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

(more…)

2 Comments

March 7, 2019

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 ✅ 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

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

(more…)

2 Comments

February 19, 2019

Ethical Living

My Pledge to the Planet: 31st December 2018

Well, I think I achieved about an 80% reduction in waste – I did not reach my goal, but this is just the beginning. Taking a zero waste pledge has been an important step in my journey. In fact, the zero waste pledge continues to inspire me to make better choices.

The festive period, of course, was the source of many additional waste – but even so, I still managed to only have half bag of household (non-recycling) waste , and half-full recycling boxes for the last collection of the year – and of course, much of this was from gifts and packaging which I was not in control of. I am quite proud of myself! I honestly think that if I had set this goal earlier, without the festive period, that I would have achieved the 85%! Making this commitment to a pledge for zero waste has made me more mindful in everyday situations.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

(more…)

1 Comment

December 31, 2018

Ethical Living

My Pledge to the Planet: Progress

I am trying my utmost to reduce my waste by 85% before the end of the year. This post is an update on my zero waste pledge progress. It is not that I never recycled (I always have done!), or that I was particularly wasteful, but that there is more that I can do.

What is in place

Avoidance of ANY purchases with plastic packaging (yes, this causes funny looks in Tesco when I have veg loose in a bag for life, but what is the point in putting them in plastic for a 5 min journey, when I already have a canvas carrying implement?!)
Up-cycling of anything possible: for a friends kids to make stuff with (the cardboard rolls in the middle of wrapping paper are, e.g. excellent swords!)
Re-use of boxes and envelopes.
Slow integration of alternative products with waste reduction and environmental friendliness as core motivations for choice.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

(more…)

0 Comments

November 30, 2018

Ethical Living

My Pledge to the Planet: Progress

On the 1st October 2018, I pledged to reduce all household waste - esp. plastic - by 85% before the end of 2018. Here’s an update on my zero waste pledge progress. After just one month my waste has been reduced by 50% ... even with a lodger. As the last of the plastic bottles of shampoo etc are being used, I am optimistic to reach my goal. Estimated reading time: 4 minutes 🌍 Why Making a Pledge Matters Making a personal pledge to reduce waste is about more than hitting a single target by a specific date. It’s a mindset shift — choosing to question habits that have been normalised and replacing them with more intentional, planet‑friendly alternatives. For me, this pledge was never about perfection, but about awareness, experimentation, and long‑term change. Moreover, tracking your zero waste pledge progress can make these shifts more rewarding. When we actively track our waste and reduce our reliance on disposables, even small actions begin to add up. What starts as a challenge quickly becomes a lifestyle adjustment, influencing everything from shopping habits to how we value what we already own. ♻️ Progress Over Perfection One of the biggest lessons from this journey so far has been learning to let go of the idea that zero waste means producing no waste at all. In reality, progress happens in stages. Some swaps are easy and immediate, while others take time, research, or simply waiting until existing products are used up. Tracking zero waste…

0 Comments

November 1, 2018

Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

Shredded Paper

Shredded Paper…. urgh… a pain to produce, and even more of a pain to dispose of… luckily both my parents actively make and use their own compost. Some councils do not seem to like shredded paper in the recycling!? But, it is a source confusion for many. Therefore, here is some information and tips to help you!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

(more…)

1 Comment

October 19, 2018

Ethical Living

My Pledge to the Planet

Today I pledged to reduce all household waste - esp. plastic - by 85% before the end of 2018. This personal goal is my pledge to the planet. 🌍 Why I Made This Pledge This pledge to the planet came from a growing awareness of how everyday choices impact the environment. Household waste, particularly plastic, is so ingrained in modern life that it’s easy to overlook just how much we generate without thinking. Making an active pledge felt like a necessary step — not just to reduce waste, but to take responsibility for my own consumption. Rather than waiting for perfect conditions or the “right time,” this pledge represents a conscious decision to start where I am, with what I have, and to do better moving forward. ♻️ What Zero Waste Means to Me For me, zero waste is not about achieving an unattainable ideal. It’s about striving to reduce waste wherever possible and being more mindful about the resources I use. It means questioning convenience, rethinking habits, and choosing reuse over disposability whenever I can. This approach focuses on progress rather than perfection. Even small reductions in waste can have a meaningful impact when they are sustained over time. 🏡 A Realistic Approach to Reducing Household Waste Household waste doesn’t disappear overnight. Products need to be used up, systems need to be adjusted, and habits take time to change. This pledge recognises that reality and allows for a gradual transition instead of drastic, unsustainable changes. By focusing on practical…

0 Comments

October 1, 2018