Dad's are notorious for saying "I have all I need" when asked what they'd like as a gift on any given occasion but naturally, you want to show him how much he's appreciated and loved.
You're probably reading this particular article as you're looking for a gift which is not only perfect the recipient but is also eco friendly. Well you're in luck as we've rounded up the best sustainable gift ideas for magnificent men in your life.
Shower Blocks are the perfect shower accessory if you want to ditch the plastic but keep that great shower gel feeling. Soap re-imagined for your daily shower with our nourishing oil blend. Guaranteed to leave you feeling and smelling great. Choose their favourite scent or go fragrance free. Every bar sold gives a shower to someone in need through their charity intuitive to help hygiene in poverty. Shower Blocks are hand made in the UK.
If the man in your life is into DIY and upcycling, why not find him a cool new project? Head to your local selling sites and you'll often find great furniture that someone just doesn't have a use for anymore. Add some chalk paint, (which again can often be found for free) some sandpaper and other useful tools to create a full upcycling project kit.
One of the best plastic free swaps you can make is a safety razor. It will save money too because replacing the blades is so affordable. It gives one of the smoothest shaves ever. Our stainless steel safety razor from Zero Waste Club comes with a pack of 10 razor blades, a blade should last about 6 shaves so this pack will keep you covered for months.
Perfect for green fingered man in your life and super affordable. Planting bee friendly and oxygenating plants is great for the environment and is the ideal gift that lasts for years and years. If house plants are more their thing these are a great eco gift too. You could always consider buying reduced plants that need a little extra care to bring them back to life, there's a great satisfaction to rescuing a plant otherwise destined for the bin.
Our sleek wireless magnetic chargers are made from plastic waste!
Fast-charging (twice as fast as regular lightning cable charging), compatible with all wireless-charging enabled devices (including Apple and Android).
Handmade in Brighton from recycled plastic packaging waste, that is deemed non-recyclable by councils in the UK
There's so much beautiful countryside to see and the quality time spent together will mean more than most gifts. Choose the route best suited to your capabilities and interests and at a length that suits you best. There's tonnes of walks listed over at Walking Britain and most routes have country pub or 2 along the way, just saying.
Got a coffee connoisseur on your hands? Treat them to a reusable coffee filter with a super fine mesh stainless steel filter that’s perfect for using with coffee pots, cups and bottles. The wide mouth and handle are perfect for resting in teapots, mugs, cups, or glass bottles while the fine mesh filters even the smallest coffee grounds, giving you mess-free coffee. They're easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and won’t rust.
If you're the arty type or great at creating something make them a bespoke piece just for them. They'll love the fact you've made a real effort and treasure they're very own commission from you.
Check out our guide on alternative gift wrapping ideas too.
There’s a notable environmental focus to the Platinum Jubilee; The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative is encouraging people to plant trees to leave a lasting green legacy.
To celebrate the Jubilee there is a four day bank holiday in the UK from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June. Communities will be coming together for the occasion and many will host street parties.
So here’s our guide to organising a street party with tips for how to make it a little more eco-friendly...
The venue might seem obvious given it’s a street party, however it does require some consideration and planning.
To close a road for a street party you will need permission from your local council. This will need to be arranged at least 6 weeks ahead of the event. Some councils charge a fee for granting a road closure and may require organisers to have public liability insurance. Some councils have announced they will be waiving the normal road closure fee for the Jubilee or are offering funding for local events. If you live on an estate with a management company you may also need to speak with them. More advice on road closures is available from Streetparty.org.uk
If closing the road isn’t an option, you could have the event in front gardens or driveways along the street, or local park or community hall.
Unless you're hosting the party at a community hall, which will likely have tables and chairs, you need to think about what you'd like people to bring to sit on.
Street parties traditionally often have a long line of tables with chairs down each side. You could recreate this by asking each household to bring a table and enough chairs for their party to sit on. However, you may want to keep it simple ad ask people to bring just a picnic rug or blanket to sit on. You could opt for a standing party too and just have tables for the food and drinks.
Don’t forget, this is the UK and it’s well known that sod's law will dictate the weather, especially when it’s expected that people will be outdoors in their masses. Plan for the worst and ask if anyone has marquees or gazebos available to use should you need them.
Next to think about is tableware. Consider what's the best option for your party - do you need plates, bowls, or cutlery?
Did you know.... an estimated 1.1 billion single-use plates and 4.25 billion items of single-use cutlery – most of which are plastic – are used in England each year, but just 10% are recycled?
To avoid unnecessary waste from single-use tableware ask neighbours to bring their own plates or picnic sets, or hire a party kit from a local supplier.
A Jubilee celebration in the UK isn’t complete without Coronation Chicken. Created for the Queen’s coronation in 1953, Coronation Chicken is a sandwich filling made of cooked chicken, curry powder, mayonnaise, mango chutney and dried fruit. Or for a Vegan version, swap the chicken for chickpeas and use Vegan mayonnaise.
BBC Good Food Coronation Chicken recipe
Yum Vegan Blog Coronation Chickpea recipe
Other standard street party foods include buffet classics such as sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, vegetable sticks, scones, fruit and of course cake - Victoria Sponge being a popular classic. Some items, like sponge cake and sausage rolls, can be made ahead of time, frozen and then defrosted for the event. You could always give this year’s jubilee dessert, a delicious lemon trifle. Keep the organising simple by asking neighbours to bring their own food and drink.
No street party wouldn’t be complete without bunting. Traditionally this would be a string of Union Jack flags or triangles coloured red, white and blue, but really any colours will set a celebratory tone.
You can make your own bunting from fabric. Or if sewing isn’t your thing, try making bunting from felt triangles, rag-tie or ribbons. Rather than buying new fabric to make bunting try to repurpose old bedding, ask for scraps via local Facebook groups or head down to your local haberdashery who often have scraps of unsalable fabric.
Net pom-poms make a great reusable alternative to balloons. Fun and colourful, they are really durable meaning they can be used again and again long after the Jubilee. Unlike balloons, netted pom-poms are less likely to escape and end up as litter endangering wildlife.
Paper chains are an easy-to-make eco-friendly decoration. Use strips of scrap paper, pages from magazines, the kid's artwork (although do check with the artist first!) or old greetings cards. They’re perfect to get the kids involved too as they only need a glue stick.
One of the best ways to reduce the environmental impact of a party is to plan ahead for what will happen after the event with the rubbish. Ensure there's a plan for rubbish which might come from food wrappers, etc. There should be access to a rubbish bin and recycling bins. Provide a food waste collection bin so scraps can be composted.
Organise a team to take down the decorations once the event has finished. This will help stop any decorations from becoming litter and a danger to wildlife. Check for litter after the event so that no rubbish is left behind.
For any leftover food which is still edible, encourage neighbours to take home leftovers or donate them to a local organisation, such as a community fridge.
For more ideas, inspiration and recipes, there's a great pack with loads of information about planning a street party for the Platinum Jubilee available to download from The Big Jubilee Lunch website.
]]>To get you started, we put together a list of more than a dozen energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable gadgets that we think you'll love.
These super sleek wireless magnetic chargers are made from plastic waste! They're twice as fast as regular lightening cable charging meaning less time spent plugged in. Compatible with all wireless charging enabled devices, saving you from having multiple cables lying around.
They're handmade in Brighton from plastic packaging that UK councils deemed non-recyclable (shows what they know!) They're available in 3 funky colourways including our personal fave, Birthday Cake.
Shop Wireless Magnetic Chargers
One of our best sellers and for very good reason. This super fine mesh stainless steel filter is perfect for using with coffee pots, cups and bottles. Filter directly into whatever you're drinking from. The fine mess filters ever the smallest coffee grounds for mess free coffee brewing.
The wide mouth and handle make perfect for resting in teapots, mugs, cups or glass bottles. What's more you'll save a fortune on non-recyclable filter papers while preventing extra landfill waste.
Shop Reusable Coffee Filter
As soon as you pick up the Modular Dish Brush you know that it's going to last and last. A perfect plastic free alternative, it comes with a replaceable and sustainable head which keeps the dish brush feeling brand new.
This is by far the best dish brush I have ever used and well worth the investment. The high quality bushed aluminium stem feels great in the hand and the sustainable plant based brush heads are naturally antibacterial and so so easy to replace. The handle should last you a life time or more, if it does come to it's end of life, you can simply pop it in your metal recycling.
A beautifully made stainless steel safety razor that is the perfect plastic free alternative that will look great in your bathroom as well as save you money. A blade should last around 6 shaves so a pack of blades keeps you covered for months.
One of the best plastic free swaps we've found. This safety razor will save you money because replacing the blades is so affordable. It will also give you one of the smoothest shaves ever and then there will be no turning back.
Shop Stainless Steel Safety Razor
Cut out plastic tea bags with this versatile tea strainer which is perfect for teapots, mugs, cups and bottles. Most teabags contain some plastic meaning they won't degrade in compost or in soil.
This stainless steel reusable tea strainer makes it easy to go waste-free when drinking your tea without the guilt of throwing away plastic each time. It has a super fine mesh that will filter out the smallest tea leaves and handles to help avoid being scalded by the hot steam.
Clever little pods for mess free eco friendly cleaning. Simply pop a pod into your own reusable bottles. 1 pod = 1 spray bottle. No pouring liquid between bottles, just drop your pod into a spray bottle, fill with tap water and shake.
Eco-friendly zero-waste cleaner refills that are made from vegan and plant-based ingredients which are palm oil free. The sustainable refill pods are plastic free so are biodegradable and have been made to be cruelty free and paraben free.
Shop Ocean Saver Refillable Cleaner
The MAËL© diffuser has both an elegant and modern design and a great performance while being easy to use. Simply fill the water container to the maximum water mark level and add a few drops of your favourite essential oils and the diffuser will spread a fine scented mist throughout your room.
