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Choir Boy Shirt

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear Tagged ,

I have been making cotton tunics for a while now and while I love this very easy to make garment I fancied a change. I OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAwanted something with rather more space to move. The tunic pattern has fitted sleeves which can be a bit grabby under the arms if I wear them with a T shirt. Plus the body while not fitted has no extra space. I have to be careful when removing my tunics. I am not always careful tending to yank them off to the cracking sound of splitting stitches.

So I thought I would try me a gathered shirt with some raglan sleeves. A raglan sleeve is a single piece of fabric that extends from the collar of the garment over the shoulder and down to the underarm.

There is no seam around the shoulder rather that the seams attaching the sleeve to body run diagonally across the front and back of the shoulder. This results is more room in the underarm area allowing a greater ease of movement. Which is why it is often used in sports wear. And considered less formal than a fitted sleeve.

Fabric & Purchase Details

I bought some grey lawn from the Button Box in Huddersfield Market. This is more like a muslin it is softer more crumply and looks like a looser weave. I don’t know where it was originally made and it boasts no organic or fair trade credentials but it was bought locally and buying locally and keeping fabric shops open are both very important to me.

It is 100% cotton. I prefer to use natural fibres because on consideration they are the greenest, biodegradable option and, even better, they don’t shed plastic microfibres when washed. Just in case you need it, here is a quick  intro to synthetic, regenerated, combination and natural fibres here. And more reasons why I prefer natural fabrics over the others can be found here.

Design & Pattern

I found this pattern in a charity shop. New Look 6133.  It seemed to fit the bill give or take a frilled collar. I made it longer so it was more smock like. I cut the neck lower  and rather than a draw string, I  gathered the fabric and sewed it into place and attached a thin collar.

I tried it on. I looked like a choir boy!

I had to add pin tucks underneath the bust to give it some shape. Then rather than gather into cuffs I added pin tucks to the billowing sleeves to give them some shape too.

Fixtures & Fittings
Needs none

Made With
Cut out with all metal scissors from the C. Booths Hardware Shop in Huddersfield, sewn together using organic cotton on a wooden reel and made using plastic free sewing supplies (you can find them here).

Sustainable Rating
Natural fibres
Fabric was bought plastic free – no packaging
Supporting a local fabric shop
Homemade by me
Made with plastic free sewing supplies

Weighs In At 132g.

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? 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.

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Clothing Homemade A line skirt

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear Tagged ,

A sensible, deep blue, below the knee A line skirt. I wear it with leggings or tights. Yes it sounds dreadful but it’s good for cycling in. I made it from a soft corduroy which I think stops it looking like too much like a school skirt. While it really is much nicer than the description implies even kindest friends would class it under practical rather than glamorous

Fabric & Purchase Details

I dont know where the corduroy was originally from and it boasts no organic or fair trade credentials but it was bought from my local fabric shop Leons. And buying locally and keeping fabric shops open are both very important to me.

It is 100% cotton. I prefer to use natural fibres because on consideration they are the greenest, biodegradable option and, even better, they don’t shed plastic microfibres when washed. Just in case you need it, here is a quick  intro to synthetic, regenerated, combination and natural fibres here. And more reasons why I prefer natural fabrics over the others can be found here.

Design & Pattern

I used the Mc Calls M6770 Misses’ Jacket, Bustle/Capelet, Skirt and Pants patterns as a very loose guide. The Mc Calls pattern features a bustle. My corduroy skirt doesn’t!

Fixtures & Fittings

I didnt bother with a waistband just turned the top over and fixed it using used bias binding. This is 100% cotton, bought by the meter and from a cardboard roll. I fitted a zip at the back The zip is metal and synthetic fibre. It is sold unpackaged. N.B.metal zips are not so easy to fit as plastic as they are bulky, dont sit as neatly in the seam and tend to flash and glint. Plastic zips are finer and so less obvious. As I always wear long tunic tops it is not an issue for me but you might want to consider it.

Made With

They were  cut out with all metal scissors from the C. Booths Hardware Shop in Huddersfield, sewn together using organic cotton on a wooden reel and made using plastic free sewing supplies (you can find them here).

Sustainable Rating
Natural fibres
Fabric was bought plastic free – no packaging
Supporting a local fabric shop
Homemade by me
Made with plastic free sewing supplies

Weighs In At 300g.

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? 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.

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Clothing Homemade Denim 3/4 length

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear Tagged , , 1 Comment

No Daisy Dukes for me! Check out these bad boys! Below the knee, denim shorts with half gather waist. Made for when the weather was warmer only posted now!

Fabric & Purchase Details

I don’t know where the denim was originally made and it boasts no organic or fair trade credentials but it was bought locally from the Button Box in Huddersfield Market. And buying locally and keeping fabric shops open are both very important to me.

It is 100% cotton. I prefer to use natural fibres because on consideration they are the greenest, biodegradable option and, even better, they don’t shed plastic microfibres when washed. Just in case you need it, here is a quick  intro to synthetic, regenerated, combination and natural fibres here. And more reasons why I prefer natural fabrics over the others can be found here.

