🌍 My Carbon Footprint: What I’m Doing, What I’m Learning, and Why It’s Not Always Easy

Aiming for a zero‑waste lifestyle sounds simple in theory — but in reality, it’s incredibly challenging. Even with the best intentions, I still struggle to source everything I need without plastic, and some “eco‑friendly” items arrive after travelling halfway around the world. Add disability, health limitations, and a reduced income (hello, 2020), and the journey becomes even more complicated.

Despite all this, I’m committed to reducing my carbon footprint wherever I realistically can. I’m not perfect — none of us are — but I believe small, consistent steps matter.

Here’s what I’ve been doing over the past few years to reduce my impact.

(more…)

1 Comment

April 14, 2026

Sustainability Guides

Bluebell and Albie, the Eco-cats!

Firstly, I’ll introduce you to Albie, our 1 year old cat. He also goes by the names; Albus, Albus Dumble-cat, Alfred, Albert, Alberto, Alb and Albachino. This is him, I know I’m biased but isn’t he the cutest?!

A couple of weeks before Christmas 2022, we acquired a cat and her 2 kittens. Sadly, after 4 weeks of hand-rearing, constant vet trips and a last-ditch attempt to save her trip to Luton, we lost the little girl. But our little miracle, Albie survived. So we HAD to keep him.

Bluebell is Albie’s mum, she was my brothers cat who came to live with us around 7 months ago. Bluebell and Albie are practically identical… except. Albie is twice Bluebells size, and where Bluebell has a full white moustache, Albie only has half. Bluebell is also OBSESSED with Cath, who is not a cat-person at all. (Bluebell went on to live with a close friend of ours, as soon as Albie was weened).

Now the introductions are over, let’s talk “Eco cat products!”. I’d had some experience with cats before, but Cath hadn’t. She was eager to extend the Eco-ness out to the cat too….

(more…)

0 Comments

June 18, 2023

Sustainability Guides

TerraCycle® – The First European Pet Food Recycling Programme

Whilst looking at my rubbish this week, and figuring whether or not it would be possible to recycle James Wellbeloved dry dog food bags, or even upcycle them, I discovered that James Wellbeloved already had a strategy in place!

They have partnered with TerraCycle® and Whiskas to launch the Pet Food Recycling Programme, a free recycling programme for your empty pet food pouches and for other flexible plastic dry food and treat packaging. In order to ensure that the packaging for your pets delicious products can be recycled into new products in order to prevent them to from ending up in landfill!

(more…)

0 Comments

April 2, 2023

Sustainability Guides

My Pledge to the Planet: Progress

On the 1st October 2018, I pledged to reduce all household waste - esp. plastic - by 85% before the end of 2018. After just one month my waste has been reduced by 50% ... even with a lodger. As the last of the plastic bottles of shampoo etc are being used, I am optimistic to reach my goal.

0 Comments

March 19, 2023

Sustainability Guides

Blog mini-series: Eco pets!

Anyone who knows us, will know that our animals are very much the centre of our lives. And if you don’t know that already, I’m sure you’ll get the message throughout the next few posts. We love to write and share our experiences of the eco products that we use, so we think its only right to share the things that we use to make our pet ownership eco too! From the food that we use, to the places we shop at, we try to be as environmentally conscious as possible. Although our cats and dogs are blissfully unaware of the climate crisis, I’m sure their future ancestors will thank us! Throughout the coming posts, you’ll get to know our animals, and the products that we’ve loved using to help reduce our carbon paw-print! Feel free to follow our dogs on Instagram (or Purl / Bobbin on Facebook) if you want to keep up with their antics! The cats (Albie & Bluebell) sometimes make a guest appearance too!

0 Comments

March 1, 2023

Sustainability Guides

Creative Recycling: Art Workshop Day

Drop into the Visual Arts Cheshire Gallery in Barons Quay (opposite WildWood) next Saturday to see the new 20×20 exhibition and try a free ‘Creative Recycling’ art workshop.

Inspired by my own journey to Zero Waste, I will be showing you how to make some art by upcycling scrap materials we all have at home! These can then be entered into the art exhibition or taken home! All ages welcome! (I will also have some Zero Waste Llama items for sale, for those looking to fill their stockings early!).

(more…)

0 Comments

November 6, 2022

Sustainability Guides

Reducing Food Waste

There are many steps which I am taking in order to reduce the amount of food which I waste…

(more…)

0 Comments

September 5, 2022

Sustainability Guides

Seasonal Gifts – Sowing Seeds for the Future

Although my seasonal gifts were sent off to friends all over the world over a month ago, most will only be opening today... so I had to wait before posting this! This year, friends and family received an envelope of Wild Flower seeds for the festive season: "Here are some wild flower seeds to scatter, in your own garden or in the wild! To bring you, and others (people, bees and butterflies) joy and happiness at the sight! Please scatter during March 2019!" A great gift idea that keeps on giving, and not just the the recipient!

0 Comments

August 19, 2022

Sustainability Guides

‘No Limits’ Disability Festival

Zero Waste Llama will be having a stall at the No Limits Festival, on the 26th August! This year, the No Limits Disability Festival will be an inclusive and exciting experience for everyone. No Limits is a new exciting festival, celebrating disabled people in the North West, hosted by Disability Positive. You'll find lots of useful information and advice about services and opportunities in the local area, as well as the chance to support disabled artists and entrepreneurs, enjoy entertainment, food and drink and fun activities! Don’t miss the vibrant No Limits Disability Festival for its range of accessibility features and community spirit. No Limits Festival 2022 We want to empower disabled people to live an independent life with No Limits. Come along and join the celebration! Please note that we will have the following available on the day to enhance your No Limits Disability Festival experience: Accessible Toilets Changing Place British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation Empower disabled people to live an independent life with No Limits. Come along and join the celebration! Please join us at mid-day on Friday 26th August 2022 at: Northwich Memorial Court (Brio Leisure), 62 Chester Way, Northwich, CW9 5QJ. Book your FREE ticket here. In conclusion, we are proud to be a part of the No Limits Disability Festival and hope to see you there! Sponsors: Vivo Care Choices Northwich Town Council Northwich Memorial Court Key Takeaways Zero Waste Llama will participate in the No Limits Disability Festival on 26th August, celebrating disabled people…

0 Comments

August 10, 2022

Sustainability Guides

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. This exciting event will provide a perfect opportunity to experience the Sustainability craft fair Northwich.

The event is part of West Cheshire Museums’ Festival for the Future. It is a month-long celebration of sustainability and climate action held across museum sites Chester, Northwich and Malpas. Additionally, the Sustainability craft fair Northwich forms a key part of this celebration with its focus on environmentally friendly crafts and activities.

The Festival of the Future is a free one day event at the Northwich museums. It is ideal for families who love nature, performance, craft and free workshops! Sustainability craft fair Northwich will delight both locals and visitors looking for meaningful ways to get involved with the community.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

(more…)

1 Comment

July 12, 2022

Item successfully added to your cart