But it's just as important to choose the right accommodation.
Eco hotels help you reduce your carbon footprint as the small changes they have implemented can have a big positive impact on the environment. They’re the perfect choice no matter what kind of vacation you are looking for, and you’ll sleep better knowing your holiday is a little bit greener.
What is an eco hotel?
Eco hotels are an environmentally sustainable hotel or accommodation that has made important environmental improvements to its structure in order to minimise its impact on the environment. They rely on environmentally friendly practices such as the use of solar and wind energy, the use of recycled (construction) materials, and the support of local communities and vendors. This means that at an eco-friendly hotel, you'll find a healthier, greener environment while supporting the local economy.
We have curated a list of various amazing Eco-Hotels in some of Europe’s most popular destinations. With a variety of budgets, you can easily find the perfect destination and sustainable accommodation for your next European holiday.
1. Conscious Hotel Westerpark - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Conscious Hotels is one of the most eco-friendly hotel chains in Europe and their motto is ‘eco-sexy’. Their chic Westerpark hotel is housed in a magnificent 19th-century building in the northwest part of Amsterdam city centre.
It’s fully electric, and the power comes from a windmill located in the Amsterdam harbour. This hotel is also cooled and heated up by its Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) system, and it's certified Green Key Gold.
Rooms are outfitted with eco-friendly, recycled and certified cradle-to-cradle materials and all of their food is 100% organic and vegetarian.
2. Impact House - Lisbon, Portugal
Sustainability is more than a checklist at this buzzing little B-Corp certified hostel–it’s a way of life.
In 2018, the founders of Impact+ decided to create another brand of the company: Impact House, a hostel committed to sustainability and NGO support in Lisbon.
They have partnerships with local non-profits, events and volunteer programmes to champion green issues. They also have an onsite vegetable garden, a swimming pool, an art gallery showcases local and disabled artists and a terrace serving local and plant-based meals. Although they do everything they can to minimise food waste, they ensure to donate any surplus to NGOs that make sure the food will be given to individuals or families in need.
Their electricity is exclusively from renewable sources and they offset the CO2 emissions that they can’t avoid and are working to achieve Net Zero by 2030.
3. Wheatland Farm - Devon, England
Wheatland Farm is an ongoing conservation project, and you become part of that when you stay.
Wheatland Farm’s wooden eco lodges all have solar hot water (with immersion back up for rainy days!) and run on 100% renewable energy, most of it generated on site from their wind turbine and solar PV panels.
The five cottages get bags of character from a strict upcycling ethos, using straw bales from their neighbouring fields, lime plaster made in Devon, local wood cladding, and a host of recycled materials.
Wheatland Farm is a far cry from most Devon holiday parks – instead it’s small and personal, with wildlife at your doorstep.
4. Cas Gasi - Ibiza, Spain
In the hills of Ibiza, luxury boutique hotel Cas Gasi is a restored country home set on four hectares of picturesque Mediterranean landscape of pine forests, orange and olive groves, almond, fig and carob trees plus organic vegetable plots.
Cas Gasi has been promoting an ecologically-sound way of life for more than 20 years and has been at the forefront of various sustainable initiatives. The hotel and owner focus all their efforts on supporting the earth’s natural balance. These include organic farming, solar energy, water conservation, eliminating the use of chemicals when cleaning the pools and washing laundry, installing solar heating panels, fitting a sand-filtered well supplying the hotel’s water needs, and a sewage treatment plant.
With just 12 suites and rooms, the property is quiet and exclusive, perfect for those who wish to be away from the hustle and bustle of Ibiza life.
5. Hotel ZOO - Berlin, Germany
Built in 1891 as a private residence and converted into a hotel in 1911. It has been renovated and redesigned yet maintains the feel of luxury and glamour of the past. It’s both contemporary and traditional. This has been one of West Berlin’s poshest stays for more than a century and has since played home to international film festivals and supermodels.
Hotel Zoo is one of the leading eco-friendly hotels in Europe. It maintains sustainable foundations and has been honoured with a Green Globe award for its achievements in this field - a set of standards and criteria for eco-friendly hotels in Europe. Participating hotels are checked twice a year on factors including their savings of water and energy, recycling, and responsible use of resources.]]>To help reduce this impact we have collated a list of certifications that you should look out for when buying your gifts. As greenwashing is becoming too common amongst brands, you - the customers can look out for specific certifications to prove that their products are genuinely less harmful or even beneficial to the environment.
Certified B Corporation
To become a certified B Corp, brands must meet the highest verified, social, and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.
GOTS / The Global Organic Textile Standard
Global Organic Textile Standard or GOTS certification ensures organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labeling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer
Climate Neutral
Climate Neutral's mission is simple: to help brands and companies measure, offset, and reduce their carbon emissions. By getting certified, companies and brands helo to drive millions of dollars into climate change solutions, ultimately decreasing global carbon emissions.
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEXÒ
If a textile article carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be certain that every component of this article, i.e. every thread, button and other accessories, has been tested for harmful substances and that the article therefore is harmless for human health.
Rainforest Alliance Certified
The Rainforest Alliance Certification means that the certified ingredient was produced using methods that support the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental.
FSC / Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council® is an independent member-led nonprofit working with wood, paper, and other forest products. The FSC Certification ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.
Leaping Bunny
The Leaping Bunny Logo is the only internationally recognized symbol guaranteeing consumers that no new animal tests were used in the development of any product displaying it.
Other more eco-friendly gift options this year would be to gift an experience or shop secondhand and vintage. And always remember to think: less but better, putting the time into picking a quality item that will last a long time. This reduces the chances of gifts going to waste and can be better for your wallet!
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In September 2023, our group of mixed-ability women embarked on a micro-expedition inspired by pioneering Scottish mountaineer and author Nan Shepherd and her book, The Living Mountain. In the book, Nan writes on her life and experiences in the Cairngorms – now a national park – exploring an alternative approach to mountaineering; one that does not concentrate on reaching summits, conquering nature, or beating personal bests.
The Following Nan micro-expedition was organised by Hannah, Jennifer, and Ruth to experiment with a different approach to this conquest-dominated – and historically male-dominated – space. We wanted to collectively play with a deeper, more intentional approach to mountaineering, focusing on being present in the moment, inviting in small joys, noticing and understanding the local wildlife down to the tiniest mosses near our feet, and ultimately not racing to achieve any particular goal.
After properly meeting for the first time the day before the expedition, we hiked, ate, slept, and swam in the elements, following Nan's footsteps. We took in the detail; what plants and trees we walked by, eating tart berries picked straight out of the ground, the wild animals we saw, and everything we didn't. Two rangers, Polly and Toni, introduced us to the area and talked us through the local landscapes and wildlife, as well as what’s changed between Nan’s time and now. One example is the Capercaillie bird which has declined substantially and is now one of the UK’s most vulnerable species with under 600 birds left. It’s not all bad news though, thanks to efforts from several conservation organisations. Recently, for the first time, wildcats were reintroduced to the Cairngorms.
During the 4 days, we noticed many interesting species, learning with and teaching each other. On the peak of the challenging 2nd day, in the midst of dense fog and the desolate but intriguing landscape of the Cairngorms plateau, our group suddenly see the shape of a ghostly bird ahead of us, as white as the coming snow… a Ptarmigan? It scuttles away before we can identify it, but we are awed and excited.
An immediate benefit of our attempt to experience the whole living mountain, despite the micro nature of the expedition, was a much deeper environmental awareness, knowledge, and appreciation. In one moment, on the steep side of a mountain, we bent with straddled legs until we saw our world upside down, as per Nan’s words. We bathed in heather and moss. We took quiet moments alone to digest it all. Not to mention, we were humbled to our bones by the infamous Cairngorms weather. As one member of our team, Nicola, put it, “slowing down makes you feel more at home and present in the mountains, whether that’s through noticing the water running down a rock, or down your face.”