Design & Pattern

I thought I could adapt the Palazzo Trouser pattern I have already used for the Linen Trousers. I still wanted to use a drawstring waist (no plastic elastic for me!), but didn’t want them to be quite as gathered. The denim is much thicker than the linen so doesn’t gather as easily. I didn’t want to end up with crinoline style shorts.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Shorts hanging in festoons?

I narrowed the legs of the pants and added darts at the back waist to make a more fitted butt. This means only the front is gathered. The bum bit works well and is a comfortable fit… but the back of the pants have a tendency to hang in festoons? It doesn’t really matter and they might soften out with washing but for my next attempt at trousers I will try a different, proper pattern rather than adapting one.

Fixtures & Fittings
Plastic free drawstring fixing.

Made With
They were  cut out with all metal scissors from the C. Booths Hardware Shop in Huddersfield, sewn together using organic cotton on a wooden reel and made using plastic free sewing supplies (you can find them here).

Sustainable Rating
Natural fibres
Fabric was bought plastic free – no packaging
Supporting a local fabric shop
Homemade by me
Made with plastic free sewing supplies

Weighs In At 414g.

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? 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.

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Toys

by Posted in 3.1.7 Wo/M/animals Tagged 8 Comments

There are some lovely plasticfree toys featured on our toy Pinterest page.

Myriadonline

for toys and craft supplies. Use cardboard and paper packaging including paper parcel tape.

A really lovely shop full of wooden toys and wool felt balls. Recommend you have a look HERE

Talking of games….

Any teachers out there want to trial a plastic awareness game?

The Auroville community in India are tackling plastic waste through education. Sometime ago I spoke to them about a children’s game they were developing – here is an update….

“Last year, interviewing experts was part of our research phase for developing a memory style card game which we have decided to call ‘kNOw PLASTICS’. The game educates children about the impact of plastics on animals, the environment and us.

We are now in the pilot testing phase of the game. Up till now we have tested the game in schools here in and around Auroville, Tamil Nadu, South India. It is a really rewarding experience and so much fun to see the children playing with the cards. So far we have received positive responses but we would like to get feedback from as many other children throughout schools the world over. We are looking to test the game internationally with students from diverse cultural background so that the game is relevant to as wide an audience as possible.

If you know of any schools, organisations or teachers then we would be very happy if you could connect us or test the kNOw PLASTICS game, please find below what this would entail:

  1. Printing the game in colour (we’ll send you the designs and clear instructions).
  2. Find 4 resource persons or teachers to help you or test the game (3-5 student per group).
  3. Playing the game with children and answer questions (takes about an hour and it lots of fun).
  4. Sending us the feedback and if you can Skype/WhatsApp call at your convenience.

Our goal is to complete pilot testing the game by the end of November, so our design team can finalise the game, print and launch it in February 2017.

When we have produced the game we would like to provide a free copy for a school or organisation you work with as a thank you for your assistance in pilot testing the game.

Please do help us test this game!

I really appreciate your time and effort and promise it won’t be a waste of time!

If you can help you can contact Chandra on wasteless@auroville.org.in
www.wastelessindia.org
 Facebook.com/WasteLess

Why This Post Is ….

A little bit rubbish. You are reading a work in progress. Here’s how the blog is written and why we post half cocked.

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Remembrance Poppy

by Posted in 3.1 Personal, 3.1 Special days & Parties Tagged ,

One of the most poignant events of the year happens in November. Every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month all of Britain observes a full silence for two minutes.  Because 11 November is Armistice Day and the anniversary of the end of the first world war. Remembrance Sunday is always held on the weekend so that everyone can participate. On this day we take time to remember all those who have fallen on the many wars.

Through November the most visible sign of remembrance is the wearing of a red poppy badge.

November is also When the Royal British Legion, a U.K. Charity organise a massive fundraising campaign. Whatever your opinions on the politics of war, whatever you feel about the senseless loss, many soldiers have died leaving families behind. Many soldiers have survived but so badly hurt that they now need help. The Royal British Legion supports the Armed Forces community both past and present. It provides support for the serving men and women, veterans and for their families.

Every year (2017 starting on 26 October), they ask for contributions in return for which you receive a poppy to pin on your lapel.Sadly the poppies made from paper and plastic are disposable. Many people buy a new poppy each year. Some careless ones like me get through two or three a year. Hundreds and hundreds of little green plastic stalks and black centres are left over once the paper petals have have rotted away.

So this year why not do it differently. The Royal British Legion have many new and interesting ways to contribute. And of course if you want to show your support by wearing a poppy you can buy a reusable poppy. You still make a donation each year but wear your own reusable poppy.

You can buy reusable poppy pins from the Royal British Legion,(visit the Website), Or these from Marks & Spencer’s. If you don’t like any on display, or find the offerings to be too plastic packaged, try making your own. Loads of ideas HERE.

