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Buy British

Ideally I like to buy stuff sourced in Britain and made in Britain. Again there are all manner of conflicts. What if cotton fabric has to be imported to make hankerchiefs? Is made in Britain better than hankerchiefs made in the fabrics country of origin?

But supporting British industry support has a lot of benefits. Especially locally owned business. And there is still lots of stuff make right here and a lot of it is lovely. Here are some websites that promote British made products.

N.B. not all the materials used will be locally sourced…

Make it British
Looking for products made in Britain? You’ve come to the right place!
Make it British is THE source of information on British-made brands and UK manufacturing. We are passionate about British craftsmanship and want to help YOU find products made in Britain. @MakeItBritish

Still made in Britain

Is devoted to promoting British manufactured products. You may think from listening to media reports or reading a newspaper that we in Britain do not manufacture anything. This could not be further from the truth. Britain is still producing high quality goods and classic products. @StillMadeInBrit

U.K. Made
My website “ukmade” is about celebrating British manufacturing and helping you source British made goods. It has many recommendations of quality products made in the British Isles.

British Footwear Association
Today there are 5000 people making 5m pairs. However, these bald statistics hide another story. All producers are currently working flat out to satisfy the increasing demand for British made goods and the Northamptonshire factories continue to set the benchmark for high grade men’s welted products.
You can find the members directory here.

More shoes.. Check out this useful guide to shoes still made in the U.K.

Carrier Company
Make great clothes right here.

Etsy U.K.
Etsy is a peer-to-peer (P2P) e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items and supplies, as well as unique factory-manufactured items. Wikipedia
It is an American owned on-line market place.
It has a British made section Etsy.U.K. A good place for finding small, U.K. based makers and artists

Folksy

A U.K. based Etsy. Folksy is based in Sheffield. We have a team of six full and part-time people all passionate to reclaim craft in the UK and promote the benefits of making things with our hands.

Local booze

Glens Vodka is a Scottish made alchohol. I mean a vodka made in Scotland . Who knew? But this is not your fancy artisan stuff but a reasonably priced tipple. You can buy it from the following supermarkets.

More

Read up on how and why we buy, here

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

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

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MY plastic trash Plastic Free July

Doing this plastic free July while backpacking in S.E. Asia. I do have to apologise for the very tardy documentation. We are stuck on a fairly remote beach with very limited wifi. I know… nightmare! But we are spending the day in town so here is quick post.

Backpacking certainly makes some aspects PFJ easier. Eating for example. I dont have to worry about plastic packed food because I eat out most of the time. But those of you who know me will agree that I eat very plastic free when at home and will give me a pass on this one?

And of course travelling plastic free comes with its own challenges but we have done it before and know what to pack. You can see my plastic free pack here. Except, and I can hardly believe this, we left our water bottles at home. Actually, why am I acting so surprised? We are always leaving our water bottles places!

When Your Water Bottle Lets you Down

So when we got to Malaysia, Georgetown (the Pot Shop in the market), I bought this; a shiny stainless steel, wooden trim, in the style of Kleen Kanteen but a fraction of the price, water bottle. That came in a cardboard box. Woohoo with knobs on. Got home to find it wrapped in a plastic bag! 
But we used the bag for our rubbish and not the plastic lined bin in our hotel room so I guess you could say we saved on a plastic bag? actually we never use the plastic lined bins when back-packing. Because we don’t use plastic, we don’t make that much rubbish. Any we do create we release into the wild. By which I mean we put it into a communal bin.

Train Food Traumas

As the local train was 2 hours delayed so we went for lunch, in a cafe, where everything was served on china, with real cutlery and cups. A plastic free meal was safely negotiated. Feeling confident I ordered a cold coffee. I discussed at length about how I didn’t want a straw with a very sweet girl who spoke reasonable English and was full of enthusiastic agreements. So I went ahead and ordered an icy frappe choco caramel coffee. It came in a plastic cup with domed plastic lid and straw from the takeaway stall across the road. It was very tasty though.

 

When it finally arrived, the train was a lovely hodge podge of carriages of differing ages and styles. Some were ugly commuter rail cars with vinyl padded seats, others old-school timber lined carriages with hard wooden seats all painted bright ginger and looking like something from the Wild West. In the interests of going plastic free we chose them.

The train showed no interest in making up for lost time rather it dawdled along. It was a long journey, a very long journey and even the intense caffeine/ sugar rush of the capo frappe choco shake eventually wore off and was replaced by a hunger pangs. There was plenty of food for sale and the sellers were happy to mount the train and bring it to you direct.

Sadly Thai vendors have taken to wrapping their food in plastic. Everything but some lurid orange chicken legs in steel bowls came plastic bagged. We didn’t fancy the chicken. In the end I bought some sticky rice wrapped and cooked in deep green banana (?) leaves. When we came to unwrap them we found they had been tightly tied with red plastic string. They were like tiny little sweets. The leaf wrappers went out of the window where they would biodegrade back into the jungly earth if they were not wolfed up by strange hairy beasts first. The string of course had to be kept to be thrown away in a bin when we eventually got off the train, to be (hopefully), taken to landfill. The whole procedure revealing just how ridiculous and unnatural plastic packaging is.

Good Plastic Bad Plastic

Other plastic includes the stickers off our new (plastic) ninja snorkelling masks. Which may seem strange, hypocritical even. But I dont shun all plastic. I think it is a fantastic material with a role to play. I think that we are misusing it and abusing it. We dont need to make plastic stickers with it for instance. And please note the plastic lighter is harvested from the beach. I didn’t buy it I was gifted it by the sea.

Had To Be

Tin cans and bottles of beer – sorry I have lost count about 20 cans of beer (plastic lined) and 4 bottles of beer (metal caps are plastic lined) I would guess. It is hard to avoid this. If you want to visit a bar in the evening with friends you have to buy a drink.

I dont mind taking my own water to the table in a restaurant ( especially now I have super classy bottle), but I draw the line at drinking from my own bottle in a bar. Even if they didnt say anything, I’m absoltely sure that would think I was smuggling in my own booze and I couldn’t stand the shame.

General

2 straws obviously my mimes were not too good

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Fairshare Fabrics All Years

Summary

In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres and they had to be sustainably sourced. I was trying to determine what is a reasonable amount of clothing/furnishings.

In this post you will find information on the following

  • Synopsis – how much of each type of fibre I have used – for both clothing and furnishing
  • A break down by year – 2015 to 2019
  • What I started with
  • Know your fibres
  • Other terms used
  • The fair share project

Synopsis

Fair Share fabric weights updates

In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres.

How Much

However there can be little doubt that we in the UK are consuming fibres in a hugely unsustainable way.
Heres how many textile fibres are produced annually: Total fibres, both natural & synthetic, around 8.5 million tonnes Rough calculations suggest that the average amount of fibres per annum, per person in the world, works out at 11.74 kg.

Global share 11.74 kg per person
of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.
The rest is synthetics.
As I don’t like synthetics I try to stick to 3.8 kg of natural fibres.
Just so you know a kingsize double duvet cover from Ikea weighs in at 991 grams and a Marks & Spencer short-sleeved tee-shirt is 156 grams.

