One new green thing a week!

tiptoes

I'm going to do the carrier bags but also have decided to take my own reusable containers to the deli counter:D as I have lots of the little containers I get olives in and have run out of ideas to use :eek: them and they are not recycleable. The manager at my supermarket said this would be ok as they weight the container first.

The turn off at the wall thing is hard as I do this then OH goes around turning everything back on:mad: .

Penelope_Penguin

Great thread. Thanks, Jen. :beer:

Trying to think of what next week's might be.

Penny. x

jen_jen_2

first trip to the shops today after the weekend of no carrier bags and i used my own bag so no carrier, have even remembered to put it back in my handbag ready for next time

arkonite_babe

Well done you

SusanCarter

I went to the Coop yesterday (our local shop) and remembered to take a carrier bag. Unfortunately I bashed my ankle on something they'd left lying about :eek: Not so good as it took an extra 10 minutes for the 3minute walk home. Have put two bags of ten carriers in the car for next big shop. The plan is to then gather them back when unpacking shopping and then when they're no longer servicable they can go in the plastic bag recycling. I like the idea of keeping a carrier (or two) in your handbag.

dolly_day_dream

I do my best to avoid carrier bags by taking home made fabric bags and my chic shopper with me when I do my main shop. The one that really annoys me is when Tesco deliver and they use a bag for I item!!!! I got caught out this time because he was earlier than I thought but next time I will have a huge collection of tesco bags for him to take back with him. The decent ones I have will go to charity shops. I am making a huge effort to ensure that everything is turned off each night - big resistance from some members of the family but who said live was easy?

MyLittleEye

Kool_Kool wrote:

Turning off at the socket. I can do that NOW!

My partner is from Japan and whilst, generally, she remains unconcerned about 'Green Issues' she is extremely diligent in turning off all our electrical appliances at the wall - absolutely everything. One day I commented approvingly on her Environment Friendly approach.
"No no" she replies "It's safe in case of earthquake!"

um, we live in Acton

MyLittleEye

So anyway... I swear by my EcoBalls.
http://www.ecoballsdirect.co.uk/

You put them in with your laundry and they win in three ways.

- They are substituted *instead* of detergent. (:eek:) and they work ... don't ask me how. They are re-usable up to 1000 times, so no spending on washpowders and no nasty detergents in the ecosystem. Bonus - Clothes emerge softer too so no conditioner required either.

- Water saving. You don't need the rinse cycle!

- Time saving. It's recommended you only need a half hour wash. and hey, you don't need that rinse cycle!

Yeah I was dubious too till I tried them.
Now I'm asking myself how ever was I fooled into thinking it so necessary to glug all that soap and softener around with my clothes for 5 hours each weekend.
*Scratches head*

se999

Already doing the bag thing, and some people have asked us to pick up the linen bags when we travel as they're so easy to fold in a pocket or bag, so we give them as presents on our return, so hopefully the idea is spreading.

Can I make a suggestion for next weeks green thing.

What about filling a glass with water for cleaning teeth, instead of letting the tap run. I was in a wilderness hostel and all water had to be handpumped to fill the container. People were letting the tap run to clean teeth, until I used a glass, the idea caught on rapidly. You really appreciate the diffence in water used when you have to pump it and carry it.

It's effectively a be green for free, as everyone should have a glass or mug they can use. At the moment it's topical with the drought restrictions in place too.

penrhyn

MyLittleEye wrote:

My partner is from Japan and whilst, generally, she remains unconcerned about 'Green Issues' she is extremely diligent in turning off all our electrical appliances at the wall - absolutely everything. One day I commented approvingly on her Environment Friendly approach.
"No no" she replies "It's safe in case of earthquake!"

um, we live in Acton

Maybe your partner knows more than you think

http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/macroseismics/macroseismic_surveys.htm

Or am I on shaky ground here :rotfl:

2001 In November of this year, an earth tremor measuring 4.1 on the Richter Scale hit Long Eaton, Sawley and the surrounding areas. The epicentre was close to Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire. This tremor was the most notable since 1957 and caused some damage to properties in Long Eaton. Warnings of possible aftershocks were issued early in 2002.
2002 In the early hours of Monday 23rd September of this year, Long Eaton and Sawley experienced their second noticeable earth tremor within a year. This one measured 4.8 on the Richter Scale. The epicentre was in Dudley, West Midlands, but the shockwaves were felt over most of England and Wales. No damage was done locally but Long Eaton police were inundated with calls from concerned residents.