 

 

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Tabbard Tunic Top

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear Tagged , , 1 Comment

This is a simple sleeveless dress with bust darts to add a bit of shape. It looks rather like those old pinafores people used to wear hence the name.

kate

It is easy to wear – either as a comfortable tunic when worn over a tee shirt and leggings or a cool dress for those hotter days. This Summer I hardly need say I have been wearing it as a tunic, over leggings, with a cardigan!

I bought this material locally from the Button Box in Huddersfield Market.  . It is 100% cotton.

Notes On This Cotton – Craft Fabric

I would be very pleased with it if it wasn’t for the fabric…..

It is a silky fabric that creases easily. I mean really easily. I wear it for seconds and it looks like crumpled paper. I am not sure it is a dress making fabric. It was sold in small bales folded on a cardboard board. In a section of the shop called craft fabrics. I think they are mainly used for patchwork and quilting. Is this cotton somehow different?  Rose & Hubble fabrics are sold the same way and the stuff I used for my loon pants worked out fie.  I thought with washing it would soften it as has happened with my loon pants. These are made out of Rose & Hubble cotton. They are now so soft I don’t need to iron them. Actually I never ironed them and while they looked rumpled I could get away with it. Not a chance of that with this top! Still as stiff as a board, needs ironing before I can wear it. Even with my low sartorial standard I feel I have to do at least that. Once on, it creases immediately.

As time has passed it’s tendency to crease has annoyed me more and more. As has the constant ironing.

Pattern New Look 6558

Sustainable Rating

  • Natural fibres
  • Fabric was bought plastic free – no packaging
  • Supporting a local fabric shop
  • Homemade by me

Weighs In At 149 grams

Why the weighing

As an experiment, in 2015, I pledged to use no more than my fair global share of fibres This is a self imposed rationing system. I use no more than my global share of fibres and they have to be sustainably sourced. What’s 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.

Why Natural Fibres?

I prefer to use natural fibres because on consideration they are the greenest, biodegradable option and, even better, they don’t shed plastic microfibres when washed.

Just in case you need it, here is a quick  intro to synthetic, regenerated, combination and natural fibres here. And more reasons why I prefer natural fabrics over the others can be found here.

How to Sew

Here is an introduction to why you might want to, and how you can, start sewing plastic free. Plus all my  sewing projects to date. Read More

  • 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
Join our Facebook group here
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Clothing Homemade Offset Tunic

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear Tagged , 3 Comments

Bought some lovely organic cotton cambric from Offset Warehouse an online fabric store that sell greener than green fabrics.

Such as this lovely patterned cambric that is

  1. made from organic (uncertified) cotton
  2. hand woven and printed by hand using wooden “hand-blocks”.
  3. The dyes used in the printing are azo-free
  4. The weaving and printing is done in a cooperative and certified Fair Trade by the WFTO.
  5. As it is a hand-made product, the process uses virtually no energy or water!
  6. can be washed in washing machines.

I prefer to use natural fibres because on consideration they are the greenest option, they don’t shed plastic microfibres when washed and, even better, at the end of a long and useful life, I can compost them.

Just in case you need it, here is a quick  intro to synthetic, regenerated, combination and natural fibres here. And the reasons why I prefer natural fabrics over the others can be found in detail here.

More Information

Weave/Knit Type Plain, Woven
Thread Count 46 x 46
width 119cm 47″

Packaging

I had been assured that the packaging was plastic free and it almost was. The fabric came wrapped in tissue paper in a cardboard box but the box was sealed with plastic tape and the invoice was attached to the front in a plastic bag. Sigh!

Pattern

McCalls M6102 1 hour dress. Really easy

Fixtures & Fittings

No fixings needed.

It was cut out with all metal scissors from the C. Booths Hardware Shop in Huddersfield, sewn together using organic cotton on a wooden reel and made using plastic free sewing supplies  (you can find them here).

Sustainable Rating

  • Natural fibres
  • Organic
  • Fair-trade
  • Homemade by me
  • Made with plastic free sewing supplies

Weighs In

At 157g.

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), at 11.74 kg per person of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres. As I don’t like synthetics I try to stick to my fair share of 3.8 kg of natural fibres. Here are the figures in full.

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About this fabric

Vasanta Fairtrade Cambric
A beautiful light blue print on a smooth, clean white base. The design is printed by hand using wooden “hand-blocks”. The dyes are totally ironable and colourfast (although we always recommend washing your fabrics before you make) and the fabric can be washed in washing machines.

Originally from India, the ethnic print has a rustic, authentic and unique quality to it.  It is a fabric that will transend seasons and works in both fashion and interiors. This is a heavier, cambric weight, so ideal for lightweight clothing, and semi sheer soft furnishings. It’s a little transparent against darker colours, so would recommend lining if the material is used for clothing.

Due to the hand-woven style of this fabric, it may contain some small weaving irregularities, but this adds to its rustic appearance and doesn’t affect the look or quality. The dyes are azo-free and the cotton is organic and totally biodegradable. The weaving and printing is done in a cooperative and certified Fair Trade by the WFTO. As it is a hand-made product, the process uses virtually no energy or water!

