The Milk Dilemma

After an extensive amount of research, and much frustration I have come to the conclusion that I (personally) have very little choice but to continue to buy the 4 pints / 2.272 litre plastic bottles of milk from the supermarket. This is all part of the milk dilemma many of us face when shopping for milk. In short, the milk dilemma truly affects a lot of people, not just me.

Choosing milk isn’t as straightforward as it seems. In fact, the milk dilemma complicates matters for those trying to choose the most sustainable option. This article explores the environmental impact of dairy milk versus plant‑based alternatives, helping readers understand the sustainability, ethical considerations, and climate implications behind one of our everyday food choices.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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March 26, 2023

Sustainability Guides

Blog mini-series: Eco pets!

Anyone who knows us, will know that our animals are very much the centre of our lives. We have also started to look into having more eco-friendly pet products. In fact, we have become passionate about choosing eco-friendly pets products whenever possible. And if you don’t know that already, I’m sure you’ll get the message throughout the next few posts. We love to write and share our experiences of the eco products that we use, so we think its only right to share the things that we use to make our pet ownership eco too! Choosing eco-friendly pets options is now part of our daily routine. From the food that we use, to the places we shop at, we try to be as environmentally conscious as possible. Although our cats and dogs are blissfully unaware of the climate crisis, I’m sure their future ancestors will thank us! By making decisions with eco-friendly pets in mind, we do our part for the planet. Throughout the coming posts, you’ll get to know our animals, and the products that we’ve loved using to help reduce our carbon paw-print! Moreover, eco-friendly pets topics will be discussed in future articles. Feel free to follow our dogs on Instagram (or Purl / Bobbin on Facebook) if you want to keep up with their antics! The cats (Albie & Bluebell) sometimes make a guest appearance too! https://zerowastellama.com/terracycle-the-first-european-pet-food-recycling-programme/ https://zerowastellama.com/my-carbon-footprint/

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March 1, 2023

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

Brand Reviews

Product Review: Soapnuts Laundry Detergent

This is something I put off trying for years, but as soon as I started my quest to reduce my waste, I bought some. I have been using soapnuts ever since! An eco-friendly alternative to laundry detergent and synthetic soaps, they are natural and non-polluting. But for me, with sensitive skin, which goes blotchy with many conventional laundry detergents (and softeners!), I was particularly nervous about changing from the one I have used for well over 30 years…

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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November 19, 2022

Brand Reviews

Product Review: The Wonderbag

When Cathrene told me that she had ordered a Wonderbag to try, I was so excited. Not just because it meant that I could try out our new pumpkin dish (Le Creuset - a once-in-a-lifetime investment!), but because it would give me the opportunity to try out a new recipe. I’ve loved to cook ever since I was young, I would help my mum by chopping vegetables and stirring the pot! Despite my love of cooking, I’ve never made a stew! My boyfriends Mums Beef stew and dumplings is by far my favourite meal, but I’ve never tried to make it myself. Cath is on a "energy saving" mission at the moment (mind you, given the energy price increases of late, we are both keen to curb our usage!), so this was something that she was really keen to try, having seen videos on TikToK and friends reviews on Facebook.

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October 25, 2022

Brand Reviews

Product Review: Georganics Oil Pulling Mouthwash

Having used the same mouthwash for several decades, trying a new one was daunting. I decided to give the Oil Pulling Mouthwash – Activated Charcoal by Georganics a try (in addition to the Georganics Mouthwash Tablets which I reviewed last month). To clarify, this is my honest Georganics oil pulling mouthwash review based on my personal experience.

Georganics added 1g/100ml of activated charcoal from coconut shells to this blend of virgin organic coconut oil and peppermint essential oil gives it a unique mildly abrasive quality. The highly porous activated charcoal traps bacteria and removes stains, cleansing and whitening teeth naturally. Such ingredients are worth noting in any Georganics oil pulling mouthwash review.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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October 19, 2022

Ethical Living

Reducing Food Waste at Home

Reducing food waste is one of the easiest and most effective ways to live more sustainably — and it’s something I actively work on every day. Not only does wasting less food help the planet, it also saves money, time, and unnecessary stress.

Food waste contributes significantly to climate change, with vast amounts of edible food ending up in landfill every year. When food rots in landfill, it releases methane — a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO₂. The good news? Small, realistic changes at home can make a huge difference in reducing food waste.

Here are the most effective habits I’ve adopted to reduce the amount of food I waste — without making life harder. By focusing on reducing waste, you can easily make a positive impact at home as well.

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September 5, 2022

Sustainability Guides

Seasonal Gifts – Sowing Seeds for the Future

Although my seasonal gifts were sent off to friends all over the world over a month ago, most would only be opening them today… so I had to wait before sharing this idea! This year, I wanted to focus on choosing seasonal sustainable gifts that felt thoughtful and eco-friendly. Actually, finding seasonal sustainable gifts was my main priority for this festive season. In recent years, I’ve been trying to move away from traditional seasonal gifts that are often expensive, resource-heavy, and quickly forgotten. Instead, I’ve been looking for meaningful alternatives that align with low-waste and sustainable values — gifts that create joy without creating clutter. This shift has inspired me to seek seasonal sustainable gifts for loved ones. Estimated reading time: 2 minutes This year, friends and family received something a little different:an envelope of wildflower seeds, with this message: “Here are some wildflower seeds to scatter, in your own garden or in the wild!To bring you – and others (people, bees and butterflies) – joy and happiness at the sight.Please scatter during March.” I love this idea because it’s a gift that truly keeps on giving. Not only does it avoid unnecessary packaging and waste, but it also supports pollinators, boosts biodiversity, and adds colour and life to outdoor spaces — long after the festive season has passed. Moreover, seasonal sustainable gifts like these wildflower seeds have a lasting positive impact. Wildflowers are especially important for bees and butterflies, whose habitats are increasingly under threat. Even a small scattering…

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August 19, 2022

Brand Reviews

Product Review: Faith in Nature Coconut Conditioner

I first bought the Faith in Nature Coconut Conditioner before I fully committed to reducing my waste, and it’s one of those products that has stayed with me through several lifestyle changes.

This conditioner is designed for normal to dry hair and is made with organic coconut oil, giving it a rich, tropical scent without feeling artificial or overpowering. I used it regularly for over a year and found it left my hair feeling soft, manageable, and well-hydrated without weighing it down.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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July 19, 2022

Sustainability Guides

Sustainability Festival, Northwich, 23rd July 2022

West Cheshire Museums are partnering with Eco Communities to host a sustainable Festival and craft fair, on the 23rd July 2023. This exciting event will provide a perfect opportunity to experience the Sustainability craft fair Northwich.

The event is part of West Cheshire Museums’ Festival for the Future. It is a month-long celebration of sustainability and climate action held across museum sites Chester, Northwich and Malpas. Additionally, the Sustainability craft fair Northwich forms a key part of this celebration with its focus on environmentally friendly crafts and activities.

The Festival of the Future is a free one day event at the Northwich museums. It is ideal for families who love nature, performance, craft and free workshops! Sustainability craft fair Northwich will delight both locals and visitors looking for meaningful ways to get involved with the community.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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July 12, 2022

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