Cutting plastic and living compostably
Often hard to find plastic free….
Who knew? Baking – it’s not that bad! Check out the plastic free cook book here
An introduction to some of the stuff you need to make the above
Natural fibre nets…..
Antiques Centre York
Sell a range including these
“Paula Victorian Style Cream cotton Lace Curtain Panelling By The Metre- Width 90cms – 36 Price: Sale price £10. “
Made by the manufacturer of Laura Ashley cotton lace panels in the 1980’s. The design dates to circa 1910, a very intricate floral design typical of the edwardian period with trademark flowers.Made on the original Victorian lace looms for Nottingham lace.
They say they are cotton…. I will let you know
Looking for some natural nets?
“Automation has killed off much of the UK’s industrial heritage, but at MYB Textiles it may just be its saviour. Based in Ayrshire, Scotland, the 100-year-old lacemaker is the only place left in the world working with traditional looms” Read more here
They do the most wonderful but expensive lace made from wool & cotton. Some are 100% natural some have 5% polyester added. The prices are …. well here are some examples
CAMPBELL
Material 100% Cotton £104.28 inc VAT
KERRY
In the sale Width 152cm
Material 95% Cotton/5% Polyester Oat Sky Maize Straw Earth
£28.40 inc VAT
RHONA
Not in the sale Width 150cm Material 95% Cotton / 5% Polyester
£44.30 inc VAT
Busy product testing this…. So far so fragrant. I will report back later.
Make Waves Starter Pack https://wearemakewaves.com/
Rather gruesome website that makes it difficult to order individual items. But eventually I got there. L
Our starter packs include 1 applicator and either 1 or 2 refill capsules.
☑️ 100% made in the UK
☑️ Cruelty free & vegan
☑️ Dermatologically tested
☑️ No waste (100% circular refill capsules)
Each refill capsule lasts 4-8 weeks
https://wearemakewaves.com
#PIRBags&Packaging
#PIRCleaningUp
#PIRDisposablesReusablesRefills
#PIRFoodDrink
#PIRGeneralHome Made
#PIRHomeGardenOffice
#PIRPersonalWardrobe
#PIRShops
#PIRSpecialDays
#PIRLifestyle
As ever I’ll be posting my latest plastic free finds here and on social media – (most often on Facebook) using the hashtag
I’ve updated the seed post to include heritage and plastic free seed. You can find that and other plastic free garden products here.
#2023plasticfreegarden. You can see the 2023 Garden Facebook album here
Easter Sunday falls on April 9, 2023 so time to get busy. We have a few older ideas to make it less plasticky including refillable eggs and plasticfree sweets. You can find them here.
Has to be said that egg makers are much more plastic aware these days so you should be able to find one plastic free on the high street. I am tracking the ones I find.
You can find them and other plastic free easter finds over here on Facebook tagged #plasticfreeeaster2023. Feel free to add your own.
If you can’t, this has to be most ethical, online list of eggs ever – all plastic free and sent to you in plastic-free, onward packaging. Visit the website
2023
#plasticfreeproducts2023 – for all the plastic free products I’ve source this for this year
Type of products include
#2023plasticfreereusables
#plasticfreesupermarket2023 – type of venue #plasticfree xxxx 2023 – xxxx being the name of the store. So far there’s
#plasticfreeLidles2023
Lidles
Found quite a lot of plastic free stuff in in Lidles #plasticfreeLidles2023
(Love to see they still do the loose nuts.) See them here on FB or check out my twitter feed.
To Do
Late to the party but still plenty of time to get involved. Once again Keep Britain Tidy are organising The Great British Spring Clean, a massive litter pick of the U.K.
Back for its eighth year, the Great British Spring Clean is the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign.
The Great British Spring Clean and Great Big School Clean 2023 will take place from 17 March to 2 April, and you can pledge to pick up a bag of litter – or more – from today.
Hooray for cakes but increase your chances of a lovely light cake with this plastic-free baking powder.
Ingredients Baking Powder ingredients: Wheat Flour, Raising Agents (sodium pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate). About Baking Powder Classic raising agent for adding to plain flours when making cakes, scones and puddings.
Buy online from Real Plastic Free. They sell almost everything your greedy heart could desire.
We don’t sell product packed in plastic
We sell Real Foods brand packed in biodegradable cellulose bags
We will pack your order using only paper-based materials
We are committed to reducing all waste
We partner with Real Foods who have been selling natural, organic wholefoods (packed in cellulose) in Edinburgh for over 40 years
Real Foods brand is fully accredited by the Soil Association so you can buy our organic products with confidence
We only charge fair rates for postage & packing
We really appreciate your custom and work hard to offer you the best prices we can on your plastic free products”
Plus they have a great product range. I use them all the time and they are great.
Want more? Try quick tips to cut your plastic trash for more ideas and of the Live Plastic Free Index for alternatives to plastic products.