2015 

Natural fibres 3103 used of 3800 allowance – under by 697g Synthetic 3.2 kg

2016 

  • Natural fibres  4240 used of 3800  – over by 440g  (The running total for both years sees me under by 257g)
  • Synthetic 318g  (running total 3518)
  • Regenerated 45  (running total 45)

2017  

  • Natural fibres 3920 used of 3800 allowance – over by 120g (The running total for all years sees me under by 137g)
  • Synthetic 609  (running total 4127)
  • Regenerated 224  (running total  269)

2018 

  • Natural fibres 2915 used of 3800 allowance – under by 885g
  • (The running total for all years sees me under by 1022g)
  • Synthetic 0  (running total 4127)
  • Regenerated 0 (running total 269 )

2019

Natural fibres 5096.5 used of 3800 allowance – over by 1296 (The running total for all years sees me over by -274g)

Synthetics 1125 (running total 5252)

So up until 2020 and the van insulation even with buying bedding I can keep to the 3.8 kg target. However…….

By Year Breakdown

2019

This year I bought a wooden duvet and bedding  that I didn’t really need. Both were to trial. The review will be forthcoming. But this did of course up my total for this year.

Natural

Homemade

  • Grey dress homemade 366 

Bought

  • Mostly Natural but bought always includes some synthetic fibres – see proviso
  • 2 Cotton Bras from matalan 124
  • Knickers 3pairs 80
  • socks silk 31
  • Linen pants spain 364
  • Coduroy pinafore 403
  • Cardigan merino 183
  • White tee shirt Spain 121
  • Grey linen shirt gifted 187
  • Duvet cover bought 2 for the van divide by two 991
  • Orange cushion cover bought 2 for the van (divide by 2) 129
  • Pillow cases 2 light grey (divide by two) 126
  • Orange cushion cover bought 2 for the van (divide by 2) 129
  • Pillow cases 2 dark grey (divide by two) 126
  • Woolen duvet light 2500 (divide by two) 1250

Synthetics 

Rucksack

Large 44-litre capacity makes it possible to fly without checking in baggage to the hold. Lightweight yet durable design 0.7kg (1.5lbs).

Puffa jacket 200g (approx?) synthetic fabric and ?? feathers

I do wonder if you can make your own. Heres a link to someone who has DIY Puffer Jacket

Raincoat in a bag

we wanted waterproofs that were small and easily carried in our hand luggage rucksacks. bought these cheap as chips synthetics. Fabric: Breathable and waterproof nonwoven polypropylene. Weight: 220g

2018

Home made

  • liberty sleeveless made from yellow fabric I bought in India 175
  • Shorts blue weave from Japanese cotton 142
  • thin cotton shorts home made 136 
  • Shorts blue weave from Japanese cotton 142
  • thin cotton shorts home made 136
  • Cardigan knitted from Shetland wool 315

Bought

  • pyjamas Bottoms 212
  • pyjamas top 203
  • Jeans from M&S 619 Contain elasticine
  • Bali dress. A very light weight cotton grey dress 230
  • merino jumper. Great to wear but has gone way too bobbly 220
  • long sleeve top contains elastine – present 158
  • long sleeve top contains elastine – present 158
  • poll tax tee shirt 132
  • Indian kurta top. Bought this Mumbai India 215

2017

I needed warm as were were spending January in Spain. Contrary to popular opinion it can get very cold. Despite this the houses are not built for the cold and what with the tiled floors and wall and high ceilings can get pretty uncomfortable. can Warm lounge wear is the order of the day.

Then we went backpacking from India to Indonesia. Where yoga pants were the order of the day.

Clothes

Home made

  • Billy Bunter shorts 168
  • grey silk wool mix trousers 275 Palazzos
  • Liberty dress 218
  • Heavy silk sleevless  over tunic 245
  • Woolen 3/4 sleeve long tunic 293 MuMu Two

Clothes

Bought

  • Knickers 6 pairs 157
  • japanese socks 59
  • Brown shorts Malaysia 257
  • green skinny fit trousers  3% Elasticine 357
  • My cardigan is falling apart so I bought a new cotton cardigan from TK max Pure cotton it weighs in at 187 g
  • Girl gang tee shirt bought in Malaysia 159
  • Khaki tee shirt bought in Malaysia 155
  • PARIS tee shirt bought in Malaysia 165
  • Soul mate vest 148
  • Striped T shirt bought in Malaysia 134
  • My sarong weighs in at 212 g From Indonesia pure cotton very thin very beautiful. 212
  • cashmere pyjamas weigh in at 517 g
  • Towels from japan 214

regenerated

  • Yoga leggings Parkinson’s 224 Viscose 224

synthetic

  • crop top for yoga x 2 153
  • japanese socks 59
  • Grey rain coat
  • japanese hat 100
  • synthtic straw hat 100
  • Bikini top blue 97
  • Bikini top Decathalon 100
  • BikiniM&S 200
  • Leggings Bought in Ubud 222

2016

Returned home from backpacking the tropics. The days of 2 teeshirts, a mu-mu of modersty and backpackers bloomers were sadly over. I desperately needed some new clothes. The next three weeks saw me busy sewing. The design brief was a little more complex this year. Not only did the clothes have to be sustainable & plastic free, they had to be rather more dressy than I am used to. because at Easter we were fulfilling a long held dream – to be in Seville for the Santa Semana and the Feria. Then back to rather less showy Huddersfield for what I thought was going to be a hot summer. There were a couple of hot and steamy weeks I sewed sleeveless frocks and cool skirts. Then the weather turned obvs! so I had to quickly put together some rather warmer shirts. And buy some T shirts to wear under them.

Had hoped to be back on the road by winter but it was not to be so I had to make a thick skirt that I can wear with wooly tights and leggings.

  • 1 wool socks homemade 73g 73
  • socks from Debenhams 45
  • socks from Debenhams 45
  • Denim Long Shorts 316g 316
  • Linen Pants 414g 414
  • Corduroy Skirt 300g 300
  • stripy cotton skirt gifted 231g 231
  • The Bombazine Skirt 541g 541
  • Wrap Skirt 249g 249
  • Tabbard Frock 149g
  • Ebay Woolen jacket 180
  • Choir Boy grey smock top 132
  • Liberty Lawn Shirt red poppies 96g
  • Offset Tunic blue & white 157g
  • Vogue lawn top cross bodice 110g
  • Wrap shirt  108g
  • Wrap Shirt Lawn Chiffon 90
  • 3/4 sleeve T 156g each 156
  • 3/4 sleeve T 156g each 156
  • New spotty top from M&S 160g 160
  • Black vest gifted turned into seat cover for the van 144
  • grey vest 105g
  • White vest gifted 105g
  • Yorkshire Wool Waistcoat 178g

Regenerated Fibres

Bamboo is a regenerated fibre and falls somewhere between natural and synthetcic. Some biodegradae some do not. Bamboo is a form of regenerated fibre. Personally I dont like it but the socks were a gift. Read more here 

1 ankle socks bamboo skull & crossbones 45g

Synthetic Fibres

  • Huge circular skirt 243g
  • New Swim Top 75g
  • Total 318g

2015

3103 Total 3800 Allowance – Under 697 3.2 kg of synthetic fibres.

Got home and parked the van ( after living in it for a year) We left the U.K. in May and travelled from Kazakhstan to Indonesia. Mostly overland only flying when there was no alternative to places where the ferries no longer run – sigh.