Limited Availability – Once this fabric has sold out it will be wholesale only, with a minimum of 80 metres and a lead time of approximately 8 weeks
Product Name

Textile Index more clothes, more links and more information.

  • Whats counts as sustainable – read our clothing manifesto
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    The Fulsome Foolish Skirt

    by Posted in 3.1.7 wear, 4.3 My Projects Tagged , ,

    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.

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    Supermarkets & Chainstores Index

    by Posted in 3.2 Shops & Businesses, 3.2.3 Supermarkets & Chains

    And let me say right now I don’t like supermarkets. They are killing off the local shops and take money out of the community. But for many people they are the only option. So how to make your experience as ethical as possible?

    But before you enter those hellish portals please do consider shopping at your local shops. Reasons why here.

    Here are some suggestions to make your choice of chainstore shopping more ethical.

    I prefer to shop in British owned chainstores if possible. These are my favourites

    The Co-op in the UK
    Waitrose is owned by staff in the John Lewis Partnership
    Will Use Tesco plc, trading as Tesco, is a British multinational groceries

    But sometimes of course I have to go where the plastic free products can be found. Like salt in a cardboard box at Lidles. Its always a tradeoff.

    Plastic Free News

    Waitrose
    Waitrose are cutting the use of plastic lined disposable cups in their cafes!
    “We’re removing all disposable takeaway cups from our shops by the autumn.You can still enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee when you shop with us; remember to bring your own reusable cup and your myWaitrose card with you.#KeepYourCup 💚
    This will save more than 52 million cups, 221 tonnes of plastic and more than 665 tonnes of paper a year.
    Find out more: https://bit.ly/2Jwh0d2

    The Co-op
    Talking of hot drinks the The Co-op are meat to be introducing their own plastic free teabags . Though I have yet to find them!
    For those of you who didn’t know, most teabags contain plastic. not just the packaging but actually in the bag.

    Morrisons
    Starting in May, Morrisons will be inviting customers to use their own containers when purchasing produce from the meat and fish counters in stores, in order to cut down on single-use plastic. Read more here.

    Plastic Free Finds

    Sometimes supermarkets can surprise you – check out the plastic-free and reduced packaging products here.

    Boots

    About ? Latest Plastic News ? They have a range of plastic free products. Other Products From Louises database BecoThings Potty ...
    Read More

    Cooperative Supermarket

    Plastic free teabags For those of you who didn't know, most teabags contain plastic. not just the packaging but actually ...
    Read More

    Lidles

    Lidles  is a chain of budget supermarkets. It offers some plastic free surprises. (Click the links to see a review ...
    Read More

    Lush plastic free products

    lush are one of the more forward thinking British companies. They are ethical in all kinds of ways and  sell ...
    Read More

    Morrisons

    A quick overview of some of the plastic free / reduced stuff you can get in Morrisons Supermarket, Huddersfield. A ...
    Read More

    Tescos

    I have one near me so I tend to visit more often then I think is ideal. here are some ...
    Read More

    The Range – a chain of home & garden shops

    Loose pet food, home wares and some loose sweets. Being committed to local shopping, I prefer to buy that way ...
    Read More

    U.K. Owned Chainstores

    And let me say right now I'm not overly keen on chainstores. They are killing off the local shops and ...
    Read More

    Waitrose

    Waitrose are cutting the use of plastic lined disposable cups in their cafes! "We're removing all disposable takeaway cups from ...
    Read More

    Whole Food Market U.K. Chain

    Rushing through the Cheltenham suburbs, had to buy wine so lurched into the huge carpark of an out of town ...
    Read More

    Wilkos

    Did you know you can buy loose screw and other fixings at Wilcos - as many or as few as ...
    Read More

    My Favourite Chains Are…

    The Co-op in the UK is owned by it’s members. That’s you. So do use that whenever possible. Sadly they are bad for packaging. Write and tell them.

    Waitrose is owned by staff in the John Lewis Partnership and do some excellent plastic free buns and bread.

    Will Use

    Tesco plc, trading as Tesco, is a British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer with headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom.[3] It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by profits[4][5] and ninth-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues. It has shops in seven countries across Asia and Europe and is the market leader of groceries in the UK (where it has a market share of around 28.4%),
    Wikipedia

    Not so keen on

    ASDA

    Asda Stores is a British supermarket retailer, “headquartered in Leeds, West Yorkshire.[5] The company was founded in 1949 when the supermarket owning Asquith family merged with the Associated Dairies company of Yorkshire. It expanded into the south of England during the 1970s and 1980s, and acquired Allied Carpets, 61 large Gateway Supermarkets and other businesses, such as MFI, then sold off its acquisitions during the 1990s to concentrate on the supermarkets. It became a subsidiary of the American retail giant Walmart after a £6.7 billion takeover in July 1999” wikkipedia

    While Sainsburys is a British company
    “As of February 2018, the largest overall shareholder is the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar, the Qatar Investment Authority, which holds 21.99% of the company.[6] It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
    In April 2018, Sainsbury’s entered talks with Walmart about a proposed merger with Asda, which could form the largest UK supermarket company.[7]”
    “The Qatar Investment Authority is Qatar’s state-owned holding company that can be characterized as a National Wealth Fund. It specializes in domestic and foreign investment. Wikipedia”  and Walmart? No thanks. So while I might be able to get paper wrapped butter at Sainsbury’s (check out the cheese counter), Im not sure I like their politics.

