Plastics in the Ocean

There are so many 'International Days' of this and that that I sometimes lose track and they're gone before I have had time to acknowledge them. World Environment Day and World Oceans Day fall within days of each other at the beginning of June and both were over for another year before I had blogged or Instagrammed about either.

1 Million Wonen have put together a great article about how our rubbish is ending up on the ocean. Reading through this reminded me of when I found nearly 100 of these bits of plastic at the beach.

After a bit of investigating I was pretty sure the these were cotton bud sticks. These were just on a local, metropolitan beach, all within a few metres of each other and all collected within half an hour. Grrrr.

Microbeads is another plastic that are mentioned in the article. These are tiny pieces of plastics put into face scrubs, hand soaps and toothpastes that wash down the drain and enter the waterways. Fish, birds and turtles mistake these for fish eggs and eat them.

If after reading the article and watching The Story of Stuff movie above and you are feeling that you would like to do something about this you could sign the petition. There is also an app that you can use to check items when you are out shopping or you could even use the product list.

There are so many alternatives to these plastic filled products and over the next couple of weeks I'll be looking at some homemade alternatives that will be better for your body, better for your wallet and better for the oceans. This will also be a great opportunity for you to share your recipes too.

Take care

DIY Beeswax Sandwich Wraps

I'm so excited. You know when a little kiddo is so excited that they do a little dance on the spot and have trouble getting the words out? That's how I am feeling at the moment.

I was on the lookout for something that I could do at an upcoming expo. I am so sick of the amount of plastic wrap that is used to wrap sandwiches and then thrown straight in the bin that I thought sandwich bags would be a good activity. My two concern here are the need for a sewing machine and the fact that a lot of the material used to make these waterproof as not so healthy.

After much searching I came across that fact that you could make your own beeswax infused fabric! Who knew? (I'm sure just about everyone is now saying, "Me, that's who".)

Well I had no idea.

  tuja wellness

I knew that I had everything necessary for this so I gathered ran around and grabbed all of the equipment.

I used the pinking shears to trim a piece of fabric I bought ages ago. By using the shears I didn't need to worry about overlocking the edges. I had washed and pressed it when I bought it but hadn't known what to make at the time.

I shaved some beeswax that I had bought to make lip balm a few Christmases ago. The peeler worked well but I will keep my eye out in the op shop for a grater that I can keep specifically for wax.

After scattering the wax over the fabric, and covering with some baking paper, it was time to get the iron out of the cupboard. It doesn't really see the light of day. The great thing about using the paper is that you can see where the wax has melted. It is also easy to reuse as long as you remember which side has had the wax on it. (Please watch the video above before you have a go as their instructions are great. I didn't see the point giving the specifics as they did a great job.)

Viola!

The finished product is quite stiff but easy to fold. After a few uses I am sure that it will get a little softer.

These are also pretty versatile as they don't just need to be used for sandwiches but you could also use one to cover a bowl in the fridge. At the moment we are using plates on top of bowls but I could certainly see myself using one of these instead.

From all of the articles I read that main points to remember are to rinse off in cold water and a little detergent as warm/hot water will melt the wax, and don't throw it in the dryer if you use one.

That was so much fun and I can't wait to have a go at another one soon.

I also thought it was pretty timely with Plastic Free July just around the corner. Don't forget about the giveaway. Only one more day and only one entry so far.

I would love to know if you have a go at this project.

Take care.

Happy World Oceans Day

We thought we would celebrate World Oceans Day by heading down to the beach and having our own cleanup.

The beach we chose is one that we go to with my Dad, usually as the sun comes up to see if the fish are biting. We were a little later today and the carpark was choc-o-block.

The main difference I noticed from last week was the number of smaller pieces of plastic which really reminded me of a video I saw earlier in the week called A Bottle's Odyssey.

I was also amazed with the number of cigarette butts that we found. According to data collected across Australia, butts are the biggest form of littering by number. After this morning, I can see why. These were everywhere!

No undies were in our haul this week but there were a few strange bits and pieces.  We found a plastic soldier, four empty condom packets and a bong. Luckily we were prepared with gloves and long handle grabbers.

