Right? So hardcore my life. But I’m having to remind myself, time on the schedule does not equal capacity in the brain. Even something that just requires 8 minutes on the schedule.
I love this so much Leena! So realistic, so informative and so interesting to see live in action how easy some things can be and how bloody hard other things can too. Loved collabing with you on the last video, can't wait for our next
My leaf razor is the best!! It has a pivoting head and three blades like a disposable razor. It is QUITE the investment, but they have a lifetime guarantee and will replace your busted one (if it were to break). Made the whole zero waste shaving thing much much much better.
See, this is a realistic video! Sometimes when I watch videos on sustainable swaps to make I feel very overwhelmed because I am not perfect and it’s important to remember that we’re not seeking perfection, just a bit better. And when a lot of people are doing something a bit better that’s a lot of change and it will get easier.
The safety razor issue is the blade! It probably came with some cheap sharks or something, pick up Merker or something better. The safety razor experience 100% comes down to the blade
Agree!!! Blades are so important for the best experience. When I first got into it i was using shark. Then i ordered a variety pack of razors and i totally noticed the difference from brand to brand!
100%! I even went from the Astra ones I got with my razor to some Gilette ones and they've made the world of difference! the Astra ones are now reserved for scoring bread dough. Also, I find they do need to be replaced more often than a standard plasticcy razor blade but I store the used razors in a can and will take them to a recycling centre once it's full, and even with these more frequent replacements the cost is still massively better!
+1 for this. The ones they come with are generally pretty horrible. I recommend getting a sample pack of different blades so you try out a range before committing. We've found that the ones that work best for my partner's face aren't the best for legs. Ideally we'd swap blades or have a second handle but I'm lazy so I just put up with a slightly less optimal shave on the rare occasions I actually shave my legs.
I came down here to comment the same thing! It’s definitely the blades and not the handle itself that matter the most. My dad has been using safety razors for agessss (because he’s a bit eccentric) and he says you can actually buy a device that sharpens the blades. I haven’t tried it yet, but I want to
You are also meant to change the blade more frequently. A single blade needs to be really sharp whereas multiple blades can get away with being less sharp. You can recycle the blades too if you fill up a sealed tin with them. (Really important the tin is sealed)
I‘ve got quite a heavy period and switched years and years ago to a menstrual cup plus washable menstrual pads and never once looked back. I find them soooo comfy in comparison. Lovely breathable cotton quality near my crotch instead of sticky plastic. I just can encourage every menstruating person who didn’t try yet to just do it. Thinking of all the rubbish I avoided producing through that change is such a relief.
I've been a vegetarian for 10 years now, but I'm not too strict on situations where I don't have other options (for example traveling or at a party when I have forgot to mention that I am a vegetarian). I also have swapped to vegan options where I can so nowadays I rarely eat animal products at home. You'll find your balance, I'm sure :) Despite being a hot potato topic, I would love to see you do a food series! I think you have a lot of positive influence in people that might not otherwise bump into vegan/vegetarian topics on the internet. Love your content
The meat and dairy industry have spent a lot of money to make us think that "being strict" on vegetarianism and veganism is a bad thing, but standing up against oppression is something to embrace and celebrate. Just as we are strict on ourselves with being anti-racist, anti-homophobic, anti-misogyny, or against any other form of oppression. The planet, the animals, and the traumatised slaughterhouse workers are all heavily relying on us to make the right choices every single day and to stand up for them at every opportunity.
@@iKiffers sometimes people can't be as strict as they'd like. if i'm out anywhere for a long time with no options i'm not gonna starve, i'm gonna eat what is already there.
It's important to be as strict as possible when buying, but if the food has already been bought and you need to eat then it's not the end of the world.
@@iKiffers Well personally I believe being too strict can indeed be a bad thing. Food is one of our most basic physical needs and what we eat directly affects our health so it's a lot more complicated than the forms of oppression you mentioned. For some people it takes some time and trial and error to work out how to have a balanced with a major change like that. Others already have a hard enough time working around food allergies, intolerances and digestive issues and don't have the ability or energy top make it any harder for themselves. Some people have problems with disordered eating and putting strict rules on themselves concerning food can be really triggering. Expecting people to always be 100% vegan at all times is really asking a lot and I doubt it does much good in convincing the people who aren't vegan or vegetarian already to rethink their diets.
I’ve learned to crochet this year, and I’ve ALSO found a place to buy recycled cotton yarn and so everyone in my family is getting dish scrubbies this year for the holidays. They can be thrown in the washing machine, don’t create micro plastics, and won’t mold - and they look hella cute if I do say so myself
Just a fair warning: those wooden body scrubbers mold extremely easily and then you have to throw them out because there's no way to remove the mold from within the wood. You need to keep them very dry as much as possible. (I've gone through more than one, and I no longer buy them now. I have a silicone body scrubber that I love)
It's the same with bamboo toothbrushes - you have to dry them with a towel after each use so I'd guess you could do the same with the body scrubbers? like don't immerse them in water/under the shower and dry with a towel after you're finished with it maybe?
Or just a cotton washcloth or "glove"! (I'm told the glove is a french thing but idk). You can throw them in the laundry, they last forever, and you could probably make a bunch out of an old towel too.
“Exfoliating towels”… that is frickin’ hilarious!! I love the positive twist on ‘re-use what you have and make it work’. Now that you mention it… we have “exfoliating towels” too. 🌎🌀Ⓜ️ary
I think a thing to keep in mind is that while total sustainability is wonderful, everyone doing some sustainable things is much better than a few people doing perfect. I love Shelbizzle's (on youtube, not sure about the spelling) quote "You can not do all the good the world needs but the world needs all the good that you can do" as a philosophy for sustainability.
Hey Leena 🌱 Leaf Shave does a safety razor in the style of a more modern one! You split a blade in half to make two and the head is flexible. Gittemary Johansen gives them a good review.
i have one and i love it too!! It's basically a regular plastic razor with 3 blades, but you just replace the blades themselves rather than the whole head! The safety razors are very intimidating, but this other type they sell is fantastic!
Please consider a video series on food! - Thoughts on vegetarianism whilst cooking your best 'convince avid meat eaters that vegetarianism isn't all that bad' - Thoughts on veganism (as above) - Reflections on cowspiracy and/or seaspiracy
I'm changing my bank after the video on Friday. I just went with the bank my dad had and never really thought about it before. Feels silly really, it's been years I've been considering where I SPEND my money, but not where I KEEP it 😅
Love this! Thanks for sharing and being honest :) Would love to see a video about being an aspiring vegan - I felt that similar "oh wow it's actually fine" feeling once I properly started boycotting the dairy industry. I also found rephrasing "cutting down on cheese" to "boycotting the dairy industry" really helpful as it's a reminder that it's not like some other diet or health choice, but is a really powerful action we can take as part of a global movement to bring about change, relieve the suffering of mothers, and tell some of the worst culprits of greenhouse gas emissions that enough is enough.
Very happy to hear The Body Shop has brought back doing refills - they used to do it all the time until they got bought by The Company That Shall Not Be Named (well, one of them).
