Season’s Greetings!

It has been a hard year for many of us. The ongoing impacts of COVID‑19, Brexit, rising costs, and general uncertainty have made sticking to zero‑waste or low‑waste habits feel difficult — and sometimes impossible. With this in mind, many are looking for ways to enjoy a low waste festive season without added stress.

If you’re still reading this, though, your intention is still there. Zero waste is never about perfection; it’s about small, consistent steps. Every effort you’ve made this year counts, so take a moment to acknowledge that — well done.

With the festive season approaching, here are some simple, realistic ways to reduce waste while still enjoying Christmas and the celebrations around it.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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December 18, 2021

Photo by Nariman Mosharrafa on @Unsplash

Ethical Living

Plastic Categories Explained (and How to Recycle Them Properly)

Plastic recycling can feel confusing — even when you’re genuinely trying to do the right thing. That’s why having plastic categories explained is so important. Symbols, numbers, mixed messages from councils, and packaging labelled “recyclable” that still ends up in landfill can make the whole process frustrating.

This guide breaks down the seven main plastic categories, explains what those numbers actually mean, and shows you how to recycle plastic properly in the UK — without wishcycling or guilt. Most importantly, it also looks at how we can reduce plastic use in the first place, because recycling should always be the last resort.

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November 15, 2021

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…

10 Comments

September 24, 2021

Jungle Culture Bamboo Cutlery

Zero Waste Swaps

#PlantBamboo for Cutlery

Why Bamboo Cutlery Matters

Single‑use plastic cutlery is one of the most common forms of plastic pollution found in household waste, takeaway packaging, and litter clean‑ups. Designed to be used for just a few minutes, plastic forks, knives, and spoons can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Then, they break down into microplastics that contaminate soil, waterways, and food chains.

Bamboo offers a compelling alternative. As one of the fastest‑growing plants on Earth, bamboo can be harvested without killing the plant. This makes it a highly renewable material. Some species are capable of growing over a metre per day. As a result, bamboo forests regenerate quickly while absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen at higher rates than many trees.

When used for cutlery, bamboo is lightweight, durable, and naturally antibacterial. Unlike plastic, it is made from a natural material that can safely return to the earth at the end of its life when untreated. Choosing bamboo cutlery is not just a swap — it is a small but meaningful step in supporting regenerative materials. It also reduces reliance on fossil fuels and moves us away from a throwaway culture.

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September 21, 2021

Brand Reviews

Product Review – Georganics Mouthwash Tablets

Having used the same mouthwash for several decades, moving to “tablet” forms was daunting. This is my Georganics mouthwash tablets review. I decided to give the Georganics Mouthwash Tablets – Thyme – by Georganics a try.

Georganics mouthwash tablets are made from entirely natural and non-toxic ingredients. The fluoride, glycerin and SLS free formula helps to restore a healthy pH balance to your mouth, maintain good oral health and freshen your breath. The tablets are perfect for travelling as they are a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional mouthwashes avoiding the unnecessary transportation of water (i.e. perfect for hand baggage!).

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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September 19, 2021

Jungle Culture - Straws in a pile

Ethical Living / Zero Waste Swaps

🌱 #PlantBamboo for Straws: A Simple Action With a Big Impact

Plastic straws might seem small, but their environmental impact is anything but. Billions are used globally each year, often for just minutes, before ending up in landfill, incineration, rivers, or the ocean. While reusable alternatives like metal, glass, and silicone straws are growing in popularity, bamboo straws stand out as one of the most genuinely sustainable options. One brilliant idea is to plant bamboo for straws, supporting an eco-friendly cycle from the source to the finished product.

Bamboo is fast‑growing, renewable, and naturally biodegradable. It requires no pesticides, very little water, and absorbs more carbon dioxide than many trees. When responsibly grown, bamboo can be harvested without killing the plant — making it an ideal material for zero‑waste products.

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September 19, 2021

Brand Reviews

Product Review: Georganics Natural Toothpowder

I was a tad nervous, it must be noted, to try toothpaste powder… but, having used a charcoal (traditional) toothpaste for years now, I decided to give the Natural Toothpowder – Activated Charcoal – by Georganics a go. This post is my honest Georganics Natural Toothpowder review after using the product. In fact, this Georganics Natural Toothpowder review aims to share my experience in detail.

Georganics naturally whitening toothpowder, with additional activated charcoal, works by absorbing and polishing away stains and plaque that naturally form on our teeth. It’s a completely safe and fast-effective formula made without the use of any chemicals like peroxides, fluoride compounds or synthetic flavourings. They blend this fine pharmaceutical activated charcoal with high quality mineral powders, all of which food grade so completely safe if accidentally ingested.”, the Activated Charcoal variety seemed a good choice (although it should be noted that there are many other flavours and variations of this product on offer… see below!). If you are looking for a detailed Georganics Natural Toothpowder review, this should help you decide.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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July 19, 2021

Cocoa Loco Chocolates at Weigh of the World

Brand Reviews

Product Review: Cocoa Loco Chocolates

Chocolate is one of the world’s favourite foods (it’s definitely mine!), so I was absolutely delighted when my friend, Sarah, treated me to some Cocoa Loco Dark Chocolate Ginger (OMG LOVE ginger!) from my local zero waste shop a few weeks back! In fact, trying Cocoa Loco chocolates for the first time was a real treat.

That was it…. I was hooked! Since then I have continued to treat myself to these when I have been into the shop…. and then the Dark Chocolate Mango…. mmmmm REALLY love this chocolate! By the way, chocolates from Cocoa Loco are available in so many delicious varieties to choose from.

There’s something to suit everyone with white chocolate, milk and dark options – the dark ones are suitable for vegans. Weigh of the World have also got a number of other flavours, including Chilli, Raspberry…. and bars! With so much choice, it’s easy to see why Cocoa Loco chocolates are loved by many.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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April 19, 2021

Brand Reviews

Product Review: Dingbats*

I had never heard of Dingbats* until Christmas Day 2020 when my best friend (sharing my love of notebooks/bullet journals, and knowing that I was working towards a Zero Waste Life – and blogging in the process), gave me a Dingbats* notebook as a gift.

In the pocket, at the back of the notebook, was a small leaflet, which briefly detailed their product ranges and highlighted key features (discussed below). I tried them, following the link on the leaflet to find out more, then my love affair with Dingbats* began… in fact, 3 months later I ordered a further 5 journals, as well as some lovely dual-tipped pens!! Why? What makes Dingbats* different/better than the Moleskine notebooks, which I have used for decades?

Read on, add the Zero Waste Llama discount code – LLAMA10 – for a 10% discount on your first order!

Estimated reading time: 16 minutes

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April 4, 2021

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

Why Bamboo Cutlery Matters

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