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Day 31 of Plastic Free July!

It would be easy to say this is my "final" plastic free post but I've got so used to it that I hope to do a regular one :)

Thank you to everyone who has followed me. I have been really encouraged by the response.

I will be reflecting on the month in a blog post for the Plastic Free Clevedon website later in August so I hope some of you will check that out too. You can already read about my motivations for tackling pollution in my previous blog piece: https://plasticfreeclevedon.weebly.com/blog/bin-lady-lizzies-journey-into-the-realm-of-plastic-free

As Beach Clean Coordinator for Plastic Free Clevedon I hope to make more of an impact. We ran a successful first clean in February this year and though lock down has meant we haven't been able to host another, we plan to schedule a social distanced clean before the year is out (subject to approval from the Council).

As they say, a dog is not just for Christmas and going Plastic Free isn't just for July - it's about making lasting changes in your life to reduce your impact on the environment.

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 30 of Plastic Free July and I've been collecting crisp packets ready for recycling.

You can't recycle crisp packets you say? It's not the case. You may have heard of TerraCycle?  We they turn the packets into tiny pellets ready too make other useful things.

The Veg Box in Clevedon work with TerraCycle and collect crisp packets from the community. They aren't able to collect at the moment because of the pandemic but will keep their followers updated.

If you're not local, check out the TerraCycle website to find out the options in your area. https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/

One day of Plastic Free July to go!

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 29 of Plastic Free July and I've visited the Veg Box in Clevedon.

The Veg Box aim to sell local and seasonal produce. The short distance the food travels means its fresh and often helps avoid unnecessary packaging. The lettuce might look like it is package in plastic but Mags explained to me that it is actually cellulose (made of starch) and is compostable.

There is a wide range of loose fruit and veg so be sure to check it out if you are local.

Currently open 9:30am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday.
http://www.thevegbox.biz/

#chooselocal

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 27 of Plastic Free July and I’m wondering....have you been reading carefully?

I’ve got a little quiz for you which will test how closely you’ve been following my posts and if you’ve done any reading yourself.

1) In 1950 the world’s population of 2.5 billion produced how many million tonnes of plastic?

2) How many grams of plastic did I weigh in my personal bin audit?

3) Of all the plastic that has ever existed, more than half was produced in the last 15 years. What percentage has been recycled?

4) How many potatoes go to waste every single day in the UK?

5) How many million tonnes of plastic is estimated to already be in the ocean?

6) What percentage of plastic ends up in landfill?

7) How many pieces of second hand clothing did I count in my wardrobe?

8) What is the estimated number of nappies used in the US every year?

9) How many marine mammals and turtles are killed by marine plastic pollution annually?

10) How many pints of milk do I get delivered on a Saturday?

The point is that the answers might surprise you (but probably not the ones about me!)

Sometimes the challenge of plastic pollution can feel staggering and hopeless but as William McCallum says "Every victory against plastic begins with a single person or small group of people deciding that the time to take action is now."

Sources:

1) https://www.sas.org.uk/our-work/plastic-pollution/plastic-pollution-facts-figures/

2) "How to Give Up Plastic: A Conscious Guide to Changing the World, One Plastic Bottle at a Time" by Will McCallum (https://amzn.eu/gQuIrWc)

3)https://www.storyofplastic.org/watch

4) BBC Earth – Regeneration: Food with Max La Manna (https://www.bbcearth.com/regeneration-food)

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Day 27 of Plastic Free July and if you are interested in making changes yourself I have a book recommendation for you.

"How to Give Up Plastic: A Conscious Guide to Changing the World, One Plastic Bottle at a Time" by Will McCallum has facts on the environmental impact of plastic, interviews with people who are leading change and useful tips to help get you started.

The tips include how to write an effective campaign letter which helped me write my letter to ASDA last week.

I got a copy on Amazon Kindle (https://amzn.eu/gQuIrWc) which saved on postage and meant I could highlight key point and copy the handy lists easily.

Let me know what you think.

#howtogiveupplastic

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 26 of Plastic Free July and I've been out picking up litter.

Unfortunately I don't have to go far to find litter down my street or on walks in parks and paths around my area.

I'm planning on doing litter picks more often so I've invested in a grabber and I've got some good gloves. If you want to do you own, Surfer's Against Sewage have some good guidance on how to do a mini beach clean safely which can be applied to other public green spaces. https://www.sas.org.uk/our-work/beach-cleans/mini-beach-cleans/?fbclid=IwAR0KWligxDrN2LooFx8sDqa0SpyZ3NcgCEKx7VbqPHpXxtSNp5JzFpmzzsk

Tops tips include wearing gloves, not picking up sharp or potentially hazardous materials, and don't overstretch yourself as you might get an injury. If you do one, it's good practice to recycle as much of what you've collected as possible.