    Morrison plc are listed on the London stock exchange. Whilst the majority of investors are British or British companies or pension funds, these investments can be held by anyone around the world.

    Plasticfree Finds

    But sometimes of course i have to go where the plastic free products can be found. Like salt in a cardboard box at Lidles. Its always a tradeoff. See all our supermarket posts here

    The biggest supermarket chains in the UK, by market share are:
    Tesco (27.8%)
    Sainsbury’s (15.8%)
    Asda (15.3%) American
    Morrisons (10.4%)
    Aldi (7%) german owned
    Co-op (6.3%) owned by its U.K. members
    Lidl (5.2%) german owned
    Waitrose (5.1%)
    Iceland (2.1%)
    Ocado (1.4%)
    from the bbc

    If you want to buy from a British chain company, I have listed some  HERE

    Widely Available At Most Supermarkets

    Bread Mixes – Paper
    Laundry Powder – Cardboard, no scoop
    Fruit and Vegetables – Bulk, take your own bags
    Instore Butcher, Deli, Fish Counters and Bakery- Bulk, take bags and containers
    Flour, Sugar, Eggs and Oats – Almost always available in paper or card
    Frozen Produce in Cardboard – Linda McCartney, Fish (MSC), Potato Waffles Shake box to check there’s no plastic inside

    The Rest

    Hooray for Louise Bayfield and her  “POSTIVE PRODUCTS LIST (UK) a list of High Street and Supermar-ket products that have no packaging or in some way help reduce packaging.”

    The List
    The original PDF will be updated as  Louise shops around so do check back there for updates. 

    Remember not all stores stock all products. It might be wise to check ahead if you are making a special visit.
    There may well be other products that have not been listed.
    Feel free to add your finds in the comments box belew.

    Once again thank you  Louise for such a fantastic resource!

    Homesence

    Castile Soap, Larger bottles – Packaging varies but mostly plastic
    Shampoo/conditioner/shower gel/ Bath – Very large bottles, sometimes organic and glass packaging
    Soap Bars, sometimes organic- Beautifully wrapped in paper/card – Good gifts
    Candles – Often votives in glass or metal tins with no packaging or cardboard box
    Glassware – Recycled water glasses and sometimes goblets, No packaging other than a small sticker to base.
    Many home items are unpackaged other than a price sticker. Some items are surplus. A good place to look for
    Zero Waste Kitchenalia – Glass Jars, Stainless Steel Water Bottles, Insulated Travel Mugs, Tea strainers/Infusers,
    Reusable Silicone Bakeware, Wooden Brushes, Scrubbers, Coffee presses, Wooden Boards, Wooden Bowls etc…
    Some will be in cardboard or unpackaged with sticker.

    Ikea

    Crisp breads – Paper
    Kilner style Jars – Good value – Paper and sticker
    Loose sweets pick & mix stall with paper bags

    Ocado

    Cake Mix, Wright’s – Paper
    You cleaner refills – A concentrated eco cleaner in small plastic bottles

    Poundland

    Selection of glass kilner style jars – great for those on a budget
    String

    Robert Dyas

    Borax Substitute, Dri-pac – Cardboard

    Staples

    Toilet Tissue, Maxima – 100% recycled – Large cardboard box, no inner tubes
    Toilet Rolls, 8 pack – 100% recycled – Plastic wrap, recycle at Sainsbury’s
    Envelopes, various sizes, business size bulk packs – 100% recycled – Cardboard box
    Tea and Coffee – Huge catering size packs, various packaging, shake box to check there’s no plastic inside

    T.K. Max

    A write up here from Liz Hodge.

    Missed Some?

    If you have a review of a supermarket please send us a link and we will add it. Leave the link in the comments below.

    Which Chain

    Here are a few tips to help you choose a supermarket. Some are more ethical than others. or you might want to buy from a British company. Read more HERE>

     

    Shopping Tips

    If you want to buy loose, you will need to take your own reusable packaging – produce bags, tupperware even compostable disposables. You can find them here.
    The plastic free freak should remember that
    metal lids to glass jars are of course plastic lined .
    Tin and cans including those for cosmetics are also plastic lined
    Paper and foil wraps will be plastic lined.

    Choose Well
    If you really can’t do without it and you have a choice a plastic wrapped products, choose to buy the one in simple plastics that can easily be recycled

    More Ways To Buy Food

    Here is a list of food types category with purchase details
    Loose Food
    Find out if a shop near you sells bulk food loose. This is stuff that that normally comes plastic packaged. A list of towns with shops selling loose food.

    Milk 
    Delivered in glass bottles but double check before you order

    Other Considerations

    Whole food Market A supermarket case study
    How to eat plastic free Buying only from supermarkets HERE.

