We’ve been telling ourselves a story that is long overdue a dramatic overhaul. A re-framing. A metamorphosis to a new, better, more truthful story. Recycling has been the be all and end all of so much in the environmental movement, leading us to fall into a false sanctuary where we believe that as long as we recycle our plastic, everything will be okay. But it isn’t. And it won’t be. Our consumer society, our economy, our very existence depends [...]
The craft industry is overflowing with plastic. From acrylic yarn and plastic knitting needles to kids crafts supplies, there are thousands of crafting products on the market that are made from plastic, where once they were not. And that’s not even taking into account the single use plastic packaging on craft and haberdashery supplies. I’ve been a zero waste advocate for some time now, without realizing until very recently that the craft industry is full of single use plastic [...]
When I was 17, I went to an interview for a place on a Foundation Studies Art course at my local college. It was my first proper interview and I was terrified. Friends who were being interviewed for other courses at colleges and universities around the country were donning suits and posh frocks and I considered doing the same but somehow, just couldn’t. It wasn’t really “me”. In the end, I wore my old jeans, with the patched and [...]
There is no getting away from how inhibiting cost can be to a zero waste lifestyle. The zero waste movement, like it or not, has sprung from a place as equally privileged as the place from which our society grew to believe that landfill, micro-plastics and fast fashion where acceptable, despite their impact on the planet. But what happens when you can’t afford to buy a steel water bottle to replace the cheap single use plastic water bottles, or [...]
Zero waste. It’s the go-to phrase of everyone who is trying to reduce their impact on the planet. Those aspiring to the zero-waste lifestyle aim to create as little waste as possible, looking to re-use, recycle, or compost before allowing an item to head to landfill. Many on the journey cite Bea Johnson, author of the 2013 publication Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Waste as a huge inspiration, and certainly her book really has helped [...]
Huskup is a new reusable and biodegradable coffee cup that utilises an abundant waste material – the humble rice husk – to make each takeaway tea, coffee or hot chocolate that little bit greener. Durable and dishwasher safe, but entirely free from plastic, trees, BPA and melamine, this unassuming little cup is setting a new bar for the eco-friendly caffeine fix in the UK. The development of this product is in response to the 7 million disposable coffee cups we [...]
Part 2 In my last blog post, I hinted that I was exploring a new development in my eco fashions. I have a small stash of felted and/or damaged knitwear which I thought had possibilities! Their original purpose was to cut them up to make ‘tattered’ key hangers. I made a lot of these hangers over several years, but felt it was time to move on from that, even though I still had the raw materials. Having started to design a [...]
Part 1 I am really excited about a new direction in my range of eco fashions! The catalyst was some merino and alpaca blanket remnants sourced from Waverley Woollen Mills in Launceston, Tasmania (about 1 ½ hours’ drive from here; established in 1847). I absolutely love how soft their fabrics are, but the biggest plus for me was the opportunity to use a quality waste product that is locally obtainable. It took a while for ideas to gel (a few months actually), [...]
Renee & Burt is a sustainable and ethical crochet brand who creates eco yarns from textile waste, patterns and kits. We are on a mission to reduce textile waste through our products as well as teach and inspire people on how to reduce their own textile waste, encouraging people to create and upcycle their clothing and love their clothes for longer. We are a zero waste brand from recycling postal packaging to making fabric twine from out of damaged [...]
I recently posted a picture on Instagram and Facebook about #PlasticFreeJuly that included beeswax wraps. I have been asked by a few of you for vegan alternatives so I thought I’d share my favourite beeswax-free food wraps from Etsy. If you already use soy-based food wraps, let us know what you think! Mixed size value pack of three vegan soy wax food wraps in pink by Rowen Still Water. Made with 100% cotton fabric, plant waxes, tree resin and organic oils these food [...]
