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I’ve come up with the idea of this interview series, because I realised how people feel so overwhelmed about all the bad news we are flooded by media outlets. On one hand, the truth is, if we carry on like this, the future will be grim. On the other hand, we also need to read positive and uplifting stories about how lots of lots of good people with a green heart are trying to live more environmentally friendly and save the planet – and they are succeeding. But we all have to be part of the change, as I’ve read it lately and totally agree with this statement form the Zero Waste Chef Anne-Marie Bonneau: “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
Interview with Ruth from Craft With Cartwright.
What or who inspired you to make changes towards a greener lifestyle?
My mum has really been my role model for living a greener lifestyle, she has always grown her own food, shopped locally and been a big composter.
Do you have any favourite site or person you follow for inspiration?
I try and read widely and have been inspired by so many that I don’t think I could pin it down to one site or person.
What aspects of being an environmentally friendly family did you tackle so far? (Reducing plastic, planet friendly diet, up cycling things etc…)
This year our main focus has been reducing plastic waste. We are a family of vegetarians and as a teacher of textiles I have always loved up-cycling things. I asked for a second compost bin for Christmas and I’m looking forward to my birthday present of a water butt for the garden!
What are the changes that you implemented so far?
The main change is our strict bin policy, hardly anything makes it in to the black bin these days.
Did you find it hard to make these changes?
Not really hard, you just have to make these things habitual and they it all becomes second nature.
What was the hardest thing to give up or change?
Avoiding single use plastic can be very tricky, but it’s not impossible. Where I can’t avoid it, I try and ensure that further use is made of the product packaging.
And what was the easiest thing to give up or change?
Composting has been so easy. Why do you want a bin of smelly food waste in your kitchen, when you can pop it outside, where it magically turns into fertiliser for your garden!
Do you feel the changes you achieved so far are encouraging you to do even more?
Absolutely, this will be an ongoing project for all the family.
How do you get the children involved?
They are very eco aware from lessons at school. Our plans for growing more veg this summer is the highlight for the kids.
Did you manage to save some money too? Or is this lifestyle change actually proving to be more costly?
I can’t say that I have seen much of a difference positively or negatively on our finances.
How did your family respond to the changes?
For the most part, they haven’t even noticed!
Do you have any trips or trick which really helped you?
Being prepared, always having a stash of bags in the car and your refillable cup or water bottle, means there is no excuse to buy that single use plastic.
Live more environmentally friendly: Ruth from Craft With Cartwright
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3 comments
Love reading all about what people are doing to reduce plastic waste. Well done on the fact that hardly anything makes it to the black bin these days!
Fantastic interview I love reading people’s journeys, it’s so important that we all do our best and teach children why we are doing it.
I think in this day nad age we should all try to be more eco friendly, if every family only made 1 change it would make such a difference.