#reduce

Image credit: Rodolfo Marques 

By Idha Valeur 

With Christmas sneaking up on us and December in full swing and the added focus on sustainability we take a look at how you can make better material choices for a slightly more sustainable Christmas.

Let’s talk about Christmas trees.

In the December issue of Materials World our news writer deep dived into the debate between the real and the fake tree to find out once and for all – which is the most sustainable?

It all depends on consumer behaviour and how that plays into the tree’s lifecycle. The life cycle analysis of real versus plastic Christmas trees showed that for a fake tree to be sustainable the owner would need to keep the tree for more than five years and if they donated it to a charity shop or similar when looking to upgrade that would improve the analysis.

While if you were to choose a real tree, prioritise buying a locally sourced tree because transportation emissions play into its overall sustainability. One could make it more sustainable by re-using the tree after the festive season by replanting it in the garden etc.

Whatever you choose, make an informed purchase and assess whether you are likely to keep an artificial tree for several years or what fits with your lifestyle.

Read the full analysis in MW here: https://bit.ly/2PcC8Je

What about wrapping?

There are certain key aspects to be aware of when it comes to wrapping paper. The most important factor to think about is ‘Is it recyclable?’.

There is a simple test you can do to assess this, scrunch the paper in your hand. If the paper remains crumpled up it is safe to recycle. If it doesn’t, keep it away from the recycling bin. 

Video credit: Recycle Now. 

‘Wrapping paper is often dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as gold and silver coloured shapes, glitter, plastics etc which cannot be recycled,’ Recycle Now’s website states.  

Wrapping that is safe to use include brown paper and newspapers or you can buy recycled wrapping paper from several companies. For decoration fabric ribbons, twine and jute string are all better for the environment than shiny options. In general, avoiding metallic, shiny and/or glittery options is a safe move.

Another tip from Recycle Now is to avoid using sticky tape as this effects the paper’s recyclability. They recommend using ribbon or coloured string instead to secure the wrapping around the gifts to your loved ones.

Decorating with holly, evergreen and pine cones or cinnamon sticks that are good options for decor says Recycle Now. If they are not covered in glitter they can be composted after use. 

Other general tips include reuse as much as you can with for example, saving the wrapping paper and reusing it for smaller gifts later down the line, return your tree to a recycling point, reduce food waste and making your own presents.

As a parting thought on Christmas packaging, Recycle Now and Wrap statistics shows that ‘at Christmas we consume enough card packaging to cover Big Ben nearly 260,000 times.’ 

Merry Christmas from us & celebrate environmentally friendly.  

Credit: MORE 

By Idha Valeur 

A new tool for monitoring how much of recycled polymers get used in new products has been launched in the UK.

The recycling tool, called MOnitoring Recyclates for Europe (MORE), aims to track how much of recycled polymers become new products, as well as making a record of what the industry is doing to reach the 10 million tonnes of recycled polymers being used every year between 2025-2030 target set by the European Union (EU). This monitoring tool is now available for UK plastic converting companies.  

By using MORE, UK companies can record and submit information on to what extent recycled polymers have been used in their new products. 

On Monday 11 November, British Plastics Federation Director General, Philip Law, and European Plastics Converters Managing Director, Alexandre Dangis, signed a contract in London, making the UK – officially – the 13th country in the EU to supply the industry with the platform. 

‘The plastics industry in the UK has been working to integrate more recycled content into its products and we are very happy to be making MORE available within the UK. Participation in the platform is key to its success and we urge companies to help us develop this valuable data so we can understand and communicate the UK’s progress,’ Law said. 

For more information about MORE visit their website athttps://bit.ly/33TP2SF

Before you recycle, replenish and restore!

sperimentando la stampa sottrattiva con la candeggina

I just want to apologize you for not posting anything new. I have been having a tough time lately. Also I am late with that post…

Here is the list.

