When at home I have a milk man who delivers in glass bottles, but while in the van that is not really an option.
So this morning we had porridge made with water. I had never done this before as I think it sounds simply too workhouse for words. But needs must. So I made it as normal but with water instead of milk. However I added a banana – one per person and cooked it till soft and creamy. They added body to the oats and it all tasted fine.
Of course you can get beer in bottles but those metal caps have a plastic liner or small disc to prevent leakage. It’s a tiny amount but it is plastic.
Cans of beer are plastic lined!
The only way to get plastic free booze is to use a refill service. Take your own flagon to the alehouse and get them to fill it. These are the ones I know of
Huddersfield
The Sportsman Huddersfield will sell you your own reusable flagon. Yes its plastic but it will last you a good long time.
The Grove
The Head Of Steam ( also sells plastic flagons)
All sell great real ales and very reasonable priced.
Magic Rock sell metal reusable flagons. Very stylish! Also sells great real ales but they are more expensive.
If anyone else knows of other beer refill options please leave a comment below… many thanks.
Every other hair tie in the world is made from a plastic-based material so rather than buy I have been reduced to harvesting fallen hair bands from the road side. Not only to I end up with some very peculiar, age-unsuitable ties, many have no twang left. So I am very pleased to have found these made from 100% biodegradable materials.
They do a range of colours but I bought 5 shades-of-blond/grey
There are 5 hair ties per pack.
Made fairly & ethically in California
MATERIAL: 75% GOTS certified Organic Cotton, 25% Natural Rubber
DYE: Hand dyed* using low impact dye
CARE: Wash cold with like colors; lay flat to dry
I bought mine from anything but plastic.. Not only do they sell plastic free products but they post out plastic free too! Hooray.
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
Most Tampons are made of cotton, rayon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene. Some of these materials are not bio-degradable. Organic cotton tampons are biodegradable, but must be composted to ensure they break down in a reasonable amount of time. Rayon was found to be more biodegradable than cotton [30].
Wikkipedia
Generally, tampons are blends of cotton and rayon, along with synthetic fibers, but each manufacturer’s products are different and considered proprietary.
In the United States manufacturers aren’t required to fully disclose what goes into a tampon or pad. That’s because they are regulated and approved as medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration Read more here.
Tampon Components Function Material
Applicator Helps to comfortably insert the tampon Cardboard made of tightly wound paper or plastic with pigments for color
Absorbent Core Provides protection by absorbing and storing menstrual fluid Cotton and/or Rayon
Thin Fabric around Absorbent Core Helps with smooth removal; helps form the absorbent skirt on certain designs Rayon and polyester or polyethylene and polypropylene
String Used to remove the tampon; also has a braid on certain designs Cotton and/or polyester; Polypropylene braid
Thread Used to attach the string to absorbent core Cotton-wrapped polyester or polyester
Fragrance: Only on versions labeled as scented. All other versions do not include fragrance. Provides a fresh scent Fragrance ingredients like those found in other women’s products
Much as I love the Mooncup ( an internal, reusable, menstrual cup ) there are times when it is just a little bit, well, hands on! Occasionally you need to use disposable internal protection but the impact on the planet, and possibly your body, weighs heavy on your mind. And quite rightly so!
Step up Natracare who realising that “Most applicator tampons are made from 100% rayon or a mixture of rayon and conventional cotton, overwrapped with polypropylene, a by product of the petroleum industry. The applicator tubes of many brands are often made from plastic.” have brought out a completely compostable, organic cotton tampon with cotton cord. It has a biodgradable cardboard applicator. The tampon comes wrapped in paper and packed in a cardboard box. “They are non-chlorine bleached and women can be reassured that they do not contain synthetic materials, such as rayon, or chemical additives such as binders or surfactants. Certified organic cotton removes the risk of direct exposure to residues from chemical pesticides and fertilisers used on traditional cotton.”
