Easy swaps to make a difference

By now most of us are well aware of climate change and plastic pollution. I believe most of us want to make some changes to help make a difference but may not know where to start or if it's enough.

For me the time is now. Being a mum really puts things in to perspective and I want to make a difference for our children and grandchildren. I am a very long way from perfect but it's not about being perfect. Its about making small regular changes that you can implement in to your everyday lifestyle. It's time to stop being a throw away nation and think about what we're buying.

Here are some easy changes that we've made and you can too.

Reusable baby wipes

We have a cheeky wipes set and my gosh they're brilliant! I love them and hand on heart wish we had used them from the start. They work so well, much better than regular baby wipes, they will save you a fortune and you can wash them with your regular washing. I don't find them any extra work as lets face it, as a mum your washing machines on most days anyway.

Cloth Nappies

Apparently just using one cloth nappy a day saves 900 nappies from landfill. Did you know that disposable nappies will lay in landfill for approximately 500 years! Cloth nappies need more exposure and recognition. They're so different now to your old fashioned terry nappies (which you can still get). They come in all shapes and sizes and some of the most adorable prints. They're and investment but will save you money in the long run. You can start with just one or two and build up. Lots of companies offer trial kits, some councils offer a scheme and you can find cloth nappy library's to try before you buy. Yes you will have to do a little more washing but you will cut down your waste significantly and they're all natural materials so better for baby's bum. You can find lots of information here.

Reusable coffee cup

So simple but if you take a reusable cup with you you'll get money off your hot drink, it will stay hot for longer and is usually a little more spill proof. Cups made from stainless steel or bamboo are most Eco friendly but anything is better than a takeaway cup as it's not single use and you can pick them up for a couple of pounds. we have these.

Reusable drinks bottle

Make sure you carry a drink with you when you go out to avoid having to buy one. Again this saves you money as bottles come in all shapes/sizes and budgets. Personally I like a steel bottle as it keeps your drink nicely chilled and in my opinion water tastes so much better. You don't have to spend a fortune, I always carry this with me. If you do buy a drink opt for a can as this is easier to recycle.

Shopping bags

Make sure you always carry your own shopping bags with you. We have a selection of bags in different materials but I like cloth bags for clothes etc and then jute or plastic for our food shopping.

Metal straws

Oh my, what can I say. Metal straws are a revelation in our house. I actually love them! They're sturdy, hygienic, look sleek and you can chill/freeze them. So nice with a G and T on a hot day!

Compost

Make your own compost with garden and food waste. You don't need a fancy composter. If you have space you can just do it in a heap or buy a cheap bin like this. You can put finished toilet rolls, egg boxes, fruit and vegetable trimmings, tea leaves, coffee grounds and garden waste in your heap.

Think before you buy

Buy plastic toys second hand or opt for wooden versions. Buy clothes and textiles from sustainable sources, up-cycle furniture, re-use what you can and try to buy better when you need to replace something. Don't just buy for the sake of it.

If we all make small easy swaps like this (and there's many more) together we can help make a difference to the world we leave behind for our children.