The diffuser switches off automatically when the water container is empty. MAËL diffusers can be set to operate for 1, 3, 6 hours or continuously. It can last up to 10 hours with one load on continuous mode and up to 20 hours on intermittent mode when it goes on and off every 30 seconds.
Picnics are well known for their mini sausages, pork pies and creamy pots of coleslaw and potato salad. These are delicious picnic treats often come wrapped unnecessarily in plastic, which of course, gets thrown away afterwards.
One great way to save money, reduce waste, and actually make your picnics even more delicious is to cook your food from scratch. Make your sandwiches, create a cold pasta salad or make your own coleslaw and accompaniments
The easiest step to make your picnic plastic-free is to pack reusable plates, cutlery sets and glasses. You can either take these from home or, if you have picnics more regularly, invest in a bamboo picnic dining set to reuse over and over again.
Reusable linen napkins are a great swap and can simply be popped in the washing machine once you get home ready for the next time you head out.
Some of our favourite reusable picnic items are:
Green Island Bamboo Cutlery & Straw Set
BeeBee Beeswax Wraps - Pack of 3
Finger-food is especially popular with young children at picnics, but many of our favourites are wrapped in plastic. Finger foods such as carrot sticks, cucumber or peppers can all be made quickly and easily from loose fruits and vegetables. Simply cut into pieces before you leave and pop them into reusable lunchbox or some wax wraps to take with you.
Cheese and Meats are a firm favourite on picnics, even plant based or vegan versions, but do you get your cheese from a plastic packet in the fridge? The answer is probably yes, so if you're opting for cheese or meat on your picnic you may also want to consider plastic-free options.
Local delicatessens and fresh counters in supermarkets will sell packaging free sliced and blocks of cheese and meat. While these may be a little more expensive than pre-packed options, they're a brilliant way to cut back on waste. Plus you're less likely to buy more than you need.
From humous to guacamole and even salsa, these popular dips can easily be made at home using ingredients you probably already have. Tomato salsa, for example, is made by blending tomatoes, an onion and garlic together (remember to opt for loose ingredients). As well as being much cheaper to make yourself, you'll also have fun. You can then pop them into airtight pots to keep them fresh and stop spillages until you reach your picnic spot.
Now you have all you need for a waste free picnic this Summer. Hopefully that includes the weather!
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If you want to make your Easter egg hunt more eco-friendly, you have several options. First, you can hide your naturally dyed Easter eggs. Once everyone finds all the eggs, use them to make egg salads or sandwiches. Don’t forget you can also compost your eggshells.
Wooden eggs are another eco-friendly option for your Easter egg hunt. You can buy solid wood eggs that everyone can decorate. You can also get hollow wood eggs that everyone can decorate and have room inside to hold a special treat.
Lastly, you can reuse card or paper to make decorated eggs to hide anywhere, even pinned to fences or stuck to windows.
Dyeing Easter eggs is a fun tradition, especially with the kids. It’s great fun to try out different techniques to see what colours and designs you can create. However artificial food dyes used to colour Easter eggs are chemical substances.
If you want to dye Easter eggs but you’re looking for a more eco-friendly way to do it, you have another option. You can easily make natural dye from things like flower petals and red onion skins. Simply wrap around the egg and pop them in your pan while boiling.
Yes, chocolate bunnies are cute and the Easter eggs all come in packaging kids want or with a toy they're desperate to own. But think about how those chocolate bunnies and eggs come packaged. Most come in a foil wrapper, that’s inside a box, that’s wrapped in plastic. That’s a lot of waste for one piece of chocolate.
However, you don’t have to skip giving out chocolate to celebrate an eco-friendly Easter. Instead, just choose a Fair Trade Certified chocolate brand, which makes sure cocoa farmers have safe and environmentally friendly working conditions and are paid fairly.
Consider skipping the chocolate altogether and give a lasting, eco friendly gift. For the price of an average Easter egg, you can give a gift that will last beyond the celebrations.
Some affordable Easter gifts could be; an Aloe Vera Shampoo Bar, Wax Wraps, A Bamboo Cutlery Set, Lemon Lip Balm, A Reusable Tea Strainer, or even a gift card to spend how they choose.
However you choose to spend Easter time, we hope you have a great one.
It's an obvious one and growing up you've likely been told by your parents hundreds of times to "turn that light off". While it seemed like a chore as a child, it's actually the easiest way you can save money on your energy bills.
Once your lightbulbs wear out, replace them with LED alternatives. These bulbs not only save you money daily, as well of course energy, they also last a lot longer, meaning fewer replacement costs.
IF you're not using electronics such as games consoles, printers, TVs etc unplug rather than switching off. It's surprising how much energy is actually wasted keeping these things plugged in.
If you have any bulky furniture in front of radiators, they're sucking up all the heat you're paying for. Instead, the front of the radiators should be as clear as possible. If you don't have the option for a move around, pull the furniture away a little more to allow more airflow.
If you're cooking on the stove top, pans should be covered where possible to retain heat and therefore, cook things faster. Batch cooking is another great option as you'll need less energy to reheat your meal than cooking again from scratch.
Washing machines work by heating the water they're using. By reducing the temperature you wash at even by 10 degrees, you'll be saving energy. Most laundry detergent works just as well at low temperatures.
Water usage costs can be reduced easily with just a few small changes. Shorter showers, fewer baths and saving your washing up for one load for example. You can also save rainwater in just about any large container. This can be used to water plants or wash the car etc.
If you know you have a draft creeping through a door or window, try and seal it. If you can't seal it completely, use draft excluders or curtains to reduce it. As well as throwing cold air into your home, it can also suck out the heat.
Instead of popping the heating when the temperature drops in the evening, get cosy with a blanket or throw and don't forget to turn down the lights. The perfect excuse for a cosy evening in.
Do you have any money-saving tips to share? Drop them in the comments.
]]>If you're not sure where to start, we've got some tips to help you get going.
It's a phrase you may have heard before and it really is fundamental to having a more eco friendly home. These are the 3 basic principles of reducing the waste produced by your household. Reduce the number of disposable items you use. Reuse anything you can for as long as possible. Recycle as much rubbish as you can.
Once your old light bulbs stop working, replace them with energy-efficient ones. Unlike regular bulbs, LED light bulbs are eco-friendly because they use less energy and last longer. An added bonus is you'll save money too. This simple replacement will help reduce your waste and your carbon footprint, so it’s a great way to make your home more eco-friendly.
There's a few ways you can change your laundry to make it more eco friendly. First, try and do full loads rather than lots of small loads. This saves energy and water as well as money. You can also try washing at a lower temperature, even lowering the water temperature by 10 degrees helps. Finally, switch to a more eco friendly detergent such as Tru Earth's laundry strips.
Unfortunately, most typical cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your health and the environment. Plus they usually come in plastic bottles that end up being thrown away. An ideal way to make your home greener is by buying eco-friendly cleaning products instead of regular ones. We love the Zero Waste Club cleaning products including the reusable glass spray bottle.
If you want your home to be more eco friendly, a great place to start is reducing your water consumption. The easiest way to do this is by cutting your shower time and limiting the amount of baths you take.
When you have wasted food, it's not just the food that is being wasted, it's also energy, water, and other resources that are wasted too. With a little planning and small changes to your daily habits, it's easy to prevent wasted food. Create menu plans in advance, make a shopping list and stick to it and store any leftovers properly. Beeswax and Vegan Wraps are super versatile and allow you to store food safely, for longer
Some food waste can't be avoided such as vegetable peelings and fruit peels and seeds. Sending them to landfill is bad news for the planet as they'll contribute to greenhouse gases. Instead, you can use food scraps and other organic waste, such as cardboard and paper, to make compost at home. These materials will biodegrade and create a nutrient-rich soil supplement for your plants. Read about how to start composting at home in our article.
Your tumble dryer uses lots of energy to dry your clothes. On average, tumble dryers produce around 1.8 kg of carbon dioxide per cycle. So, they’re not an eco-friendly option. If you wash your clothes on a sunny day, skip the tumble dryer and hang your clothes outside instead. Alternatively, there are many indoor airers available which are just as effective when placed in a warm, airy room.
Remember, it's the small changes that make a big difference so any steps you take to make your home more eco friendly all help our planet. What are your top tips? Drop them in the comments to share with others.
]]>When we wash off any product it, of course, goes into the drain. Water treatment plants don't break down these toxins and therefore they end up going into our environment.
We take a look at other hidden nasties found in traditional bathroom products and how you can find eco-friendly alternatives.
You know how it goes, apply sunscreen, wait the recommended time before jumping into that clear blue ocean. Unfortunately, a lot of sunscreens contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, ingredients which have been found to be toxic to marine life including deformed coral larvae, plankton and algae, as well as accumulating in the muscles of fish and crustaceans. When we as humans then consume these as food, there's a lot of research going to find exactly the dangers we face.
Hawaii is leading the fight against these damaging ingredients and has banned all sunscreen containing them. With other countries still to catch up, you can get ahead of the game with a sunscreen such as this vegan, organic sun cream from Sol De Ibiza which is completely reef safe.
You most likely have an antibacterial hand gel not far away from you right now. They're everywhere we go these days and have become a huge part of our daily lives. They are however, bad news for the planet. Most come in single use plastic for a start but it's actually the ingredient Triclosan that causes real concern.
After entering the water system, Triclosan accumulates in the cells of algae and marine mammals, restricting their growth, causing impairment of vital functions or else killing them. It's not just hand gels, it can also be found in some toothpastes, soaps, deodorants and body washes which have antibacterial properties.
Of course we need antibacterial products, especially in recent times so luckily there are natural, eco friendly alternatives available such as Haoma's Organic Hand Sanitiser which also comes in a recyclable glass bottle.