On the last night of our expedition, now off the mountain and feeling somewhat raw, we spent our last night next to a loch – calm and beautiful until the night brought more high winds, howling jarringly through the surrounding pine trees. In the morning, tents were unzipped to reveal a sublime sunrise, and together we soaked in the pink-purple-red sky in a quiet dawn. Before packing away, we dared a dip in the brisk waters to soothe aching and tired bodies; we tiptoed in laughing, screaming, grabbing hands, wobbling, and our bravest two diving in. Barely an hour later and we had gone our separate ways.
The intentional nature of the micro-expedition helped us realise a few things, additional to our deeper knowledge and understanding of the natural world. Nan’s style helped open up the mountains to those of us who would normally have been intimidated by them. We individually contributed a range of experiences and confidence levels to the group, from Hannah who recently qualified as a mountain leader, to Aisha who has medical conditions and no experience of mountains, to Alice whose last comparable trip was her completing her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. Sad as we were to leave, we were changed.
Documented by photographer Ameena, filmmakers Emily and Michelle, and sound artist Alice, we are now working on a short film of the expedition with the intention to encourage more people to experiment with Nan Shepherd-style mountaineering, as well as inspiring more women to take to the mountains. Find out more about the expedition, the team, and the upcoming film on Instagram at @following_nanshepherd.
This blog post was contributed by Ameena.
]]>How is sunscreen toxic?
Sunscreen ends up in the ocean and other waterways after you swim or shower it off. And they often contain harmful ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, nano titanium dioxide, and nano zinc oxide, which can harm coral reefs and sea creatures.
With almost 14,000 tons of sunscreen ending up in our waters every year, you can imagine how much of a disastrous effect this causes on the world's coral reefs.
What can we do?
Summer is well and truly here, and with the increased amount of summer rays comes the increased demand for sun protection. With daily usage and regular top ups needed for full protection, you’ll most likely go through several containers of your favourite sunscreen. Which is why it’s so important to make sure you’re choosing one that not only protects your skin, but our planet too.
We’ve done the research and combined with our years of daily testing, these are just 5 of our current favourite sunscreens:
SurfDurt is an “extreme adventure sunscreen” made with surfers in mind, who spend more time in the sun and ocean than most.
It’s an all natural, reef-safe, zinc sunscreen that’s effective for 80 minutes of use in the water and an SPF 30 broad-spectrum sun protection. Delivered in aluminium-lined reusable bamboo pots which are perfect for travel. are so neat and highly reusable, as are the slimmer, metal tins of their travel sizes. But if you don’t want the pot anymore, you can send back your old container via their refill program and receive 25% off your next order.
It is cruelty free, but not vegan as it does contain beeswax sustainably sourced in West Africa from a program vetted by the third-party Koster Keunen agency.
And the icing on the cake is that a portion of all proceeds from each SurfDurt selection is donated to their chosen charity.
Badger Sunscreen is one of the best eco-friendly sunscreens on the market. It offers an SPF of 30 and provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. It’s GMO free, tested hypoallergenic, gluten free, unscented, and gentle on sensitive skin. And it’s only made with 5 simple, 98% organic ingredients.
They’re also Oregon Tilth certified to the NSF/ANSI 305 standard as containing organic ingredients and Protect Land + Sea certified.
These SPF 40 and 50 low waste sunscreens come in recyclable and reusable aluminium tins. Although they offer many more sunscreen varieties which are packaged in plastic tubes.
Green People Scent Free Sun Cream SPF 30
Leading the way with sun creams for many years, Green People has an excellent range of high factor SPF30 sunscreen to protect against 97% of UVB rays.
Made from natural and organic ingredients. It’s non-greasy, naturally water repellent, and fragrance free. It’s vegan and cruelty-free with recyclable, plant-based packaging made from sugar cane.
And best yet, Green People supports the Marine Conservation Society - the UK charity protecting our seas, shores & wildlife. From each sale of their products, 20p is donated to the Marine Conservation Society.
Stream2Sea Sport Sunscreen SPF 30
Stream2Sea is a high performance mineral-based sunscreen which protects your body while preserving the ecosystems.
It’s plant-based, fragrance-free and non-toxic. The sunscreen is Protect Land + Sea Certified, and proven safe for you and our waters with the. The active ingredient is non-nano titanium dioxide while green tea, tulsi leaf, seaweed, aloe, and coconut oil make the Sport line less harsh on skin. And bonus points for being packaged in biodegradable and recyclable sugar cane resin packaging.
All Good SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Butter
All Good's Zinc Sunscreen Butter is ready to protect you when you need it! The perfect size to keep in your bag or pocket, you'll never be caught unprepared. This non-greasy, coral-reef friendly formula is made with only 6 ingredients: non-nano zinc oxide, organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic calendula flowers infused in organic jojoba oil, and vitamin E.
While not vegan, the beeswax is sourced from a fellow B-Corp that treats its bees ethically and sustainably.
All Good is carbon neutral, cruelty-free, a 1% for the Planet Member and a certified B Corp.
Some products come in traditional plastic tubes, pump bottles, or aerosol bottles, but they also offer the sunscreen butter in their recyclable aluminium tin.
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What does it mean to eat “locally and seasonally”?
Eating locally means eating food that can be grown in the UK. Whereas eating seasonally means eating the produce that is naturally grown and harvested during that particular season. Each season has its prime produce when it reaches the best size, taste and nutritional value.
How do you find seasonal foods?
The best way to find seasonal foods in your area is to make a trip to the local farmers’ market. Farmers are not grocers - they only sell what they grow and harvest, making these markets an insightful place to learn about the seasonality of food.
But when a farmers market isn’t easily accessible, your local supermarket will clearly label and identify locally grown produce. And to make your hunt for seasonal food easier, we’ve created a month by month guide for seasonal fruit and veg here in the UK.
January
Fruit - Apples, Pears
Veg - Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Squash, Swedes, Turnips
February
Fruit - Apples, Pears
Veg- Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celeriac, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Squash, Swedes
March
Fruit - Rhubarb
Veg - Artichoke, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Chicory, Leeks, Parsnip, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Radishes, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Watercress
April
Fruit - Rhubarb
Veg - Artichoke, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Chicory, New Potatoes, Kale, Morel Mushrooms, Parsnips, Radishes, Rocket, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Watercress
May
Fruit -Rhubarb, Strawberries
Veg - Artichoke, Asparagus, Aubergine, Beetroot, Chicory, Chillies, Elderflowers, Lettuce, Marrow, New Potatoes, Peas, Peppers, Radishes, Rocket, Samphire, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Watercress
June
Fruit - Blackcurrants, Cherries, Gooseberries, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Tayberries
Veg -Asparagus, Aubergine, Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes, Cucumber, Elderflowers, Lettuce, Marrow, New Potatoes, Peas, Peppers, Radishes, Rocket, Runner Beans, Samphire, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Watercress
July
Fruit - Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Blueberries, Cherries, Gooseberries, Greengages, Loganberries, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Strawberries
Veg - Aubergine, Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes, Cucumber, Fennel, French Beans, Garlic, Kohlrabi, New Potatoes, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Rocket, Runner Beans, Samphire, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Summer Squash, Swish Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress
August
Fruit - Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Cherries, Damsons, Greengages, Loganberries, Plums, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Strawberries
Veg - Aubergine, Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes, Cucumber, Fennel, French Beans, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mangetout, Marrow, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rocket, Runner Beans, Samphire, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Summer Squash, Sweetcorn, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Watercress
September
Fruit - Blackberries, Damsons, Pears, Plums, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Strawberries
Veg - Aubergine, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Courgettes, Chicory, Chillies, Cucumber, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mangetout, Marrow, Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rocket, Runner Beans, Samphire, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Summer Squash, Sweetcorn, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Wild Mushrooms
October
Fruit - Apples, Blackberries, Elderberries, Pears
Veg - Aubergine, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chestnuts, Chicory, Chillies, Courgette, Cucumber, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Marrow, Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rocket, Runner Beans, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Summer Squash, Swede, Sweetcorn, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Wild Mushrooms, Winter Squash
November
Fruit - Apples, Cranberries, Elderberries, Pears
Veg - Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chestnuts, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Onions, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Swede, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Watercress, Wild Mushrooms, Winter Squash
December
Fruit - Apples, Cranberries, Pears
Veg - Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Chestnuts, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Red Cabbage, Swede, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Watercress, Winter Squash
]]>WHEN IS IT?