I'm at that point in life where I am a broke uni student trying to save every cent, so a lot of swaps aren't realistic, things I do are buy most of my clothes second hand from charity shops or market places (I recommend knowing your size and a bit of sewing), buying fruit and veg from the market or local store, usually cheaper here. I use TooGoodToGo a lot here, lots of places use it correctly to fight food waste and because I have plenty of roommates even when its something I cant eat it gets eaten. Also just general creativity, I reuse a lot, I used some plastic sauce containers for my latest watercolour pallete for example. One of my biggest struggles is fast fashion from primark because bra sizes arent great in Spain and they actually do my size even if they dont last as long and having furniture from IKEA. Not too many places deliver furniture here and those that do cost so much more its just not doable for me, but I dont think Ive ever thrown out any ikea furniture. My bookshelves isn't even made any more and I love it! I have a green energy company but can't leave my bank cause mortgage. I'd live to go vegetarian later in life and improve the windows on nu super old house to reduce heating cost (not that we heat very often at all but that in itself is a problem too)
hi! another spain student pal hereee let my tell you some things i learn trying to be as low waste as possible in my first year of college:sometimes swaps are not needed because lot of stuff u don't actually need r can go with what u have example:bambu cuttlery-take some from the kitchen and keep it in your bags and bring vegetarian and vegan actually saves you much money,meat is so expensive. I did go vegan for the animals but definitely save me tons of money the only i will say you be creative and try new ways to cook vegetables and other foods🤗
@@victoria02215 Yeah, I do that with the cutlery, I have metal chopsticks that I keep in my bag in case I have to stay late at uni and eat so as to not need plastic cutlery as well! I tried being mostly vegetarian/vegan but unfortunately for me my health didn't really agree (I ate variety and kept track however I'm on quite medication on the best of times so it's definitely a me thing as a pose to everybody). Also big cities have shared bikes which are amazing for the environment and my wallet! (Like Valenbici, saforbici, etc)
One thing I discovered for washing dishes: silicone sponges. You can microwave them to kill bacteria and they are reusable for the longest time. Sure they're plastic but they work best for me. I've had mine for over a year and it's still like brand new.
I always find it fascinating how, in different countries, some things are super accessible and others not and then vice versa. For instance in Germany, nobody I know ever used single use razors (except maybe vacation), but then again, if you aren't in an urban area, it's super hard to find refillable anythings. I love your positive panic series!
Going zero waste and environmentally friendly has been a real struggle for me, it used to be easier when I lived in Australia, there heaps of accesible options and good quality stuff, but since moving back to my home country (Colombia) I have found that doing environmentally friendly things is a real struggle. So I try to buy most veggies from local farmers, bringing fabric bags when I shop so I don’t have to use it plastic ones, and try and be conscious of the packaging of stuff I buy… But the real struggle is trying to convince the people I live with to do it with me 😭.
Yes please to all of the offered videos! I tried vegetarianism last year, but living with my stubbornly-carnivorous family just made it impossible. When I'm finally able to move out, I'm looking forward to cutting the meat in my diet right back and mostly buying it from small butchers instead of the supermarkets (and doing the same with other groceries where possible.)
Better to go for something which doesn't require bee farming as this messes with local ecosystems. Mass breeding of honeybees affects the populations of other competing nectar-foraging insects, including other bees. Overwhelmed by the quantities of farmed bees, the numbers of native bumblebees declines. The beekeepers also clip the wings of the queen bee so she cannot leave the colony which we don't love.
If you are a crocheter or knitter and happen to have some cotton yarn around you can make your own cleaning scrubies. I made a few to use on my face and realised they were too harsh so I use them for dishes/clean the surfaces. Then pop them in the washing machine when they need cleaning.
this is such an interesting update, as I'm 20 I still live with my parents, we currently do some things good for the environment such that we have a water tank, solar panels and don't own a clothes dryer so hang out clothes to dry. yet when I move out I want to do many more things. this is really inspiring
I have yet to test this - but apparently towels become crusty because of excess laundry detergent/oils and you can make them fluffy again using vinegar.
Vinegar added to the wash has helped considerably with my towel softness. Doesn't do anything for them becoming ratty and falling apart though. But as long as I can still dry my body with them, I'm going to keep using them! lol
I've heard that towels become harder when air dryed in the sun. I air dry on my balcony so they get a fair share of shade and sun exposure so I can't verify that hear say ^^
I'd recommend a natural loofah for dishes. You can tie a ribbon on it and hang it to dry out so it doesn't get mouldy. They kinda break down over time but they can be chucked in your compost when they're no longer useable 😊
Thanks for making these videos! It's so easy to get complacent and find it overwhelming to switch to low/zero waste, especially when you're trying to do too much at once. I've made a note of things I can start with and now that I have a starting point, I feel like I can actually make some changes :)
The change in electricity supplier is something that I’d never really thought about. Where I live there is only one company that supplies power (the alternative is to buy solar panels which isn’t advisable for renters). It’s also unfortunate that it’s a largely coal-based operation with little pressure from local and federal government to change to something sustainable. They are working on it, but not within the near future. Also, the bank change was quite interesting! While I have changed banks because I was unhappy with the service, I found it was a hollow move because they recommended that you don’t close any account that contributes to your credit score. I’m glad you addressed that changing banks in your twenties is not always a possibility. It makes me wonder if there is a way to choose a bank ethically/eco-consciously - again based on the choices I have in my area.
You can open accounts online. I bank at Aspiration and have had no problem with the online system. Not sure about you, but I don't really use ATMs, so that's not a problem for me. Although, I think they have partner ATMs or something, I don't remember. There is also Beneficial Bank which is a certified B Corp - another ethical/ sustainable online option. You can look into those and see if they would be right for you. However, I have found it to be a little tricky to have a bunch of different accounts at different banks. I still have a checking account at my original bank because I still have checks for that account and I just can't stand the idea of rendering them useless because checks cost money to order. Anyway, it can be tricky juggling what account your paycheck goes through and changing all your autopay/ saved bank account to the new bank.
@@sophiaazevedo4013 Thanks for the suggestions! I'm from Canada, so I don't have those options available to me, but I'll definitely keep my eye out for other options. And I agree, it's very tricky having multiple accounts with multiple banks.
I can highly recommend biodegradable kitchen sponges from Seep - we've had ours for ages, and you can just wash them in the washing machine every so often. I bought a pack 6+ months ago and they are still all going strong- I just rotate around them so they can get washed every so often.
If you wash your towels with white vinegar it will make them super soft and fluffy again. If they are super old it may take a few vinegar washes to get them back to perfect but it's a super great way to maintain towels and increase their longevity. The channel 'Clean my space' just did a really good video about how to care for towels and they go into more detail about the vinegar wash. Also with the safety razor in case you weren't aware you need to shave with the direction of the hair rather then against the direction of the hair. For me it made the biggest difference with the razor burn, but it does definitely take a while to adjust.
Have you considered trying the leaf razor? All the sustainable features of a safety razor and the three blades and pivoting head of a disposable razor! They are a bit costly upfront, but I am loving mine!
Thank you for normalising taking care of facial hair, as a woman with PCOS I’m very self conscious of mine but really felt seen with your casual mentions of shaving it, makes me feel like I don’t have to be so ashamed of it, thank you 🙏
I love Estrid razors and definitely recommend them- you can send back your blades, they use fully recyclable packaging and are very affordable! They also periodically send you new blades via subscription and the handle/holder should last forever if you look after it ♥️
Love this Leena! Honestly Triodos is so great, I've been with them a few years with a savings and current account and all their services work great for me. Even if something goes wrong their customer service team is INCREDIBLE - always so friendly and patient, and they all have lovely voices too! :D
I have to shave my face as well, and after checking out the different options I saved up for the Leaf razor. I was so worried it wouldn’t work because that would be a lot of money down the drain - and I was unemployed at the time, so that was legit a panic inducing thought - but it has been worth every penny (the blades last quite long even though I use it daily, and I’ve had NO razor burn or rashes for the first time in literal years!) and while the initial price definitely makes it socially unsustainable, at least the recoup time is only a couple of years.
This is what I did as well! It's an investment, but it pays for itself in a year or two because the blades are sooo much cheaper. It works just as well, if not better, than the disposable ones I was using previously!
Going vegetarian ended up a bit of a non-starter for me a complex combo of disordered eating and being low-iron so I eventually gave up for my mental and physical heath. BUT giving up milk and cutting down on (not totally eliminating) cheese was surprisingly easy! Talk to fellow vegans in your local area to find which pizza cheese actually melts properly is half the battle tbh.
