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The low-waste mum kit: 4 swaps that actually work

The low-waste mum kit: 4 swaps that actually work

Let's be honest. Mum life is chaotic. You're packing lunches, wiping faces, finding lost shoes, and somewhere in there—hopefully—drinking your coffee before it goes cold.

The last thing you need is complicated "zero waste" systems that add more work.

These four items won't make your life harder. They'll make it a little easier. Less plastic. Less guilt. And honestly? A small win just for you.

1. Your Own Coffee Cup

You know the scene. You finally get everyone out the door. You stop for coffee. The barista hands you a single-use cup. And you feel that little pang of guilt.

Your own reusable cup changes that. It keeps your coffee hot, keeps plastic out of landfill, and honestly? It's one small thing that's just yours.

Keep it by your keys. Future tired mum you will thank you.

2. Period Care That Works

Shout out to Hello Period for making reusable pads and period undies that are genuinely comfortable and reliable.

No more running out of disposables. No more bathroom bin overflowing with plastic. Just soft, washable care that's there when you need it.

3. Solid shampoo & conditioner bars

We know. You've seen these before. You've wondered if they actually work.

They do. And here's why busy mums reach for them:

  • No pump to pump (one less thing with wet, tired hands)
  • No plastic bottle to rinse out
  • They actually last longer
  • They travel easily (for the rare night away)

Make the switch once. Stop thinking about shampoo and conditioner bottles forever.

4. Reusable Produce Bags

You're already juggling a toddler hanging off the trolley and a mental list of what you forgot. You don't need delicate bags that fall apart.

Sturdy, machine-washable produce bags are the answer. Keep them rolled up in your handbag or tucked inside the trolley.

Avocados, apples, potatoes? Straight in. Plastic produce bags? Gone.

Wash them with the tea towels. Simple.

A Note to You, Mum
You don't have to do all four at once. Pick one. Try it for a month. Then add another.

These aren't about perfection. They're about making the easy choice also the kind choice—for you and the planet.

And honestly? You deserve small things that make your day smoother.

Keep the coffee cup. Keep the period undies. Drink your coffee while it's still warm (or at least try).

You're doing great.

Small optimistic steps save the world. Even when you're wiping yoghurt off the ceiling. 💚

Shop the Low-waste mum kit at nilproducts.com

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Monthly Musing by Anna - Output over input

Monthly Musing by Anna - Output over input
March Monthly Musing by Anna 

OUTPUT over INPUT
I have recently been spending quite a bit of time listening to podcasts during my drives to visit my parents in Hawke's Bay. Interviews by my favourite british journalist Louis Theroux with figures as varied as Bryan Johnson (the tech billionaire who is spending his money to try and live forever) and Tracey Emin (british installation artist) have sparked some interesting reflections on how we approach our daily lives.

One concept that particularly resonated with me from an interview with a famous sculptor is "output over input." While simple, the idea is to prioritise creation and personal expression before allowing our consciousness to be influenced by external ideas.  Basically he was saying that we should construct our lives with output as the first action to allow creativity to flow and our consciousness not to be immediately influenced by other ideas. He also linked this to getting into the flow state.

This stands in contrast to the traditional academic approach of research and planning before acting. Instead, it suggests that starting the day with writing, drawing, or scripting helps us tap into a flow state and stay true to our own intuition before the "input" of news, social media, or emails takes over.

I like the idea of allowing the self to come out before others. Well that is one way I see this concept of output over input.  I think also these days we are bombarded with so much content on social media feeds and movie options.  Both these are activities that do not involve any conscious output, we are just sitting in one place taking in other peoples ideas and concepts.  I know one would argue that this is a form of learning but it is not a form of actively learning or requiring one to reply/act. I wonder if people were to ‘clock’ the hours in a week that they spend on social media or other forms of digital content like netflicks etc, they would be surprised at how many hours they spend. 

In my own routine, I’ve decided to shift my 6 AM start away from reviewing emails and toward active writing, whether for this blog or business proposals. I believe we often spend too many hours consuming digital content rather than acting on our own ideas. I encounter many people through my business, business investments and coaching who have incredible goals but struggle to take that first step or move in ways that reflect who they are to enable them to get into flow state.

I think related to all this is that AI these days can help with the planning, the analysis and the idea generation but all taken from others. But AI cannot take over our intuition, subconscious or how we truly connect to other humans.  New ways of creating outside of algorithms, logic.  Outside the mainstream thinking. Output first.

I encourage you to prioritize your own "output" and move outside the mainstream algorithms.

As a thank you for reading my musings, I would like to offer you a 25% discount storewide. Simply use the code MusingMarch at checkout. For our new readers, this is a great opportunity to take action and replace the plastic in your home with sustainable alternatives.

Till next time.
Anna
www.nilproducts.com
nil waste nil harm

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From Kitchen to Nursery: A B Corp Story

From Kitchen to Nursery: A B Corp Story

March is B Corp Month. We're celebrating, but not because of a logo.

