Category: Waste reduction

False lashes are fun to wear and add instant drama and flutter to the eyes. A glamorous option for special occasions, they have also become integral to some people’s daily makeup routines.

Unfortunately, this style boost has a hidden environmental cost. False lashes are typically used once and thrown away, contributing to the planet’s growing waste problem.

Join us as we discuss enhancing your eyes without harming the natural world. We’ll explore eco-friendly false lashes, highlight greener alternatives, and share tips on how to clean and reuse single-use lashes.

Continue reading The beginner’s guide to eco-friendly false lashes

The vibrant atmosphere and lively entertainment of UK festivals draw in millions of attendees every year. Our local music festivals attract 6.5 million people, with many more attending festivals dedicated to food, dance, arts, and cultural events.

Despite the excitement surrounding each British festival, there’s a persistent issue: excessive waste.

Waste management poses a significant challenge for organisers, whether those covering the sprawling grounds of Leeds Festival or smaller sites like Slam Dunk, Live at Leeds, and North Leeds Food Festival.

Taking charge of site waste is crucial to festival organisation. We’ve all witnessed the disheartening post-event footage of those lacking a sufficient festival waste management plan — fields strewn with litter, abandoned tents, and chairs.

Powerful Thinking’s ‘The Show Must Go On’ report revealed UK camping music festivals produce 25,800 tonnes of waste yearly. Prevention is ideal but not always feasible, so prioritising reusability and fostering a responsible waste disposal culture among festivalgoers is essential.

Join us as we explore six tips for managing waste at festivals. Learn how to prepare ticketholders, liaise with waste management vendors, and produce a comprehensive event waste management plan.

Implementing these practical strategies can prevent issues, alleviate concerns, and pave the way for a cleaner, more eco-friendly festival experience.

Continue reading Six festival waste management tips for organisers

In 1888, the debut of the first commercial deodorant marked a pivotal moment in the battle against underarm sweat. The first antiperspirant was marketed in 1903, and by the mid-20^th century, the popularity of these products rocketed.

Consumers are now increasingly conscious of the substances they apply to their bodies and release into the environment. This is due to concern surrounding the ingredients in many conventional deodorants and antiperspirants.

The market has witnessed a surge in natural, eco-friendly deodorants in response to these growing concerns.

Join us as we traverse the disadvantages of traditional deodorants and antiperspirants and the advantages of natural ones. We’ll explore the anxieties deodorants provoke before navigating the landscape of natural alternatives and outlining three of the most popular brands.

Continue reading The essential guide to natural deodorant

Easter signals the end of Lent, a period of 40 days marked by fasting and self-discipline, and the arrival of the most important festival in the Christian calendar.

An estimated 44.5 million people in the UK will celebrate Easter this year, representing four in five Brits.

According to recent statistics, 77% of the population plans to spend money on Easter celebrations in 2024, with an anticipated average spend of £53 per person. Shopping lists typically include Easter cards, chocolate eggs, hot cross buns, succulent roast lamb, and spring-themed house decorations.

Unfortunately, spending often leads to waste, and it’s crucial to acknowledge the environmental footprint left by Easter traditions.

Get egg-cited for spring and join us as we explore some key aspects of the holiday and how to mitigate their environmental impact for a more sustainable Easter.

Continue reading Four ways to enjoy a sustainable Easter

Mother’s Day is an annual celebration of the remarkable women in our lives — particularly our mothers. It’s a time when children (young and old) joyfully seek ways to express gratitude for their mother’s unconditional love and care.

Sunday 10^th March, 2024 is a time to acknowledge and appreciate all maternal figures. This includes stepmothers, mothers-in-law, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, those who take on motherly roles, and fathers who fulfil the role of two parents.

Traditionally, gifts range from fragrant bouquets to delicately crafted jewellery, delicious chocolates, comforting candles, and heartwarming mugs. These gifts can be lovely to give and receive, but they typically produce lots of packaging waste.

