Eco tips: November 2023 - May 2024

6/11/23

This week’s tip is adapted from a mailing from Smol, the manufacturers of eco-friendly cleaning products.

If your laundry contains synthetics...

You could send over 17 million tiny plastic fibres into the water supply with each wash. If they get caught in the water treatment plant sludge, they are sprayed over our soils as fertiliser. If they don’t… they travel onwards into our oceans.

So here’s how to treat your synthetics right.

• Wash at low temps with slow spin speeds. It releases less fibres.
• Use a Guppy bag* to trap the fibres.
• Stick to full loads. They create less friction.
• Ditch the tumble and line-dry instead.’

* Guppy bags are fine mesh bags designed to catch these small particles. They are not cheap, but perhaps Santa could help. A cheaper alternative is the Earthkind seasaver laundry bag. See what you can find online, but make sure that the bag is designed for this purpose and not simply to avoid clothes tangling.

13/11/23

A tip this week from A Rocha (this is the organisation who run the Eco Church accreditation):

- Get to know your local green space. Swap a coffee shop catchup for a wander in the wildest spot near you. Take time to observe the different plants and animals that dwell here. Are there edibles in your local green space too They may be safe to forage. (check on

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2017/11/foraging-in-november-and-december/ for advice on foraging safely and responsibly )

20/11/23

A couple of months ago, we drew attention to the opportunity to recycle blister-packs for pills which is offered at larger branches of Superdrug. There is now a similar scheme offered by Aldi. On this

scheme, you sign up online, and then download pre-paid labels. Simply put your blister -packs in an envelope of the right size, attach the label, and pop it in the post. All details are at

https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/brigades/aldi-

uk?fbclid=IwAR2KVcjG4ReelEarMLXxhFiTRRNZuGegoQ58pcv4wc7taunlX3wL_IpFYgw_aem_AQo7zM bwIVAL8IdvUKnNsdU4eqYRylSj4zCGpKuKuGejIxFqx0wG-LHvkT7vmjYq-CA&fs=e&s. Let’s try to support schemes like this.

27/11/23

Some of us may be well ahead with our Christmas shopping, whilst others may not have started. If looking for gifts, let’s try to make sure that they are sustainable, and made from eco friendly sources. Perhaps we can find gifts that help others to be ‘greener’, such as products for the home that help to reduce energy use or avoid plastics. There may be items for the garden which can help others to

make their space more wildlife friendly, or to grow a few of their own veg. If we are buying chocolates or toiletries, let’s make sure that these don’t come in gift packs which are frequently over- packaged and contain a lot of plastic

4/12/23

Perhaps we are now thinking about wrapping Christmas gifts.Let’s make sure that we wrap them as sustainably as possible. One way to do this is to re-use wrappings that we have received in previous years, remembering to remove any old tags! We may choose to wrap gifts in pieces of coloured cloth, which can of course be used over and over again. Or we could stamp motifs such as stars or

Christmas trees onto plain brown paper. If buying wrapping paper, try to avoid foil or plasticised paper, or any which has glitter, as these cannot be recycled, and are hard to re-use. Wrappings made from recycled paper, and without cellophane coverings,are now available. If we are trying to wrap sustainably, we also need to think about how we fasten the parcels. Sellotape and other such tapes are made of plastic, so we need to avoid these, or use them very frugally. Some non plastic versions are now available. Try fastening the parcel with string or ribbon instead. Let’s see how creative we can be in our attempts to live more sustainably.

11/12/23

Two brief eco points this week:

1. If hand delivering Christmas cards to friends and colleagues, write the name fairly small on the envelope, and tuck in the flap, rather than sealing it. That way, the recipient can re-use

the envelope. Similarly, if we receive such envelopes, it is easy to save them for re-use later, thus saving trees. Remember that re-use is even better than recycling.

2. A few weeks ago, we reported on the introduction of the Aldi scheme for recycling medicine blister packs. We have learned that this scheme has been so successful that the recycling company has had to suspend it for the moment, as they cannot cope with the volume of

demand. So keep checking the website (https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/brigades/aldi- uk?fbclid=IwAR2KVcjG4ReelEarMLXxhFiTRRNZuGegoQ58pcv4wc7taunlX3wL_IpFYgw_aem_A Qo7zMbwIVAL8IdvUKnNsdU4eqYRylSj4zCGpKuKuGejIxFqx0wG-LHvkT7vmjYq-CA&fs=e&s), and hopefully it will be up and running again soon.