April 22nd - it’s the same day every year
WHAT IS IT?
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22nd to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It is now a global celebration of events focused on green living and confronting the climate crisis.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
Educate yourself (and others)
Environmental education raises awareness of issues impacting the environment, it helps us gather information on actions we can take to improve and sustain it.
Say no to plastic
Plastic is not only environmentally harmful to manufacture and dispose of, but it also takes an incredibly long time to degrade, with plastic pollution being one of the most important environmental issues facing us.
Plant trees
Trees are vital for life on Earth. As the biggest plants on the planet, they give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil and provide life and shelter to wildlife. You can now donate and plant your own tree for just £1.
Choose sustainable fashion
The fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global emissions, according to the UN. But choosing to shop with sustainable brands enables us to reduce our fashion footprint because their practices and materials are more environmentally friendly.
Join a clean up
Check out Earth Day organised events map for up-to-date rallies, cleanups, and so much more happening all around the world and in communities local near you. Including “The Big One On The Streets Of London” organised by Extinction Rebellion, a four-day event running from Friday 21st to Monday the 24th April.
Vote Earth
By educating yourself about the issues, pledging to vote, registering to vote, voting early and recruiting friends and family, you can build a more sustainable and healthier world.
Recycling is a key part of the circular economy, helping to protect our natural resources. This Global Recycling Day we want to highlight some of the many brands out there who are running recycling schemes, turning your old and unwearable textiles into innovative new products - putting these textiles back in circulation, avoiding landfill, and often rewarding you in the process.
Swimwear - Stay Wild Swim
Starting with yours truly. We accept worn down and broken swimwear, from any brand, which you would have otherwise thrown out. And we send them on to our recycling partner, to be recycled and repurposed into eco industrial products such as eco-carpet underlay.
+ DM us a picture of your receipt of postage on our Instagram, and we will give you a 10% of code to use on your next Stay Wild order as a little thank you
Tights - Swedish Stockings
Swedish Stockings take donations of old tights and turn them into fibreglass tanks and in 2020 they launched their tights to tables collection, where the tanks produced from old hosiery and recycled fibreglass are used in a furniture collection. Depending on size, each table contains between 80 and 350 pairs of tights that have been diverted from landfills.
+ Collect three or more pairs of synthetic pantyhose, send them to our mail-in facility along with your email address and they’ll send you a 10% discount code for their website.
Bras
If your bras still have some life left in them, UK based charity Against Breast Cancer has a bra recycling scheme which takes your unwanted or unloved bras and through their network of bra banks raises vital funds for pioneering breast cancer research. The bras donated also help support small businesses in Africa through their textile recovery project (giving these bras a new lease of life) in areas where they are too expensive to produce locally.
For those bras that have reached the end of their life, Bravissimo accepts bras in any condition for recycling at their UK shop stores. They are processed through SOEX’S recycling facilities where all the different types of materials and components are separated. Some materials are recycled for padding for insulation, reworked to make car seats and even the dust from these processes can be made into recycled cardboard.
+ For every kg of donated bras they receive, they make a donation to Coppafeel!
Socks - The London Sock Exchange
As a subscriber, you can refill your first box of socks with any old socks and send it back to them, free-of-charge. They then sort through the returned boxes and send off the unwearable socks to be shredded and resurrected into industrial textiles. Any socks that still have some life in them are washed and sent to charities and feet in need.
Trainers - Hylo Athletics
They are taking back any used pair of trainers, from any company, and recycling them.
+ As a reward they’ll treat you to a £10 off voucher for their website
And for all those other textiles around the home, Dunelm operate a textiles take back recycling scheme in a selection of their stores and accept all clean home textiles including duvets, pillows, bed linen, towels, curtains, cushion covers, cushion inners and bedding protection.
They will reuse as much as they can, ensuring that the items promote a circular economy and second life. All feather filled items will be turned into a new product, and where items cannot be reused, they’ll be recycled - nothing goes to landfill!
]]>It is easy to get overwhelmed what with the sheer amount of choice out there, so we have curated a list of tips for you guys when you’re next out on a second hand hunt.
TIP ONE
We always think going in knowing what you are looking for is more successful when second hand shopping - going in with no plan is a bit overwhelming due to the amount of choice. So do yourself a favour and narrow it down, look for just 1 or 2 items in particular
TIP TWO
Get specific with searches (following on from tip 1) the more specific terms the better. Colour, size, style, even a brand you are looking for. We recommend going super specific and try a variety of versions of search terms until you find what you’re looking for
TIP THREE
Don’t be afraid to size up, you can always get things altered so they fit perfectly. This gives you more choice when finding pieces. Altering your pieces is a great way to make your second hand find your own as it makes them fit you perfectly and be completely unique to you
TIP FOUR
And the most important - find pieces that will last more than just a season. We try to not buy too many items of clothing but when we do, we want to make sure they are things we’ll wear and love for years and years.
TIP FIVE
Ask yourself will you wear this again and again. Do you really need it? Does it fit with your style, wardrobe and will it be something you treasure?
Right now, thousands of people at the sharp end of poverty are at risk of being pushed into homelessness. People are being forced into making unthinkable choices between eating, heating or keeping a roof over their head.
Every year Crisis at Christmas opens its doors to people who are homeless. Offering much needed warmth, healthcare, food and company. Everyone who comes to Crisis is a valued individual, treated with respect, listened to and cared for - and it’s the start of specialist support that lasts all year round. From skills training to help with employment, people get the support they need to leave homelessness behind and find a safe and secure home. And they’ll have someone standing by their side for as long as it takes.
What is the Ice-Breaker Challenge?
A wild-swim, dip in a lido or even bracing a cold shower. It's up to you how you face the freeze and help fundraise for Crisis. Each icy plunge and donation helps ensure that no one will have to face Winter alone this year!
You can get involved in an organised event, or grab your friends and create your own DIY Icebreaker - you choose the place and time. Anywhere you fancy between now and the end of January!
What are the benefits of a cold-water swim?
Cold-water swimming has so many incredible benefits, both mental and physical. But on top of the huge benefit your fundraising will do for the community, here are our favourite reasons to take the icy plunge:
It gives you a natural high!
Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers and, in the case of a cold swim, it uses them to help take the sting away from your skin. This chemical is what the brain produces to make us feel good during activities. Wild swimming is also a form of exercise, and exercise has been proven to treat depression.
It boosts your immune system
There’s a reason why people who practice regular cold-water swimming rarely get sick. Research has shown that when people regularly swim in cold water, their white blood cell count increases significantly. This can help to boost your immune system and reduce your risk of some diseases and cancer.
