Minor Alterations 2021
2021 Postcards
January: Tea Leaves/Bags
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Happy New Year!
Although the days are getting longer north of the equator, it’s still chilly and drinking tea is one of my favourite ways to stay warm. Tea drinking is also related to three of the 5 R’s of sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, and Rot.
A wonderful thing about tea leaves, is that they can be re-steeped! Reusing tea bags/loose leaf cuts your consumption, which in turn impacts the resources used to produce and ship them. PLUS, it saves you money (and every little bit counts in that department!)
Concerned about the flavour? Fear not, most teas can be re-steeped at least once. Green tea in particular is well suited to re-steeping and I make 3 pots of tea before composting. The only change I’ve noticed is the third pot needs a bit longer to get the stronger flavour I like.
So while your self isolating at home, sit back and enjoy a cup of tea! And experiment with how many times your chosen tea(s) can be steeped.
Sustainably Yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
P.S. Don’t forget to compost when you’re done so the leaves can rot!
Although the days are getting longer north of the equator, it’s still chilly and drinking tea is one of my favourite ways to stay warm. Tea drinking is also related to three of the 5 R’s of sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, and Rot.
A wonderful thing about tea leaves, is that they can be re-steeped! Reusing tea bags/loose leaf cuts your consumption, which in turn impacts the resources used to produce and ship them. PLUS, it saves you money (and every little bit counts in that department!)
Concerned about the flavour? Fear not, most teas can be re-steeped at least once. Green tea in particular is well suited to re-steeping and I make 3 pots of tea before composting. The only change I’ve noticed is the third pot needs a bit longer to get the stronger flavour I like.
So while your self isolating at home, sit back and enjoy a cup of tea! And experiment with how many times your chosen tea(s) can be steeped.
Sustainably Yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
P.S. Don’t forget to compost when you’re done so the leaves can rot!
February: Shaving
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Like many minor alterations, this month's change first occurred for non-environmental reasons.
My skin is very sensitive and a few years ago, I decided to stop shaving. Attaining the "flawless" hairless look expected of North American women was wreaking my skin... and producing a lot of waste.
Does this mean you have to stop shaving? NO. That's a personal choice for you to make. BUT, living sustainably is all about moving beyond consumerism and single use products. If you choose to shave, use handles with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors and please look for environmentally conscious brands.
Alternatively, you can go old school with a straight blade. Straight blades can be sharpened (instead of replaced) and you'll get bonus points for badass-ness, after you learn how to use it safely!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
P.S. there are feminism topics tied to this month's change. If you want to share how you're overcoming learned beauty standards
I'd love to hear from you! Especially if you have some tips, because no longer shaving and feeling confident wearing sleevless tops in
the summer again are two very different things
My skin is very sensitive and a few years ago, I decided to stop shaving. Attaining the "flawless" hairless look expected of North American women was wreaking my skin... and producing a lot of waste.
Does this mean you have to stop shaving? NO. That's a personal choice for you to make. BUT, living sustainably is all about moving beyond consumerism and single use products. If you choose to shave, use handles with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors and please look for environmentally conscious brands.
Alternatively, you can go old school with a straight blade. Straight blades can be sharpened (instead of replaced) and you'll get bonus points for badass-ness, after you learn how to use it safely!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
P.S. there are feminism topics tied to this month's change. If you want to share how you're overcoming learned beauty standards
I'd love to hear from you! Especially if you have some tips, because no longer shaving and feeling confident wearing sleevless tops in
the summer again are two very different things
March: Fabric Scraps
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Sewing projects rarely use all the fabric purchased for it and excess pieces can be stored for future endeavors. However, small fabric scraps are considered “useless” and thrown out.
Despite their size (inch wide strips and other small pieces) I think fabric scraps are quite useful! I keep all my scraps and, in the past year alone, I’ve used scraps to make cord ties/keepers, reusable makeup pads, and a bag holder for my dog’s leash.
By saving fabric scraps for another day, you’re reducing how much garbage is sent to landfill AND saving larger pieces of fabric for bigger projects. Why make that nice piece of fabric smaller by cutting a bit off, when you could use an existing scrap that’s the size you need? Scraps also come in handy for mending (see January 2020’s postcard)
Remember friends, sewing is sew cool!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
P.S. Clothes do eventually wear out, no matter they're mended, Although worn clothes can't be donated, they do make for wonderful scraps!
Despite their size (inch wide strips and other small pieces) I think fabric scraps are quite useful! I keep all my scraps and, in the past year alone, I’ve used scraps to make cord ties/keepers, reusable makeup pads, and a bag holder for my dog’s leash.
