#ZeroWasteLlama

Read more about the article Seasonal Gifts – Sowing Seeds for the Future
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…

2 Comments
August 19, 2022
Read more about the article Sustainability Festival, Northwich, 23rd July 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
Show Love Shop Small
Show Love Shop Small
Sustainability Guides

#ShopIndependentDay

The Ethical Choice- Show Love: Buy Local, Shop Small

When you buy out-of-season produce, e.g. raspberries or strawberries in December, your eco-credentials become lower. The same applies to purchasing any food product that has been flown from outside your country or is wrapped in layers of (unnecessary) plastic. By shopping locally, and independently, (bakers, farm shops, green grocers…) it is less likely that the produce has travelled an unthinkable distance in order to get onto your plate. Not only does this support local farmers, but the produce will be wrapped in less (or even no) packaging and is fresher. The same applies to non-food goods and services.

This is just one positive, others include:

  • It is often possible to try before you buy!
  • It may be cheaper
  • Advice can be sought if required
  • It helps build your community, get social!
  • It support local businesses and entrepreneurs
  • Independent shops often sell unique and unusual products
  • It boosts the local economy
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June 25, 2022
Sarah's Happy Scrappy Blanket
Sarah's Happy Scrappy Blanket
Ethical Living

Happy Scrappy Crochet Blanket

A zero‑waste crochet project full of memories My mum taught me to crochet when I was around 8 years old. While her methods were anything but conventional, a few taps on the hand with her crochet hook soon made me get the hang of keeping my tension consistent! I started out making granny‑square blankets — which is as far as I got at the time. I never actually finished them. In fact, I only completed my first ever crochet blanket about three years ago. From blankets to toys (and lots of leftovers) After getting bored of blankets, I decided I needed projects that would finish quickly, so I moved on to crocheting toys. The first thing I made was a bunny… though it looked more like Frankenstein. There are no photos, and for very good reason — I insist you erase that image from your mind immediately. After that came what felt like a million unicorns, Christmas mice, and various other animals. I even made a paramedic doll for a friend. Despite loving every project, I was never quite sure what to do with the leftover yarn. Most projects only leave small amounts — not enough for anything “important”. And, shamefully, I often threw them away. Discovering zero‑waste crochet When I met Cathrene, I slowly became much more mindful of waste. It really made me stop and think about what I could do with my scrap yarn. The tiny bits could be used as toy stuffing, but the slightly larger…

1 Comment
June 19, 2022
Butternut Box lover, Rainbow ©ZeroWasteLlama 2022
Butternut Box lover, Rainbow ©ZeroWasteLlama 2022
Brand Reviews

Product Review: Butternut Box (Dog Food)

By Sarah Bellis

In this review, I share our experience with Butternut Box fresh dog food — including ingredients, sustainability, packaging, cost, and how it’s affected my dogs’ health and appetites. If you’re considering a fresh, subscription-based dog food with ethical packaging, this review may help you decide.

I’ve always been really “funny” about what I feed my dogs. You hear about people who give their dogs the cheapest foods, and the dogs live forever! But knowing my luck that would never be the case. My dogs have always been fed better than myself. They dress better than me too, but that is another story!

As a dog-parent, it’s easy to get caught up in dog food marketing campaigns. The ones with the bright packaging, the ones with the happy dog on the packet with the shiniest coat and the brightest eyes. Some promise things that they definitely do not fulfil. When it comes to genuinely excellent quality food, it is so important to do your research. Something that can be confusing, you end up down a rabbit hole.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

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2 Comments
June 10, 2022
Hand Made Fudge From The Welsh Mountains - The Little Fudge Box
Brand Reviews

Product Review: The Little Fudge Box

A Thoughtful, Low‑Waste Treat for Conscientious Gifting

If you enjoy a sweet treat but also care about where your money goes and how much waste it creates, The Little Fudge Box is the kind of product that really stands out. This review shares my experience of this small UK business, focusing on the quality of the fudge, the packaging, and why it works so well as an ethical gift or mindful indulgence.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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2 Comments
May 23, 2022
Read more about the article How to Make Delicious Soya Milk
Brand Reviews

How to Make Delicious Soya Milk

A fantastic recipe from our new local Noodle bar: Noodle Nana, in Northwich, Cheshire.

“For anyone who is into soya milk or thinking about going dairy free, give it a try and you would be surprised how good it tastes. It is incredibly easy to make too.’

Noodle Nana

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

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2 Comments
May 19, 2022
Lavandi Soap Bars
Brand Reviews

Product Review: Lavandi Soaps

Lavandi were kind enough to provide me with some of their soaps for testing. I distributed these between myself, my mother and Joe (a 20 year-old who wanted to try the Activated Charcoal soap in particular).

What I liked most is the fact that Lavandi are based in Northwich, Cheshire, where I live! Lavandi have seen the need for change and have created a range of recipes that are all-natural. Their soaps are made with a carefully curated combination of oils and butters, and their promise is that they are all completely free of harmful chemicals. All their products are free of the palm oil that’s often found in soap and body products. They are all Zero Plastic! Also, you can subscribe to deliveries on a regular basis.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

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2 Comments
May 19, 2022
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
@Abakhan 2022
@Abakhan 2022
Brand Reviews

Abakhan, Mostyn, Wales

Abakhan fabrics pride themselves on offering value for money throughout the vast range of Fabrics, Yarns, Crafts, Sewing Accessories and Haberdashery which they have on offer. Abakhan Mostyn is well known as a popular destination for crafters and sewists alike.

Abakhan in Mostyn, Wales is more than just a fabric shop – it’s a treasure trove for sewists, crafters, and anyone interested in ethical, low‑waste making. With its huge range of fabrics, yarns, haberdashery and famous fill‑a‑bag sales, Abakhan offers a rare opportunity to reuse surplus and deadstock materials that might otherwise go to waste.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

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2 Comments
May 8, 2022