A bug hotel is a great little way of caring for wildlife and recycling Feel Good toilet roll cores and other bits of scrap material you may have lying around.
This zero-waste idea will brighten up your garden and is super fun to make.
You can build a bug hotel any time of year. However, it might be easier to gather materials such as straw, dry grass and hollow plant stems in autumn. It’s also when a lot of insects will be looking for a place to make their home for the winter.
Bug hotels are really simple to make and have massive benefits to lots of different minibeasts and insects such as ladybirds, bees, spiders, and woodlice. Minibeasts can then use the hotels as a safe space to shelter lay eggs, raise their young, and hide from predators.
Using sustainably sourced materials is important to us at Feel Good (we’re big fans of recycling if you hadn’t realised) You can gather most of the materials for this project from your recycling bin and the garden, but you might also need to dig around the craft box a little bit.
What you’ll need:
Feel Good toilet roll cores
Scissors
Tape/glue
Cardboard
Items like sticks, stones, twigs, dry leaves, pinecones, grass etc.
How to make your bug hotel:
Step 1:
Using the cardboard pieces, build a structure (we made a two-story hotel out of an old cardboard box) and add in the toilet rolls as tunnels on the “ground floor”
Step 2:
Add in the string, arrange however you like, to create a different texture environment on the “first floor”
Step 3:
Add the natural materials in such as sticks, stones, leaves, grass, twigs to fill out the first floor
Step 4:
Start to mix up and layer your materials and build a sort of playground for the bugs in their hotel
Step 5:
To finish off, add some leaves to the top for a little roof and pop it outside for all the bugs, minibeasts, insects, and wildlife in your garden.
Remember – be inventive!
There’s no right or wrong way to make one of these hotels.
Eco-conscious parenting: teaching kids about sustainability
July 2023
In a world full of exciting eco-adventures, parenting is increasingly looking to impart some eco expertise onto our little ones! By embarking on sustainability journeys with the next generation from an early age, we can transform them into planet-saving superheroes!
We’ve put together some practical strategies to introduce sustainability into your parenting and raise children who are always in sync with Mother Earth…
Lead by example
Children learn best through observation and imitation. As a parent, it is essential to showcase eco-conscious behaviours and practices.From recycling to reducing waste and using eco-friendly products.
Engage your children in daily eco-friendly habits, such as composting or planting a garden, and explain the positive impact these actions have on the environment.
Make sustainability fun
Learning about sustainability doesn’t have to be boring! Engage your children through hands-on activities and games that promote environmental awareness. Plan family outings to nature reserves, parks, or local farms to encourage exploration and appreciation for the natural world. Create eco-friendly crafts using recycled materials, to teach them the value of upcycling. Additionally, involve kids in meal planning and grocery shopping, emphasizing the importance of locally sourced and organic food.
Teach the why
Children naturally ask questions about the world around them. Take these opportunities to explain the reasons behind sustainable choices. Discuss concepts like climate change, pollution, and endangered species, tailoring explanations to their age and understanding. Encourage critical thinking and problem-solving by brainstorming eco-friendly solutions together. By providing them with knowledge and understanding, you empower them to make informed choices and become advocates for the environment.
Foster a connection with nature
Help your children develop a deep connection with nature by spending time outdoors. Engage in activities like hiking, camping, or simply playing in the park. Teach them about the importance of biodiversity and the interconnectedness of all living things. Encourage empathy towards animals and plants, emphasising the significance of preserving habitats. By nurturing their love for nature, you instil a sense of responsibility towards protecting and conserving the environment.
Eco-conscious parenting plays a vital role in shaping the future of our planet. By teaching children about sustainability, we equip them with the knowledge, values and skills needed to become environmentally responsible citizens. Through leading by example, making sustainability engaging, explaining the “why,” and fostering a connection with nature, we inspire our children to make a positive impact and create a greener world for generations to come.
Festival season is well underway, with Glastonbury kicking off next week.
Glastonbury has always been a pioneer of sustainability, this year is no different. Climate activist Greta Thunberg will be taking to the main stage to make an impassioned speech about the climate crisis. Everyone who has bought a ticket to the festival has also been asked to sign their ‘Love the Farm, Leave no Trace’ pledge, encouraging festival goers to limit their impact on the site.
Here are a few of our tips to help you have a more sustainable festival…
Eco-glitter
Glitter is a festival staple, but most traditional glitters contain micro-plastics. These plastics will linger around the festival site long after you’ve packed up your tent. Opt for eco glitter instead which is often made from biodegradable plant cellulose and is a lot healthier for the environment!
