Welcome to my Propagation Station. 🌱 We grow mint and basil on our windowsills.
You too can grow your very own healthy, verdant herbs from the plastic packaged stuff – thus cutting down on the amount of packaging you bring into your home, and then have to recycle the soft plastic wrapper and plastic flower pot.
These two herbs grown from cuttings, at home, actually saved me last night, as I was scrabbling to think of something healthy to eat, too hot to shop, all I had … two courgettes, some @boldbeanco butter beans, Parmesan and Pine Nuts – and masses of Mint & Basil – result. 🌱🌱🌱
Did you spot me popping up on @everydayplastic? Follow this petition link to sign to ask the UK government to fix the UK’s plastic waste crisis: reduce single use plastic by 50% by 2025, ban waste exports, ban incinerators being built, and roll out a deposit return scheme. #PlasticFreeJuly and beyond
Big love
Ali x
(now can I have my shot glasses back? #Tequila)
~
Eco Style Notes 🥴
T-shirt : @rosannaprints
White undershirt : @stripeandstare
Belt : @elvisandkresse
Jeans : @ilovelowie
World Refill Day – Loving Co reusable cups
Green or Green-washed? That is the Question
Many of us are back out and about, and back into the swing of grabbing our takeaway coffees again. That means the number of takeaway coffee cups going to straight to landfill is back on the rise – a paltry 0.25% of cups currently get recycled.
The best way to stop this? Get a reusable and use it! Sadly, a lot of reusables are not sustainably produced using virgin plastic and steel and often making claims that seem too good to be true.
I chatted to Alastair Nightingale of the Loving Co ahead of World Refill Day – and found ourselves in agreement that they are selling the UK’s best refillable cup, made in the UK from plastic cups. Alistair has also done a deep dive into whether the leading reusables on the market are Green or Greenwashed.
Q: Before we dive in can you tell us a little more about The Loving Co?
A: Yes of course – we are a tiny little business with a big idea and a big heart. We want to stop single use waste and simultaneously generate desperately needed funds to help end homelessness in the UK. We’re starting with the UK’s best reusable coffee cup (as per The Independent’s reviews!) which we retail at £13 and £3 of that goes to Shelter UK via the Work for Good donation platform.
Q: So why are you looking into which cups are the most sustainable?
A: Well, when we set out to create our products, we didn’t it feel it made sense to stop single use coffee cup waste by using products that might be utilising virgin plastic or were manufactured in ways that generated an enormous carbon footprint. For us it just made sense that if you want to do something loving then you have to make that a principle throughout the entire end to end sourcing process.
Our point of view was also magnified by our experiences trying to source a product from China. We spent several months looking for a supplier that would make a cup from a plant derived plastic but the honest truth is we couldn’t ever get a straight answer and be assured that what we were being told was true! It unnerved us and so we focused our search back here in the UK and found Circular & Co who have made a cup that utilises waste coffee cups and has been designed to last 10 years and be 100% recycled at the end of its life. It’s about as sustainable its possible to get. Oh and its made in Cornwall – no air miles!
Q: So, give us an overview – what did you look for?
A: We created a list of criteria – where is the cup made? Is it locally sourced or Made in China? How far does it travel to get to you? What is it made of? Is it sustainable? Are their claims credible? Can it be easily recycled? Like from your kerbside collection? Does it become waste just like a paper cup or can it have further life? Does the brand help others? Is there a bigger purpose? We ended up with a 5 point score.
Q: So what were the results?
A: Well we’re pleased to say that our cup came out on top with 5 out of 5, which isn’t surprising given what I’ve already told you. Because it’s made here in the UK its carbon footprint is miniscule in comparison to those that are shipped in from the East and it’s a genuinely circular product – the materials can be used and re-used. We also give an enormous chunk of our revenue away which simply no one else is even getting close to.
Q: So, what about the big guys like Keep Cup, Chilli’s and the bamboo ones we hear so much about?
A: Keep Cup are second with 4/5 which is down to the fact that its made in China and that tempered glass is rarely recycled in the UK. They do pretty well other than that but only give 1% of revenue to charities. Chilli’s were scored at 2.5/5. Using steel isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it’s rarely recyclable from kerbside so most people chuck them out once they’re dinted or they lose the lid and if you don’t take it to a recycling centre then who knows where it will end up? They also manufacture in China and we couldn’t find any evidence of them donating to good causes.
I’ll share the overall table of results (at the foot of this interview) with you so that your followers can take a look in more detail – we also covered off e-coffee cups and Huski.
Q: So why didn’t the bamboo ones perform well?
A: Well, and this is where it gets controversial – that’s because most of them are not telling the truth about what they are made of! It’s not just my opinion, there’s a great EU report which spells it out.
The vast majority of these ‘Bamboo cups’ are made in China and typically state that they are made solely from Bamboo’ however independent testing shows routinely that most include 40-60% Melamine.
What actually happens is that bamboo powder is used as a filler and mixed with plastic. This not only makes them non-recyclable but also can also accelerate the degradation of the plastic which can lead to substances migrating from the plastic into your drink. We haven’t seen any generic bamboo cup brand connect themselves to a cause. Now you know why they are so cheap!
Q: Were you surprised at how much greenwashing is going on?