I’m sure Leena knows this but hair thinning is super common with PCOS. So getting labs checked may be a good thing to do. As worsening symptoms might be a sign of other problems. If it is, maybe try some supplements? If it’s not then great nothing to worry about. Because if it is a medical problem just focusing on external factors (shampoos, hair ties etc) may not be enough. (I’m not saying that people are negligent, but these issues are often overlooked esp. with PCOS.) :/
If you’re looking for places which sell plastic free things (rather than having to go in person), these are some good online ones: Plastic freedom Life before plastic Peace with the wild Hope this helps and loved seeing your progress 😊
For your razor issue, I use albatross, they make nice safety razors, use no plastic packaging, and have really cheap replacement razors. On top of that, you can send in the used blades and they reuse the steel!! Good luck on your zero waste journey 🌿
Re body scrubbers and dish washing. I just use a washcloth, I think you call them flannels in England. They're washable, which is better because then you're using a clean thing to clean with. I used to just buy packs of washcloths from IKEA but now I make mine from salvaged flannel scraps. When I need to really scrub a dish a wood or plastic scraper + a crochet jute scrubber or a scrap of burlap works well. I have access to burlap from a local coffee roaster. The beans come in huge burlap sacks and 1 lasts for like a year.
My favourite thing to use for dishes is a crocheted little circular dish scrubber. We used to get them made from onion bags but honestly my favourite ones are just ones made of yarn. I've had the one for 4 years now and I just toss it in the laundry with all my other towels etc and never looked back (except for the time it got lost in the rim of my washing machine and I had to panic buy a sponge). Also - would you ever be willing to make a video about what you are doing for your hair? You mentioned it in passing and I feel like it might be very informative. Thanks for the video~ ❤️
I've seen crocheted loofahs on etsy that are machine washable! I just use washcloths, which also work. Gonna add my name to the list of people who love the leaf razor, which has multiple blades and a moveable head so it's the closest to my old plastic razors; I rarely cut myself. You also might want to try buying a different brand of razor blade - my bf found that the ones that came with his regular safety razor sucked. He likes the Astra blades though. Loved getting to see this update so soon! You're doing so well!
Some tips for using a safety razor: 1. New blade most/every time. I find a fresh blade works miracles for how smooth and easy it is. A pack of 100 blades cost me 10 bucks, I stick them in a tin (washed) after being used, and the metal can be recycled. I do a whole body shave 2x per week (legs, arms, area, pits, lady side burns) and I'm still on my first box 2 years in. I find it's helped reduce acne and razor bumps by a ton, as the fresh blade reduces irritation and prevents build up of bacteria. 2. Use shaving cream or very soft soap, but not conditioner. I use Dove bars. Anything more rough and it doesn't glide (cuts, irritation), anything more smooth and I end up with many little cuts (red dots). 3. Exfoliate before shaving (ideally day before, even a washcloth if your face isn't too sensitive). 4. Use gravity not pressure. A fresh blade and the right angle (varies a bit per razor) mean you can just trust the weight of the razor, don't push it against your skin. 5. You might like a toner of sorts for when you cut yourself. I use a salt block to heal them quick and reduce areas of irritation (same one used for natural deodorant, one of it's main purpose is actually in men's shaving - I just use it for cuts). My face one also works nicely (just a general one meant to calm irritation vs. for acne). 5. Uncertain if related, but I use almond oil to soften my skin after showering/shaving (while still damp) and this has helped a ton with leg irritation and general soft skin. I have coarse hair and sensitive, acne prone, rash prone skin, and this is what works for me.
it's really encouraging to see someone be honest about the ways that they have to change low waste alternatives for themself, it makes it seem more achievable
my only concern would be putting the old body wash pouf thingy in the recycling. It's called aspirational recycling - and could be really contaminating your recycling. If you can't find anywhere that will recycle it - then throw it out!
Yes, unfortunately if you put something in the kerbside recycling that can't be recycled it can mean that the whole lot gets rejected! Better to just put things there that are on the list as accepted for your area.
Via razors: I really like Dollar shave club. They deliver to your house, very very good quality, metal handle, I shave my legs probs 3x a week (amongst other things) and change my blade maybe every 6 weeks? The razors don't rust and again, very good quality. Really recommend them over drugstore ones (much cheaper too). They may not be perfect but they're much better than ones from supermarkets!
Would love a video about your vegetarian journey! I feel like I had the same experience when I switched years ago, it's really quite easy. But would love to hear the contrast between your misconceptions and your experience :)
I love that refill stations are becoming more prevalent! I've definitely been enjoying finding local sources for food - farmer's markets, co-op grocery stores, and even a farm-to-home delivery service. need to get on that bank swap....
Late to the party, but I recommend Saffix scrubbies for your dishes. I have a drawer full of dishcloths which do the brunt of the work, a saffix for the annoying bits, and we also bought a dish-brush with replaceable compostable heads for when we are being uber-lazy and just rinsing things! I get my scrubbies and brush heads from Boobalou. They are great and have an ever increasing range of products on their website. They even ship in re-used, recyclable packaging! (I am totally with Craig though - it is a pain in the dairy-areas when one dies and you dont have a replacement!)
Thanks for being a human in this video :). One helpful/ easy habit change is downcycling. For example, we do sometimes end up with takeout containers in life. Those containers become our ice trays and food prep containers until they absolutely cannot go on. Cute? No. But it does live in the sweet spot where lower impact and lower budget meet. Or, like, as much as I wanted to love shampoo bars, so far they all have something in them that doesn't quite work for my hair. So, they become regular soap and/or soap to wash masks with. Just asking "can this have another purpose?" In that moment right before you ask "can I donate this?" can be such a helpful, low-input-from-you shift. On the definitely NOT budget front, I did splurge for a Leaf razor and it is wonderful for my sensitive skin, it swivels, and you can put in three blades if you want. It's super expensive up front but I haven't even made it through the razors it comes with yet (I do shave less often than most though) and it's been a year.
I shave my face as well, but I use an electric face trimmer! it's a little reusable battery operated thing, and I get a fairly clean trim from it, with no irritation or razor rash. Strongly recommend!
Big obstacle eating a low cholesterol low meat diet is food allergies. Discovering I have a Coconut allergy meant throwing away all my Daiya Vegan cheese, shampoo, body wash, conditioner, hand soap, and sunscreen. Took 2 weeks to find coconut free shampoo. Now using Viori shampoo bar but can't use their conditioner, so I use liquid conditioner & body wash (Traditional African Black soap) from Alaiffia that is fair trade and sponsors women's clinics in Africa. Thank you for recognizing personal limitations while encouraging us to do better for the planet - Poe
I bought a cheap safety razor as well, and found the razor blades that came with it were much more irritating than ones I bought afterwards! If interested, try a safety razor blade sampler pack!
On the safety razor front try switching to a different blade. If you go to specialized razor shop they might even have packs you can buy with different sharpnesses etc. Finding the right blade can make a huge difference and I find is more important than the body of the razor.
I know gender is a social construct, but have you looked at eco-friendly razors marketed towards men? Those razors will probably be better for shaving your face.
I read a couple of comments on the razor and have not seen if anyone bring it up yet, because next to the safety razors for men, there is also a product that works like a savety razor but imitates the 'typical lady' razor shape and has multiple blades (by snapping the safety blades in half I believe.) Maybe that could work too. I saw it first on a TH-cam video when I was searching for Tipps on how to use a safety razor. I think they might be called leaf razor? No idea how much they cost though.
About the kitchen sponges your boyfriend panic-bought - you can extend their lifetime a bit: I visited a friend of mine the other day and she told me that when hers get gross, she tosses them in the wash at the highest temperature (in Germany that's usually 90°C). After that they look a bit squishy, but work fine and are clean and ready to use. My friend says she's been doing that for years and, depending on the quality of those sponges, you can wash them 1 to 3 times and expand the lifespan of this disposable product for so much longer!