8/1/24

Shortly before Christmas, we heard that one of the outcomes of COP 28 was the first commitment from such a body to transition away from fossil feuels. This decision is to be welcomed, although many would argue that action needs to be bolder and faster. Whatever

governments may decide to do at some date in the future, it is worth remembering that every gram of carbon which goes into the atmosphere has effects long into the future, so that the

more that we as individuals can do to reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint now, the better. Let’s make it a belated New Year Resolution.

15/1/24

This week’s eco tip is adapted from the Arocha Eco tips:

Make ‘enjoying nature’ your priority.

This may include activities from bird watching to writing about or drawing something that

inspires you in nature, growing your own fruit or vegetables if you have a garden or even a little growing space. If circumstances permit, exploring an area of natural beauty in the UK can help us to appreciate nature. This does not have to be distant - let’s look for the beauty in an urban

hedgerow or patch of wild ground. Be sure to fall in love with nature in a new way this coming year and allow it to lead our thoughts towards God our Creator.

22/1/24

As we all know, using public transport whenever possible, rather than using private cars, is an important way to live more sustainably. We also know that the provision of public transport is poor or non existent in many parts of our area. CWaC have been holding a consultation on

transport policy, and if you have not already done so you can make your views known on

https://participatenow.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/local-transport-plan-4-phase-1. (Try to do so soon, as this first stage of the consultation will not be available for much longer.) Make your

views on public transport known to your local councillors and to your parliamentary candidates when they start canvassing.

29/1/24

It is hardly spring yet, but the days are getting longer. Let’s try to make sure that we open the

curtains fully,to make the most of the natural light, rather than switching lights on unnecessarily. Equally, when we enter a room, let’s not switch on the light unless it is needed, and make sure that it is switched off when we leave the room. That way, we will save energy and save money.

5/2/24

As we approach the beginning of Lent, our eco thought this week is from Arocha and can be found at https://arocha.org.uk/connect-with-our-creator-and-gods-creation-during-lent/. This helps us to reflect on ways in which the discipline of Lent relates to the theme of caring for our world.

12/2/24

You may already know of the ‘No Faith in Fossil Fuels’ vigil which starts on Ash Wednesday. This is described in the following extract from the Christian Aid website:

‘As the climate crisis wreaks havoc, we bear witness to its impacts and pray for transformation. In Lent 2024, join us as we gather in vigil for climate justice 24/7 for 10 days at Westminster, London.

Prayer is powerful. It can bring transformation, even in the midst of injustice.

Lent offers us a season both to lament the failure to address the climate crisis and the hope of change as we approach the resurrection transformation of Easter.

Join us from Ash Wednesday, Wednesday 14 February, as we vigil 24 hours a day, for 10 days at home of UK Parliament, Westminster.

We will gather with Arocha, Cafod, Christian Climate Action, Green Christian, JPIT, Operation Noah, the Salvation Army, and Tearfund. Together we will pray for creation, for our global neighbours and for bold climate action from the UK Government.

Pray for an hour, pray for a day! Join the vigil as we declare, No Faith in Fossil Fuels. ‘

We can participate in this vigil in person or from home. To find out more, and how to register, see https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/climate-change/nfiff-lent-vigil-climate- justice#main-contente. This is a major ecumenical event in which the voices of the Churches can make themselves heard.

19/2/24

Following on with our Lenten theme, as we are now in Lent, we may be following a discipline or sacrifice for the period.It may be that our discipline is to try to live more sustainably during this period, perhaps by reducing our meat consumption,or, for some, giving it up altogether.It may be that we are trying to reduce our dependence on the car, or simply to try to live more frugally. If we are following such a discipline for Lent, let’s try to see if we can extend it beyond Lent, so that this becomes part of our regular lifestyle. By going without something that we might

otherwise take for granted,we can also identify with the millions in our world who have no option but to go without so much.

19/2/24 Just for Wesley

We have recently celebrated the achievement of our Silver eco-Church award,with an expression of our shared commitment, and cake after Church. Hopefully , we have all found ways of living more sustainably, and it is likely that many readers have tips to share on doing so at work, at home, at school or college, or when travelling. If you have any such tips, send them in to the church office, and we will share these in ‘Eco Matters’ in the bulletin in the coming months.

26/2/24

This week we share a tip from Sm:ol (suppliers of eco-friendly washing and cleaning products) on uses for those last little scraps of soap.

‘With so many of us enjoying the long lasting benefits of a bar soap, how about these 5

tips for leftover soap bits that fight waste…

1. Add the remains of your old bar onto your new bar! Wetting both bars before pushing them together will make this easier. Hey presto, zero waste.

