GoodLiving Tips

London Plastic Bag Ban Dropped...

2008-11-26T06:14:01+00:00

I see London has dropped the plan to ban plastic bags going with a charge to retailers instead (see BBC News article here). I think I would have preferred to see the ban. It says Scotland and Ireland have not seen an environmental impact on plastic bag bans - do they include visual impact. Surely there must be less plastic bags lying around in the streets and in trees?!

Powerful video

2008-11-25T09:31:37+00:00

Found this video on Father Peter's Environmental Notes.

I am not sure what the answer is apart from make sure you recycle or old electrical items responsibly. Also makes you think about wants v needs. Do we need a new TV? At what cost? There is not just the cost of purchase that impacts our bank account as we can see from this video.

Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat.....

2008-11-21T09:54:04+00:00

I am not one for enjoying such an early build up to Christmas. Trees and decorations going up early November is ridiculous! It should all start in December in my mind! Having said that I know people are thinking about Christmas things and you may find it easier to be more environmentally friendly and ethical with a some planning. So, I have put up a page of Christmas related ideas. It is in the list of categories on the left or you can find it here.

Keeping the lights on....

2008-11-18T15:04:20+00:00

There is still concern among the energy industry that the UK will have energy shortages as demand continues to grow and use finite resources. This article believe is could be as soon as 2015. What aren't people waking up to this? I think the average person does their bit by recycling and think there is nothing else to worry about. When the lights go out they may wake up to it....

It's been a while....

2008-11-10T11:19:47+00:00

Sorry, it has been a while since I have posted, been a busy bee setting up my new Cognitive Hypnotherapy practice..more on that to follow at a later date.

I came across this article on ethical investing which I thought was very interesting. If anyone has savings and isn't comfortable with how the banks use the money (or how safe it is!) then this may be an interesting option. Of course, this is not financial advice as I am not qualified for that!

Mrs Green has done it, have you?

2008-10-27T13:07:06+00:00

Mrs Green has changed banks to an ethical one. Who do you bank with? Where is your money being invested? Being ethical does not mean second rate. Smile is regularly winning awards.

Sainsbury's sort your act out!!!

2008-10-21T00:00:00+01:00

I am fed up of my tiny number of items automatically being put in a bag at our Sainsbury's Local. What planet are they on?! It still amazes me how people put things in bags automatically - like a DVD, in a DVD sized bag - it is just as easy to carry the DVD! Well, Sainsbury's took the biscuit yesterday, this time it was not my local one. I bought a pack of Polos. Yes, 1 pack of Polo mints, a single tube, nothing else. The cashier picked up a bag and asked me whether I wanted a bag as she went to put it in. I think my look said it all. Complete and utter horror. Right, I'm off to find the address of Mr J Sainsbury. (The picture is some graffiti with a pun on a previous Sainsbury's slogan. The graffiti was an act against a proposed Sainsbury's development in Brighton).

Question

2008-10-20T17:07:53+01:00

Any ideas what to do with broken plates or glasses (on the up since having children!)? We take them to the recycling centre but it is not worth the trip until there is enough to justify the car journey. We can store them somewhere but wondered if anyone had any bright ideas for using them. I know we can use the broken china pieces in the bottom of pots, any other ideas, particularly the glass? Just thought I would ask!

Pet Hates....

2008-10-17T15:36:38+01:00

One of mine is electric/petrol leaf blowers/vacuums. I walked past 2 men using petrol ones today - the noise and smell of petrol! So noise and chemical pollution! What's wrong with a rake? No pollution, no noise (not much) and exercise (without having to pay gym membership). Convenience at what cost?!

Make do and mend

2008-10-15T10:17:46+01:00

I have had the sewing kit out recently. I sewed some buttons back on a shirt but also repaired my umbrella. In the days gone by I would have chucked it and bought a new one as it had come away from some of the rods. But a needle and thread and 5 mins later it is as good as new. I am sure it is going to last as well. It reminded me of how we have become a disposable culture and it actually doesn't take much effort to repair and mend things. What can you repair rather than throw away?