A: Not really, as I said we spent a lot of time working with sourcing agents out of Hong Kong and asking searching questions and never quite got the right answer so that was always going to be a reality. What does surprise me is that no one else is investing in true circularity – we see biodegradable paper cups which require local collection and a distinct process of disposal and we see these global brands using glass and stainless steel but its only Circular & Co that are really trying to build a product that can be repurposed – and just by recycling it from the kerb. That’s testament to their brilliant design and exactly why we chose to work with their product.
So there you have it, this is absolutely my favourite reusable cup design, I’ve long been a fan of Circular & Co, way back when they were previously known As rCUP. I met Dan Dicker, the founder, many years ago at a product show where I was speaking on behalf of a client at the time, Fairtrade furniture brand Myakka, and have been following their progress ever since, I’m their original loyal fan!
So it absolutely delights me to share Alistair’s research, and the work they are now doing to support Shelter UK by selling the World’s BEST, and first Reusable, 100% Leak Proof Coffee Cup Made From Recycled Cups.
Purchase your cup here: and follow them on instagram here
Ethical shoe brand Aspect Climate Projects
Chatting to Alex Ward, founder of aspect climate projects
Ali Clifford, had a chat with ethical shoe brand ‘aspect climate projects’ founder, Alex Ward as part of the incredibusy #MeetTheCreative series.
The ethical shoe brand is on a quest to inspire change in the footwear industry.
One that helps to create shoes better for the Earth, and better for your feet.
They have created a range of unisex, plant-based shoes that have had each and every component independently tested for its impact on the climate and biodiversity.
No other shoe brand has gone to this level of detail to ensure its environmental credentials and transparency.
What is your mission?
Our aim is to make the most climate-conscious shoes possible, and we also want to be fully transparent so that customers are completely clear on every component that goes into our shoes and the impact that they have on the planet.
Is the appreciation for the environment enough these days?
It’s a really important start point and motivation for looking for solutions to climate change, but with it being a really complex issue I think each industry needs to look at it in its own way. For footwear, I think we need to improve the way we design but we also need to start selling in a more responsible way. Something we say a lot is that we didn’t set out to sell more shoes, we started to create better more ethical shoes, so it’s not about purely maximising sales, its about being more transparent and educational with our approach so customers understand exactly what goes into their footwear.
While there’s a tendency for companies to mark their own homework when it comes to sustainability, we partnered with Biodiversify, an independent conservation consultancy who looked at every material we used and it’s impact on biodiversity and the climate. They concluded that ‘aspect climate projects’ are “a gold standard example of how shoe design can truly consider environmental impact” and we openly share their findings on our website.
How did the idea of ‘aspect climate projects’ come about?
I grew up in the countryside and my parents managed a nature reserve, so I have always had an interest in environmental issues. Having worked in the footwear industry for many years I was aware of the damaging materials that were going into products, and I was growing increasingly frustrated at how the term ‘sustainable’ was being used for marketing purposes.
Nowadays, a lot of people want to “do their bit” to help the world and for me that meant using my experience within footwear to try and create positive change within the industry. So, while there have been a lot of positive changes going on recently, I felt that there was a real opportunity as a start-up to be really innovative about what we did because whilst bigger companies have quite strict cost structures and timelines, we didn’t have that so we were able to look at every material and think really innovatively about what we did.
I looked at the problem holistically, developing a design principle that considered every aspect of the shoe for its performance and impact on planetary well-being and this meant looking both inside and outside the shoe, considering all hidden components. I focused on looking for nature-based solutions, sourcing plant-based alternatives which delivered on sustainability while also being flexible and hard-wearing enough to be used in shoes, thus creating ‘aspect climate projects’.
What challenges did you face in the process?
Shoes are really complicated so for us the challenge was to find materials that delivered on sustainability whilst still giving us the performance that we required.
We partnered with companies such as Pinatex who make an pioneering hard-wearing alternative to leather that is made using discarded pineapple leaves, a by-product from the food industry. We found other traditional materials such as cork and natural rubber, and these fitted well with our ethos as the materials are harvested from their trees so they stay in the ground and continue to sequester CO2 as they grow.
However, for some materials like our padding and internal reinforcements we couldn’t find solutions within the footwear industry that we were happy with so we took inspiration from mattresses that use coconut fibres and natural latex padding. The waste coconut husk fibres combined with cork are used for internal components such as reinforcements and the footbed. These materials have durability, breathability and elasticity that provide long-lasting support and comfort, and through their, and the pineapple leaves, upcycling, we help to prevent the release of carbon through the normal disposal or burning. Using these by-products also means there is no need for any extra land, water or fertiliser during the growth phase and their purchase gives added income to farming communities, helping to sustain plant-based, decarbonising economies.
Finally, once we had found all of our materials, we worked through a lengthy process with our factory to try and find ways to integrate these materials into our ethical shoe brand product and get the performance that we needed.
Our shoes are crafted in Felgueiras Portugal
Using unorthodox materials is a challenge, so we’ve been fortunate to work with Pedro and his team at Tofel, who showed patience and dedication in finding solutions and help create a shoe we’re truly happy with.
They are a third-generation shoe-maker with a focus on quality over mass-production and strive to work with more sustainable materials. Also, being located at the centre of Portuguese shoe manufacturing, we are able to minimise shipping distances and further lower our carbon footprint; making them a perfect partner for aspect climate projects. So when you ask #WhoMadeMyShoes – we can tell you…*
You’re operating on a pre-order basis, why is that?