My clothes had to see me through monsoon, snow and blazing tropical heat. I made most of my backpacking wardrobe before I left. Being on the road doesnt mean I can’t sew. I made my headscarf and backpackers bloomers while traveling.

Natural Fibres

  • 1 pair of knickers 28
  • Cashmere cardigan gifted 220
  • Blue teeshirt cotton gifted 226
  • Teeshirt from Thailand – cotton 123
  • Cotton Hat 2 20 
  • 1 scarf 7 
  • Flannel  7 
  • Sheet and pillowcase from srilanka 940 

Made

  • Synthetic Fibres
  • Ridiculous coat  and a new raincoat to replace it.Synthetic Fibres
  • leggings Synthetic Fibres
  • Crop top

2014 – what I started with

  • Bought
  • knickers
  • 2 pairs of trousers
  • 1 nightie
  • 1 Bra
  • Had
  • Tops, Cardigans & Jackets
  • 4 no Long Sleeve Tops – cotton
  • 1 grey – 2010
  • 1 striped – 2009
  • 1 blue – 2011
  • 1 red – 2014 year
  • Ranging from 5 to 3 years old except the red which was bought last year.
  • 6 no T Shirts & Vests – cotton (10)
  • 1 grey – had for ever.
  • Marks & Sparks 2014 156g each – no hangers
  • 1 black
  • 1 navy
  • 1 pale grey
  • 1 vest – years plus
  • 2 no Other (12)
  • wool tunic that I made from woolen fabric I have had for years. I have been wearing that for 18 months? Possibly longer.
  • Cotton shirt bought in India 2011
  • 2 no Warmer wear & Coats (14)
  • 1 synthetic jacket pre 2011
  • 1 nylon raincoat pre 2011
  • 4 no. Bottoms (18)
  • Shorts Summer 2014 Synthetic Fibres
  • Trackie bums cotton don’t know how old – over a year.
  • Thin long trews hot thin cotton bought Summer 2014
  • Thick long trews cold corduroy Autumn 2014 Marks & Spencers
  • 1 no Skirts & Dresses (19)
  • Linen dress made for Observer Awards 2014
  • Underwear & Sleep
  • Knickers (20)
  • I have counted knickers as one because for some reason I feel shy about telling you how many pairs of pants I own!?
  • Philippino pirate pants
  • M&S sometime last year
  • France 2014 a pack of knickers
  • 2 no Bras (21)
  • 1 reasonable bought spring 2014 synthetic fibres
  • 1 utterly awful that I only wear when the reasonable one is in the wash. At least 2 years old
  • 4 no Socks (25)
  • 2 thin pairs of socks – new before we left – gift.
  • 2 thick pairs of sock – made by my mum.
  • 5 no Sleep & Swim (32)
  • 1 nightgowns warm
  • 1 nightgown cool 2014 M&S
  • 1 Merino long johns 3 years at least
  • 2 bikinis years old– all synthetic
  • Towelling dressing gown
  • thin cotton dressing gown
  • 7 no Outerwear Hats & Shawls (39)
  • 1 wool hat 2013
  • 1 straw hat 2014
  • 1 wool scarf gift 2013
  • 3 pairs of gloves
  • 1 no shawl
  • 2 no Work in progress (41)
  • Spotty dress work in progress bought from charity shop
  • Sleeveless long vest / sleeveless tunic most cotton bought in Malaysia 2011
  • 4 no In storage (The cupboard we don’t talk about) (46)
  • Coats
  • 1 smart – wool years old
  • 1 very warm sheepskin second hand ages ago
  • 2 waterproof  walking coat- synthetic years old
  • 1 raincoat – synthetic cant even remember when
  • Other fabrics
  • back packers flannel

Clothes that have died

I had to buy a new raincoat to replace the stupid, non-weatherproof rubbish I got from T.K.Max.

1 blue patterned Teeshirt. Bought 2013 Singapore lost by the laundry in 2015 Thailand

Cotton Cargo Pants bought Summer 2014 Mountain Warehouse- dreadful purchase fell apart in less than a year.

Corduroy Trouser bought autumn 2014 Marks & Spencers worn almost continually in the autumn and winter of 2015. Died in the Spring of 2015 in China. Not exactly long lasting but one shouldn’t expect too much from corduroy and they did get worn a lot!

Fabric Types

Dont know regenerated yarn from a synthetic fibre? no worries. Theres lots of information on fibres yarns and fabric HERE

Terms
By gifted I mean something that people have passed on to me because they no longer want it. Second hand but not purchased.
When I say cotton/ natural fibres that doesn’t include buttons and other such stuff which will almost certainly be synthetic. As might be the thread used to sew the fabric.
Unless you are talking about my own homemade clothes where I can tell you exactly what plastic has been used.

Sewing
I can’t afford to buy eco clothing but I can afford to make it. I have been stiching like a demon and this year most of my new clothes have been handmade. Sadly my sewing skills are not so great. There are some rather strange outfits in there. You can read my plastic free sewing tips here…

About Fair Share

Whats a global share?

Rough calculations would suggest that the average amount of fibres per annum, for every person in the world, works out at 11.74 kg per person This is for everything – clothes, bedding, fabrics used in manufacturing, furnishings, businesses. All our fabric needs.
of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.
As I don’t like synthetics I try to stick to 3.8 kg of natural fibres.
Just so you know a kingsize double duvet cover from Ikea weighs in at 991 grams and a Marks & Spencer short-sleeved tee-shirt is 156 grams.

Why not use 11 .74 kg of natural fibres? I would argue that it is not sustainable for us all to have 11.74 kg of natural fibres a year. This is one of the promoted benefits of plastic, that it takes the pressure off natural resources. Synthetic fabrics mean less land grab to grow cotton. But synthetic fabrics like any other plastic are massively polluting.

So if we cannot produce more, we have to consume less.  This is how the equation works for me:
We cannot exceed current levels of production:
We cannot expect others to want less than we have:
We cannot swamp the market with synthetics:
Therefore I have to live with my global share of natural fibres.Which is still probably to generous to be fully sustainable.

You can read more on the subject and check my figures and sources here.

Whats Sustainable Clothing?
Plastic-free, fair-trade, ethically made and lots more.You can read my clothing manifesto here
You can read more on the subject and check my figures and sources here.

Second Hand Clothes
Can I buy or accept second hand clothes to supplement my allowance? No. I can buy second-hand but it has to count as part of my allowance.
Unless they are from someone else participating in the scheme like Ami.

Read more here

Related Posts

More About Fabric

  • Lots of outrageous textile statistics HERE
  • This is an introduction to fibres, fabrics and why you might want to, and how to sew plastic free index
  • See all textile & wardrobe related posts HERE.

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The Fulsome Foolish Skirt

We were planning to visit Seville for the Feria, the big flamenco party. To say it is dreey would be understating. I spent a lot of time wondering what I could possibly wear. The flamenco dresses I had seen looked very elaborate featuring different fabrics, trimmings and all manner frou-frouery. Needless to say I possessed nothing like that. Then, while meandering through the Indonesian markets, I came across some very lively sarongs. They were highly patterned strips of fabric featuring a bold use of color and frantic patterning. If, I thought, I was to make a skirt out of such sarongs, it would look extremely ornate. Not frilly but with a general air of exuberance that would make it suitable for a flamenco night out.

