Hand & Hart, Melbourne (2025)

17/04/2022

I just found out you can freeze avos!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 so I got the odd bunch from the supermarket and now I have 6 portions of avo ready for when I want avo on toast or guac.

What other fruit / veg do you freeze that most people don’t realise can be frozen? Let me know. 👇🏻

29/01/2022

There is a good reason I have left recycling to day 30. The idea of this challenge isn’t that we should recycle more, but need to recycle less given that we have started bringing less packaging into our homes.

Recycling isn’t the overall solution to our waste problem, however, given the huge differences in our lives and what each of our home cities offers, recycling is always the better option than discarding your items into the rubbish bin.

With that said, get a designated bin for recyclables and recycle everything you possibly can.

Most councils have scheduled curb side pickups.

There are even companies, like TerraCycle, that will recycle a lot of the things that you were certain were destined for the landfill like cigarette butts, some toothpaste packing, cheese packaging, and the list goes on.
Just because we are on day 30 does not mean that the challenge is over. This was designed to be a simplified guide for everyone to come back to at their own convenience. To give you ideas on how to reduce your waste and better alternatives.

Your 30 Day challenge can begin at any time and can take as long as you need. Implement one change a week or one change every month. Whatever works for you. Implement it until it becomes the norm then add another.

Thank you to all of the wonderful followers I have gained along this journey! It makes me so happy to see more and more people interested in pursuing all or even parts of this lifestyle. It all starts with us!

Stay tuned for more..... It doesn't end now.

28/01/2022

There are number of toxins hiding in your deodorant that you may not be aware of the main one being Aluminium compounds. These are used to actually clog your pores to prevent you from sweating!!

Parabens - This chemical is used in a lot of products these dates as a preservative, but it is possible one of the most harmful additives of all. Sometimes parabens act as estrogen in your body which distrupts your hormonal balance.

Steareths - these additives are the product of ethoxylation (weakening of harsh chemicals in the manufacturing process), which simultaneously produces carcinogens.

Triclosan - The FDA has classified this as a pesticide, yet it is still in the majority of brand name deodorants.

Propylene Glycol - If used everyday, this can cause damage to your central nervous system, heart and liver. It is also known to irritate skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.

TEA & DEA (and no I'm not talking a cuppa) Triethanolamine (TEA) & diethanolamine (DEA) are chemicals that can seep into your skin and affect your liver and kidneys. In fact, due to the effects of these chemicals, they have already been banned from products in Europe because they are known carcinogens.

Artifical Colours - Some artificial colours and bleaches in deodorants can cause allergic reactions and are again carcinogens.

So what to use instead, there are alternatives and you can also make your own. Stay hydrated too and wear breathable, natural loose fitting clothing. Skip the caffeine too!! this does stimulate the nervous system and increases sweating. Have a cuppa tea instead!!

What are your favourite companies that have better alternatives? Let me and the followers know!!

27/01/2022

The average vacuum uses 1500watts of electricity. Depending on your rate you pay, it will cost you between 3 & 11cents each time you use it. With cordless vacuums now, its so easy to reach for this everytime you spill something, but consider the power used to generate the electricity used to power that vacuum.

When you can of course. Sweep your tile and hardwoods with a broom to save energy and the use of more precious resources.

Sweeping is a great mindfulness activity to help unwind from a busy day. It's also a good way to get your body moving and it saves money on top of it. Or just force your kids to do it (obviously joking 😉)

Vacuums are expensive so any way to reduce their usage to increase the longevity is good.

Of course, if your vacuum does wear out, look for ways to repair it or recycle it. When replacing any appliance do your research for the most sustainable brand and buy it secondhand. Buying new is always a last resort.

Brooms aren't all created equal either. Most are completely made from plastic. If you already have one, keep it, use it. Take care of it so it's the last one you'll ever buy. If you don't already have a broom, look for ones made from natural components. Most hardware stores carry them.

Do you find peace and mindfulness while sweeping?

26/01/2022

Australians use more than 150,000kms of wrapping paper during Christmas alone. Thats enough to wrap around the earths equator nearly 4 times. The majority of that also ends up in landfill.

So when you next have a gift to give, please consider an alternative wrapping method, be that resusing magazines, posters, newspapers. Give the gift in a cotton tote bag, that way they have a reusable shopping bag to use. My personal favourite fabric. This doesn't have to be anything too fancy. It can be a scarf which is also a great additional present, but even a scrap of fabric, from an old item of clothing that has torn or damaged that can't be repaired or sent to the op shop. Cut it off and wrap a gift. These bits of cloth can then be used again by the other person to gift wrap or use them for cleaning.

What are your ways to be more eco friendly when it comes to gift giving?

25/01/2022

You know those things we get given, everything from the promotional pens and bags to party favours, to those annoying packets of junk you get at the dentist’s.

These are everywhere and they use a ton of resources. Do we need them? Probably not.

But what happens when we accept these things? It increases the demand for more to be made.

Now, I’m not referring to getting something for free that you need. This is being frugal. But if you don't need it, . it.

24/01/2022

The bathroom is usually the second most wasteful part of anyone's house. (Kitchen being the first) We use so many products.

Sadly, for most of the products we buy, they are not recyclable. Even scarier, they are filled with tons of harmful ingredients that our bodies don't need.

Many items cannot be purchased package-free, so learning to make a few basics and keeping your routine simple is key. It also saves some money?

I don't have time to make my own toiletries but I do try to use as many eco friendly and plastic free products as I can. There are a number of ways you can reduce your waste when it comes to the bathroom.

- Visit a refill store if you are fortunate enough to have one. Bring your containers and fill them.

- Support companies that have sustainable practices. I always look for companies that use simple, vegan ingredients, use sustainable/recyclable packaging, and work hard to give back to the planet.

- Look for solid alternatives. These will often come in paper packaging or even be package free. You can get deodorant from companies like .approach.au. You can get solid hand soaps, solid shampoos or even our own toothpaste tablets. There are even great makeup alternatives. One being from one of my favourite humans in the world who is the co-owner/founder of which if you've not seen before, go check them out and yes the cosmetic emulsions are available here in Australia.

As you can see there are many alternatives nowadays. What's your favourite sustainable toiletries? Do you make any of your own?

24/01/2022

Although essentially made of paper, receipts can't be recycled, not just in Australia but anywhere!! They are printed on thermal paper not regular paper. This is so they are printed on via heat instead of ink. The thermal paper contains Bisphenal A (BPA) and industrial chemical that industrial chemical manufacturers use to produce specific kinds of plastic.

As they are not recyclable and we wouldn't recommend composting them either what should you do?

Mainly, don't get one? Ask the sales person to not print a receipt. If possible, ask it to be emailed to you.

24/01/2022

Marketing has led us to believe that we need a different cleaning product, full of toxic chemicals, for every cleaning application.

You are generally buying a product that is 95% water!! There is generally also no opportunity to reuse the plastic bottles they come in either.

We are told 'Cleaning the bathroom? Use this product. Cleaning the kitchen? Use this other product'.

Cleaning cabinets are packed full of plastic packaged, toxic products.

Do you really need so many?

There are some good alternatives that have come onto the market in recent years where they send you a tablet and you add the water or the bottles are recycled plastics etc, but still, I know my Great Grandmother didn’t have 20 items for all of her cleaning needs. In fact, it was probably vinegar, baking soda, and water. That’s it. And thats pretty much all I use, with a couple of other ingredients depending on what I'm cleaning, but again all items that are generally found around the house. Salt, Lemon and washing up liquid/castile soap.

To make cleaning zero waste, you can either purchase your vinegar in bulk, buy the vinegar in glass jars to be recycled/upcycled later, or you can make your own.

For the baking soda, buy it in bulk or purchase it in paper packaging to be composted.

I mix up my cleaning solutions and keep them in a glass spray bottle. You can check out some of my other posts where I have recipes for different uses.

You can also reuse any old spray bottles that you have lying around to prevent that waste from getting thrown out.

I also generally add in essential oils so they don't smell of vinegar!

Do you have any great homemade recipes for cleaning that you or your Grandma swear by? Comment below and let us know.

24/01/2022

Don't you find this statistic staggering?!

89-90% of chewing gum is not disposed of properly and it's actually the second most common form of litter, after cigarette butts.