We wanted to ensure that all of our shoes have a home to go to from the start so we chose to work on a pre-order basis. This means that we only order the amount of materials needed and cuts out the need for ‘guessing’ what customers might buy which in turn minimises over-production and waste. We appreciate this means a longer wait for our customers to get their shoes but we would like our customers to make informed, considered purchase choices so we are proud to adopt this slow-fashion ethos and hope to be at the forefront of this in the footwear world. Any returned shoes will be re-distributed to customers on the waiting list who may have missed out on the pre-orders.
The delivery elements have also not been forgotten when it comes to acting in the best interests of the planet. The shoe box is made from FSC-certified post-consumer recycled cardboard and is fully recyclable and biodegradable, as is the tissue paper the shoes are wrapped in. The boxes are printed with vegetable-based inks and the shipping bags are made from a corn-based material that can be home-composted. Shipping itself is carried out worldwide via a carbon-neutral delivery service, and we work with Ecologi to offset one tonne of carbon for each pair sold. For context, a ‘typical’ sneaker creates 30-40kg of CO2 to produce and although our shoes would already be lower than this, we are offsetting 1000kg to help create more meaningful change.
To ensure maximum wear from each pair we have also partnered with ‘Sal’s Shoes’, a charity that donates shoes to people in need around the world. Customers who donate their worn ‘aspect climate projects’ shoes to this cause will receive a discount on their next pair.
What is your wish for the future?
I’m really happy with the first style that we have developed called ‘Suber’ (from the Latin name for a Cork Oak), and through the process of developing it I’ve noticed that a lot of the things that we are doing and the materials we are using, are extremely scaleable. Hopefully we are showing that things can be done differently and better so there is hope that the materials could become industry norms.
We’re aware that we are entering a market space full of claims about sustainability, but our message is gaining in momentum. We are proud to be doing things differently and for the lengths we have gone to to ensure full accountability and our hope is that we can continue researching, developing and designing more climate-conscious shoes.
‘aspect climate projects’ range is available worldwide in four colours exclusively on their website www.aspectclimateprojects.com until February 28th, follow them on instagram @aspectclimateprojects.
Further reading:
Better Shoes Foundation
A not-for-profit initiative to phase out harmful practices and fast-track sustainable development in the shoe industry www.bettershoes.org and on instagram @bettershoesfoundation
Fashion Revolution
Fashion Revolution* was founded in the wake of the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013. Since then, they have grown to become the world’s largest fashion activism movement, mobilising citizens, brands and policymakers through research, education and advocacy. Find out more here.
Foot Work
Tansy E Hoskins’ Foot Work Book (What Your Shoes Tell You About Globalisation) is an essential read, now available in paperback. Check out Tansy’s writing here: tansyhoskins.org.
Loved clothes last, repair your clothes
Many of the clothes we wear today were produced on a sewing machine. The sewing machine greatly assisted our economy and affects our daily lives. It is hard to believe that something as simple as a sewing machine has had such a profound effect on our lives, but it is true. Without the sewing machine, the clothes we wear would be very different.
Nowadays, many people take sewing machines for granted. But what would we do without this amazing invention? Sewing machines are important in our lives because they help us create beautiful pieces of clothing and home decor. Not to mention, they help us repair damaged clothes, loved clothes last.
There are many different brands of sewing machines on the market, but not all of them are created equal. Some brands are better than others, and it is important to do your research before you buy a sewing machine. One of the best brands on the market are Brother and Serger. Brother and Serger sewing machines are known for their quality and durability, and they come with a wide variety of features that make them perfect for any project you might want to tackle.
Necessity for clothes:
There was a time when almost all clothes were made by hand. While this is still the case for some luxury items, most clothes are now made by machines. Sewing machines are necessary to sew clothes.
Clothes are an important part of our lives. They protect us from the elements and make us look and feel good. Clothes also communicate something about who we are. They can show our personality and style.
Clothes are expensive and it is important to take care of them so that they last longer. This is why it is important to have a sewing machine. A sewing machine can help you fix or alter your clothes when they need it.
A sewing machine can also be used to repair clothes:
The sewing machine has been a staple in many households for years. It is used to sew clothes, curtains, and other fabrics. And of course, you know that a sewing machine can also be used to repair clothes! Many people don’t make the most of this, and as a result, their clothes often go unworn or unrepaired, and end up in landfill.
There are many reasons why it’s important to know how to use a sewing machine to repair clothes. For one, it can save you money. If you have a hole in your shirt or trousers, you can easily fix it yourself rather than having to buy a new one. Additionally, knowing how to sew can help you extend the life of your clothes. Often, when something rips or tears, it’s difficult or impossible to find a matching piece of fabric to fix it, mix it up!
Sewing machines can also create accessories:
Sewing machines are not just for sewing clothes. In fact, they can also be used to create accessories. This is a great way to add some personality and character to an outfit. There are many different types of accessories that can be created, including hats, bags, scarves, and more.
The best part about making your own accessories is that you can choose whatever fabrics you want. You can also customize the design to match your style. Additionally, making your own accessories is a great way to save money. You can often find materials for cheaper than if you were to purchase them from a store.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a sewing machine is a necessary tool in our lives. It helps us to create beautiful pieces of clothing and accessories that we can wear and enjoy. A sewing machine is also a great way to save money, as you can make your own clothes instead of purchasing them from a store. If you don’t have a sewing machine, I encourage you to consider purchasing one. They are available for purchase at many retail stores, and they are also available for rent from some stores.
