let’s cook up a storm

Well, what better place to reduce waste than one of the most used rooms? Read on for some tips to help cut down on waste and also for eco-friendly changes to excessive chemicals within cleaners.

scrub it clean

Why not swap your plastic dish brushes and sponges for more eco-friendly alternatives?

From wooden brushes (don’t pay more than about £4. I have seen some fancy hipster stores sell them for over £15) to natural and cotton sponges, celluslose sponges, or coconut scrubs, there are some natural alternatives out there that don’t cost the earth.

But did you know:

• Synthetic / cheap sponges come in packs wrapped in non recyclable plastic bags

• They are made from oil and plastics. And once discarded, will be around for hundreds of years

• Sponges that promises antibacterial or even odor-removing benefits are loaded with triclosan and other anti-microbial agents which are linked to cancer. These chemicals are also registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as being a pesticide

• This chemical also makes its way into the waterways, wreaking havoc on marine life.

Recomendations:

Here are some fab options for washing dishes. In some instances if I can’t share the direct link for the item, I have shared one of my favourite plastic free shops - feel free to use whichever one you like the most, these are just recommendations from me and not ads for the shops. i am not affiliated with any products / shops.

• Scrubbies By Kerry - These are made in Wales so my top choice for UK purchase. Lower emissions, plus excellent sustainability considerations such as the cotton and hessian used.

• EcoCoconut - Manufactured in Sri Lanka from recycled and organic materials.

• LoofCo (through The Plastic Free Shop) - These are hand crafted in Egypt and Sri Lanka. They pay fair wages and it provides valuable employment. But they are shipped a long way.

• Swedish Dish Cloths - Manufactured in Europe, has been copied by other suppliers but look for the registered trademark as the real deal are made with natural materials.

• Redecker (through &Keep) - Removeable brush heads to reduce waste, plant-based bristles made from Tampico so can be composted, FSC certified wood

• Tookies - Made of natural jute plant fibres, fairtrade and handmade near Kolkata in India and each product has the name of the knitter written on the packaging - you can even look them up!

Wipe it out

Did you know that every day, over 3,000 tonnes of paper towel waste is produced in the US alone. This means 17 trees are cut down and 20,000 gallons of water is used to make 1 tonne of virgin paper towels. These are a top single use item where there is a simple and wonderful solution.

Once used, you have to throw paper towels into your general rubbish bin because while they are paper, they cannot be recycled due to contamination and fibre quality. Just remember, the cardboard tube in the middle IS recyclable though, so please dispose of that correctly.

As long as you don't use any chemicals with paper towels, you can compost them though. The chemicals would ruin your compost - just think, if you were growing something from it, would you want the chemicals in your food?

There are reusable options though - you can use a cotton towel and then pop it into the wash with your clothes etc, and reuse them again and again. For example, search for ‘unpaper towels’ and see the wide variety of options available.

Recomendations:

• Cloth Towels - numerous people make these now. A couple of my favourites are Marley’s Monsters and Earth Kind Creations. You can even use old rags / towels or make your own version.

• Swedish Dish Cloths (above) can be used here as well.

• If you do want to use single use ite,s, then support companies that are giving back and plastic free such as Ecoleaf (UK made) Who Gives A Crap Cheeky Panda

Wrapped Up

The biggest and best change you can make right now is to ditch cling film. There are so many wonderful options out there and simple solutions to look after food, why contaminate that delicious sandwich with plastic?

Did you know, that nearly 80 million rolls are used by Americans in a 6 month period? And the UK uses over 1.2 billion metres, equating to 745,000 miles of cling film...enough to go around the circumference of the world 30 times over!

recomendations:

• Beeswax wraps - I love The Beeswax Wrap Co Oakdale Bees

• Soy wax wraps - Check out The Vegan Wax Wrap Co, sister company to Beeswax Wrap Co.

  Both these and the beeswax wraps can also easily be made at home as a fun project!

• Cotton wraps - Some old cotton shirts would work, or get some organic cotton from a local fabric shop.

• Using a plate or bowl to cover food in the fridge

• Reuse glass jars - This is one of my favourite ways to store food. Just make sure if you put it in the freezer you leave space to allow for expansion otherwise you will end up with broken glass!

• Tupperwear - you can use old takeaway containers and plastic ones you have. If you don’t have them and are buying new, invest in glass or metal.

• Reusable silicone bags - For example Stasher Bags. I don’t own any of these myself as I prefer to reuse what I have such as glass jars. At the end of the day it is better to not buy anything. However this is a great optin for snacks on the go with children.

• Metal containers - Check out Elephant Box or A Slice Of Green

• Tin foil (this can be rinsed and reused, or rinsed and collected then scrunched up to a tennis ball size and recycled in your household recycling if aluminium is collected)

• Reusable sandwhich bags - These can be made at home but Marley’s Monsters and Earth Kind Creations make them as well as some fab options on Etsy.

Avoid ‘compostable’ wraps and ‘biodegradable’ plastic as these are frequently misunderstood. Compostable, unless stating home compostable, needs to be in an industrial composter. Biodegradable does not mean it will break down at home. Neither is recyclable and liklihood is you will still put this in your landfill bin.