So I bought some. They were amazingly cheap but I was assured they were made from Indonesian cotton. They are not. They are synthetic fibres. I didn’t realize this till I got home, tried to iron them and they melted. I was annoyed. Not only did I have to spend hours scraping away at the iron but I don’t like wearing synthetic fabrics. I’m sure you know that synthetic fibres contribute to micro plastic pollution. When they are washed, they shed tiny, non-biodegradable, synthetic fibres into the drains. These are then washed out to sea where they are now polluting the oceans and being eaten by plankton.

Still I thought I could still make the skirt, wear it for the Feria, and never, ever wash it. After all how much demand would there be for such a lively skirt in my daily life? So I copied a pattern for a circular skirt from the internet, sewed it up and tried it on. It hung nicely but it was full…. very full. Draped over my Rubenesque curves it looked rather tent like – by which I mean a big top. It might have worked if I had made it from a different fabric. Something with less pattern and nicer colors. Lord knows what I was thinking but dominant tints were bottle green and aquamarine blue covered in hot pink and purple flowers. It looked funky in the market place as a sarong; it looked insane as a swirling skirt on a wide berthed middle aged woman. So much so I will not be featuring a photo of me modeling it.

So I now have a huge and very ugly skirt which I can never wash and never wear. But as I can’t bear waste so I am keeping it as a permanent pattern for future huge skirts I may wish to make. In fact I used it as the base for my Japanese Fish Wrap Skirt.

More

Weight 243g. This counts as part of my fair share fabrics project– a self imposed rationing system where I use no more than my global share of fibres and they have to be sustainably sourced. Whats a global share? 11.74 kg per person of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres. As I don’t like synthetics I try to stick to 3.8 kg of natural fibres.

2016 WLLM Want to share my bath?

Or perhaps you would prefer to post some photos of the local shops you support. Here’s the deal…

“Each year the UK alone is putting over £3.8 billion worth of resources into landfill and evidence suggests that increasing rates of consumption and material possession are not necessarily leading to healthier societies and may in fact be damaging to our happiness and wellbeing.”

Waste less, Live More have had enough and have taken to organizing a week of events to combat this. WLLM is a Keep Britain Tidy’s annual campaign. It is 7 days of awareness raising, rubbish, cutting activities and brings together a wide range of partner and supporter organizations… of which I am one.

Yes, from 19-25 September, ” organizations, charities and businesses, (ME!!!), will be hosting … events and activities which encourage people to waste less and live more – events demonstrating that what is good for the environment is good for us.”

Eek – hosting!? What am I going to do?Well WLLM have kindly put together over 101 activities including having a bath together. Feel free to join me in the tub but I was thinking of something more inclusive. It’s a small tub and I’m a big girl.

Love Local, Photo & Post

Because I move around a lot it’s hard for me to do anything on the ground so I plan to do it virtually. Last year I organized an online litter pick where I photographed and posted pictures of the plastic litter I collected. People were kind enough to join me and I could do that again. BUT…. after my week of eating-plastic-free -but- only-buying- from – supermarkets project I would like to to focus on local shops.

Activity Number 46 looks ideal. It is Buy local – Try buying local for a day. Using local businesses instead of chains is great way of supporting local jobs and investing more money back into the local economy.

Like the litter pick, I will be posting photos of local shops and businesses and the (plastic-free) produce you can buy from them. Once again I invite you to join me. Together we can celebrate, promote and support the independent traders and, (of course), packaging-free, waste-less produce. One day in the week, when out shopping, take a photo of your favorite indie, local shop then post it up on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or all of them. A few details on where it is and what it does would also be good.

Post Where?

Post on your Facebook Twitter or Instagram account but do remember to hashtag your photos. You can also post them in the Plastic Is Rubbish Facebook Group group  where they will remain as permanent record of great places to shop. Or up on the WLLM Facebook page.

Tag Them

Use tags #pirlocalshop and #wastelesslivemore

Like this

“love my #pirlocalshop The Hut, Huddersfield #plasticfree kabanos Celebrate indies 4 #wastelesslivemore week.”

Feel free to copy – using details about your own shop I mean. Then you can promote the project with more posts like this one…..

Visit #pirlocalshop gallery & on line photo competition for #wastelesslivemore week. Vote by liking. On line photo competition for #wastelesslivemore week. celebrating indies.

Galleries

You can also visit the galleries…..

Check out the Twitter gallery here

Facebook gallery here

Photography Competition

Got the bit between my teeth now. Why not, I’m thinking, combine it with

“Activity No 17 Have a photography competition – Create a list of things or themes to photograph, such as ‘favourite local green space’ or ‘best place to relax’, or ‘neighbourhood’ and ‘sharing’. Have fun comparing your results!”

Add #pirshoplocal hashtag to be in with a chance to win fantastic

Prizes

I’m thinking Activity Number 39 Make a puppet or sock monkey – Odd socks? Try upcycling them into the ultimate toy/mascot/desk companion.”

Or we can we include “Activity Number 77 Share a bath ?” – a voucher system maybe?

So Trashionistas what do you think? You in?

More

You can sign up at the Waste less, Live More website and let them know you are supporting them. And if you don’t have any local shops, a camera or shudder at the shared bath, here’s the list of activities – all 101 of them. There is something to suit everyone.

101 Ways to Waste less and Live more

This year we are challenging you do as many of our 101 ways to waste less and live more as you can. Let us know what you are up to via social media (#wastelesslivemore) – we can’t wait to see how you get on!

  1. Become a RAKtivist – Do little things to ‘pay it forward’ as a Random Acts of Kindness activist – leave change in the parking meter, give out free hugs, pick up groceries for a neighbour.
  1. Have a declutter day – If you don’t love it loads or use it often, donate it to a charity shop.
  1. Rediscover the fun of the playground – Jump rope, hopscotch, duck duck goose, hide and seek, limbo, leapfrog, stuck in the mud – PLAY!
  1. Grow from scraps – Give your fruit and veg another lease of life. There are great beginner guides online to get you started!
  1. Take it outside – Take your next meeting, lesson or catchup outside. Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!
  1. Organise a shared lunch – Everyone brings a dish and you eat together. You’ll get an amazing spread and think of the sandwich wrapper waste you’ll avoid.
  1. Set up a book-swap shelf – Got a spare shelf at work, school or in your local pub? Ask if it can be turned into a book-swap shelf. Give away your books and pick up something new to read 
  1. Organise a street party – Get together with neighbours and plan an afternoon of activities for all. Check with your local council about road closure procedures and permissions.
  1. Have a go at upcycling – Turn something old or unused into something new and usable. Broken umbrellas can become saddle covers, cheese graters can become earring holders – get imaginative!
  1. Support your local library – Rather than buying that book/film/cd you are after why not borrow it from your local library instead?
  1. Make a pinecone birdfeeder – Hang it near a window so you can birdwatch too!
  1. Scoot to school – Micro-scooters are more fun than walking and more eco-friendly than a car.
  1. Give collaboratively – Club together to get a lasting gift – save money and wrapping paper!
  1. Be intergenerational inspirational – Your grandparents or children can help you see the world in a different way – what skills and stories can you share?
  1. Organise a walking bus – Get to work or school on foot and pick up your colleagues or classmates en route – a little fresh air and exercise make a great start to the day!
  1. Support a local community project – Get in touch with your local volunteer bureau and find a project that needs some help.