By saving fabric scraps for another day, you’re reducing how much garbage is sent to landfill AND saving larger pieces of fabric for bigger projects. Why make that nice piece of fabric smaller by cutting a bit off, when you could use an existing scrap that’s the size you need? Scraps also come in handy for mending (see January 2020’s postcard)
Remember friends, sewing is sew cool!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
P.S. Clothes do eventually wear out, no matter they're mended, Although worn clothes can't be donated, they do make for wonderful scraps!
April: Toothpaste Tubes
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Minor Alterations is all about the small changes we can make to reduce our environmental impact, and this month’s alteration is small and simple.
When a toothpaste tube is empty, cut it in half with a pair of scissors to get more paste out of it! Paste can get trapped at either end of the tube and I find cutting the it in half gets me another 2-3 brushes.
Sure it’s a small action, but every little bit helps! The extra brushes add up over time and you’re able to get the most out of your money.
Win-wins are the best kind of changes!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
When a toothpaste tube is empty, cut it in half with a pair of scissors to get more paste out of it! Paste can get trapped at either end of the tube and I find cutting the it in half gets me another 2-3 brushes.
Sure it’s a small action, but every little bit helps! The extra brushes add up over time and you’re able to get the most out of your money.
Win-wins are the best kind of changes!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
May: Menstruation
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I used to feel guilty during my periods because I used disposable menstrual products and produced more garbage on those days then I did during the rest of the month combined.
Although historic methods for blood absorption are less wasteful, we don’t need to go back in time to be sustainable! There are plenty of modern options to choose from to fit any “period lifestyle.” Disposable pads can be replaced by absorbent underwear or cloth pads, while tampons can be swapped for menstrual cups.
I personally use cloth pads and am loving it! You may ask if it’s gross cleaning my pads? And the answer is not really: I pre-soak and rinse them by hand before throwing them in the washing machine. Is it hard when you’re a woman on the go? Also, no. I have a reusable bag that fits nicely in my backpack/fanny pack and holds clean or dirty pads. Granted, I haven’t actually been “on the go” with COVID, but it’s not much different from having spare disposable items in my bag. Or hankies (because yes, I also clean fabric covered in my snot. See December 2019.)
Whatever your preference, swap out disposable for re-usable and save those disposable items for when friends come over, or use them up like I did. (Sorry friends. . . but I know you’re looking at going re-usable too.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
Although historic methods for blood absorption are less wasteful, we don’t need to go back in time to be sustainable! There are plenty of modern options to choose from to fit any “period lifestyle.” Disposable pads can be replaced by absorbent underwear or cloth pads, while tampons can be swapped for menstrual cups.
I personally use cloth pads and am loving it! You may ask if it’s gross cleaning my pads? And the answer is not really: I pre-soak and rinse them by hand before throwing them in the washing machine. Is it hard when you’re a woman on the go? Also, no. I have a reusable bag that fits nicely in my backpack/fanny pack and holds clean or dirty pads. Granted, I haven’t actually been “on the go” with COVID, but it’s not much different from having spare disposable items in my bag. Or hankies (because yes, I also clean fabric covered in my snot. See December 2019.)
Whatever your preference, swap out disposable for re-usable and save those disposable items for when friends come over, or use them up like I did. (Sorry friends. . . but I know you’re looking at going re-usable too.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
June: Watches
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I love wearing a watch! However, I hate the waste associated with regular watch use. Not only do the batteries need to be replaced every few years, but the watch itself. Watches eventually stop keeping time and I’ve gone through 3 different watches in the last 10 years.
Due to this, I decided to save up and purchase a mechanical watch. Mechanical watches run on clockwork instead of electricity AND (when taken care of properly) last decades. Unfortunately, mechanical watches are expensive: entry level watches start at $100 and the fanciest of them go for over $22, 000. So I did a lot of research to find a reliable one within my price range that could fit my tiny child sized wrist (Seriously. My watch band is the XS “for children” option.)
Considering the expense of mechanical watches, this Minor Alteration isn’t for everyone. But for those who are interested, I highly recommend it. I collect my thoughts as I wind my watch every morning and I’m still really happy with my purchase almost a year later.
As an alternate to going mechanical, focus your efforts on powering one watch at a time. Some watch enthusiasts own multiple watches and it’s far more environmentally friendly to power one at a time. After all, how many watches are you going to realistically wear at once?
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
Due to this, I decided to save up and purchase a mechanical watch. Mechanical watches run on clockwork instead of electricity AND (when taken care of properly) last decades. Unfortunately, mechanical watches are expensive: entry level watches start at $100 and the fanciest of them go for over $22, 000. So I did a lot of research to find a reliable one within my price range that could fit my tiny child sized wrist (Seriously. My watch band is the XS “for children” option.)
Considering the expense of mechanical watches, this Minor Alteration isn’t for everyone. But for those who are interested, I highly recommend it. I collect my thoughts as I wind my watch every morning and I’m still really happy with my purchase almost a year later.
