Reviews & Articles

Shedding light on the most durable (and shoddy) products. Read our independent reviews, advice on living a calmer, less wasteful life, plus the latest news about our mission to end throwaway culture.

Reupholstery: A Sustainable Solution for your Old Furniture - Buy Me Once UK

Reupholstery: A Sustainable Solution for your Old Furniture

1.6 million tonnes of bulky waste, largely furniture, are thrown to landfill each year in the UK. Around 50 percent of this is estimated to be functional with repair. This article is a plea for us to pause before we dispose and first give some consideration to having our furniture altered or reupholstered so that it better meets our needs.
How to Care for Iron Pans - Buy Me Once UK

How to Care for Iron Pans

If you’ve already jumped on the iron pan train, then this article is for you. I’m going to lay down how to care for iron pans and how to avoid some common problems. And if you’ve been thinking about purchasing an iron pan, but still have some reservations, we’re going to address those as well. I firmly believe that a good iron pan is an essential kitchen kit investment that will last your (and likely your whole family’s) entire life.
Reusable Food Wrap Vs. Cling Film: Which is the superior product? - Buy Me Once UK

Reusable Food Wrap Vs. Cling Film: Which is the superior product?

Here at BuyMeOnce we are, unsurprisingly, already sold on the idea of reusable food wrap. Whilst they are undeniably a great way to reduce your plastic waste, we can understand that concerns still abound. We wanted to take the time to dig into the issue and see just how reusable food wraps measure up when pitched alongside traditional plastic film. We’ll be looking at the environment, usability, usefulness, cost, and health risks, along with hints and tips for getting the most out of reusable wraps.
9 Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Consumption and Save Money - Buy Me Once UK

9 Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Consumption and Save Money

Looking at the problem of plastic waste in its entirety can be damaging and counterproductive, a bit like looking directly at the sun. If you can make reducing your plastic waste a slow, steady, thoughtful process then you’ve got much more chance of lasting success. With that in mind, here are 9 habits you can cultivate to help you on your road to a less plastic-filled life, without breaking the bank.
Davy J: Strong, Sustainable Swimsuits Made from Marine Waste - Buy Me Once UK

Davy J: Strong, Sustainable Swimsuits Made from Marine Waste

Davy J has found a unique way to tackle ocean pollution with their range of beautiful, eco friendly swimwear that is made from regenerated ghost fishing nets and designed to take a beating. Founder Helen Newcombe recently won Women of the Future Entrepreneur Award 2017 and it’s not hard to see why, especially when you look at the astonishingly fresh approach to resources, materials and environmental impact that Davy J has taken. Exceptional business model aside, we were very impressed with Davy J swimsuits. Here’s why.  
Declutter your life, forever: the miracle of mindful curation - Buy Me Once UK

Declutter your life, forever: the miracle of mindful curation

Wouldn’t it be lovely if there was a pill we could take which decluttered our homes, got us out of debt and saved the planet at the same time? That would be a nice few things off our to-do list.

Well my new technique of mindful curation doesn’t come in capsule form yet. The full philosophy is laid out in my book, A Life less Throwaway, but I wanted to put the techniques in a nutshell for the BuyMeOnce community.

How to Care for Your Wooden Chopping Board - Buy Me Once UK

How to Care for Your Wooden Chopping Board

Whether you’ve received your wooden chopping board as a gift or treated yourself, you want to take the necessary steps to protect your investment. Here are our best tips for protecting and caring for wooden chopping boards.
Portable Bluetooth Speakers Built to Last - Buy Me Once UK

Portable Bluetooth Speakers Built to Last

When it comes to electrical devices, particularly portable ones, we’re extremely cautious. But the made in the UK Minirig Bluetooth speaker had a remarkable billing – they call it the best there is.
9 Ways to Protect Kids from Consumerism and Why It's Important - Buy Me Once UK

9 Ways to Protect Kids from Consumerism and Why It's Important

We are programmed to want social acceptance. It’s not that we simply want to be accepted but that we feel we need to be accepted. In ancient times, if you were rejected by your tribe, you starved or died. No wonder this is a powerful driver for us. In our current consumerist society, and especially as young people, social acceptance and material things have become intimately linked.
5 Amazing Brands making Summer Shoes To Last A Lifetime - Buy Me Once UK

5 Amazing Brands making Summer Shoes To Last A Lifetime

Finding a pair of durable summer shoes really shouldn’t feel like a gargantuan task. All they need to be is airy enough to keep you cool, yet sturdy enough to stand up to those long summer rambles... Of course, they should also be stylish enough for you to love wearing them, versatile enough to go with everything you own, comfortable enough not to leave you hobbling home in agony and, if at all possible, ethically made.

How to Plan an Eco-Friendly Wedding on a Budget - Buy Me Once UK

How to Plan an Eco-Friendly Wedding on a Budget

Knowing that the average wedding creates a pile of waste the size of a car and pumps 62 tonnes of COs into the air can create a bit of angst before you’ve even begun the wedmin. But never fear – there are ways of dramatically reducing your impact while increasing the meaning and not breaking the bank. Here are our top nine tips for planning an eco-friendly wedding on a budget.

The Gardener's Guide: How to Find and Care for Sharp Secateurs - Buy Me Once UK

The Gardener's Guide: How to Find and Care for Sharp Secateurs

A pair of sharp secateurs or shears is an essential tool in any gardener's arsenal whether you're a professional or a do-it-yourselfer. Not only can rubbish, dull blades result in a multitude of injuries, but they're often also quickly disposed of and end up in the landfill. To make sure you're buying the correct shears and caring for them right, we've asked Henrietta and Bridget of The Land Gardeners to let us in on their secrets.