Things don't look good for our lovely planet.

Raging fires in Australia, plastic-filled oceans and melting ice bergs.

My Sydney-based sister-in-law has been telling me about dust storms, giant hail showers and air so filled with smoke, outdoor exercise is a no-no. Faintly apocalyptic.

We can sit around saying how awful it is, or we can do whatever we can to help reverse the mess we’re making. So i’ve been trying to do my bit of home-based Tikkun Olam.

Where I can, I’m reducing single-use plastic, recycling, upcycling and generally trying to reduce kitchen waste.  

Here a progress report:

1. Reducing single-use plastic:
   How? There’s a shop in St Albans called the Refill Pantry. You take your own containers, weigh them and pay for what you put in them. I’ve started buying my washing machine liquid, fabric conditioner (which, arguably, I shouldn’t be at all) and washing up liquid there. They also have big silos of pasta; rice; flours; dried fruits and nuts plus herbs and spices, so I’m refilling my spice jars as I go. It's mildly reminiscent of my wholefood-fuelled, student days - but for the 21st century.    
   Does it work? It’s not much more expensive to buy the washing machine products which work fine. Washing up liquid is too liquidy, so we’re going through it too fast; I also have a concern that spices sold in huge quantities may not be as fresh as they could be.
   I also have to make a separate trip to stock up, so am increasing my carbon footprint in travelling there.
   Verdict: I’m feeling slightly saintly as we’ve stopped importing – and throwing away — the large plastic bottles in the quantities we have been. BUT I suspect I’m spending a bit more, PLUS it adds to my workload as I have to physically go to the shop instead of adding it to my home delivery order. Next stop - milk containers. We throw at least two or three of these into our recycling each week and it feels wrong EVERY, SINGLE, TIME. I'd like to start getting our milk delivered, but it's definitely more expensive... 
   
   
2. Limiting food waste:
   How? I have started a weekly meal plan. I take time to go through what’s in the fridge/freezer/store cupboard before I do our weekly online shop, before making a plan that makes uses of what we have and ensures we don’t end with manky, bin-worthy veg at the end of the week. I also am doing an ‘end of the shopping week’ veg audit and turning the last of the veg into healthy soup before they’re too far gone.
   Does it work? In a word – yes! If I manage to do it properly – and I’ll be honest, I was a lot better at it when this plan started — then it’s a winner. All food used up and the freezer being used properly instead of as a staging post to the bin or compost heap. When time is short I revert to last-minute meals which are more of a headache for me and boring for the children. I love having soup in the fridge or freezer for last minute healthy meals.
   Verdict: A winner. Not only feeling like I’m winning at mothering, but also reducing my Jewish mother overstocked cupboards and breaking free from the never-empty fridge syndrome I was suffering from. I can even see the shelves — and clean them — every single week!
   
   
3. Ditching the cling film:
   How? I’ve been storing my food in reusable plastic boxes for years now. One kitchen cupboard is piled high with boxes and lids. (Someone really needs to invent clever storage for these plastic pots.) However, I’ve also been trying out the new breed of food sealing wraps. I was sent three brightly coloured silicone discs with floral-looking scalloped edges to test out from a complany called Kuhn Rikon. They are tacky to the touch, and very stretchy.
   Does it work? In a word, yes. I used one to seal the cut side of a baby watermelon, and not only did it keep an airtight seal, but it didn’t allow any juice to seep out as can happen with clingfilm. It works for all sorts of veg and also can be used on top of dishes and pans. Not hard to wash either, but mildly annoying to dry.
   Verdict: A huge thumbs up, and a fuss-free way to ditch the cling.
   
    
4. I’ve also been careful to buy takeaway coffees in my own cup (if at all) and have invested in a second, smaller water bottle for carrying around with me when the 500ml version would be cumbersome. My new no-leak, ION8 mini bottle is cute and does what it says on the tin. No wet handbags here.

I've a way to go, and some will say why bother, but it's a start.