Working towards a sustainable lifestyle

Header image showing sewing tools and fabric with the text “Repair & Up‑cycling: Giving Old Textiles a Second Life” on a neutral background.
Ethical Living

Repair & Up‑cycling: Giving Old Textiles a Second Life

For years now I’ve had a sewing room. I’ve made my own curtains, clothes, bags — you name it. These days, though, it’s mostly used for repairing clothing, and I also love to repair and up‑cycle items whenever possible, rather than making new items from scratch.

And honestly? That feels like progress. Choosing to up-cycle and repair fits my values well.

Fast fashion has made it far too easy to throw things away at the first sign of wear. But in my experience, around 50% of clothing is absolutely repairable with a little time, basic skills, and a willingness to try. When something can’t be repaired, it’s put to one side for up‑cycling instead of going straight to landfill. Repair and up‑cycle should always be considered before throwing things away.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

(more…)

0 Comments
December 10, 2018
Sun rising over planet Earth
Ethical Living

My Pledge to the Planet: Progress

I am trying my utmost to reduce my waste by 85% before the end of the year. This post is an update on my zero waste pledge progress. It is not that I never recycled (I always have done!), or that I was particularly wasteful, but that there is more that I can do.

What is in place

  • Avoidance of ANY purchases with plastic packaging (yes, this causes funny looks in Tesco when I have veg loose in a bag for life, but what is the point in putting them in plastic for a 5 min journey, when I already have a canvas carrying implement?!)
  • Up-cycling of anything possible: for a friends kids to make stuff with (the cardboard rolls in the middle of wrapping paper are, e.g. excellent swords!)
  • Re-use of boxes and envelopes.
  • Slow integration of alternative products with waste reduction and environmental friendliness as core motivations for choice.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

(more…)

0 Comments
November 30, 2018
bamboo greenery and bamboo cotton swabs. Text reads Product Review: Biodegradable Bamboo Cotton Swabs
Brand Reviews / Ethical Living

Product Review: Biodegradable Bamboo Cotton Swabs

When I first started taking a closer look at the everyday items I use, I was surprised by how many contained unnecessary plastic. One of the simplest — and most overlooked — swaps was cotton buds (or cotton swabs). They’re used for seconds, then thrown away, yet conventional plastic cotton buds can take hundreds of years to break down, often ending up in landfill or, worse, our oceans.

Wanting to reduce my plastic waste without giving up convenience entirely, I started looking for a more sustainable alternative. That’s how I came across biodegradable bamboo cotton swabs — and they’ve since become a staple in my low‑waste bathroom

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

(more…)

2 Comments
November 19, 2018
Read more about the article Smart Meter
Ethical Living

Smart Meter

Smart meter benefits include helping you make better sense of the energy you use. As a result, you are in a stronger position to both lower your bills and reduce your environmental impact. EDF finally fitted one for me today – after a very long wait! An engineer came out last year but was unable to install it due to the layout of my mains electricity box. This meant I had to first get an electrician in to rearrange everything. After that, I had to go back onto the waiting list… but persistence paid off, and it’s now installed. Estimated reading time: 3 minutes One major benefit of smart meters is the convenience. Automatic readings mean no more waiting at home for someone to manually read your gas or electricity meter. Given that my gas meter lives in the far corner of a cupboard packed with baking bowls and equipment, this is a huge relief! Smart meters use two-way communication between your home and the energy supplier. Therefore, regular home visits for readings are no longer required. There’s ongoing debate about whether smart meters actually reduce energy consumption. Some research suggests that savings aren’t guaranteed – and I agree that results depend heavily on the individual. For me, the key value lies in visibility. By occasionally checking the in-home display throughout the day or week, you can quickly spot when usage spikes. This naturally leads you to question what’s switched on. It also makes you wonder what might be running…

0 Comments
November 5, 2018
Sun rising over planet Earth
Ethical Living

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. Here’s an update on my zero waste pledge progress. 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.  Estimated reading time: 4 minutes 🌍 Why Making a Pledge Matters Making a personal pledge to reduce waste is about more than hitting a single target by a specific date. It’s a mindset shift — choosing to question habits that have been normalised and replacing them with more intentional, planet‑friendly alternatives. For me, this pledge was never about perfection, but about awareness, experimentation, and long‑term change. Moreover, tracking your zero waste pledge progress can make these shifts more rewarding. When we actively track our waste and reduce our reliance on disposables, even small actions begin to add up. What starts as a challenge quickly becomes a lifestyle adjustment, influencing everything from shopping habits to how we value what we already own. ♻️ Progress Over Perfection One of the biggest lessons from this journey so far has been learning to let go of the idea that zero waste means producing no waste at all. In reality, progress happens in stages. Some swaps are easy and immediate, while others take time, research, or simply waiting until existing products are used up. Tracking zero waste…

0 Comments
November 1, 2018
Read more about the article Shredded Paper
Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

Shredded Paper

Shredded Paper…. urgh… a pain to produce, and even more of a pain to dispose of… luckily both my parents actively make and use their own compost. Some councils do not seem to like shredded paper in the recycling!? But, it is a source confusion for many. Therefore, here is some information and tips to help you!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

(more…)

1 Comment
October 19, 2018
Baskets of seasonal produce (carrots, tomatoes, leafy greens) A loaf of bread and a jar labelled Honey A simple market stall or awning A small sign reading “Shop Local” Title text: “Buy Local: The Ethical Choice”
Sustainability Guides

Buy Local: The Ethical Choice

Buying local is one of the easiest ways to make a positive difference — and it doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul.

Think about it: when we buy out-of-season food like strawberries in December, that produce hasn’t magically appeared on the shelf. It’s usually been flown thousands of miles, kept cold for long periods, and wrapped in layers of plastic just to survive the journey. The same goes for many everyday products that are imported cheaply but come with a heavy environmental cost.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

(more…)

3 Comments
October 5, 2018
Sun rising over planet Earth
Ethical Living

My Pledge to the Planet

Today I pledged to reduce all household waste - esp. plastic - by 85% before the end of 2018. This personal goal is my pledge to the planet. 🌍 Why I Made This Pledge This pledge to the planet came from a growing awareness of how everyday choices impact the environment. Household waste, particularly plastic, is so ingrained in modern life that it’s easy to overlook just how much we generate without thinking. Making an active pledge felt like a necessary step — not just to reduce waste, but to take responsibility for my own consumption. Rather than waiting for perfect conditions or the “right time,” this pledge represents a conscious decision to start where I am, with what I have, and to do better moving forward. ♻️ What Zero Waste Means to Me For me, zero waste is not about achieving an unattainable ideal. It’s about striving to reduce waste wherever possible and being more mindful about the resources I use. It means questioning convenience, rethinking habits, and choosing reuse over disposability whenever I can. This approach focuses on progress rather than perfection. Even small reductions in waste can have a meaningful impact when they are sustained over time. 🏡 A Realistic Approach to Reducing Household Waste Household waste doesn’t disappear overnight. Products need to be used up, systems need to be adjusted, and habits take time to change. This pledge recognises that reality and allows for a gradual transition instead of drastic, unsustainable changes. By focusing on practical…

0 Comments
October 1, 2018