Opinion is still split on parabens within health and beauty products. On the positive side of the coin, they're a highly effective (and cheap) preservative, meaning that your products remain free from yeasts, moulds and bacteria for longer.
However extremely negatively, parabens are still entering our water system (again they can't be taken from waste water during treatment in sewage plants) and traces have been found in the most remote marine locations - including Alaskan polar bears.
The concern is that parabens, like some UV filters, are endocrine disruptors, not only affecting the hormone levels in marine life but potentially humans, too. By opting for natural alternatives you can easily avoid parabens. We've listed some of our favourite planet saving products.
Shower Blocks are the perfect shower accessory if you want to ditch the plastic but keep that great shower gel feeling. Soap re-imagined for your daily shower with our nourishing oil blend. Guaranteed to leave you feeling and smelling great. Every bar sold gives a shower to someone in need.
Upcircle's deeply hydrating, fast-absorbing face cream to nourish and brighten the skin. Reused, repurposed, reloved: This face cream is made with finely-ground powder of discarded argan shells, a natural by-product of the argan oil industry and rich in antioxidant Vitamin E. This moisturiser is suitable for all skin types. Vitamin E rich argan powder is combined with skin-soothing cocoa butter, aloe vera and blood orange.
Eco Living's Shampoo bars are soap free, PH balanced, solid shampoo bar. Made from naturally derived, sustainable ingredients with no palm or petrochemicals. A high quality shampoo bar that needs no adjustment period. Suitable for all hair types including long hair and colour treated hair. This solid shampoo works well in hard water areas. No need for a conditioner and no transition period is needed. This shampoo produces a rich lather and gentle cleanse.
]]>Reusable beeswax or vegan food wraps are natural and sustainable alternatives to keep food fresh and replace single use food wrap such as clingfilm. Both are washable and totally food safe.
Beeswax wraps are made from material which is covered in beeswax, tree resin and jojoba oil where as vegan wraps replace the beeswax with substances such as candelilla wax. These ingredients create a sticky, formable material that can be shaped to cover almost any food.
Use - Warm them in your hands.
When you pick up the wrap you want to use you'll want to warm it up a little in your hands, a few seconds usually does it. These makes them much more flexible so that you can mould it around the shape you have.
If you're covering raw meat or fish you might want to put it in a bowl or container first then cover the top with the wrap.
Wash - You should wash your reusable wraps in fairly cool water with some dish soap and gently using your hands or a very soft cloth, wash them thoroughly. Never use an abrasive sponge or brush and don't put them in a dishwasher. Leave them to air dry then pop them in a box or soft bag to store until next time.
Prolong - Food wraps should be kept away from high temperatures or anything that may scratch them. If you notice the wrap becoming less effective or areas where the wax has come away you can refresh them at home using rewax refresher drops. Just like in this video.
Make a pouch - fold them into a pocket to store small snacks. Instead of using a plastic bag, use a food wrap as a pouch to store crisps, seeds, nuts, dried fruits etc
Store soap bars - food wraps are also a great way to store your soap and shampoo bar, especially when travelling. Save space in your luggage and protect your clothes from spills.
Wrap gifts - Most wrapping paper isn't recyclable and most people won't compost it either. By using a wax wrap as gift wrapping not only are you saving paper usage but you're also giving them two gifts in one.
]]>Plastic products have remained popular for decades but now bamboo is emerging as a hot contender for replacing plastics in everything from toothbrushes, soap dishes, cutlery and even your bedding. Is bamboo really that eco-friendly? How many plastic products can it really replace? Let's take a look at the facts.
Although often similar in looks to trees and typically referred to as a plant, bamboo is actually a type of grass. There are more than 1000 species of bamboo, all thriving in different climates.
Bamboo is one of the most popular sustainable materials but it's also really versatile and because of these properties it's the perfect choice for replacing many plastics.
For a start, the production of bamboo has so many benefits for the environment.
While plastic is versatile, cheap and durable it's bad news for the planet. We can't replace all plastic products with bamboo but there are many that we can. There's some seriously good reasoning behind why bamboo is more eco-friendly.
One of bamboos best properties is its versatility closely followed by its durability. Bamboo products last a long time however when they do come to the end of their useful life they can be composted and returned back into the soil.
For all bamboo has a higher tensile strength than steel, when it's used for fabric it's soft and still durable making it perfect for bedding. Some of the most popular bamboo products include;
So now you know just how amazingly sustainable bamboo is check out some of our best selling bamboo products and start making the switch.
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It's not all about reducing your meat intake for a start. Reducing your plastic packaging, buying local produce and choosing foods that are pesticide-free. While much of eating sustainably is what we eat it's also about how that food is produced.
There are so many ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint via the food you eat. We take a look at some of the easiest ways to suit you and your lifestyle.
Reducing your food waste is one of the biggest impacts you can have on the health of the planet. With a little planning, it's really quite easy to make big changes.
1. Plan your meals in advance. Not only will you be saving on food waste, you'll be saving the money in your pocket too.
2. Have "eat me first food" and make sure everyone in your household knows what foods need to be eaten first.
3. Use your leftovers. A quick online search can provide amazing inspiration for leftover recipes.
If food is availably beyond its usual growing season it probably means it has a fairly high carbon footprint. It's likely that it will have been shipped from overseas or grown in huge greenhouses that require heating and lighting.
If you're not sure exactly what's in season on not, you can find seasonal calendars online or if you order an organic fruit and veg box, whatever it contains will only be foods that are in season.
Reducing your use of plastic can feel a little overwhelming. Let's face the stuff is everywhere. The easiest way to reduce your use is bit by bit. Start with the obvious like single-use plastic bottles then move on to other areas of your home.
When it comes to food packaging it's often hard to avoid. Thankfully supermarkets are reducing plastic packaging and have paper alternatives on more products including pasta and porridge.
A super easy way of reducing your plastic waste is by getting a fruit and veg box. Either ask your local greengrocer or there are loads of companies online that deliver to your door.
Zero waste shops are popping up on high streets across the UK and are a fabulous way to reduce hour plastic use and cut down on waste. Simply take your containers and buy as much or as little as you need. We have an in-depth blog on Zero Waste Shopping.
Now I'm in no way suggesting that you should turn 100% Vegan overnight. There are so many ways you can reduce your meat and animal derived products intake without cutting them out altogether. I for one, couldn't dream of life without cake!
Plants, pulses and beans can all be included to give you a tasty meal that contains all the protein, vitamins and minerals your body needs. Here's some easy ways you can up your intake of these 3 tasty foodstuffs.
1. Reduce the meat and swap some of it out in things like stews, casseroles, chilli and bolognaise. Lentils make great alternatives to meat in these types of meals.
2. Try 1 day a week without any meat. You've probably heard of "meat free Monday" but any day of the week that suits you is a good day to go meat free.
3. Mushrooms make the perfect, filling meal and still provide that meaty taste that makes meals so tasty. Many varieties are bursting with health boosting properties too.
Fewer pesticides mean better soil health. This means that less fertiliser is needed, greater biodiversity, as well as more carbon sequestered into the soil. Organic foods and drinks are traditionally more expensive but even just swapping out parts of your normal diet with organic produce can have a big impact.
1. Go half and half with your milk. If you normally use 2 pints a week, choose 1 pint of normal milk and 1 pint of organic.
2. Choose one item per week to swap to organic. It doesn't have to be the same thing each week, try different items and see which versions you prefer.
3. At the risk of sounding like I have shares in them, get a fruit and veg box.
What sustainable eating tips have you got? Share them in the comments.
]]>Skin and Tonic was founded in 2015 by Sarah and Josh when Sarah hit an unexpected difficult time in her life which was the cause of immense stress leading to debilitating symptoms from endometriosis. With her mind and body exhausted, this showed in her skin with constant flare ups of dermatitis.
Making changes to her lifestyle was the first step to finding a solution and after quitting her stressful job and looking after her body better by eating well, Sarah then began to look for sustainable skincare that didn't contain and dubious ingredients yet were gentle and effective.
Sarah then retrained in skincare formulation and aromatherapy then set about creating her own products to soothe her skin and support her wellbeing.
After Josh's initial shock at Sarah quitting her job, her quickly realised that she was on to something with these new skincare products as he began to see the transformation both physically and mentally. the couple then began to think how they could share these products with the masses and thus, Skin and Tonic was born.
The bootstrap start up began, as many of our favourite brands do, at the kitchen table with their Calm Balm and slowly but surely grew into more products being developed and a team being created.
Despite the stress of a start-up business, Sarah fell pregnant with the couple's daughter, beating medical odds they welcomed to the beautiful Thea and Sarah once again realised the importance of selfcare.
Sarah says, "For most of us, with our busy lives and hectic schedules, selfcare is squeezing in that five-minute skincare ritual that makes you feel all glowy and fresh-faced. Sometimes it’s taking a moment to breath in a soothing scent when you feel overwhelmed. Sometimes it’s wallowing in the bath with a face mask. Sometimes it’s just remembering to take off your make-up at the end of busy day."
"I want to make skincare and selfcare simple for you, because I understand that it can make all the difference to how you look and feel. And that’s what Skin & Tonic is all about: giving you effective, organic, sustainable skincare and selfcare that fits effortlessly into your everyday life. Your busy, beautiful, chaotic and very real life!"
Skin and Tonic's first ever product and without doubt our favourite. An organic creamy balm made from a blend of natural butters and oils including nourishing Shea Butter and Calendula.
With added calming properties of organic Lavender and Roman Chamomile – this balm will calm both your skin and your mind.
Popular with yogis, insomniacs and anyone with a few too many things on their mind (i.e. most of us…), this nourishing multitasker soothes dry and damaged skin, aids with sleep and helps calm your mood.
Formulated with light, unscented oils, this gentle multitasking makeup remover tackles even waterproof mascara.
