The Plastic Chauffeuring Service

Plastic seems so omnipresent, even for our household actively trying to avoid it. Food packaging, flower pots, toys, computers, the front door, the kitchen sink. It's EVERYWHERE! In the UK, we generate approaching 5000,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. (www.ecoforce.co.uk).

Packaging seems to be an area particularly liberal in plastic use, such as food often coming in a plastic punnet/tray that is then wrapped in a plastic film. Some councils are starting to be quite generous in the amount of plastics they collect; Bristol's doorstep collections now take plastic tubs, trays, yoghurt pots etc as well as bottles. Our address comes under South Gloucestershire Council and bottles are the only plastic they collect for recycling. They don't even take other plastics at any of their recycling centers so most people probably put it in their general waste to go to landfill where,according to ecoforce.co.uk, it will take around 400 years to break down.

However, we often pass or visit places where you can recycle plastics and have been taking ours for some time. It occurred to us that we could encourage our neighbours to drop their plastic waste round to us (after giving it a quick rinse, and we can take theirs. Likewise with TetraPak waxed cartons, which South Gloucestershire's recycling centers do take. So flyers were printed and posted through doors, and a receptacle was made by Mr Heartshapedhands for people to leave their plastic in if we're out. So far, about 5 households are taking us up on the completely free offer (about 100 cards delivered). We hope the number will increase but, judging by the amount I took to a recycling bank today, it will still save a lot going to landfill! 

If you live around Bitton and would like us to chauffeur your plastic and TetraPak to the packaging paradise, ring/text 07595 043860.

♥

i heart hearts

"I heart you Mac"  Martin Dear, Green Wing

Why "HeartShapedHands"?

Well, despite having reached my late twenties with a degree, 3 diplomas and various certificates, having searched my soul (a lot) and the advice of various friends, family, careers advisers and tarot readers, I still don't really know what I want to be when I grow up. In truth, the problem is actually the opposite; I want to be many things- a holistic therapist, a craftsperson, a designer, an artist, a writer, a campaigner, a teacher, to return to nursing, to work growing food, to grow flowers, to do something helping new mums, to change the world, to train in yet something else. And, of course, to do what I am doing for most of my waking (and some of my sleeping) hours: being a Mama and a homemaker.

To be fair, some of these can be crossed off the list for now. I should probably concentrate on growing food for the 3 of us a little more successfully before trying to do so for others. I'm not really knowledgeable or experienced enough in anything to teach others. There are various reasons I chose to leave nursing. My own baby is still a bit too "new" to leave for long enough to really help others, (or change the world). And I can't afford any more courses right now!

However, in most of my wished-for job titles, there's a common theme of wanting to help others and the planet. I know that sounds cliched but I think that's a good thing; the more people wanting to do that, the more love going around! That's kind of what HeartShapedHands is- a bringing together of all these livelihoods. Sometimes one role may take center stage for a while (some days right now I don't see far outside the Mama/Homemaker world!)

HeartShapedHands is also a celebration of the heart shape and what it represents, and an indulgence of my borderline obsessive love of it (rivaled only my obsession with yurts. And tea.) This beautiful symbol is, to me, wholesome and rustic, sensual and romantic, fun and recognised by everyone as communicating love and positive feelings. A symbol found in so many places in nature...

...and in my son's chewed food creations!

♥