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  1. Have a photography competition – Create a list of things or themes to photograph, such as ‘favourite local green space’ or ‘best place to relax’, or ‘neighbourhood’ and ‘sharing’. Have fun comparing your results!
  1. Sleep under canvas – Even if it’s only in your back garden, get the tent out and spend a night under the stars.
  1. Have a fix-it party – Got a pile of stuff you’ve been meaning to fix? Gather the things you’ll need and invite your friends over for a fix-it Check out YouTube for tutorials on how to fix almost anything.
  1. Make a home for wildlife – Make a bird box, bug hotel or a hedgehog shelter. It’s easier than you think and you can get advice online from theBBC or the RSPB. 
  1. Build a bottle rocket – There are plenty of tutorials online. Too easy? Have a competition with friends – who can make their rocket go the highest? Be safe!
  1. Gift a tree – A great alternative to conventional presents – try the National Forest or Woodland Trust.
  1. Darn it – There was a time when most people knew how to darn. Check out YouTube tutorials or find a friend or family member who can teach you and give those socks a new lease of life!
  1. Get gardening – Even if you’ve only got space for one pot, you can garden. Why not try growing herbs on your windowsill or looking after a spider plant? You can find some great beginner tips and tricks
  1. Spend an evening by candlelight
  1. Pledge to have zero waste lunches – Think about how much packaging you get with a lunch bought out. Pledge to have zero waste lunches for the week – bring in your own from home or sit-in to eat.
  1. Arrange a themed movie night – Invite friends over and watch a movie, follow it with a discussion. We recommend the Minimalism Documentary, My Stuff Movie or Black Fish.
  1. Get a teapot or coffeepot for work – A teapot or coffee pot is a great addition to the office! It’s sociable and the kettle will only be boiled once.
  1. Ditch the disposables – Try to go a whole day or the entire week without using disposables.
  1. Preserve and pickle – Gather old glass jars and fill them with delicious and long-lasting preserves and pickles – there are loads of recipes online. They make excellent gifts too 
  1. Create a new game (no purchases allowed) – Remember making up games as a child? Have fun creating a new game using things you’ve got at home.
  1. Get inventive, Masterchef-style! – Get together with friends to see who can create the best dish from all your leftovers and what’s already in your cupboards!

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  1. Chit-chat for charity – Organise a coffee morning – get people baking, donating and chatting to raise funds for a local cause.
  1. Patch it – Patch the holes in your jeans and tops rather than dispose of them – make the patch blend in for a ‘good as new’ look or go bold and make a statement!
  1. Share your skills – Can’t cook but can play the guitar? Get together with others to swap your skills.
  1. Get your office growing – Plants are a great addition to the office – they encourage a positive and healthy atmosphere so get planting with colleagues. Herbs are easy to grow and can be used in your lunches! 
  1. Play team sports – Organise a game of football or ultimate frisbee in the park with friends or colleagues.
  1. Lift-share – This week, try to make no journeys in the car alone. You’ll be reducing your environmental impact and have someone to chat to. Too easy? Travel further afield using a scheme like Blablacar.
  1. Make a puppet or sock monkey – Odd socks? Try upcycling them into the ultimate toy/mascot/desk companion.
  1. Love your local park, river or beach – Go to your local park, river or beach and show it some love. Are there any Green Flag parks or Blue Flag beaches near you?
  1. Join a choir – We have a great choral tradition – it is sociable, creative, keeps your brain active and it is great fun!
  1. Give a hen a home – Contact the British Hen Welfare Trust to give a hen a free-range future. Over half a million re-homed hens to date!
  1. Try geocaching – Use a GPS-enabled device such as a mobile phone to treasure hunt for geocaches near you. There are over 2.5 million globally!
  1. Eat seasonably – Seasonal fruit and veg need less artificial input, have less environmental impact, taste better and are often cheaper. Check out your local market, grocer or food store and don’t be afraid to ask if it’s in season.
  1. Make a musical instrument – Make a rain-stick using lentils, a guitar using plastic bands or a tambourine using bottle tops. Too easy? Form a home-made instrument band and record a song!
  1. Buy local – Try buying local for a day. Using local businesses instead of chains is great way of supporting local jobs and investing more money back into the local economy.
  1. Organise a spoken word or unplugged music night – Why not get in touch with Sofar Sounds and host a gig in your living room?
  1. Set up a stuff library – Need a drill for that DIY project? Bored of your DVD collection? Set up a real or virtual library to share the things you have, helping everyone’s stuff get used more and gather less dust.

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  1. Harvest rainwater – Make a DIY rainwater harvester to collect rainwater for use on your lawns and gardens. Too easy? Why not install a more permanent domestic rainwater harvesting system?
  1. Join your local transition town – ‘Transition towns’ are grassroots groups aiming to increase self-sufficiency to reduce environmental impact. Check out the one in Totnes.
  1. Buy milk from the milkman – Fewer plastic bottles and more reusable glass. Why not get your orange juice from the milkman too 
  1. Scrub naturally – Use sugar, sea-salt or oatmeal to make your own microbead-free exfoliant – there are plenty of tutorials online.
  1. Food-share – Become a food philanthropist and grow food to donate to local charity partners.
  1. Row, row, row your boat – Gently down the stream.
  1. Organise a Big Tidy Up – Visit the Big Tidy Up website and order a kit to get you started.
  1. Be a lover, not a leaver – In restaurants a lot of food is wasted through preparation, spoilage and what’s left behind on the plate. If you’re eating out, commit to asking for a doggy bag and LOVE those leftovers!
  1. Yarn-storm your garden – Decorate your garden with colourful knitted or crocheted yarn installations.
  1. Do a bug hunt – Join the Big Bug Hunt or just see which creepy crawlies you can find in your garden or local park.

 

  1. Join a veg-box scheme – Fresh organic veg delivered straight to your door to help you eat in-season and get creative in the kitchen.

 

  1. Stargaze – You don’t need any special equipment and a good place to stargaze might be closer than you think, even if you live in an urban area. There are lots of free guides online, including the Dark Sky Discovery’s website.

 

  1. Go zero waste – Try to produce no waste for a day.

 

  1. Host your own DIY Olympics – Use what you have to make hurdles and javelins, toss bean bags and relay with buckets – the possibilities are endless… Don’t forget to make medals for the winning team!

 

  1. Go paperless – Think before you print, switch to paperless billing – you’ll never have to open a bill again (well not a paper one anyway!)

 

  1. Make a cork memo board – Collect wine corks and upcycle them into a functional and stylish cork board in just a couple of hours.

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  1. Fly a kite – Get yourself up the nearest hill and enjoy the simple pleasure of flying a kite. Too easy? Make your own kite from recycled materials and fly, fly away!

  

  1. Buy nothing – When was the last time you went a whole day without buying a single thing? Give yourself, the planet and your wallet a day off.