This is a sponsored post, in association with Crafts Press.
Sewing Machine Photo by Reuben Kim on Unsplash.
Earring workshop, made from offcuts from spectacle makers
If you’re looking for a fun workshop to enjoy with friends, or work colleagues, I would recommend Pivot’s eco jewellery workshops – and in this case, earring workshops.
Not only do you learn how to make zero-waste earrings, in a very eco way… (upcycled from waste acetate offcuts*), you get to wear them home too!
Or indeed, wrap them up in a gorgeous branded Pivot gift carton, to present to a friend (or your sister…. sssh!).
I first learnt of Make Pivot, and the work they do with those experiencing homelessness, to pivot their lives when I purchased one of their ‘hugs soon‘ bookmarks during lockdown.
Actually, do have a look at their Pivot website, as if you can’t make it to one of the earring workshops, they have some gorgeous gift ideas there too. I personally love their brass collection here.
Eco Materials
Back to the workshop, we were taken through the basics of working with acetate – which is a semi-synthetic material made primarily from a plant base of tree pulp and cotton.
All of the gorgeous selection of acetate is donated waste material from spectacle maker Cubitts*.
Alice Moxley, Pivot’s founder, cut these pieces to size in her studio before the event.
Working with Pivot’s Master Maker, Jason, and Makbule, a recent team member*, we learned how to further cut, shape, mould, polish (and twist, see photo!) this acetate into gorgeous earrings.
Pivot is an award-winning social enterprise that takes creative work and enterprise into hostels. All profits from this workshop are reinvested into their social mission of helping those experiencing homelessness. Find out more about their impact here.
*Makbule has recently joined the core Pivot team. As one of Pivot’s graduate Makers, she’s been making some amazing pieces of jewellery and has been supporting Jason in hosting and teaching the public workshops, including the one we attended at Kite Yard.
Alice says: “Makbule is an incredible asset to our team and it’s been a pleasure to see her grow from strength to strength in her craft with confidence and ability to share what she’s learnt on our programme with others.”
In Makbule’s own words:
“Hi my name is Makbule, […] now I’m employed I’m so excited and happy that I do what I love. I thank […] Pivot [and] Alice for giving me this opportunity and believing in me. Jewellery making is amazing just melts away stress, gave confidence and skills. It’s an art made from hands and bought by kind people who understands what […] Pivot is.”
Come and support Pivot’s incredible graduate Makers, Jason & Makbule by joining their next workshop on Saturday 6th November 2021 at The Doodle Bar in London Bridge. Pivot’s workshop leaders will guide you through the whole process of making a pair of upcycled earrings using recycled acetate from Cubitts, and you’ll get to take your new beautiful pieces home with you!
Tickets cost £35 and all proceeds go towards running the Pivot programmes. Buy your tickets here.
Mobile Zero Waste Shop Milk Float Delivery – TOPUP TRUCK
A Hackney-based mobile zero waste shop “TOPUP TRUCK”, made world news this week. Ali Clifford caught up with founder Ella Shone to find out more about this Mobile Zero Waste Shop Milk Float Delivery initiative.
How do we get more people to lead a sustainable lifestyle? The pandemic has brought about an increasing number of new eco initiatives.
Ella’s background is in food and sustainability (and prior that, marketing). And was working for Rubies in the Rubble* before setting up TOPUP TRUCK the mobile zero waste shop, during lockdown.
What is TOPUP TRUCK?
It is a mobile zero waste shop which enables you to do your refill shopping on your street. We aim to bring plastic free shopping to a wider audience.
How did you get the idea for TOPUP TRUCK?
When I was working in food previously, I started thinking about how much packaging waste is incurred up and down the supply chain and I was constantly having ideas for closed-loop systems. Then the pandemic hit and I was on furlough leave last year, I was volunteering for Made in Hackney** delivering meals to people who were shielding and that really made me want to feel better connected to my local community. As I was getting paid to not work, it made me get creative so all this came together to form TOPUP TRUCK.
How does it work?
Customers book a slot, tell their neighbours when and where the TOPUP TRUCK is coming to… and when the truck arrives, they file out onto the street and shop using their own containers.
Who are your customers typically?
People who actually book in the TOPUP TRUCK have usually shopped in a zero-waste shop before, but many of their neighbours who join the booking haven’t, so it does reach new audiences and it is always nice when people say they are new to it all as it’s working in driving awareness of plastic pollution and why we should lead a low waste lifestyle.
What are some of the most popular products you sell?
I sell a lot of household liquids – one of the main benefits of the mobile aspect is that people can stock up on all the heavy stuff without lugging a heavy load.
Where does the milk float come from?
The float is an old electric milk float. I bought it from an electric vehicle specialist in South East London – it used to be part of the Milk & More fleet. It was imperative that the TOPUP TRUCK Mobile Zero Waste Shop Milk Float Delivery be an electric vehicle because air pollution is both a huge health problem in London which disproportionately affects less affluent communities, as well as contributing to CO2 emissions. Re-use over buying new where possible is a core value of mine and of the business so it made sense to use an old repurposed float – plus it evokes a huge amount of nostalgia when people see it around the area.
