Hi
there, it has been way too long. However, that doesn’t mean that we haven’t
continued our efforts to reduce our personal waste.
We’ve
done a lot in the bathroom already by banning bottled soaps and shampoos but we
can do more. A lot more.
When
tackling the bathroom shelf, we had to ask ourselves the question: do we really
need this, and if so, can it be replaced by something less polluting? The word
“need” is flexible of course. Strictly speaking, I don’t need make-up, but no way
will I ever leave the house without my face on.
So
which improvements were we able to make?
1.
Shaving cream
My
husband Mick replaced his shaving gel with shaving soap and a shaving brush that he
got from someone for Christmas. He started using it, because you know, you kind
of have to…. if only to tell the person who gave it to you that you have at
least tried. He tried it and never looked back.
The
soap came in a rosewood box (Arlington Christmas special). It looks very neat
in our bathroom and it can be refilled. The soap can be bought in a local shop,
as well as ordered online, and it arrives in a cardboard box, no plastic.
The
shaving soap refill costs around 15 EUR and it weighs 100 gr. Shaver #2 weighed
the soap with an interval of 1 month and the difference was 11 grams. That comes down to 20 to 22 EUR/year.
So
there is not much difference but the bonus of the soap is: shaving becomes an
experience, no longer a chore. Well, that’s what real men say anyway. Whatever…
Recently,
Mick also abandoned the plastic Gillette Mach 3 razor blades that every decent
man “needs” in his life. He replaced it with a safety razor.
Financially:
no difference
Space:
no difference
Effort:
no difference
Environmentally:
big win
2.
Make-up and Make-up remover
I
used to buy make-up whenever I felt like a new colour. And I’m sure I am not
the only one. I particularly like the smoky eyes colours. I just opened my
bottom drawer; I have loads of half-used make-up.
OK,
that’s finished. I have promised myself to use up everything before
buying anything new. That’ll probably keep me going for another 20 years.
I
also stopped using disposable make-up brushes and bought proper brushes that I
clean every week. At first, I bought a “proper” make-up brush cleaning product
(just to show that they will sell us anything!). Of course that comes in a
plastic bottle. It didn’t take me long to realize that I can clean my brushes
with natural soap under the tap as well. So that bottle has to go as soon as it
is finished.
Financially:
win, because I buy less
Space:
win, because all the make-up I have in the bottom drawer will be gone in 20
years
Effort:
win, because I will have less stuff to worry about
Environmentally:
win because I buy less, therefore throw away less
3.
Cotton pads
Cotton
pads come with make-up remover. I used one or two a day. I knew a washable
version was available but it was quite expensive and I had just bought a design
cotton pad holder. The reusable cotton pads are larger than the disposable
ones, so I’d have to get rid of my designer cotton pad holder, unless….
So
off I went to the textiles shop to find cotton for cotton pads. I found an
off-white honeycomb cotton that I boiled first to make it shrink. Then, I asked
a friend of mine to make cotton pads that fit my designer holder. I now have
enough cotton pads to keep me going for 3 months.
Financially:
win, because I never have to buy cotton pads again, I do have to boil them once
every 3 months.
Space:
no difference
Effort:
small loss, I have to wash my cotton pads every 3 months but I don’t have to go
out and buy new ones.
Environmentally:
big win because I don’t throw anything away anymore, but I use detergent to
wash them, and make-up needs special stain remover.
4.
Cleaning ears
I
had this awful habit of cleaning my ears every day. I got this habit from my
childhood.
One
of friends was not allowed to leave the bathroom without cleaning her ears. I
can still recall her mum asking: “did you clean your ears? Where is the Q tip?”
Now,
45 years later, I clean my ears everyday every time I’m in the bathroom… It was
ridiculous.
First
of all, I stopped cleaning my ears every day. Once a week is more than enough.
Secondly,
I started to look for a more eco-friendly version.
I
found something online made from bamboo. I am not entirely satisfied with it
yet. I still have disposable ones which I’ll continue using until finished
(though not every day).
If
I find a better reusable one, I will try it.
Financially:
win, because I don’t have to buy any Q tips anymore
Space:
win, because I now have only 1 Q tip
Effort:
win, because I will have less stuff to worry about and never have to buy again
Environmentally:
big win because I don’t throw anything away anymore
5.
Moisturising
During
a visit to the Lush shop, my husband said he wanted to try a new moisturiser
without any packaging. He was using an aerosol bottle from L’Oréal. The lady
from the shop gave him something. He tried it.
Every
time I kissed him goodbye or hello, the smell of that Lush block just made me
want it too. So now, we each have one. No more plastic or even glass
containers. The Lush block is solid. You rub it on your skin and your body
temperature makes the wax melt. No more packaging!
The
one problem with it is: summers like we’re experiencing now: they melt around
37°C. I will still need to buy a container for travelling to warm countries and
during hot summer days.
Financially:
moisturiser is always expensive. I would like to think it is comparable.
Space:
is the same. I have replaced one product with another product
Effort:
the same
Environmentally:
big win. Apart from the paper wrappers that Lush products come in, we have no
more waste.
Next:
Clothes, travel or maybe Christmas presents…