    Buy British and cut those air miles. Some ideas 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

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    Commercial Composting

    by Posted in 3.1 Composting Tagged ,

    Ever wonder about how much waste we really throw away each year? Well, studies estimate that 30 to 40 percent of the food produced in the United States goes to waste 30 to 40 percent of the food produced in the United States goes to waste, often ending up in landfills. In 2014, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study found that the U.S. tosses over 3.8 million tons of food every single year.

    That’s tragic because so many people in the world are going hungry. Food waste also contributes to global warming and disposing of it costs a lot of money. Using our food more efficiently would be a more permanent solution to the problem, but there are some things we can do to improve our disposal process as well. With composting, disposal doesn’t have to mean the end of food’s useful life and may even have some positive environmental attributes.

    How Composting Works

    Composting allows us to recycle organic materials, including many food items, yard waste, animal products and paper products. It uses a natural process that’s integral to life here on earth, the decomposition process that breaks down these materials into rich soil from which plants can grow.

    Composting takes that natural phenomenon and accelerates it using one of several different methods. Individuals and families can compost their food and yard waste in their own backyards. Large companies sometimes compost their own leftover materials. Some local governments also organize composting operations, and local businesses might offer composting services to nearby residents. These services can be a perfect, easy-to-use solution to our organic waste disposal problem.

    Composting Methods

    Beyond simple backyard composting, there are a number of methods that large-scale composting operations employ.

    • Aerated Static Pile Composting

    One of the simplest methods for composting large amounts of waste is aerated static pile composting. It involves placing well-mixed organic waste into a large pile, along with bulking agents such as woodchips or shredded paper. This method can produce compost within three to six months.

    1. Aerated Windrow Composting

    Aerated, or turned, windrow composting involves placing waste in rows that are about four to eight feet tall and 14 to 16 feet wide. These rows, called windrows, must be turned occasionally so that the inner part of the pile ends up in the outside and vice versa. This method is ideal for particularly large amounts of waste.

    1. In-Vessel Composting

    In-vessel compost allows for more control of the composting process and produces results quickly. In this method, compost is placed into contained spaces such as large drums, enclosed tunnels or other containers where machinery regularly turns it. This produces usable composts in a few weeks to a few months.

    How to Get Involved

    Other popular methods of disposing of household organic waste, such as garbage disposals, can be useful but don’t have all the same capabilities as composting. Garbage disposals, for instance, can’t handle solid items like peach pits. Regular trash collection has environmental consequences.

    Composting can take care of many different kinds of waste, is environmentally friendly compared to other methods and produces a useful end result – compost that can be used to grow crops and other plants.

    Many people don’t have room, time or ability to compost their own waste. For these people, commercial composting methods are the solution. Contact your local government and search for nearby businesses to see if organic waste collection and composting services exist in your area — and whether you can get some freshly made compost for your garden.

    Bio:

    Emily is a sustainability writer and the editor of Conservation Folks.

    Please note…

    This post was written by the contributor.

    Read more about composting, compost bins and other rotten posts HERE

    Guest Post & Plastic Free Promotions

    We love to feature guest posts. If you have something to say about #plasticfree living let us know. You can read more about submissions HERE

    NB we reserve the right
    not to post
    to remove guest posts.

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    Pasta

    by Posted in 3.1 Food & Drink

    An essential in our house. Quick and easy but hard to get plastic free.

    Fresh Pasta

    Apparently you can make your own pasta. I even bought the machine. Still not made any!

    Dried pasta
    An essential in our house. Quick and easy but hard to get plastic free.

    Good news is that the Jar Tree in Leeds Market  sells wholewheat spaghettis and pasta twirls both brown and white loose. And  I think the Nut House (also Leeds Market) might sell white pasta tubes.

    I love Leeds Market. I love it. Its a great place to buy #plasticfree almost everything. Read a review here

    Loose Food

    As the plastic movement grows more shops are selling naked food; stuff that that normally comes plastic packaged ie rice, Some sell pasta. Heres a list of towns with shops selling loose food.

    Buy Online

    But loose food shops are still few and far between, Don’t despair. It is possible to buy food online loose and plasticfree. You can even use your own cotton produce bags for some things. READ MORE HERE.

    Better Plastic
    Cant be denied that all the above options are expensive and if you really can’t do without it (who can), and you have a choice of plasticless and plastic wrapped products.

    Almost Plastic Free Barilla
    Barilla sells all sorts os pasta in a cardboard box with a small plastic window. Lots of supermarkets sell it.

    Pasta Polythene Bags

    Many products like dried pasta come packaged in lovely looking, printed, laminated plastic film.  Or to put it more simply several layers of plastic each with different properties stuck together. Because they consist of different plastics bonded together it is difficult to know what they are and how to treat them and separating the films is tricky and so very expensive. Films therefore often don’t get recycled but burnt or landfilled.
    Simple polythene bags are easy to recycle. You can read more about that here.

    Check the recycling info on the package to find out more.