Hey Leena! Lovely video and I really appreciate your candor and also dedication! One thing I noticed as someone who has spent all summer researching plastics recycling is that recycling your loofa was maybe not the best idea. I am not sure what regulations there are in your part of the country, but putting in items that cannot be recycled into the bin (called wishcycling) can really cause problems! I couldn't quite tell from your video if your comment was just about the state of recycling overall, but wanted to point this out just in case!
I'm in lockdown here in Australia so tomorrow I'm going to the eco store to grab some goodies (I'm normally working during their open hours) . Your last video inspired me, but also thanks for reminding me about the refillable things, you're a gem 💕
You should check out the website Flora and Fauna, they’re an online eco store with just about all the eco goodies you can think of and completely plastic free packaging!
I would love to have a video about your experience with a vegetarian diet! My only real reservation is also seafood/fish, but I’m also kinda overwhelmed about where to start. I feel like this video was so helpful, reasonable, and actionable, and I’d love to see something similar for a vegetarian diet!
I love my brush for doing dishes. It is plastic and from Ikea ): but it will last me possibly forever. If you have trouble getting dried on food off dishes, I'd recommend trying to find a brush that has a flat part on the handle (on mine, it's the little ridge above the bristles) that you can use for scraping.
Thank you for the realistic video, Leena! The trash in a jar thing is bougie, but not accessible to everyone, as pointed out in last week's video. I agree that changes also need to come from the government and companies, but making small changes can hopefully indicate that we are willing to do the switch. We try to make a couple of changes every year, so that once something has become a habit and normalised, making a new change doesn't feel overwhelming. Resolving to not rely on cleaning wipes was one of the goals last year, as well as switching to Who Gives a Crap and switching to loose leaf tea / better sourced coffee. This year we have also moved to Octopus, I'm pretty much converted to reusable period pads and cotton handkerchiefs, and am trying out a reusable cotton swab type thing (which also forces you to be careful with your ears!). These changes feel small at the time, but once you start tallying everything up you see the difference. Our general waste bin is only half full every bin day now, which feels great! We are also renting, so we can't make big changes - just plan for the time we can!
I’m not sure if they sell them in the UK, but check out the company Leaf for a razor. They have a traditional safety razor, but their original razor is designed like a disposable head razor (pivoting head)- you can add up to three blades, the product comes in all recyclable materials, and you can send them the used razor blades to recycle for free. It’s a little pricey, but worth it in the long run.
I am loving literally all of this. In the states, so some of this is a bit unavailable but I'm doing what I can too! And watching you go through your own journey is so uplifting!! I'm thrilled for you! And thank you for introducing Sustainably Vegan as well!! Side note, though - I can eat almost entirely plant based, but I just really enjoy adding occasional meat or fish to dishes! I eat it less frequently, so there is that. A big but simple change I've made are I switched to swedish dish cloths, bamboo/coconut sponges/brushes and hand wash my dishes, which I quite like.
I would love to see a vegetarian video! I’ve been wanting to making the change (I’m currently pescatarian). So a video might be the kick in the butt I need haha
Wash your towels with vinegar and then dry them naturally and they should be softer. The scratchiness is often from a build up of detergent and softener.
We found a good website that does sponges and things that are eco, we're really happy with... most of them. Still lots of things to work on, but generally we're working on the reduce as much as we can. We are also recycling, but right now our focus is to, as far as possible, stop buying anything which would be thrown away/recycled to begin with! It's going... ok. Ish. Thanks for the reminder to get on with finding a better bank.
This was so good leena thank you 😄 I've been on my personal sustainability journey for 5+ years and one thing I've learned is this: swaps really have to work for you! Some things I never looked back on (including shampoo/cleansing/conditioning bars, reusable menstrual products, shopping second hand as much as possible, going vegetarian as much as possible) while other things did NOT work for me at all (the $8 ethically + sustainably manufactured coco pot scrubber that started disintegrating the first time I used it 😒) Ultimately personal choices only take us so far, we need to use our privilege and voting powers to make the big changes needed for our planet 😫✈️❤️
i really really want to move out when i watch your videos 😭😭 but hopefully that will become a reality this summer/autumn when my friends and i hopefully start our vegan apartment collective :)
I'm a former loofa user and I love soap bags. I will never go back to the body wash loofah combo. I'm a solid bar of soap and soap sack girl! I believe mine is from Sisal.
I would love to see a video on being veggie/vegan !! you always provide such an interesting perspective on a wide range of topics and can tell this idea would be the same :)
I recently got a safety razor too and couldn’t figure why the blade wasn’t sticking out as much, then I flipped over the lid so it curves up and the blade sticks right out! If you haven’t, try that before giving up!! As always, great video!! Thanks for the chamomile cleanser reminder! Been meaning to get it for a long time lol!
I often forget all the changes i have made over time. I have gotten so much clothing and furniture even kitchen ware second hand. Stasher bags are my favourite for everything. Period undies and a menstrual cup. I have tirtyl concentrates for my hand soap. Eco dish brush. Buying bamboo bedding and towels when i needed to replace them. When i can afford to shop at bulk stores i do but it can get expensive. I terracycle as much as i can and try to reuse where possible. Definitely not perfect by any means. I do struggle with safety razors too
Babi pur is a great online Welsh shop I use for cleaning products etc. The eco living washing up brush is great - you can recycle the head and replace every few months. Also a coconut 'scourer' is great. Loved this video, can't wait to see more like it! 💚
Yorkshire tea are plastic free, their teabags are compostable! I know they're not perfect but if you are going to buy a supermarket tea they're not the worst. Also they do a loose leaf version too!
Toothpaste: Waken has fluoride, is in aluminium tubes and you can buy it in boots for (I think) £2.50 per tube, been using for a couple of months and so far so good
"why it took me a year to do an eight minute task, i will never know" speaking as someone with adhd i feel SEEN by this.
Right? So hardcore my life. But I’m having to remind myself, time on the schedule does not equal capacity in the brain. Even something that just requires 8 minutes on the schedule.
story of my life, literally!
me trying to book an adhd appointment for the past 2 years...
I love this so much Leena! So realistic, so informative and so interesting to see live in action how easy some things can be and how bloody hard other things can too. Loved collabing with you on the last video, can't wait for our next
leena thinking so far ahead with her videos, not having to wait one year for the update what a genius idea
I agree, such a good idea as it stays fresh in your mind
My leaf razor is the best!! It has a pivoting head and three blades like a disposable razor. It is QUITE the investment, but they have a lifetime guarantee and will replace your busted one (if it were to break). Made the whole zero waste shaving thing much much much better.
See, this is a realistic video! Sometimes when I watch videos on sustainable swaps to make I feel very overwhelmed because I am not perfect and it’s important to remember that we’re not seeking perfection, just a bit better. And when a lot of people are doing something a bit better that’s a lot of change and it will get easier.
The safety razor issue is the blade! It probably came with some cheap sharks or something, pick up Merker or something better. The safety razor experience 100% comes down to the blade
Agree!!! Blades are so important for the best experience. When I first got into it i was using shark. Then i ordered a variety pack of razors and i totally noticed the difference from brand to brand!
100%! I even went from the Astra ones I got with my razor to some Gilette ones and they've made the world of difference! the Astra ones are now reserved for scoring bread dough. Also, I find they do need to be replaced more often than a standard plasticcy razor blade but I store the used razors in a can and will take them to a recycling centre once it's full, and even with these more frequent replacements the cost is still massively better!
+1 for this. The ones they come with are generally pretty horrible. I recommend getting a sample pack of different blades so you try out a range before committing. We've found that the ones that work best for my partner's face aren't the best for legs. Ideally we'd swap blades or have a second handle but I'm lazy so I just put up with a slightly less optimal shave on the rare occasions I actually shave my legs.
