What is closed loop recycling?

Closed loop recycling may be a term you have heard before, or perhaps not, but we thought it might be helpful to delve into the topic on our blog and discuss what closed loop recycling is and why it is important.

In a nutshell, closed loop recycling is the process by which a product is used, recycled, and then made into a new product — therefore not ever entering landfill.

This means that these waste types are better for the environment than those that are recycled but have to be mixed with virgin materials to make new products (this is open loop recycling), and, of course, those that can’t be recycled at all.

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Young people are selling electronics on rather than recycling them

A recent survey by compliance scheme REPIC has revealed that under-30s are choosing to sell on older electrical items rather than recycle them. This is good news for the environment, as items are having their life extended through reuse, however it is bad news for the measurement of the UK’s WEEE recycling.

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How to reduce your business’s plastic waste & save money

Plastic is a real buzzword at the moment and rightly so — it is polluting our planet, killing wildlife, and contaminating our seas. In fact, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into our oceans daily.

Many of us are trying to cut down on single-use plastic at home, but businesses need to look at their use too. After all, a business will use much more plastic than an individual will, and it will be costing lots of money in waste collections too. Not only that, but addressing plastic waste issues will enhance your brand’s reputation and help you to attract eco-friendly customers. There’s literally nothing to lose — except the plastic.

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What is Global Recycling Day?

Recycling is a hot topic right now, and rightly so — it is an important method of saving the majority of our waste from landfill sites. Waste sent to landfill results in further use of virgin materials, and a negative impact upon the environment in terms of leeching and CO2 emissions. In fact, the recycling industry reduces CO2 emissions by 700 million tons per year, which is the equivalent of offsetting the total CO2 emissions of the aviation industry each year!

So, this month sees the arrival of Global Recycling Day. We’ve received a few questions about what this is and how people can get involved in it, so we thought we’d write a blog post dedicated to it. After all, we love all things recycling!

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What personal stylists think about fast fashion

A cross-party group of MPs has suggested the introduction of a 1p tax on each item of new clothing to encourage retailers to work in a more sustainable and eco-friendly manner. This would mean that those retailers which continued to make clothing from virgin materials would be penalised, as would those who didn’t set up a recycling scheme for their clothing.

We spoke to two personal stylists — people who style others for a living — to find out how they view sustainable fashion and to get their opinion on the proposed 1p garment tax.

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Britain’s battle against 1.2bn bread crusts

A study has revealed that Brits collectively throw out 1.2 billion edible bread crusts annually — valued at approximately £62 million — not because the bread has gone mouldy, but simply because they don’t enjoy the crust of the loaf. This figure equates to 50 million loaves of bread being binned every year.

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5 reuse ideas for single-use plastic bottles

Plastic is a hot environmental topic at the moment and while most people are trying to cut down on single-use plastics, or cut them out of their lives altogether, many of us will have a few old plastic bottles lying around. Instead of sending them straight to be recycled, why not give them a new lease of life by upcycling them into something useful? Upcycling is a great way to delay the recycling process, breathing new life into unwanted or seemingly useless objects.

Looking for some inspiration for your plastic bottle creations? Then look no further!

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Zero waste gift ideas for Valentine’s Day

The breeze may be cold at this time of the year but love is very much in the air in February, too! Valentine’s Day is on February 14 — a popular celebration of love, and often an excuse to buy your sweetheart a gift and a card to declare your affections. If you’re trying to cut down on waste, why not change up your usual plan this Valentine’s Day? You could buy a card made from recycled paper, send an e-card, or ditch the card altogether. How about the Valentine’s gift? Well, we’ve listed some great options for you below — there are loads to choose from.

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Tips for eco-friendly travel

Travel in itself is not a very eco-friendly activity as it always involves the use of transport, however many people find travel highly enjoyable and aren’t willing to give it up for the sake of the environment. After all, travel isn’t all bad — it can be highly beneficial in broadening the mind and boosting mental health, as well as giving local economies a lift.

Luckily, there are a number of ways to enjoy a holiday while keeping your environmental impact to a minimum.

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