#EverydaySustainability

Eco Friendly back to school prep. Small Choices today, better tomorrow.
Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

Eco‑Friendly Back‑to‑School Prep: Sustainable Steps for a Greener School Year

The long summer holidays seem to disappear in the blink of an eye. One minute you’re enjoying lazy mornings and picnics in the park, and the next you’re facing the annual back‑to‑school shopping list. This year, many families are looking for Eco‑Friendly Back‑to‑School Prep ideas to make the transition more sustainable.

For many families, the start of a new school year can generate a surprising amount of waste. New uniforms, stationery, lunch supplies, backpacks, water bottles, and gadgets often replace perfectly usable items simply because it’s become part of the routine.

The good news? Preparing for school doesn’t have to mean filling the recycling bin, spending a fortune, or buying everything brand new.

Here are some practical ways to make back‑to‑school season a little kinder to both the planet and your budget.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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August 8, 2026
A photo showcasing an innovative recycling or upcycling project, where discarded materials are transformed into valuable products, emphasizing the potential of waste reduction.
A photo showcasing an innovative recycling or upcycling project, where discarded materials are transformed into valuable products, emphasizing the potential of waste reduction.
Ethical Living

Plastic-Free July Challenge Calendar: 31 Small Steps Towards Less Plastic

Plastic-Free July can feel overwhelming if you think you need to change everything at once. The good news? You don’t. Small swaps and mindful habits add up over time. This challenge calendar is designed to help you take one practical step each day throughout July. Some challenges take just a few minutes, while others may inspire a longer-term change. Pick and choose what works for you, and remember: progress is always better than perfection.

Why Join Plastic-Free July?

Plastic-Free July is a global movement that encourages people to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics. Whether you complete all 31 challenges or just a handful, you’ll become more aware of your consumption habits and discover simple ways to reduce waste.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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July 1, 2026
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?

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June 6, 2026
A bee approaching a sunflower.
Photo by Boris Smokrovic on Unsplash
Ethical Living

🐝 Bee‑Friendly Gardens: How to Help UK Bees Where You Live

Bees in the UK are under real pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, and a lack of diverse flowering plants. The good news? Even small gardens, balconies, patios, and window boxes can become vital lifelines, and creating bee‑friendly gardens UK wide is more important than ever.

You don’t need a wildflower meadow or perfect planting scheme. A bee‑friendly garden is about making space for nature, not controlling it. Here’s how to create one that actually helps.

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May 7, 2026
Wild flowers growing in the grass
Photo by David Trinks on Unsplash
Ethical Living

No Mow May: Why Letting Your Lawn Grow Really Matters

Every May, a familiar hum returns to gardens across the UK: lawnmowers roaring back into action.

And every May, No Mow May asks a simple question instead:
What if we just… didn’t?

No Mow May is a campaign started by UK conservation charity Plantlife, encouraging people to leave their lawns uncut during May to support wildlife — especially pollinators — at a time when they need help most.

It’s not about messy gardens.
It’s not about guilt.
And it’s definitely not about doing everything perfectly.

It’s about making one small, gentle change — and letting nature do the rest.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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May 4, 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

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May 18, 2025
KeepCups
Ethical Living

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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February 19, 2023
Wind farm at sunset
Photo by Rawfilm on unsplash
Ethical Living

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. The question of carbon footprint personal responsibility is something I think about a lot.

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.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

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April 19, 2021