Sustainable - Zero Waste Llama

Allergy Friendly / Aluminium-Free / Bamboo Straws / Biodegradable / BuyLocal / Clothing / Eco-Friendly / Environmentally Friendly / Ethical / Events / Fabric / Face Pads / Fair Trade / haberdashery / Menstrual Products / Organic / Pet Friendly / Plastic-Free Wraps / Products / Recycling / Sewing / Shop Independent / Sustainable / Sustainable Living / Tote Bag / Up-cycling / Weigh of the World / Yarn / Zero Waste

Sustainability Festival, Northwich, 23rd July 2022

West Cheshire Museums are partnering with Eco Communities to host a sustainable Festival and craft fair, on the 23rd July 2023.

The event is part of West Cheshire Museums’ Festival for the Future, a month-long celebration of sustainability and climate action held accross museum sites Chester, Northwich and Malpas.

The Festival of the Future is a free one day event at the Northwich museums – ideal for families who love nature, performance , craft and free workshops!

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July 12, 2022

Read more about the article Product Review: Dingbats*

©Dingbats* Notebooks, Journals and Ātopen Pens

Bullet Journal / Journal / Notebook / Pens / Products / Stationary / Sustainable / Sustainable Living / Zero Waste

Product Review: Dingbats*

I had never heard of Dingbats* until Christmas Day 2020 when my best friend (sharing my love of notebooks/bullet journals, and knowing that I was working towards a Zero Waste Life – and blogging in the process), gave me a Dingbats* notebook as a gift.

In the pocket, at the back of the notebook, was a small leaflet, which briefly detailed their product ranges and highlighted key features (discussed below). I tried them, following the link on the leaflet to find out more, then my love affair with Dingbats* began… in fact, 3 months later I ordered a further 5 journals, as well as some lovely dual-tipped pens!! Why? What makes Dingbats* different/better than the Moleskine notebooks, which I have used for decades?

Dingbats* Earth Collection of notebooks & Pens — ©Dingbats* Earth Collection of Notebooks & Pens

Read on, and get a 10% discount on your purchase!

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December 30, 2021

©Bird & Blend Tea Co.

Bird & Blend Tea Co. / Eco-Friendly / Environmentally Friendly / Ethical / Products / Sustainable / Sustainable Living / Tea / Vegan / Vegetarian / Zero Waste

Product Review: Tea from Bird & Blend Tea Co.

The Bird & Blend Tea Co. is “an eco-conscious, independent, people-focused, award winning Tea Mixology Company on a mission to spread happiness and reimagine tea” – As a Tea-Lover myself, this statement alone piqued my interest!

So, when my loose-tea cupboard was looking bare in October, I popped off an order to them, and I was not disappointed!

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November 30, 2021

Read more about the article Buy Local: Focus on Yarn

Photo by Mahyar Motebassem on Unsplash

Biodegradable / BuyLocal / Environmentally Friendly / Products / Sustainable / Sustainable Living

Buy Local: Focus on Yarn

If, like me, often purchase beautiful yarns for knitting, crochet or even weaving, one small change you can make to reduce your carbon footprint is to #BuyLocal. We are not short of amazing yarn mills, spinners and/or even hand dyers in the UK – look out for them in your local shops or support them via their websites!

As you are looking through the below, PLEASE let me know if I have missed any and I will add them!

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May 1, 2021

Read more about the article Home Made Reusable Sanitary Products

Home made sanitary towels / menstrual pads, by Cathrene

Menstrual Products / Recycling / Reducing Waste / Sanitary Towels / Sustainable / Sustainable Living / Up-cycling / Zero Waste

Home Made Reusable Sanitary Products

Following my Product Review on Reusable Sanitary Products in March last year, I have been producing my own Sanitary Towels. Not only have these been much more comfy to wear than those purchased, but the homemade ones have proven to weather the wear far better!

Originally, I made 2 test ones for myself (one for day and one for night), which I have used alongside those purchased, then numerous friends and businesses showed interest, so I made up more (far prettier than my “mock ups” from scrap fabrics). Now, a year later, my 2 sanitary towels still look and feel amazing, the purchased Earthwise towels look a little tatty, but are still functional, and the Eco-Femme Cotton Sanitary Night Pads have worn very badly, and although still functional, the fabric has become rough against my skin.

Compared to the brand of disposable pads I used prior, I would never go back…. No irritation and excellent absorbency!

So I set to to make some nice new towels for me for a change (haha – it was the same story with the COVID-19 masks – I have made nearly 100 for others… and still have not finished my own!).

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June 19, 2020

Allergy Friendly / Aluminium-Free / Anti-Fungal / Anti-Microbial / Asthma Friendly / Bee-Friendly / Biodegradable / Cleaning Products / Coronavirus / Cotton Buds / COVID-19 / Cruelty Free / Deodorant / Dog / Eco-Friendly / Environmentally Friendly / Flouride-Free / Fragrance Free / Glycerine-Free / Hair Conditioner / Hand Sanitiser / LED / Lip Care / Menstrual Cup / Menstrual Products / Mouthwash / Natural Fragrance / Natural Ingredients / Non-Toxic / Northwich / Not Tested on Animals / Organic / Palm Oil Free / Paraben Free / Pet Friendly / Phosphate-Free / Products / Sanitary Towels / Shampoo / SLS-Free / Soap / Soap Nuts / Sustainable / Toothbrush / Toothpaste / Vegan / Vegetarian / Zero Waste

Keep the High Street Shops ALIVE… help them THRIVE!