Better skin and hair
Good circulation is essential for good hair and skin health. Cold water swimming causes blood to flow away from the skin’s surface towards the organs as a means of conserving body heat. This process in turn boosts circulation and flushes out waste and impurities, which in turn makes the skin smoother.
Increased metabolism
Swimming in cold water makes your body work harder to keep warm, which increases the number of calories you burn. The colder the water, the more energy your body will convert from fat to fire up your metabolism and keep your core temperature stable.
Sense of community
Another one of the most appealing benefits of cold-water swimming is the sense of community it brings. There is nothing that brings people together like facing a challenge and sharing the experience as a group.
Patagonia has long been a company that puts their money where their mouth is, so this move isn’t out of character. It is, however, nothing that has been done before, although Chouinard hopes it will inspire other billionaires and corporations.
Rather than selling the company or taking it public, Yvon Chouinard, his wife and two adult children have transferred their ownership of Patagonia, valued at $3 billion, to a specially designed trust and a nonprofit organization, which will ensure that all of its profits are used to combat climate change and protect undeveloped land around the globe.
“Instead of ‘going public’, you could say we’re ‘going purpose’,” said Chouinard.
The Chouinards donated 98% of the company, all its non-voting stock, to the new Holdfast Collective, a nonprofit organization which will use the funds to combat climate change.
The remaining 2%, and all the company’s voting stock, was transferred into a newly established entity known as the Patagonia Purpose Trust. The trust, which will be overseen by members of the family and their closest advisers, and is intended to ensure that Patagonia makes good on its commitment to run a socially responsible business and give away its profits.
Because the Chouinards donated their shares to a trust, the family will pay about $17.5 million in taxes on the gift.
“If we have any hope of a thriving planet – much less a thriving business – 50 years from now, it is going to take all of us doing what we can with the resources we have,” said Chouinard in a statement. “This is another way we’ve found to do our part.”
“As of now, Earth is our only shareholder”
]]>Fast fashion can be defined as the mass production of cheap, trendy clothing which is poorly made and falls apart quickly.
Fast fashion churns out new styles at rapid speed to meet consumer demand. The idea is to get the newest styles on the market as fast as possible, so shoppers can buy them whilst they are at the height of their popularity and then, sadly, discard them after only just a few wears.
How to spot a fast fashion brand?
Some key factors to look out for that are common in fast fashion brands:
Why is fast fashion bad?
Fast fashion comes with an enormous environmental price for both its production and disposal.
Clothing production requires a considerable amount of energy and resources. They use environmentally costly materials like synthetic fabrics, which can create toxic waste during production that seeps into the local environment. There are also numerous problems with the materials and processes used, with the industry as a whole having a huge carbon footprint, which is responsible for up to 10% of total global carbon emissions, and this is estimated to increase by 50% by 2030!
And when it comes to the disposal, huge amounts of waste are produced. 350,000 tonnes, which is an estimated £140 million worth of used but still wearable clothing goes to landfill in the UK every year. Some companies have also come out about their standard practices of burning unsold garments at the end of a season to avoid hefty markdowns.
The ethical implication on garment workers is another major concern for fast fashion. They endure extremely long working hours, get paid below the living wage and often work in extremely hazardous working conditions. The 2013 Rana Plaza disaster that killed over 1,000 workers in Bangladesh is just one example of how unsafe it is to work in this industry.
What can you do?
Buy less, buy better - it’s the ethos we live by here at Stay Wild.
Buying less is the first step. Creating a capsule wardrobe that you return to every season. Taking better care of the clothes you own and you can even try upcycling some of the garments you no longer wear into something new.
Of course sometimes you need to update your wardrobe for its missing parts, but the importance of buying something new is buying something better. What we mean by this is a garment that is high-quality, designed to last and is made both ethically and sustainably. And when you do choose to shop for something new, show your support and shop with small sustainable businesses. You can check out our eco-directory for a few of our favourite small and sustainable brands.
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Traditionally, and the one you see most often used to make alternative leather is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU). Whilst they are vegan, their synthetic construct has an environmental impact on our planet. When the plastic eventually starts to degrade, it breaks down into harmful microplastics and therefore is not a sustainable alternative to leather.
However, technology has come a long way and there are many new innovative fabrics coming through that are kind to our planet. Listed below are some of our favourite sustainable leather alternatives:
Piñatex
It’s a leather alternative made from pineapple leaf fibres. This innovative product promises to be one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly vegan leather materials because it requires no water, fertilizers, or additional land for its production and also reuses something that would traditionally be discarded or burned. Not only is it a natural and sustainable material—it also supports local farming communities by providing extra income from something that was previously being discarded as waste!
Apple Leather
Another fruit, but this time from Apples. Born in Northern Italy, this innovative bio-based alternative is a by-product from the apple juice and apple compote industry (made from waste peels and cores). By recovering these wastes, they manage to prevent them from decomposing, thus avoiding the emission of methane gas. Apple leather looks similar in appearance to real leather but has a paper-like feel. This is actually a bonus as the texture lends itself to easily adding different backings, coatings, and effects depending on whatever aesthetics you want for your garment.
Cork leather
Cork leather is another environmentally friendly alternative to animal leather that is sturdy, durable and waterproof. Cork is a natural fibre that comes from cork oak trees. With a lifespan of around 300 years, cork oak trees are harvested for their bark each decade, but the trees continue to live and grow, going on to produce more cork.
WHAT DOES THIS ACTUALLY MEAN?
Our whole business has been measured and evaluated for our social and environmental impact. After in-depth analysis by a team of experts, we have been certified to have met the highest standards of sustainability, ethics and transparency.
In a world where greenwashing is becoming more common and the word ‘sustainable’ is being thrown about in all of the wrong places, you - the customer, can look at this certification as a means of knowing that the brand you are buying from has been verified to leave a positive impact on the community, society and the environment.
WHAT DID IT INVOLVE?
The process itself took a while as it involved a rigorous analysis, where our company’s performance was assessed on a points system and measured against five key categories: governance, workers, customers, community, and the environment, with 80 points needed to pass. An exam is also required, which includes a large variety of questions, but this can vary depending on an individual company’s size and sector.
View our B Corp profile and more info here
Gaining a B Corp certification is not a one-time thing either. To maintain the certification, certified B Corps must update their impact assessment and verify their updated score every three years.
GOT SOME QUESTIONS?
Check out the FAQ page on the B Corp website to find out more about the certification and what it involved ]]>This number is a resin identification code and it is a reference to what type of plastic the container is made of. The recycling numbers are a uniform way of classifying the different types of plastic and it helps recycling collectors determine what items they can accept — and which ones go in the trash.
Understanding the seven plastic codes will make it easier to choose plastics and to know which plastics to recycle. So get to know these resin codes, so you can adjust your recycling habits accordingly…
Plastic No. 1 - polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)
It’s used for drinks bottles and some food packaging.
How to recycle it: PET or PETE can be picked up through most local recycling programs as long as it's been emptied and rinsed of any food. It’s often better to dispose of the lids in the trash (since they're usually made of a different type of plastic), but there's no need to remove bottle labels because the recycling process separates them.
Plastic No. 2 - high density polyethylene (HDPE)
It’s used for cleaning product bottles, milk jugs, butter tubs and some shopping bags. It’s a little tougher than PET, but nearly as common.
How to recycle it: HDPE can often be picked up through most recycling programs. Flimsy plastics (like grocery bags and plastic wrap) usually can't be recycled, but some stores will collect and recycle them.
Plastic No. 3 - polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
It’s used for car parts, window fittings, shampoo bottles, medical tubing
How to recycle it: PVC can rarely be recycled, but it's accepted by some plastic lumber makers. If you need to dispose of either material, ask your local waste management to see if you should put it in the trash or drop it off at a collection center.