 

  1. Have a (non-computer) games night – Get out board games or a pack of cards and have an evening of fun together.

 

  1. Go walkies! – Borrow a dog from a family member, friend or neighbour for the day – they make great companions for a walk!
  1. Re-love some stuff – Check out a local car-boot sale or charity shop – enjoy the thrill of finding a bargain or unexpected treasure!
  1. Go for a bike ride – If you haven’t got a bike, why not borrow or hire one, take a nice ride in your local park or explore your local neighbourhood using pedal power!
  1. FoodCycle – Find your local FoodCycle Hub, where communities unite to make sure no good food is wasted, and get involved.
  1. Race to save water – Challenge family members and flatmates to keep showers to less than three minutes. Who can be in and out the fastest 
  1. Become a citizen scientist – Join project like the British Trust for Ornithology Survey – collaborate with other members of the public and professional scientists to collect and analyse data about the world around us. 
  1. Plan an overland holiday – Pick somewhere on your wanderlust list but don’t get on a plane – go by boat or train and make it a real adventure.
  1. Host a ‘jumble trail’ – Like a car boot sale but along your street, communities coordinate to set up stalls outside their houses to sell bric-a-brac, toys, vintage clothes and cakes.
  1. Create unique reusables – Organise a workshop get the people involved in customising their own canvas shopping bags or water bottles to take home and use.
  1. Share a bath
  1. Organise a ‘Give and Take’ day – Give or take days are a great way of getting rid of items that you don’t need, and taking items you do. Left over items can be donated to local charity shops.
  1. Make your own – These days we can pop into a shop or go online and buy almost anything we like. This week, commit to making your own – bake real bread or make a gift for a friend.
  1. Arrange a scavenger hunt – split into teams and see which team can capture the most photos from a list of miscellaneous objects.

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  1. Get crafty with bottle caps – There are loads of creative ways to reuse your beer bottle caps or milk bottle caps.
  1. Theme your next book group – Pick a book with an interesting social or environmental theme such as The Spirit Level and 10 Billion for discussion at your next session.
  1. Green your roof – Whether it’s a few pots on a flat office roof or getting a professional to waterproof your shed roof and cover it in vegetation – make the most of space available and bring nature closer to home.
  1. Go dairy-free – Cut out cheese, cream, butter, milk and eggs for a day. Too easy? Why not try and last the whole week?
  1. Do good, get fit – Join the Good Gym – a group of community-minded runners that combine regular exercise with helping those in need 
  1. Create your family tree – Get together with family members to map it out and share memories using photos you have around the house.
  1. Go birdwatching – There are lots of apps available to help you identify birds from their calls or appearance. How many different species can you spot?
  1. Get together to doodle, paint, sketch, draw… – Get together and whip out the colouring pencils, pens and paints. Get messy and creative!
  1. Break the bag habit – Stop using single use bags and invest in a nicer reusable alternative.
  1. Forage – September is a great month to forage for nuts, berries and other delicious treats. Guides online will help you identify safe produce. Remember to leave plenty for wildlife and check local bylaws on foraging before you set out!
  1. Visit your nearest green open home – The National Network for Low-carbon Open Homes enables you to visitopen homes in your area to see what others have done to become more energy efficient.
  1. Build a den – indoors or outdoors.
  1. Plug-out – Turn off the wifi, phone and all other electronic devices for a day and fill your time with other waste less, live more activities. We don’t want to hear about this one on social media..!
  1. Volunteer with your local Scouts / Guides group – Channel your inner Bear Grylls and contact the Scouts / Guides to offer your skills.
  1. Make rubbish art – Get creative by making art and sculptures with recycled materials.
  1. Go meat-free – Cutting down on meat is good for you, other people and the environment, so why not try going without meat for a day. Too easy? Why not try and last the whole week?

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  1. Try an outdoor gym – Outdoor gyms are springing up everywhere enabling people to exercise in the fresh air for free. Check with your local council website or the Great Outdoor Gym Company to find one near you.
  1. Swish your clothes – Bring friends or colleagues together to swap items of clothing you no longer want and find yourself a new outfit.
  1. Write and perform a song, poem or play – A great activity for children and adults alike and you might discover you’ve a talent you didn’t know you had.
  1. Go swimming outdoors – Get down to your local lido or swimming ponds – enjoy!
  1. Turn off the TV – Try going a whole evening without watching any TV. Too easy? Try the whole week!

 

…Phew! Happy Waste less, Live more Week 2016!

We have tried to ensure that all information provided in the Waste less, Live more Week Challenge was correct at the time of inclusion. We do not guarantee the accuracy of this information and we apologise for any errors. We take no responsibility for the content of third party websites that may be referenced in the Challenge. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. If you have any problems with the site or wish to comment on the content, please contact us athello@wastelesslivemore.com. We accept no responsibility for any activity undertaken by you as part of the Challenge. Please seek professional advice regarding any of the activities where appropriate. We strongly recommend that if children are wishing to partake in Challenge activities, they should be supervised by a responsible parent/guardian for their own safety and well-being.

2016 Plastic Free July

This month of course is Plastic-free July.

What is Plastic Free July 
The aim is to cut your consumption of one use plastic, for one month – July. It is a great way to challenge you relationship with plastic. We have done it for a few years now.

Plastic Is Rubbish Support Group
This year I set up a Plastic Is Rubbish Facebook group where people share plastic free tips. It’s a great resource.

Plastic Free July is an international event promoting a plastic-less lifestyle. Of course every month  is plastic free for me, but this month I get online more. I try to post a plastic-free tip a day. Find me on Twitter (#pfjuk), Facebook and recently, Instagram.

And to mark the occasion I have learnt how to Youtube…. These are my first ever Youtube videos….. I hope!?!

What is Plastic Free July

See more about Plastic Free July here

See It In Pictures

[instagram-feed]

Failures

Yoghurt!

I tried to make some yoghurt – it didn’t work. All I got was a teaspoon of yoghurt and whole load of runny juice. So I tried making pancake batter with flour eggs and yoghurt juice. That didn’t work either. Several flabby pancakes later I gave it up.

In the past I have tried eggs, flour and milk to wash my hair. What is pancake batter if not all three? Today I washed my hair with failed-yoghurt,failed- pancake batter. Because I’m worth it!

Day 1

Preparing for #PlasticFreeJuly UK #PfreeUK by getting  loose fruit & veg at the Peapod Grocery, Marsh. Also does unwrapped bread and fish and jam in returnable jars. Yay!  Read more here….

2016 U.K. Participants pfjuk featured

It’s really important to link up with U.K. based plastivists who will be sharing throughout the month. While some solutions like solid shampoo from Lush can be accessed UK wide,  many are local. If you are tweeting or writing this month get on the list….

Contact me if you want to be included. Tweet me @plasticSrubbish  e- mail www.plasticisrubbish@yahoo.co.uk or leave a comment.

So far we have have

the lovely Pip- squeaking @Pip_Squeaking of   arefugefordaffodils.wordpress.com in her second year now. 

Vicky@busygreenmum I blog about homegrown and foraged food and drink, reducing waste and buying less to reduce our carbon footprint and maybe save a little money on the way. allotmentrecipes.wordpress.com

Helen McGonigal@SpotofEarth Blogger & freelance writer, literacy workshop consultant, author of Mummy Makes Milk, mum of three, wife. spotofearth.com

New Plastic-free U.K. Directory member Jerry Bottles. Read about them here. Tweet them @jerrybottles

Libby Darling – “I run a beaching cleaning group and local eco/education Charity here in Rottingdean, just outside of Brighton, I have recently led a plastic free challenge in May & June to my local schools etc and it’s on going!
It’s not easy but it’s worth every moment!”