A simple, gentle makeup remover, made with just 5 ingredients and suitable for all skin types. Formulated it with gentle and balancing jojoba, camellia and sweet almond oils.
With only the highest quality, certified organic plant oils in our products - cold-pressed, steam distilled or CO2 extracted for maximum efficacy and potency. They contain no cheap fillers, absorb easily, and you will only need a few drops at a time.
It can also be used as a light, absorbent face or body oil, and even as a hot cloth cleanser for extra sensitive skin types.
Gentle enough to use a couple of times a week and suitable for all skin types, this facial exfoliator will draw out impurities and remove dead skin cells, leaving skin polished, radiant and clear.
French pink clay draws out toxins and impurities, oatmeal gently cleanses and rosehip seeds exfoliate, leaving skin smooth and clear.
With added hormone-balancing geranium essential oil and probiotic yoghurt powder to slough away dead skin cells, improving tone and texture.
All clay masks and scrubs are in powdered form (i.e. no water) to preserve the integrity and quality of the ingredients. When you add water you need to preserve it – which is where the ingredients list can get pretty lengthy. So we kept it simple, and you can get a bit DIY!
The ideal gift for Mums, Kids, Friends or - let's be totally honest - yourself! Now you can get all four delicious lip balms in a super cool, reusable, giftable flight tin.
The Lip Kit contains:
Check out our full range of the awesome Skin and Tonic Products here.
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Read on to discover inventive sustainable ways you can wrap your Christmas gifts this year.
Brown paper is one of the most readily available eco-friendly materials and usually sold on a large roll for a couple of pounds, recycled brown paper can look super stylish and sleek. Because brown paper is usually quite stiff it's easy to fold and makes wrapping extra easy too with no need for tape, just a little ribbon or twine and your chosen finishing touches.
If you've got notoriously difficult bottles to wrap consider using a pair of socks to wrap them in. Not only do you get a stylish, easy and protective wrapping, your recipient gets 2 gifts in one. To use socks as wrapping paper;
Fabric makes great wrapping material. It's easy to find and can be cut with pinking sheers to any size or shape. It's great for wrapping odd shapes as it's so flexible. You can pick up some beautiful scarves from charity shops and markets and recycle them into gorgeous gift wrap. Either pop in your gift and tie the scarf itself, use a contrasting ribbon or for an extra special touch fasten it with a brooch or lapel pin that you can also pick up from your local charity store and provides the perfect keepsake.
Save those tins and jars throughout the year and they'll be super handy for all kinds of gifts come Christmas. Jars filled with sweets, treats or small soaps and bath bombs. Jars and tins can be decorated with ribbons, hessian, leaves or anything your imagination was come up with.
Keep any of the packaging from parcels you receive throughout the year and reuse it for your Christmas gifts. Tissue paper, dust bags, boxes and the protective stuffing paper can all be saved and repurposed to either wrap your gifts or pack hampers. If any of the packaging is creased an iron on low heat will flatten it out again easily.
Often found in charity shops old maps not only look brilliantly stylish as wrapping but provide a talking point and can be treasured by the recipient, especially if the map given holds significance for them. Dig out your Dad's old AA route map and see how creative you can be.
Wooden crates can be picked up from fruit stalls, greengrocers or markets. They make the perfect base for creating luxurious hampers with the addition of some shredded paper or fabric. Once you've lined them add your treats before covering with more of your lining. A great idea would be to create a picnic basket and use the blanket as lining and covering.
Although they're not something we typically buy these days, newspapers make super interesting gift wrap, much like the maps and with some well thought out finishing touches look stylish and striking. Bright, bold accessories are a must with newspaper. Puzzle pages are a perfect added extra too.
Before you start on your eco-friendly gift wrapping it’s a great idea to go in search of a few natural items to add the finishing touches to your gifts no matter how you choose to wrap them. These make sure your gifts stand out, look beautiful and are fun to collect at the beginning of the Christmas season.
Examples of things to collect would be:
High on my Christmas list this year is a wireless magnetic charger from Zero Waste Club that can charge most of my tech without all from one wire, one plug and therefore less plastic usage and I'll be able to send off my old, (mostly broken) traditional chargers to be recycled and repurposed.
Zero Waste Club's wireless chargers are made from recycled plastic at their Brighton workshop where they prototype new product ideas and even batch produce products too. The main material they work with is waste plastic bags, which are very hard to recycle normally and not accepted by councils in the UK for recycling. They save this hard-to-recycle material and turn it into everyday products for you to enjoy! They provide local creative people with opportunities to work with them in producing our sustainable product ranges.
The wireless chargers not only make use of waste plastic, they're sleek and stylish and are twice as fast as lightning cable chargers. They're able to charge any device that supports wireless charging such as iPhone 8 and above, most Samsung phones and accessories, and wireless ear buds such as Airpods.
The commitment to reducing plastic waste doesn't stop at the manufacturing stage, Zero Waste Club ask that should your charger fail or become broken, you return it to them so that they can fix any problems and at the end of your product's life, they will buy it back from you so that the components can be recycled into their next generation of products.
Founded by two friends, Rishi and Pawan, who were feeling let down and frustrated by the damage being done to our planet, Zero Waste Club was born from a search by the friends to find answers. While the markets are changing slowly, they noticed that many products that are eco-friendly are given a luxury label. They also found that many products sold under the “eco” label tend to stretch the definition of sustainability. Thus they decided to start their own journey to produce truly sustainable, beautifully designed, ethical and vegan essentials at affordable prices.
They say "We want to do more than just make beautiful eco-friendly products. So we are going to make the most transparent, ethical, sustainable goods company on earth. Opening up our supply chain fully for everyone to see. To show that there is a nicer way to do business. Hopefully this will inspire other businesses to do the same."
As a company, they are fully transparent with their eco credentials and even state openly how they spend their profits. You can find out more about their sustainability on their website but in short;
All in all we love Zero Waste Club for their ethics and their products. If you're looking for the perfect gift and something a little different go check out their products now.
]]>Eco Friendly Christmas Jumpers
We only wear them maybe a handful of times a year but the ever popular Christmas jumper is going nowhere. No doubt you and the kids love donning the festive knit each year so how can you make sure your jumper is sustainable? This one is actually pretty easy. If buying new make sure the material is as organic and it has been produced by a company with good sustainability credentials but, due to the fact they are only worn a few times a year, they're great items to pick up second hand, especially for kids who are always growing.
Another festive favourite is the Christmas gift set, you know the ones, a can of deodorant, a shower gel and perhaps some sort of shower puff. Whilst a popular gift most are terrible for the environment not least due to the unnecessary packaging. There are now some great eco friendly options available such as the Acala Deluxe Soap Lovers Set or Acala Zero Waste Essentials Set which is great for anyone just starting their eco journey.
Reusable coffee cups make a fab gift for almost anyone. With so many colours, designs and thermal options available you're bound to find the perfect cup for your recipient. One of our favourite reusable cups is the stylish Neon Kactus Glass Cup. As it's made from glass it won't taint your drink with any taste and it's made from 100% recyclable materials and comes in a range of colours.
Bees are vital to the survival of our planet, helping to pollinate the crops which feed us and breathe oxygen into the atmosphere. Unfortunately these life saving insets are in rapid decline with 13 bee species becoming extinct since 1900 and 35 more on the endangered list. When you purchase a bee saving kit from Friends of The Earth you receive bee friendly seeds, bee identification guide and more. A great feature of this gift is you choose how much to donate in order to receive your kit.
If you know a candle lover treat them to an eco friendly candle. Made with natural ingredients such as pure essential oils and vegan wax. Our Corrine Taylor Purify Soy candles make a lovely gift and smell amazing right down to the last drop. Soy wax is cleaner than other waxes, burns longer and is free from harmful toxins and chemicals. It contains no carcinogens or pollutants which means it is less likely to trigger allergies.
Insulated drinks bottles make the perfect gift all year round. The Ocean Saver insulated bottles keep drinks hot for at least 9 hours and cold for over 18 hours. The great thing about giving these bottles as a gift is that for each one purchased 1000 plastic bottles are collected from beaches, saving them from entering the ocean.
As one of the best eco swaps you can make they make great gifts for anyone, especially those starting their eco journey. Plastic razors are notoriously difficult to recycle and blunt quite quickly. Stainless Steel Razors last for years and years whilst their blades last around 6 shaves before you need to change them. Used blades can then be carefully taken out and recycled with other metal waste. Stainless Steel Razors also give a super close shave.
Solid soap bars make the perfect stocking filler. There's so many scents, colours, shapes and sizes available so you're bound to find the perfect one. We love the totally solid shower blocks range. They come in super fun packaging which of course is eco friendly, in a range of scents and last for ages with zero waste. The best thing? If you buy one as a gift you'll also be gifting a bar to someone in need at no extra cost to you.
We hope you found our guide helpful, look out for more festive blogs in the lead up to Christmas 2021
]]>In recent years we've become less about the homemade paper chains and streamers and more about the plastic, single use decorations we, as a society, buy commercially. However, luckily for our planet more of you are turning to more sustainable options when it comes to creating your festive feel. So deck those halls, we're dreaming of a green Christmas.
Typically the first decoration will be the advent calendars. More often than not these are cardboard boxes with a plastic insert containing chocolate, toys or luxury treats, there are 100's of calendars now with so many different mini gifts inside.
A reusable advent calendar saves all that cardboard and plastic and can be filled with any treats you desire. If filling them for the kids you could mix up the treats to be edible one day, a small toy the next or even parts of 1 bigger buildable toy such as a wooden model. (Just make sure they get the pieces in the right order). If the calendar is for adults (i.e. yourself) you could ask a friend or family member to fill the sections for you so that it's still a surprise on each day.
