Steps towards zero waste - 2019

stirchleygirl

A bit more ZW g00gling turned up some FB support groups
UK wide one is https://www.zerowastelife.co.uk/
for those like me who live near/in Brum (Birmingham) the Brum one is
https://www.facebook.com/groups/150235348917043/
HTH

stirchleygirl

Fail today
Inspired by your moves to using a milkperson delivery service to get milk in glass bottles I had a look at those near me and whilst there are a few all of them only supplied Soya Milk in tetra paks not bottles (being the brand name ones they were more than double the price of SM own brand varieties that I currently buy).
Birmingham Council does not collect tetra paks in the recycling wheelie bins and although you can take them to the local tip I don't have a car and neither does my PA.
Does anyone know if you can get soya milk in bottles or other type of easily recyclable packaging?

SuiDreams

Update on using plain cotton shopping bags instead of gift bags.


I bought a batch of plain bags, I have given my 1st gift with one of these to my sister, who apparently wasn't very impressed with it, she was upset she didn't get a fancy gift bag. I had given the gift via my nephew, who had explained, the its more environmentally friendly and you get a reusable shopping bag as well, but she still wasn't happy. Hoping I get better reactions from others.

Lifeisforliving19

SuiDreams wrote: »

Update on using plain cotton shopping bags instead of gift bags.


I bought a batch of plain bags, I have given my 1st gift with one of these to my sister, who apparently wasn't very impressed with it, she was upset she didn't get a fancy gift bag. I had given the gift via my nephew, who had explained, the its more environmentally friendly and you get a reusable shopping bag as well, but she still wasn't happy. Hoping I get better reactions from others.

Sorry to say, but I can't understand someone who would be upset by the bag the present is in. Surely its about the gift inside and not the way its wrapped? I gave my DIL her birthday present last month in a re-useable bag and she was over the moon at the prospect of saving the planet a little bit more. If it has a nice gift tag tied on, it will look lovely. I wouldn't let her attitude put you off, I'm sure most people will love it.

SuiDreams

Lifeisforliving19 wrote: »

Sorry to say, but I can't understand someone who would be upset by the bag the present is in. Surely its about the gift inside and not the way its wrapped? I gave my DIL her birthday present last month in a re-useable bag and she was over the moon at the prospect of saving the planet a little bit more. If it has a nice gift tag tied on, it will look lovely. I wouldn't let her attitude put you off, I'm sure most people will love it.

Thank you. This person is very critical in general and picks faults with all gifts given, so hoping next time goes better, found it slightly upsetting as its the 1st one I've given out.

dollypeeps

SuiDreams wrote: »

Thank you. This person is very critical in general and picks faults with all gifts given, so hoping next time goes better, found it slightly upsetting as its the 1st one I've given out.

Sorry to hear about your upset......is there any way that you can stop giving each other gifts? If she's generally a fault finding person then it can't be a nice position to be in and that way you save the planet a bit more....and your pocket.... Zero waste and zero spends!!!

My quest for reducing waste continues ...don't think I'll ever be zero waste!!!

Even dh asks now before binning items :rotfl::rotfl:...he gave me his plastic bag and card from a parcel t be recycled and also asked about a lightbulb. I think these can be recycled at the amenity site. If anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear...
As it is, I've saved it in my 'battery collection' ready to take when we've got a few....which shouldn't be too often as it is one of the Eco ones ...

SuiDreams

dollypeeps wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your upset......is there any way that you can stop giving each other gifts? If she's generally a fault finding person then it can't be a nice position to be in and that way you save the planet a bit more....and your pocket.... Zero waste and zero spends!!!

Unfortunately this is my sister, asking to stop gifts is likely to cause even more problems.

GreyQueen

What an uncomfortable position to be in, regarding your sister's attitude.


I'm shocked that some people nit-pick at the gift-giver if their gift isn't precisely to their liking. It's rude. And immature. Being able to open gifts, even ones which don't appeal in the slightest, in front of the giver with every appearance of happiness is a skill children like myself were taught at a young age.


We've all recieved What The Heck Were They THINKING?! gifts or Ho Hum, Not Keen gifts. The thing to do is to thank the giver nicely and discreetly rehome the item in such a way that they will never know about it. And keep your trap shut about it forever.



I'd be tempted to pause the gift giving for a year at least. When questioned as to why, say sadly that nothing you've given her so far seems to have met her exacting standards and you didn't want to burden her with anything which she wouldn't like, as your purpose in giving was to give pleasure not cause dissatisfacton. Maybe that might set some thoughts a-twirling.........

the_cross_rabbit

I've started sowing lots of seeds ready for the allotment and instead of buying lots of little white plastic plant markers, I've made my own out of cut up butter tubs. Not only saved several pounds but reduced our plastic use as well (ok its just a very small amount but it all counts.)
CRx

-taff

I got a packet of 100 lollipop sticks from the works for £1, they can be also be composted once finished with.