I came down here to comment the same thing! It’s definitely the blades and not the handle itself that matter the most. My dad has been using safety razors for agessss (because he’s a bit eccentric) and he says you can actually buy a device that sharpens the blades. I haven’t tried it yet, but I want to
You are also meant to change the blade more frequently. A single blade needs to be really sharp whereas multiple blades can get away with being less sharp. You can recycle the blades too if you fill up a sealed tin with them. (Really important the tin is sealed)
I‘ve got quite a heavy period and switched years and years ago to a menstrual cup plus washable menstrual pads and never once looked back. I find them soooo comfy in comparison. Lovely breathable cotton quality near my crotch instead of sticky plastic. I just can encourage every menstruating person who didn’t try yet to just do it. Thinking of all the rubbish I avoided producing through that change is such a relief.
My menstrual cup has made my period experience so much better!
Totally agree on menstrual cups! I’ve been using mine for three years now and saves so much money and waste. Plus you never run out!
I've been a vegetarian for 10 years now, but I'm not too strict on situations where I don't have other options (for example traveling or at a party when I have forgot to mention that I am a vegetarian). I also have swapped to vegan options where I can so nowadays I rarely eat animal products at home. You'll find your balance, I'm sure :) Despite being a hot potato topic, I would love to see you do a food series! I think you have a lot of positive influence in people that might not otherwise bump into vegan/vegetarian topics on the internet. Love your content
The meat and dairy industry have spent a lot of money to make us think that "being strict" on vegetarianism and veganism is a bad thing, but standing up against oppression is something to embrace and celebrate. Just as we are strict on ourselves with being anti-racist, anti-homophobic, anti-misogyny, or against any other form of oppression. The planet, the animals, and the traumatised slaughterhouse workers are all heavily relying on us to make the right choices every single day and to stand up for them at every opportunity.
@@iKiffers sometimes people can't be as strict as they'd like. if i'm out anywhere for a long time with no options i'm not gonna starve, i'm gonna eat what is already there.
It's important to be as strict as possible when buying, but if the food has already been bought and you need to eat then it's not the end of the world.
@@iKiffers Well personally I believe being too strict can indeed be a bad thing. Food is one of our most basic physical needs and what we eat directly affects our health so it's a lot more complicated than the forms of oppression you mentioned. For some people it takes some time and trial and error to work out how to have a balanced with a major change like that. Others already have a hard enough time working around food allergies, intolerances and digestive issues and don't have the ability or energy top make it any harder for themselves. Some people have problems with disordered eating and putting strict rules on themselves concerning food can be really triggering. Expecting people to always be 100% vegan at all times is really asking a lot and I doubt it does much good in convincing the people who aren't vegan or vegetarian already to rethink their diets.
Exactly like me. Vegan as a preference not a rule
I’ve learned to crochet this year, and I’ve ALSO found a place to buy recycled cotton yarn and so everyone in my family is getting dish scrubbies this year for the holidays. They can be thrown in the washing machine, don’t create micro plastics, and won’t mold - and they look hella cute if I do say so myself
They're a great thing to make when you're learning to knit too
Cotton scrubbies are so so easy to crochet or knit! They're the best!
Omg where do you buy recycled cotton yarn?? I'm a crocheter too and I love making those scrubbies, it would be even better with recycled yarn!
Just a fair warning: those wooden body scrubbers mold extremely easily and then you have to throw them out because there's no way to remove the mold from within the wood. You need to keep them very dry as much as possible. (I've gone through more than one, and I no longer buy them now. I have a silicone body scrubber that I love)
It's the same with bamboo toothbrushes - you have to dry them with a towel after each use so I'd guess you could do the same with the body scrubbers? like don't immerse them in water/under the shower and dry with a towel after you're finished with it maybe?
A better option can be a dry body brush, use it before you shower so it doesn't get wet.
@@powderandpaint14 I like doing this too, a little lymphatic massage before a shower feels nice. ☺️
Or just a cotton washcloth or "glove"! (I'm told the glove is a french thing but idk). You can throw them in the laundry, they last forever, and you could probably make a bunch out of an old towel too.
Treat your wood handles with a Murphy's Oil soap wash and linseed oil a few times a year to prevent moisture damage and mold.
Ty for the subtitles, the future is accessible!!
“Exfoliating towels”… that is frickin’ hilarious!! I love the positive twist on ‘re-use what you have and make it work’. Now that you mention it… we have “exfoliating towels” too. 🌎🌀Ⓜ️ary
I think a thing to keep in mind is that while total sustainability is wonderful, everyone doing some sustainable things is much better than a few people doing perfect. I love Shelbizzle's (on youtube, not sure about the spelling) quote "You can not do all the good the world needs but the world needs all the good that you can do" as a philosophy for sustainability.
would like to hear about caring for thinning hair
I second this!
Yes please!!
Love that Leena is bringing us the instant gratification here and not making us wait a year!
I would love to see a going vegetarian vid
Cloth napkins and washcloths over paper towels has been so much easier than we expected. Done it for 6 years now, wouldn't ever go back.
Hey Leena 🌱 Leaf Shave does a safety razor in the style of a more modern one! You split a blade in half to make two and the head is flexible. Gittemary Johansen gives them a good review.
i have one and i love it too!! It's basically a regular plastic razor with 3 blades, but you just replace the blades themselves rather than the whole head! The safety razors are very intimidating, but this other type they sell is fantastic!
Please consider a video series on food!
- Thoughts on vegetarianism whilst cooking your best 'convince avid meat eaters that vegetarianism isn't all that bad'
- Thoughts on veganism (as above)
- Reflections on cowspiracy and/or seaspiracy
I'm changing my bank after the video on Friday. I just went with the bank my dad had and never really thought about it before. Feels silly really, it's been years I've been considering where I SPEND my money, but not where I KEEP it 😅
Love this! Thanks for sharing and being honest :) Would love to see a video about being an aspiring vegan - I felt that similar "oh wow it's actually fine" feeling once I properly started boycotting the dairy industry. I also found rephrasing "cutting down on cheese" to "boycotting the dairy industry" really helpful as it's a reminder that it's not like some other diet or health choice, but is a really powerful action we can take as part of a global movement to bring about change, relieve the suffering of mothers, and tell some of the worst culprits of greenhouse gas emissions that enough is enough.
Very happy to hear The Body Shop has brought back doing refills - they used to do it all the time until they got bought by The Company That Shall Not Be Named (well, one of them).
I'm at that point in life where I am a broke uni student trying to save every cent, so a lot of swaps aren't realistic, things I do are buy most of my clothes second hand from charity shops or market places (I recommend knowing your size and a bit of sewing), buying fruit and veg from the market or local store, usually cheaper here. I use TooGoodToGo a lot here, lots of places use it correctly to fight food waste and because I have plenty of roommates even when its something I cant eat it gets eaten. Also just general creativity, I reuse a lot, I used some plastic sauce containers for my latest watercolour pallete for example.
One of my biggest struggles is fast fashion from primark because bra sizes arent great in Spain and they actually do my size even if they dont last as long and having furniture from IKEA. Not too many places deliver furniture here and those that do cost so much more its just not doable for me, but I dont think Ive ever thrown out any ikea furniture. My bookshelves isn't even made any more and I love it!
I have a green energy company but can't leave my bank cause mortgage.
