Artwork and messages created by kids visiting the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney (February 2020)
I’ve been thinking about this for a little while now and was about to let the idea slide. That was until the other night. We had a new picture book to read at bedtime, the wonderfully warm and deliciously clever, Jelly Boy.
My kids were enthralled by this gorgeous book, even the younger one who can be a bit of an Eeyore at times declaring his lack of enthusiasm for things he has not yet tried. But curled up in my lap, he was quickly besotted with Jelly Boy, the plastic bag mistaken for a boy jellyfish by a girl jellyfish with hilarious results. While the story is humorous and fun, there is also an underlying environmental message about the damage that plastics are doing in the oceans.
My daughter was keen for me to read the information at the back of the book about the environmental impact of plastic. As we read through it, I could see that she now really understood why I’m often drawing attention to our use of plastic and needing to make better decisions about our use of plastics. She then quickly started listing the ways that we responsibly dispose of plastic, such recycling bins and how we also drop off our scrunchable plastics to the Redcycle bins, and as she did this, I could see her feel more at ease as she knew we were doing things to address the problem. It’s true, we are doing things to help address this issue. We do them every day, every week. But I know we can do more. And I know we can do better. So now I am taking that idea that sprang into my mind earlier this year and I’m actually going to put it into action.
There are ten months* remaining of this year, so I am pledging to do ten new things or ten things in a more committed way to help Planet Earth.
I am doing this for the planet that gives us light, air, water, warmth. I am doing this for the planet that enables us to stay alive. I am doing this for the planet of which there is only one. I am doing this for my children who are naturally curious and helpful, and who this planet is as much theirs as ours. And selfishly, I am doing this for me, because I need to know I can do better.
My goal is to complete my pledge by the end of 2020 and that by then, new or better habits will be in place. Averaged out, it’s just one new habit or issue addressed per month. I reckon I can do that!
Here’s my list, which I am posting here for accountability, and also in case you have any suggestions for things I can add.
My 10 for 10 for Planet Earth:
Use soapberries instead of laundry liquid. They’re also called wash nuts or soap nuts. I’ve used soapberries a few times over the years, but find myself drifting back to laundry liquid just because it’s readily available in the supermarket. Soapberries clean clothes really well and do not have plastic packaging as they are a natural product that comes in a reusable fabric bag. And when you have finished using the soapberries shells for 4-5 wash loads, you just pop them in the compost!
Continue to save scrunchable plastics for the Redcycle recycling bins, and batteries and computer cartridges for recycling drop-off points. I’m including this one as although I’m in a pretty good routine with a tub under the kitchen sink just for clean scrunchable plastic, I’ve got to admit that there’s a few times every now and then when the tub is overflowing so I put the scrunchable plastic in the regular bin. I promise I’m going to do better!
Make tougher decisions regarding plastic toys. I feel like this is one we’ve been chipping away at with the kids but need to become more firm on, considering factors such as longevity of the product and the estimated longevity of their interest in the toy, and options for re-use. Oh yes, this one is going to be tough!
Be more prepared for when I’m on the go by making sure I always have the mesh fruit & vege bags, the reusable fabric shopping bags, and taking it further to include taking my own containers for when we get takeaway sushi etc, and making sure I have reusable straws, chopsticks, cutlery etc on hand to avoid needing disposable plastic cutlery (even if it can be reused).
Continue to collect water from the shower before the water warms up, so it can be used to water the garden. I’ve been doing this for a few months now due to the water restrictions in place due to the low dam levels. Even though water restrictions have just been downgraded following the recent deluge, I’m still going to keep up this habit. It’s water that would go straight down the drain and it also means the plants are much more likely to get watered!
Write letters to companies/organisations when recycling facilities are not provided, such as shopping centres, schools etc. I find it amazing that it is still common to be out somewhere and have only a general rubbish bin available.
And on the flip side, providing positive feedback to places that provide fantastic recycling options. There are some shopping centres now that have separate bins for general waste, recycling, compostable and there is even a sink to rinse out things containers before putting them in the recycling. Some also have central drop-off points for recycling batteries, cartridges, plastic bags etc.
Research superannuation schemes to find out the best options in terms of where the money is invested and make choices based on investment in renewable energy sources.
Along the same lines, research energy providers to find out best options for supporting sustainable energy.
Making more food from scratch to avoid packaging. This is going to take a little more planning and preparation but the end product will be worth it, I’m sure!
Let me know if there’s anything you can suggest I add to this list, and let me know if you’ve got a list of your own!
(* I started writing this post on 1 March!)