Over the past few months, I’ve been using up all the plastic containers of lotions, potions and promises floating around the bathroom cupboard. I was reusing the ones with spray nozzles to hold homemade alternatives, then impatience and a chance conversation at the local chemist led me to better alternatives.
Who knew brown could be so pretty? New brown bottles, old clear jar.
I’ve been going to an awesome Turkish kebab restaurant near work (in Bern, Switzerland) for a falafel roll or mezze plate at least once a week for almost a year.
It’s cheap, it’s pretty healthy and the people are nice. Sometimes I eat in, sometimes it’s to go.
Last week, I thought I’d try something different.
That’s not a zucchini … THIS is a zucchini 😉 Homegrown goodness!
Finally I have time to write about week 2 of the “as organic as possible, waste-free grocery shopping” experiment.
As mentioned in week 1, some people are concerned that waste free = expensive. Buying organic also costs more than normal produce, so I’m going to do a little experiment to see how much I spend each week on groceries. This unfortunately not unfortunately will be hindered by the fact we’re on holidays from 21 August, but hey, it’s still worth doing the sums.
First haul of the month
Some people have concerns that waste free is expensive. Buying organic also costs more than normal produce, so I’m going to do a little experiment to see how much I spend in August on all groceries. This unfortunately not unfortunately will be hindered by the fact we’re on holidays from the 21st, but hey, it’s still worth doing the sums.
The cost of living in Switzerland is the highest in the world. Isn’t that just peachy?! Although we don’t live in one of the top 10 most expensive cities in the world (Zürich and Geneva make that list), it still costs a pretty penny to enjoy the spoils of the country’s capital, Bern. Continue reading
We’ve come to the end of Plastic Free July and what an enjoyable, eye-opening time it’s been. I’ve met some lovely business owners and workers who understand the concept of producing less waste and will write about that in another post or two.
In July, I definitely reduced my plastic intake, but of course, no one is perfect so a few things still crept in. But I didn’t touch the top four nasties – bottled water and softdrinks, straws, all unnecessary* plastic bags (as per normal) and takeaway tea or hot chocolate (I don’t drink coffee). These are small but life-affirming wins for me!
I set another self-imposed challenge for the month … to finally do “no poo” – where you don’t wash your hair with shampoo or conditioner. Read more about the whole concept at this website. Some people wash with baking soda and rinse with diluted apple cider vinegar, others use solid soap and/or conditioner bars, some just even use conditioner only, but I wanted to be as minimal as possible.
The beautiful lake of St Moritz in Switzerland … momentarily spoiled by the sight/blight of this …
One of the easiest and simplest ways to reduce waste it to ditch the one-use plastic water bottles. They don’t all make it to the recycling plant.
While the photo above isn’t the best quality because I zoomed in, the eyesore was enough to snap my sister and I out of our blissful state while taking in the glory of St Moritz lake, in Switzerland, during her recent visit.
This is what the lake looked like elsewhere …
Hello, and welcome to refuse the refuse. You can also find me @refusetherefuse on Instagram and you can email me at refusetherefuse@gmail.com.
It’s a slow process, requiring patience and planning, but steps can be taken to minimize our impact on Earth’s resources.
Others have gone before me to blaze the trail of zero waste, but I find the term “zero waste” gives a scary impression. People read zero waste and baulk (or balk) at the idea, because it seems so impossible.
I don’t think I’ll ever be totally refuse free, but I’m trying my hardest.
Would you like to join me on the journey?
Refuse the refuse 