Eco Friendly back to school prep. Small Choices today, better tomorrow.

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 cozy home kitchen with jars of homemade pickles, chutneys, and jams displayed on a countertop with fresh ingredients scattered nearby

Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

Preserving Summer Produce: A Simple Joy with a Zero Waste Twist 🍓🌞

There is something deeply satisfying about turning a bowl of ripe summer fruit into jars of homemade jam. This sense of preserving summer’s best produce is truly special.

Perhaps it’s knowing that the strawberries collected on a sunny afternoon will still be bringing joy on a cold winter morning. Perhaps it’s the comforting rhythm of washing, chopping, stirring and bottling. Or perhaps it’s simply the magic of making something delicious while preventing food waste.

Whatever the reason, when you are preserving summer produce as a seasonal ritual, you make the most of nature’s bounty and enjoy those flavours long after the season has ended.

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August 4, 2026

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

Photo by Palle Knudsen on Unsplash

Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

International Day for Biological Diversity 2026: Acting Locally for Global Impact

22nd May 2026 marks International Day for Biological Diversity (World Biodiversity Day) — a global moment to recognise the vital role nature plays in sustaining life on Earth and to reflect on how our everyday actions shape the future of the planet.

This year’s theme, “Acting locally for global impact,” reminds us of a powerful truth: protecting biodiversity doesn’t only happen in international negotiations or government strategies. It starts in communities, towns, homes, and gardens — including ours.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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May 22, 2026

A woman enjoying a music festival, dancing amongst the tents.

Photo by Krists Luhaers on Unsplash

Ethical Living

Eco‑Friendly Festival Packing List: Enjoy the Music Without the Waste

Festivals are all about freedom, fun, and unforgettable memories — but they can also generate huge amounts of waste. From single‑use plastics to abandoned tents, the environmental impact of festivals is massive. That’s why having an eco‑friendly festival packing list can make a real difference for our planet.

The good news? With a little planning, you can festival responsibly without sacrificing comfort or style.

Here’s your Zero Waste Llama–approved eco‑friendly festival packing list to help you reduce waste, save money, and leave nothing behind but good vibes

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May 15, 2026

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.

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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

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April 24, 2026

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

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April 23, 2026

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

Brand Reviews

Product Review: Kutis Organic Lip Balm

Kutis Organic Lip Balm is a popular choice for anyone seeking a plastic‑free, natural alternative to conventional lip balms. This review looks at its ingredients, sustainability credentials, and whether it delivers effective, everyday lip care without unnecessary packaging. Another lovely lip balm, from Kutis directly or Peace With The Wild. Once again, this is a really nice product and recyclable / up-cyclable packaging! The lip balm is smooth, light and (most importantly) soothed and repaired my dry, cracked lips this winter!

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

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February 19, 2024