Working towards a sustainable lifestyle

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!

(more…)

6 Comments
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!

(more…)

0 Comments
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 ā€“ either using purchased materials or upcycling old items ā€“ 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 ā€“ 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.

(more…)

0 Comments
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.

(more…)

0 Comments
June 9, 2021
Read more about the article For those who sew: GĆ¼termann Recycled Sewing Thread
Products / Sewing / Sustainable Living / Up-cycling / Zero Waste

For those who sew: GĆ¼termann 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 GĆ¼termann to be one of the best brands of sewing thread in the world! I have recently discovered GĆ¼termann 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!

(more…)

0 Comments
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 ā€“ 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!

(more…)

0 Comments
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 my local zero waste shop a few weeks ago, and it is sooooooo amazing and easy to use! This is my honest product review of Ocean Saver Cleaning detergents. If you’re interested in Eco Cleaning detergents, this review will be helpful. In this review, I’m particularly focused on Eco Cleaning detergents and my experience with them. So far I have only tried the Anti-Bac, with great results – others are to follow! In addition, my experience with Ocean Saver Cleaning detergents has been very positive in this product review.

(more…)

0 Comments
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!).

(more…)

2 Comments
June 19, 2020
Read more about the article Product Review: Cocoa Loco Chocolates
Cocoa Loco Chocolates at Weigh of the World
Chocolate / Fair Trade / Peace With The Wild / Weigh of the World / Zero Waste

Product Review: Cocoa Loco Chocolates

Cocoa Loco Dark Chocolate Ginger

Chocolate is one of the worldā€™s favourite foods (itā€™s definitely mine!), so I was absolutely delighted when my friend, Sarah, treated me to some Cocoa Loco Dark Chocolate Ginger (OMG LOVE ginger!) from my local zero waste shop a few weeks back! In fact, trying Cocoa Loco chocolates for the first time was a real treat.

That was it…. I was hooked! Since then I have continued to treat myself to these when I have been into the shop…. and then the Dark Chocolate Mango…. mmmmm REALLY love this chocolate! By the way, chocolates from Cocoa Loco are available in so many delicious varieties to choose from.

There’s something to suit everyone with white chocolate, milk and dark options – the dark ones are suitable for vegans. Weigh of the World have also got a number of other flavours, including Chilli, Raspberry…. and bars! With so much choice, itā€™s easy to see why Cocoa Loco chocolates are loved by many.

Cocoa Loco Organic Chocolate Bars
(more…)

0 Comments
June 5, 2020