Working towards a sustainable lifestyle

Read more about the article #PlantBamboo for Straws
Jungle Culture - Straws in a pile
Bamboo / Bamboo Straws / Jungle Culture

#PlantBamboo for Straws

Bamboo is a ubiquitous sight across many parts of the tropics and subtropics, and is the fastest growing plant on the planet (reaching full maturity in around 3-5 years) and can be found in Africa, the Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Bamboo can be an important part of sustainable development in the Global South, particularly as a tool for poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation.

Jungle Culture - Jungle Straws
Jungle Culture – Jungle Straws

There are over 1600 known species, with thousands of uses. One of which is for the production of drinking straws.

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September 19, 2021
Read more about the article World Bamboo Day 18th September 2021
Bamboo - a beautiful green feeling by Clement Souchet on Unsplash
Bamboo

World Bamboo Day 18th September 2021

Bamboo by Alejandro Luengo on Unsplash
“Lucky Bamboo Trunk” by Alejandro Luengo on Unsplash

Where bamboo grows naturally, it is in daily use. However, its utilisation has not always been sustainable due its exploitation. As technology develops, and new “greener” innovations are made, bamboo is reaching a more contemporary audience worldwide: Bamboo products are now available in more extensive markets, they are gaining acceptance daily, and are changing the way we build our new environment.

World Bamboo Day has been celebrated for over a decade now, in order to increase the awareness of bamboo globally.
Zero Waste Llama will be celebrating this day…. all week!

#PlantBamboo

Over next 7 days, we will be showcasing and reviewing Bamboo as an alternative for the products that we use on a daily basis, and we will take a look at what choosing such products, brings to the local economies where it is grown, and the impact that this can make on our environment.

We will present straws to cutlery, toilet paper to tooth brushes… and spin a yarn for those who knit and sew amongst us!

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September 18, 2021
Read more about the article Head Shave for The Little Princess Trust
Cancer / Charity / Children / Donate / Fundraiser / Shave / The Little Princess Trust

Head Shave for The Little Princess Trust

COVID-19 has blessed me with 40 cm of hair…. today it will be shaved for wigs for The Little Princess Trust, and hopefully to raise some money for them too!

Wish me luck!

You can donate to their JustGiving page by clicking here.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Little Princess Trust, so it’s the most efficient way to give – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

The after photos will be posted below!

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August 8, 2021
Read more about the article Become your own Brand: Sustainable sewing
Photo by Merve Sehirli Nasir on Unsplash buttons speaking
Bag / Bee-Friendly / Bowl Cover / Cloth Napkins / Dog / Eco-Friendly / Environmentally Friendly / Face Pads / Kitchen Towel / Menstrual Products / Pet Friendly / Plastic-Free Wraps / Products / Sanitary Towels / Sewing / Snack Bags / socks / Sponges / Sustainable Living / Tote Bag / Zero Waste

Become your own Brand: Sustainable sewing

In sewing an item from scratch – either using purchased materials or upcycling old items – you will experience the time, skill and patience it takes to create an item of clothing or accessory. Your journey to self sufficiency moves forward, and mending, fixing, upcycling and creating new, bespoke/tailored and exciting items becomes an enjoyable hobby: you become your own brand!

If you are interested in sustainable sewing projects, or maybe have been motivated to look into this more during COVID-19 lockdowns, here are a few ideas, patterns and links – I just hope that in inspires just one other person to replace one item which they usually buy, with a home-made / upcycled item:  By sewing your own clothing and/or accessories, you are choosing a leisurely, more sustainable lifestyle and, at the same time, making a stand against fast fashion.

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July 6, 2021
Read more about the article My carbon footprint & why I can’t do nearly enough
Photo by Rawfilm on unsplash
Carbon Footprint / Carbon Neutral / Zero Waste

My carbon footprint & why I can’t do nearly enough

The truth of it is that, for Joe Bloggs and I, aiming for zero waste is truly difficult – alone the fact that I have not managed to source all the items I need for MY everyday life without plastic is both frustrating and deeply saddening. Some issues arise due to my disability / health and others due to low/reduced income (2020 was difficult for most businesses thanks to COVID-19), and yet more because I ordered something which is eco / zero waste / compositable etc., but it turns out it has travelled the world in order to arrive at my doorstep. I am also not in a position to change some things at this time, e.g. gas usage due to cost and feasibility. Even without a car, without taking a bus, without buying products wrapped in plastic, I managed to STILL leave a significant footprint on this planet.

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June 9, 2021
Read more about the article For those who sew: Gütermann Recycled Sewing Thread
Products / Sewing / Sustainable Living / Up-cycling / Zero Waste

For those who sew: Gütermann Recycled Sewing Thread

Gutermann Recycled Sew-All Thread Set 20pk - Basics
Gutermann Recycled Sew-All Thread Set 20pk – Basics

As an avid sewer – and I know that I am not alone here – I take pride in repairing and upcycling items in order to lower my carbon footprint. I also know Gütermann to be one of the best brands of sewing thread in the world! I have recently discovered Gütermann Sew-all Thread rPET. Not only can they be implemented for a variety of fabrics and stitches, but they are made from 100 % recycled polyester!

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May 17, 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 Product Review: Ocean Saver – Cleaning detergents
Biodegradable / Biodegradable Packaging / Cleaning Products / Eco-Friendly / Environmentally Friendly / Lab Tested / Natural Ingredients / Plant-based ingredients / Products / Reducing Waste / Weigh of the World / Zero Waste

Product Review: Ocean Saver – Cleaning detergents

I picked up some Oceansaver Anti Bac and a reusable spray bottle from Weigh of the World a few weeks ago, and it is sooooooo amazing and easy to use! So far I have only tried the Anti-Bac, with great results – others are to follow!

By using Oceansaver refill drops, the retailers will transport less water, which means fewer trucks on the road, helping to reduce carbon emissions. Also, because you are re-using your spray bottles, Oceansaver drops were developed to fight single-use plastic and preserve our oceans and sea life – A great range of home cleaning solutions made with plant-based ingredients, totally biodegradable, lab tested and proven efficacy.

Oceansaver is committed to finding affordable solutions without compromising on quality or effectiveness. They take an innovative approach to all their products and packaging, ensuring they use the latest in recyclable and biodegradable materials.

These are really easy to use too!

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June 24, 2020
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