Plastic No. 4 - low density polyethylene (LDPE)
It’s used for plastic bags and wrapping. It can also be found in squeezable condiment bottles and toys
How to recycle it: LDPE is not recycled through local recycling programs, but can often be recycled at specialist centres.
Plastic No. 5 - polypropylene (PP)
It’s used for some tubs and trays. It has a high melting point that makes it great for containing hot liquids.
How to recycle it: PP can be recycled through some local recycling programs, just don't forget to make sure there's no food left inside.
Plastic No. 6 - polystyrene (PS)
It’s used for takeaway boxes, disposable plates and cutlery. It’s a versatile plastic and can be manipulated into a soft foam, like packing peanuts, or hardened into a sturdy CD case
How to recycle it: Not easily recyclable as most recycling programs don’t accept PS in the form of rigid plastics (and many manufacturers have switched to using PET instead).
Plastic No. 7 - Other
There’s no long or fancy name for this plastic, because plastic no. 7 is more of a miscellaneous category for everything that didn’t fit into the last six slots. Often used for 3 and 5 gallon water bottles, bullet-proof materials, sunglasses, DVDs, iPod and computer cases, signs and displays, certain food containers, nylon
These other plastics are traditionally not recycled, so don't expect your local provider to accept them.
But you should double-check your local recycling guidelines on all of these plastics, because different cities and towns tend to have different rules.
]]>It’s that time of year again, when the world goes into a health kick and people are choosing to cook and eat more ethically and sustainably.
By now you’ve most likely stumbled across a fair few Veganuary offers at your local restaurants, but for the nights that you’re cooking in, we’ve created a small list of some of our favourite meat alternatives.
They deliver the meaty experience you crave without the compromise. And not only that, but their products offer greater or equal protein levels than their animal counterparts, with no cholesterol, less saturated fat, and no antibiotics or hormones. Our personal favourite from the brand is their Beyond Burgers which are taking the vegan burger scene by storm. They look, act and taste almost identical to a regular beef burger, perfect for those who are new to veganism and still crave that meaty taste.
Created by two ex-burger chain founders, the brand has created meat substitutes that are fortified with iron & B12 and packs more protein than: lentils, tofu, seitan, tempeh and most actual cuts of meat. We personally love their This Isn’t Chicken Pieces but they’ve expanded their range quite a bit over the past year. And this Veganuary they’re stepping up the game and offering their customers their money back if you don’t think it’s meaty enough
Linda McCartney Shredded Hoisin Duck
An OG to the veggie/vegan game and their product range has been expanding ever since, taking over the shelves in most supermarkets. One product that really hits the spot for us is the Hoisin Duck meal kit. A meal kit of seasoned, shredded vegetarian hoisin duck made with rehydrated textured soya and wheat protein with a sachet of hoisin sauce and 10 Chinese-style pancakes.
Tofu is the cult classic for many vegans, but Tofoo have changed the game and crafted their organic Tofoo using a traditional Japanese recipe. And to give their Tofoo a better taste and texture, they use a little thing called nigari - an all-natural ingredient created from seawater. While it doesn’t taste like meat, and does not try to, it does taste great and available to purchase with a variety of flavourings.
Another favourite on the vegan aisle is Vivera. They’re a Dutch company and create a whole range of meat alternatives, our product of choice being the Vivera Plant Shawarma Kebab. Seasoned to perfection, this meat alternative will have you craving kebabs all day long, not just after a night out to the pub. It’s a favourite amongst us and a lot of people apparently as their Plant Shawarma Kebab was voted favourite at the Food Awards in 2020.
Are you vegan or trying out Veganuary this year? Let us know if you agree with our selection above.
With this in mind, here are 3 eco-friendly swaps you can do to help you have the most sustainable Christmas yet.
Handmade Recyclable Cracker
They’re a pre Christmas dinner tradition in most households, but also a huge contributor to waste in the UK as most of them cannot be recycled. And on top of this, the plastic toys normally end up in the bin before the meal is even over.
A sustainable alternative would be to find reusable crackers or better yet, you could create your own. Check out DIY stores such as Hobbycraft for all your cracker supplies and fill with plastic-free surprises for a personalised, eco alternative.
Alternative Christmas Cards
You can massively cut down on consumption this year by sending an e-card instead of the traditional letterbox Christmas cards. There are numerous apps and websites that allow you to use a template or you can make your own design if you’re feeling creative.
If you’re not tech-savvy or your recipient won’t be able to receive an e-card, try sending a card made from recycled materials or even a plantable Christmas card.
Go Meat-Free
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - the meat and dairy industry contributes twice as much emissions compared to plant-based foods. So do yourself and the planet a favour and have a meat-free Christmas by swapping the turkey for a plant-based alternative instead.
For more tips on how to be sustainable this Christmas, check out our blog posts below:
Last year we saw fast fashion brands sell their garments for as little as 99p in their Black Friday sale. Not only does this promote over consumption, excessive packaging and shipping waste, but when the price of these garments are excessively low, it brings about the question on what the human cost is of making this piece and whether it comes from a supply chain of exploitation.
As a small business we know that this day is an opportunity to make sales, however as a sustainable brand, we feel it is of greater importance to use our voice and platform to promote conscious consumption
So this weekend we're taking a stance against Black Friday and we won't be running a discount code. Instead, we will be raising our prices by the exact amount that major fast fashion brands had their garments discounted to - 99p! This additional cost will be donated to Sea Shepherd charity, and for every piece sold this weekend, we at Stay Wild will also match the donations.
Sea Shepherd is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organisation whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.
In addition to this, we will also be continuing with our regular monthly donations to both Surfers Against Sewage and Black Lives Matter. And if you are wishing to get involved more and donate to any of these charities, please check out their pages and donation links below:
]]>Hubbub, a sustainability charity, conducted a survey with 3,000 adults in the UK, and found out that only a shocking 42% of them knew that the insides of a pumpkin are edible. And therefore approximately 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins will be thrown away. That’s equivalent to 360 million portions of pumpkin pie, the charity said.
Now we’re not saying to give up on your pumpkin carving traditions, but why not check out these cost-saving and waste-reducing tips that will help you make your Halloween more sustainable…
Buy an Organic Pumpkin
Hit up your local farmer’s markets or greengrocers to find an organic pumpkin. As they will not have used excessive pesticides in the farming process, which of course have a long-term detrimental effect on ecosystems.
Roast the Seeds
Both a tasty and healthy snack. Just scoop out the seeds and remove any pumpkin flesh that is still attached and then rinse them off. Place the seeds on a baking tray with some olive oil and any extra spices/flavourings you like (e.g. salt, chilli) and bake in the oven until lightly golden brown.
Use the Flesh
The internet is full of amazing recipes incorporating the squash plant, including soups, pies, desserts and risottos that can be made from the flesh. Whether you prefer sweet, savoury or spicy, there’s a recipe for everyone!
Repurpose your Pumpkin Waste
On November 1st, if your Pumpkin is beginning to decay, you can put the remains in your compost bin, or if you don’t have one of your own you can have it collected by your local council to be disposed of as food waste and turned into compost. Or treat the birds and use your pumpkin waste as bird feed for them during the colder months.
Coffee is part of our daily routines. And thanks to this past year of lockdowns, many of us are now making our coffee at home. But there are a few creative ways to give your coffee that extra lease of life…
So here are 5 of our favourite ways to make your coffee more sustainable and repurpose your used grounds:
Coffee Scrub
There are a number of beauty benefits from coffee grounds thanks to its antioxidant properties. One of them being a simple, yet effective, at-home body scrub. Just add a tablespoon of brown sugar and a tablespoon of a natural oil to your grounds to create an inexpensive exfoliant.