Bring a bottle
We all know that hydration at festivals is important, ESPECIALLY when you wake up in a boiling hot tent the morning after maybe one too many beverages…
The convenience of bottled water is tempting, but the majority of festivals have plenty of water taps with safe drinking water around the site. All you need is your reusable bottle and you’re good to go!
Pack a mac
UK festivals and rain go hand-in-hand. Be prepared and keep dry by packing a pack-a-mac or light raincoat. You can avoid forking out a fiver on a bright orange single-use rain poncho. And save your style creds in the process.
Recycled toilet paper
If you’ve never been to a camping festival before, here’s a tip: take your own toilet roll. In fact, even if you’re going for a day and not camping – take your own toilet roll. Those festival portaloos are bound to run out so be prepared and keep a single roll in your bag for emergencies. Even better if it’s recycled toilet paper…
For more sustainability tips, make your you check out our other blogs, or head over to our Instagram!
Ditching Disposable: A Guide to a Plastic-Free lifestyle
May 2023
It is estimated that UK households throw away 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging a year. This pollutes our rivers and oceans, causing damage to marine life.
If you’re looking for some easy ways to cut down on your disposable plastic use – look no further! Here are some simple switches to live a more plastic-free lifestyle:
Head to the bar (of soap)
Instead of using soap packaged in hard-to-recycle plastic bottles, swap to bars of soap that come in recyclable paper wrapper. Soap doesn’t have to be a dull addition to your bathroom, you can even get colourful bars to jazz up your space.
Switch to cans or glass instead of plastic drinks bottles
Make sure you carry a reusable water bottle with you and refill it instead of buying single-use plastic water bottles. If you didn’t know, your reusable water bottle (or cup) is the hottest accessory to have, so you can feel good, knowing you’re on trend AND saving the planet.
Shopping trip solutions
Take reusable bags when you go shopping to avoid using single-use plastic bags. There has definitely been a decline in the use of plastic shopping bags in the last ten years, but we still have a way to go.
Make sure you’re not wasting 20 p each shop and bring reusable bags.
Sustainable straws
Let’s be honest, no one is a fan of the paper straws that now frequently come with your drink. Save yourself, and the planet, by carrying a reusable straw with you.
Metal, glass, and bamboo straws are all widely available so you can pick your favourite for sipping!
Planet-friendly packaging
Choose products that are packaged in glass, metal, or paper, rather than plastic. If this isn’t an option, always check if the plastic is recyclable. One product that definitely comes in easily recycled packaging is our paper-wrapped, eco-friendly toilet roll!
Recycle properly
Always check for the recycle symbol to make sure packaging can actually be recycled. Disposing of waste in the incorrect bin can affect your whole street, so make sure to only put recyclable materials in the correct waste bin!
With these simple steps to ditching disposable plastic, you can easily progress towards a plastic-free lifestyle that sure will make you feel good.
Planning a street party for the King’s Coronation on Saturday?
Even if you’re thinking ahead to other summer get-togethers, our helpful tips can ensure any street party you throw is as green as can be.
Planet-friendly decorations made easy
Swap single-use plastic decorations for sustainable options such as recycled paper banners, bunting made from natural fabrics – think textiles and paper, instead of plastic, or even improvising with aesthetically placed potted plants! It’s estimated that UK households throw away 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging a year, so opting for plastic-free products where possible can help to reduce this. Avoid balloons to reduce litter and landfill (and strain on your lungs!)
You can pick up fabric bunting from Tesco along with the rest of your street party shop. You can also pick up a pack of Feel Good to extend the sustainable celebrations through to the bathroom.
Reduce the single use!
Bring out the kitchen crockery, instead of using disposable plates, cups, and utensils. If you want to curate your own street party collection then charity shops often have plenty of kitchenware in stock – you might even stumble across some royal-themed gems from celebrations gone by!
Eat local
Support local businesses and reduce the carbon footprint of your event by serving locally-sourced, organic food. Choose seasonal fruits and vegetables – blackcurrants, rhubarb and strawberries are at their best in May, and perfect to create a fruity Union Jack fit for the Royals.
Recycle and compost innovation stations
Make it easy for guests to effectively dispose of their waste by clearly labelling recycling and composting stations throughout the party area. This will help minimise the amount of waste that goes to landfill, as well as making the post-party clean-up even easier!