Research has shown that to make a plastic Christmas tree carbon neutral you'd need to use it for 20+ years, by that it may be looking a little bare and past its best. That said if you're conscious of climate change the last thing you want is for a tree to be chopped down in it's prime just so that you can decorate your house for a month.
Rent a tree is a fantastic scheme that allows you to have the perfect tree in an eco friendly way. Once you're done with your tree for the year, it goes back to the rental company to be nurtured ready for the next Christmas.
There's nothing that says Christmas like twinkling fairy lights, glowing on a cold winter's evening, adorning your tree, garlands or window ledges. For those who enjoy decorating outside lighting is essential when creating your own winter wonderland.
LED Lights not only last much longer, they're much more environmentally friendly. They may cost a tad more initially but you'll definitely save thanks to their longer lifespan and the fact they use less electricity for just as much, if not more, of an impact.
Wreaths can be made from just about anything; recycled paper and card, pine cones, ribbons and fabric or even foraged foliage. Making your own wreath isn't as difficult as you may think and is actually a really fun activity for all ages and abilities.
One of our favourites is a foraged wreath. Gathering fallen fir branches, pine cones, conkers, berries and holly before coming home and winding them into a metal circle (old coat hanger) using some garden twine. Not only can you create a fab looking wreath, they smell amazing too.
The most sustainable tree decorations are the ones handed down through generations but these may not be to your taste or colour scheme. There are so many that are made from natural materials now such as wood or bamboo and they look amazing against the green of your Christmas Tree.
If you're feeling creative you can make your own, all you need is a few simple materials, some imagination and perhaps some Pinterest guides for help.
As well as creating the perfect, warm Christmas environment, scented candles give that unmistakable cosy glow while making your room smell fabulously festive.
Eco friendly candles are made with natural ingredients. Corrine Taylor soy candles are made with Soy wax which is cleaner than other waxes, burns longer, and is free from harmful toxins and chemicals. It contains no carcinogens or pollutants which means it is less likely to trigger allergies. Find them here.
Keep an eye out for our festive blogs this month as we lead up to celebrating Christmas 2021 in style.
]]>In a nutshell, humans and our actions over 1000's of years. What has previously been deemed progressive and innovative now appears to be damaging and if action is not taken now we face losing everything.
What we see now has become the new norm. This means we struggle to fully contemplate just how much things have changed. There are records of seas and rivers so full of fish that you could almost walk on them. Fishers and anglers report remembering huge schools of fish in rivers and seas. It is also said fish sizes were much bigger. The fishing industry has a short-term focus that is slowly but surely destroying its own survival. They catch as many fish as they can for profit, not caring about the byproduct (e.g. turtles and dolphins) they catch on the way, the huge numbers of wasted dead fish dumped over the side or that they are not leaving enough for the next generation to thrive. Fish stocks have already collapsed in some areas with more predicted to go.
Industrial scale trawling by fishing boats is also a huge issue. Trawlers are dragged across the seabed like a plough, destroying everything in their wake in minutes. Whole habitats and ecosystems vanish this way.
There's no doubt, the biggest victim of climate change is the oceans. On Blue Planet II we saw coral bleaching to our most biodiverse habitats. As average temperatures rise this will increase. Increased ocean acidification is another problem resulting in damage to the shells and skeletons of sea creatures and corals.
The oceans make up 70% of the planet’s surface. This has huge implications for the whole planet if the ocean warms further. Sea levels could rise from melting arctic ice which will permanently flood coastal areas and wetlands causing destruction, loss of habitats and cause some of the population to move further inland. Complex changes in the sea’s chemistry and temperature could have unpredictable impacts on our global weather patterns. The ocean is a huge store of carbon dioxide and heat but it has its limits. As well as attacking life, acidification has the side effect of reducing the flow of sulphur out of the ocean into the atmosphere. This reduces the sea’s ability to reflect solar radiation, resulting in even more global warming.
We all know that plastic is a huge problem for our environment, especially our oceans. Plastic makes its way into our seas by getting into our waterways. Once there it gradually breaks down into microplastics which build up in the food chain which creates of toxins. Even before broken down, marine life see often see plastic as food resulting in turtles, fish and birds eating pieces of plastic, sadly resulting in their death. Plastic is a threat to all marine life and ourselves. We live in a throwaway society which results in huge amounts of unnecessary plastic getting into places it shouldn’t.
Toxins, chemicals and drugs also pollute our oceans. This can poison marine life and in turn, ourselves.
Not only do our seas face impacts from our everyday actions but they also suffer with the development of new housing, hotels and resorts. Our coastlines are desirable places to live and visit resulting in developments that destroy wildlife habitats. Things like light pollution have harmful effects on wildlife such as baby turtles who mistake lights for the moon causing them to head inland. Coastlines are also seen as prime places to build power stations such as coal and gas which pollute the nearby sea and coral reefs. Flood management schemes like dredging are also hugely damaging for habitats and wildlife.
The app that turns your footsteps into trees. The concept is super simple, the more steps you do, the more trees they plant. It's a really fun and engaging app and is perfect for groups of friends or colleagues who are a little competitive as you can set up groups. It uses your phone's pedometer so you don't need to do a thing, except walk.
Get It On Google Play or Download on the App Store
The search engine that plants trees. Either add as an extension to your chrome browser or download the app to your smart phone. The more searches you perform through Ecosia, the more revenue they make which they use to plant trees rather than make a profit. It costs nothing and once downloaded requires no effort from you.
Get It On Google Play or Download on The App Store
The app that rescues surplus food. Unwanted food from hotels, shops, restaurants and manufacturers that is perfectly good but has to go when it isn't sold in time, is then sold by Too Good To Go. You simply purchase a bag of food and go to collect it. The most fun part of this app is that you don't actually know what is in your bag until you collect, it's a great way to mix up your meal times and of course save surplus food being wasted.
Get It On Google Play or Download On The App Store
The app that saves clothes from landfill. With the Vinted app you can shop 'til you drop at a fraction of the price. While most items are pre-loved, you can often find brand new pieces too. It's free to buy and sell on the app making it perfect to get a little extra cash from items you'd otherwise dispose of elsewhere.
Get it on Google Play or Download On The App Store
The free sharing app. Give and get free items, borrow or lend things to your neighbours and shop homemade all from this handy app. It's super simple to use, just take a photo of your items and set up a collection point of your choice. The app takes safety seriously with profiles being verified and star rated.
Get it on Google Play or Download on The App Store
The app that helps you stay focused. Download the app and whenever you need to stay focused, plant a tree and watch it grow as you stay on task. If you stop by leaving the app the tree "dies" and you'll have to start again. This app is perfect if you're easily distracted or find yourself doom scrolling when you know you shouldn't be. (Off to download this app now!)
Get it on Google Play or Download on The App Store
The app that connects you with places to eat, drink and shop with less waste. Download the app to easily find, water refilling stations, coffee shops offering discounts for using your own cup, takeaways where you can use your own lunchbox, water fountains and plastic free shopping outlets.
Get it On Google Play or Download on the App Store
That's our favourite apps, what are yours? Drop the links in the comments and tell us why you love them,
]]>It is expected that over 30,000 delegates from countries around the world will meet and contribute to the "formal events" in the blue zone. This is where climate experts, policy makers, campaigners and world leaders will debate the issues in order to make important global progress on the future of climate change. It is the first time such an event has been hosted in the UK.
COP 26 is so important because:
Apart from anything, the window for taking action has narrowed significantly. In August the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) release the latest update in its comprehensive report on Climate Science. The report warned that there is a 50/50 chance the average global temperature will exceed 1.5c above pre-industry levels in the next 20 years. Limiting this will not be possible with major global changes to reduce greenhouse gases.
One major change since the last COP is the return of the United States to an active role in addressing climate change. Not only is their government pushing through legislation on home soil but they're also using their diplomatic mass to encourage other countries to take greater action.
The UK in particular has focused on 5 key areas to tackle climate in the run up to COP26; Coal, Transport, Deforestation and Methane as well as finance and adaptation.
Coal - The aim of consigning coal to history, this will include the requirement of developing countries to commit to not building new coal industry and for developed countries to have phased it out by the 2030's.
Transport - the UK presidency wants large auto manufactures to commit to making all new cars and vans zero-emission by 2040 globally and by 2035 in countries with larger markets.
Deforestation and Methane - The UK government also want to see a commitment to halt and reverse deforestation this decade and action on avoidable losses of methane from the energy, agricultural and waste sectors. At the UN General Assembly in September, the EU and the US announced the Global Methane Pledge to reduce emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Over 30 countries and the EU have agreed to join the pledge, representing about a third of global methane emissions.
As there is such a packed agenda during the 2 week conference it's unlikely that resolutions will be finalised at the event. What is important is to set out a realistic roadmap for action for all countries taking into consideration the finances and resources of each. One thing the event will heavily focus on is the critical importance of delivering large-scale emissions reductions before the end of the decade.
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There are many effective DIY solutions that are fairly simple to make at home but sustainable cleaning options are thankfully becoming more readily available and more affordable. We've listed 7 of our favourite eco friendly products, tried and tested by us and loved by our customers.
Typical cleaning sprays and liquids contain around 90% water. That water is simply being transported around the country to make it into your home. With concentrated refills you add your own water from your taps therefore removing the need to transport the additional weight of water.
Neats concentrated refills are designed for use with either their spray bottles or one you already have. They're multipurpose solutions will last you ages and is suitable for most surfaces. The glass packaging is widely recycled too.
Eliminate plastic washing up liquid bottles with these nifty soap bars designed to be tough on grease while being kind to your skin and our planet, in fact they're mild you can use your dish water on your plants when you're finished with it.
They contain all natural, plant based ingredients and contain no palm oil while being 100% plastic free and biodegradable.
