Earth Hour 2011

Are you taking part? At 8:30pm tonight local time I will be switching off all lights and electrical equipment for 1 hour.

Earth hour started in Sydney in 2007 when 2.2million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for 1 hour to take a stand against climate change. In 2010 a record 128 territories and countries joined the global display of climate action. To read more about Earth Hour and to sign up to say that you will be taking part you can visit the WWF website here.

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami

I felt it was only right to post a little something about the events that have occurred over the last 24 hours in Japan.

My heart felt thoughts go out to all of those affected, the scenes unfolding on the news have been horrific to watch so I cant even begin to imagine what the people of Japan have been going through. I am sure there will be many prayers said all over the globe tonight for them.

It really does make you realise how precious life is and how vulnerable we all are. Its sad that it takes a catastrophe to put things into perspective, we should cherish life and take the time to take it all in. Its easy to get caught up in the throws of 'life' but we are all only here for a short time, some shorter than others, out of our control.

Please spend a little time to have a thought/prayer for those in need tonight. Humanity can be a wonderful thing......I hope they are all safe tonight.

Oh dear

Is it really that long since we blogged here at TLBG :( We promise we haven't forgotten about you all, but I guess life has just kinda got in the way.

We haven't slacked off in the attempt to be a little bit greener, there has just not been anything too exciting to blog about. I am still using my re usable clothes for cleaning and still using ecover cleaning products. Can anyone suggest a good replacement for bleach, I try not to use it that often but sometime nothing but bleach will cut it.

Well that's it for now, hopefully we will be back soon with some new topics.

Take care and stay that little bit greener.

Emma & Rachel x

I'm loving right now!!

I'm really loving this creamy body wash from Weleda, not only is it a pH balanced wash but its also an Eco friendly product. I came across Weleda earlier in the year and I have to say this Pomegranate body wash is lovely. When I first read the blurb on the back it stated that it invigorates the senses, I did the normal thing of thinking yeah OK it smells nice, but when I used it in the shower it reminded me of Summer, fruit flavoured cocktails and ginger beer. Now I know that sounds strange but those are some of my favorite things about Summer. And for the most important bit it made my skin very soft and C even said when we got into bed later that I 'smelled like fruit' I'm taking that as a compliment :D It is a little more expensive than the body wash I normally use but I can tell the difference so you do get what you pay for. I'd buy it for the smell alone.

I'm very eager to try some more of their products and like the fact that they also do a cleansing and toning range. Oh I must not forget to add that this product is suitable for Vegans too.

They have a great range of gifts too for Christmas, hint hint Chris!!!

Eating this chocolate saves trees

Do you remember back in June'ish when Rachel and I set about organising a 'Green' themed swap? Quite a few of you took part and there were some fantastic parcels exchanged. My partner in the swap was the lovely Jane from over at Hooked Yarn, she sent me the most lovely things in my parcel. Amongst all the goodies she sent me there was a bar of Organic Meltdown Hazelnuts and currants Chocolate (did I mention that it is also fair trade chocolate). Ashamedly it took way less time for me to gobble down the chocolate than it did for me to actually getting round to writing this post. The main thing is that I am doing it now :D

On the front of the bar it quotes "Eating this chocolate saves trees", intrigued? I was.....so after eating the chocolate I read the inside of the wrapper. Inside it stated that if you went to their website which is in partnership with the World Land Trust and enter your code you could track the tree that you saved by buying the chocolate.

So this morning off I went to www.organicmeltdown.com and registered my details and code. I watch two very sad video clips of the rainforest's in Ecuador and found on google maps where my tree is. It is situated near Rio Chico which is in between Ambato and Puyo. The proceeds from the chocolate bar are donated to the World Land Trust so technically both Jane and I saved the tree together.

Their goal is to save 5 million trees in Ecuador by 2012, that's a lot of chocolate bars. I'm sure I can help a little by eating a few more ;) Their website is definitely worth checking out, there is a lot of information on the World Land Trust and the work they do, including working with the Happy Charitable Trust, the rainforest's in general and all the beautiful plants and animals that reside there.