Tell us what a typical week looks like for you.
I am on the road Friday to Sunday. Thursday is when the TOPUP TRUCK is TOPPED UP at Re:Store and Monday- Wednesday are for planning, admin, customer service, marketing and a bit of chilling (although it is quite hard to fit in any actual chilling as it is a LOT of work!)
How has Covid-19 impacted your Mobile Zero Waste Shop Milk Float Delivery business?
We have had to modify our model for lockdown and take preorders only – which means the dried foods are in brown paper bags. It has been a bit win some lose some: We have had more bookings but not so many people at each booking because many don’t like pre-ordering – although for customers who now pre-order, it has made a lot of them realise how many different products we stock which they didn’t know before so it isn’t all bad.
What would be your advice to budding sustainable entrepreneurs?
We need as much innovation as possible to tackle plastic pollution and the climate crisis and there is a sense of deep satisfaction that comes with aligning your purpose with your values.
What made you choose all the bright colours on the Mobile Zero Waste Milk Float branding?
People are drawn to bright colours (whether they like them or not) and one of the main goals of TOPUP TRUCK is to raise awareness. I wanted the truck to be eye-catching so that people take it in. I also want to extend the reach to new audiences so there is an element of wanting to take it into the mainstream as well.
What is the big vision?
The big dream is to play a part in creating a new circular economy where we design waste and pollution out of the supply chain. We are also forging a new social way of shopping and encouraging people to form local TOPUP TRUCK communities – so I would love to see these communities spreading further afield!
Do you know how much plastic you have saved so far with the Mobile Zero Waste Milk Float?
At the last calculation, we have saved over 12 thousand pieces of plastic from being used! To get this figure, we take how much of each product we have sold, divide it by the typical pack size for each product that would normally come in plastic and make necessary deductions for instances where our bulk pack is or contains plastic. We really hope we can continue to build this figure!
What is next in the pipeline?
We are launching a crowdfunder Tuesday (2nd March 2021) to raise what I believe or hope is a pretty humble £7k to transform the milk float into a ‘proper’ zero waste shop on wheels. I have been working with a fab local designer who has carefully designed a new setup using renewable materials and the crowdfunder will hopefully pay for this. If by some cosmic force we manage to exceed that target, then this will go towards our expansion so we can hopefully bring this to even more communities.
Be sure to follow TOPUP TRUCK here:
Instagram: @topuptruck
Website: www.topuptruck.com
And to contribute to their crowdfunder click here:
Other zero emissions deliveries we’ve spotted this week:
intune drinks, deliveries via their own revamped milk truck.
Further reading:
Rubies in the Rubble: make condiments from surplus or out-graded fruit and veg.
Made in Hackney : 100% plant-powered charity & community cookery school
Also check out Polly, Jolly Allotment who is fundraising her Jolly Allotment Goodness Community Cafe and Education Hub
https://jollyallotment.co.uk/donate
Gut friendly, Organic, Gluten Free, Sustainable Goodness For Wellness – Seasonal Food on the Move.
If you’ve enjoyed this, check out further community stories on incredibusy.com
Follow author Ali Clifford on instagram.com/incredibusy
UPDATE : On 6th April 2021 TopUp Truck successfully raised £15,705 with 306 supporters in 35 days
Fighting the environmental blues – young activist Lucy Gavaghan
Supermarket Free Range Eggs
With news that Morrisons has become the first of the six biggest UK supermarkets to go free range with their eggs, we asked young activist Lucy Gavaghan to tell us more in this guest post.
Since the age of twelve, Lucy Gavaghan has been campaigning to change the way people treat animals and the world that they rely upon.
“Never have we been more engaged by the world around us, nor more enraged by what humans have done to destroy it.”
Lucy Gavaghan
This recent move by Morrisons, means that all of their eggs will now be from hens that have outdoor access for at least eight hours each day, as well as nest boxes with wide perches and spaces for dust bathing.
In 2016, at just 14, young activist Lucy launched a campaign to stop supermarkets selling eggs from caged hens. The supermarket previously committed to moving away from selling caged eggs by 2025 following Lucy Gavaghan‘s campaign.
Young activist Lucy:
“After years of writing letters, I turned to online petitions to stop supermarkets selling eggs from caged hens. They have since committed to doing exactly that. The compassion shown by all who supported the campaign was overwhelming, and I’ve met some wonderful people as a result.
Ali Clifford (@incredibusy) and I met on the launch night of Margaret Rooke‘s latest book You Can Change the World. The work that Ali does to champion all things sustainable is truly wonderful.
Since my first big campaign as a young activist, I’ve continued to push for a more compassionate world for wildlife and domestic animals alike. Now, I’m delighted to be an ambassador of IAPWA and the RSPCA. Fundraising campaigns have also been a massive part of my actions in the last few years. Most recently, I’ve been raising money for the beautiful Elephant Orphanage Project in Zambia.
For as long as I can remember, I have adored nature in all its forms. Nothing has changed here, I still love the natural world but the ways in which I think about it have shifted massively. Though this will partly be down the sunshine tinted lens of childhood fading, it’s also due to growing ecological and biodiversity crises.
This is a photo from a recent speech I made. Talking about the struggle faced by the planet and it’s creatures, I quoted the wonderful Sir David Attenborough. “The Garden of Eden is no more”.