The desire to lavish our mothers with extravagant presents may be strong, but the most meaningful gifts are often thoughtfully chosen and reflect a genuine understanding of their interests.

If your mum is mindful of her environmental impact, you can gift her something sustainable she’ll cherish.

To help you select the perfect gift for your mother, we’ve curated a list of six eco-friendly Mother’s Day gifts.

Continue reading Six eco-friendly Mother’s Day gift ideas

The Lunar New Year is a cherished celebration embraced by communities and cultures spanning East and Southeast Asia. This celebration resonates deeply worldwide, where diaspora communities keep the traditions alive.

Today, we’re delving into the vibrant tapestry of Chinese New Year celebrated in the UK.

Also known as the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year customs centre around new beginnings. From spring cleaning to feasting with family, adorning homes with luminous lanterns, and exchanging promising red envelopes, its customs embody luck and prosperity in the coming year.

As we revel in these rich and colourful traditions, it’s worth pondering their ecological footprint. Can we honour the heritage while treading a more sustainable path?

Let’s explore green ways to paint the town red for a more sustainable Chinese New Year.

Continue reading Five steps towards a more sustainable Chinese New Year

Thinking of ways to make our fruit and vegetables last longer and reduce food waste often leaves us in a pickle. Whether it’s cafés or restaurants over-buying stock or the green-fingered among us enjoying riches from their fruit and vegetable patch, preserving fresh produce is important.

Pickling vegetables is a delicious, wholesome, and sustainable way to bring new life to your veggies. Let’s dig a little deeper and discover more about this food preservation method so you can enjoy out-of-season produce all year round.

Continue reading How to pickle vegetables

Halloween is a much-loved celebration that has long served as a symbolic bridge between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Nowadays, this October festivity is synonymous with trick-or-treaters, elaborate costumes, spirited gatherings, and the tradition of pumpkin picking and carving.

However, Halloween has a skeleton in its closet. The chilling truth is this eerie celebration generates significant waste, with pumpkin carving being a major contributor.

Pumpkins are typically picked, intricately carved, proudly displayed, and then discarded — before ending up in a landfill as pumpkin pollution.

This year alone, a spine-tingling 22.2 million pumpkins are projected to meet this grim fate. Sticking the knife in further, this equates to a staggering £32.6 million in wasted resources and thousands of tonnes of perfectly edible pumpkin flesh.

Let’s dive deep into our cauldron of ideas and shed some light on how to make environmentally responsible choices this Halloween.

We’ll explore methods to select and decorate your pumpkin and explain how to avoid contributing to the ghoulish waste statistics this October.

Continue reading Pumpkin waste: the real Halloween horror story

Schools play a vital role in promoting responsible practices within local communities, yet many produce a shocking amount of waste.

Every primary school pupil in the UK produces an estimated 45kg of waste per academic year, while secondary school pupils generate 22kg.

Notably, 70% of the waste in school bins comprises food waste, paper, and card materials.

Despite the potential for recycling, just 20% of the food, paper, and card waste in schools is currently being recycled.

Let’s hit the books and explore how your school can reduce paper waste and increase recycling to boost its eco credentials and academic budget long-term.

Continue reading Seven ways schools can reduce paper waste

Food waste is a growing concern for the hospitality and food service industry in the UK. Every year, these sectors discard a staggering 1.1 million tonnes of food, amounting to a value of £3.2 billion.

Not only does this waste have a detrimental effect on businesses, but it also poses a significant threat to the environment.

Food waste accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting its undeniable environmental impact.

While some establishments are actively working to minimise waste to safeguard their finances and the planet, a new trend is emerging in the UK: zero-waste restaurants.

Since the UK’s first zero-waste restaurant opened in Brighton in 2014, these innovative dining establishments have steadily gained popularity.

Let’s work up an appetite as we discover what zero-waste means, how a zero-waste restaurant operates, and where you can experience one.

Continue reading A beginner’s guide to zero-waste restaurants