Hi, I'm Louise, an Irish mom of two and a primary teacher. I grew up in the countryside and then spent over 10 years with a base in Cork City, while I explored the world. Tipperary called me home eventually and I am now back rearing my kids just down the road from where I grew up. I love teaching but I am also a passionate environmentalist.
What sparked your interest in sustainable living and where did you start?
For as long as I can remember I have cared about what I put in and on my body. I remember making myself drink water and eating broccoli because someone told me they were good for me. I always hated the idea of using chemicals on my body, opting for natural products when I could get them. It was when I moved back to Tipperary in my late 20s that I became increasingly aware of my individual responsibility to care for our planet and not just myself. I also realised that I could make a difference. I began to only use natural cleaning products (vinegar works great for my toilets), cut back on disposable products like cotton wool pads and wipes, buy secondhand whenever possible and shop in my local zero waste store. I also began to learn about growing my own food. As well as finding a sustainable living community on instagram to support and encourage me, I joined a local environmental group in 2022. Meeting and talking regularly with people who inspire me, makes my journey so much easier.
What is a sustainable change you have made in your own life that makes you really happy?
Through the eco-activist toy store owner Sharon Keilthy, I became aware of the existence of toy libraries. They are very popular all over the world but not in Ireland yet. I joined the Facebook group Ireland Community Toy Libraries Action Set, which Sharon established, and learned all about toy libraries. Inspired by Carrickmacross Toy Library in Monaghan and Bandbridge Toy Library in Co. Down, I went about setting up toy libraries in Tipperary. I set up a small toy collection for loan in Cashel Public Library and along with Jenny from Zero Waste Tipperary, I set up Clonmel Toy Library in a room beside her zero waste shop. We open the toy library on the last Saturday of every month and children take out up to 3 toys each for the month. (We also have longer loan times for certain baby toys which might be needed for a few months.) Children love coming for their monthly trip to the library but some parents also come without children and pick toys for them. We have grandparents using the library too. Our one year anniversary is in March and with over 60 children using the library, it is a real success story.
Are you tackling any sustainable changes at the moment you’d like to share or are planning to?
We bought a compost tumbler at Christmas for composting our food waste. I'm very excited to be able to further reduce the waste leaving our household and to have lovely, homemade compost. (Actually while I'm on the subject of compost - peat compost is still on sale in Ireland and it's really important that we refuse to buy it. Peat Free options, that do not cause damage to wildlife, water quality and carbon stores, are now widely available.)
What would you like to see in a sustainable future?
I would like to see toy libraries taking off in every county in Ireland for both environmental and social reasons. The toy industry is the world's most plastic intensive industry with 90% of toys being made from virgin petro-plastic. Even teddy bears and soft toys are mostly made from plastics like polyester. Due to the mix of materials used in toys they are very difficult to recycle and usually end up in general waste - which in Ireland mostly goes to incineration. Toy libraries help to reduce the amount of new toys being purchased, while keeping existing toys in circulation. Socially, children are inspired to play and to use their imagination by having access to different toys. The importance of play in a child's life cannot be underestimated. Anything we can do to encourage children to play is beneficial to them and to society.
If one of your friends told you they wanted to start living more sustainably, what would be your top tip to get started?
Don't try to do it all at once, make one change at a time and do it at your own pace. Don't try to be perfect. I say to myself 80:20 - I do my best 80% of the time but if I slip up or can't manage to do something I forgive myself. I find it easy to buy secondhand and sustainably made clothes but I still buy new shoes when I need to. I try to cook home made meals most nights but some weeks I'm so busy that I nip into the shop and buy a pre-made lasagne which comes in tinfoil and plastic wrapping.
What keeps you motivated?
Working with others of a similar mindset, knowing that I am helping to make the world a better place for my children and seeing that even the smallest change does make a difference.
And For a bit of fun and… really find out about you…What was your first concert or your first CD/Tape/Record you owned?
The 1997 'Trip to Tipp' was the first concert that I remember going to - somehow myself and my friend convinced our parents to let us go. The Cranberries and Prodigy were two of the bands that played at it. My first tape was The Bodyguard Soundtrack. I bought it in England when I was visiting relatives and I still have it.
Where is a special place for you to reconnect with nature?
I love picking juicy blackberries from the wild hedgerows in autumn.
Shout out to your favourite irish sustainable shops/brands?
Thank you Louise!
You can connect with Louise on Instagram