• shirts - 2 donated
• underwear - 3 donated
• cloth for cleaning glasses  - donated
• pendants - 3 donated
  
• pencil cases - 2 donated
• box of drawing pins - donated
  
• toy - donated
• pen - donated
• charcoals - 2 donated
• earphones - donated
• brushes - 1 donated, 8 thrown away
  
• pot plant - gave away
• tape - gave away
• thermometer - gave away
  
• badge - gave away
• hula-hoop - sold
• skirt - sold
• DVDs - 2 sold
• onesie - sold
• broken pot - thrown away
• trousers - 2 thrown away
• magazines - 2 thrown away
• calendar - thrown away
• bookmark - thrown away
• notebooks - 2 thrown away
• coursebook - thrown away
• CDs - 3 thrown away
• CD storage boxes - thrown away
  
• documents sleeves - thrown away
  
• small bag - thrown away
• a lot of copies - thrown away
• slippers - thrown away
  
• shopping bag - thrown away
  
• lighter - thrown away
• blanket - thrown away
• hair sprays - 5 thrown away
• body creams - 3 thrown away
  
• decorative jars - 2 thrown away
  
• decorative box - thrown away
• lipsticks - 2 thrown away
• tablespoon - thrown away
• lunch box - thrown away
• shampoos - 2 thrown away
• ruler - thrown away
• film reel - thrown away
• glue pads - thrown away
• ink - thrown away
• incomplete decks of cards - 2 thrown away

And it is 761 of 1000 things!

Hang in there!

If you follow me and read my post since last year you may know that I obtained a menstrual cup some time ago. The truth is I haven’t got an occasion to try it… until now, thanks to quarantine.

I needed some time to prepare the cup and of course also prepare myself for trying it. Living in a dormitory was an obstacle for me to do it, so when I started bleeding on quarantine at home I though it was a appropriate day to insert my menstrual cup. 

Quick backstory: I got my first period when I was turning 10, so according to my calculations I have used about 3360 menstrual pads till today (for almost 10 years). So continuing counting I will use at least 10080 more until I stop menstruating.

“Tampons, pads and panty liners along with their packaging and individual wrapping generate more than 200,000 tonnes of waste per year, and they all contain plastic – in fact, pads are around 90% plastic!” - OrganiCup

One pad decompose in about 500 to 800 years! And burning them causes highly toxic emissions. So please consider switching to more sustainable menstrual products as:

• Cloth pads (watch this video!)
• Cup
• Periodproof underwear

My first period with menstrual cup:

Day 1 | Although I tried doing this before, it didn’t work out then. “Take your time” - I said to myself and began putting in right place. The first day of wearing a cup wasn’t the most comfortable and I wore a pad due to the insurance. I found very little blood inside the cup in the evening, which surprised me.

Articles and videos that helped me at the first day:

• 7 Things No One Tells You About Using Menstrual Cups
• How to use a Menstrual Cup – In-depth Instructional Video 
• First Time Using A MENSTRUAL CUP During A HEAVY Period - Sarah Therese - I love her channel!
• The truth about menstrual cups TMI WARNING | I tried the diva cup - I completely love the girl’s energy :D
  

Also what I found helpful was medical lubricant, but to be honest I used it only at the first day. I didn’t mention it before but if you want to know, my cup is from the brand calledPerfect Cup;)

Day 2 | I felt really comfortable after wearing a cup at night. Also I didn’t notice any leakage. Although I think the ring was irritating me sometimes.

Day 3 | Again I felt very comfortable all day. I think the cup’s size is appropriate for me.

(sanitizing my cup in hot water while taking shower)

Day 4 | My bottom stomach hurt a bit, I think I put my cup a little too deep. But I reinserted it and then it was okay. In the evening I noticed that the amount of blood inside the cup was low so I decided to take a break of it and try on a cloth pad I sew before.

Day 5 | I stopped bleeding and after wearing a cloth pad for a night I felt a lot more pleased then after using a disposable pad. 

Summing up: I loved it from the very first day! The feeling of not having a blood flood inside my pants and having any skin irritation caused by the chemicals inside the disposable pads… Absolutely stunning! Now I feel like: everyone who is menstruating should try that! 

Also I have a story here: when I got my cup, I showed it to my boyfriend and he loved it and started playing with it, but when I showed it to my (women) roommates they were like “yuuuck!” and the situation was really shocking for me, because before I hadn’t met anyone who would react that way on a cup…

I’ve also asked some other people what they think about menstrual cups.

• “They are problematic and embarrassing in public toilets.”
• “I’m afraid I can stain something while putting it out.”
• “They are cool. Someday I’ll buy one!”
• “At least you don’t waste money on tampons and pads.”
• “I think it is a good way to reduce your waste.”
• “They seem to be more comfortable than tampons.”
• “In my point of view they aren’t made for me, but I’m not sure, because it seems to be better and more comfortable solution.”

And what is your opinion about menstrual cups?

