Day 30
Five days in one blog tonight as I have had a few days of being a busy mom. My son has had a serious injury to his eye ball and I have spent the last few days travelling to and from the hospital. He has require treatment ever two hours and I was just too tired to blog. I do apologise for this however I have one day left of plastic free July and I think the kids are delighted. They cannot wait to have a few simple pleasures back in the cupboards. Some of you are possibly thinking that I should not go back to plastic but the truth of the matter is some items are just not available as an alternative. I will however keep a few alternatives that I have found as they work well and also fit in to our lifestyle. I will also seek to find the other alternatives that have been impossible to find in one month. My cupboards are emptying of plastics and I will not be replacing them either, so little by litter we will become a Zero waste family.
The problem at the moment is that the Eco or waste free shops are just not catering for the family market. Prices and practicality are just not in a family range or budget when shopping here and there for goods to feed a family of 6. Tomorrow I will work out for the final day just how much has been spent on plastic free July 2019 compared with my June 2019 spends.
One thing this challenge has shown me is just how wasteful we are in this throw away culture and this is what's going to change in my household. Every family has to start somewhere and this challenge has been very daunting at times where I could have easily gave up. My routine will change and my money will be saved in the long run but as a mother my sanity has to be intact.
The overall issue is that I am one consumer that is making an impact in my lifestyle not to bow down to convenience and let the supermarkets bombard me with plastic covered goods. I am determined to reduce my household waste, this plastic free July challenge has been successful and our household has reduced it's waste by 50%. However it's by far not enough, have turn to books to help me with some final changes and most authors express that changing your family over totally to waste free is difficult and should be done one thing at a time. I have done more than this each day and have also educated myself on the alternatives and where to go for them. So once the routine slips back in to place I can actually start shopping differently and more excitedly than just popping to Tesco for convenience. I shall make the time to pop in to the city to a larger waste free shop with my weekly menu in hand and make sure I visit the city when the markets are on for the cheaper fruit and veg options. So in one afternoon the waste free shop and market will be visited. The key to the successfulness of a waste free family is definitely in the planning and organisation of my week. A trip to the city will be a welcomed change.
The overall truth is that our planet needs us to change our convenient ways, stopping us being dictated to by supermarkets who are only fulfilling their profit margins. People are telling me that's its more expensive to go waste/eco free but when they go to the supermarkets their trollies are full to the brim, covered in plastic and most of it will end up in the landfill or recycled bins unused. Money is being wasted in so many ways that we have become accustomed too and there really is no need to acquire so much and then place it in landfill forever. The availability to become a waste free success has to be in the practicality of the refill shops offering us the items needed so that we can cater in such a big family. Cereal for instance.
There is a huge satisfaction in turning to a Eco freak and I for one like it, mine household feels fresher and my burdens are easing due to my cupboards being organised. My bank account will be healthier and so will the planet as I'm turning more and more to waste less, reuse stuff and enjoy up-cycling what I have. A veg patch will be a new addition to my garden over the next year and I will enjoy more baking with the kids. Time is so important.
Today My bread making skills were tested once more as I made hot dog rolls. The children loved them and I did impress myself too.
Advertised all over Facebook was toilet roll options that are tree friendly and made by recycled material. The funniest name ever for this company was "Who gives a crap". brilliant name I thought. An order has been made and a big box will be delivered in a couple of days.
Hope you enjoyed tonight's blog and once again I apologise for the 5 day update.
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| Hot dogs |
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| They turned out well |