UK Dumping its e-waste on Africa???

Taken from http://www.recycle.co.uk/:

"Recent evidence indicates that large amount of e-waste, which is the term for obsolete or broken down electronic equipment, is being taken from the United Kingdom and dumped in countries all over Africa. Ghana and Nigeria are two countries in particular that have reported large amounts of e-waste being shipped illegally from the United Kingdom. The government of the UK says that the surging amounts of waste make it extremely difficult to regulate, and that many businesses think that they are dealing with legitimate waste disposal companies."

You can read the full article here.

Just posted today:

"Environmental watchdogs have halted an illegal shipment of waste headed for West Africa. Leaving from Scotland, the Environmental Agency managed to halt the shipment of thousands of old televisions and tyres that were being illegally sent to Western Africa. According to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) its inspectors were able to stop four containers from being shipped to Nigeria and Ghana after a tip-off was received."

You can read the full article here.

Is this really what the world has come to, dumping its waste on other countries....countries who have enough poverty and suffering without having this! I have never heard of this before and had no idea that it was going on, I do have to admit that I have been naive enough to not ever question what really happens to e-waste before, I think I've just always presumed that we recycled what we could???? It saddens me to think that we care so less for our world to treat it like a huge rubbish dump.

I promise....

....we haven't forgotten about you all out there. Things have been p-r-e-t-t-y busy for both me and Rachel lately. Rachel, as its been the summer holidays for her two boys and me for all reasons linked to my little area of craftiness.

We have a list of topics that we will be writing about soon so I hope you're hanging in there.

Something that I tried this year that I haven't before was venturing out to the garden centres to pick up some vegetable plants. A) to save some money and B) the fact that I would def not be spraying all sorts of horrible things on them.

We bought tomatoes, peppers, strawberries and lots of herbs. I thought I'd start out quite small as I'm not the most green fingered person it has to be said. The tomatoes have grown in droves which is great because I LOVE cherry tomatoes as so did the strawberries which have all gone now for this year but they certainly were tasty. The pepper plant sadly I have to say was not a success.....we'll there was bound to be a casualty. I have come to the conclusion that the snails ate it as I never caught them at the crime. They started with the one and only pepper then finished off all the leaves too. If it survives I will be taking it into the house to see how it grows.

Normally our garden is kept quite neat and tidy but due to lack of time of late it has become quite overgrown and 'natural' ;) which has been great as we've had lots of birds visiting, happily munching on the stale bread and bird feeders that we've put up. The hedgehogs are back again, much to my delight, the second the security light pops on in the back garden I know shes there. We even have a birds nest in the tree at the bottom of the garden which I stumbled upon whilst picking blackberries. I was quite surprised how big the blackberry bush had grown at the bottom of the garden, in past years I've kept cutting it right back to keep it tidy but this year I've let it grow. I have picked so many tubs this year, I've frozen some and given lots away to friends and family. And I nearly fell over when I saw in Tesco's they were selling them for £3 a punnet and not a very big one at that!!

Next year I'd love to try growing my own potatoes in bags there are lots of places that sell these and some great tutorials on Youtube.

Do you grow your own veg or do you have any tips or advice for anyone wanting to try it? I'm still a novice at it all and would love to know how you keep those pesky snails at bay. We'd love to hear what you've been up to this summer.....and any 'green' activities you've been keeping up.

Earth Hour and a BIG FAT apology

Well hello there, Emma here and its most definitely long time no see. For that I do apologise and I hope that you hadn't given up on me. Are you still out there TLBGreeners?

OK straight to it....the BIG FAT apology goes out to Rachel my TLBG buddy. I'd taken a little bit of a back seat for quite a few months, well it was more like I was sitting in the boot rather than the back seat!! But Rachel has been doing a super job at keeping TLBG going and for that I am eternally grateful to her. You are a star Rach!!! Big Hugs!!