Here's why.


We Take Our Products Back. (And Yours Too.)

Done with your nil silicone—bib, pouch, whatever? Send it back. We collect and store it for recycling. A second life instead of landfill.

Oh, and we take other brands' silicone too. Try finding another company that does that.

Estimated landfill saved so far: 100+ tonnes in NZ alone.


The Dishcloth Detail

Before nil hit supermarkets, every single dishcloth on those shelves came wrapped in plastic. Every. One.

Ours? Just a simple wrapper.

Plastic saved to date: 2+ million pieces.


Kitchen. Nursery. Everything.

We're a NZ B Corp with a full lifestyle offering. One brand. One standard. Every corner of your home.

Workers: 20+ women weekly in our Home Workforce. 1M+ sewn goods produced.

Environment: Carbon Certified. GOTS Certified. 2M+ pieces of plastic saved.

Community: 1% revenue to charity. Free sustainability kids' training.


The Bottom Line

You can buy everything for your home from one place and trust every single item carries the same ethics.

Even the stuff you send back.

Small steps save the world. Let's take them together. 💚

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Ditch New: Your Baby's Chicest Clothes Are Already Out There

Ditch New: Your Baby's Chicest Clothes Are Already Out There

Hey there, future-focused parents!

Let's chat about something that often arrives in a flurry of plastic packaging and overwhelming choices: the baby wardrobe. Those adorable tiny outfits represent a big environmental impact. But what if the single smartest, most stylish, and most sustainable move you could make was to look backwards?

We're talking about the glorious, budget-friendly, planet-saving world of second-hand baby clothes. Forget "hand-me-downs" as a consolation prize. Think of them as a curated, pre-loved collection with a story. This isn't about sacrifice. It's about a smarter, simpler start for your little one.

The Beautiful Maths of Second Hand

The facts are simple. The most sustainable piece of clothing is the one that already exists. Choosing pre-loved means you are:

  • Saving Resources: No new water, dyes, or energy used for production.

  • Diverting Waste: Keeping perfectly good textiles out of landfill.

  • Saving Serious Cash: So you can allocate funds to other important things (hello, coffee fund).

  • Discovering Quality: Often, older or lightly used items are made from better, more durable fabrics than today's fast-fashion baby gear.

A brand new onesie might be worn a handful of times. A second-hand one gets a second life, and that’s a beautiful thing.

Your Guide to the Second Hand Goldmine

Ready to build a beautiful, ethical wardrobe? Here’s your map to the treasure.

1. The Great Community Haul: Online Marketplaces
This is where volume and value meet. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace or local Buy/Swap/Sell groups are perfect for the "lot buy."

2. The Treasure Hunt: Op Shops and Consignment Stores
Nothing beats the thrill of the find. Local opportunity shops and specialised children's consignment stores are gems.

  • Pro Tip: Look for natural fibres—cotton, wool, bamboo. Check seams and zippers. A minor stain is often easily treated, but avoid significant wear. Go often, as stock changes constantly.

3. The Generational Gift: Hand-Me-Down Chains
Say yes. Say it loudly and gratefully. When a friend or family member offers a bag of clothes, they’re offering you time, money, and a lighter planetary load.

  • Pro Tip: Sort through the bag with gratitude. Keep what you love and fits your style. Pass the rest along to another parent or a charity. The cycle continues!

Wash everything in a gentle, eco-friendly detergent before use. Mend a loose button or a tiny hole. It takes minutes and extends the life of the garment for the next child in line.

Choosing second hand is a powerful first act of love for your baby and their future world. It wraps them in comfort, history, and care. It’s a choice that says we can celebrate new life without demanding new stuff.

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Chloē Reweti designer

Chloē Reweti designer

Chloē Reweti is one of our amazing designers that has kindly created beautiful designs for us. We were lucky to have found Chloe 5 years ago when we were producing some products for Te Papa.  Chloe designed a beeswax wrap pattern that Te Papa commissioned us to produce. Then later that year Chloe designed a series of three beautiful New Zealand flora and fauna prints for us.  We knew at the time that Chloe was incredibility talented and she has been recognized by so many.

Chloé's prints are intricately detailed with so much depth and contrast that we believe she is one of the best designers we have worked with.

Chloē Reweti (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Porou) is an independent graphic designer in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. Chloē has previously held creative roles as a graphic designer for The National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and Art Director of graphic design at Wētā Workshop.

Chloe’s practice is informed by mātauranga Māori and toi Māori. Her work is robustly researched through conventional mediums like publications, as well as through intimate interactions with artists and makers. We asked Chloe to design a uniquely New Zealand design for us and if you look really carefully at the designs she produced for us you will see so many details.

We have used her Kawakawa design on the outside of our Pop up shop at 99 Featherston Street, Wellington and you will also see the design on some of our New Zealand made products.

To engage with Chloe check out her instagram account which is @chloereweti.mahi or her website here https://chloereweti.com/about.

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