It’s safe to say that, nowadays, fewer of us are under the illusion of a stable planet. If you’re engaged with environmental issues or interested in sustainability (which may well be how you found this lovely blog!) it’s tough to avoid frightening facts – and rightfully so. Climatic breakdown is a terrifying prospect, and one that we cannot ignore. Some of the world’s most vulnerable communities are feeling the jolting shocks of disastrous climate change and we are in the depths of the 6th mass extinction.
Finding hope amongst the chaos
So how can we stay positive? How do we hold onto a sense of optimism when it seems as though the world is falling apart?
Even Leonardo DiCaprio, speaking about his role as a UN Messenger of Peace with a special focus on climate change, said “If the UN really knew how I feel, how pessimistic I am about our future, I mean to be honest they may have picked the wrong guy,”.
DiCaprio said this at the start of his moving documentary, Before the Flood. This brings me to the first idea of fighting the activism blues. Whether you’re pushing to make the contents of your shopping basket a little more planet-friendly, or supporting your child in developing as an activist, information is power.
Information is power
The more you understand the threats facing the world, the better equipped you are to take action and the more valuable it will feel. If you can, watch the documentary or read about the state of climate change. See here for how to watch the film.
There are so many uplifting reads for all ages. Greta’s book is a wonderful place for an enthusiast or aspiring young activist to start. I cannot state strongly enough the importance of awareness in sparking the long term changes our world is yearning.
Lots of people are beginning to question the impact individual action can have. The argument goes something like this…What good is zero-waste shopping while industrial scale combustion of fossil fuels persists? This is forcing a false choice between either system wide or individual change – we need both. That basket of zero-waste produce is a message to the system that we want change. When enough people decide to switch, the effect will be incredible. Widespread individual commitments become a backdrop before which we must demand industrial, political and corporate shifts.
What you’re doing might feel small, refusing a disposable coffee cup or opting for palm-oil free products, but it is so important. Make choices that leave you feeling empowered and that leave the natural world that little bit happier! Your consciousness will likely inspire those close to you, multiplying the impact you can have.
Momentum
Often, it can feel like calls for meaningful protection of nature are side-lined by the very institutions that should be making it their top priority. Maintaining pressure can feel pointless. For myself and many others, incorporating sustainability into daily life is a key source of momentum as an activist. Engaging with the world you’re fighting to protect can also be deeply powerful – seek out whatever nature exists close to you.
Now, myself and my Mum are committing to cutting plastic down… and I’ve fallen in love with a zero-waste shop called Unwrapped in Crookes, Sheffield. The shop is gorgeous, and their ethos even more so. Amongst many other products (food and non-food) they stock the lovely Earth Conscious deodorant. Unwrapped have adapted quickly to our time of social distancing and safety measures. We’re looking forward to reinstating our weekly shopping trip!
A future defined by change
Ultimately, fighting catastrophic climate change, we need every ounce of effort, action and imagination that we can possibly haul together. Nobody will be exempt from the effects of climate change. The movement must elevate all voices and activists, encouraging diversity at every juncture. There’s no doubting the fact that the planet’s future will be defined by change. I recently read The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a stark check-in with the reality of what we’re up against.
That in mind, we do still have so much hope. As much as the world will be altered by a changing climate, it can also take shape according to the compassion we show as a human civilisation. Be as informed as you can be; take every action available to you and please do keep letting the light in. “
See below for my 5 top tips for environmental activism, Lucy Gavaghan:
Instagram – @lucygavaghan
Twitter – @LucyGavaghan
Related posts by Ali –
Environmentally friendly and convenient printers
We recently found ourself in the position of having to purchase a new printer for our home office (our dining room!) and of course it needed to be an environmentally-friendly printer if possible.
During this strange time where more of us are working from home, and that includes teenagers allegedly working on their GCSE and A’level studies – the printer has been called upon to work that little harder – and decided enough was enough and gave up on life.
We did try to fix our old printer, however, we took it to pieces and it was sadly beyond help – in fairness, it was over 15 years old, so it had had a good innings as far as home printers go. So – the hunt for environmentally friendly and convenient printers began!
We had a few criteria for our new replacement printer – as well as environmentally friendly, it needed to be cost-effective too. And essentially cartridges needed to be affordable too, and recyclable too.
After extensive research – we eventually went for a Canon Pixma g3501 colour printer and scanner combined, the printer was a lot more expensive than many you can purchase; we paid £220 (usually retails at £250) yet the ink refill in a bottle mean there’s less excessive packaging than on the regular cartridges. And – hopefully this printer being a lot sturdier than more ‘disposable’ £50 printers, will last longer!
Check Cartridge Save here for cartridges, they have a ‘zero landfill’ policy. This means all plastic, metal and other components are fully recycled. No part of any cartridge you send them will be sent to landfill. Read more about that here.
Downtime for the kids here includes downloading free printables (here’s a mandala butterfly from their KidsChaos.com website CLICK HERE) and I’ll confess I rather enjoy colouring in too myself – so you can see WE NEEDED A NEW PRINTER quickly!
This article has been produced in conjunction with Cartridge Save, and if you’d like to download further free printables, we’ve a few!
Try our Rainbow spinner here
Or our fun Star Wars Porg Free printable paperchain here:
And save this one, for your milk cartons – free printables for SKULLS!
