🌍 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.

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🌿 Low-Waste Picnic Kit

Simple Swaps for a Greener Outdoor Adventure

Earth Month Guide • Outdoors • Zero Waste Picnic

A low-waste picnic isn’t about perfection — it’s about packing with intention, choosing reusables over disposables, and celebrating the outdoors without leaving a trace. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the park, or your favourite coastal nook, a thoughtfully curated picnic kit makes sustainable living feel effortless.

This guide walks you through the essentials of a zero waste picnic, featuring some of the beautiful, ethically made pieces from Jungle Culture, whose artisan-crafted, plastic-free products align perfectly with the Zero Waste Llama ethos, amongst other Zero-Waste items of interest.

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Read more about the article Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tips for Allergy Season
Let the light in — dusting with reusable cloths and sunshine for a healthier, happier home.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tips for Allergy Season

A Fresh‑Air Guide for World Health Day & Earth Month

🌸 Welcome the Season, Not the Sneezes

Spring brings longer days, blooming flowers, and that irresistible urge to freshen up your home — but it also brings pollen, dust, and irritated sinuses. During allergy season, considering eco-friendly cleaning for allergy season is especially beneficial. With World Health Day and Earth Month arriving together, this is the perfect moment to refresh your space in a way that supports both your wellbeing and the planet.

This guide blends natural cleaning methods, mindful living, and a touch of Zero Waste Llama whimsy to help you breathe easier this season.

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Celebrating Earth Month: Small Steps for Big Impact

Every April, Earth Month invites us to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the planet that carries us — windswept beaches, mossy forests, bustling cities, and all. For the Zero Waste Llama herd, it’s a chance to celebrate the joy of low-waste living, embrace imperfect eco-action, and remind ourselves that sustainability is a journey, not a finish line.

This year, we’re leaning into the theme of “Small Steps, Big Impact” — because the truth is, most meaningful change begins with tiny, consistent choices made by ordinary people (and the occasional eco-llama).

Read more for some simple sustainable habits for Earth Month!

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Read more about the article The Sustainable Haggis: Scotland’s Smallest (and Silliest) Zero Waste Heroes
A lone haggis gently nibbling heather, beside a Grazing Rota sign under blue Highland skies.

The Sustainable Haggis: Scotland’s Smallest (and Silliest) Zero Waste Heroes

Every April, as the snow melts from the Cairngorms and the heather begins to blush purple, Scotland’s most elusive creature emerges from the hillsides with renewed purpose. No, not the capercaillie. Not Nessie either.

We’re talking about the Scottish Haggis—that shy, round, fleet footed creature known for its mismatched leg lengths and its uncanny ability to outrun even the most determined hill walker.

But this year, the haggis have been spotted doing something extraordinary. Something inspiring. Something… sustainable.

According to the ever-trustworthy experts at the Haggis Wildlife Foundation, these wee beasties have begun adopting eco-friendly habits that put the rest of us to shame. And honestly? Zero Waste Llama is here for it.

Read on to hear about the 4 Haggis Habits which we can learn from.

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Access Free Eco-Friendly Period Products in Scotland

Your guide to stress‑free, stigma‑free, zero‑waste‑friendly support

Scotland has taken a huge step toward period dignity by making period products free for anyone who needs them — and Aberdeenshire has embraced this wholeheartedly. Whether you’re a local resident, a visitor, a parent collecting for a young person, or someone supporting a friend, you can access free period products easily and discreetly.

At Zero Waste Llama, we’re especially excited that the scheme includes reusable options like cloth pads and menstrual cups. These choices are not only budget‑friendly but also planet‑friendly — a win for your body, your wallet, and the Earth.

This is your complete guide to accessing free (eco) period products near you (in Scotland AND the UK)!

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Power Your Home Smarter: Charging Up with Arctic Improvements & Octopus Go

Our new Home

You will have noticed that I have been very quiet for some time. This is partly due to health reasons, but also because we packed up our lives and moved into a pretty little cottage, on the North-Eastern coast of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

It was quite the expedition with 4 dogs and a cat, but we made it in March this year, and have been settling into our new home, and enjoying the local area ever since. We have also had a Zero Waste Llama stall at some of the local producers’ markets in Banff, Fraserburgh & Peterhead!

The electricity bill up here – with no solar panels – was a shock! As a result, I have spent the last few months researching what to do as well as talking to a variety of companies, so that we can put some energy-saving changes into place.

In the rolling landscapes of Scotland, Arctic Improvements has emerged as a forward-thinking home improvements company, merging practical elegance with environmental responsibility. Their product portfolio—ranging from energy-efficient windows and doors to solar panels and garden rooms—demonstrates a commitment to greener, smarter living. They were the only company who I had spoken to who deterred me from Solar Panels!! In fact, the lovely Tina was the only person I spoke to who told me that it was possible to install ONLY the storage batteries (and no solar panels) and thereby benefit from Octopus Energy‘s low rates over night: By storing the electricity until it is needed (which will be even more useful when we have the car-charger installed next year!).

Arctic offer a range of home energy improvement measures, and if you give Tina a call (0141 237 4563) or message (info@arcticimprovements.co.uk), and mention Zero Waste Llama, she will talk you through what they are doing for me!

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Read more about the article Home Made Sanitary Towels (& where to buy materials)
Home made sanitary towels / menstrual pads, by Cathrene

Home Made Sanitary Towels (& where to buy materials)

Following my Product Review on Reusable Sanitary Products a few years ago, I have now been producing my own Sanitary Towels for some time – both for me and my friends! You’ll remember from my previous post regarding making these, that, not only have these been much more comfy to wear than those purchased, but my homemade ones have proven to be strong, absorbent and easily washed!

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

In this post I wish to expand a little more into the eco fabrics/materials you can use and where to buy them in the UK.

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Creative Recycling: Art Workshop Day

Drop into the Visual Arts Cheshire Gallery in Barons Quay (opposite WildWood) next Saturday to see the new 20x20 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!). Perfect for all ages and abilities with all materials provided. Local makers will show you how to get started. More details about the workshop day here, and info about the 20x20 exhibition can be found on the Northwich Guardian website.

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Product Review: The Wonderbag

When Cathrene told me that she had ordered a Wonderbag to try, I was so excited. Not just because it meant that I could try out our new pumpkin dish (Le Creuset - a once-in-a-lifetime investment!), but because it would give me the opportunity to try out a new recipe. I’ve loved to cook ever since I was young, I would help my mum by chopping vegetables and stirring the pot! Despite my love of cooking, I’ve never made a stew! My boyfriends Mums Beef stew and dumplings is by far my favourite meal, but I’ve never tried to make it myself. Cath is on a "energy saving" mission at the moment (mind you, given the energy price increases of late, we are both keen to curb our usage!), so this was something that she was really keen to try, having seen videos on TikToK and friends reviews on Facebook.

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