Gardening
Not only do coffee grounds help fertilise your plants, but they also do a great job in repelling garden pests, such as ants, slugs and snails. And if you want to invite worms into your garden, just work the grounds in a little deeper into the soil.
Boost Compost
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to repurpose your coffee grounds is by adding them to the compost. The coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen which helps organic materials break down into nutrient-rich compost.
Deodorise your Fridge,
Coffee grounds are extremely absorbent, which is why you should never leave fresh coffee grounds unsealed. But once you have used your grounds, you can place them in a jar, uncovered, and put them at the back of the fridge and they will neutralise any food odours there might be.
Wash your Hair
The coffee grounds are great for stripping your hair of product build-up, so the next time you’re in the shower, try massaging a handful of grounds into your hair before shampooing. And as a side benefit, some studies have even shown that the caffeine in the grounds can even stimulate hair growth.
Why not give one of these ideas a go when you next make a coffee, and give your grounds that extra bit of life.
]]>Seagrasses are the only flowering plants able to live in seawater and pollinate while submerged. They require a large amount of sunlight for photosynthesis to grow and therefore are only found in shallow waters, such as bays and lagoons around the world. Seagrass has been given its name because of its long, narrow leaves, which share a resemblance to some terrestrial grasses you might come across on your country walks
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Seagrasses are a vital part of the marine ecosystem, as they:
BLUE CARBON
Much like rainforests, seagrass meadows absorb and store huge amounts of carbon dioxide. Seagrass are commonly known as the "lungs of the sea" because just 1 square meter of seagrass can generate up to 10 liters of oxygen every day through photosynthesis. It’s been calculated that seagrass is responsible for 15% of the ocean’s total carbon absorption.
HOW CAN WE PROTECT IT?
Unfortunately seagrass is one of the most rapidly declining ecosystems on Earth. A lack of awareness about the importance of seagrass has resulted in poor conservation and management. But not all is lost. Seagrass is also one of the most resilient plants on the planet and will be able to bounce back rapidly with enough support.
Some of the ways you can help:
Bees play a massive role in pollinating the plants we grow, with the vast majority of plants we need for food relying on pollination. And although bats and other insects also play an important role, wild bees are among the most important pollinators because they are capable of pollinating on a much larger scale. And whether you have a garden or just a window shelf, there are things everyone can do to help them continue providing this invaluable service.
So here are our 5 top tips to attract bees to visit your garden:
GROW PLANTS WITH NECTAR AND POLLEN
A pretty obvious one, right? But it’s important to grow a range of plants that will provide a flowering period all year round. This in turn will provide diversity and variation of nectar for the bees.
BE COLOUR-WISE
As well as choosing plants that pollen, you should also try to include certain types of colours. As research suggests that bees are drawn to flowers that are richest in nectar and they can see UV light on certain flowers, so try to include a variety of blue, purple, violet and yellow blooms if possible.
ACCESS TO SAFE WATER
Bees, like us, need access to clean fresh water. However the usual bird bath is just too deep for the bees. So try adding pebbles and rocks to allow the bees to safely perch above the water, or better yet, provide them with a shallow container or ‘bee bath’ so they avoid drowning.
SAY NO TO PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES
… or any other chemicals for that matter! Most of these chemicals are toxic to bees with some killing them outright and others causing subtle effects that affect a bee’s ability to pollinate.
HOLD BACK ON WEEDING
They pop up out of nowhere and may not be exactly what you were expecting to grow, but a lot of the plants we call ‘weeds’ actually do a great job supporting wildlife, such as lawn clovers, dandelions and even thistles. As well as relaxing on weeding, you can also give your lawn mower a bit of a break too. Allowing your grass to grow longer gives bees shelter and a place to feed.
Hopefully you find these tips helpful and will have your own bee garden up and running in no time.
What is OEKO-TEX?
OEKO-TEX® is the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology. A bit of a mouthful to say out loud but they are doing great things around the globe by undertaking testing and audits in order to verify that certain textiles are safe for both people and the planet! OEKO-TEX® enables consumers and companies to make responsible decisions which protect our planet for future generations.
What do they test?
They can test every kind of textile used throughout the fabric - from the threads to the finished fabrics and finished articles, including the buttons, zippers and linings. They even test the prints and coatings applied to the outer material.
One of the key certifications and the one you’re probably most familiar with is the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®.
When a product carries the STANDARD 100 label, it means that every component, i.e. every thread, button and other accessories, has been tested for harmful substances and that the product therefore is harmless for human health and to a larger extent, the planet.
As consumers, it’s so important to care about making responsible decisions when shopping that put both people and planet first. And in an ideal world every fabric would adhere to OEKO-TEX® standards, but unfortunately the process of getting this certification is not cheap or quick. So do please remember that just because a fabric is not certified, it doesn't necessarily mean it's any less sustainable, or that it's manufactured under poor working conditions.
Spoiler alert, here are 5 things Seaspiracy taught us...
THE BIGGEST PLASTIC POLLUTION IN OUR OCEAN
With the current hype about using reusable straws anywhere and everywhere, we were shocked to find out that they make up only 0.03% of total plastic waste, as Seaspiracy claims. According to seaspiracy, the real villain here is actually abandoned fishing equipment, which accounts for a whopping 46% of trash in the ocean. As you know, fishing gear is designed to catch and kill marine life, but the hard truth is that it continues to do so even when it is abandoned or lost at sea, killing or injuring over 100,000 whales, dolphins, seals and turtles every year.
SHARKS ARE NOT THE ENEMY
… we are! On average, sharks kill around 10 people per year, and by comparison, we kill 11,000-30,000 sharks per hour! This is a sad and shocking statistic to read especially as sharks play such an important role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem that keeps our oceans healthy. They keep the fish stocks healthy, which keeps the ecosystems alive, which keeps the coral reefs alive.
“USING A BULLDOZER TO CATCH A BUTTERFLY”
Is how marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle described Bottom Trawling, which involves dragging large heavy nets along the seafloor in order to catch fish. But in the process of dragging these incredibly large and heavy nets, the ships destroy vital habitats, with a shocking 3.9 billion acres of seafloor having been already lost due to trawling.
SLAVERY AT SEA
You’ve probably heard of blood diamonds, but ‘blood shrimp’ is the concern out at sea with slavery in the seafood industry having been reported in 47 countries. In the documentary, several interviews were taken place with former fishermen and they shared stories of how they were kept against their will in inhumane situations, abused and threatened at gunpoint.
FISH ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD
Yes this is a quote from one of our favourite Pixar movies, but in reality it is one of the best ways we are going to save our oceans. As there is currently less than 1% of our oceans protected from commercial fishing, yet still there is an estimated 2.7 trillion fish caught each year!
Throughout the documentary, they explore different options to help preserve our oceans, such as eating more sustainable fish or to only fish from farms rather than from the wild, but they discover that the best way to save the fish is to leave them alone - so seriously reducing our consumption of fish and other seafood is the best way forward.
But not only that, we can also do our bit to protect our oceans by establishing ‘no take zones’ for fishing around the world, as well as “pushing for legislative laws and improved enforcement of existing laws” as much of the planet’s population will be unaware of the issue at hand or they simply won’t be able to afford a vegan diet, says marine biologist Daniel Pauly.
If you’ve made it this far and you have a sudden desire to take action, some of the ways you can help is by joining a NGO that’s fighting for change or sign this petition, created by the directors of Seaspiracy, to help protect 30% of the oceans by 2030.