As an alternate to going mechanical, focus your efforts on powering one watch at a time. Some watch enthusiasts own multiple watches and it’s far more environmentally friendly to power one at a time. After all, how many watches are you going to realistically wear at once?
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
July: Re-Freshing or Re-Homing from MAO
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Every garbage day, I walk past a lot of things on the curb that aren’t garbage. Things like side tables and mirrors that are in good condition and don’t show any signs of disrepair. Although throwing unwanted things in the garbage is easy, freshening or re-homing them is kinder. It diverts furniture from the landfill and can give someone else a chance to use it.
A new coat of paint or replacing hardware can dramatically change a piece of furniture. Take this picnic table for instance: with a few coats of blue paint it transformed from a ‘parks brown’ object into a bright focal point. Changing an item’s location can also do wonders. I rearranged my “tired” bedroom furniture and moved knickknacks around to create a space that felt more like me. I didn’t buy anything new (apart from a duvet cover) or throw anything away to do so.
But if you’re intent on downsizing, find your unwanted furniture a new home. There are many different online platforms that allow people to search for and sell household items. Since the garbage truck wasn’t going to pay you, consider offering items for a nominal fee. I post most of my things for free because finding them a new home is more important to me than making money. Donation is also an option, but please make your chosen charity wants the items: because items they cannot/do not take are thrown in the garbage.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
P.S. Please follow internet safety guidelines (see Halton Police’s Cyber safety webpage) and COVID-19 restrictions when applicable
A new coat of paint or replacing hardware can dramatically change a piece of furniture. Take this picnic table for instance: with a few coats of blue paint it transformed from a ‘parks brown’ object into a bright focal point. Changing an item’s location can also do wonders. I rearranged my “tired” bedroom furniture and moved knickknacks around to create a space that felt more like me. I didn’t buy anything new (apart from a duvet cover) or throw anything away to do so.
But if you’re intent on downsizing, find your unwanted furniture a new home. There are many different online platforms that allow people to search for and sell household items. Since the garbage truck wasn’t going to pay you, consider offering items for a nominal fee. I post most of my things for free because finding them a new home is more important to me than making money. Donation is also an option, but please make your chosen charity wants the items: because items they cannot/do not take are thrown in the garbage.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
P.S. Please follow internet safety guidelines (see Halton Police’s Cyber safety webpage) and COVID-19 restrictions when applicable
August: Good Things Grow Close to Home (Ontario for Me) from MAO
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Good things really do grow in Ontario.
Produce grown in Ontario doesn’t have to travel nearly as far to get to your plate as produce grown in British Columbia or Florida does. Less travel means less fuel consumption and a healthier planet. Eating local also supports Ontario farmers and the Green Belt, which is at risk for further development.*
Developing green spaces reduces vegetation cover, decimates habitats, AND creates a demand for concrete. As stated by Jonathan Watt in the guardian, concrete “is the most destructive material on earth” and “[if] the cement industry were a country, it would be the third largest carbon dioxide emitter in the world with up to 2.8bn tonnes.”**
This summer, look for the Foodland Ontario logo at the grocery store or visit one of Oakville’s Farmers’ Markets to keep our Green Belt green.
Bon appétit!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*Ontario Federation of Argiculture & Environmetal Defence. Report: Farmland at Risk. November 2015. https://environmentaldefence.ca/report/report-farmland-at-risk/
**Watts, Jonathan. “Concrete: the most destructive material on earth” theguardian.com. The Guardian, February 25, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/25/concrete-the-most-destructive-material-on-earth
Produce grown in Ontario doesn’t have to travel nearly as far to get to your plate as produce grown in British Columbia or Florida does. Less travel means less fuel consumption and a healthier planet. Eating local also supports Ontario farmers and the Green Belt, which is at risk for further development.*
Developing green spaces reduces vegetation cover, decimates habitats, AND creates a demand for concrete. As stated by Jonathan Watt in the guardian, concrete “is the most destructive material on earth” and “[if] the cement industry were a country, it would be the third largest carbon dioxide emitter in the world with up to 2.8bn tonnes.”**
This summer, look for the Foodland Ontario logo at the grocery store or visit one of Oakville’s Farmers’ Markets to keep our Green Belt green.
Bon appétit!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*Ontario Federation of Argiculture & Environmetal Defence. Report: Farmland at Risk. November 2015. https://environmentaldefence.ca/report/report-farmland-at-risk/
**Watts, Jonathan. “Concrete: the most destructive material on earth” theguardian.com. The Guardian, February 25, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/25/concrete-the-most-destructive-material-on-earth
September: Pack it in, Pack it out from MAO
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A small and straightforward way to live more sustainably is to always sort your garbage.
Park garbage cans are meant for any garbage you may create while enjoying the outdoors, but they’re rarely sorted into types of waste. This means everything placed inside will go to a landfill, instead of being recycled or turned into dirt for our gardens.