Fiona Hancox – no details as yet but on board!

2015

2014 see here

Plasticfree U.K. Directory

bin to beach featured

I am putting together a directory of plastic less resources. The aim is to share resources. If you are a UK based plasticless  business, organisation or blogger and you want to be in the P-f U.K. directory please send a brief write up. Guidelines here.

Plastic Is Rubbish Support Group

This year I set up a Plastic Is Rubbish facebook group where people share plastic free tips. It’s a great resource.

More Resources & Info

Loads of plastic free products here… A to Z of plastic free products

And see all our past posts here

Anyplace, Anywhere

I am proof that you can do this anywhere no matter the constraints

2014 I did it while travelling  in a van. Here is how I did.

2015 I did it with a backpack  check out Plastic free Mongolia

 

 

 

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Fair Share Fabric Project

In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres. I was trying to determine what is a reasonable amount of clothing. After all one mans over consumption is after all another’s nothing to wear. But more importantly, the use of synthetic fibres is often promoted as a way to reduce the demand for natural and in that sense helps reduced pressure on the environment. I want to know if I can stay decent using only my share of natural fibres.

How Much

However there can be little doubt that we in the UK are consuming fibres in a hugely unsustainable way.
Heres how many textile fibres are produced annually: Total fibres, both natural & synthetic, around 8.5 million tonnes Rough calculations suggest that the average amount of fibres per annum, per person in the world, works out at 11.74 kg.

Global share 11.74 kg per person
of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.
The rest is synthetics.
As I don’t like synthetics I try to stick to 3.8 kg of natural fibres.
Just so you know a kingsize double duvet cover from Ikea weighs in at 991 grams and a Marks & Spencer short-sleeved tee-shirt is 156 grams.

By Year Synopsis 

To see an actual break down of my clothes please go to Past Years

2014 & What I started with

Rationing might not seem so much of a burden if I already had a hundred outfits and enough sheets to stock a small hotel. I didnt. You can see my original wardrobe listed at the end of the article.

Fabric Types

Dont know regenerated yarn from a synthetic fibre? no worries. Theres lots of information on fibres yarns and fabric HERE

Synthetic Versus Natural Fibres

One of the much touted benefits of plastic is that it reduces pressure on natural resources. Nowhere is this more true than in fabric and fibres.Producing natural fibres is certainly resource intensive. And synthetic fabrics have moved on since the early days of crimpolene and can now convincingly replace anything from wool to silk. They used to make the sheerest of stockings to the thickest and woolliest of fleece jackets. Dirty old fishing nets can be recycled into saucy bikinis.

And at a fraction of the price. So much so that synthetics now make up 60% of the market.

While using synthetic fibres means that less space is needed to grow cotton or flax, less pesticides are used and vegans can be pleased that less sheep need shearing and silk worms dont need to die for us.

But of course synthetics come with their own very real and severe environmental costs. Not least is that every time a synthetic fabric is washed it releases hundreds of tiny little plastic fibres these are washed out into the sea with grave consequences.

Some Will Have To Go Without?

If everyone on the planet was to have 35kg of clothes each year, production would have to triple.
This is unsustainable.
To replace all the synthetics with natural fibres would also have a huge environmental impact but synthetics need to be phased out.
So if we cannot produce more, we have to consume less. Or accept a huge global inequality where some have more clothes than they can possibly wear while others have a few rags.

Well not on my watch

Global Rationing
If we cannot produce more, we have to consume less. the purpose of this project is to see if I can live within my global share of natural fibres as produced at the current rate. And cut synthetics.

This is how the equation works for me:
We cannot exceed current levels of production:
We cannot expect others to want less than we have:
We cannot swamp the market with synthetics:
Therefore I have to live with my global share of natural fibres.

Global share 11.74 kg per person
of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.
The rest is synthetics.
As I don’t like synthetics I try to stick to 3.8 kg of natural fibres.
Just so you know a kingsize double duvet cover from Ikea weighs in at 991 grams and a Marks & Spencer short-sleeved tee-shirt is 156 grams.

But can it be done? Cautious reply after 2 and a half years is yes it can.

You can read more on the subject and check my figures and sources here.

Whats Sustainable Clothing?
Plastic-free, fair-trade, ethically made and lots more.You can read my clothing manifesto here
You can read more on the subject and check

Second Hand Clothes
Can I buy second hand clothes to supplement my allowance? No. I can buy second-hand but it has to count as part of my allowance.

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A Totally Useless Coat?!

This has been a bad year for raincoats. My dear old coat that I had had for years, the faithful chum that had been up the hills, down to the shops, round Myanmar was looking… diseased. A white bloom had appeared on the collar and cuffs. I thought it was from my home made suntan lotion and it just needed a good wash. Big mistake. Turns out it wasn’t suntan lotion but the waterproof lining disintegrating. Washing only hastened that process and the coat, and everything else, came out of the washing machine covered in tiny white flecks of micro plastic.

We had only a few days before we left for China. I had to get a new lightweight waterproof coat quickly. I am way too tight to pay hiking shop prices so I went to TK Max. I ended up with a navy-blue, middle-aged anorak. It even had a belt! But it was cheap.

Amazingly it didn’t rain in Manchester before we left so I didn’t get chance to test it. That opportunity came in Xian, China where it didn’t stop raining. Turns out my new coat was bloody useless. So much so I cannot see what purpose it was actually meant to serve.

Now I want to make this quite clear from the beginning – I bought this coat from the outdoor wear section of TK Max. Yes it was massively reduced but at the time but I thought it was because of the particularly aggressive, ugly shade of navy colour and home counties, walking the golden labs style. I had my doubts about the silkiness of the fabric but modern shower proof fabrics are a huge step away so from those rustling plastic bags sold as cagoules back in the 70’s.

What persuaded me to buy was that it was so well made! There were all kinds ofoutdoorsy sort of features like a zip that opened from the top or the bottom, double fastenings with a flap to seal the pockets, a removable hood, overlapped seams and two layer of fabric on the shoulders for increased protection. Features that screamed “weather-based scenarios seriously catered for”.

And, and I cant say say this too often, it was in the outdoors section of the store. Surely I might be forgiven for thinking that this would be a reasonably weatherproof kind of coat. I was not expecting base camp performance but showerproof at least.

This coat did not offer the smallest degree of moisture based protection. Rather it sucked it up like a sponge. Thanks to the flaps and double front fastenings, the zip and pockets didn’t leak but everywhere else the water flooded through. Even the lightest of drizzle passed through in a moment. Which made it no good for the U.K. nor, (as it turns out), Xian. In 5 minutes I was soaked and freezing cold.

Which leads me to ask what purpose is this coat meant to serve? Is there some fashion I am unaware of? An indoors, outdoors kind look that I know nothing about? Are people sipping cocktails in Barbour look alike jackets that dissolve in the rain? Ravers off clubbing in Wellington boots made out of cardboard? But if that is the case then why was this jacket hanging up in, and I am going to say this again, in the frickin outdoor section!