    Tescos
    Sell pasta in bulk in polythene bags. Sadly they don’t do whole wheat or organic pasta like this so you will have to make do white white pasta twirls. Possibly other supermarkets also do this.

    More

    Supermarkets & Chainstores
    Because sometimes we have to shop there and yes you can get plastic free and zero waste stuff. Read  our supermarket reviews here.

    If you want to buy loose, you will need to take your own reusable packaging – produce bags, tupperware even compostable disposables. You can find them here.

    Feel guilty buying plastic packed food? So do we but sometimes you have to so we apply the special treats rule. read more about the three levels of plastic free food

    See all our food posts via the food index

    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.

    Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

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    Creams & Lotions – Recipes

    by Posted in 3.1 General & Homemade, 3.1 Personal Tagged , , 1 Comment

    The following information is for guidance only. None of the following recipes or tips have not been tested on anyone other than me. I strongly advise you do your own research and proceed very carefully.

    Disclaimer

    Be aware of the risks of listening to someone who
    a) doesn’t have any training in this field,
    b) most of what they know comes from Google,
    That’s me I mean.

    If you want a better informed opinion I suggest you head on over to the Aromantics website. They will sell you everything you need to make sun tan lotion including recipes you can download as a PDF. They have been in this game for years and are far more qualified then I am.
    The following is an account of my own experiences which may help you in your own research.

    It is so easy to make your own creams and lotion that once you start you will never look back. The advantages are huge; you get to control what goes on your skin, be way more eco-friendly and save a whole load of cash. You can make almost anything the cosmetic companies sell but without the palm oil, dodgy chemicals and weird colours. Though you can have all those too if you want.

    Lotion and cream is basically a mix of oills,waxes or butters with water combined using an emulsifier. Lotions are thinner, cream more solid.

    Do you really need to make a cream? Many times you can use an oil or butter neat. But sometimes they are just too oily.

    Many commercial creams including E45 use mineral oil. That’s derived from the same gloopy black oil we use to make petrol.

    ingredients

    To make cream or lotion you will need

    Oil, butters & waxes.
    There are hundreds of vegetable oils. Different skins like different oils and you will have to experiment to find what is best for you. Generally speaking the richer the oil the heavier the cream, the more water you put in the lighter the lotion. There are hundreds of vegetable oils. Different skins like different oils and you will have to experiment to find what is best for you.  See my guide to oils here.

    Water
    There is much talk of using distilled water but I use tap.

    Cooking thermometer
    VERY useful .

    Emulsifiers:
    Water and fat do not naturally mix, you need to use an emulsifier.You have to add other ingredients to turn what is basically salad dressing into lovely thick cream. So in addition to oils and water you will need an emulsifier.

    Notes On Emulsifiers

    The most complex ingredient in cream is the emulsifier. The water and oils are simple enough but this is what makes them bind together.

    There are a few completely natural emulsifiers  but they  do not give consistent results.
    Most commercially used emulsifiers are manufactured. They are most often derived from coconut oil and palm oil. More recently, rapeseed has been used.
    But some are produced from pig fats. Check what you buy.
    I have tried a few with varied success BUT
    A combination of VE Emulsifier, MF Emulsifier and Cetearyl Alcohol works every time and can be used to make a wide range of products from thick creams to thin lotions.

    VE Emulsifier or Glyceryl Stearate is a vegetable-based emulsifier
    Cetearyl Alcohol is a vegetable based emulsifying wax
    MF Emulsifier or Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate  can be fermented from lactose (milk sugar)but more commonly comes  from nondairy sources such as cornstarch, potatoes and molasses.


    Palm Oil
    Please note that all the above also may be derived from or include palm oil. Be sure to buy from a good practice supplier. For example there should be something this note on Aromantics VE emulsifier “The Palm oil that is used in both in MF/VE emulsifiers comes from suppliers that are either members of the Round Table of Sustainable Palm Oil or a subsidiary company or who are members of FEDIOL which supports sustainability. FEDIOL is a European industry federation based in Brussels”.
    You can read more about palm oil here.

    Preservatives

    Optional?

    Oil on its own does not go off – there is no water for bacterial to feed on. Once you have added water to oil then it can. Now your creams are vulnerable to bacteria. Preservatives will help “keep” your cream. I don’t use it as it can cause skin irritations. And I find cream without I less itchy on my skin. I have had a few pots of cream go mouldy but we are talking maybe 5 in the years I have been making my own creams. You can read up and buy preservatives here Aromantics

    However there is a growing movement on the internet that insist the bacteria that could grow in your creams could be harmful if spread on the skin. Obviously bacteria can grow in your cream  which is why preservatives are added. Without preservatives your cream might have a shorter shelf lie.  As to wether it is harmful I cant find any actual research linking cream to infection but i suggest you research more.

    For me being able to use moisturiser that doesn’t make my skin flare up is a worthwhile risk. However I do store it in the fridge and use a clean spoon each time to scoop some out. 

    Pots
    to put your cream in.

    Process

    Heat the Fat Stage ingredients in a double boiler (or a metal pot on hot water) until above 75°C. Use a thermometer to check.