I will finish with mentioning that there is nothing to be ashamed with talking about your period or using a menstrual cup! Love your body and accept everything about it! You are beautiful and worthy! ♥ ♥ ♥

10 Ways to Keep Waste Out of the Trash Bin

Future Financial Sources for EKOSAK - reusable produce bags

Personal investment: I will invest make a personal (cash) investment in EKOSAK to purchase inventory (material, thread, rope). This will establish my commitment to this project, and that I am ready to take on the risk.

Love money: My mom is going to be providing two investment: financial services, as well as use of two of her assets

Use of assets:

1.       Sewing Machine – this will be used to produce EKOSAK

2.       Vehicle - Two day per week delivery will be made using her vehicle due to low gas mileage, and lower cost of insurance.

Future Financial Sources:

1.       Funding for Northern Ontario Start-ups

Contribution of up to $200,000 to cover the costs to establish a new business in a priority sector of Northern Ontario.

Funded by the Government of Ontario, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation

2.       Money and advice for Ontario small businesses

Advice and funding of up to $5,000 to help new or existing businesses fire, grow, plan, export and more

Attend an interview with a Small Business Centre Advisor.  Can receive up to $5,000 in seed money

Government of Ontario, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Reusable Produce Bags

Materials:

Total Costs:

Materials $44.47

Per Bag $3.14

Most of these materials take 2-4 weeks to arrive, but include free shipping.  Due to the fact that materials can take upwards of a month to arrive, I would order a larger amount since I have an ample amount of storage space, and would not want to run out of supplies.

The peak demand times of the year are summer and early fall as most produce is in season and harvested during these months.  Making sure there is enough inventory is definitely an important subject to address.

I will be working with my mom to create these bags and we will be manufacturing them between the hours of 7-9 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  In two hours, we can produce 6 bags, or 18 bags per week together (6x3=18 bags per week). I will also manufacture bags from 12-4 Saturdays producing a total of 12 bags per week.  This equals 30 bags per weekcombined.

The selling will initially take place online on local buy and sell sites, therefor licences and permits are not required.  There are also no fees associated with selling on local buy and sell sites.

My vision is to sell these bags at the local farmers market (Mill Market) to target my key demographic.  This is a busy market that “connects Northern Ontario farmer to local consumers strengthening the local food economy and nurturing healthy communities.” Their fee is:

Saturday Day Vendor: $50 + HST

Total: $60.50

This is over the budgeted start-up amount for this venture.

An advantage to selling at the local farmers market is the lack of competition. Currently there are no vendors that are selling reusable produce bags. By entering this market with my complementary product, I feel my business venture will be successful and a great addition to the local marketplace.

EcoSak is a reusable produce bag.  The transparent and lightweight design allows air to circulate around your produce for optimal conservation.  The easily washable bags are not only money savers, but help the environment as well.  One single EcoSak has the potential to eliminate hundreds of plastics bags over its lifetime!

The EcoSak has a multitude of purpose; from toy storage, laundry delicates, or toiletries.  The possibilities are endless! The EcoSak is the easiest was to reduce your environmental impact by eliminating single-use produce bags from your shopping trips.

 EcoSak – Life Without Plastic

Reusable Produce Bags

Buying boba at tea houses has got to be one of the biggest ways I use plastic. Between the cups and extra large straws it adds up quickly. Finally they had boba in bulk at my local Asian market after not having it for months. They’re still packaged in plastic but one bag is still less than the waste I’d make from buying it at the tea house. Now I can get back to making them at home in glass with a reusable straw using other ingredients I buy in bulk and plastic free!

I recently made some liquid soap for myself to refill my soap pumps! I used a soap bar I had been gifted for the holidays that wasn’t something I was interested for in the shower. I grated it on my box grater on one of the finer sides so the soap flakes would be smaller. The smaller ones seem to dissolve better when the hot water is added. I put the flakes in a bowl with a spout and added some boiling water. I mixed it until there wasn’t anymore discernable bits in the mixture. I then poured it into this growler I thrifted recently. Overnight it’ll set into a pourable liquid soap. This way I can refill any of my soap pumps as I need them. If you can’t get liquid refills that aren’t plastic free it’s a great option. You can make as much or little as you want. My favorite part is that you can use any bar soap to make any scent you’d like. This process also gives good perspective into how much water goes into liquid products. Being able to add the water yourself saves money as you are avoiding paying for all the water weight. Has anyone else tried this? I want to try it with a solid conditioner soon as I couldn’t get it to run through my hair effectively. Send me any tips y’all got!