The last time I contributed to a post was way back on 5th January (how shameful is that!!) and thought it was about time I made an appearance. I have to admit, well confess really, that being greener has not been on my list of priorities with too many work commitments etc.

After seeing a segment on the news I jumped at the chance to take part in earth hour, so on 27th March at 8:30pm off went all the lights and we even turned the TV off and sat and chatted for an hour. It wasn't until the next morning that I saw just how many people had taken part. All together there were 88 countries who participated and some of the most famous sights of the world turned off their lights!! Pop over to the official site to take a peek. If you're not from the UK you can select your country, by clicking on earth hour global. Some of the photos are quite spectacular.

Did you take part?

So before I pop off to finish one of my crafty projects, if you have any topics that you would like us to cover (come on guys I need a rocket up my backside) please feel free to send us your ideas/topics.

And I think you'll agree in saying that Rachel is the best TLBG buddy I could ever ask for (have a grovelled enough yet Rach?) :D

See you real soon, Emma xxx

Wrapping up Christmas

Hello, Emma and Rachel here. We hope that you've had fun over the last few weeks making your own decorations and wrapping for a little bit greener Christmas.

In the bagladee household we opted for the LED Christmas lights to cut down on energy wasted. The old lights had packed up so I didn't mind too much throwing them away. I'm also thinking of alternate wrapping ideas and trying to support fellow crafters by buying handmade items.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for following and supporting TLBG. We are so happy that the response from setting up this green blog has been a success. The plan was not to convert the world but just make more people aware that we can do more to make the planet that little bit greener. And you have all been doing your bit by taking part, whether that be your fantastic posts or your great suggestions......we are very grateful!

It just re-iterates what we say, that bloggers/crafters are such wonderful people. The generosity and selflessness is overwhelming at times. And the world is definitely a better place with you all in it.

If you are wondering why we have chosen now to do a thank you post, well let us explain. We have decided that over Christmas and into the New Year we are going to be taking a break from TLBG (I think I have worn Rachel out a little, Emma). There are lots of things going on in both of our lives for the next few weeks and would like to come back in the new year with some fresh ideas and topics (we're going to swat up in the holidays).

We would like to say, however, if you do have any topics/links/ideas please post at the bottom here. We will still be reading and responding to comments. And don't forget to keep all that wrapping paper, cards and even your tree as we will be covering Christmas Recycle when we come back.

So I think all that's left to say is HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR...we will see you all in 2010.

Hugs to you all,
Emma & Rachel xxx

TLBG Wednesday - "Change how the story ends"

Since this ad campaign has been causing quite a stir in the media I thought this week on TLBG we could cover Water conservation. The advert features a Dad telling the little girl a bed time story about what happens to the world due to climate change.....Act on co2 is the message and the website was launched this earlier this year.

http://www.actonco2.direct.gov.uk/

Check out the website, you can find out all the facts about Climate change, what you can do, what the government is doing and there is even a co2 calculator where you can find out how much carbon emissions your household produces and tips on how you can do your bit.

They have a section specifically for water conservation......the shocking facts are:

That in the UK we actually use 150 litres of water a day on average. This is the equivalent of 317 pints of milk being left on your doorstep. One fifth of a households carbon footprint comes from just heating water for baths, showers and washing up.

Its been estimated that we waste the equivalent of four months output of a typical power station , just by boiling too much water in the kettle. Millions of pounds are wasted every year by boiling water we don't need.

Try filling your cup/s with water then empty into the kettle this way you are only boiling what you are going to use.

Stick a post it note of your cupboard door reminding yourself not to over fill the kettle.

There are so many more ways to save water on their website. For readers outside the UK try your local government website for more information on climate change and co2 emissions.

So for this weeks TLBG post we want to hear ways in which you try to save water, do you watch how much water you use or is it something that you never really think of? Do you teach your children not to leave the tap running when they are brushing their teeth? If you do have little ones are you concerned that their future lies in the hands of co2 emissions? And do you try to teach them how to be more Eco conscious. Do you think that the governments are doing enough?