Up until the 1940s, gum was made from rubber tree sap called Chicle. It was mixed with flavours and sugars and sold well until chemists figured out how to make synthetic rubber and the natural Chicle got replaced. Yes that is correct, chewing gum is made from polymers which are basically synthetic plastics that DO NOT biodegrade and ends up in our oceans.

If you love chewing gum, there are natural varieties that use the traditional methods of making chewing gum. Check out 🍬

24/01/2022

Sorry I've been absent for a couple of days, but I'm back with a bit of a catch up. This is something that I've noticed the last few years and I'm really trying to be better.

We consume a lot. Too much actually!

And Amazon is one of THE biggest culprits that send out millions of useless plastic items that are so well marketed through Social Media that we all fall for it. Me included. But....

We HAVE to consume less.

Refuse what we don’t need and considerably reduce what we do.

Constantly ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” Partake in experience activities rather than go shopping and look to borrow or rent before buying is an option.

You could also try a buy nothing week or month to see how much you can reduce and how much money you can save.

And if you are going to buy something and want to purchase new, please consider buying from your local small business.

19/01/2022

There is so much waste associated with take out. The food, the packaging!!

49% is how much the food industry contribute to waste.

I get it, for many of us, opting out of fast food entirely is unrealistic so there are still a few things we can do to control that waste.

1. Bring your own drink in a reusable bottle.

2. Take your own containers if eating out to take home leftovers.

3. Choose food minimally packaged.

4. Compost the paper waste you accumulate.

5. Bring your own condiments from home.

6. Keep snacks on you at all times to beat the temptation of fast food.

7. Reduce what you are currently eating in take out. Set a realistic goal for you and your family.

For the majority of the time, try cooking most of your meals at home. Keep healthy and ready to go foods handy so that when you are just too beat to cook, things can be easily assembled. Food planning and preparation can help reduce the temptation to eat out.

Sandwiches, wraps, and salads are great for the times ya just don't want to cook.

What are some super speedy meals you gravitate towards that prevent you from eating out?

18/01/2022

Ditch Plastic Shower Scrubbies, yes they are made of Nylon Net.

They not only harbour tons of bacteria, these plastic scrubbies are not recyclable and can take 40 years to break down.

Switching out your shower scrubbie is a simple way we can cut that plastic down in our bathrooms which I attribute to the number 2 hot spot for household garbage.

Instead of that plastic scrubbie, try these instead:

1. A simple wash/face cloth. Once worn out, wash cloths can be used as rags, composted (if they are 100% natural fibre), upcycled into something else, or even recycled with a textile recycling program.

2. A Natural Loofah. These are a squash like vining plants that produce these fantastic, fibrous scrubbing tool. You can even grow them yourself.

3. A natural body brush. Choose all natural components with softer bristles. Compost when it wears out.

Remember, composting is an important part of closing that loop in waste.

Which do you prefer?

17/01/2022

Toothpaste!!

First and foremost, please check with your dentist before drastically changing your toothpaste.

It is estimated that a staggering 50 Million toothpaste tubes are discarded every year in Australia. Which is enough to stretch across the nation...TWICE!!

If this is something you want to make plastic free, there are a few options.

1. Toothpaste Tablets. Hand & Hart obviously sell them with Fluoride, but there are others out there. With and without fluoride and different flavours too. Ours come in a fully compostable packet.

2. Homemade toothpaste is also pretty easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have. Some people simply brush their teeth with just baking soda. Not that I would recommend this and please do your own research and check with your dentist before doing anything drastic.

3. Opt for toothpaste that comes in plastic free packaging. There are a couple of brands that come in aluminium tubes, which are fully recyclable.

4. If plastic free toothpaste isn't an option, make sure you are at least getting every last ounce of paste out of the tube by cutting it open to get the last bit out the bottom.

5. Try to recycle those plastic tubes if you can. Check with your local dentists for recycling programs.

What is your favourite plastic free toothpaste option?

16/01/2022

Disposable razors!!!

Well they are disposable and are mostly plastic and as we know even though we 'throw them away' they don't 'go away' except to landfill where they sit for years and years.

It's estimated that globally 2 BILLION are disposed of each year and around 100 MILLION of those are from Australia.

So what are your options?!

