Selfsufficientish.com

Morning, Ina. The best thing is reuse because there is no production cost.
A new lid would cost and would close the previous process. The ideal lid would be either glass, metal or recyclable plastic. What is your opinion?

John.

Personally, I prefer anything with screw-on metal lids, as I use the jars for bottling, jam etc. I also fear that the current plastic lids wouldn't be strong enough to withstand the necessary cleaning process. I do use some of them as saucers under small plant pots... But I have a lot more than I need!

I wonder whether it would be better if instant coffee came in refill bags?

That is a good idea in that it will reduce lid landfill. I have contacted Kenco and will do so again. The more information I provide the better my argument for change. If the lids are reused many times they may break.

John

johnhcrf wrote:if there is no return envelope what do you use?


John.

We just shred it with the rest of our paper waste, then use some of it in the chicken shed, or recycle it down the tip.

Sending waste away does not remove it from landfill. Return useful envelopes as this might reduce production. I will send some back, compost the rest and discourage junk-mail through the media. Do not fill in surveys. I last filled one in 3-4 years ago and am still receiving related junk from then.

John.

I contacted Cussons and believe it or not there has been some movement. Instead of the double wrapped Imperial Leather plastic pack, a plastic bag surrounded by a card box was on display in Morrison's today. A step in the right direction but since Dove and Pears have already achieved ZWP hopefully this is an interim before 100% card is used.
The consumer has power to promote change for the better.

John.

Some points I'd like to throw in here -

1) If you register with the Mail Preference Service you don't get any junk mail

2) If you buy a new item, e.g. fridge, television from a shop they have to take the old one and dispose of it properly (not sure how they have to dispose of it though).

thecornflake wrote: 2) If you buy a new item, e.g. fridge, television from a shop they have to take the old one and dispose of it properly (not sure how they have to dispose of it though).

It is called the WEEE directive

Theoretically, they must dismantle it, reuse the parts and recycle the parts that cannot be reused.

I don't hold much faith in the 'recycling' industry so I doubt that any of this actually happens

Recycling of white goods is beyond the consumer's influence at present. What I would say is do what the consumer can do and that is reduce his/her everyday rubbish. When that is achieved we can tackle the other problems. It is a long road to complete waste recycling/composting/reuse but there is a growing number of people, women the majority, with the right attitude.

John.

First week waste assessment: 3 milk label (paper/plastic), 3 milk seals (metal/plastic), 3 plastic chocolate wrappers, 2 small plastic bags, plastic salt,soap packs,2 plastic washing powder sachets, 1 plastic juice bottle label.
I need a way to compost plastic.
Amended strategy:
no more chocolate sweets (make some)
remove all apple labels (leave a mess in superstore)
avoid plastic bags
There is still a lot of bad packaging at home from before the campaign, hopefully this should gradually disappear.

John.

Today I achieved Complete ZWP in my shopping. This however was only managed with the cooperation of shop staff. I urge anyone who takes up the challenge to be patient and to show understanding for the difficulties these women, mainly, and men, who are so used to using plastic, face.

John.

We've managed to reduce the waste we send to landfill to almost nothing, but it's meant a complete change of lifestyle that I doubt many will be eager to follow. We grow our own fruit and veg, keep hens, buy meat rarely and then only from the farmers' market, refuse to shop in supermarkets, compost almost obsessively. The one thing I had trouble sourcing was, ironically, Ecover washing powder, but now I've discovered that a local health food shop sells it and our reliance on the supermarket has finally ended completely. We're incredibly happy living as we do, but I've yet to meet anyone (away from the Ish forum) who would even consider it. Consequently it will be up to manufacturers, shops and government to reduce the amount of waste we all produce - something I can't see happening any time soon - as most individuals don't seem to understand that there's a problem, and of those that do few seem to care.

Blue, I am happy to hear of your success. Waiting for the supplier, superstore to change is a non-starter. Why should they? As consumers we have to force the change, even if most are indifferent. There is a great deal of goodwill behind the various campaigns and if they become mainstream we will win. Ishers will be mainstream too.

John.

One of the difficulties with ZWP is what do you do when a necessary purchase is not available in suitable packaging? Do you accept a bad packet or defer the purchase?
A harder line is not accepting but delaying until a successful purchase is achieved. Such successful items,locations (where available) will be recorded as an aide-memoire.

John.

List of ZWP products, on website. This is an aid to product selection in that it will indicate locations/availability of suitable items.The list is incomplete and ZWP alternatives are not 100% (eg toothpaste, biscuits, teabags) available yet. With your help new details can be added to the list and I will definitely discover more solutions.
This topic is designed not to be destructive in its intent, but to encourage change. The simple fact is this - if all consumers decide to follow this regime suppliers/superstores will change to accomodate their customers. Once this starts the process will become unstoppable, leading to a permanent change to sustainability. When this is achieved landfill will no longer be a problem.

John.