Stay safe out there x

#minibeachcleans

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 25 of Plastic Free July and I've been going through my wardrobe.

I've done an audit of my clothes. I have 166 items of clothing (excluding underwear, swimwear and clothes in the laundry). I've got a over 40 dresses and 10 pairs of PJs which I think is a bit excessive though I do pretty much get into my PJs as soon as I get home.

The environmental impact of fast fashion is being more documented (https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2019/jul/11/fast-fashion-britons-to-buy-50m-throwaway-outfits-this-summer) and today I would like to advocate for buying second hand.

I was in charity shops all the time as a kid (because of my mum) and some of my favourite dresses are pre-loved. I am also fortunate that I have both a sister and sister-in-law who are a similar size to my so have enjoyed lots of hand-me-downs.

I have 35 pieces of clothing which are second hand, roughly 20% which I think is pretty good. Saying that I think I probably could rationalise my clothes a bit more and I hopefully won't be tempted to go shopping anytime soon.

#buysecondhand

#chooseused

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 24 of Plastic Free July and I've written to ASDA.

ASDA is our supermarket of choice but in the last year I've been getting more and more frustrated with the amount of plastic packaging that, to me at least, seems unnecessary. This is the first time I've ever written a letter like this and arguably it's not not most compelling but it will be interesting to see if it gets responded to - I'll let you know.

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 23 and I've tried some Lush shampoo and conditioner bars.

I'm happy with a results though I realise now I need a hair cut! They were easy to use and my hair smells great. I do wonder how long the bars will last, particularly as they weren't cheap so I'm hoping a couple of months - I'll try to remember to post in October for the final verdict.

Has anyone else tried bars?

#plasticfreejuly
#plasticfreeclevedon

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Day 22 of Plastic Free July and as it's bin day tomorrow so I have collated the results of the bin audit.

I've weighed the totals:

Cardboard 417g

Glass 229g

Plastic 156g

Metal 180g

Paper 206g

Crisp packets 16g

Food waste 566g

General waste 712g

Probably doesn't reveal that much about our habits and to be fair I don't think it was a typical week for us for various reasons but I'm glad that the total for the recycling at least outweighs the total for the general waste.

#recycle

#plasticfreejuly

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Day 21 of Plastic Free July and I've brought a guppyfriend.

This is a bag that you put your dirty laundry in (synthetic materials) when washing. It collects the microfibers so they don't enter our oceans and rivers.

I've given it a try and to be honest it didn't collect much. I'm not sure whether that is because the clothes are a good quality or maybe because I usually wash at 30°.

Has anyone else tried one?

#guppyfriend

#stopmircowaste

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 20 of Plastic Free July and I'm expanding my plastic free journey to include sustainable travel.

I'm really not a keen cyclist but my parents lent me this bike and so I want to get more use out of it. I've cleaned it up and ridden it to one of my favourite places (because it's got so many pretty things), Cadbury Garden Centre. Whilst I was there I was able to pick up some loose fruit and veg which was a plus. It's not a long journey but hopefully if I do more trips like it I will build my confidence and fitness.

#sustainabletravel

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 19 if Plastic Free July and I'm taking part in Surfers Against Sewage's campaign Return to Offender.

This is something you can easily get involved in by simply taking a snapshot of any branded plastic items you see out on your walk and posting it on social media with the hashtag #RetunToOffender

You could also tag the brand and @sascampaigns into your post to boost your message.

Here are some offenders I came across in my local park: Maoam, Nestle and Kellogg's. I realise it's also down to people being more responsible and taking their rubbish home!

#sascampaigns
#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

https://www.sas.org.uk/campaign/return-to-offender/

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Day 18 of Plastic Free July and I'm back in A Better Weigh looking at their cleaning products.

I have the bad habit of using kitchen roll just to wipe down surfaces and so I was glad to pick up some washable cloths in a lovely print.

They have lots of other package free and sustainable products. I also found out they do milk, so if you don't have a local milkman this might be a good alternative.

Happy Saturday!

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 17 of Plastic Free July and I've been sewing.

I like to carry tissues with me but I don't like the plastic packets they are sold in so I've decided to make my own little carriers. They aren't anything fancy but it will hopefully remind me to take some with me rather than buying them on the go.

It was fun spending time with mum making them at the very least

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon
#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 16 of Plastic Free July and it was bin day.

I decided to double check my councils recycling guidance to make sure we are making the most of our options. I would recommend doing the same as you might find out something you didn't realise. For example I didn't know I can put household batteries in my recycling and have been taking them to the supermarket recycling instead.

https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/bins-recycling/types-waste/recycling

I've also decided to do a bit of a bin audit this week. I'll try separating out my rubbish more clearly so we can better identify where we are being most wasteful. I'll let you know the results.

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 15 of Plastic Free July and we are almost half way through.

So how is my personal progress going? I'm going to be honest and say not that great. In part, this is down to my own cowardice at challenging shops, laziness when looking for alternatives and also the struggle to bring other people with me on the journey.

Saying that, posting about it every day is helping me think about my choices more and I've really appreciated the feedback from my Facebook friends.

To keep me motivated I've taken the Plastic Free July pesky plastics survey. It doesn't take long if anyone else has the time?

https://survey.thinkfieldpanel.com.au/wcfs/29402

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Day 14 of Plastic Free July and I've been cooking.

I've used up some of my remaining veg and scraps to make a vegetable soup. I'm trying to choose veggie options more often because I recognise the impact that meat production has on the environment but I do find it challenging as I'm not a great cook and my husband is practically a carnivore.

I didn't bother following a recipe, I roasted some butternut squash and red pepper, then threw it in with other veg, garlic, salt and pepper. Not very inventive but it tastes good and it will last me a fair few meals.

Any easy recipe suggestions for next time?

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 13 of Plastic Free July and I'm thinking about children's toys.

I know from my own experience that some toys which are primarily made of plastic can be so valuable, passed down though families, and stand the test of time. I think it is all about choosing wisely and going for quality that you know will last.

What about second hand? I got this tool kit for my nephew for his birthday. I've given it a clean and have to admit I have no idea how to put it back together - but that's all part of the fun! I'm seeing more wooden toys and other plastic free options in the shops too.

I anticipate that pushing for plastic free toys and meeting children's expectations don't always go hand in hand so feel free to share your thoughts too :)

#plasticfreegifting

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon #plasticfreecommunities

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Day 12 of Plastic Free July and I have treated myself to some of these tasty River Cottage yogurts.

Ordered through Milk & More, I love that these aren't wrapped in plastic. They aren't cheap and that is an extra reason why they are a real treat. I am also excited that I can use the container afterwards to buy spices at A Better Weight.

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

#plasticfreecommunities

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Day 11 of Plastic Free July and I'm sharing a great alternative to plastic sandwich bags - Beeswax Wraps.

These wraps come in a variety of sizes and can be used to keep a range of food fresh for longer. They last up to a year and are completely compostable.

I love bees, they are remarkable creatures and essential pollinators. https://www.beeswaxwraps.co.uk/ support British Bees & Beekeepers and their packaging is completely recyclable. What more reasons do you need!

All ready for the family picnic tomorrow ️:)

#beeswaxwraps

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

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Day 10 of Plastic Free July and I'm thinking about cards and gifts.

This is a challenge for me as I love a good card but I do get frustrated when they are wrapped in a thin layer of single use plastic.
To avoid this I do try to make my own cards and go to shops where they don't religiously wrap them (I think Card Factory are pretty good).
I know other people have had fun by sending the same birthday card to each other every year, putting in a new message and having it as a record of their relationship.

Another area where we can look to reduce our plastic is gift wrapping. I have accumulated a load of gift bags given to me and it is time to reuse them.
A lot of wrapping paper comes wrapped in plastic or isn't easy to recycle if it doesn't pass the "scrunch test".
Could you make your own? Have your children decorate some paper to make it extra special?
Perhaps have a birthday box? Something your use every year and wrap the gifts inside in tissue paper?

Do you have any creative ideas to reuse?

#plasticfreegiftgiving #reuse
#plasticfreejuly #plasticfreeclevedon

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Good morning,

Day 9 of Plastic Free July and I have visited https://www.facebook.com/abetterweighclevedon/ to pick up some plastic free goods.

A Better Weigh is a minimal waste shop selling dried foods and households goods all without packaging. They encourage you to bring your own containers to refill as much or as little as you like.

I realise these shops can be few and far between but later in the month I'll be thinking about other ways to shop savvy and push for bigger change in our major supermarkets.

#abetterweighclevedon

#plasticfreeshopping

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

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Hello

Day 8 of Plastic Free July and I'm talking about sanitary products.

There are a lot of options out there for women who want to reduce their waste and save a bit of money too

I think it is a good idea to explore options and decide what works for you and I realise that it might not work for you every month or for the rest of you life.

I've been converted to the Menstrual Cup though I'd admit I don't use it religiously. I've also tried bamboo sanitary pads and special underwear.

#onecup

#plasticfreeperiods

#plasticfreejuly

#plasticfreeclevedon

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Good morning,

Day 7 of Plastic Free July and I've been browsing the initiatives events page.

https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/get-involved/find-events-near-you/?mc_cid=7a625fa55a&mc_eid=61458b494e

Though I'm not a parent myself I've been interested to find out more about what alternative options there are to single use nappies.

