365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge

The box I shared yesterday doesn’t have a very appealing lid. So I decided to make it more beautiful. As I kept the pages that I cut out for the pencil case (#327), I could now use these to decorate the lid.  

Luckily, I at the moment don’t need to take any pills. But if I do in the future, I’ll but them – if possible – in a container instead of a blister pack, as it require a lot less wrapping and therefore waste.  

It is a few years ago that I have received my last paper bank statement. I now only have online statements which saves a lot of paper.  

I sometimes find bags with dogs poo next to the road. I always wonder why someone would leave a bag like that behind, because where I live you have to dispose it and when leaving it, it takes a lot, lot longer for the poo to degenerate. If you know the reason, I’m eager to learn about it.

I don't remember where I got the aluminum foil from, but I do know that I saved it for later use. Today, I almost used it to wrap half a melon. But no, just in time I stopped myself. After a brief glance in my cupboard, I found a container with exactly the right size.  

Tomorrow is a big day, as tomorrow I finish this Challenge! And with celebrations, you often see confetti. But I don’t want paper or plastic confetti. Biodegradable confetti from leaves that fell on the ground is way more sustainable.

It is impossible to make a razor that is blunt sharp again, as it is only possible to sharpen one side of the blade. However, by cleaning the blade on a jeans after using it, it is possible to keep the razor sharp for longer.

When buying clothes, it is more environmentally friendly to buy clothes that last longer, as fewer clothes need to be produced. Fewer materials have to be used, fewer packaging, fewer shipping, less energy is needed for disposal, etc. Here you can see cycling shirt I still have! More about clothes recycling: https://medium.com/the-environment/how-old-clothes-can-be-recycled-and-put-to-good-use-again-baf752b4323d

On my journey back from Thailand, I had to wait at the airport for a while. As I had to drink all my water before the security check, I used the remaining time to look for a fountain to refill my bottle, instead of buying a plastic bottle.

When I rescued the frame from being disposed (#303), I didn’t like it that much after all. Therefore, I decided to use it for a new piece of art. For that, I first painted it white.

I noticed this in a hotel that they used a washable cloths on the tray, instead of a single-use paper cloth. This is great, as I guess they use many of these cloths each day.

When I noticed that the head of my dish brush needed replacement urgently, I remembered that I bought this brush because I can replace the head. And indeed, I found a new head, which means I reduce waste.

I received a box that had paper in it to prevent the contents from being damaged and found out that I can use it to wrap presents. And as tape, I used some pieces that were left from crafting.

When I go shopping, I bring my own bag instead of buying a new one. I’ve been using the trolley for example already for years, which has saved me a huge pile of bags.

If possible (unfortunately, often one is printed even when I don’t want one), I refuse a receipt in a shop. For for example electronic devices, I of course need one. In that case, I ask for a digital one.

I cycled past this house, which is very thoroughly renovated. As you can see, the wooden structure is kept. Apart from that this gives the house its typical architecture, it is a great example of reusing materials.

Someone gave me something in a plastic bag to prevent leaking. Instead of tearing the bag open, I decided to undo the knot, so that I can keep the bag and use it again later.

At home, I hardly ever drink water from a bottle. But in a restaurant or when on holiday, I do have to take care that I get water from the tap instead of bottled water. I like that taste better and it is saves waste.

I am very aware that this is a form of hoarding, but why throw away perfect buttons when I can still use them in the future when I loose one? Or someone else? If at some point I have too many, I give them to others who can use them well.

Someone rightly said to me that sometimes clothes are used up and I need new ones. Well, looking at my socks, I realized the time had come to say goodbye. But I can still use part of the textile after having washed them, for example as scraps to blow my now.