#Ecolifestyle

Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash fabric
Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash fabric
Ethical Living / Zero Waste Swaps

#PlantBamboo for Fabrics, Yarn & Fashion

“35% of all micro plastics in the world’s oceans are from synthetic textiles”

International Union for Conservation of Nature

There are over 1600 known species of Bamboo across many parts of the tropics and subtropics, with thousands of uses – including for the production of fabrics and yarn for the fashion industry.

Why Bamboo Is Being Promoted in Fashion & Textiles

Bamboo has become a popular material in the sustainable fashion conversation because it grows extremely quickly, requires no replanting after harvest, and can thrive without large amounts of pesticides or fertiliser. As a plant, bamboo has a relatively low land footprint and can absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide during growth.

This has led to bamboo being marketed as a climate‑friendly alternative to conventional cotton and petroleum‑based synthetic fibres.

However, the environmental impact of bamboo fabrics depends less on the plant itself and more on how it is processed.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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September 20, 2021
Home made sanitary towels / menstrual pads, by Cathrene
Home made sanitary towels / menstrual pads, by Cathrene
Brand Reviews

Home Made Sanitary Towels (& where to buy materials)

Following my Product Review on Reusable Sanitary Products a few years ago, I have now been producing my own Sanitary Towels for some time – both for me and my friends! You’ll remember from my previous post regarding making these, that, not only have these been much more comfy to wear than those purchased, but my homemade ones have proven to be strong, absorbent and easily washed!

Compared to the brand of disposable pads I used prior, I would never go back…. No irritation and excellent absorbency!

In this post I wish to expand a little more into the eco fabrics/materials you can use and where to buy them in the UK.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes


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July 3, 2020
Origami Bag 1
Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

Upcycle Project: Old clothes to Origami bags!

Baggy Trousers

When I was 19 or 20, I remember actually holding a “funeral” for my favourite pair of patchwork batik baggy trousers… I lived in them… they were part of me… yet I was not in a position (at the time I was at university) to maintain their repairs… alas… they were falling apart… and my housemates staged an intervention and helped me to part with them… (I still miss that specific pair now! They were purples and dark blues, and so comfy…).

These days, I try and keep up with repairs – with such patchwork baggy trousers, this is fairly easy – just add another patch! However, there does come a point where you find yourself doing this far too regularly…

Fast fashion means we’re encouraged to throw clothes away as soon as they wear out — but what if those “unwearable” items could become something beautiful and useful instead? This upcycle project turns old clothes into simple origami-style fabric bags, giving much‑loved garments a second life while keeping textiles out of landfill.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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August 1, 2019
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

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March 7, 2019
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

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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

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November 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

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3 Comments
October 5, 2018