I'd live to go vegetarian later in life and improve the windows on nu super old house to reduce heating cost (not that we heat very often at all but that in itself is a problem too)
hi! another spain student pal hereee let my tell you some things i learn trying to be as low waste as possible in my first year of college:sometimes swaps are not needed because lot of stuff u don't actually need r can go with what u have example:bambu cuttlery-take some from the kitchen and keep it in your bags and bring vegetarian and vegan actually saves you much money,meat is so expensive. I did go vegan for the animals but definitely save me tons of money the only i will say you be creative and try new ways to cook vegetables and other foods🤗
@@victoria02215 Yeah, I do that with the cutlery, I have metal chopsticks that I keep in my bag in case I have to stay late at uni and eat so as to not need plastic cutlery as well! I tried being mostly vegetarian/vegan but unfortunately for me my health didn't really agree (I ate variety and kept track however I'm on quite medication on the best of times so it's definitely a me thing as a pose to everybody). Also big cities have shared bikes which are amazing for the environment and my wallet! (Like Valenbici, saforbici, etc)
One thing I discovered for washing dishes: silicone sponges. You can microwave them to kill bacteria and they are reusable for the longest time. Sure they're plastic but they work best for me. I've had mine for over a year and it's still like brand new.
I always find it fascinating how, in different countries, some things are super accessible and others not and then vice versa. For instance in Germany, nobody I know ever used single use razors (except maybe vacation), but then again, if you aren't in an urban area, it's super hard to find refillable anythings. I love your positive panic series!
Going zero waste and environmentally friendly has been a real struggle for me, it used to be easier when I lived in Australia, there heaps of accesible options and good quality stuff, but since moving back to my home country (Colombia) I have found that doing environmentally friendly things is a real struggle.
So I try to buy most veggies from local farmers, bringing fabric bags when I shop so I don’t have to use it plastic ones, and try and be conscious of the packaging of stuff I buy…
But the real struggle is trying to convince the people I live with to do it with me 😭.
Yes please to all of the offered videos!
I tried vegetarianism last year, but living with my stubbornly-carnivorous family just made it impossible. When I'm finally able to move out, I'm looking forward to cutting the meat in my diet right back and mostly buying it from small butchers instead of the supermarkets (and doing the same with other groceries where possible.)
beeswax food wraps are so much easier than fighting with the cling film every day. and they come in pretty patterns! also cheaper in the long run
Better to go for something which doesn't require bee farming as this messes with local ecosystems. Mass breeding of honeybees affects the populations of other competing nectar-foraging insects, including other bees. Overwhelmed by the quantities of farmed bees, the numbers of native bumblebees declines. The beekeepers also clip the wings of the queen bee so she cannot leave the colony which we don't love.
@@iKiffers There are vegan alternatives to the beeswax wraps available :)
@@iKiffers ooooh thank you for this - hadn’t thought of that
If you are a crocheter or knitter and happen to have some cotton yarn around you can make your own cleaning scrubies. I made a few to use on my face and realised they were too harsh so I use them for dishes/clean the surfaces. Then pop them in the washing machine when they need cleaning.
this is such an interesting update, as I'm 20 I still live with my parents, we currently do some things good for the environment such that we have a water tank, solar panels and don't own a clothes dryer so hang out clothes to dry.
yet when I move out I want to do many more things. this is really inspiring
I have yet to test this - but apparently towels become crusty because of excess laundry detergent/oils and you can make them fluffy again using vinegar.
As far as I know it's because of the calcium carbonate in the water, but that's also removable with vinegar
Vinegar added to the wash has helped considerably with my towel softness. Doesn't do anything for them becoming ratty and falling apart though. But as long as I can still dry my body with them, I'm going to keep using them! lol
Also add a tennis ball in the wash it will soften your clothes
@@VonnieBeGood if you can sew you can often extend their lifetime by binding the edges that have become ratty with scraps of other fabrics!
I've heard that towels become harder when air dryed in the sun.
I air dry on my balcony so they get a fair share of shade and sun exposure so I can't verify that hear say ^^
I'd recommend a natural loofah for dishes. You can tie a ribbon on it and hang it to dry out so it doesn't get mouldy. They kinda break down over time but they can be chucked in your compost when they're no longer useable 😊
Thanks for making these videos! It's so easy to get complacent and find it overwhelming to switch to low/zero waste, especially when you're trying to do too much at once. I've made a note of things I can start with and now that I have a starting point, I feel like I can actually make some changes :)
The change in electricity supplier is something that I’d never really thought about. Where I live there is only one company that supplies power (the alternative is to buy solar panels which isn’t advisable for renters). It’s also unfortunate that it’s a largely coal-based operation with little pressure from local and federal government to change to something sustainable. They are working on it, but not within the near future.
Also, the bank change was quite interesting! While I have changed banks because I was unhappy with the service, I found it was a hollow move because they recommended that you don’t close any account that contributes to your credit score. I’m glad you addressed that changing banks in your twenties is not always a possibility. It makes me wonder if there is a way to choose a bank ethically/eco-consciously - again based on the choices I have in my area.
You can open accounts online. I bank at Aspiration and have had no problem with the online system. Not sure about you, but I don't really use ATMs, so that's not a problem for me. Although, I think they have partner ATMs or something, I don't remember. There is also Beneficial Bank which is a certified B Corp - another ethical/ sustainable online option. You can look into those and see if they would be right for you. However, I have found it to be a little tricky to have a bunch of different accounts at different banks. I still have a checking account at my original bank because I still have checks for that account and I just can't stand the idea of rendering them useless because checks cost money to order. Anyway, it can be tricky juggling what account your paycheck goes through and changing all your autopay/ saved bank account to the new bank.
@@sophiaazevedo4013 Thanks for the suggestions! I'm from Canada, so I don't have those options available to me, but I'll definitely keep my eye out for other options. And I agree, it's very tricky having multiple accounts with multiple banks.
I can highly recommend biodegradable kitchen sponges from Seep - we've had ours for ages, and you can just wash them in the washing machine every so often. I bought a pack 6+ months ago and they are still all going strong- I just rotate around them so they can get washed every so often.
If you wash your towels with white vinegar it will make them super soft and fluffy again. If they are super old it may take a few vinegar washes to get them back to perfect but it's a super great way to maintain towels and increase their longevity. The channel 'Clean my space' just did a really good video about how to care for towels and they go into more detail about the vinegar wash. Also with the safety razor in case you weren't aware you need to shave with the direction of the hair rather then against the direction of the hair. For me it made the biggest difference with the razor burn, but it does definitely take a while to adjust.
Have you considered trying the leaf razor? All the sustainable features of a safety razor and the three blades and pivoting head of a disposable razor! They are a bit costly upfront, but I am loving mine!
Yes there's so much leaf love in the comments! Really good to hear, I might bite the bullet and try it, especially as I already have the blades
Thank you for normalising taking care of facial hair, as a woman with PCOS I’m very self conscious of mine but really felt seen with your casual mentions of shaving it, makes me feel like I don’t have to be so ashamed of it, thank you 🙏
I think the best dish cloths/scrubbies are hand knit cotton, but I suspect there are crochet patterns out there too if that's more up your alley.
We've been using loofahs as sponges - at the moment we can get a few from Wilko and we cut them up to an acceptable kitchen sponge size
For scrubbies, we use cloths made from cut up old towels (overlocked). We also use a plastic brush which is less than ideal
I love Estrid razors and definitely recommend them- you can send back your blades, they use fully recyclable packaging and are very affordable! They also periodically send you new blades via subscription and the handle/holder should last forever if you look after it ♥️
Thank you for addressing bluntness and safety razors!!!! Literally I don’t know how people can use 1 blade a year etc
Love this Leena! Honestly Triodos is so great, I've been with them a few years with a savings and current account and all their services work great for me. Even if something goes wrong their customer service team is INCREDIBLE - always so friendly and patient, and they all have lovely voices too! :D
I have to shave my face as well, and after checking out the different options I saved up for the Leaf razor. I was so worried it wouldn’t work because that would be a lot of money down the drain - and I was unemployed at the time, so that was legit a panic inducing thought - but it has been worth every penny (the blades last quite long even though I use it daily, and I’ve had NO razor burn or rashes for the first time in literal years!) and while the initial price definitely makes it socially unsustainable, at least the recoup time is only a couple of years.
This is what I did as well! It's an investment, but it pays for itself in a year or two because the blades are sooo much cheaper. It works just as well, if not better, than the disposable ones I was using previously!