Testing
I was given some to sample which I dished out to the laydeez. I and they can confirm that they work as well as any other. But over here at PIR we test rigorously and I did the bag test. You know the one where you carry round your emergency tampon that gets jumbled up in the bottom of your bag Yes for sure some people out there have special little wallets – I don’t. So here’s a bit of news for the rest of you bag sluts: the paper wrapper lasts just as well as plastic. Weeks later a bit battered but still fine. You can see the full range of Natracare products here , and stay tuned to PIR for more reviews. Coming up next – pantyliners (how I hate that word) You can find lots more plastic-free, menstrual products here
Non Applicator Tampons – massively plastic reduced
While the actual tampon is as above and plastic free, the wrapping is plastic. “Our non-applicator tampons are wrapped in polypropylene due to obligatory medical device regulations!”
BUY
You can buy these products in shops. If you want to get them on line try Ethical Superstore or Amazon
Last week our U.K. tour took us through Bury St Edmunds which pleased me more than I can say. Why the boundless enthusiasm? For sure its a nice enough town. And it has a Poundland, rapidly becoming a favourite of mine. But it was not this that excited me so.
No, I had been invited for tea and buns with the first lady of waste, the founder of the rubbish diet, her trashness herself Karen Cannard. A highly pleasant afternoon was spent discussing recycling rates, rubbish reduction, Portuguese tarts (the pastries!) and plans for the future.
Mine include;
being a Zero Waste Ambassador for Zero Waste Week, now in its seventh year and running from the 1st – 7th September 2014.
Karen news is also very exciting but sadly not mine to tell. For now you will have to be satisfied with a photo of her in the back seat of our van – enough excitement for any one!
My plastic boycott started because I didn’t like the impact plastic packaging had on the environment – as I learnt more, I began to worry about the impact it might be having on me.Plastic contains phthalates which are (possibly) carcinogenic and cause the feminization of male animals exposed to them. They are found in the stuff used to wrap meats and cheeses.
Bisphenol A is known to cause neurological and hormonal damage to lab animals. This is found in plastic food and drinks containers. There are indications that these chemicals can leach into the plastic wrapped products.
How to buy
There are three ways to buy plastic free (ish) cheese.
Off the block:Find a place that sells large blocks of cheese and asked them to cut you off please. Be aware most large cheeses come wrapped in plastic so it’s not so much plastic free in total as plastic free for you. while the sensible part of me, (the part that wanted my hormones undamaged), said stick with it, the greedy me was lusting after a piece of phthalate ridden cheese.
Artisan:Find an artisan cheese shop that sells high-class cheese. Downside extremely expensive.
Wax wrapped cheeses:These are individual cheeses that come coated and coloured wax. The cheese tends to be rather nice but it is more expensive. And what actually is in that wax? Find out here
Note
none of the above are as easy as buying from a supermarket. So you might need to change your attitude to cheese. Make it more of a treat and luxury good rather than a staple. This has the added advantage of making you a little less animal products dependent.
And you get to eat some really good cheese.
However there is no denying it is very expensive and often inconvenient.
If you really can’t do without cheap cheese read our plastic free treats post and allow yourself a big block.
How/where to buy
Off the block
Markets: Sometimes sell loose cheese. It is not entirely plastic free – the large cheeses are packed in plastic and covered with Clingfilm but it is better than individually wrapped pieces – to my mind at least!
Supermarkets: have done this is Tescos and other supermarkets that have cheese counters. Again not entirely plastic free as the large block comes plastic wrapped.
Cheese Makers / Merchants
Find a local cheesmaker or specialist cheese shop. They tend to cut into the cheese as and when it is wanted. And traditional cheeses tend to come traditionally packaged. That is not plastic wrapped.
Combining the best of all worlds. Plastic free shopping and cheese. Yes I visited the marvellous The Courtyard Dairy were they make and sell artisan cheeses from the UK and Europe. As well as the shop, there a cheese production room, a small museum with a display few cheesy artefacts and a café serving cheese-based cuisine.
But back to the shop. OMG!!! The cheeses are stacked in a glorious cornucopia of cheese wheels mostly unpackaged and free range. Yes they are a bit pricey but it is cheese to die for. Take your own bags to be sure, and you can bring back some luxury cheese that is also plastic free.
but don’t take my word! it is winner of numerous awards including the ‘Cheesemonger of The Year’ (at the Farm Shop and Deli Awards 2016 and separately at the World Cheese Awards 2013); The Best New Cheese Retailer (2013 British Cheese Awards), Best Cheese Counter (World Cheese Awards 2013) and was also a runner up for Yorkshire Food Destination of the Year (2013) BBC Food & Farming Awards (2014) and Observer Food Monthly Awards (2015).
This is top quality cheese.
Its located just outside Settle on the A65 heading towards Kendal, in what was the former Falconry Centre (LA2 8AS).
If you live near Bideford, get yourself down to the farmers market held on the harbour on Saturdays. There is a cheese stall that sells proper home-made, unpackaged cheese. It’s good, really good! Remember to take your own bags….
Whitney
Gemma, Darren & Ian can be found at Whitney Market selling their unwrapped and totally delicious cheeses. They also have a website
Monkland Herefordshire
You can cheese from the working diary or go one step further and learn how to make it yourself! Here’s the website
Utracomida Aberystwyth restaurant and delicatessen
Located a stone’s throw from the sea on Pier Street – our Aberystwyth deli and restaurant offers a wonderful selection of artisan food and drink.And wonderful cheese. Here are the details
These are individual cheeses that come coated and coloured wax. The cheese tends to be rather nice but it is more expensive. Most supermarkets sell them. But you might want to consider what actually is in that wax? Find out here
Want more???? YES!
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
Our tour in the plastivan took us through Boscastle, a lovely old harbour and coastline maintained by the fantastic National Trust. In addition to keeping footpaths open and other essential maritime maintenance, they operate a cafe shop and visitor center (with immaculate toilets), down by the harbour. So far so good!
Not so good was that the cafe was using disposable paper cups! Eeek! As you know, most paper cups are in fact plastic lined and so not very disposable. Bah! Was just about to turn round and leave when I noticed that these cups were from Vegware. Vegware dont line their cardboard cups with the usual conventional non biodegradable plastic but a certified compostable lining. You can read more here.
Now I wanted to take photos! And ask lots of questions! Which Jon kindly answered. As he says”… when the cafe first opened in 2009, there wasn’t a modern conventional sewage system in Boscastle, and all the waste that would normally go for treatment went straight into the sea. Because of this, we were reluctant to have a commercial dish washer in the cafe that would have just contributed to this waste, and so looked for viable alternatives. Finding a fully compostable solution in the cups, cup sleeves, plates and wooden cutlery was part of the solution to this problem, but without making sure that they were composted afterwards it wouldn’t have been such a positive environmental statement from what is, after all, a conservation charity…. we collect the cups, cup holders, plates and the untreated wooden cutlery that we use, and they are taken to a local farmer who shreds them. He then mixes them with his green waste and composts them into a peat free mulch substitute. This mulch is hen taken to the National Trust plant nurseries at Lanhydrock House near Bodmin, who grow, amongst all the other plant, the plants that are sold in the National Trust shop that adjoins the cafe in Boscastle. By doing it this way, we not only successfully recycle the disposables from the national Trust Cafe in Boscastle, but we contribute to saving the limited resources of peat bogs.”
The A to Z index is constantly updated so some links may be dicky as stuff is moved or even deleted. Other products will not yet included. If you can’t find what you want, try….
Talking of stunning, look at these cycling outfits. Made not from synthetics but lovely merino wool. They do tops and cycling shorts.
As cyclists, we know that when it comes to clothing comfort is king. Jura Cycle Clothing jerseys are British designed and made of 100% fine Italian merino wool. They are both lightweight and durable, allowing maximum performance in comfort.
Did you know merino wool has fantastic wicking properties? And it’s itch free, breathable and anti-bacterial – meaning you can ride for days without washing your jersey!
Our unisex jerseys are popular for their great retro design so, whether you are out for a casual ride to the pub or powering up the Col du Galibier, you will not only be comfortable, you’ll look stylish too!
Sadly they ar a little out of my price range I haven’t actually tried one but I love the designs and of course that they are made from wool. They have some great reviews.
NB They are actually made in Turkey. You can buy from HERE
Hats
Research has shown that broad-brimmed hats provide protection equivalent to an SPF (sun protection factor) of approximately 5 for the nose, ears and neck. [For a discussion of the shade provided by hats, see “If You Can See the Sunlight, Seek the Best Shade”] click here
Although nothing can guarantee 100 percent protection, the hat is an important weapon in the skin protection arsenal.
So I am currently hat hunting!
Also Sun related….
Ever Seen A Sheep With Sunburn?
So tell me buddies – is this true? I don’t want to cast nasturtiums on any ones credibility but you do hear and awful lot of nonsense out there in google land. Can anyone confirm? Does woolen fabric absorb U.V.?
“Merino wool has the property of absorbing UV radiation and thus keeping away from your skin. Merino wool fabrics have a sun protection factor of 40+. The time you can stay in the blazing sun with a Prosa merino shirt without getting a sunburn will be 40 times longer. Synthetic fibres and other natural fibres cannot offer comparable protection without having to rely on the use of questionable ingredients.
Merino wool has a UPF of 40 and more. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. Just like a sunscreen with the abbreviation SPF, the Sun Protection Factor. These terms indicate how much of the UV radiation is retained. Conventional cotton T-shirts have a UPF of about 10, which means that approximately 10% of UV radiation can penetrate your skin. A UPF value of 40 means that more than 97.5% of the radiation is retained. So you are well protected with your prose shirt.”
How Shady Is Your Shirt
You can buy sun resistant clothing. UPF, the ultraviolet protection factor, measures protection from UV radiation in fabrics. A shirt with a UPF of 30 indicates that just 1/30th of the sun’s UV radiation can reach the skin. However a lot of it is made from synthetic fibres as they are better at blocking out UV. In a controlled laboratory study polyester provided more protection than cotton, linen, acetate, and rayon fabrics of similar construction (Davis, 1997). Sigh. another way to achieve a high UPF is to chemically treat the fabric. If synthetic fibre, chemically treated clothes don’t appeal to you, you will have choose your natural fabric carefully.
A quick and very rough test for UPF-factor is to fabric up to the light source. The more light shines through the more UV hits your skin. Loose weaves of fabric allow more transmission of rays thorugh than more closely woven fabrics. So lightweight closely woven fabrics may provide higher UV protection than heavy weight but coarsely woven fabrics Color–darker-colored fabrics transmit less UV rays, thus they block more radiation than the lighter-colored ones.
Laundry–washing fabrics increases their protectiveness because shrinkage and the loosening of fiber ends creates a tighter weave. Further, the UV protectiveness of a fabric during use depends on overall quality of fabric, stretch, and wet versus dry condition (Curiskis, 1996). Interesting read here https://msu.edu/~aslocum/sun/protectclothing.htm
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
DISCLAIMER
Absolutely no animal testing
The information in this blog is for guidance only. None of the recipes or tips in this blog have not been tested on anyone other than me and some fearless chums. I strongly advise you do your own research and proceed very carefully. Be aware of the risks of listening to someone who
You are more likely to find them unwrapped in Summer making them a seasonal treat. I have seen them in the veg shop on the causeway head Penzance AND in the supermarket in St Agnes.
BUT……..
Mini Cukes
If you don’t want a huge beast of a cucumber then your best bet is to try foreign food shops. asian shops almost always sell them unwrapped.
Back in Huddersfield, Khadims sells on Blacker Road sells them.
Time to buy new panties, knickers, bloomers, draws, step-ins – call them what you will.
I am a simple woman with few needs – I want full coverage, cotton and no silly plastic packaging.
But as you know buying such is not easy!
Where to go? Well Marks and Spencers is the traditional choice for pants. Veer away from the five packs in plastic bags and look at the knickers on hangers.
The hanger is of course plastic. However the boy behind the counter assured me the hanger was REUSED – not recycled – REUSED. So on purchaseleave your hanger behind, pack your panties in your own bag and off you trot!
You might be able to find some cotton ones though last time I was there they were all synthetic fibres.
More Info
Ready Hung Clothes
I used to think that when the clothes arrived at the shop they came in boxes? and were unpacked. Then they were hung on hangers that would, if I refused them, be re-used to hang more clothes. This is not the case. Many clothes now come by which I mean packed in a plastic bag and already hung on its own hanger. I’ll just say that again. Every piece comes with its own hanger! If I refuse a hanger chances are it will not be reused but thrown away.
Recycled Or Not
Though the bags and hangers can be recycled I have no way of knowing if they will be. Even if they are, recycling is only a more responsible form of waste disposal. It still comes with an environmental cost. Just because plastic can be recycled is no reason to use it to create everlasting trash and in such ludicrous amounts.
There are other styles to choose from including a stylish fair trade hipster style knicker are made from turquoise bamboo jersey.
N.B. The organza bags, lace and elastic are all synthetic but the production team are fantastic! And they don’t come ready hung on plastic hangers or in plastic packs. I think it is a good trade off.
Malbar Mamesahib is organised by Kerala Crafts, a charitable body established in 2001, registered as a charity in October 2010.
“Its objects are to help provide an alternative to a life of poverty by supporting 5 projects in Kerala, Southern India:
Valsalya Bhavan – an home for rescued girls aged between 5 & 16 years
Adelaide Bhavan – independent living for older orphaned girls
Vimala Welfare Centre – meeting the needs of marginalised women
Malabar Memsahib – a women’s stitching co-operative in mid-Kerala
Fair Cotton Cooperative Alliance – a range of fair trade cotton products”
Rushing through the Cheltenham suburbs, had to buy wine so lurched into the huge carpark of an out of town shopping experience. By which I mean a cluster of huge supermarkets snarling at each other across an enormous expanse of tarmac dotted with a huddle of tiny trees at least one of which was sporting a plastic bag. Village Boy leapt out of the van and bounded off shouting, white hare like, about time. I was following rather more sedately when Whole Foods Market caught my eye. I had never seen one before and I admit I snorted at the messages plastered on the windows…. but I went to have a look anyway.
I have numerous issues with supermarkets which I won’t go into here. Suffice to say I use them when I have to but they deeply irritate, even anger me. The packaging, the waste, the plastic are just a few of the niggles.
And yet, I was about to have a supermarket epiphany. Yes Whole Foods Market are my idea of supermarket heaven. If there have to be supermarkets, then let them be like this.
They have
Unwrapped lettuce and unpackaged olives…
Loose grains, rice beans and pulses
Loose tea & coffee beans.
Loose spices, herbs, dried fruits and nuts
A peanut butter making machine
oil on tap so you can refill your bottle
All of the above you can buy by weight in your own containers. This is common in the U.S. and Australia. They have bulk stores or bulk foods aisle in a grocery store. In this case it doesn’t necessarily mean buying huge amounts but buying loose and unpackaged.
BYO Bags
While the carrier bags at the check-out are paper, the rest of the packaging, the produce bags and bottles they provide, are all plastic so you would have to take your own compostable pots and reusable bags. Easily done – find out how here.
Tare
The weight of the bag will make a difference at checkout in the price per weight. The tare weight is the weight of the empty container. Whole Food Markets have weighing machines that allow you to do this yourself. It is very easy.
Lush
Whole Foods Market as it name suggests also has a organic eco criteria. This isn’t some giant Weigh & Save shop but a plush, lush shopping experience
Stores
Since then I have taken the opportunity to visits as many Whole Food Markets as I can.
Please check that stock is available before you visit – the photos are quite old now and NOT ALL STORES ARE THE SAME. For instance Glasgow does Ecover refills Cheltenham doesn’t.
About
This American company have recently opened some flagship stores in the UK It is funky, good looking and challenging. It boasts impressive eco credentials. I wanted to know more so I emailed ahead asking if it would be OK for me to take photos next time I visited. Not only did they say yes, but Renata Rees, Marketing Team Leader, offered to meet me. An offer I eagerly accepted. You can read about it here