Thankfully, many flower companies are becoming increasingly conscious of the impact that they have on the planet and are taking action to do all that they can to reduce this negative impact. Take Bloom and Wild as an example - they now offset their carbon emissions by supporting projects that cut carbon. In addition, they have made their letterbox packaging 100% recyclable!
Here are some other brands that we feel deserve a mention, due to both their gorgeous bouquets and their more conscious and holistic approach! Arena Flowers, Appleyard Flowers and Bouqs.
CHOCOLATE
Sometimes you just can't beat chocolate! Especially, when it’s been consciously farmed with species, habitats and livelihoods at the forefront of its production.
Endangered Species are a brand that epitomize these ethical values by donating 10% of their annual net profits to conservation organizations in a bid to ‘give back’.
In addition, we most certainly recommend the following brands, especially for those with mums who have a sweet tooth - no judgement here! Divine Chocolate, Tony’s Chocolonely and Booja-Booja.
CANDLES
Who doesn't love a candle? More importantly, who doesn't love a candlelit bath?
Give your mum potentially the best gift of them all - an excuse to get some peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives (probably spent looking after others!) The following brands are a great place to start when looking for a glorious bath time accompaniment: Keep Candles, Evermore and Earl of East.
Sadly, a lot of the more traditional candles on the market contain a mix of palm oil, paraffin and soy waxes, of which the use of palm oil contributes to the influx of deforestation. Whilst the use of paraffin releases harmful toxins into the air - as expected from petroleum derivatives.
Alternatively, we’d strongly recommend plant-based wax, made from substances such as soy, beeswax or coconut. Just try to ensure that whichever you go for wax wise your candle is made 100% from this and there are no sneaky surprises in there!
Hopefully this list will act as a source of inspiration for those still looking to source their lovely mums that little something special! We wish everyone a lovely Mother’s Day this weekend - whether you’re able to spend it with your loved ones or not! Here’s to all the wonderful women out there, mums, aunts, grandma’s, daughters, sisters, friends and more!
WHY DO PEOPLE DO IT?
If you haven’t yet experienced wild swimming, you may be wondering why on Earth people do it, especially if like us you live in the UK and any outdoor swimming is guaranteed to be pretty cold. However, the benefits to it are endless, not only physical but mental. And the long-term effects on the body have been scientifically proven for many years.
Sophie Hellyer - ultimate Stay Wild babe and founder of Rise Fierce, says “It also became so much more than just for health benefits. The sense of calm the cold water brings me, the feeling of being alive. It’s not a solution to all your problems but for those few minutes you leave your problems on the shore and you just go and feel alive. It’s like hitting a big reset button, I may be stressed or sad or angry but when I come out the water I just feel calm and empowered. The sense of community is also huge, seeing the same faces every morning, knowing there will be someone there with you to chat, laugh or cry through whatever life throws at you.”
We also spoke to Tia Tamblyn, founder of the Breakfast and Beyond podcast. "Just as meditation offers us the chance to step back from our thought patterns by observing them objectively as we sit in quiet, in cold water swimming we are required to over-ride the thoughts that tell us not to go in (because it’s madness and far too cold!) in the knowledge that we will benefit from it. Showing up for that experience, stepping (or wave-hopping) over the threshold is so emboldening because we’ve shown ourselves we can work our way through this experience, and even emerge the other side feeling better (if a little cooler) for it. This may seem blithe compared to many of the significant challenges people are facing right now, but at a time when we have lost control over so many facets of our life, taking back control of even the smallest elements can make a big different for us, for our mental health.”
HEALTH BENEFITS
Here are 5 reasons why wild swimming can benefit your health:
Boosted immune system
Plunging into cold water can shock your body which can actually boost your immune system. Research has shown that when people regularly swim in cold water, their white blood cell count increases significantly. This can help to boost your immune system and reduce your risk of some diseases and cancer.
Better circulation
Being immersed in a large quantity of very cold water causes blood to rush to your organs, making your heart work a little bit harder. Not only does this increase the white blood cell count, but it also stimulates the lymphatic system and boosts blood circulation.
Increased happiness
Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers and, in the case of a cold swim, it uses them to help take the sting away from your skin. This chemical is what the brain produces to make us feel good during activities. Wild swimming is also a form of exercise, and exercise has been proven to treat depression.
Increased metabolism
Swimming in cold water makes your body work harder to keep warm, which increases the number of calories you burn. The colder the water, the more energy your body will convert from fat to fire up your metabolism and keep your core temperature stable.
Better skin
Wild swimming is a type of cold water therapy, which is known to cause blood to flow away from the skin’s surface towards the organs as a means of conserving body heat. This process in turn boosts circulation and flushes out waste and impurities, which in turn makes the skin smoother.
Have you tried wild swimming yet?
Credit images: www.tiatamblyn.com and www.johnherseystudio.com
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The Ria Bra - we took our best selling Nerida shape and turned it into an everyday wear staple.
The Cari Bra has a super-soft scoop neck design has been created to hug your body and enhance your feminine form.
Both flattering and sexy, the Astrid brief enhances your feminine curves and sits comfortably on your skin.
The Eden brief is a perfect low rise brief for those looking for more coverage and support.
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The energy sector generates the most greenhouse gas emissions, with the emissions sources including electricity and heat that power households, manufacturing, construction, and transportation. The current rate of greenhouse gas emissions being emitted is predicted to increase by another 50% by 2050 if we don’t make drastic changes. With this high predicted rise, our climate will get increasingly warmer, threatening coastal cities, producing regular heatwaves and leading to the potential wipeout of entire ecosystems.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can all do our bit to help cut down on emissions: one way being to use an ethical energy supplier that’s environmentally sustainable as well as socially responsible. So whether you're looking for the greenest, cheapest, best customer service or all of the above, here's 5 of our favourite choices for ethical energy suppliers in the UK:
Bulb
Bulb is one of the fastest-growing green energy providers in the UK, now supplying energy to over 1.4 million homes. Bulb buys its energy from independent generators, so it's able to guarantee its electricity is 100% green (produced from hydropower, wind and solar). It also supplies 10% green gas.
Bulb also offsets the rest of the gas it supplies by supporting carbon reduction projects around the world, making its gas 100% carbon neutral. For every switch to Bulb, they donate £2 to their charity, The Bulb Foundation. They also offer £50 for you and a friend when you refer a friend, and if you have the tools to generate your own renewable energy, you can sell some back to the grid through Bulb.
Ecotricity
Ecotricity offers one electricity tariff called Green Electricity which is 100% renewable and frack-free gas. As of September 2019, they were declared one of Britain’s greenest energy companies. They are also the only energy company in the UK to be certified by the Vegan Society.
The company invests its profits into building renewable infrastructure — from building further solar farms and wind turbines, to building the UK’s first grass-fed green gasmill.
Green Energy
Green Energy UK is the only supplier to offer 100% green gas as well as green electricity, making it the only true green energy supplier in the UK. This green tarif doesn’t come cheap though, and has shown to be substantially more expensive than the other green energy options available.
Octopus
Octopus are another 100% renewable energy company that invests back into sustainable tech. They’ve also branched out into electric vehicles, devising a system — the Powerloop — whereby drivers can run their homes off of their car’s power during peak energy times.
They are the best green energy supplier in terms of customer service, winning several awards for customer satisfaction. When you choose its Super-Green tariff, Octopus will supply 100% renewable electricity, and they promise to ensure that any carbon involved in the production of your gas will be offset. Similar to Bulb, they’ll also reward you and a friend with £50 when you make the switch.
Good Energy
Good Energy gets all its electricity from renewable sources like solar, wind and water. And for every unit of electricity used by their customers, the company supplies the national grid with a unit of electricity generated from 100% renewable power sources.
