Compost
Photo from Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/grown-up-born-earth-nature-soil-1637302/

#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…

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Jungle Culture Bamboo Cutlery
Jungle Culture Bamboo Cutlery

#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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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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Bamboo - a beautiful green feeling by Clement Souchet on Unsplash
Bamboo - a beautiful green feeling by Clement Souchet on Unsplash

World Bamboo Day 18th September

World Bamboo Day, celebrated annually on 18th September, is dedicated to raising awareness of bamboo and its importance in promoting sustainability, biodiversity, and climate‑positive lifestyles.

Bamboo is often described as one of the most sustainable materials on the planet – and for good reason. It is technically a grass, not a tree, and can grow incredibly quickly without the need for pesticides or fertilisers. Furthermore, in some species, bamboo can grow up to one metre per day, making it a renewable resource with huge potential to reduce our reliance on less sustainable materials.

From a zero‑waste perspective, bamboo really stands out. It is biodegradable, versatile, and naturally strong, which means it can be used to replace plastics and other high‑impact materials in many everyday products. From bamboo toothbrushes and reusable kitchenware to textiles and flooring, bamboo alternatives are becoming increasingly accessible.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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Weigh of the World Chocolates
Cocoa Loco Chocolates at Weigh of the World

Product Review: Cocoa Loco Chocolates

Cocoa Loco Dark Chocolate Ginger

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.

Cocoa Loco Organic Chocolate Bars

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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Product Review: Dingbats* Notebook

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?

If you’re trying to live more sustainably but refuse to give up beautiful stationery, Dingbats* notebooks might just be your perfect middle ground.

What truly sets Dingbats* apart is sustainability.
It isn’t an afterthought.
It’s built into every part of the product lifecycle.

In this Dingbats notebooks review, I share my long‑term experience using their journals as part of a zero waste lifestyle.

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

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

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Home made sanitary towels / menstrual pads, by Cathrene
Home made sanitary towels / menstrual pads, by Cathrene

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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Sanitary Towels
Home made sanitary towels / menstrual pads, by Cathrene

Home Made Reusable Sanitary Products

Following my Product Review on Reusable Sanitary Products back in March last year, I decided to take things one step further and start producing my own reusable sanitary towels. What began as a small experiment has turned into one of the most comfortable, durable, and environmentally friendly swaps I’ve made.

Not only have my homemade pads proven to be far more comfortable than many shop-bought alternatives, they’ve also stood the test of time far better. A year on, my original two handmade pads (one day and one night) still look and feel amazing, while some branded reusable options have noticeably degraded.

Compared to disposable pads, there’s simply no contest – no irritation, excellent absorbency, and zero waste. I honestly wouldn’t go back.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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Product Review: Salt of the Earth

This product intrigued me – not only is it plastic free, but it also consists of the subject of my PhD: Salt! This is my Salt of the Earth deodorant review.

Salt of the Earth crystal deodorants work by leaving an invisible layer of mineral salt on the skin which work to inhibit the growth of odour causing bacteria. This is a good product if you wish to avoid plastic packaging!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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Northwich Pop-Up Shop to Watch: Waste Away – Plastic Free Life

I first came across Waste Away at the Northwich Artisan Market some months ago, and I honestly couldn’t have been more excited. FINALLY — a local Northwich business offering genuinely ethical, plastic-free alternatives that align perfectly with my zero waste ethos.

If you’re trying to reduce your plastic consumption or live a more low-waste lifestyle, Waste Away is exactly the kind of small business worth supporting.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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