I was feeling a little disheartened as the area was so busy and still a lot of litter that we didn't manage to collect, but then a little boy rode past with his dad and I heard him say, "I want to do that too, Dad. It's good for the environment."  I wanted to go up and hug him but thought that there are laws against random ladies hugging other people's children. Instead I just gave the dad a smile.

We finished the morning with a coffee and hot chocolate that we had brought from home in thermoses and a snack that I had picked up from the bakery on our way down. At the end, we packed everything back in the cooler bag and headed off home. We were all in dire need of a hot shower.

We didn't weight this week's collection but I think it would have been at least over five kilograms. Not as much as the eight kilograms last week but the pieces were much smaller.

It is nice to feel that we are making a bit of a difference. A small one, but a difference.

What did you get up to this weekend? Did you spend any time at the beach?

Take care.

Beachcombing Update

We're back.

With just eight hands, one claws and 40 minutes we managed to collect 8 kilograms of litter.

We were all pretty amazed with the sort of litter we collected. There was no surprise with the plastic, takeaway containers and broken fishing gear, but 3 pairs of undies? And yes, that is half a fishing rod poking out of the bag.

With the grabber that I picked up from a hardware store (left), the kiddoes didn't even need prodding to help out. 

Make sure to check out the Two Hands Project, especially with World Oceans Day coming up next week.

Take care

Beachcombing

As I have mentioned before, we are really lucky to live by the coast. We appreciate our location not only on those 40+ degree days in the middle of a scorching summer, but also over the cooler months. After a storm is a great time to head down there, all rugged up and on the look out for what has washed ashore.

The kiddoes love to wander looking through the seaweed while dodging the waves. It is amazing what you can see.

Something that really hit me this time was the amount of litter.

It really made me think about the Two Hands Project: two hands, 30 minutes, clean up yOUR world.

The skies opened and we quickly headed back to the car, but this long weekend I am planning on heading back down there with gloves and bags and spending 30 minutes cleaning up my beach.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Take care

Plastic Problem

I am very lucky to live where I live. I am about a 15 minute walk from a stunning coastline and beautiful white-sandy beaches. As a kid I grew up not far from where I am now and have memories of beach swimming lessons in the Christmas holidays. I'm not really a big ocean swimmer now but I do love being near the water. Afternoons on those hot Perth days are spent waiting for the sea-breeze to come in and cool everything down. I didn't realise how much I took the beach for granted until I moved away to my first job all those years ago where the nearest beach was over 300km away. 

It is always lovely to read about other people's beach experiences and how that expanse of blue just helps clear the mind.

Cityhippyfarmgirl reminded me of a video I saw recently about the effects of plastic on the creatures of the deep. (Just a warning: this video does contain images of dead animals). There are too many questions to ask about how and why this happens and I really wish I knew the answer to fix the situation. The simple solution is to dispose wisely but when some people still put recyclables in their household waste bin at their own house, it is not surprising that plastic ends up in waterways and other public spaces.

In the words of the Dalia Lama;

Peace and the survival of life on earth as we know it are threatened by human activities that lack a commitment to humanitarian values. Destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance, greed and lack of respect for the earth´s living things.

Do you live near the coast or a waterway? Do you notice a lot of plastic?

Take care

Plastic-Free Preparations

As a way of getting ready for Plastic Free July, I have been looking closely at the plastic we use around here. We are all pretty conscious of plastic but there are still the bits that manage to make their way into the house.

One of my greener aims this year was to make all of the bread that we eat. Generally there are rolls in the freezer ready to be defrosted, filled and packed for lunches. I find rolls to be a better way to go for us as this way I don't need to worry about trying to cut even slices and there is a lot less no waste of leftover bits of a loaf.

Some days I need to rely on the local bakery for rolls and bread, and here is the dilemma. I had been trying to go for the compostable option of a paper bag but still wasn't happy with the production aspect of the single use bag. I know these can be reused, and generally are, but they still have a limited life span. With a perfectly good sewing machine sitting on the bench and fabric scraps in a box I thought I would have a go at a reusable fabric bread bag.

As is my usual way of doing things, I made a start by drawing a rough sketch using some size estimations, cutting the fabric, sewing some seams and then looking for a tutorial.