The company owns and operates two wind farms and four solar farm sites with more farms in the works. They also support more than 800 independent generators across the UK.
Good Energy offers carbon neutral gas, 10% being biogas and they have partnered with an offsetting organisation ClimateCare to offset the carbon released when their customers use gas in their homes.
Of course there are other green energy suppliers you could switch to instead, these are just 5 of some of the many options out there, but before you make the decision to switch your home or business over to a renewable energy provider, check that their energy mix is 100% renewable - this is information is easy to find and is a legal requirement to provide.
GET ORGANISED
Write down the food and ingredients that you use on a regular basis and research alternative vegan options so when it comes to meal planning you are well prepared.
TEAM UP WITH A FRIEND
You can cook together, share recipes and generally stay on track with your vegan transition with someone else motivating you.
DON’T GIVE UP!
If you slip up don’t punish yourself or give up Veganuary all together. Every day that you manage a plant-based meal you should recognise your progress. Batch cooking meals are a great way to help keep you on track when you are feeling too lazy to cook!
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW
Following vegan pages on Instagram and someone else’s journey online can be helpful if you are lacking inspiration for recipes. We have put together a few social media accounts that have really got us looking forward to the next food shop!
@vegan_food_uk is the UK’s number one page for tips on finding vegan products in store and eating out ideas.
If you love comfort food and baking then @turnipvegan is one to follow to re-create all your favourite foods (in vegan version!) at home.
Actress turned TikTok sensation Tabitha Brown documents her vegan journey to her 3.2 million followers on Instagram @iamtabithabrown
APPS & COOK BOOKS
Deliciously Ella has launched an app that once you sign up you have access to over 600 recipes, shopping lists, daily meal plans and inspirational weekly content to support your plant-based journey and wellbeing, not to mention there are some great yoga workouts for you to do alongside.
Go food shopping with the Is It Vegan? App. This helpful app lets you scan barcodes to determine if a product is vegan if you are unsure about the origins of its ingredients.
As 2020 progressed, there was a definite uptick in nature photos posted across social media. As friends and family took their government-mandated walks, or watched the world wistfully from windows, feeds filled with photos of sunshine, flowers and trees. Unsurprisingly, this increased appreciation for nature at our doorsteps has increased our appreciation for the natural world as a whole, and our concern for climate change.
It is easy to feel powerless as an individual in the face of the global environmental challenge that is climate change - but there are in fact things that we can all do to make a difference, with tree planting being one major option. And that’s where Treedom comes in. Treedom is a small Italian company taking on climate change - one tree at a time.
Based in Florence, Treedom knows that trees do not only form the foundation of entire ecosystems, but of communities too. Working in partnership with local NGOs, Treedom identifies smallholder farmers who will benefit the most from planting trees, providing young saplings for these farmers to plant and maintain on their own land.
This is an important distinction too - the farmers are guardians of these trees, they look after them and reap the benefits that they bring. This provides a motivation to move away from slash-and-burn agriculture (a cultivation technique using controlled fires to clear fields for replanting), and towards long-term sustainable land management techniques - like agroforestry.
Agroforestry is the practice of planting a combination of productive species (think fruit and nut trees!), which brings food security for the farmers and their families. They can harvest the fruits to supplement and diversify their diets, or sell them at local markets for additional income. Some even launch small businesses!
Treedom keeps this entire process as transparent as possible. Every tree is geolocated and photographed, and has its own landing page with regular updates on the project posted in an online diary. The digital counterpart of the trees can be named, can bear messages, and can be gifted or dedicated to loved ones with an email or text. You could even say that a Treedom tree has roots that can reach anywhere in the world!
And all this doesn’t even begin to touch on the wider environmental impacts of tree planting - like offsetting CO2, combatting soil erosion and deforestation, boosting biodiversity and providing animals with food, shelter and protection. There are also countless studies attesting to the mental, physical and emotional advantages of spending time in nature, and around trees specifically. Proven to relieve stress, anxiety and depression, to restore energy and concentration and to improve focus, trees can be a real balm in times of anxiety. In Japan, shinrin yoku (forest-bathing) is common practice to aid relaxation - it is literally the process of surrounding yourself with trees.
Tree planting, then, is a small action that has countless, far-reaching benefits. Planting a tree is an action that can change lives.
Gift a tree with Treedom this Christmas: http://go.treedom.net/8g3f
Use code STAYWILD at checkout for 20% off. Offer ends 31st December 2020.
You may be thinking that one way to reduce waste at Christmas would be to have an artificial tree that you can use year after year. But on the other hand, if it’s made of plastic - surely this can’t be good either?
Artificial trees are made out of petroleum-based products and many other non-renewable PVC plastics that do more harm than good to the environment. Nearly 90% of all artificial trees are shipped over from China resulting in an increase of carbon emissions. They use up to five times more energy to manufacture and then are eventually thrown into landfill as they cannot be recycled. Artificial trees are made out of petroleum-based products and many other non-renewable PVC plastics that do more harm than good to the environment. Nearly 90% of all artificial trees are shipped over from China resulting in an increase of carbon emissions. They use up to five times more energy to manufacture and then are eventually thrown into landfill as they cannot be recycled.
Buying a real Christmas tree is sustainable resource as they are grown at farms where more seeds are planted than trees are being cut down. During the time the trees are growing they are busy trapping CO2 and using less resources than a factory manufacturing artificial trees. To check that the tree you are buying a sustainably grown Christmas tree look for the symbol of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This association also has a “Tree Tracker” where you can find a locally grown Christmas Tree to support small businesses and reduce carbon emissions.
Another increasingly popular and sustainable choice is to rent a Christmas Tree. Doing this means that there is zero-waste as the tree can be re-planted to use again for next year and you do not have to worry about what to do with the tree after Christmas. The London Christmas Tree Rental offers a service where you can rent a pot-grown tree that can also be delivered via an electric van to cut carbon emissions.
After Christmas is over, most councils arrange a pick up system where you can have your tree recycled into wood chippings for local woodland or turned into mulch for compost. If you would like to reuse your tree make sure it was either grown in a container or it is a root-balled tree so you are able to re-plant it.
WRAPPING PAPER
Stay clear from foil or glittery paper and opt in instead for recycled wrapping paper. A little trick to know whether or not your paper is eligible to recycle is to try the “scrunch test”. If you make a ball of paper and let is go, the recyclable paper will stay scrunched up, non-recyclable wrapping paper will open back up and will need to go in the general waste. Instead of plastic sticky tape for gifts try paper-based tape for an even more eco-friendly present. Re-wrapped offers recycled wrapping paper and cards using environmentally friendly vegetable-based inks to help you out with gifts on Christmas. Furoshiki Gift Wrap also provides an eco-friendly paper alternative to wrap Christmas presents by using a zero-waste reusable cotton cloth. A traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to wrap gifts and hold personal items, this unique and creative cloth offers a versatile and sustainable alternative to plastic materials and gift wrapping.
REDUCE YOUR FOOD WASTE
Planning ahead is key to enjoying a more sustainable Christmas lunch. Sourcing local and organic ingredients from your local produce shops, avoiding multiple shopping trips or deliveries to reduce carbon emissions, and reduce packaging from your shopping are all ways to make your Christmas environmentally friendly. Create a menu of what you are going to eat to cut down on food waste and create new recipes with any leftovers. To avoid food going into the bin see what you can freeze to have at a later date or start a compost heap so that food can be broken down into soil instead. Love Food Hate Waste has some great tips to saving and storing food especially at Christmas.
Making these small changes can make all the difference in reducing our environmental impact during the festive period. We hope that you found these tips useful and please get in touch if you have anymore sustainable tips that worked for you!
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