The perfect biodegradable alternative for scrubbing off tough stains, burnt on food or general food residue. They're also totally scratch free which helps prolong the life of our pots and pans and contain absolutely no plastic.
These natural dish brushes are made with Tampico fibre bristles. Tampico has great water-retaining properties, is resistant and hard-wearing, and keeps its shape without softening.
The replaceable heads contain zero plastic, won't scratch your dishes and are 100% vegan.
Much like the Neat refills, ocean saver don't come with water or in a plastic bottle, you simply add your own water to your own refillable spray bottle.
These clever little pods are added to water in the bottle to create your spray cleaner. They are made from vegan and plant-based ingredients which are palm oil free. The sustainable refill pods are plastic free so are biodegradable and have been made to be cruelty free and paraben free.
Compostable, reusable and washable sponge kitchen rolls which are plastic-free and made of natural renewable resources. These sponge cloths are very absorbent, durable and reusable and are home compostable after use.
To use these kitchen roll alternatives simply remove a sponge cloth from the perforated line on the roll. Wet the sponge cloth then squeeze it and use it for cleaning kitchens, bathrooms and all around the house, or even your hands while out. Rinse the cloth after use. Store used cloths in a dry place such as a kitchen drawer.
Pre-measured strips of detergent that you just toss in the wash and quickly dissolve in water. They're effective in hot or cold water and come in 100% plastic-free packaging. A zero waste washing detergent that is as sensitive on your skin, as it is to the environment.
They have hypoallergenic properties, are cruelty-free and free from parabens, phosphates, chlorine bleach and added dyes to make them as safe and non-toxic as possible. The strips will simply dissolve in the wash and completely biodegrade. Packed in paper packaging that can be recycled or composted after use.
Do you have any eco friendly cleaning tips or favourite products? Let us know in the comments below.
]]>It's not just the age-old tradition of trick or treating either, more commonly people are choosing to celebrate with parties and gatherings which often means the use throw-away items and an impact on our planet.
We take a look at how you can still celebrate Halloween in style in an eco friendly way.
Let's face it, Halloween is all about your costume. Choosing which spooky character you're going to be this year and transforming into them is all a huge part of the fun. In more recent times these costumes are typically considered throw away items, contain huge amounts single use plastic and have travelled 1000's of miles around the world to reach you.
It's time to get creative to lessen the impact on the planet when it comes to your costume. Browse through ideas on the web and use clothes already in your wardrobe. Pick up tips for piecing together an award-winning costume from items gathered at charity shops with a couple of reusable accessories.
Get the kids involved, too! They’ll love the creative family time leading up to the night itself. Old sheets, a forgotten jumper, those ripped trousers you thought you'd never wear again, they can all be painted, glued and repurposed into fabulous outfits and best of it's free.
If you're not the crafty type see if you can pick up a second hand costume or maybe even rent. These outfits will have only been worn for a few hours and are good as new. Check out our other eco friendly kid's activities
Typically trick or treat rewards are small packets of sweets or chocolate which of course are wrapped in single use plastic which we know has an awful impact on the environment. Some options for alternatives could include;
Forget plastic buckets in various spooky shapes and get crafty instead. An old pillowcase makes an excellent loot bag and provides the perfect opportunity for a Halloween craft session. Let the kids get creative and decorate their own pillowcase as they please.
Much like costumes, Halloween decorations are typically single use, full of plastic or other non recyclable materials and cost a fortune for what is probably a few hours use.
If you're the craft kind, now is your time to shine. Dust off those old jars you've been hoarding, gather the toilet paper tubes, hang those torn sheets and with a bit of painting and colouring, you can create stunning decorations without harming the environment. Hit up sites like Pinterest for some spooky inspo.
If Halloween provides the perfect party excuse for you make it an eco friendly occasion. Forget throw away plates and cutlery and instead opt for finger foods that don't require plates or use reusable crockery, though we doubt you fancy that much washing up!
Perfect Halloween foods that won't create mountains of work include things burgers and hotdogs, sandwiches and wraps and of course cakes and sweet treats. If you have any leftovers send them home with your guests to make sure there's no waste. You could always use wax wraps to preserve the food and give your guests a party favour they can reuse.
Halloween just wouldn't be the same with the pumpkins or indeed the carving of them but most go to waste after the occasion but there's plenty to do with both the inside and carved outers.
The insides make delicious meals and snacks;
For the outers, once you've finished displaying your carved masterpieces you can break them up and leave them somewhere for wild animals to enjoy or often places such wildlife parks and sanctuaries are super grateful for these healthy treats. Pumpkin is actually a natural wormer and can be enjoyed by a wide range of animals.
However you choose to make your Halloween celebration eco friendly we hope you have a fabulous time. We'd love to see any of your creations over on our socials.
]]>Bath and Beauty products are a great place to start making easy eco swaps. So many traditional bath, shower and beauty products come in non-recyclable packaging, don’t contain natural ingredients and contribute greatly to the impact on our environment. Eco alternatives to bath & beauty products are small changes for a big impact without compromising on effectiveness. You’ll soon find your new favourites.
1. Bamboo Toothbrushes instead of those plastic-based handles and bristles.
2. Toothpaste Tablets rather than toothpaste tubes which are notoriously hard to recycle.
3. Mouthwash in a recyclable metal bottle or Mouthwash tablets can save so much plastic.
4. Shampoo bars save on huge amounts of plastic bottles being used.
5. 2 in 1 hair care bars remove the need for conditioner bottles too.
6. Powder dry shampoo means no CFCs being released into the atmosphere.
7. Wooden brushes and combs with natural bristles are better for your hair.
8. Natural Deodorants contain fewer chemicals and are kinder on the skin.
9. Plastic free lip balms because who needs all of those empty little plastic tubes.
10. Soap bars eradicate plastic and save space and are usually made with natural ingredients.
11. Bamboo Cotton buds are just as sturdy as plastic but mean no more little sticks in the oceans.
12. Bamboo Plasters are proven to aid healing and reduce irritation.
13. Natural loofas and flannels mean no small plastic particles going down the drain.
14. Recycled Toilet paper makes use of used paper, saving 1000’s of trees.
15. Reusable period cups reduce landfill and are better for your health.
16. Reusable period underwear which can be washed and reused.
17. Stainless Steel Razors give a closer shave and get rid of all of those plastic handles
18. Natural Moisturisers and serums are so much better for the skin.
19. Eco-friendly Face scrubs don’t contain the microplastics that traditional counterparts might.
20. Body scrubs made from repurposed coffee grounds are the perfect example of circular beauty.
21. Face cleansers with natural ingredients are better for your skin and the planet.
22. Make up remover pads save tonnes of cotton wool from going to landfill.
23. Eco friendly Sunscreen is reef safe as well as containing natural ingredients.
24. Face masks can be made at home from store cupboard ingredients.
There are so many swaps to be made around the home without compromising or changing your daily routine. Many swaps, such as cleaning sprays, can include homemade options too meaning even more money in your pocket and fewer products being mass-produced.
25. Refillable cleaning sprays save plastic bottles from being one time use.
26. Compostable dish brushes prevent microplastics from going down the drain and into the waterways.
27. Natural Sponges and scourers contain no plastic and clean really well.
28. Eco friendly Laundry products save plastic bottle waste and contain no plastic.
29. Soap dishes are perfect to keep soap bars dry and prevent waste.
30. Compostable or biodegradable bin liners instead of traditional waste bags.
31. Wooden Bowls add a stylish touch to your kitchen and last years and years.
32. Bamboo cutlery can be taken anywhere and is also perfect for dinner parties.
33. Wax Wraps replace cling film or sandwich bags perfectly.
34. Silicone Lids are the perfect way to store any leftover food and fit almost any container.
35. Bamboo chopping boards are a great swap and look so stylish in the kitchen.
36. Eco friendly and plastic free tea & coffee options are sustainable and delicious.
37. Organic cotton and linens provide a cosy room while being eco-friendly and luxurious.
38. Candles made with natural fragrance and vegan wax smell delicious without the nasty chemicals.
39. Natural essential oils can be used to fragrance your home, bath or even your body.
40. Charge your phone with a wireless charger made from recycled plastic.
41. Lidded jars provide perfect storage for loose dry goods from your local weigh shop.
42. Reusable coffee cups save millions of plastic lids from going into landfill.
43. Reusable Drinking bottles are one of the easiest yet most powerful swaps you can make.
44. Taking shopping bags with you not only helps the planet, they look much more stylish.
45. Silicone or metal straws prevent those soggy paper straws from being disposed of.
46. Metal lunch boxes keep food fresh without the need for extra wrapping.
47. Biodegradable poop bags breakdown much quicker.
48. Bamboo food and water bowls look great and save on plastic.
49. Toys made from recycled plastic, rubber or hemp rope make great entertainment.
50. Wet food can covers made from silicone keep food fresh for longer.
51. Recycled pellet or natural wood litter is much more sustainable.
52. Composting is not only great for reducing your waste but fantastic for your garden too
53. Using compostable bags helps any landfill waste to degrade faster
54. Reusing as much paper and cardboard as possible can save you money too
55. No space for a composting bin? Try a small wormery instead
56. Recycle old clothing and fabrics wherever possible, maybe make your own cleaning rags.
What are your favourite swaps? Let us know in the comments.
]]>There's no doubt destination weddings can create the wow factor for your special day and almost guarantee the perfect weather however lots of people travelling far and wide means lots of aeroplane emissions. We have so many beautiful wedding venues in the UK now with something to suit every style from super formal to festival style relaxed affairs. If family and friends are spread around the country consider a venue that is central for most.
Everyone wants to feel like the star of the show at their wedding and choosing a more sustainable outfit definitely doesn't mean you won't feel extra special when saying your I do's. Check out sites such as Vinted and Recycle My Wedding, you'll be surprised at what you can find, often never worn when someone has changed their mind or worn for a few hours and in perfect condition. It's a great way to save money too with loads of bargains to found.