I was pretty much on the right track which was a relief. I decided to make a drawstring version (which had nothing to do with the fact that the bag would have been too short for the tie in the tutorial)

I used it for the first time this morning as I generally find that wet, cold weather and a sick child aren't really the best conditions for baking bread.

Edit
Linn reminded me how fabulous tea towels can be to store bread so I thought some of you might be interest in these gorgeous little tutorials.
I Eat Food Bread Bag Tutorial
Double Layer Storage Bread Bag from Mousy Brown's House
Midwestern Girl Drawstring Bread Bag Tutorial
Our Wee Farm

Plastic Free July Update
If you have signed up for the challenge, you should have received a Survival Guide email today. In case you haven't signed up, you may be interested in some of links that were included.

• Olive on Blonde has included 5 steps to be plastic free.
• Earthcarers have included some recipes for being plastic free.
• If you live in Perth, you might want to head to the Jude Blereau cooking demonstration on 30 June. Make sure to RSVP if you are planning to atttend.

Take care

Plastic Free Inspiration

Some of you may be toying with the idea of joining in with Plastic Free July, but might need a little information and inspiration to help you decide.

Jess via Plastic Free Freo and Facebook
A Plastic Free Year
My Plastic Free Life (formally Fake Plastic Fish)
Green Living Blog - The Guardian

Beth Terry - Living Plastic Free

Now I will step down from my plastic-free soapbox. I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Take care

Plastic Free July

It is that time of year again. This was something that I really wanted to get involved in last year but it seemed to coincide with leaving Australia. During a seven hour transit in Kuala Lumpur, it was difficult not to buy a bottle of water.

My annoyance at the consumption of single-use plastic isn't a new topic, in fact it was the topic of the first real post I ever wrote. Not only is the production of single-use straws, cups, cutlery and bags a huge drain on the earth's resources, but the disposal, or just as regularly littering, causes problems on the land, in the oceans and waterways, as well at to so many animals.

Strawwars.org from Myoo on Vimeo.

Plastic Free July is a great way to commit to reducing your use of plastic. When signing up, you can start with something such as reducing you consumption of plastic in one shopping trip up to an entire month. As usual the Earthcarers think of everything and provide great support for those who feel a little uncertain. I am particularly looking forward to a talk by Jude Blereau on Wholefood Cooking - Plastic Free in a fortnight. No matter where you are, feel free of join. I was just reading that someone from Egypt has joined!

For some, eliminating plastic completely may seem too huge a challenge. Encouraging those around us to reduce their use of these products is a great way to raise their awareness.

I've signed up.

Take care

Please feel free to add your comfort food link to this post.

What a Load of Rubbish.

Giving Day was great fun and it was lovely to get such positive feedback, as well as another Giver. (Thanks, Farmer Liz). Hopefully all of the seeds and seedling found new homes.

I came across this video about six months ago and really like it. Although many of the figures are from the U.S., I love the message. The one fact that has really stuck with me is the one about the fact that every bit of plastic ever made is still somewhere in existence. Scary.

Use Less Plastic from TakePart on Vimeo.

If you are interested in an Australian perspective have a look at Tim Silverwood. He is involved in a project called Take 3 that encourages people to take three pieces of rubbish when the leave the beach.

The Majestic Plastic Bag is another great little film that gets the message across is an incredibly imaginative way.

I hope you all had a great weekend.

Take care.

Problem with Plastic

One of the environmental issues that I feel very passionate about is the banning of plastic shopping bags. I think it is fabulous that South Australia have now banned the use of these bags and hope that other Australian states follow.
I was recently at a local supermarket buying some milk when the checkout operator almost robotically went to put this one item in a bag. I should also mention that this one item was of the three litre variety so it already has a handle. The look of shock came across the girl's face when I told her not to bother with a plastic bag.
There are so many alternatives that there is really no reason to need to take plastic bags. Anyone with access to a sewing machine could be cheaply making their own reusable bags. There are some great bag patterns by

Lula Louise

Whip Up

Daisy Jane

Let me know of any other favourite sites with great bag patterns
I thought I would include what I think is one of the best environmental videos.