Back in June the team in Green Aware challenged me to see what simple changes I could make at home to reduce my single-use plastic. I firmly believe that for something to be sustainable it has to be practical so nothing dramatic was going to be on the agenda. That said I realised there were some key areas in my household where I could make a visible difference. You can see my first post >here< where I outlined my first few changes and I discovered a few more over the following months which I have detailed below:

Use Green Aware Compostable Waste Bags

First up naturally using the Green Aware Bags waste bags was a huge help. They are suitable for both home and industrial composting and were the first addition to my lifestyle that were a very easy like-for-like swop. They're strong, durable and come in a range of sizes from small compost caddy options right up to Garden Waste and Wheelie bin liners.

In an effort to sort my home waste correctly the food waste caddy liners were so helpful. I did an in-depth chat with Kate from Green Aware and she explained the differences between home and industrial composting and also the impact food waste has on the environment. A few slightly startling facts were that Ireland produces enough food waste to fill Croke Park 2 1/2 times annually. The waste isn’t just a factor, it’s also important to consider the emissions created in producing that food. It was really eye opening and something I am far more conscious of now.

I embarked on a juice detox for a week during the challenge and whilst you can use juice pulp to make crackers, from juicing daily I had a lot of pulp and these were so convenient to keep my home clean and thankfully not smelling of degrading vegetable waste!

Sustainable living, sustainable challenge, reduce single use plastic, Holly White, Green Aware, Composting, easy pickling, Home composting

Food waste separation and proper waste management.

I wasn’t fully aware of what certain symbols mean and some packaging has different elements, ie a non recyclable plastic layer, but hard plastic base which is suitable. Its a bit of a minefield but this website has the most comprehensive information. Taking the food waste out of the bin completely has also made it much easier to sort through if I feel I’ve made a mistake with something and have to wade through it all. Once I got the hang of it it didn’t take any extra time but it also made me a much more conscious shopper which leads me to my next point…

Looking for more plastic free and zero waste options for home essentials

In my weekly shop I typically use a lot of nuts and seeds and now in Dublin there are some great Zero waste stores where you can buy all your grains, pulses, nuts, seeds and even replenish home cleaning products. For cupboard staples these have been so useful. They provide compostable bags so it’s easy to decant from when you get home. I save my jam jars and it’s lovely to repurpose them. When it comes to buying other items I look for recyclable options such as glass much more now than before. I just wasn’t aware of the impact my seemingly small weekly shop was making until I started sorting my bins correctly and realised how much will end up in landfill.

Working Lunches

In line with what Kate speaks about I have tried to be more mindful about my shopping choices not just in terms of what I am buying but also how much I actually need to buy. I plan my meals now which I never did before. I used to have a mental block and liked to decide on the day what I felt like but to be honest now it’s much easier deciding on a few tasty recipes to make each week and bulk cooking them up for my dinners. It feels more organised and less wasteful and it’s also lovely to know every second day I’ve a quick to assemble, reheat or defrost dinner ready. In terms of freezing any fruit I have that’s about to turn goes straight into the freezer ready for a smoothie and any leftovers are portioned out now and frozen. Just be careful to only reheat or freeze things once so having them in portions is important. I also have some bamboo cutlery and a titanium spoon that I keep in my handbag. A simple take away salad uses so much plastic and having my own cutlery minimises that at least.

Dental Care and Bathroom Essentials

My Dental Care also got an upgrade and I found zero waste options for those little interdental brushes which are just as good as the plastic ones and in my bathroom for a long time I have only used reusable cotton pads which I now prefer to traditional cotton wool as I always have these to hand. I pop them into my wash with my bedlinen once a week and they’re perfect.

Pickling Food Items

Pickling items that are about to turn is a great way to preserve and also really uplift your salads. I pickled some cucumbers and red onion and they’re so nice to add on top of stir fries and also very easy to do. See below for a simple recipe.

INGREDIENTS

200g fresh vegetables, such as cucumbers or red onions.
2 sprigs fresh herbs, such as thyme, dill, or rosemary (optional)
1 to 2 teaspoons whole spices, such as black peppercorns, coriander, or mustard seeds
1 cloves garlic, smashed or sliced
200ml vinegar, such as white, apple cider, or rice
200ml water
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Prepare the jars. Wash a wide-mouth pint jars in warm, soapy water and rinse well. Set aside to dry, or dry completely by hand. Prepare the vegetables. Wash and dry the vegetables. Add the herbs, spices, or garlic you are using.

Pack the vegetables into the jars, making sure there is a 1/2 inch of space from the rim of the jar to the tops of the vegetables. Pack them in as tightly as you can without smashing.

To make your brine bring the vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat.

Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar. If pickling cucumbers allow the brine to cool first but otherwise pour the brine over the vegetables, filling each jar to within 1/2 inch of the top. Gently tap the jars against the counter a few times to remove all the air bubbles. Top off with more brine if necessary. Seal the jars. Place the lids on the jars and screw on the rings until tight. Allow to Cool at room temperature and refrigerate. Store the pickles in the refrigerator. The pickles will improve with flavor as they age — try to wait at least 24 before enjoying. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

Overall I found the challenge quite simple, I just needed to look at my habits and routines though a clear lens. Nothing felt taxing or complicated and I have to say it does feel kind of virtuous seeing my single use plastic and landfill bin decrease week by week. Change can be hard to implement but I do hope these simple tips and swops are of some inspiration. It’s also very empowering to think of the impact this will have over the course of a lifetime.

Wishing you all the very best of luck and please keep me posted on any changes you make in your own home too. Be sure to follow GreenAware on Instagram where they are sharing advice on food waste, composting & sustainability and use their #DoBitsHelpLots if you’re sharing online.

*Thank you to GreenAware for collaborating with me on this wonderful challenge.