    Boil the water add the MF emulsifier and other Water Stage ingredients to 75°C.

    Take off heat. Now pour the Fat Stage into the Water Stage in a slow steady stream before they drop below 75°C.

    Mix well – I use a hand blender.

    Allow to cool. Whisk occasionally to achieve a nice creamy consistency. As the mixture cools it becomes thicker and more creamy. It will reach its thickest consistency when it has cooled down to room temperature.

    When the temperature is below 40°C you can add active ingredients
    perfumes or essential oils and other magical things to make you look years younger.

    You can also add specialist ingredients to make for example sun tan lotion or self tan.

    Put the Cream into jars and label.

    Take Care

    That everything you use is clean, very clean.
    Make sure you have enough pots to store your cream in.
    That you label it – and date it. Believe me you will forget!

    Recipes & Kits

    Here are some sample recipes.

    Supermarket Cream (My recipe)

    You can buy all these ingredient from the supermarket.  I cut the olive oil with the lighter almond oil because I find it rather heavy.
    Makes One liter of cream – have a big pot ready!

    Fat Stage

    • 20g Cetyl Alcohol
    • 70ml Almond Oil Tesco’s or Asian Shop
    • 30ml Olive Oil
    • 20g coconut oil Tescos or Asian Shop
    • Water Stage
    • 800ml water
    • 40g MF emulsifier
    • Fancy Aromatics RecipeTo be honest I think this recipe has way to many ingredients but I like this company, I have used their products many times and think that this will probably make a nice cream. It is also useful to have a recipe that lists by percentages.You can experiment and use different oils, or even less oils. Just make sure the percentages stay the same. For example you can cut the thistle oil and use 10% Apricot Kernal Oil.

      By percentage
      Fat Stage (above 75°C)
      2% Cocoa Butter
      3% Macadamia Nut Oil
      7% Apricot Kernel Oil
      3% Thistle Oil
      2.5% VE Emulsifier
      2% Cetearyl Alcohol

      Water Stage (above 75°C)
      4.5% MF Emulsifier
      69% Boiling Spring Water
      2% Glycerine

      Third Stage (below 40°C)
      1% Preservative 12 or Eco
      1% Vitamin E Simulated Natural
      2% NFF Complex
      1% Essential Oils of your choice

      From Aromantics

      Rich Tropical Delights Cream (My recipe)

      Much easier far fewer ingredients. I cut the olive oil with Almond because I find it rather heavy.
      Makes One liter of cream – have a big pot ready!

      Fat Stage

    • 25 g VE Emulsifier
    • 20g Cetyl Alcohol
    • 70ml Almond Oil
    • 30ml Coconut Oil
    • 20g Shea butter
    • 10g Cocoa butter
    • Water Stage
    • 800ml water
    • 40g MF emulsifier
    • Design Your Own
      You can adapt the mix of oils for the above recipes based on your personal preference.
      If you want to design you own cream from scratch, follow these guidelines…
      style=”font-size: medium;”>Emulsifiers 5-8%
    • Oils 12-20%
    • Water, Additives, and Botanicals to 100 %.

    Trouble Shoot
    Cream too thick? You cannot add more water once the mixture has cooled. This ruins the cream – it will not rub in. You will need to make a thinner lotion and mix your creams to achieve the desired consistency. You can add more oil and mix well. This of course makes your cream more oily.

    Lotions

    If you want a thinner cream add more water at the water stage.

    Kits

    If this is your first time making lotions I can also recommend the Aromantics cream making starter pack from www.aromantic.co.uk  It comes with everything you need including, sadly, 30 little plastic pots to put it in. All the ingredients were wrapped in plastic bags as well. Hmmm. On the plus side, the cream is really easy to make and they send you several different recipes.

    Anti Aging, Sun Tan Lotion & Fake Bake
    You can add  specialist ingredients to your base to make for example sun tan lotion or self tan.

    Buy

    Aromantics is a good and ethical supplier of ingredients but expensive. I buy a lot of stuff in bulk from other suppliers. Ebay is a good source. Prices vary so do shop around.

    I store my creams in old jars but for display  I have bought some glass jars with metal lids.

    Plastic Spoiler

    Most plastic base ingredients come in plastic bags but I get huge amounts cream out of one small bag of ingredients so I consider it a worthwhile compromise.

    Making Personal Care Products 

    Its quicker then  trying to choose between a hundred different shampoos and it’s really simple, fun to do, so much cheaper  and  I get to control what goes on my  body, where it comes from and what environmental impact it has.

    Lots more info here on  toothpaste and other products  
    and making other stuff – here.

    Making creams while travelling

    You cannot carry a years supply of home made cream in your rucksack so here are some ideas about making your own home made creams in hotel bedrooms.

    Kits
    If this is your first time making lotions I can also recommend the Aromantics cream making starter pack from www.aromantic.co.uk  It comes with everything you need including, sadly, 30 little plastic pots to put it in. All the ingredients were wrapped in plastic bags as well. Hmmm. On the plus side, the cream is really easy to make and they send you several different recipes.