Please take compostable and recyclable waste home if the location you’re at doesn’t have sorted waste bins. It may require a little more effort from us, but it makes a big difference.
One of my jobs doesn’t have on sight compost, so every time I pack food with peels or cores, I bring a small container to hold them until I get home. Using a container keeps my lunch bag clean and makes following this Minor Alteration easy. I also bring a container if I’m going somewhere there may not be any garbage cans at all, like a hiking trail, just in case I decide to eat a granola bar and need somewhere to put the wrapper.
It should go without saying: littering is bad. Do. Not. Litter.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
Park garbage cans are meant for any garbage you may create while enjoying the outdoors, but they’re rarely sorted into types of waste. This means everything placed inside will go to a landfill, instead of being recycled or turned into dirt for our gardens.
Please take compostable and recyclable waste home if the location you’re at doesn’t have sorted waste bins. It may require a little more effort from us, but it makes a big difference.
One of my jobs doesn’t have on sight compost, so every time I pack food with peels or cores, I bring a small container to hold them until I get home. Using a container keeps my lunch bag clean and makes following this Minor Alteration easy. I also bring a container if I’m going somewhere there may not be any garbage cans at all, like a hiking trail, just in case I decide to eat a granola bar and need somewhere to put the wrapper.
It should go without saying: littering is bad. Do. Not. Litter.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
October: Postcard Not Available
November: Do I Really Need It? (Consumerism)
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Black Friday and Cyber Monday are among the biggest retail days of the year (if not THE biggest) and a great day for us to save money! But the problem with these sales, is they promote a consumerist culture. People often purchase things just because of the discounts.
I almost bought a second thick plaid shirt this week, simply because it was 30% off. But I don’t need it and purchasing items isn’t environmentally conscious. (Remember that refuse is the first of the 5 ‘R’s of sustainability) Although I’m slowly updating my wardrobe, I’ve already mended or replaced the things I need to this year. Plus $O is cheaper than any Black Friday deal.
Purchasing less and reducing your consumption of goods is excellent for the planet and your wallet. So, when looking through sales this year please ask yourself “Do I really need it?”
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
I almost bought a second thick plaid shirt this week, simply because it was 30% off. But I don’t need it and purchasing items isn’t environmentally conscious. (Remember that refuse is the first of the 5 ‘R’s of sustainability) Although I’m slowly updating my wardrobe, I’ve already mended or replaced the things I need to this year. Plus $O is cheaper than any Black Friday deal.
Purchasing less and reducing your consumption of goods is excellent for the planet and your wallet. So, when looking through sales this year please ask yourself “Do I really need it?”
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
December: Dispose of Unwanted Clothes
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Clothing has been the feature of many Minor Alteration Postcards, because clothes are an integral part of our everyday lives (unless you live in a nudist colony?)
From mending worn clothes to not buying unless you need them, there are so many ways to lesson your fashion-related impact.
But what do you do about perfectly good clothes you no longer want to wear? With the new year only hours away, advertisements related to cleaning house have skyrocketed along with the pressure to de-clutter. And I always seem to start with my wardrobe.
Donating clothes you don't want and giving them a new life with someone else is a beautiful thing. But please do a bit of research to make sure your items will be accepted because some things, like socks, are not donatable. To make sure your clothes really do get a new lease on life, see if thrift stores are accepting clothes, or find vintage stores that will buy the items they're interested in directly from you. Or try your hand at places like Facebook marketplace: I was able to find never-been-worn socks a new home through marketplace!
And if your clothes are not donatable, turn them into rags or find a textile recycling program. Closet Candy has an informative Ontario-based post about ways to get rid of clothes at https://www.closettcandyy.ca/post/how-to-recycle-clothes-that-can-t-be-repaired-donated-or-resold
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
From mending worn clothes to not buying unless you need them, there are so many ways to lesson your fashion-related impact.
But what do you do about perfectly good clothes you no longer want to wear? With the new year only hours away, advertisements related to cleaning house have skyrocketed along with the pressure to de-clutter. And I always seem to start with my wardrobe.
Donating clothes you don't want and giving them a new life with someone else is a beautiful thing. But please do a bit of research to make sure your items will be accepted because some things, like socks, are not donatable. To make sure your clothes really do get a new lease on life, see if thrift stores are accepting clothes, or find vintage stores that will buy the items they're interested in directly from you. Or try your hand at places like Facebook marketplace: I was able to find never-been-worn socks a new home through marketplace!
And if your clothes are not donatable, turn them into rags or find a textile recycling program. Closet Candy has an informative Ontario-based post about ways to get rid of clothes at https://www.closettcandyy.ca/post/how-to-recycle-clothes-that-can-t-be-repaired-donated-or-resold
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson