Month 8 – August it’s Bathroom Items
Background…..
As when I decided to go Vegan back in 2013, I started with the food, gradually as I did the next shop I swapped over the milk and butter and cheese, we obviously stopped eating or buying any meat but finding substitutes didn’t happen over night.
My husband Peter then joined me a few months later as he felt better not eating meat every day, every meal as it was me shopping & cooking the food we all ate.
Our kids were young at the time 3, 5 & 6 so swapping the younger 2 over wasn’t a big deal as they were at the stage of trying different food out all the time anyway. We also found after eating dairy they would throw up later in the day, so it was easier to just look for the V vegan sign on food than to keep checking for non dairy products for them.
Clayton, being Autistic had (and still has) a self limiting diet of dry brown or beige finger foods only so he wasn’t included in our switch, getting him to just eat was a struggle in its self.
Anyway…..my point is, nothing happens over night, going Vegan we started with food, it then progressed onto products, clothing, shoes, coats, linen, furniture, now we chose items without a second thought.
This progressed onto what was happening on our land and led us to permaculture, principles & design. Permaculture principle No6 is: Produce No Waste. This is the overall aim.
Just making 1 swap starts to make a difference to our planet. What could you do today?
5 Straight Out Swaps in the Bathroom!
This month I have concentrated on what I could swap out in the bathroom that was ready to be replaced. I managed to swap out 5 items
First Bathroom Swap
FACE- Face cloths & scrubs
So many disposable items can be used for the face from make-up wipes to cotton wool to cotton pads. They are not really necessary though when you can just store reusable ones & pop them into the wash when you next do your wash, or indeed wash them out afterwards & leave them to dry out.
We have 2 alternatives we now are using in the bathroom. Good old flannels & cotton crocheted pads, ideal for removing make-up or giving your face a little facial massage/scrub.
I no longer by scrubs either, my favourite scrub to use is a little coconut oil & brown sugar mixed together, leaves your face so soft, ideal for your whole body to exfoliate also.
Second Bathroom Swap
TEETH: Floss & toothbrushes
We use floss from The Humble co. “eco-friendly and innovative everyday products that doesn’t compromise on functionality and quality”
Product Info
floss picks made entirely from plastics? old school. try the humble floss picks that use corn-starch as its main base. comes packed in a eco-friendly paper bag.
thehumble.co
humble floss picks makes flossing a piece of cake! the double threading ensures that food debris is effectively removed whilst the shape of the pick promotes easy access to those hard to reach places. made primarily from corn-starch and packaged in eco-friendly paper packaging, humble floss picks aim to minimise the stress on our environment whilst providing a first class experience
Product Features
vegan certified -no animal products
cruelty-free certified -never tested on animals
developed by dentists- professionally developed
Third Bathroom Swap
BODY: Hand & Body Wash
Check out the swap on the Shampoo & Conditioner in this range that we are using -12 Months- 12 Eco Changes- Making An Eco Swap Of Hair Care (Part 2)
Product Features
Faith In Nature Hand & Body washes in bulk refillable bottles
Faith In Nature Putting Nature First Since 1974
PLASTIC
faithinnature.com
Enough, already. Our 400ml bottles have been recycled and recyclable since 1999.
REFILL
Bulk is beautiful. We’ve been making our products in big 5 litre bottles for decades
CLOSED LOOP
We want our bottles back, by returning your bottles to us, you help us reach better solutions, faster.
ZERO WASTE
Between our plastics policy, refill availability and closed loop scheme, we like to think we’re passing on as little of the plastics problem to our customers as possible.
UK MADE -Thinking global, acting local
Fourth Bathroom Swap
EARS: Cleaners
We swapped over our cotton buds to these bio degradable, bamboo cotton buds. We throw these straight in our food compost bins to take outside to add to our main compost heaps or just dig a hole in the soil and add in and let it degrade. These are ideal for ears as well as removing eye make up, cleaning up wounds etc… a great swap.
Product Features
- Environment-friendly – These cotton buds are eco-friendly with plastic-free packaging. They contain 0% single use plastic and 100% recyclable.
- Biodegradable – These cotton buds are made of 100% pure cotton and bamboo. .
Fifth Bathroom Swap
WOMENS HEALTH: Sanitary Pads
When the kids were babies we used washable nappies, they were so easy to use and saved us so much money having all 3 in nappies for a while as they are so close in age. We just had a soak bucket we put them into each time with water & a few drops of tea tree oil in (removing any soiled waste straight down the toilet, washing that section with the clean toilet flush when necessary) so it should be no different for sanitary towels. I’ve had my set and soak bucket for over 3yrs now and this is our youngest daughters set ready for when she will need it.
I have found that since changing over 3yrs ago my flow is lighter, shorter and there is never any smell, like there can be off the plastic ones. They soak up enough, never leave me feeling wet and simple to just fold up and pop in a wash bag that comes with the set while out. Night time ones are much longer and last the whole night through.
These are from cheeky wipes. The come in cotton or bamboo.
Cheeky Simple Reusables – Better for the planet!
140 million disposables saved from landfill!
How our cheeky reusable swaps are helping the planet.
Read here: cheekywipes.com/sustainability
Product Features
“Bamboo sanitary pads- No more ripping, rustling, or chafing! Our bamboo sanitary pads are discreet, slim and best of all, reusable! Brilliant for regular to heavy flow”
5 Straight Out Swaps!
5 Straight Out Swaps! Removing plastic from our bathroom.
There is only 1 reason this month to make some swaps
1. The whole reason is to stop extra plastic waste coming out of the household. These changes produces ZERO PLASTIC or MICROPLASTIC waste each month
🌳Permaculture Principle No6 – Produce No Waste
🌱Vegan Living- To Do No Harm
👣🌎Small steps is better than none at all! What small change could you make this year? Could you look into your bathroom items too? What changes could you make to reduce your plastic waste?
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Building a Food Forest -Scotland 