Family cloth is a system that replaces toilet paper and flushable wipes with reusable cloth. I had been thinking about setting up a system for several months before I finally got around to it two or three weeks ago. It took me a long time to hem the cloths by hand, and I then put…
On reducing meat intake
It’s important to consider where our food comes from, and what impact its production has on the environment. Meat production, particularly beef, has a substantial negative effect on our climate. That being said, the responsible rearing of herd animals, such as cattle, can have a hugely regenerative effect on lands suffering from desertification. While I…
Recipes to reduce food waste
Searching for recipes to use up excess ingredients to prevent food waste can be a fun and challenging way to discover new dishes, but there are a few things I find myself making over and over again. Here are my go-to recipes that I use to help reduce my food waste (“recipes” may be a…
On Oxfam’s #SecondHandSeptember
Before I buy anything new, I first look for it second hand. This applies to more than just clothes for me, but a good place to introduce yourself to the habit of second hand is your wardrobe. There are so many second hand shops and outlets (both online and offline) that you can find almost…
On cleaning
I’m not very good at keeping on top house cleaning and chores, which is unfortunate because I find a dirty and/or messy room stressful, particularly when I feel I’m responsible for it. When I see something that needs doing, it bothers me until it gets done. To tackle this, I’ve set myself a monthly reminder…
A zero-waste bathroom
A lot of plastic waste is produced in our bathrooms, and plenty of money can wash down the drain with expensive products that the advertising industry tells us we need. But fear not, there are low-cost and eco-friendly options beyond no-poo hair-care and family cloth. Soap I’ll start with soap, because it is one…
On zero waste periods
Periods are a common topic on zero waste blogs and websites because of the amount of plastic involved in conventional sanitary products. Luckily for those of us who menstruate, there are plenty of options available that can both save us money and reduce our plastic waste. First of all I’ll talk you through my own…
On finding free items
You can’t count on getting things for free, but if you know where to look, there’s plenty on offer. I’ve written out below some of my favourite ways to save a penny. Freecycle “The Freecycle Network® is made up of 5,000+ groups with over 9 million members across the globe. It’s a grassroots and…
On repairs
Fixing items that fall into disrepair is more economical and environmentally friendly than replacing them with new ones. Yes, you may have to pay for a new part or a service, but if the item is decent quality it will be much more affordable than replacing it. A repair takes a lot fewer resources than…
On zero-waste: it’s hard
Ideally, living a zero waste lifestyle would be simple and easy; in reality, it’s not. It’s not impossible, however, and I often catch myself thinking “but that change would be so much effort!” when really it isn’t. I watched an episode of Gilmore Girls last night in which Lorelai complains that making “instant” mashed potatoes…
On food waste: preservation edition
Occasionally I find myself with more food than I can eat. It’s important to store food correctly so that it stays fresh for as long as possible, but sometimes there will still be too much to get through. In that case we can try to preserve food to make it last even longer. You can…
On zero waste, room by room
This is a list of all of the places in (and out of) the house that I can think of where one can reduce waste. It’s not complete, and I will edit it whenever I think of, find, or am suggested a new idea. It’s not necessarily to be read in one sitting, but can…
Frugainable 