Well here are a few:

1. Stop Shaving!! Not for me, but a good option.

2. Laser. I have had some of this done and was a great option for me (being dark haired), except I should have had it on my legs before being tattoo'd as it can't be done over the tats!! So be warned. Again, it's not available to everyone.

3. Safety Razors. These are made to last a lifetime, if looked after. You only need to buy the blades, which means they'll save you a lot of cash. Any they are just so much more stylish to have in your bathroom. Win Win

Which would you choose?

15/01/2022

Fast Fashion!!

It needs to stop. "Each year the average Australian purchases 27kg of clothing and disposes of 23kg to landfill." wrote the Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources. Drawing on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics the committee also found that textile waste has the lowest recovery rate of all waste types, with 87.5% going to landfill. It's also increasing, "Australians buy 60% more items of clothing than 15years ago and keep them for half as long'" the committee wrote.

Clothing production on the whole is a very wasteful industry. We are a world of consumers. We spend billions of dollars on the latest fashion trends to just discard them the year after. Fast fashion – you’ve probably heard of the term. Fast Fashion is made to not last, its made cheaply from poor quality fabrics, it is designed to fall apart and lose its appeal very quickly.

We have to apply the zero waste mentality to clothing just like we do the other parts of our lives. First, if you do need to purchase a new item try and buy pieces that are timeless, like a white shirt. That shirt will not go out of style within a few months. This will save you from constantly needing to purchase items that are on trend at the current moment. Cha-ching in your pocket! Also, try purchasing from secondhand sources. Buying secondhand not only takes new clothing out of the waste cycle, it saves you hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars! You will find very quickly that you don’t have to spend a fortune on name brand items when you can get them way more than half off at an op shop. Tip: got to the expensive suburbs for some great designer pieces!! If that's your thing.

Don’t let it stop at just clothes! You can get everything you could possibly need secondhand. And to make it even better, second hand usually means package-free.

Tag someone who loves shopping secondhand! 💚

14/01/2022

Did you see that number? 7 MILLION plastic utensils are estimated to be discarded each day in Australia alone! Yes thats right, each day!! We need to do better, as I'm sure you get the jist of this now. Plastic doesn't decompose and will be here for years. It will most likely end up in our waterways too.

To be fair, I do feel more and more places are providing wooden cutlery, but again, if you don't need it, don't take it. Be mindful. If you can, carry your own cutlery even just a fork. It doesn't have to be an expensive bamboo cutlery set in a cute bag/wrap etc. It can simply be an extra set out of your drawer wrapped in a cloth napkin.

And if you're having a birthday party and need additional, consider borrowing, or going for the alternative to plastic, cutlery and plates etc.

Do you have any creative ways to not use plastic cutlery?

13/01/2022

Farmers Markets.... who doesn't love them!!

There are many reasons to shop at your local farmers market, but here are SIX to start..

1. Spend quality time with your family.
Start the weekend off together by spending a Saturday morning wandering the markets. It's a time to meander and wander, slow down and unwind. There's always great coffee and breakfast options.

2. Socialise and make new friends.
Talk to the stall holders, connect with them, ask questions on the produce. Instead of buying from a faceless corporation, get to know your local growers. Speak to people around you, they are probably local too and you might just meet some new neighbours.

3. Teach your kids about food.
Use the market trip as a learning for your children. Teach them about where the food comes from. Let them see that not all apples look perfectly the same like in the supermarket.

4. Support local economies.
Most farmers markets produce is grown within a 50km of the market. This means that the farms are a source of local jobs and likely spend what they make in the local economy too.

5. Better prices.
Because produce at markets is sold directly by the farmer, there are fewer overhead to pack, store, transport etc and sell produce at a large supermarket chain. Luckily for market goers, this usually means lower prices, especially for organic items.

6. Reduce waste!!
The produce that makes it to the large supermarkets must meet a variety of cosmetic specifications, including not being too big, too small, too wonky. As a result, literal tonnes of food do not make it to the shelves and is simply thrown away. At farmers markets, they don't discriminate based on aesthetic appeal, resulting in less wasted food and more variety for consumers.

Which market is your favourite? 🍎🥑🍍

Hand & Hart

17/04/2022

29/01/2022

28/01/2022

27/01/2022

26/01/2022

25/01/2022

24/01/2022

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