Who knew? Baking – it’s not that bad! Check out the plastic free cook book here
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
If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project (read more here) or
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Here is an ever updating list of our ongoing plastic free finds
The easiest way to find a plasticfree alternative in the huge database of products is to use the search function (#grandmothersuckeggs!). But should you wish, you can see all plastic free products by category, here.
Because sometimes going for a refill is a bit of a faff and other washing up liquids are so plasticky, how about this? Just add water to this gel to make a bottle of washing up liquid. What a great idea from
“The UK’s first powder-to-gel washing up liquid has had an upgrade. Powerfully formulated to cut through grease + grime, leaving your dishes sparkling.
3x washing up liquid sachets – recently reformulated to be EVEN better
Each sachet makes up a 350ml washing up liquid bottle
Choose from two divine fragrances: Wild Rhubarb, and Apple + Nashi Pear
HOW DO I RECYCLE THE SACHET?
Easy! Just pop it in the paper recycling.”
They do other stuff as well.
Cleaning UpIt’s boring but it has to be done. How to keep your house sparkling and your laundry fresh with this guide to plastic free Cleaning up.
There are times when you need a bit of added protection. These reusable cotton pants are extra lined to deal with emergency leaks. Always good to plan ahead!
No idea what the packaging is like!
Wuka
WUKA Stretch™ Cotton period pants are the world’s first full brief made from BCI certified Cotton designed to care for even the most sensitive skin, and mould to every body size for maximum period protection. Hypoallergenic and soft as cotton clouds, even kinder to skin and planet.
Key features:
Soft, Ethically Made BCI Cotton
Breathable Freshness – Up To 12hr Wear
Absorbent Gusset- Full Coverage, Perfect For Heavy Flow Days
Stretch™ Technology – 1 Pair Fits Up To 4 Sizes
TENA Washable Soft Cotton Underwear | Classic
Regular price£19.99
Super-soft & comfortable
Your new favorite washable & reusable everyday underwear made of soft cotton and stretchy elastane.
4 layers of built in protection
A soft moisture wicking layer quickly drains the surface to keep your skin dry. Double absorption layers absorb and hold liquid to keep you fresh while the liquid barrier layer keep liquid in the product.
Wear, wash, repeat
Easy to wash with the rest of your clothes at 40 degrees and reuse over and over again.
This company also do a good range of cotton incontinence pants and period pants.
Read more about that, here.
And cleaning electronics with isopropyl
To clean hard-to-remove smudges, you can moisten the cloth with a 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution. Don’t clean the screen of your display with a cleaning product that contains acetone. Use a cleaner intended for use with a screen or display. Never spray cleaner directly onto the screen.1 Jul 2024
How to clean your Apple products – Apple Support (UK)
Apple Supporthttps://support.apple.com › en-gb
,,However….
“It’s best to avoid using any isopropyl mixture below 90% on circuit boards and other electrical bits. If you’re simply cleaning the adhesive off something metal or plastic, 70% might do in a pinch, but you’ll want to be sure not to spill it onto circuits or wires.” https://www.ifixit.com/News/36877/ask-ifixit-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-isopropyl-alcohol#:~:text=Can%20I%20Use%20It%20to,it%20onto%20circuits%20or%20wires.
For Garmin watches
and a metal one here
Sends out in paper bag in plastic free packaging
“This performance protein blend has a natural sweet vanilla flavour and light texture; and contains no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or sweetener. Vanilla premium protein blend can be added to smoothies and juices, or incorporated in many recipe; and is suitable for people who are avoiding lactose.
Plastic free protein powder”
Avg Quantity
per 100g 1607 kJ/384 kcal
Fat, Total
– saturated 7.1 g 0.5 g
Carbohydrates 5 g
Fibre <0.5 g Protein 75 g Salt 2.4 g
Dry shampoo, plastic free. I havent bought so I don’t know what the onward packaging is like. Please tell me if you do
And Peace With the Wild do a whole range of stuff
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:
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 👇
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.
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
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.”
Spanish, plastic-free, online shop here – got some useful stuff. Including powdered washing up liquid.
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
If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project (read more here) or
There’s no doubt yoga is a very plasticky business. How do I do yoga plastic free? Well for a start I use this yoga mat.
The Eco Mat by Ecoyoga
The following is taken from their website
“Almost all Yoga mats currently on sale around the world were made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride: commonly known as “vinyl”)…. In order to make PVC soft and ‘sticky’, as is required for yoga mats, many chemicals are added.”
“Rubber/ latex comes from a tree called Hevea Brasiliensis and is a lectin from the bark…. Trees can be tapped for up to 30 years after which they can be used for building or furniture construction.”
And
“Jute is a sustainable plant that is grown in regions of India and Bangladesh in a 4 month period just prior to the rainy season. It is fast growing and uses land that would otherwise be dormant at that time so increasing revenue for farmers.”
