Last week was rather hard for me so unfortunately I didn’t have any time to post about my progress during recycling week. But although I didn’t’ post about it, I’m very pleased to say that I kept to my pledge if using my shopping bags instead of the supermarket ones and I’ve even started to use my own bags for items of clothing, books etc.
(Documenting my pledge: Before my shopping...)
(...and after my shopping. I know, I know, Karen, still too much packaging, but I'll work on it!)
(My mini strawberry bush)I have to admit that the reaction in supermarkets was ok when I took refused their bags but I encountered a total lack of knowledge about recycling week and sometimes even a bit of disbelief! The most incredulous reaction came from clothing shops: the shop assistants at Gap in York couldn’t believe that I was rejecting their precious blue bags!!! And a young lady at a Primark counter in Manchester had trouble to understand that reusing bags is part of the recycling process as well! A good result for me and my family anyway. My biggest ally was and still is my daughter who now goes around with her own textile shopping bag and is very proud of not using plastic bags. Even my big teenager boy has started to reuse his water bottles, a good contribution for recycling week as he doesn’t use any bags anyway!
(My mint and bay laurel bushes)Unfortunately my worst “enemy” is my husband who insists on having plastic bags instead of paper bags to carry books although our very lovely local bookshop tries to discourage buyers use plastic bags! I will “work” on him.
Anyway, I’d like to thank Karen of The Rubbish Diet again for her wonderful inspiration and hard work for the environment. If you haven’t visited Karen’s blog yet, please do so. Apart from being educational and interesting it’s really fun too!!!!
(My daughter's vegetable patch - she's very proud of it!)
15 comments:
I think it's great, Antonella. I bought reusable cotton bags about two years ago, and at first people were a little unsure of them! Now reusable bags seem to have really caught on here, and I see more and more people using them. Most stores also offer inexpensive reusable bags for sale. It's great to see!
Well done, you've done a great job for the week. I love the look of your daughter's veg patch - have you eaten anything from it yet?
It really is amazing how much you can squeeze into those bags!
Hi there-yes, I re-use grocery 'bag for life' for food shopping too. I do accept Primark bags though, as our local one now gives out brown paper bags, which I use for storing potatoes. Thanks for stopping by and for your lovely comment too!
You're off to a good start. Plastic bags seem to multiply once they get in the house don't they?
Remember, baskets make good carry-all's too. Our thrift stores here have tons of baskets for very little money. Just be sure to check that the one you want is sturdy.
Darla
Your daughter's vegetable patch is awesome! I love the way it's been planted!!
Ciao Antonella! Very well done, you did such a good job! 8)
Awww, your daugther's veggie patch is so pretty!! :)
Thank you for your visit. I just posted and I'm on my way to bed. It took me all evening to figur out how to use Frontpage :(
Hugs & good night!
P.S. = you can now leave a comment at the end of each entry. :) Or at least, I hope you can, LOL! ;) I wish I was a pc-geek, but, NO! LOL! I still have to learn the "basic things".
I use my own cloth tote bags when i shope now too.
Enjoy your weekend.
I love your daughter's vegetable patch. You have made me think more seriously about receylcing and today after packing away the shopping I sorted the packagaing into plastics, cardboard and folded all the bags.
I am getting there.
Hiya Antonella - thanks so much for taking part in the pledge. It really was a fun week. It's interesting isn't it how once you're out of the supermarket and buying clothes on the high street, the retailers expect you to take one of their bags. Your daughter's veg patch looks fantastic. Thanks for the review of the blog, you're very kind :-D x
help - how did you get the 'currently reading' on the sidebar????
Happy Sunday, Antonella! :) Sunny and warm here after a bit of rain. Hope it's nice there too.
As soon as I unpack the supermarket shopping I put the bags all together into 1 bag then back into the boot of my car so that I have them for the next trip.
@Beth: More and more people are using their own bags here as well, but I think the only way to get out of the habit of grabbing for plastic bags at the counter is if you have to pay for them. I know it’s a bit harsh but speaking for myself if I have to pay for them I will remember to het my own!
@notSupermum: We’ve had the odd rockets, but currently we are waiting for the cherry tomatoes and the mini strawberries to ripe!
@ModernMom: I got some great bags from Sainsburys at Xmas and they’re great, they seem never full, although they are heavy to carry as they hold really a lot!
@Sharon Rose: Your idea of using paper Primark bags to store potatoes is excellent. I’ll have to remember next time!
@Darla: Yes, baskets are great as well. I used them a lot when I lived in Germany. They seem very fashionable there! They’re especially good for vegetables, I think.
@Amy: My daughter’s vegs patch took a long time to establish and a little help from grandpa as well, that’s why she’s so proud of it!
@Kia: I wish I had more time to look after the garden with my Vic and to “play” around the computer as well. It takes me a long time to post entries, insert photos etc. And then there is the English language as well. I’d be quicker in Italian!
@Missie: I love cloth tote bags. I’ve got a big collection, but some are too nice to use for grocery shopping so now I use them for items of clothing. Ciao.
@Jane: Well done, Jane. You have to start somewhere. I’ve become a bit obsessed with recycling lately and I’m driving everybody insane in the house, but I’m sure they’ll learn as well!
@Almost Mrs Average: Thanks to you Karen, you’re a great inspiration!
@Kathryn: I’ve left a note about it on your blog. Hope it works for you.
@Kia: Ciao again, Kia. I appreciate you popping in to say hello every now and then. Take care.
@Imogen: That’s very efficient and what I’d expect from a very organized lady like you! Love your tips about wearing and storing scarfs. Thanks!
I always carry two fabric bags in my handbag, but also a reused plastic bag as well, because I've found that if I put books in a fabric bag and then it rains the books get badly damaged.... It rains a lot in Edinburgh and I buy a lot of second hand books. Supermarkets, second hand shops and small grocers are generally good about me reusing bags, I think it has become acceptable. I rarely go to clothes shops as almost all my clothes are second hand (apart from shoes and underwear)
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