Going vegetarian ended up a bit of a non-starter for me a complex combo of disordered eating and being low-iron so I eventually gave up for my mental and physical heath. BUT giving up milk and cutting down on (not totally eliminating) cheese was surprisingly easy! Talk to fellow vegans in your local area to find which pizza cheese actually melts properly is half the battle tbh.
My menstrual cup I orderd came in today. This video came right on time.
I’m sure Leena knows this but hair thinning is super common with PCOS. So getting labs checked may be a good thing to do. As worsening symptoms might be a sign of other problems. If it is, maybe try some supplements? If it’s not then great nothing to worry about. Because if it is a medical problem just focusing on external factors (shampoos, hair ties etc) may not be enough. (I’m not saying that people are negligent, but these issues are often overlooked esp. with PCOS.) :/
For the dishes, the Japanese sponges with recycled socks ! Wonderful. And a Brush of course. I am french and I love your videos
If you’re looking for places which sell plastic free things (rather than having to go in person), these are some good online ones:
Plastic freedom
Life before plastic
Peace with the wild
Hope this helps and loved seeing your progress 😊
I found trying a different blade brand completely changed my experience with what looks like the same safety razor.
We use smol for washing - it works really well!
Curious to your green/eco-friendly period options if you do fall into that bracket
For your razor issue, I use albatross, they make nice safety razors, use no plastic packaging, and have really cheap replacement razors. On top of that, you can send in the used blades and they reuse the steel!! Good luck on your zero waste journey 🌿
Re body scrubbers and dish washing. I just use a washcloth, I think you call them flannels in England. They're washable, which is better because then you're using a clean thing to clean with. I used to just buy packs of washcloths from IKEA but now I make mine from salvaged flannel scraps. When I need to really scrub a dish a wood or plastic scraper + a crochet jute scrubber or a scrap of burlap works well. I have access to burlap from a local coffee roaster. The beans come in huge burlap sacks and 1 lasts for like a year.
My favourite thing to use for dishes is a crocheted little circular dish scrubber. We used to get them made from onion bags but honestly my favourite ones are just ones made of yarn. I've had the one for 4 years now and I just toss it in the laundry with all my other towels etc and never looked back (except for the time it got lost in the rim of my washing machine and I had to panic buy a sponge).
Also - would you ever be willing to make a video about what you are doing for your hair? You mentioned it in passing and I feel like it might be very informative.
Thanks for the video~ ❤️
I've seen crocheted loofahs on etsy that are machine washable! I just use washcloths, which also work. Gonna add my name to the list of people who love the leaf razor, which has multiple blades and a moveable head so it's the closest to my old plastic razors; I rarely cut myself. You also might want to try buying a different brand of razor blade - my bf found that the ones that came with his regular safety razor sucked. He likes the Astra blades though. Loved getting to see this update so soon! You're doing so well!
Some tips for using a safety razor:
1. New blade most/every time. I find a fresh blade works miracles for how smooth and easy it is. A pack of 100 blades cost me 10 bucks, I stick them in a tin (washed) after being used, and the metal can be recycled. I do a whole body shave 2x per week (legs, arms, area, pits, lady side burns) and I'm still on my first box 2 years in. I find it's helped reduce acne and razor bumps by a ton, as the fresh blade reduces irritation and prevents build up of bacteria.
2. Use shaving cream or very soft soap, but not conditioner. I use Dove bars. Anything more rough and it doesn't glide (cuts, irritation), anything more smooth and I end up with many little cuts (red dots).
3. Exfoliate before shaving (ideally day before, even a washcloth if your face isn't too sensitive).
4. Use gravity not pressure. A fresh blade and the right angle (varies a bit per razor) mean you can just trust the weight of the razor, don't push it against your skin.
5. You might like a toner of sorts for when you cut yourself. I use a salt block to heal them quick and reduce areas of irritation (same one used for natural deodorant, one of it's main purpose is actually in men's shaving - I just use it for cuts). My face one also works nicely (just a general one meant to calm irritation vs. for acne).
5. Uncertain if related, but I use almond oil to soften my skin after showering/shaving (while still damp) and this has helped a ton with leg irritation and general soft skin.
I have coarse hair and sensitive, acne prone, rash prone skin, and this is what works for me.
it's really encouraging to see someone be honest about the ways that they have to change low waste alternatives for themself, it makes it seem more achievable
my only concern would be putting the old body wash pouf thingy in the recycling. It's called aspirational recycling - and could be really contaminating your recycling. If you can't find anywhere that will recycle it - then throw it out!
Yes, unfortunately if you put something in the kerbside recycling that can't be recycled it can mean that the whole lot gets rejected! Better to just put things there that are on the list as accepted for your area.
Via razors: I really like Dollar shave club. They deliver to your house, very very good quality, metal handle, I shave my legs probs 3x a week (amongst other things) and change my blade maybe every 6 weeks? The razors don't rust and again, very good quality. Really recommend them over drugstore ones (much cheaper too). They may not be perfect but they're much better than ones from supermarkets!
Would love a video about your vegetarian journey! I feel like I had the same experience when I switched years ago, it's really quite easy. But would love to hear the contrast between your misconceptions and your experience :)
I love that refill stations are becoming more prevalent! I've definitely been enjoying finding local sources for food - farmer's markets, co-op grocery stores, and even a farm-to-home delivery service. need to get on that bank swap....
Late to the party, but I recommend Saffix scrubbies for your dishes. I have a drawer full of dishcloths which do the brunt of the work, a saffix for the annoying bits, and we also bought a dish-brush with replaceable compostable heads for when we are being uber-lazy and just rinsing things!
I get my scrubbies and brush heads from Boobalou. They are great and have an ever increasing range of products on their website. They even ship in re-used, recyclable packaging!
(I am totally with Craig though - it is a pain in the dairy-areas when one dies and you dont have a replacement!)
Thanks for being a human in this video :). One helpful/ easy habit change is downcycling. For example, we do sometimes end up with takeout containers in life. Those containers become our ice trays and food prep containers until they absolutely cannot go on. Cute? No. But it does live in the sweet spot where lower impact and lower budget meet. Or, like, as much as I wanted to love shampoo bars, so far they all have something in them that doesn't quite work for my hair. So, they become regular soap and/or soap to wash masks with. Just asking "can this have another purpose?" In that moment right before you ask "can I donate this?" can be such a helpful, low-input-from-you shift.
On the definitely NOT budget front, I did splurge for a Leaf razor and it is wonderful for my sensitive skin, it swivels, and you can put in three blades if you want. It's super expensive up front but I haven't even made it through the razors it comes with yet (I do shave less often than most though) and it's been a year.
I shave my face as well, but I use an electric face trimmer! it's a little reusable battery operated thing, and I get a fairly clean trim from it, with no irritation or razor rash. Strongly recommend!
Big obstacle eating a low cholesterol low meat diet is food allergies. Discovering I have a Coconut allergy meant throwing away all my Daiya Vegan cheese, shampoo, body wash, conditioner, hand soap, and sunscreen. Took 2 weeks to find coconut free shampoo. Now using Viori shampoo bar but can't use their conditioner, so I use liquid conditioner & body wash (Traditional African Black soap) from Alaiffia that is fair trade and sponsors women's clinics in Africa.
Thank you for recognizing personal limitations while encouraging us to do better for the planet - Poe
I bought a cheap safety razor as well, and found the razor blades that came with it were much more irritating than ones I bought afterwards! If interested, try a safety razor blade sampler pack!
On the safety razor front try switching to a different blade. If you go to specialized razor shop they might even have packs you can buy with different sharpnesses etc. Finding the right blade can make a huge difference and I find is more important than the body of the razor.
I know gender is a social construct, but have you looked at eco-friendly razors marketed towards men? Those razors will probably be better for shaving your face.