Have fun and find us over on Instagram – @incredibusy and the kids’ Instagram @KidsChaos_blog.
How sustainable is your kitchen?
How sustainable is your kitchen?
Kitchen waste – is it possible to be zero-waste?
This is a paid partnership with Howdens.
With so much talk and public outcry this year of ‘banning the plastic straw’ and ‘make take-away coffee cups recyclable’ – we can’t help but feel a little guilty – As a family, we’ve been refusing plastic straws (although that was a challenge this summer in Vietnam), and carrying our own re-usable cups in our backpacks for ages, so what more can we do? And can we do it a bit closer to home?
I’ve been concerned about the amount of kitchen waste we are ‘accidentally’ creating, and with our local council introducing new recycling measures to try to encourage our borough to get on board – it’s had us really ‘rethinking’ what we can do here.
I honestly think we will struggle to be truly ‘Zero-waste’ as a family of four (with two teenage brains who aren’t quite as mindful YET on this subject, at least, as I found out here, recycling a single 330ml aluminium fizzy pop can could save enough energy to power a Television for over 3 hours = Pop & TV – a teenagers’ match made in heaven).
I’ve listed below the not so pretty pile of ‘waste’ that is overflowing in our recycling bins – some of which are avoidable, yet some we just have to suck it up – and embrace that they are going to produce energy, or be re-purposed – so where to start?!
BREAKFAST – Let’s analyse the sustainability/ethical impact – (please keep reading!) We have a giant Hotbin in the back garden, this is where all of our food waste goes – so, you know, I’m happy** that my morning breakfast of porridge, fruit and seeds is a sustainable option – our apple cores and orange and banana peel go into the compost bin. (although this is a tad contentious – some people DON’T agree with putting orange peel and banana skins in the compost bin – what are your thoughts? Do let me know in the comments below …) – back to “I’m HAPPY”…
**Or am I?
Bananas – ok, I select Fairtrade in the supermarket, and, avoid those sold in plastic bags. Why do we need bananas, in bunches, in their own protective skins, to be sold in plastic bags? The supermarket Iceland says that 420,000,000 packs of bananas are sold in the UK each year and are one of the first supermarkets to ditch the “banana bags” and bear the Plastic Free Trust Mark, launched by campaign group A Plastic Planet.
Oranges – try to buy the boxes of little oranges if you can, and you think you’ll get through them – otherwise, disappointingly – you have to pop the little plastic ‘string bags’ into landfill – how annoying!
Apples – same as above – and eek, the little plastic labels?! Well my son actually collects these and sticks them in a little book his Grandma started him on this craze to try to get him to eat more fruit… We’ve been reading about a laser food labelling alternative to the plastic produce stickers – the fruit passes under a light beam, which makes a visible mark on the food, the cells retract, – and voila! (the video explains better than me)
Porridge oats, we’ve been enjoying Flahavan’s Irish organic oats – and even better, they are sold in a paper bag – no plastic in sight.
Nuts and Seeds – now that’s a struggle – not managed to find these in anything but plastic bags in the supermarket or health store, so I’m going to check out Riverford as people tell me that they sell unpackaged dried fruit and nuts – will give them a go!
And my morning (and mid morning, and early lunch) coffee(s)? We use a cafetiere and Fairtrade ground coffee so we’ve not been bothered with the ‘coffee capsule landfill nightmare’ my inlaws are creating, however, I’ve recently discovered that Percol make a plant-based capsule that biodegrades – how cool is that if coffee pods are your thing?
A really good reason to switch to the plunger, or invest in a reusable pod today!
Posted by 1 Million Women on Thursday, 30 August 2018
This takes us to LUNCH – Avocados, on a bagel, with some yeast extract? Dream lunch when I’m working from home, but hey, emergency purchase of Avocados means that they come in a two pack, in yes, a biodegradable / recyclable cardboard – but AGAIN wrapped in a little plastic bag! The yeast extract is fortunately a glass jar, with a plastic lid – both of which can go into the recycling – but what about the bagel wrapper? Eek – full on plastic bag – now SOME councils do take these bags as part of their recyling policy, but I would also check with larger supermarkets as they also recycle these for you along with any carrier bags if they are marked with a ‘4’ plastic symbol.
So – how are you doing?? Feeling good so far – solutions are out there, ie, baking my own bread, instead of eating shop-bought bagels, ordering fruit and veg from a Veg box delivery scheme like Riverford or Abel and Cole. Get researching!
And what about other kitchen waste? The kids like a glass of milk when they get in from school – so we’ve been ordering organic milk, and orange juice, from our local milk home delivery service, we have a delivery every other week day – which seems sufficient for us and – oh they take the milk bottles back! The foil lids, we save and scrunch up into a ball when we have enough, and this goes into the recycling bin too. Oh we have a Zero Waste Facebook group to thank for that top-tip.
We inherited our kitchen when we moved in 16 years ago – and the ceiling spotlights – which, in this old house, tend to blow a little more than a modern kitchen (yep, we are working on that – see sponsor for details at the foot of this post!) So we SAVE these light bulbs, and the batteries from all of the kids’ toys, remote controls and the kitchen scales, and our local refuse centre fortunately takes these too – again though, do check with your local supermarket, even the small stores have battery bins for you to pop your old batteries.
I feel that we are heading in the right direction – some of the things we’ve been doing have come naturally, like composting, and recycling glass and cardboard – other kitchen waste is proving more challenging and has not always come second nature – so we are working on that – I think that although we may be a way off totally ZERO waste, we can certainly say that we are knocking it out of the park if we are talking LESS (and less) waste – Just laying these light bulbs and batteries out to photograph, my eldest son said ‘whoah Mum!’ so at least it may have got him thinking a little more too.
This post on striving for a sustainable kitchen has been written in conjunction with Howdens – although of course all thoughts and words and photographs are my own.
Further reading:
Howdens have put together this helpful guide with some simple ways that you can make more sustainable choices in your day-to-day life. With the kitchen at the heart of the home, they share top tips for creating an eco-friendly sustainable kitchen and to explore how even small changes can make a big difference. click HERE
Sign the petition to The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP to “Make coffee cups recyclable!” HERE
One of my favourite websites, 1millionwomen, write about a recycling coffee pod scheme that’s working in Australia HERE
The Guardian writes about a study which shows that in the next decade, reduced packaging and increased recyclability will become the main issues for consumers, HERE
WATCH on iPlayer The Secret Life of Landfill: A Rubbish History, Dr George McGavin and Dr Zoe Laughlin chronicle the history of rubbish and explore how what we throw away tells us about the way we live our lives. HERE
And finally RECYCLENOW have a really informative website with clear instructions on what you CAN and can’t recycle HERE And those plastic symbols? Explained HERE
More on Howdens:
The journey towards a sustainable kitchen
Howdens are passionate about providing sustainable products and ecological ways of working, to help towards an eco-friendly environment. There is still a lot to do however here are some of the commitments that Howdens have made to being more sustainable:
• 100% of their internally manufactured timber products are made from FSC certifed materials (2017).
• 97% of manufacturing waste is recycled or reused (2017).
• 12,000 tonnes of sawdust was converted to energy at our Howden and Runcorn sites in 2017.
• Over 160,000 pallets repaired in 2017, making a total of 1.5 million since an employee-led energy efficiency initiative came up with the idea of repairing broken pallets instead of scrapping them.
• Their award winning transport fleet shows our knowledge within carbon reduction.
Sustainable living is about preserving the world’s resources to the best of our ability and there are many ways that this can be achieved. More here about Sustainable Kitchens too.
Too Good To Go – reducing food waste
What can we do to reduce food waste?
Well – we’ve all carved our pumpkins and wondered what we should do with them post Halloween and Thanksgiving right??
There’s been regular chat in some of the Zero Waste forums about making pumpkin curries, and pesto made from the pumpkin seeds (nice!) and even the more obscure pumpkin seed art – very pretty….
We recently chatted with Anoushka at ‘too good to go’ … a social enterprise app reducing food waste by linking you with food that would otherwise be wasted.
Anoushka, let’s open this with some startling food waste stats please:
· If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases after the USA and China
· Food waste cost the UK an estimated £19bn in 2015 – more than the government’s police and education budget
· UK restaurants waste 600,000 tonnes of edible food every year – that’s the equivalent of 84 Eiffel Towers
· If we all stopped wasting food that could be eaten, the benefit to our planet would be the equivalent of taking one in four cars off the road
What is Too Good To Go?
We’re a social enterprise trying to highlight the scale of food waste and place the value back onto food as something that should be eaten, not thrown away.
To do this, we’ve partnered with restaurants, cafes and bakeries to make their surplus food – the perfectly good stuff that would otherwise be thrown away – available for collection via our Too Good To Go mobile app at their end of service for a reduced price.
How did the idea come about?
The idea came about as a solution to tackling food waste in the hospitality industry, the app was founded with a mission to place the lost value back onto food as something that should be eaten and not thrown away.
It’s a response to the harrowing fact that as a global society, we carelessly throw away over one-third of the food we produce at the same time as watching one billion people go to bed hungry every night. We’re trying to highlight that food is food – our most valuable resource of energy – and not a mere consumer commodity.
How did Too Good To Go start?
Too Good To Go started back in 2015 as a website, with co-founders Jamie and Chris looking to address the crazy problem of food waste that we have here in the UK.
After launching the site and getting going, they met a few Danish guys who were wanting to address the same issue in Scandinavia. From sharing the same passion of addressing this global issue they joined forces and created the app known as Too Good To Go that we see today!
How many meals has Too Good To Go saved?
Too Good To Go has now saved over 2 million meals, with 10,000 of these being in the UK.
How many partner stores are on Too Good To Go?
We have 7,000 stores on the app, with 1000 of them being in the UK specifically.
Why should I use the app?
The app is not just a chance to enjoy a great meal at an affordable price or be introduced to new places, but more importantly it is a reaction to a world which has been confused by use-by, sell-by, best-before and expiry dates.
By ordering through Too Good To Go, we’re showing that it is possible to use our resources in a more sustainable manner; we’re proving that we can cope with high population growth by making better use of what we already have and perhaps, next time we’re doing our weekly shop, we’ll even stop to think ‘will I actually use these strawberries before they go bad’?
To Good To Go is more than a food app – we want to be an informative, educational platform that raises awareness of food waste and changes our mindset towards it – and that’s what we want our users to realise first and foremost.
Find out more here: toogoodtogo.co.uk
#TooGoodToGo
