#WasteReduction

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Ethical Living

My Pledge to the Planet: 31st December 2018

Well, I think I achieved about an 80% reduction in waste – I did not reach my goal, but this is just the beginning. Taking a zero waste pledge has been an important step in my journey. In fact, the zero waste pledge continues to inspire me to make better choices.

The festive period, of course, was the source of many additional waste – but even so, I still managed to only have half bag of household (non-recycling) waste , and half-full recycling boxes for the last collection of the year – and of course, much of this was from gifts and packaging which I was not in control of. I am quite proud of myself! I honestly think that if I had set this goal earlier, without the festive period, that I would have achieved the 85%! Making this commitment to a pledge for zero waste has made me more mindful in everyday situations.

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December 1, 2018
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Ethical Living

My Pledge to the Planet: Progress

On the 1st October 2018, I pledged to reduce all household waste - esp. plastic - by 85% before the end of 2018. Here’s an update on my zero waste pledge progress. After just one month my waste has been reduced by 50% ... even with a lodger. As the last of the plastic bottles of shampoo etc are being used, I am optimistic to reach my goal.  Estimated reading time: 4 minutes 🌍 Why Making a Pledge Matters Making a personal pledge to reduce waste is about more than hitting a single target by a specific date. It’s a mindset shift — choosing to question habits that have been normalised and replacing them with more intentional, planet‑friendly alternatives. For me, this pledge was never about perfection, but about awareness, experimentation, and long‑term change. Moreover, tracking your zero waste pledge progress can make these shifts more rewarding. When we actively track our waste and reduce our reliance on disposables, even small actions begin to add up. What starts as a challenge quickly becomes a lifestyle adjustment, influencing everything from shopping habits to how we value what we already own. ♻️ Progress Over Perfection One of the biggest lessons from this journey so far has been learning to let go of the idea that zero waste means producing no waste at all. In reality, progress happens in stages. Some swaps are easy and immediate, while others take time, research, or simply waiting until existing products are used up. Tracking zero waste…

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November 15, 2018
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Ethical Living

My Pledge to the Planet: Progress

I am trying my utmost to reduce my waste by 85% before the end of the year. This post is an update on my zero waste pledge progress. It is not that I never recycled (I always have done!), or that I was particularly wasteful, but that there is more that I can do.

What is in place

  • Avoidance of ANY purchases with plastic packaging (yes, this causes funny looks in Tesco when I have veg loose in a bag for life, but what is the point in putting them in plastic for a 5 min journey, when I already have a canvas carrying implement?!)
  • Up-cycling of anything possible: for a friends kids to make stuff with (the cardboard rolls in the middle of wrapping paper are, e.g. excellent swords!)
  • Re-use of boxes and envelopes.
  • Slow integration of alternative products with waste reduction and environmental friendliness as core motivations for choice.

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November 1, 2018
Read more about the article Shredded Paper
Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

Shredded Paper

Shredded Paper…. urgh… a pain to produce, and even more of a pain to dispose of… luckily both my parents actively make and use their own compost. Some councils do not seem to like shredded paper in the recycling!? But, it is a source confusion for many. Therefore, here is some information and tips to help you!

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October 19, 2018
Sun rising over planet Earth
Ethical Living

My Pledge to the Planet

Today I pledged to reduce all household waste - esp. plastic - by 85% before the end of 2018. This personal goal is my pledge to the planet. 🌍 Why I Made This Pledge This pledge to the planet came from a growing awareness of how everyday choices impact the environment. Household waste, particularly plastic, is so ingrained in modern life that it’s easy to overlook just how much we generate without thinking. Making an active pledge felt like a necessary step — not just to reduce waste, but to take responsibility for my own consumption. Rather than waiting for perfect conditions or the “right time,” this pledge represents a conscious decision to start where I am, with what I have, and to do better moving forward. ♻️ What Zero Waste Means to Me For me, zero waste is not about achieving an unattainable ideal. It’s about striving to reduce waste wherever possible and being more mindful about the resources I use. It means questioning convenience, rethinking habits, and choosing reuse over disposability whenever I can. This approach focuses on progress rather than perfection. Even small reductions in waste can have a meaningful impact when they are sustained over time. 🏡 A Realistic Approach to Reducing Household Waste Household waste doesn’t disappear overnight. Products need to be used up, systems need to be adjusted, and habits take time to change. This pledge recognises that reality and allows for a gradual transition instead of drastic, unsustainable changes. By focusing on practical…

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October 1, 2018