If that's not for you, check out the designers eco credentials before you buy and buy from a UK manufacturer where possible.
Save the dates, Invites, RSVPs, Order of the day and thank you cards all add up to a lot of paper use. One way to save on the amount of paper you use is to set up a free wedding website. Not only can you save on sending invites etc (more money saved too!) it means you can communicate much more information to all of guests without having to relay every piece of info such as accommodation details to individuals. Check out Hitched who have an extremely easy website builder that you don't need to be a tech wizard to use.
Food plays a huge part in any celebration, not least your wedding day. You want to wow your guests with stunning food and great drinks but you also want to keep it sustainable. An easy way to do this is to check with your caterer that they source local, ethical and sustainable ingredients. Sourcing your alcohol from local wineries and breweries is also a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding day.
Ask your florist for advice on locally grown, native and in season flowers. There's an array of stunning blooms available that grow in a sustainable environment right here in the UK. You can go one step further here and use living plants for decorations rather than cut flowers and give them as gifts to your bridal party afterwards, giving them a keepsake of your day too.
It's a tradition that has grown to extremes in recent years with couples opting for elaborate gifts to leave a lasting memory of their special day however all too often these gifts have either got unsustainable packaging or are simply left behind unfortunately. Consider giving native wildflower seeds in compostable packaging or even forgoing the tradition entirely and give to a charity on their behalf. It will be just as appreciated.
Huge flower arrangements or balloon arches no doubt create show stopping displays but aren't great news for the environment. Instead use recycled items such as vintage candlesticks, books, baskets and jars used with rescued pieces of ribbon, string or hessian strips as well as eco friendly candles and solar lights to create romantic looking displays that will wow your guests.
However you choose to make your wedding more eco friendly we'd love to hear or even see your ideas over on our socials.
]]>Kind Bag is a small, young and passionate company based in Hackney, London, established in 2019. The team of 4 (+1 dog) design every bag, develop new products and run every aspect of the UK company.
In 2019, founder Maria started Kind Bag with her own savings with a big mission to combat plastic pollution.
"Maria grew up in Tenerife, the Canary Islands surrounded by the beautiful ocean and developed an early appreciation of the natural world. Initially, a career in law beckoned, but Maria began to feel her calling lay elsewhere and it was following a stint of travelling around Asia, where her eyes were opened to the effects of plastic pollution. Although she had always been aware of environmental issues, this was her wake-up call."
Maria then focused all her efforts on designing a product that would help reduce the plastic mountain whilst also being attractive to everyone and thus Kind Bag was born.
Since then, Kind Bag has now rescued over 2.2 million plastic bottles from going to landfill and the ocean.
With the world currently producing nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, with a significant amount ended up in our oceans as well as an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste being produced, Kind Bag's mission become to " tackle both problems around plastic pollution and the wasteful apparel industry and bring positive influence to the fashion world and beyond"
Kind Bag is dedicated to circular fashion, the concept in which materials are prevented from going to landfill and instead re-used throughout the lifecycle. Kind Bag are "taking waste to create something beautiful and versatile, that can also be reused and recycled."
According to Kind Bag's own website "Did you know single plastic bags have the average life of only 15 mins? Did you know 80% of plastic bottles we buy end up in landfill and it takes up to 1000 years for one bottle to decompose? To tackle this environmental issue, we decided to rescue these plastic bottles from going to landfill in order to reduce the use of single use plastic bags. We turn waste into beautiful, reusable and 100% recyclable bags to support your life to be a little kinder to the planet."
Kind Bag's eco credentials don't stop at the product, in fact, they donate 1% of their sales to positive causes, whether they make a profit or not. Partnering with Work For Good, to donate 1% to four deserving organisations, doing great work for people, animals and the planet.
Just one ocean, WWF, Battersea dogs and cats home and Breast cancer haven all benefit from Kind Bags' generosity.
One of Kind Bags' goals is "to support your eco-friendly lifestyle without compromising your style." They create a wide variety of designs to suit everyone's unique, individual style.
Wider straps mean the weight is distributed more evenly on your shoulder, and despite it's look there's a lot of room in there. Kind Bags have the capacity of 2-3 plastic carriers and can hold up to 20kg. The recycled material is super smooth too and empty bags weigh just 50g.
Kind Bags come with an attached pouch making them easy to pop in your pocket or handbag. The pouch can be used to store small items like keys too. Kind Bags are also water-resistant meaning you're not limited to only using them when the sun shines.
Check out some of our favourite designs below.
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We certainly don't want to never travel again but there are plenty of ways which mean we can still visit all of the places and see all of the things we want to, just in a much more eco friendly way.
Pack Lightly
Pack as lightly as possible. The more weight a plane has to carry, the more fuel it will use. By reducing the weight of your luggage you can help to reduce the amount of carbon emissions.
Travel Overland
Not only will you have less of a carbon footprint but you'll also see a lot more of the world as you go. Taking trains and ferries where possible is a great, fun way to travel.
Go Public
Use transfer buses or public transport when you arrive at your destination and whilst away instead of hire vehicles and taxis.
Treat the hotel as home
Don't ask for new towels each day or take long showers just because you can and always turn off lights and aircon when you go out.
Use an electric vehicle
If you are needing to use a car to travel, choose an electric version. It will work much cheaper too. See our guide to EVs for more information.
We've rounded up some of our favourite eco friendly products to help you have a more sustainable trip.
Metal Straw & Travel Case
These handy metal straws are collapsible and come with their own travel case which can be attached to keys, purses or backpacks with its very own keyring.
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Insulated Water Bottle
You'll want to stay hydrated wherever you go and these insulated water bottles will keep your drinks super cool for hours. If you're in a country where bottled water is advised firstly check if your hotel has filtered water available and if you really do need to buy bottled water buy the biggest bottle possible and refill your smaller reusable bottle from that.
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Vegan, Organic Sun cream
Hopefully, you'll be needed a good SPF sunscreen when you're away so choose an eco friendly version and you'll be protecting yourself and the planet. Our range of sun creams are also reef friendly meaning you don't need to worry about chemicals from your SPF leaking into the ocean.
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Travel Cutlery Set
If you love trying local cuisines on the go from food trucks etc you'll love a travel cutlery set. No more plastic forks that often break during use anyway, just handy bamboo cutlery in its very own travel pouch.
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Reusable Bag
A bit of an obvious one but take a reusable bag with you for carrying all of those treats and souvenirs you'll no doubt want to pick up. Choose a fold up version to save space.
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What are your top travelling tips? Comment below.
]]>EV's offer excellent value for money in the long term, they're a great investment with drivers getting a much more efficient drive. Obviously, just like their petrol and diesel counterparts, the cost varies vastly with make and model but there are now electric vehicles available to suit most budgets, including those looking for used vehicles.
The initial cost of an electric vehicle may be roughly the same as a car that runs on petrol or diesel but when comparing the costs over the car's lifetime, the electric cars come into their own. Tax incentives, government grants, cheaper electricity and reduced maintenance requirements make electric vehicles far better for your bank balance.
Okay, so this one is kind of obvious as fully electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions which of course is great news for greenhouse gases. As the electric vehicle market advances even the batteries are now produced in a much more environmentally friendly way.
According to Go Ultra Low, "Charging your EV at home is cost efficient, simple and fast. A compact, all-weather home charging unit can be outside your home and you’ll be eligible for a £350 government grant to cover installation.
Once installed, you’ll be able to charge your EV by simply plugging in the charging cable when you’ve parked up. It’s as easy as charging your mobile phone. Using a 7kW home charging port, most EVs can charge to full capacity in around 5- 10 hours so your car will be ready to go when you are. Rapid chargers can speed up the process even more, charging most cars to about 80% in under an hour."
The first thing new drivers of electric cars notice is the noise level - or lack of - during the drive. It makes for a much more relaxed driving experience. Because EV's have instant torque meaning as soon as you press the accelerator you get the response you require.
Gone are the days of charging points only being in major service stations, now you can charge your EV while you shop, sleep or eat. There's a charging point map available here. There's really never been a better time to switch to an electric vehicle.
Have you moved to an electric vehicle yet? Do you love it? Let us know in the comments.
]]>A quick scan of the company’s website explains the why’s and wherefores of this eco brand and instantly you get a feel of the passion that lies behind the UK company.
“The Natural Deodorant Co. was born out of the desire to create the perfect natural deodorant.
Tired of spending time and money on natural deodorants that needed to be reapplied every couple of hours, we decided to create our own.
Following many failed attempts, our (now award-winning) Clean Deodorant Balm launched in early 2015.
Within weeks it has been picked up by a popular chain of yoga studios in London and our popularity grew quickly from there. The Natural Deodorant Co. has gone from strength to strength since its launch, and now boasts international stockists and a loyal following.
Interest in natural deodorants is set to continue as consumers seek out natural and sustainable products in their day-to-day routine. Every one of our products is 100% natural, free from preservatives, alcohol, artificial fragrance & palm oil. They are all certified cruelty-free and registered with The Vegan Society.
Our unique range of natural deodorants is the only to offer three separate formulas based on skintype and lifestyle. We’re very proud to have proven that natural deodorant can easily match and outperform its mainstream counterparts and we hope you’ll enjoy discovering our products as much as we’ve enjoyed making them. ” say Co founders, Laurie and Brett.
All products are made in the UK and each one of registered with the vegan society. They all carry the leaping bunny logo, meaning they’re not tested on animals and are cruelty free. They have a great range of products (which we’ll get to later) which means there’s a lot of choice. They are available in 3 ranges, Clean, Gentle and Active.
