90×190
Much lighter – can be rolled reasonably priced at But thin. Very, very thin. the websites suggests “And stack other mattresses and cushions to provide more comfort.’ – Indeed.Dimensions (cm): Height7.5 x Width190 x Depth90
Weight (kg): 6.5 –
Main Material: Cotton
Made In India
Padding : 100% recycled cotton
Cover : 100% cotton
Futon 24
I am also liking the look of these. They are the right size. They are rigid and weighty so will be bulky to move but perhaps that is a price I have to pay? But at €199.00 the price is not too unreasonable. But at 141 shipping costs I would have to go to Berlin to collect them myself!
From the website
“SLEEP COMFORT:
The Vita-line Futon “Model 12” offers rather pure, firm lying feeling. The processed cotton is a traditional filling material for futons and is very resistant. Initially, the futon “Model 12” is 9 – 10 cm high. During the phase of layering, the cotton layers can lose up to 35 % (load dependency) of their initial height, but they become more firm over time and therefore, become more compact. Coconut as a latexed padding material is relatively firm, elastic and dimensionally stable. It is heat-retaining, breathable and resistant to moisture. This futon mattress offers medium-hard sleeping and sitting comfort. The cover is 100 % cotton.
FILLING MATERIAL:
1 Latexed coconut layer 1 cm
4 Cotton layers
1 Latexed coconut layer 1 cm
COVER:
100 % cotton
Non-removable
TOTAL HEIGHT:
9 – 10 cm
SPECIAL FEATURE:
The Vita-line Futon is adhesive-free.
COLOR RANGE:
From plain to colorful:
20 colors for the futon cover are available.
HAND-MADE FUTONS BY FUTON24:
The company established in 1996 Futon24 produces high-quality futons and natural mattresses. The “Model 12″ satisfies all sleepers who like it a bit firm. This futon is suitable for tatami (straight, closed supporting surface) and for bed bases and sitting base.”
More Stuff
Hair
Bars not working? You can get Faith In Nature refills for shampoo and conditioner at the panda refill in leeds market. Find them here at https://pandarefillshop.co.uk/ in Leeds. Along with loads of other wonderful things.
Spanish, plastic-free, online shop here – got some useful stuff. Including powdered washing up liquid.
Valentines Day 14th
It’s the big one of course! Valentine’s Day approaches. We have got plastic free candles to set the mood, flowers without the wrap, chocolates, sweets and cards. Even a few ideas for trash free gifts.
If your plastic-free sweetie is also a minimalist, there are some nice alternative ideas!
And if all this does the trick, some plastic reduced condoms you can compost.
Too much info?
Head on over here to get loved up!
Keep On Kissing
Stop chapped lips with this home made lip balm. It really works! And you can use your own refillable tubes or metal tins.
Pancake Day
February 28 is Shrove Tuesday and you are going to make pancakes. Check out these plastic-free cakes fried in a plastic-free non stick pan. Yum!
Garden
While it is still a bit cold to be out there, thoughts now turn to the garden and the seeds that need to be sown for the coming year.
You need to start planning ahead for plastic free seedlings.
You can buy plastic-free seeds and find instructions on how to make your own paper seedling pots here Plus other great plastic free garden related products.
Planning Next Month
The life #plasticless needs forward planing. Come back for updates on lent and Mothers day
N.B.
Lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x
And before you go…
If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project (read more here) or