They sell a range of mats through various outlets worldwide (find stockists here)
These mats are it is said less resilient than the PVC mats. Well I guess that would be the case – and isn’t that rather the point? However I’ve been using mine since 2019 and its standing up well to the wear. It’s still good and bouncy and the rubber has not disintegrated. There are a couple of slighty worn patches on the top but I think that’s to be expected as I drag my great feet about.
N.B. It smelt strongly of rubber when I first got it but that has worn off.
I bought mine from Yoga Studio – visit their web site here
I was delighted to find it came, unwrapped, in a cardboard box i.e. with no other packaging. There was some plastic tape to seal it but on the whole I was very well pleased. Though that was some time ago. You may wish to check if this is still the case
Price
From Yoga Studio, the Eco Yoga Phoenix Yoga Mat – 6mm, currently retails at £48.00
If you find that a bit pricy you can buy seconds direct from Ecoyoga
Go on – get streching!
And for those of you who really like to plan ahead…..
So I’m trying this – a water filter jug from Phox.
Plus points include
Alkaline Pack: for water with lots of limescale Filtered pH 8-9, Added magnesium, helps acid reflux, great taste.
Clean Pack: Softens water, Great for tea & coffee, removes nasties, great taste.
Look here for more information on all things watery and plastic-free including
For making jelly and gels…….
Clearspring Organic Agar Flakes Vegan, 30g
Price: £5.79
Agar Flakes Vegan, ORGANIC
Packaging – Inner bag: Compostable Recyclable Outer carton: Recyclable. Made from bio-film from renewable sources.Comprises cellulose from wood-pulp, produced in carefully managed plantations Compostable certified by the EU and the USA
You can buy it and lots more here….
Real Plastic Free
We sell Real Foods brand packed in biodegradable cellulose bags
We will pack your order using only paper-based materials We are committed to reducing all waste
We partner with Real Foods who have been selling natural, organic wholefoods (packed in cellulose) in Edinburgh for over 40 years Real Foods brand is fully accredited by the Soil Association so you can buy our organic products with confidence
Visit the website
What is biodegradable?
Biodegradable products break down through a naturally occurring microorganism into simple, stable compounds which can be absorbed into the ecosystem.More about biodegrading here
What is compostable?
To be classed compostable, items must biodegrade within a certain time (around the rate at which paper biodegrades), and the resulting biomass must be free of toxins, able to sustain plant life and be used as an organic fertilizer or soil additive. For a man-made product to be sold as compostable, it has to meet certain standards. One such is the European Norm EN13432. You can find out more here.
Want to start composting but dont know how? Find the answers here
Talking of composting, theres a new logo on the block. “The Home Compostable verification logo clearly identifies and differentiates packaging materials as biodegradable and home compostable. This means that the biodegradable packaging will break down under specific home composting conditions back into water, carbon dioxide (CO2) and biomass.”
Who knew? Baking – it’s not that bad! Check out the plastic free cook book here
An introduction to some of the stuff you need to make the above
Everything Else
wanted to buy a phone case for a while but biodegradable ones are pricey. One cracked screen later and so glad them to come across these.
“Mobile phone case by eplanita is made from wheat straw that is completely biodegradable and recyclable TPU. This combination makes the mobile case kind to the environment. The iPhone case will only start the degradation process once under the soil or in a commercial compost.
Prices are very reasonable iPhone XS Max eco case £9.99
The packaging is all recycled card
Also on Amazon Europe & USA
I had to buy mine from Amazon (I Know – reasons!), so the onward packaging was cardboard too.
on Amazon Europe & USA
You buy direct from https://www.eplanita.com/product-page/iphone-xs-max-eco-case
Found a company here that sells all kinds of biodegradable things and sends them a packaging free including compostable mobile phone covers which is what I’m interested in
Detailed information:
What is Wheat Straw Plastic?
Wheat straw plastic is a renewable and sustainable alternative to some solid plastics
is BPA free and is a food-grade material that has been approved by the FDA.
a natural by-product of wheat production.
is completely biodegradable. Better yet, wheat straw plastic products can also be melted back into a pulp and used again to create new products.
Wheat straw can be composted at home in a compost heap as well as commercially at a suitable recycling centre.
Advantages include…
“By using this agricultural waste product, there is less need to cut down forests to produce the paper we need.
Being a profitable source of income for agricultural farmers means they can sell this waste product instead of having to burn it. The benefit is less air pollution and less CO2 being deposited into the atmosphere.”
Read full article here https://wastenil.com/is-wheat-straw-biodegradable/
By Iain Pay / September 8, 2021 / Paper, Plastics
About Compostable Plastics
Compostable plastics come in various forms and could replace most non biodegradable plastics. You can read all about compostable plastics here
Home Compostable?
Many products ( especially compostable plastics), have been tested under industrial composting conditions. Therefore, while a product might be classed as both biodegradable and compostable, it might not break down in a backyard compost bin.
That said I have composted many such products in my own bin.