Eco Driving Tips

2008-10-08T10:13:45+01:00

Did you know your shoes effect your driving efficiency? See more on this BBC video with a reporter preparing for the Miles Per Gallon Marathon.

Wow, chocolate can be good for you....

2008-10-07T09:44:59+01:00

Check out Ethical Superstores' 10 things you didn't know about chocolate...you may notice the good side of chocolate as you read it!

Banks

2008-10-01T09:36:41+01:00

In this time of financial uncertainties I cannot help thinking that surely the ethical banks are the most secure? Surely the likes of Coop, Smile and Triodos who do invest in unethical, greedy markets like the sub-prime mortgage market are more secure at these times. I know this time is causing a lot of stress and worry for people but I do think it is highlighting a lot of problems with our economy and the way we do business. It is all about making more mone. Well, look what has happened. Perhaps it is time to re-think the way large corporations and banks do business and stop putting profit in front of people and planet. How is selling mortgages to people that cannot afford them respecting people? I really pray that this time breeds a new dawn of business and a wake up call to people of influence.

Bin Time

2008-09-29T16:08:02+01:00

Can I challenge you to take a quick look at what is in your bin as you put it out? How can you reduce what is in there for next week/collection? Is there more you can re-use/recycle? Ways of reducing the amount of packaging you collect? Open the bag, hold your nose and have a peek - you may be surprised as to you what you learn.

Shopping unpacked

2008-09-26T09:34:34+01:00

Came across information on this great shop in Islington called Unpackaged selling things without packaging. The idea is you take your bottles of olive oil, Ecover etc. and get them refilled. Also take your own containers to buy all sorts of other loose foods. A fabulous idea. Not a new one, have seen these type of shops before but still a great idea that needs to catch on. The good are cheaper as well as you are not paying for the packaging. Unpacked also source organic and fairtrade wherever possible. Yes, supermarkets are convenient but not convenient for the environment and future generations.

Green your party

2008-09-24T10:20:09+01:00

I had was notified about a great new online shop for green party/tableware yesterday. Last year we held a thanksgiving for the gift of our son and decided to try and find a eco friendly low labour way of doing it. After some hunting around we did source wooden cutlery and compostable plates (which I buried in the garden and have now gone!). Well now Ecomyparty is a one stop shop for all your party needs whilst minimising the impact to the environment. Great clear site and they have everything we were looking for (and eventually found) when we needed them. On my links list for future reference.

The world is changing.....

2008-09-22T09:42:14+01:00

I remember when we used to take unwanted items to the 'tip' or the 'dump' - one big pile of rubbish for landfill. Now you go to the 'recycling centre' as we did at the weekend and our car full of items all went in to the appropriate area for recycling, nothing went in to the rather smallish pile of landfill. Why didn't we think of this 30 years ago?! My only concern is that it requires a car to get to these places, in fact I read somewhere that someone was stopped walking in to one with a wheel barrow full of items.

Green Your

2008-09-19T15:29:05+01:00

I was sent details of a great new website where you can find all sorts of details about greening up various areas of your life and house. It is www.greenyour.com. It is your guide to green anything. It is American so there may be some of the organizations and companies it points you to are not relevant to the UK but I found lots of good stuff on it. It is very slick and professional.

Looking to spread your risk?

2008-09-18T11:26:08+01:00

Perhaps you are looking to spread your finances to spread the risk? If you are looking for a new bank or a new savings account check out Tridos. They are ethical and only lends money to organisations and businesses pursuing positive social, environmental and cultural goals. They now have a new online saving account.

Innocent Recycling

2008-09-16T13:23:54+01:00

I was pouring some innocent smoothie from a tetrapak like carton when I noticed it had a web page for info on recycling the carton. The page is here and has info on recycling tetrapaks and a really useful letter that you can send to your local council if they are one of the 27% that do not provide any form of tetrapak recycling facilities. Innocent once again demonstrates their ethical and green ethos.