I read a couple of comments on the razor and have not seen if anyone bring it up yet, because next to the safety razors for men, there is also a product that works like a savety razor but imitates the 'typical lady' razor shape and has multiple blades (by snapping the safety blades in half I believe.) Maybe that could work too. I saw it first on a TH-cam video when I was searching for Tipps on how to use a safety razor. I think they might be called leaf razor? No idea how much they cost though.
@@cyomoon they are sooo expensive. I bought the normal safety one and it works fine but i shaved with the cheapest disposable mens razors before so.
Leaf razors are great! Yes, they are expensive, but safety razors didn‘t work for me.
About the kitchen sponges your boyfriend panic-bought - you can extend their lifetime a bit: I visited a friend of mine the other day and she told me that when hers get gross, she tosses them in the wash at the highest temperature (in Germany that's usually 90°C). After that they look a bit squishy, but work fine and are clean and ready to use. My friend says she's been doing that for years and, depending on the quality of those sponges, you can wash them 1 to 3 times and expand the lifespan of this disposable product for so much longer!
Fab video Leena - I need to look at making some of my swaps more consistent! I dip in and out all the time 😬
Hey Leena! Lovely video and I really appreciate your candor and also dedication! One thing I noticed as someone who has spent all summer researching plastics recycling is that recycling your loofa was maybe not the best idea. I am not sure what regulations there are in your part of the country, but putting in items that cannot be recycled into the bin (called wishcycling) can really cause problems! I couldn't quite tell from your video if your comment was just about the state of recycling overall, but wanted to point this out just in case!
I love the bo burnham singing! I also have that song stuck in my head
I just want to add: keep your body brush as dry as possible. It won't mold so fast.
I'm in lockdown here in Australia so tomorrow I'm going to the eco store to grab some goodies (I'm normally working during their open hours) . Your last video inspired me, but also thanks for reminding me about the refillable things, you're a gem 💕
Hello from another aussie in lockdown! hope youre doing okay
You should check out the website Flora and Fauna, they’re an online eco store with just about all the eco goodies you can think of and completely plastic free packaging!
@@addlzp2009 their recycling program is soooooo good! i love flora & fauna
I would love to have a video about your experience with a vegetarian diet! My only real reservation is also seafood/fish, but I’m also kinda overwhelmed about where to start. I feel like this video was so helpful, reasonable, and actionable, and I’d love to see something similar for a vegetarian diet!
I love my brush for doing dishes. It is plastic and from Ikea ): but it will last me possibly forever. If you have trouble getting dried on food off dishes, I'd recommend trying to find a brush that has a flat part on the handle (on mine, it's the little ridge above the bristles) that you can use for scraping.
Yeah, razor rash is a bummer--glad you had another option to hand! :)
Thank you for the realistic video, Leena! The trash in a jar thing is bougie, but not accessible to everyone, as pointed out in last week's video. I agree that changes also need to come from the government and companies, but making small changes can hopefully indicate that we are willing to do the switch.
We try to make a couple of changes every year, so that once something has become a habit and normalised, making a new change doesn't feel overwhelming. Resolving to not rely on cleaning wipes was one of the goals last year, as well as switching to Who Gives a Crap and switching to loose leaf tea / better sourced coffee. This year we have also moved to Octopus, I'm pretty much converted to reusable period pads and cotton handkerchiefs, and am trying out a reusable cotton swab type thing (which also forces you to be careful with your ears!). These changes feel small at the time, but once you start tallying everything up you see the difference. Our general waste bin is only half full every bin day now, which feels great! We are also renting, so we can't make big changes - just plan for the time we can!
I’m not sure if they sell them in the UK, but check out the company Leaf for a razor. They have a traditional safety razor, but their original razor is designed like a disposable head razor (pivoting head)- you can add up to three blades, the product comes in all recyclable materials, and you can send them the used razor blades to recycle for free. It’s a little pricey, but worth it in the long run.
I am loving literally all of this. In the states, so some of this is a bit unavailable but I'm doing what I can too! And watching you go through your own journey is so uplifting!! I'm thrilled for you! And thank you for introducing Sustainably Vegan as well!!
Side note, though - I can eat almost entirely plant based, but I just really enjoy adding occasional meat or fish to dishes! I eat it less frequently, so there is that. A big but simple change I've made are I switched to swedish dish cloths, bamboo/coconut sponges/brushes and hand wash my dishes, which I quite like.
I would love to see a vegetarian video! I’ve been wanting to making the change (I’m currently pescatarian). So a video might be the kick in the butt I need haha
Wash your towels with vinegar and then dry them naturally and they should be softer. The scratchiness is often from a build up of detergent and softener.
We found a good website that does sponges and things that are eco, we're really happy with... most of them. Still lots of things to work on, but generally we're working on the reduce as much as we can. We are also recycling, but right now our focus is to, as far as possible, stop buying anything which would be thrown away/recycled to begin with! It's going... ok. Ish.
Thanks for the reminder to get on with finding a better bank.
This was so good leena thank you 😄 I've been on my personal sustainability journey for 5+ years and one thing I've learned is this: swaps really have to work for you! Some things I never looked back on (including shampoo/cleansing/conditioning bars, reusable menstrual products, shopping second hand as much as possible, going vegetarian as much as possible) while other things did NOT work for me at all (the $8 ethically + sustainably manufactured coco pot scrubber that started disintegrating the first time I used it 😒)
Ultimately personal choices only take us so far, we need to use our privilege and voting powers to make the big changes needed for our planet 😫✈️❤️
Always appreciate your candour!
i really really want to move out when i watch your videos 😭😭 but hopefully that will become a reality this summer/autumn when my friends and i hopefully start our vegan apartment collective :)
Try old terry towels for scrubbing dishes. Small squares. Boil them daily.
I had to stop with the "safety" razor because I have neurological twitches and blood clotting issues. Nearly bled to death. 😂
I'm a former loofa user and I love soap bags. I will never go back to the body wash loofah combo. I'm a solid bar of soap and soap sack girl! I believe mine is from Sisal.
I would love to see a video on being veggie/vegan !! you always provide such an interesting perspective on a wide range of topics and can tell this idea would be the same :)
also a video of the intersections of being veggie and the climate crisis?
I recently got a safety razor too and couldn’t figure why the blade wasn’t sticking out as much, then I flipped over the lid so it curves up and the blade sticks right out! If you haven’t, try that before giving up!! As always, great video!! Thanks for the chamomile cleanser reminder! Been meaning to get it for a long time lol!
I often forget all the changes i have made over time. I have gotten so much clothing and furniture even kitchen ware second hand. Stasher bags are my favourite for everything. Period undies and a menstrual cup. I have tirtyl concentrates for my hand soap. Eco dish brush. Buying bamboo bedding and towels when i needed to replace them. When i can afford to shop at bulk stores i do but it can get expensive. I terracycle as much as i can and try to reuse where possible. Definitely not perfect by any means. I do struggle with safety razors too
Yorkshire tea is part of the ethical tea partnership and are actually using compostable bags now! They also do a loose leaf version :)
Babi pur is a great online Welsh shop I use for cleaning products etc. The eco living washing up brush is great - you can recycle the head and replace every few months. Also a coconut 'scourer' is great.
Loved this video, can't wait to see more like it! 💚
Loving all the references to Bo Burnham’s Inside 😂 I remember one in another video haha. Such a bloody masterpiece 🤓
I would suggest the Leaf safety razor! It feels much more like a normal razor, and can have multiple blades as well!
Yorkshire tea are plastic free, their teabags are compostable! I know they're not perfect but if you are going to buy a supermarket tea they're not the worst. Also they do a loose leaf version too!
Toothpaste: Waken has fluoride, is in aluminium tubes and you can buy it in boots for (I think) £2.50 per tube, been using for a couple of months and so far so good
Great video Leena, I also really appreciated the Bo Burnham reference!