Solar-powered brilliance
If your party will be running through to sunset, make sure you light the way with energy-efficient LED or solar-powered lighting. This is an easy sustainable swap to make in the lighter months, saving your money as well as the planet! John Lewis stocks party-appropriate solar lights to help illuminate your celebrations into the night.
Plan for waste reduction
Minimise waste by using cloth napkins, avoiding single-use condiment packets and providing bulk or homemade snacks, instead of individually packaged. Consider donating any leftover food to local food banks or composting the organic waste.
Educate, engage and enlighten
Raise awareness about the importance of eco-friendly practices by providing information about sustainable living and engaging guests in environmentally-themed games and activities. This can help inspire and encourage more eco-friendly behaviours beyond the party.
Clean up responsibly
After the party, make sure to clean up the event area and properly dispose of all waste. Leave the street and surrounding areas as clean as, or cleaner, than you found them.
These small changes make a big difference to creating an eco-friendly street party. By thinking green and planning with sustainability in mind, you can help reduce the environmental impact of your event, while still having a fun and memorable time. If every household took a more sustainable approach for this year’s coronation parties, think of the waste we could prevent!
Feel Good approved: ways to reduce your plastic use in 2023
February 2023
We pride ourselves on being eco-friendly, plastic free and easily recyclable. However, we know being eco-friendly and cutting down plastic for the rest of your life isn’t as easy as just picking up a pack of Feel Good.
If you’re looking for some other easy ways to cut down on ‘greening up your life’ – look no further.
Here are some simple switches to cut down a little bit more on your plastic use…
Switch to bar soap instead of those that come in hard-to-recycle plastic bottles
Next time you’re adding shop to your trolley in your weekly shop, maybe consider your options. Bars of soap have a much lower environmental impact, due to packing being more minimal and paper-based.
This is compared to liquid soap which is packaged in plastic disposable bottles.
Use matches instead of plastic throw-away lighters
If you’re a candle lover, you might have a few plastic lighters hanging around your house. But how about switching to matches instead? It may be a small step to cut down on plastic, but every little helps. And, doesn’t it feel much classier?
Switch to cans or glass instead of plastic drinks bottles
Instead of buying a plastic bottle of water from the supermarket every time you’re thirsty, why not invest in a reusable bottle?
Over 12.7 million tonnes of plastic are dumped in the ocean each year. Scientists predict that by 2050 they will contain more plastic by weight than fish. By switching to a reusable bottle, the average Brit can save around 150 single-use plastic bottles from use every year.
Switch to pencils instead of plastic pens
Another small but might tip you might not have thought of. Instead of buying cheap plastic pens that you’ll inevitably lose, or break and spill ink everywhere, go for a pencil instead! That way you can erase all your mistakes, including any relating to plastic use…
Got any more ideas? Let us know on Instagram @feelgood_eco
Now available in Tesco!
January 2023
We’ve got some great news to kick off 2023 as Feel Good is now available in Tesco!
Less than two years after we launched in Waitrose, you can now pick up a pack of Feel Good in three supermarket chains – Tesco, Waitrose and Booths, as well as online retailer Ocado. We’re so proud of the leaps we’ve made and it just goes to show that supermarkets are really increasing the ease of which shoppers can pick up sustainable swaps in their weekly hauls.
Made from 100% recycled materials, including magazines and office waste, Feel Good launched in April 2021 as a more sustainable alternative to virgin fibre products. The brand has been well received by UK retailers, with the product’s availability in selected Tesco stores nationwide and online as the latest example.
Coming in recyclable paper packaging, all source material comes from the UK and Europe and comprises of fibres at the end of their life cycle.
Thinking of giving us a try but want to know more? Head over to our FAQs to find out what we’re all about.
We’ll also have more news on where you can buy Feel Good very soon, so look out for updates and get chatting to us on our social channels: Instagram and Facebook.
Why not decorate your tree with toilet rolls this Christmas?
December 2022
Decorating your Christmas tree with toilet rolls? It’s not as crazy as it might sound.
You know we love a toilet roll-related craft, even more so when it’s festive! So why not make some Christmas decorations out of toilet roll!
Tis the season…
Christmas is a time of overconsumption, which also means even more waste is produced. Some estimates suggest that 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging will be thrown away and not recycled in the UK this Christmas. So, we all need to be mindful of the little ways we can cut down on waste this festive season.
While many of us will reuse our Christmas decorations time and time again, why not take it a step further and create your own decorations from household waste and a lick of paint?
And, because we’re so great, we’ve got three different toilet roll decorations to try out, so read ahead and decide which one you want to make…
And remember to supervise children when crafting – especially when you’re using a glue gun or scissors!