2. Collect 10 or 20 scraps and grate them into a pan with some water (1 tspn per 10g of soap). Evaporate the water over a low heat while stirring. When the soap is soft, remove from the heat. Pack the mix into a glass jar lined with greaseproof paper and leave to set. You just made soap.

3. Get some soap saver bags and pop your soap scraps inside. Then simply run them under some water and rub them between your hands… you’ll be in a lather before you know it.

4. Feel like adding a clean fresh aroma to your drawers? Just pop your tiny dry soap scraps in with your clothes to banish any mustiness.

5. Want free shaving foam? Use your leftover soap scraps. Simply pop them into a mug, add a little hot water and use a shaving brush to create a lovely lather. Sorted.’

There is much that we can all learn about the complex issues involved in looking after the created world. The BBC and the Open University have recently produced an excellent series of radio programmes called ‘Rare Earth’. These combine talks, chat and practical ideas, and are very

accessible in tone. They deal with issues ranging from water to challenging our concept of alien species of plants and animals, as well as looking at the role of politics. The first series has now finished but all programmes are available on BBC Sounds, and details can be found at

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001vbt0

11/3/24

This week’s thoughts are based on the Arocha Eco-tip for March.

Spring is now officially here, and there are signs of spring around us, with plants in bud, and the days getting longer. Let’s take time to appreciate these changes, and to focus on the hope which Spring brings. This can be done by observing the signs of new life in the outdoors, whether in an urban open space, or in a garden if we have one.Let’s take time to reflect on these signs of hope and to be thankful for all the benefits that we receive from the created world.

18/3/24

Some of us may be thinking about buying Easter eggs for members of the family. If we do purchase these, let’s try to make sure not only that the chocolate is Fairtrade, but also that the eggs are not over-packaged. Some tend to come with a lot of cardboard, and also plastic around them.

25/3/24

March 24th was the date of this year’s Earth Hour, sponsored by WWF. Many people around the world turned off lights for this hour, and many public buildings, such as the Eiffel Tower, were also unlit. This was to draw attention to the needs of our planet, and to enjoy the absence of light

pollution, where possible. It will be a year until the next Earth Hour, but we can all enter into the

spirit of this event all year round, by trying to turn off all unnecessary lights. We can read about the event at https://www.earthhour.org/

1/4/24

This year we changed the clocks on Easter Sunday. This co-incidence does not happen very often. As we move into the post-Easter period, let’s keep the joy of Easter in our hearts as we use this extra hour of daylight for the benefit of our world. This may be by walking or cycling, rather than using motor transport, or it may be by looking after nature in a garden or volunteering in a local open space.

8/4/24

It may be that we have done some clearing up or ‘de-cluttering’ in recent weeks and have had a trip to the recycling centre or ‘tip’. If we have done this, the likelihood is that we will have gone by car, and may not realise that most (if not all) of the recycling centres in our area do not permit pedestrian access, even though people may have goods and materials which are light enough to carry to such a facility. There are quite a number of centres in other parts of the country which do allow pedestrian access. So if we are going to the tip, why not check with a neighbour who does not have transport, to see if they would like a lift there with their materials, which would otherwise end up in landfill. If we do not have transport and wish to use these centres, then it would be good to write to our local councillors about this matter.

15/4/24

This week we are sharing some ideas adapted from Canopy.

22/4/24

As the days get a bit warmer and brighter, it is a chance to review our means of travel. Perhaps we have more opportunity for walking or cycling, rather than using a car, if we have one. If we use a car, perhaps we can review some of our weekly routes - are there ways in which, by for example, changing the day on which we go to the supermarket, and combining this with another trip, we could further reduce our car usage. Or perhaps we could explore again our opportunities for car-sharing, for example, in going to Church

29/4/24

This idea comes from Good Housekeeping:

Look out for "green van" delivery options

When you shop for groceries online, check whether there is a "green van" delivery slot available. This means your shopping will be dropped off to you when there’s already a van making deliveries in your area. This can reduce the carbon footprint of your online order, and the vehicle emissions of the van bringing it to you, by over a tenth, according to research by the Rotterdam School of Management. Sainsbury’s and Ocado both offer "green van" slots.

To this we can add the point that if we are ordering goods online,by choosing ‘standard’ rather than ‘next day’ delivery, we can reduce the carbon footprint, as the courier is able to plan more eco-

friendly routes for deliveries.

6/5/24

This week we have some thoughts from Arocha for those who are gardeners.

Who doesn't love a trip to the garden centre? Especially if it involves cake! Here are some reminders from Sarah Leedham, our Foxearth Meadows Reserve Manager, that will help you make better choices for the planet when you’re buying plants: