Jungle Culture - Straws in a pile

🌱 #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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September 19, 2021

Brand Reviews

Product Review: Georganics Natural Toothpowder

I was a tad nervous, it must be noted, to try toothpaste powder… but, having used a charcoal (traditional) toothpaste for years now, I decided to give the Natural Toothpowder – Activated Charcoal – by Georganics a go. This post is my honest Georganics Natural Toothpowder review after using the product. In fact, this Georganics Natural Toothpowder review aims to share my experience in detail.

Georganics naturally whitening toothpowder, with additional activated charcoal, works by absorbing and polishing away stains and plaque that naturally form on our teeth. It’s a completely safe and fast-effective formula made without the use of any chemicals like peroxides, fluoride compounds or synthetic flavourings. They blend this fine pharmaceutical activated charcoal with high quality mineral powders, all of which food grade so completely safe if accidentally ingested.”, the Activated Charcoal variety seemed a good choice (although it should be noted that there are many other flavours and variations of this product on offer… see below!). If you are looking for a detailed Georganics Natural Toothpowder review, this should help you decide.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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July 19, 2021

Cocoa Loco Chocolates at Weigh of the World

Brand Reviews

Product Review: Cocoa Loco Chocolates

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.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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April 19, 2021

Brand Reviews

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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April 4, 2021

Brand Reviews

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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April 19, 2020

Ethical Living / Zero Waste Swaps

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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April 19, 2020

Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

Upcycle Project: Old clothes to Origami bags!

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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August 1, 2019

Photo by Ben Kerckx (Pixabay) https://pixabay.com/photos/green-waste-compost-compost-bin-513609/

Ethical Living

A Quick Guide To Composting At Home

Guest Post by Kevin Hilton

Around the house, there’s a lot of potential to waste food and food scraps. However, did you know you can help the environment, sustain your garden, reduce food waste and save money ga r dening all at once through composting?

What is composting? It is a natural process that turns organic matter to compost or “humus”. It is all about microbial activity. When your food and garden waste are put together, the bacteria present in the soil will break down the matter, turning it into compost. This can then be used as a fertiliser giving rich nutrients to your plants and condition the soil for planting.

Poor soil can hinder or prevent plant growth so it’s always best to have an idea of the kind of soil you have in your garden. If you’re not sure, you might want to give soil testing a try, either using a kit or a DIY method. These tests can also reveal what kind of pH your soil is, which also has a big effect on whether your plants will grow or not.

Compost can be used to improve your soil quality, and if you do it at home you’ll get compost for free instead of having to buy it from a shop.

Composting is satisfying because, not only will it help you in terms of cultivation, it will also help you in reducing food waste that ends up in landfill. You’ll be doing your bit to fight the pollution problem.

Composting at home may sound daunting, and many assume it to be dirty or smelly, but this doesn’t have to be the case if you manage your compost pile properly.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

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May 8, 2019

Climate Change

Extinction Rebellion

As people of all ages, backgrounds and origins have joined together as the Extinction Rebellion in London as a “wake-up call” to the UK and Parliament, it is clear that climate breakdown and ecological collapse threaten our existence. Therefore, this is a good time to reflect on what we are doing. In addition, we should consider how our actions are disabling the climate for future generations.

Extinction Rebellion, often shortened to XR, is a global environmental movement that uses non‑violent protest to highlight the urgency of the climate and ecological crisis. The group focuses on raising public awareness, encouraging governments to act based on scientific evidence, and pushing climate issues higher up the public agenda. While its methods are sometimes controversial, Extinction Rebellion has played a significant role in bringing climate conversations into mainstream media and everyday discussion.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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April 30, 2019

Ethical Living

Science, Heritage & Culture: Jodrell Bank, Cheshire

For as long as I can remember, Jodrell Bank played a large part in my life. It was where my parents would take my brother and I at the weekend, where we went on school trips, and, in the past decade, proved to be a great place to simply go and think. There is something awe-inspiring about such an enormous telescope situated in the middle of the Cheshire countryside, something that puts life on our planet back into perspective. There really is much more out there.

The world famous Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, part of the University of Manchester, has been a much-loved visitor attraction for many years, as well as an internationally significant space research centre.

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April 19, 2019

Guest Post by Kevin Hilton

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