I know low-waste is all about minimising your waste and so a low-waste shopping trip sounds like a contradiction but the reality is that we all need to replace stuff from time to time. Here are the results of one of my low-waste shopping trip.
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I have been looking for 2nd hand school bags and kids clothes in charity shops for about 2 months, but no joy! The next best thing for me is to find recycled/ compostable new items at an affordable price, which I was delighted to be able to do.
The first item on the list was a new school bag for my 6-year-old son. I managed to a find one made from recycled PET bottles in Patagonia, which was reduced from €55 to €33.
My next purchase was shampoo bar from Lush for €8.50, which I got in this little paper bag. I’ve used it since and I’m happy to report that it did a great job of washing my hair. The trick appears to be not to rub the shampoo bar directly onto your hair but instead to create a lather on your hands with the shampoo bar first and then to apply this lather to your hair.
My daughter lives in hoodies and leggings so i was thrilled to find that H&M were doing a 3 for 2 offer on kids’ organic cotton clothing. I got two pairs of leggings and one hoodie for €21 euro*.
Before I headed home I treated myself to a lovely slice of cafe in the uber friendly Beanhive cafe. I was impressed to see that the cafe participates in the suspended coffee scheme, which allows customers to buy coffees for those in need and in case you’re wondering; I did buy a suspended coffee!
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*Since I wrote this article I discovered that the items made from organic cotton in H&M are actually a blend of cotton and polyester. I’m not sure if you can recycle blended fibres. Yet another thing I’m going to have to research!
living lightly in ireland 
Shopping for used kids’ school bag is a tough one, because most kids use their bags until they are worn out and of no good again. So the option for kids’ school bag is always brand new ones, if for no other reason, it will take them through school for some couple of years before they are worn out.
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I used school bags until they’re completely used out, i.e. holes, zips broke etc so i really only have to buy a new school bag every 3-4 years.
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