#EcoFriendlyChoices

An Aberdeenshire beach, with blue sky, sun and clouds reflecting on the calm sea below.
Ethical Living / Zero Waste Swaps

World Environment Day 2026: A Real-Life Reflection (Not Just Another Awareness Post)

Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future

Every year, World Environment Day rolls around on 5th June—and if I’m honest, it used to feel like just another date in the calendar. A reminder, yes… but one that didn’t always translate into real change. This year, though, I wanted to share my World Environment Day 2026 reflection on why the day matters more than ever.

This year felt different.

Maybe it’s because I’ve spent more time thinking about the small habits that quietly add up—what I buy, what I waste, and what I ignore. Or maybe it’s because climate conversations are getting harder to avoid (even when we want to).

So instead of sharing the usual stats and headlines, I wanted to take a step back and ask a simpler question:

What has actually changed—for me, and for us?

And more importantly—what can we realistically do next?

(more…)

0 Comments
June 6, 2026
Low-Waste Picnic Kit. in a field of wild flowers, featuring a variety of plastic free and sustainable cutlery, crockery and utensils.
Ethical Living

🌿 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.

(more…)

4 Comments
April 11, 2026
Kutis deodorant
Brand Reviews

Product Review: Kutis Natural Deodorant

My usual deodorant was one of the first items to be replaced – it has just taken me a long time to test out different ones and find one I love. Having not used spray deodorant since the 80’s, preferring a stick, I was looking for something with no plastic packaging. But I also needed something that worked…. and that did not have any (overpowering/”girly”) scent….

Well, I found it! The Kutis Natural Deodorant was one of a few deodorants which I purchased, and have since gone through two, tried four and purchased a multitude of other (gentle) scents to try!

Rating Overview: 10/10
Performance: This works really well
Fragrance: They come in two varieties, vegan and non-vegan, and a variety of Natural Fragrances…. suitable for both sexes.
Usability: Great – pushes easily out of the tube – even with arthritis (mum) or after a hand operation (me)

The Kutis deodorant sticks are made from all natural ingredients and they really work! 

With key ingredients such as bicarbonate of soda, arrowroot powder and coconut oil this deodorant gives you the lasting freshness without all the nasty stuff that can be found in commercial deodorants.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

(more…)

2 Comments
July 19, 2023
Show Love Shop Small
Show Love Shop Small
Sustainability Guides

#ShopIndependentDay

The Ethical Choice- Show Love: Buy Local, Shop Small

When you buy out-of-season produce, e.g. raspberries or strawberries in December, your eco-credentials become lower. The same applies to purchasing any food product that has been flown from outside your country or is wrapped in layers of (unnecessary) plastic. By shopping locally, and independently, (bakers, farm shops, green grocers…) it is less likely that the produce has travelled an unthinkable distance in order to get onto your plate. Not only does this support local farmers, but the produce will be wrapped in less (or even no) packaging and is fresher. The same applies to non-food goods and services.

This is just one positive, others include:

  • It is often possible to try before you buy!
  • It may be cheaper
  • Advice can be sought if required
  • It helps build your community, get social!
  • It support local businesses and entrepreneurs
  • Independent shops often sell unique and unusual products
  • It boosts the local economy
(more…)

0 Comments
June 25, 2022
Compost
Photo from Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/grown-up-born-earth-nature-soil-1637302/
Ethical Living

#PlantBamboo, #UseBamboo, #CompostBamboo

Bamboo is often marketed as a miracle eco‑material — fast‑growing, renewable, and a popular alternative to plastic. But when your bamboo item finally reaches the end of its life, an important question remains: can bamboo actually be composted? The short answer is yes — but not always. Whether bamboo can go in your compost bin depends on how it’s been processed and what it’s mixed with. Understanding the difference is key to making sure your bamboo choices really are as sustainable as they seem. Estimated reading time: 3 minutes ✅ New Section: Is bamboo compostable? In principle, bamboo is a natural, organic material and can be composted. However, many bamboo products are treated or combined with other materials during manufacturing, which affects whether they will break down safely in a compost system. A simple rule of thumb If a bamboo item is made from pure bamboo with no added materials, it can usually be composted. If it contains glue, paint, plastic, metal, or synthetic fibres, it should not go straight into your compost bin. When in doubt, always check the product description or contact the brand directly. ✅ New Section: Bamboo composting checklist Before composting any bamboo item, ask yourself the following: ✅ Is it made from 100% bamboo? ✅ Is it untreated (no paint, varnish, or sealant)? ✅ Does it contain no plastic, metal, or synthetic fibres? ❌ No glue, resins, or bonding agents? ❌ No composite bamboo fibres mixed with melamine or plastics? If you can confidently tick…

12 Comments
September 24, 2021
Read more about the article Loose Tea vs Teabags
Ethical Living / Zero Waste Swaps

Loose Tea vs Teabags

If you’re trying to reduce waste at home, your daily cup of tea is a surprisingly powerful place to start. In this post, we look at loose leaf tea vs teabags — from flavour and freshness to hidden plastics, cost, and environmental impact. This will help you decide which is the better zero-waste choice.

I never gave tea-types much thought, until I lived in Hamburg, Germany (2000-2007). Tea was something that automatically came in teabags – I popped it in a teapot or cup, added hot water and let it brew. For me, varieties of tea (up to the year 2000) consisted of Tetleys, PG Tips and herbal (mostly chamomile). These ALWAYS came in a bag!

When I moved to Germany, a whole new world opened: Tea shops are common in towns and cities. In fact, Hamburg, being the largest port in Germany, had more than its fair share. A quick search on google showed me well over 100! There were more tea varieties than I had ever seen before in my life! And very few in bags! Rows and rows of large jars adorn these shops. You can ask about the origin or flavours of any of them – and/or have a sniff! Every time I return, I come back with kilos of it! From whole leaf Lemon Verbena, to mixes of loose teas with roses…. It is part of my life and routine now. Although I admit, I am more of a coffee drinker!

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

(more…)

2 Comments
March 7, 2019