Snowman decoration
This is the easiest of our toilet paper decorations, all you need is:
Toilet roll core
White paint
Ribbon/thread
Glue (either PVA or a glue gun)
Scissors
Biodegradable white/silver glitter (optional)
How to make:
Cut your toilet roll core into three equal sections.
Glue the pieces together – stacking them on top of each other to look like a classic snowman.
Wrap a piece of ribbon around where the top two pieces are glued together for a scarf.
Optional step: If you want to give your snowman a face, use a piece of white scrap paper or tissue paper. Cut a circle slightly larger than your top circle and draw your face on. Then glue inside the circle.
Use a piece of ribbon to create a hanger. We glued the ribbon to the top of our snowman ornament but you could also pull the string through the opening of the top of the snowman ornament and tie it off.
Bingo! You’ve got a happy snowman for your tree.
A Christmas tree for your Christmas tree!
A miniature tree for your Christmas tree, what could be cuter!
What you’ll need…
Two toilet paper cores
Paint of your choice (a traditional green and brown? A rainbow tree? It’s up to you.)
Glue (either PVA or a glue gun)
Ribbon/thread
Optional: pom poms or other decoration for your tree
How to make:
Cut your two toilet roll cores in half longways.
Leave one piece as it is. Holding the pieces horizontal, cut a little bit off each piece, cutting a little more as you progress through the pieces, so when you arrange them they form a lovely triangular tree shape. Keep one of the scrap pieces to use as the tree stump.
3. Paint the tree in your selected colours. We’ve gone for a traditional green for the tree and brown for the stump.
4. Once dried, lay all the pieces out to form a tree and glue them together.
5. Decorate your tree! Either with paint, you can also glue pom-poms on and biodegradable glitter.
6. Glue a loop of ribbon to the top piece and there you go, now you can decorate your tree… with your tree!
Castle ornament
This ornament is *slightly* more difficult than the previous ones, but it’s still a doddle and can be done with the kids. To make a princess castle ornament, what you’ll need is:
A toilet roll core (of course)
Scrap cardboard (an old tissue or cereal box will do)
Scrap paper OR paint for decoration.
Glue (either PVA or a glue gun)
Scissors
How to make:
Cover your toilet roll core with decorative paper or paint it in a colour of your choice.
2. Cut out a small ‘archway’ about an inch high in your tube.
3. Now for your base: Cut a cardboard circle with a diameter of 6.5cm.
4. For the roof, cut out another cardboard circle with a diameter of 12cm.
5. Decorate both your roof and base however you like. You can use paint or scrap paper, however, covering the roof in scrap paper might make it a little harder to bend into your roof in the next step…
6. Lie a loop of ribbon or string the centre of the straight side of the semi-circle and glue it into place.
7. Take your half-circle and glue the ends together (as shown in the image) to create a cone. If you have a paper clip or binder clips, use these to hold while drying.
8. Once everything is dry, glue your tube to the base by running a bead of glue around the top edge of the tube. Set roof down, press firmly and allow to dry.
9. Do the same with the base – run the glue around the bottom edge of the tube. Press onto your base.
10. Add any additional decorations – you could write the name of your closest princess on the castle and it’s ready to hang on the tree!
Make sure to share your toilet roll creations with us on Facebook and Instagram.
If you’re looking for more toilet roll related crafts, or a homemade gift for that stationery lover in your life, head over to our just for fun page and find out how to make a toilet roll pen holder!
#WorldToiletDay 2023
November 2022
November 19th is recognised #WorldToiletDay Yes, a whole day dedicated to the toilet!
In the UK, we take the humble toilet for granted – we’re sure we can find a toilet in any public space we go to and we can usually be confident we won’t be… caught short. But, did you know there are approximately 3.6 billion who people don’t have access to a safe toilet? Toilets are key to preventing disease in our communities.
The UN is dedicated to providing a toilet for all by 2030.
Access to sanitation is recognised by the UN as a human right. Everyone should be entitled to have affordable access to sanitation, throughout the world.
Next time you’re shopping for soap, instead of buying liquid soap, swap to buying a bar of soap.
Soap bars have a lower environmental impact, due to packing being more minimal and paper-based. This is compared to liquid soap which is packaged in plastic disposable bottles.
For more eco-tips, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We share regular tips and tricks on how to live a more eco-friendly life. We’re also happy to hear any tips you have so drop us a message! We’ll also be posting lots more eco-tips and tricks on our just for fun page, so stay tuned!