Don't forget to pop back and post your link.....and if you are in the UK please feel free to link to the act on co2 website.

Looking forward to reading your posts.....

Emma &Rachel xxx

Morsbags in the Spotlight - Round up

I'd like to start this weeks round up post by sending big hugs to both Rachel (my partner in the fight towards making the world thatlittlebitgreener) and dotsorstripes who have been feeling quite under the weather. Hope you are feeling better soon!!

So lets get back to rounding up....well again members you haven't disappointed. I love the fact that not only have some of you posted about Morsbags but you're also getting involved :D great stuff!!

Marmaladekiss, we love reading your TLBG posts, you are soooo inspiring, your posts are always thought provoking and packed full of great quotes and facts. This week Marmaladekiss talks about the concept behind Morsbags and goes ever further to talk about what we put in our shopping bags......do you shop ethically? Looks like we may delve into this subject in another Wednesday topic, its definitely something that we need to cover.

Alex posted about her friend Josie who is an expert at making Morsbags, 81 is her total to date...WAY TO GO JOSIE!! Check out Alex's and Josie's posts, her bags are fab.

Sweetmyrtle showed us her Morsbag and tells us how easy it is to get in there and get involved. She has also been very generous to make 5 and give them away....go and check it out. Thanks Ginny, its great to see you guys getting really involved and PIF. You all make Rachel and I very proud.

I had not heard of Morsbags before Rachel suggested we do a Spotlight post on them, I'm so pleased we did, even though I have used re-usable bags for a long time its been so nice to get others on board too. Hopefully through our posting this week we have raised awareness for Morsbags.com and even inspired people to make some and stop using plastic carriers.......

Its times like these that you think supermarket chains would get involved in this its all well and good offering re-usable bags to buy in the stores but the amount it costs them to make all these plastic bags surely they could offer free ones!?!?!? And if not then they should be charged a penalty for all these bags ending up in our rivers, seas, beaches and landfills!! Tesco's, Sainsburys, Asda, Morrisons are you listening!!! You could target the masses. If we continue to pollute our land and water with hideous and harmful plastic bags, then one day you wont have any customers to fill your lovely, well lit, plastic bag churning stores!!

Members please don't forget to post your links, Jo kindly pointed us in the direction of mrlinky (thank you Jo), so if you check at the bottom of Wednesdays post you will see a little box, enter your name and your link to your TLBG post and you'll be added to the list at the bottom of the post here so that we can all see what you have written.

Thanks again for another week of great posts and if you have any other organisations that you would like us to put in the spotlight then get in touch.

Emma & Rachel xxx

TLBG Wednesday - Green Cleaning

First off don't forget to check out Rachel's post today underneath this one!!

OK green cleaning, I have to confess that on this topic it is only really recently that I have started to think about the products I use and what effect they have on the environment. I used to have an awful habit of running taps whilst cleaning or even brushing my teeth. This has stopped as I watch a documentary about how wasting water contributes massively to the rapidly shrinking ice caps which in turn is making the survival of polar bears extremely difficult. As normal guilt set in and that was that....no more running water.

I try to fill a bucket or the sink while cleaning and try to make it go as far as I can. I also used to buy cleaning cloths or sponges (artificial ones of course, not that it makes it any better). But I have now switched to reusable cleaning cloths and dusters that you just pop in your washer and they are as good as new!! I bought Sarah Smith dusters and cleaning cloths a while ago from Tesco but you can buy them here.

Cleaning cloths

Whilst browsing round Tesco I noticed that they do their own Eco cleaning range called 'naturally...' now ideally I would love to be like Kim & Ag from 'How clean is your house?' but in reality there just aren't enough hours in the day for making my own cleaning solutions so I thought I'd give this a try.

I bought the bathroom cleaner, which contains cleaning ingredients derived from plants extracts, packaging exceeds current biodegradability legislation, product and ingredients not tested on animals and the bottle and trigger can be recycled where facilities exist. It works really well, just as good as the normal chemical cleaning product I was using and it smells lovely.

