We first made our conscious effort to a more sustainable lifestyle when we were 'liveaboards' on our sailing yacht. Not only were we self sufficient using solar power as much as possible I minimised the use of using electricity by not using luxury items such as hair dryers, straighteners, breadmakers, dishwashers, tumble dryers etc.
ECO EGG - for washing.
Not wanting to add to water pollution we use an 'eco egg' in the washing machine.There are several makes of 'eco eggs' to choose from online. This does not use detergent that then pollutes the water. The eco egg contains pellets which agitate the water that cleans the clothes. Items that are more heavily soiled can be rubbed with a natural soap directly onto the stain before washing. Natural soaps are easily available to purchase but our village neighbour makes her own and gifted us with some. (When she demonstrates how to do this I will post it.)
We then decided to minimise the use of plastic bottles and containers; the washing detergent and conditioner being two of them. Not only were we now saving the planet but saving on space; that being very valuable onboard. We then fitted a water filter on the yacht so we no longer purchased bottled water.
WATER BOTTLES.
We occasionally have plastic bottles from carbonated water, and often pick them up from littering the street, but these we recycle into 'eco bricks'.
We simply fill them with washed plastic waste that cannot be recycled preventing it from going to landfill. These eco bricks can then be made into objects. Our friend on the island is collecting them for her own project, but with so little plastic waste in our household she will not rely on just us to fill them.
Top Tips:
- Wash all plastic so it does not go mouldy inside the bottle.
- Dry the plastic by placing it inside a pillow slip on the line outside.
- Use a wooden spoon handle to push the cut plastic down the bottle.
https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/11-top-tips-for-making-ecobricks/
PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS.
We minimised plastic containers by changing hair products and shower gels.
Again using a natural soap to wash with and recycling plastic netting from vegetable packaging I made our own wash/exfoliating scrunchies (it makes the soap froth and go further).
The shampoo/conditioner bar we purchased online as I found them difficult to find here in Lefkada. My Greek neighbour said I can use the natural soap that she made to wash my hair also and home made will be less expensive. I feel this could be my next workshop.
Now we were embracing sustainability, enjoying the challenge of looking at every item we purchased for our home; determined not to buy any kind of plastic, substituting items for those made of natural/recyclable materials. Wood, metal, glass, bamboo etc. I was a nightmare to go shopping with in Ikea; my friend became conscious of her purchases too and we ended up having great fun replacing them.
BEESWAX WRAPS
Now we no longer use cling film but replaced this with beeswax wraps. These I agree are expensive initially but can be washed and reused and come in varying sizes. Again purchased in the UK as not available here on Lefkada. My intention is to make my own...another day, another project so watch this space.
PAPER STRAWS.
This is something which we have found easy to change and refuse to accept plastic straws if given with our drinks. Many cafes have changed to recyclable plastic or paper straws. They are available to buy in Market In and Ikea.
INSPIRATION
We hope we have inspired you to look for some simple changes in making your own lives a little more sustainable: there is so much more we can all do to create a better, healthier lifestyle.
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