Lucky we were near a Chinese supermarket that had an outdoor clothing section which sold jackets. Jackets you could actually wear out doors. Raincoats that repelled the rain. Fancy that!

So I bought one. Yes it is made from synthetic fibres but this is an example of plastic being the best material for the job. My new coat is light-weight, folds up small, dries out quickly and doesn’t get as mouldy or stinky. It is great for back packing. And it’s rain proof.

fabric rationing featured Both coats are counted as part of my Fair Share Fabric Project. In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres and they have to be sustainably sourced. Whats a global share? 11.74 kg per person of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.  You can see how I am doing here.

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Snood

How can you have so few clothes yet still have something you never wear?

Fearing the harsh Mongolian climate I made myself a snood/hat/scarf multi tasking sort of thing. It is knitted wool, stripy fabric backed with black knitted cotton which I bought from my local fabric shop.

It forms a loop of loveliness that can be worn as a scarf or a hat or both.

It is very warm and the cotton stops any itchy wool business, but I don’t like it.

Even when it got cold in Mongolia I rarely put it on.

So that’s the hubby, modelling mohair, in the tropics. Yes, I am still lugging the bloody thing around with me!

I sewed it using organic cotton on a wooden reel. I cut out them out with my all metal scissors. There is a metal hook and eye at the front, the elastic in the back is probably plastic! Want to make some? You can find fabrics, sewing supplies and purchase details here. 

It counts as of my Fair Share Fabric Project.

In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres and they have to be sustainably sourced. Whats a global share? 11.74 kg per person of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.  You can see how I am doing here

I don’t like synthetic fibres for a number of very good reason so I will be using mainly  natural fibres.

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Trousers homemade

Yes, I am a member of the all-female, Indoenesian-based, Madness tribute band. What? You haven’t heard of us? I made these super loose trousers with fabric from Leons in Manchester. It is a linen cotton mix Nice but rather too heavy for the tropics.

The design I made up myself. They are pleated at the front and elasticated at the back.

They hang in voluminous folds.

I sewed it using organic cotton on a wooden reel. I cut out them out with my all metal scissors. There is a metal hook and eye at the front, the elastic in the back is probably plastic! Want to make some? You can find fabrics, sewing supplies and purchase details here. 

These trousers count as of my Fair Share Fabric Project.

In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres and they have to be sustainably sourced. Whats a global share? 11.74 kg per person of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.  You can check my figures here.

I don’t like synthetic fibres for a number of very good reason so I will be using mainly  natural fibres.

 

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Clothes – Homemade

Why make your own clothes?
It’s the only way to get true plastic-free outfits free of synthetic threads, fixings, labels and packaging:Plus I can’t afford to buy ready-made sustainable clothes, but I can (sometimes), afford to make clothes from sustainable, organic and fair-trade fabrics
Click each garment to see how sustainable it is. You can see a full list of my sustainable clothes criteria here

Stuff I Made

2019

Grey dress homemade

2018

Home made

  • liberty sleeveless made from yellow fabric I bought in India 175
  • Shorts blue weave from Japanese cotton 142
  • thin cotton shorts home made 136 
  • Shorts blue weave from Japanese cotton 142
  • thin cotton shorts home made 136
  • Cardigan knitted from Shetland wool 315

2017

  • Billy Bunter shorts 168
  • grey silk wool mix trousers 275 Palazzos
  • Liberty dress 218
  • Heavy silk sleevless  over tunic 245
  • Woolen 3/4 sleeve long tunic 293 – MuMu Two

2016

  • Denim Long Shorts 316g 316
  • Linen Pants 414g 414
  • Corduroy Skirt 300g 300
  • 1 wool socks homemade 73g 73
  • The Bombazine Skirt 541g 541
  • Wrap Skirt 249g 249
  • Tabbard Frock 149g
  • Ebay Woolen jacket 180
  • Choir Boy grey smock top 132
  • Liberty Lawn Shirt red poppies 96g
  • Offset Tunic blue & white 157g
  • Vogue lawn top cross bodice 110g
  • Wrap shirt  108g
  • Wrap Shirt Lawn Chiffon 90
  • Yorkshire Wool Waistcoat 178g

Chiffon Shirt

For the Feria (the week-long party in Seville,)I made a chiffon top. I know - get me.... in chiffon. I ...
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Choir Boy Shirt

I have been making cotton tunics for a while now and while I love this very easy to make garment ...
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Clothing Homemade A line skirt

A sensible, deep blue, below the knee A line skirt. I wear it with leggings or tights. Yes it sounds ...
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Clothing Homemade Denim 3/4 length

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Weighs In At

Why the weighing? Well this item of clothing is counted as part of my fair share fabrics project. This is a self imposed rationing system. I use no more than my global share of fibres and they have to be sustainably sourced. Whats a global share? Share out all the fibres made by all the people on the planet and it works out, (very roughly), 11.74 kg per person of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres. As I don’t like synthetics I try to stick to 3.8 kg of natural fibres. 

More

You can read my sustainable clothing manifesto here

You can see the rest of my wardrobe here.

And find other clothing related posts here

Plastic Free Sewing Supplies Can be found here

Inspiration

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

And lots of cool Pinterest stuff clothing related stuff here…

Follow Plastic Is’s board Clothing, Fabric & Fibres on Pinterest.

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The MuMu of Modesty

This big and rather tent like top is extremely easy to wear. Long trousers, short trousers, no trousers even! With no zips or fastenings it is easy on, easy off making it ideal even for the beach.

Can I hear cries of “Are you mad” and “A beach dress should be summery? Colorful Pretty! What you have there looks serious, formal even! With 3/4 length sleeves….”

Well observed fashionistas but we may go home via Iran. Iran as you know has a dress code for women. The Mu Mu of modesty when worn with trousers and a headscarf will pass muster.

From beach to theocracy – I don’t think you can get much more multitasking than that! But obviously there are going to have to be compromises.

Details

The fabric is grey cotton with a raised stripe of contrasting colour and texture. Stiff rather than floaty this fabric conceals rather than drapes. It is densly woven so there is no peek aboo element (thanks be) making it modest and concealing. Although the tighter weave means it is warmer than a fine cotton say, it is still cool enough and its tent like qualities means it doesnt cling. The air can waft. In short good for both Iranian law and sunny weather.

Fabric

I bought the organic and fair-trade fabric on line from the Organic Textile Company. It cost around 27.00 including delivery. They have a good range of materials and designs. In their own words “All our fabrics are good quality inexpensive organic, cotton fairly traded.” Though they don’t actually have a fair-trade certificate you can see that they are committed to the cause. There are some nice personal details about the people they work with. I actually know who made my fabric.

NB the packaging was NOT PLASTIC FREE

Sadly the packaging was plastic. The fabric was sent in a plastic bag. I did ask about that and I was told “Due to the nature of what we send through the post it is not suitable for us to use paper packaging. We do reuse packaging that is from parcels that have been sent to us and we would be able to send out fabric using recycled packaging if it was requested by a customer.”

Read my full review of this company here

Details

Apart from the packaging this top contains no plastic

 Plastic Free Fabric – You can buy completely plastic free fabric from Offset Warehouse

Other Fabric – You can find a range of fair trade organic fabrics here

More info

While being of plastic free interest, this is also part of my fair share fabric project.  You can read all bout it and see my other clothes – home made and otherwise, here.