Zerowaste craft

These DIY lifestyle items are easy to make and will look great in your home, while helping to reduce waste.

Cotton coffee filter

This coffee filter is suitable for the Chemex six- or eight-cup coffee filter system but can also be used in combination with a self-conceived coffee filter system such as the one pictured. From now on you don’t have to buy filters anymore. Simply rinse/ wash this homemade version regularly.

Supplies Unbleached cotton • embroidery thread • needle • scissors • pencil

How to do it Put the unbleached cotton on the table and draw a circle with a diameter of 30cm on the cotton with a pencil. This can be done with the help of a breakfast plate in the right size as a mould. Cut out the circle. With needle and thread you can add an elegant feston stitch to the unfinished edge. Examples of how to make a feston stitch can be found online. Fold the coffee filter in half and it’s ready to use.

Storage for earplugs

All you need is a favourite cork, maybe kept from a festive moment or holiday – or perhaps an excuse to open a new bottle?

Supplies • Favourite cork • Stanley knife • screwdriver • earbuds

How to do it Boil the cork in water for 10 minutes to ensure the cork does not fall apart during cutting. Use a screwdriver to make an opening in one side and insert the end of the earbuds. Wrap the cord of the earbuds around the cork. On the other side, make a groove with the Stanley knife and push the cord of the earbuds into it. Ready. And a super nice reminder of that fine moment or holiday every time you listen to music or meditate. g

Cotton teabag on a stick

The cotton tea bag you can easily rinse, ready for next use.

Supplies Unbleached cotton • scissors • needle • round wooden stick diameter 3mm, 12cm long • brown and white sewing thread

How to do it Using a pencil and ruler, draw the shape of the 7cm x 7.5cm teabag on double folded cotton. Cut out and stitch with needle and thread all around leaving the top open. Leave an opening just below the top border so that the stick can pass through it. Use white and brown thread together for a rustic finish. Put fresh tea leaves in the bag and hang the stick across the mug, leaving the leaves to infuse until ready to drink.

Making your own coffee filter system is fun and easy. An old glass weckpot with a stainless steel funnel is all you need. Caffeine fix

Keep fresh tea leaves in decorative earthenware trays and/or small glass jars that you label by sticking crepe tape on them and writing down the type of tea on them, so they’re easily identifiable in the kitchen. Tea time