The Milk Dilemma

After an extensive amount of research, and much frustration I have come to the conclusion that I (personally) have very little choice but to continue to buy the 4 pints / 2.272 litre plastic bottles of milk from the supermarket. This is all part of the milk dilemma many of us face when shopping for milk. In short, the milk dilemma truly affects a lot of people, not just me.

Choosing milk isn’t as straightforward as it seems. In fact, the milk dilemma complicates matters for those trying to choose the most sustainable option. This article explores the environmental impact of dairy milk versus plant‑based alternatives, helping readers understand the sustainability, ethical considerations, and climate implications behind one of our everyday food choices.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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Blog mini-series: Eco pets!

Anyone who knows us, will know that our animals are very much the centre of our lives. We have also started to look into having more eco-friendly pet products. In fact, we have become passionate about choosing eco-friendly pets products whenever possible. 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! Choosing eco-friendly pets options is now part of our daily routine. 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! By making decisions with eco-friendly pets in mind, we do our part for the planet. 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! Moreover, eco-friendly pets topics will be discussed in future articles. 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! https://zerowastellama.com/terracycle-the-first-european-pet-food-recycling-programme/ https://zerowastellama.com/my-carbon-footprint/

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Keep Cups: A Simple Zero‑Waste Swap That Actually Makes a Difference

Globally, KeepCup users help prevent over 5 million disposable coffee cups from being used every single day 1. Considering that around one million disposable cups are thrown away every minute worldwide, switching to a reusable cup is one of the easiest and most impactful low‑waste habits you can adopt 1.

I’ve been using Keep Cups for years — not just when I’m out and about, but at home too (clumsy people unite). They’re practical, well‑designed, and genuinely enjoyable to use, which makes them far more likely to stick as a long‑term habit rather than becoming another forgotten cupboard item.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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Product Review: Soapnuts Laundry Detergent

This is something I put off trying for years, but as soon as I started my quest to reduce my waste, I bought some. I have been using soapnuts ever since! An eco-friendly alternative to laundry detergent and synthetic soaps, they are natural and non-polluting. But for me, with sensitive skin, which goes blotchy with many conventional laundry detergents (and softeners!), I was particularly nervous about changing from the one I have used for well over 30 years…

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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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 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!).
 
 

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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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Product Review: Georganics Oil Pulling Mouthwash

Having used the same mouthwash for several decades, trying a new one was daunting. I decided to give the Oil Pulling Mouthwash – Activated Charcoal by Georganics a try (in addition to the Georganics Mouthwash Tablets which I reviewed last month). To clarify, this is my honest Georganics oil pulling mouthwash review based on my personal experience.

Georganics added 1g/100ml of activated charcoal from coconut shells to this blend of virgin organic coconut oil and peppermint essential oil gives it a unique mildly abrasive quality. The highly porous activated charcoal traps bacteria and removes stains, cleansing and whitening teeth naturally. Such ingredients are worth noting in any Georganics oil pulling mouthwash review.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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Product Review: Naked Sprout Toilet Paper

Naked Sprout bamboo toilet roll is the most eco-friendly toilet roll on the market. Free from plastic, bleach and harsh chemicals.

Sarah and I have been testing it – alongside other eco brands – for some time now. We think that, if you can get past the colour, then a subscription to Naked Sprout is your pathway to a more sustainable lifestyle.

(Use this link and you can get a £5 order off your first purchase!)

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Bamboo - a beautiful green feeling by Clement Souchet on Unsplash
Bamboo - a beautiful green feeling by Clement Souchet on Unsplash

World Bamboo Day 18th September 2022

World Bamboo Day is celebrated every year on 18th September to raise global awareness of bamboo and highlight its vital role as one of the world’s most sustainable natural resources. In regions where bamboo grows naturally, it has been used for centuries in everyday life — from building materials and tools to household items, textiles, and food.

However, bamboo has not always been utilised sustainably. Over‑exploitation and poor management have caused environmental and social issues in some areas. As technology advances and greener innovations emerge, bamboo is now being reintroduced to global markets in a far more responsible and forward‑thinking way.

Today, bamboo products are more widely available than ever before, gaining acceptance across households, industries, and architectural design. From eco‑friendly toothbrushes and cutlery to construction materials and fabrics, bamboo is actively changing how we build, consume, and live within our environment.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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Reducing Food Waste at Home

Reducing food waste is one of the easiest and most effective ways to live more sustainably — and it’s something I actively work on every day. Not only does wasting less food help the planet, it also saves money, time, and unnecessary stress.

Food waste contributes significantly to climate change, with vast amounts of edible food ending up in landfill every year. When food rots in landfill, it releases methane — a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO₂. The good news? Small, realistic changes at home can make a huge difference in reducing food waste.

Here are the most effective habits I’ve adopted to reduce the amount of food I waste — without making life harder. By focusing on reducing waste, you can easily make a positive impact at home as well.

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