Helen Tandy, Founding Director
They say you’re only a few connections away from anyone — and #NSS25, the Northern Sustainability Summit, last week in Manchester was proof of that!
I attended wearing my Castlefield hat, but the day was full of inspiring chats and encounters that tied beautifully into our work at Eco Communities.
☕ I recently spoke with Cyan Stuart from City to Sea, who introduced me to the Borro Cup scheme — and yes, I now have one! I proudly used it throughout the day and kept hold of it to show the Eco Communities team. I’m looking forward to comparing it to our very own Sustainable Cheshire Cup and learning more about Borro’s progress.
💧Another highlight was chatting with Dominic Appleby from H2Origin Refills, who had also connected with Cyan weeks ago. We shared thoughts on refill culture, and it got me reflecting on my own single-use plastic habits.
I’ll admit — since Chester lost its zero waste shop, my plastic use has crept up. But I’m still doing what I can. Last week, I made one of my “use-everything-up” meals and saved all the recycling, even the flexible plastics (which I’ll take to the supermarket).
On the right my use everything up before it goes in food waste chilli and air fryer potatoes.
Here’s what I have been doing for many years to cut down on single use plastic:
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Toiletries: Almost 100% plastic-free. I use UpCircle Beauty in glass jars (which I return for refills). Still waiting on cream shampoo and conditioner refills!
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Toilet rolls: From Naked Paper — plastic-free and sustainable.
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Cleaning & laundry: Supplied by Smol, low-impact and minimal packaging.
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Milk deliveries: Both oat and dairy, in returnable glass bottles via Modern Milkman.
Could I do more? Definitely. Grocery shopping is still an area I’m working on.
What struck me most recently, though, was attending another event where — disappointingly — everything was still single-use: compostable cups, plastic glasses, paper plates. Better than all single use plastic perhaps, but still wasteful. We can do better.
So my question to you:
What are you doing to reduce single-use plastic this month?
Are you trying anything new?
Could you take it one step further?
🌱 If you’re curious or want to chat more about reusables for your next party, community gathering, or children’s event, find me at the Farmers Market this Saturday — I’d love to share some ideas!
Or join Rhian for a litter pick on Saturday afternoon and make a tangible difference locally.
Let’s keep the conversations going — and keep reducing waste, one cup and refill at a time.
