#ClimateAction

Rotting fruit on a compost heap
Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

🌱 Compost Awareness Week: Why Composting Matters (and How to Start Without Being “Good” at It)

Compost Awareness Week has a reputation problem.

If you picture complicated systems, strict rules, smelly bins, or something you once tried and quietly abandoned… you’re not alone. Composting has somehow become both intimidating and moralised — which is impressive, considering it’s literally about letting things rot.

So let’s reset.

Composting is not about doing it perfectly.
It’s about keeping useful stuff out of landfill and letting nature do what it’s very good at.

And Compost Awareness Week is just a handy excuse to talk about that — without guilt.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

(more…)

0 Comments
May 2, 2026
Selection of Dingbats* Notebooks, Journals and Ātopen Pens on a desk
Brand Reviews

Product Review: Dingbats* Ātopen Dual Tip Pens

Finding truly sustainable art supplies that actually last is harder than it should be. For example, sustainable dual tip pens can be difficult to find if you care about quality and eco credentials. Many ‘eco’ pens dry out quickly, bleed through paper, or sacrifice performance for marketing claims — which creates more waste, not less.

What makes Dingbats* Ātopen dual‑tip pens different?

Dingbats* Ātopen Dual Tip Fineliner/Brush Pens are fabulous to use – and are still perfect after several years of use! As you can see from the image I took (yes, my writing IS that bad, LOL), the Dingbats* Ātopen dual tipped pens offer a wide range of possibilities for art drawings, journaling, doodling, calligraphy and much, much more.

(more…)

0 Comments
April 26, 2026
Fraserburgh Beach, on a bright day, with a blue sky and few clouds
Ethical Living

🌊 The Two‑Minute Magic: How a Fraserburgh Promenade Walk Sparked a Tiny Act of Coastal Kindness

Yesterday evening, with the North Sea breeze doing its usual wild dance and the dogs trotting happily ahead, I wandered along the Fraserburgh promenade for a much‑needed stretch of the legs. During my walk, I decided to take part in a 2 Minute Beach Clean and see what a difference a small effort could make. It was one of those simple, grounding walks — the kind where the waves hush your thoughts and the sky feels bigger than your to‑do list.

Then something unexpected caught my eye.

A small placard. A bold QR code. A message that felt like it was meant just for me:

“Take 2 minutes. Make a difference.”

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

(more…)

0 Comments
April 24, 2026
Clothing on a rail
Ethical Living

🌊 Fashion’s Hidden Impact on the World’s Oceans

Microplastics, Toxic Chemicals & Why Fast Fashion Is an Ocean Emergency

Fast fashion doesn’t just harm people and the climate — it’s quietly poisoning our oceans. The issue of fashion microplastics ocean pollution is now a major environmental concern linked to the fast fashion industry.

From microplastic fibres released every time we wash our clothes to toxic dye runoff turning rivers into dead zones, the fashion industry has become one of the world’s most destructive — and least regulated — polluters.

At Zero Waste Llama, we believe understanding the problem is the first step toward dismantling it.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

(more…)

0 Comments
April 23, 2026
Energy that helps the Earth heal.
Energy that helps the Earth heal.
Ethical Living / Events

🌍 Earth Day 2026: Energy That Helps the Earth Heal

Every Earth Day invites the same question:
what kind of relationship do we want with the planet that sustains us?

One important topic to consider is regenerative renewable energy and its role in shaping a sustainable future.

For years, the environmental conversation focused on doing less — using less energy, creating less waste, causing less harm. But a new story is emerging. Across the UK and beyond, renewable energy is evolving into something more ambitious: energy that restores ecosystems, supports farming, and strengthens communities while producing clean power.

This is regenerative energy — and it’s already taking root.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

(more…)

0 Comments
April 22, 2026
Rural Farmland Landscape With Sheep And Rotating Wind Turbines For Renewable Energy Production In Scotland, UK
Sustainability Guides

🌍 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…)

5 Comments
April 14, 2026
Plug in, Power up! Your 2026-2027 Guide to EV Charger Grants. The Zero Waste Llama is charging an electric car, in a residential setting.
Ethical Living

🌿 Plug In, Power Up: Your 2026–2027 Guide to EV Charging Grants (and Free Motability Chargers!)

Switching to an electric vehicle should feel like a joyful step toward cleaner air, quieter streets, and a more sustainable future — not a confusing maze of grants, cables, and acronyms. All the information in Your 2026–2027 Guide to EV Charging Grants is here to help you navigate these changes. Luckily, the UK Government has refreshed its EV charging support for 2026–2027, and there’s genuinely good news for renters, homeowners, landlords, workplaces, and even schools.

And if you’re a Motability Scheme customer, the news gets even better: you can get a home charger installed for free. Yes, really.

(more…)

0 Comments
April 10, 2026
Read more about the article Bluebell and Albie, the Eco-cats!
Ethical Living

Bluebell and Albie, the Eco-cats!

Firstly, let me introduce you to Albie, our one-year-old cat. He also answers to many other names: Albus, Albus Dumble-cat, Alfred, Albert, Alberto, Alb and Albachino. In upcoming posts, you’ll find out why we consider him one of our official eco-cats.

This is him — and yes, I’m biased, but isn’t he the cutest?

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

(more…)

0 Comments
May 18, 2025
Read more about the article LEDs – The Future is Bright!
Ethical Living

LEDs – The Future is Bright!

This is not something new, for me, but given the energy and cost savings, I thought I would post about this. Lightbulbs: The Future Is LED is a topic that is getting more attention as people focus on efficiency and sustainability. Furthermore, more experts agree that Lightbulbs: The Future Is LED is a key area for future home upgrades.

LEDs are the most efficient type of bulb. They have great claimed longevity, give instant light, and work in low temperatures. Therefore, they are “The future of home lighting”, and many consumers now believe that Lightbulbs: The Future Is LED is more than just a marketing phrase.

  • They use very little energy
  • Last longer than other bulbs
  • Provide instant light – no “warming up” time

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

(more…)

1 Comment
August 19, 2023
Read more about the article Shopping Plastic Free
Ethical Living

Shopping Plastic Free

Shopping plastic free is one of the most practical and powerful ways to reduce your environmental impact. From excessive food packaging to single‑use items designed to be thrown away, plastic has become deeply embedded in everyday shopping — often without us realising. The good news? With a few mindful swaps and better choices, shopping without plastic is far more achievable than it first appears.

Whether you’re just starting your zero waste journey or looking to reduce plastic even further, learning how to shop plastic free can help cut waste, save money, and support more sustainable brands. This guide breaks down simple, realistic tips for plastic‑free shopping, including easy alternatives, what to look out for in shops, and how to avoid common low‑waste pitfalls — without striving for perfection.

Small changes add up, and every plastic‑free choice you make genuinely matters.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

(more…)

3 Comments
May 19, 2023