#WasteReduction

Jungle Culture Coconut Shell Bowls
Jungle Culture Coconut Shell Bowls
Brand Reviews

Product Review: Jungle Culture Coconut Shell Bowls

Jungle Culture coconut shell bowls have become hugely popular in the zero‑waste and eco‑living space — and for good reason. Made from reclaimed coconut shells that would otherwise be discarded, these bowls are a beautiful example of turning waste into something genuinely useful.

As someone always on the lookout for plastic‑free, low‑impact alternatives, I wanted to see whether these bowls live up to the hype. In this review, I’ll cover the sustainability credentials, build quality, practical everyday use, and whether coconut bowls are actually worth investing in for an eco‑conscious home.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

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9 Comments
May 14, 2022
Read more about the article Koh Universal Cleaner Review: Does One Product Really Replace Over 20 Cleaners?
Brand Reviews

Koh Universal Cleaner Review: Does One Product Really Replace Over 20 Cleaners?

If you’re trying to live more sustainably, cleaning products are often one of the trickiest areas to tackle. Most homes are filled with sprays, creams, bleaches and wipes — many of them wrapped in plastic, scented with strong fragrances, and packed with chemicals you wouldn’t want anywhere near your skin.

So when I first came across Koh Universal Cleaner, which claims to replace over 20 different household products, I’ll be honest… I was sceptical.

Could one cleaner really do all that? And more importantly — could it do it well?

This is my honest, experience‑based review of Koh, from someone who tried it reluctantly and ended up completely changing how they clean their home.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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0 Comments
February 19, 2022
Christmas 2021
Ethical Living

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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1 Comment
December 18, 2021
Photo by Nariman Mosharrafa on @Unsplash
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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3 Comments
November 15, 2021
Compost
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 âś… 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. âś… New Section: Bamboo composting checklist Before composting any bamboo item, ask yourself the following: âś… Is it made from 100% bamboo? âś… Is it untreated (no paint, varnish, or sealant)? âś… 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…

12 Comments
September 24, 2021
Jungle Culture - Straws in a pile
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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6 Comments
September 19, 2021
Origami Bag 1
Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

Upcycle Project: Old clothes to Origami bags!

Baggy Trousers

When I was 19 or 20, I remember actually holding a “funeral” for my favourite pair of patchwork batik baggy trousers… I lived in them… they were part of me… yet I was not in a position (at the time I was at university) to maintain their repairs… alas… they were falling apart… and my housemates staged an intervention and helped me to part with them… (I still miss that specific pair now! They were purples and dark blues, and so comfy…).

These days, I try and keep up with repairs – with such patchwork baggy trousers, this is fairly easy – just add another patch! However, there does come a point where you find yourself doing this far too regularly…

Fast fashion means we’re encouraged to throw clothes away as soon as they wear out — but what if those “unwearable” items could become something beautiful and useful instead? This upcycle project turns old clothes into simple origami-style fabric bags, giving much‑loved garments a second life while keeping textiles out of landfill.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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3 Comments
August 1, 2019
Read more about the article Loose Tea vs Teabags
Ethical Living / Zero Waste Swaps

Loose Tea vs Teabags

If you’re trying to reduce waste at home, your daily cup of tea is a surprisingly powerful place to start. In this post, we look at loose leaf tea vs teabags — from flavour and freshness to hidden plastics, cost, and environmental impact. This will help you decide which is the better zero-waste choice.

I never gave tea-types much thought, until I lived in Hamburg, Germany (2000-2007). Tea was something that automatically came in teabags – I popped it in a teapot or cup, added hot water and let it brew. For me, varieties of tea (up to the year 2000) consisted of Tetleys, PG Tips and herbal (mostly chamomile). These ALWAYS came in a bag!

When I moved to Germany, a whole new world opened: Tea shops are common in towns and cities. In fact, Hamburg, being the largest port in Germany, had more than its fair share. A quick search on google showed me well over 100! There were more tea varieties than I had ever seen before in my life! And very few in bags! Rows and rows of large jars adorn these shops. You can ask about the origin or flavours of any of them – and/or have a sniff! Every time I return, I come back with kilos of it! From whole leaf Lemon Verbena, to mixes of loose teas with roses…. It is part of my life and routine now. Although I admit, I am more of a coffee drinker!

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

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2 Comments
March 7, 2019
Bamboo toothbrushes made from natural wood with charcoal bristles on a neutral background Text reads Bamboo Toothbrushes, My experience and thoughts.
Brand Reviews / Ethical Living

Bamboo Toothbrushes

Over the past 6–9 months, I’ve tried a variety of bamboo toothbrushes. Overall, I’ve found that they wear well, do the job just as effectively as conventional plastic toothbrushes, feel nice to hold, and — most importantly for me — can usually be disposed of with a much clearer conscience. Switching to a bamboo toothbrush is often one of the first swaps people make when trying to reduce plastic waste, and for good reason. However, as I’ve learned, not all bamboo toothbrushes are created equal, and some marketing claims deserve a closer look. Estimated reading time: 5 minutes âś… Why Bamboo Toothbrushes Are a Popular Zero‑Waste Swap Traditional plastic toothbrushes are almost impossible to recycle and are typically destined for landfill or the ocean. Bamboo toothbrushes, on the other hand, are often promoted as a more sustainable alternative because: Bamboo is a fast‑growing, renewable resource Handles are usually biodegradable or compostable Many brands use plastic‑free or recyclable packaging From a zero‑waste perspective, they’re a clear improvement — but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. My Experience with Bamboo Toothbrushes Charcoal bristles are often advertised as antibacterial and better at removing plaque. Personally, I did notice that my teeth felt cleaner when using charcoal bristles. However, I later discovered that “BPA‑free charcoal bristles” may still contain synthetic materials, meaning the toothbrush is not fully compostable. ♻️ Are Bamboo Toothbrushes Actually Compostable? All of the bamboo toothbrushes I’ve tried have performed well and felt comparable to standard plastic toothbrushes. I didn’t feel like…

3 Comments
March 5, 2019
Read more about the article Brand Review: Method Cleaning Products
Brand Reviews

Brand Review: Method Cleaning Products

I have been using the method (part of ecover) range of cleaning products for some time now. Actually, I was inspired by my lovely cleaning lady, Karen! I wanted to share my Method cleaning products review because these are a great range of products. Importantly, they do what they say on the tin. Overall, this Method cleaning products review reflects my honest experience as a UK consumer seeking better cleaning options.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

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2 Comments
February 19, 2019