In November 2019, Eco Store, Weigh of the World, in Northwich opened - THIS was a game changer for me! Local, and a brilliant concept! (you can read my blog post here). In addition to buying my fresh fruit & vegetables from John Griffiths' Green Grocers in Northwich, between the two of these shops, I found that I had 99% of what I needed! However, many small, independent shops, both in Northwich and elsewhere, are experiencing a massive decrease in sales, despite remaining open during the lockdown - people are doing their main shops in supermarkets. Before your supermarket shop, visit your local, small businesses first! Then only go to the supermarket if there is anything which you are unable to obtain! It is more important than ever that we support our local businesses - especially through this time of crisis! Furthermore, buying locally reduces food miles, helps alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels, reduce air pollution and cuts back on greenhouse gas emissions. With that in mind, I have collated a list of independent shops in NORTHWICH who are still open and operating, and what shopping options are available. Independent Northwich Shops Open/Online during Lockdown: Abda's Coffee Shop: Coffee and Tea can be ordered through their Facebook Page.Artisans Online: The Northwich Artisan Market is now online!Crafty Stitches: Online orders are being taken for delivery on FacebookFirthField Pet Stores: Open for business.Ginger & Browns: Pet Supplies at Blakemere - Open for online ordersJohn Griffiths' Greengrocers: 10 Witton St, Northwich -…

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May 10, 2020

Coronavirus / COVID-19 / Sustainable / Up-cycling / Zero Waste

COVID-19: Staying Home, Staying Safe and keeping up with your Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Part 1

Wear a Mask – Slow the Spread!

With the combination of frequent hand washing and physical distancing, wearing a face mask can help to slow the spreading of the virus, according to supporting research. The wearing of a face mask has become the norm in many Asian countries since the onset of COVID-19, and more recently, the US, France, and parts of Italy have also urged people to wear “alternative” masks – such as cloth face coverings.

Our local vets calling out for home-made face masks (all masks have been given to the NHS), but in other countries people are making for the hospitals, as supply is not meeting demand. During the past 6 weeks, I have been producing masks for myself, my carer and my mum (to use in the supermarket, when walking down the high street, etc.) in addition to around 30 masks produced for local key workers and veterinary surgeries.

To be clear this is a LAST RESORT mask for the NHS – and yet, during the past week, both my mother and I have been producing them for Physiotherapists and other staff working at Leighton Hospital, in addition to full sets of scrubs, scrubs bags and crocheted clips / headbands (which secure the mask behind the users head, to avoid rubbing the ears if wearing for a long time). The patterns and instructions for these can be found below.

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April 28, 2020

Deodorant / Natural Fragrance / Natural Ingredients / Northwich / Organic / Palm Oil Free / Sustainable / Vegan / Zero Waste

Product Review: Lavandi Organic Vegan Deodorant

I was given the Chamomile and Bergamot deodorant to test by Weigh of the World about 4 weeks ago. And Lavandi provided me with two other versions to try – I took the Sports version and Sarah tried the Cedarwood and Sage.

What I liked most is the fact that Lavandi are based in Northwich, Cheshire, where I live! Lavandi have seen the need for change and have created a range of recipes that are all-natural. Lavandi’s Organic Vegan Deodorants are made from only the finest ingredients and are Zero Waste. With excellent absorption and odour control one application should last you all day, simply apply by pushing up from the bottom of the tube, then warming against your skin and then glide over the required area.

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February 14, 2020

Allergy Friendly / Aluminium-Free / Anti-Fungal / Anti-Fungal / Anti-Microbial / Biodegradable Packaging / Compostable / Cruelty Free / Deodorant / Palm Oil Free / Paraben Free / Products / SLS-Free / Sustainable / Vegan / Zero Waste

Product Review: Kutis Natural Deodorant

My usual deodorant was one of the first items to be replaced – it has just taken me a long time to test out different ones and find one I love. Having not used spray deodorant since the 80’s, preferring a stick, I was looking for something with no plastic packaging. But I also needed something that worked…. and that did not have any (overpowering/”girly”) scent….

Well, I found it! The Kutis Natural Deodorant was one of a few deodorants which I purchased, and have since gone through two, tried four and purchased a multitude of other (gentle) scents to try!

Rating Overview: 10/10
Performance: This works really well
Fragrance: They come in two varieties, vegan and non-vegan, and a variety of Natural Fragrances…. suitable for both sexes.
Usability: Great – pushes easily out of the tube – even with arthritis (mum) or after a hand operation (me)

The Kutis deodorant sticks are made from all natural ingredients and they really work!

With key ingredients such as bicarbonate of soda, arrowroot powder and coconut oil this deodorant gives you the lasting freshness without all the nasty stuff that can be found in commercial deodorants.

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August 23, 2019

Natural Fragrance / Natural Ingredients / Organic / Paraben Free / Products / SLS-Free / Soap / Sustainable / Vegan

Product Review: Faith in Nature Soap – Coconut

I have used Faith in Nature's Coconut Soap for some years - it is lovely to use: very gentle with a good lather and it does not leave my skin dry, and has a lovely smell. I had no allergic reaction - I actually use it in the shower occasionally! This is available from many shops, including Oxfam, but I have only found it on amazon without plastic wrapping (in packs of 18). Given the plastic packaging, I will not be ordering this again, but the product itself is very good! Additional Attributes 100% Natural FragranceWith Essential OilsFree from Parabens and SLSIngredients are vegetable derived, organic and are certified sustainable in origin

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March 11, 2019

Wear a Mask – Slow the Spread!

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