I also bought their toilet cleaner which includes ingredients that are derived from natural plant extracts using sustainable agricultural practices, readily biodegrades far exceeding legislative requirements, does not contain phosphates or phosphonates, is not tested on animals and has minimal impact on aquatic life. And again smells lovely.


On my next shop I'm planning on replacing my multi surface cleaner and looking for an Eco alternative for dishwasher tablets if anyone has any suggestions? I'd love to hear them.

So that's about it for me.....I'm hoping to get some more tips and ideas from all your posts this week so keep'em coming! :D

Emma x

TLBG - Round up post

Just thought I'd stop by and do a little round up of this weeks TLBG posts that you had all written. Wow what a response!! I loved reading through all of them.

Lisa Ridgeon Originals wrote a post about organic food and plastic. I loved Lisa's post on striving to buy organic meat in the hope of the animals living a good life before they are consumed, but frustrated by the fact its all presented in plastic (not good!). Lisa also writes about her frustration that the government released a statement saying, organic food has no more nutrition than non organic food.....Durrrr!!!! They are totally missing the point!!! You buy organic food because there are no pesticides or chemicals used in the growing/rearing process - therefore better for human consumption (I'm sure we wouldn't like to drink these chemicals they use on crops!!), better for wildlife and certainly better for the environment!!! WAY TO GO LISA!!!!

Alex over at Pink Feather Paradise wrote a great post about plastic milk bottles and how she is trying to go back to glass (which can be re-used - not all plastic can be recycled!!) which also takes me to the post that Rachel (TLBG) wrote about using milk bags!! Which I am going to give a go.

Marmaladekiss wrote a totally awesome post about a book called 'Small Wonder" pop over and read her post if you haven't already.

I also loved all the posts that were about the little things like using a Ferrero Rocher box to store your threads in rather than buying new (SweetMyrtle).

This is what TLBG is all about, I'm overwhelmed with the response to our new blog and all the posts that were written this week. I'm learning lots of new ways to be greener and its making me think about the decisions I make whether it be shopping, cleaning, throwing rubbish out, re-using things and even making tasty mish mash meals out of food that needs to be used rather than throwing it away after its gone a bit yucky because I didn't. Just because the combination isn't in a cookbook doesn't mean you cant eat it together!!

I hope you are all getting something out of TLBG - I'm looking forward to reading your next posts. We'll be setting the topic for the next post here Wednesday 2nd September for you to write a post for Wednesday 9th September.

See you then!!
Emma xx

The very first TLBG Wednesday - Emma

Hi Rachel and all you fellow 'littlebitgreeners' just thought I'd better pop in and say hello too....first off I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to Rachel for joining me on this little venture. You're sooooo fab!!

I have to be totally honest with you all, until about two and half years ago being green and 'trying' to do my bit for the environment was never an important issue to me. And feel quite sad that only since then I have adapted my lifestyle to being more green.....In the past 2 and 1/2 years I have recycled as much as possible, we are lucky to have been provided with a 'green' bin from our council. In here we can put plastic, paper, card, cans, plastic bottles.....there's a very long list. They also provide us with a blue bottle bin too....and last year we signed up for the brown composting bin for garden and food waste.

But after seeing an interview with Vivienne Westwood it really touched a nerve with me and made me sit and think about what was actually happening to our planet and realised that so many people are just sitting by watching it happen.....surely if we all were a 'little bit greener' it would make a difference? Even if just a little we are all trying?

So this really is the reason behind TLBG, I am by no means an Eco-warrior or that I want to preach to you all. What I would love is for us all to come together as a blogging community and inspire each other to, save energy, re-cycle, etc. We want to hear all your wonderful and even wacky ways you try to contribute to being greener and have fun and make new friends along the way.

So don't forget to contact us if you want to be on the members lists, and its over to you: write a post about your green ideas, tips, tutorials, what ever you like and don't forget to put TLBG in your post title......we're following you all so we'll be able to spot your posts.

Looking forward to reading your posts, big hugs...
Emma xx