Clean is described as your “go-to” deodorant, it’s perfect for daily use and uses a clever combination of antibacterial magnesium and sodium bicarbonate to provide all-day odour protection while coconut oil and shea butter nourish delicate underarm skin. Clean also comes in a range of scents including one designed especially for men.
Gentle is exactly as you’d expect, designed for more delicate skin. Its kind and gentle ingredients make it velvety soft and extra kind on sensitive skin It is, like clean, available in various scents.
Active is the powerhouse of the range giving you a powerful formula perfect for gym days, holidays or generally when you need your deodorant to give you that ultimate protection. It’s best left for days when you are extra active. Just like its counterparts, it’s available in a variety of scents.
There are full instructions on our website as they’re a paperless company so there are no inserts inside the packaging but it’s really simple to use their deodorants.
These handy little tins are perfect for trying this product for the first time and also are ideal for popping in your gym bag or work bag for a freshen up on the go. The full range of products is available in the mini tins.
Active Natural Deodorant - Lemon & Geranium
The scent of this deodorant is fresh and zingy, as you'd expect and it lasts all day. The active range is perfect before hitting the gym. Due to it's fast absorbsion it's great for on the go too.
Clean Natural Deodorant - Grapefruit & Mint
The clean range of deodorants is your go to, everyday range. The creamy balm melts into your skin, effortlessly and the grapefruit & Mint scent is perfect for both men and women.
Gentle Natural Deodorant - Tangerine
Suitable for even the most sensitive skin, the gentle range is still just as effective in keeping you dry and smelling fresh all day. While tangerine is our favourite, it also comes in unscented for those who prefer it.
Clean Natural Deodorant - For Men
This deodorant has exactly the same properties as other scents in the clean range but is scented especially with men in mind.
Have you tried any of the range yet? Let us know your favourite in the comments
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Traditional tampons and pads are often made with plastic (many as much as 90%) luckily things are starting to change, along with attitudes towards throw away products. Reusable sanitary products are absolutely hygienic as long as you stick to basic hygiene rules and wash the products according to manufacturer instructions.
Absolutely! If not more so in a lot of cases. Manufacturers are in constant competition - as the market grows - to have the best products at the best price.
Although it may seem more costly initially, because you're reusing them they actually work our much, much cheaper.
Due to their eco credentials, most eco friendly period products are much kinder to your delicate skin than their traditional counterparts. Most use natural materials rather than synthetics, don't contain scents and product the PH balance extremely well.
Take a look below at just some of the alternatives to traditional towels and tampons. There are so many on the market and not all will suit everybody, often it's a case of trial and error, but we guarantee when you find your ideal product, you'll never look back.
The Ruby Cup is 100% vegan, plastic free and made from medical-grade silicone that lasts 10 years. These reusable cups are extremely comfortable and are perfect for heavier days. Once inserted you won't feel the cup in place any more than you would a tampon. You can wear them for up to 8 hours and they have 3 times the capacity of a super tampon. Plus for every Ruby Cup sold, the company donates a cup to a woman in need.
Period proof underwear has come a long way in a very short time. Early versions were often described as bulky but with ever improving technology period underwear is now sleek, comfortable and doesn't resemble your grandmother's bloomers. One of our favourite brands is Wuka but you can find affordable and well made period pants in a range of high street stores now.
The thought of reusing a sanitary towel may be a little off putting to some but with cleverly placed sealable bags they're actually great alternatives to traditional products as their so similar in the way that you use them and the feel of them in your underwear. We'd recommend carrying a dark sealable bag with you if you need to change your pad while out and about and keeping a small bin or sealable bag in the bathroom for storage until you're ready to wash them.
If the idea of reusable products really isn't for you and you want to stick to a more traditional sanitary product there are still plenty of options to make your choices more eco friendly. There are loads of products on the market now which use sustainable materials, zero plastic and that are much kinder to you and the planet. We love Flo period products (and not just because their packaging is amazingly cute). Their tampons are certified organic, wrapped in plant based material and the applicator is also plant based, made from sugar cane. There's an applicator free version available too as well as liners and pads, made from sustainable bamboo.
As we said, there are so many products to choose from, all with their own benefits, pros and cons and as with all sanitary products it's personal preference which products you choose to use. Which is your favourite period product? Let us know and we may well feature it in our shop!
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"In short, it’s an umbrella term for clothes that are created and consumed in a way that can be, quite literally, sustained, while protecting both the environment and those producing garments. That’s why cutting CO2 emissions, addressing overproduction, reducing pollution and waste, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring that garment workers are paid a fair wage and have safe working conditions, are all crucial to the sustainability matrix." says well known fashion magazine Vogue.
Buy less and buy better.
You'll likely have heard the phrase "buy cheap, buy twice" and it's most often the case with fashion. By investing in key, quality pieces that can be worn over and over again you not only will save money in the long run but you'll be helping the planet too by creating less landfill and reducing production demand. When choosing what to buy consider how much wear you'll actually get out of an item, if the answer is you'll wear it once or twice, ask yourself if you really need it.
Shop second hand and vintage
Vintage and second hand clothing is thankfully more accessible than ever thanks to websites such as Ebay, Debop and Vinted. Gone are the days of having to endlessly trawl charity shops to find that perfect dress, now all you need to do is type what you're looking for into a search bar and a whole range of options appear in front of your very eyes. With lots of items barely worn or even new and never worn it's the perfect way to save money too.
Rent clothes
If you've got a big event such as a wedding or ball coming up take a look at clothing rentals. The clothes available to rent are usually really expensive pieces if you were to buy them where as when you rent you'll pay a fraction of the price. Let's face it you'll probably never wear that suit or dress again so it's perfect for finding stunning clothes that won't hurt your pocket or the planet.
Take care of your clothing
When it comes to lowering the impact of your clothing on the environment one of the best things you can do is to look after the clothes you own properly. By not over washing, washing at low temperatures and air drying as well as repairing any holes or tears where possible we can vastly reduce the amount of landfill we produce.
Avoid microplastics
Microplastics are everywhere including in synthetic materials. While it's difficult to avoid these plastics and materials all together (Certain clothing e.g. gym wear still needs to stretch) washing these items can release thousands of microplastics into our waterways and oceans, harming marine life. There is a solution however, you can buy microplastic catchers such as a Guppyfriend Washing bag or a Cora Ball that you simply place in with your laundry.
Give your clothes a second chance
I for one love a good wardrobe clear out, there's something cathartic about it but be conscious of what will happen to the clothes you're casting aside. Reselling or donating are the best options but for anything that really is passed it's best you can recycle or repurpose. T-shirts make great cleaning cloths where as socks can be used to make puppets with the kids.
Finally, don't forget to check out the manufacturers of the clothing you buy. A good eco-friendly company will be open and honest and display a good knowledge of their impact on the environment and ways they're trying to combat it. Avoid falling into greenwashing traps that many businesses preach, they're usually vague and misleading. Look for actually policies to back up any buzzword claims they're making.
]]>This is a lovely traditional activity and leaves are easy to find wherever you live. It is really two cheap children’s activities in one as you will need a fun walk in the fresh air to collect the leaves first. Choose plenty of different shapes of leaf and don’t pick up the brittle ones as they will crumble too quickly.
Try to choose eco-friendly paint and simply paint the leaves in different colours and press them onto card or paper. Very simple and effective.
A timeless favourite nature based activity. All you need is a body of water, (even a large container left outside for a few days will give you some great results) a sieve or small net, a jam jar and a large light coloured tray. There are some very good instructions on the Freshwater Habitats Trust website, take a look and get pond dipping!
Save toilet roll tubes, sweet wrappers, bits of wool, wrapping paper, foil, fabric, etc and make a craft box. Invest in some eco-friendly glue and any other craft supplies you find at reasonable prices. On a wet day, your craft box will come into its own, allowing your children to be messy and creative.
You can take a more organised approach to what you are making and have a look on Pinterest. It is a fantastic source of inspiration and there are loads of ideas for children’s crafts for every occasion.
The modern day treasure hunt, geocaching is hugely popular and very addictive. You used to have to purchase a GPS device to take part, but now there are apps available for your smart phone very cheaply. Some are even free. There is a great beginner’s guide to geocaching on the Ordnance Survey website.
If you are lucky to live near enough to the sea, beach combing is so much fun. Finding little treasures such as shells, sea glass and pretty stones costs nothing and kids love it. They can explore the wildlife in the rock pools too.
I love a summer boot sale. You can buy pretty much anything at a fraction of the as new price. Charity shops aren’t as cheap, but you are supporting a charity, of course, and they are still great places to find bargains. Both offer an inexpensive opportunity to teach your children about money and budgeting. Buying second-hand is also good for the environment as you extend the useful life of the items you buy and stop them from going to landfill.
Joining and visiting a wildlife trust is a superb way to encourage an appreciation of nature in your children, as well as supporting the preservation of wild spaces. They offer the chance to run around and let off steam as well as learning about the wildlife in your area. The Trusts are a campaigning organisation and have a huge influence. Find your nearest Wildlife Trust reserve here: Wildlife Trusts.
Children love to cook! There are so many reasons why you should teach yours this essential life skill. At its most basic level, it is fun and will while away an afternoon or two. However, it also gives you the opportunity to discuss where food comes from and slip in some information about good nutrition. Cooking from scratch is cheaper and healthier than buying packaged meals and allows you to avoid excess packaging. You could let your kids plan a meal and buy the ingredients as well so that they get that food costs money.
You don’t have to have a garden to grow things with the children. Cress is so easy to grow on your windowsill, along with various herbs. You can also attempt to sprout avocado seeds or try re-growing spring onions. If you are fortunate enough to have a vegetable patch, involve your children and give them a bit of earth to grow a few bits in. They will get the same satisfaction as you do from growing their own food.
What other activities do you do to keep the kids entertained cheaply? Drop them in the comments below.
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