For a while now, I’ve been reducing plastic consumption and waste in the kitchen. I’m happy to say that when I put the wheelie bin out this week it was half full. For a family of five over a fortnight that was two carrier bags from the kitchen bin, one from the bathrooms and bedrooms put together, one bag of ash from the fire and a couple of bags of cat litter. I don’t think that’s too bad, but there’s still room for improvement. I’m going to continue working to reduce waste in the kitchen, but also start work on the bathroom. This is going to be much harder and I think there will be some things I won’t be fully able to give up. So to start with, I’m going to concentrate on using the ‘infrequent use’ toiletries even less and finding alternatives for the ‘frequent use’ toiletries.

Toiletries I use frequently (every day or every other day): shampoo and conditioner, moisturiser, deodorant/anti-perspirant, toothpaste, soap, shower gel, perfume.

Toiletries I use infrequently (once a week or less): hair dye, hair removal cream, tanning moisturiser (for my pasty legs on the rare occasion I wear a dress or skirt), foundation, eye shadow, mascara, bronzer, concealer, nail varnish, nail varnish remover, cleanser, eye make up remover, exfoliator, hairspray.

I’ve been very honest and taken ‘before’ pictures of the bathroom cabinets exactly as they are. They will be drastically reduced shortly and I’ll take new ‘after’ pictures. Unopened, unused toiletries will go to charity. Opened, used ones will be used up and then recycled. I’ll let you know how I get on.