"In the US alone, an estimated 27.4 billion nappies are used every year, with more than 90 per cent of them ending up in landfill where they will take over half a millennium to break down." - Will McCallum, How to Give Up Plastic.

Through the events page I've signed up to an online event run by Real Nappies for London to learn about the main types of reusable nappies.

Have you already tried them? Share your thoughts...

#plasticfreejuly #plasticfreeclevedon #plasticfreecommunities

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Happy Monday!

Day 6 of Plastic Free July and I'm in the bathroom.
In most pharmacies and supermarkets, products wrapped in plastic fill the toiletries aisle. It can feel frustrating not to be able to have more plastic free options. I was so happy to find these Dove soap bars in B&M for roughly 50p each. Unfortunately for the bigger quantity packs they do choose to wrap them in plastic so there is still more to do and later in the month we'll be thinking about writing to brands and shops to push for change.
#plasticfreejuly #plasticfreeclevedon #plasticfreecommunities

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I'm going to walk past the aisle of plastic pots of salads, coleslaw and dips. Instead, I'm going to make my own which will be healthier, tastier and cheaper as well as being more environmentally friendly!

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Good morning!

Day 5 of Plastic Free July and I'm thinking about food waste.

I've come across this helpful website which gives some advice on food storage to help it last longer. https://lovefoodhatewaste.com/

Can we be more savvy? Get creative with cooking and try to make the most of scraps? I like making soup with my remaining veg and I can also freeze it for another day. Have you got any handy tips you could share?

Maybe it's just being more sensible with your shopping and not giving into the offers and only buying what you need. If you do go for an offer, maybe think about donating the duplicate you don't need to a local food bank?

#LoveFoodHateWaste
#FoodStorage

#plasticfreejuly #plasticfreeclevedon

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Good morning!
Day 4 of Plastic Free July and I'm thinking about something most people will have in their fridge - milk.
Years ago it used to be normal to have a milkman deliver but it has gone out of fashion. Let's make it fashionable again!
It really is very convenient to set up and saves you popping to the shop when you've got no milk for your cereal :)
My company of choice is Milk & More and they deliver lots of different types of milk (including dairy free) as well as loads of other fresh produce and household products - including plastic free alternatives.
You can find your local milkman at: https://www.findmeamilkman.net/

#plasticfreejuly #plasticfreeclevedon #plasticfreecommunities

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Hello!

Day 3 of Plastic Free July and the focus is on plastic bags.

One of the easiest things you could do to go plastic free is carry with you a reusable alternative so that you don't get caught out and have to buy a plastic bag. If you do end up getting one, don't stress just make sure you reuse it.
I've got a couple of pretty ones with Bees on - share you favourites!

#plasticfreejuly #plasticfreeclevedon

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Hi!
Day 2 of Plastic Free July and I've signed this petition led by Surfers Against Sewage to push for powerful laws and an independent environment watchdog to protect our oceans and enforce targets for government and big business. Will you join the cause?

https://www.sas.org.uk/petition/AddYourName

Don't forget to follow @PlasticFreeClevedon on Facebook and check out our website to find out more about the scale of the problems and how you can get involved.
#plasticfreejuly #plasticfreeclevedon #plasticfreecommunities

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Welcome to our Plastic Free July Pledge Wall! Here you can post your pledge for the month of Plastic Free July ... Maybe your pledge is to cut out one plastic item in your household; tackle one room; or go plastic-free for the whole month; or maybe you are going to share our posts on social media, take part in our #WavesOfOptimism campaign, or our competition, or any of the other initiatives we have planned for you this July! Whatever you choose, post it on our Pledge Wall and share with all your friends and family so that they can see what and how you are doing! Happy Plastic Free July everyone, from all of us here at Plastic Free Clevedon :)
If you would like tips for Plastic Free July head on over to our website for more information :) www.plasticfreeclevedon.weebly.com

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Hello!

I have signed up for Plastic Free July and my plan is to do a daily post so that others can see my progress and hopefully be inspired to make reasonable changes in their own lives and support the cause.

So how can you get involved? Well you can sign up to the website and choose one, two or three things that you want to try to swap out, and start looking for alternatives.

I’m a PFC volunteer and would encourage you to check out our website, make your own plastic pledge and share your progress!

Your first step to support the cause might simply be to share. Share the links, share your own thoughts on plastic pollution or share this post to spread the message!

#plasticfreejuly #plasticfreeclevedon #plasticfreecommunities

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One of our pledges for #PlasticFreeJuly is to post each afternoon on our social media and blog pages about a way to ditch the single-use plastic ... in our 31 Days of Plastic Free! We hope you enjoy it, and find it helpful :) Do drop us a message if you have any questions about saying No to Single-use Plastic! We are always happy to help!

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Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash maddi-bazzocco-50u9zYeHNu4-unsplash