Kapdaa has developed an AI-powered textile waste sorting machine. It is mobile and has the potential to sort tonnes of clothing a week around London boroughs. Textile waste is a big issue in the UK, with 1.2 million tonnes of textile waste going to landfill. Discarded clothing is 350,000 tonnes of that (Shred Station). Each […]
Workwear waste is an issue in the UK. There are many similar issues to fashion waste in that too many garments are manufactured and too many end up in landfill and are not recycled. Buying sustainable workwear can reduce waste as the garments last longer. How much workwear waste is there in the UK? A […]
Consumerism produces a lot of waste. Throwaway products are made out of plastic and are designed to be replaced. They are not made to last and they use synthetic and unsustainable materials. This post consumer waste needs a solution. The UK recycles only 45% of waste. And we get through billions of bottles, cans and coffee […]
Businesses in the UK generated 28 million tonnes of commercial waste and 12.4 million tonnes of industrial waste in 2020 (Gov UK). This figure only includes the ‘received’ tonnage at recycling and waste facilities. Commercial waste includes paper and packaging waste, office furniture and electronics, food waste, raw material and textile waste, retail waste like […]
Most of us are familiar with ways to reduce waste in our households and some of these methods can be useful for businesses too. Here are some ways that businesses reduce waste. Waste is a big issue for businesses in the UK. 40.4 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste was generated in 2020. This […]
What’s the difference between a linear economy and a circular economy? And why does that matter to a small business? What can a small business owner do to make their company more circular? Let’s find out. A liner economy vs a circular economy The main difference between a linear economy vs a circular economy is […]
Bio-D were one of the first UK companies to make eco friendly cleaning products, long before the phrase eco friendly became trendy. They’ve published their 5th Sustainability Impact report and they’re leading the way in net zero strategy too. In the 1980s the founder of Bio-D had a job cleaning ships and it required him […]
Denby leads the way in sustainability with a reloved homewares campaign, simply called ‘Re-loved’. The idea is simple. Encourage homeware owners to think about their purchase and use of homewares in the same way as they are conscious consumers of fashion. As part of the campaign, Denby commissioned some research into how we use and […]
Why do we still have single-use plastic toys on magazine covers? It seems obvious that cheap toys on the cover of magazines are unlikely to last and will likely be thrown away in household waste. They’ll contribute to landfill as most are not recyclable. And yet, you need only visit the supermarket to see that […]
Change in the workplace is in some respects inevitable. Businesses outgrow their existing premises, acquire other businesses or restructure. The economy and the world changes too, as we saw during the pandemic which resulted in seismic shifts in employment. This can mean that businesses need more space or less space and have to move premises. […]
There are so many companies claiming to be a sustainable beauty brand that it can be difficult to find one that is ethical. Here’s our guide for what to look for from ingredients to packaging and everything in between. Almost every brand boasts about natural ingredients, but not all natural ingredients are what they claim […]
Driven by a love for the environment, sustainable children’s footwear brand, Pip and Henry has recently launched a brand-new range of summer shoes that are perfect for the little ones in your life. From sandals to sneakers, they have everything your kids need to stay stylish and comfortable during the warm weather months. Commitment to […]
Doughnut Economics is a book written by Kate Raworth. It invites 21st century economists to think about seven guiding principles. The principles are: Embrace the 21st Century goal See the big picture Nurture human nature Think in systems Be distributive Be regenerative and Aim to thrive rather than grow Traditional economics ignore climate change, inequality, […]
The Good Shopping Guide awarded Ethica Diamonds a perfect score in the best ethical jewellery ratings table. The table ranks jewellery companies from across the globe on factors like their procurement of Fair Trade gold and ethically sourced, conflict-free diamonds. “Consumers should be aware of ethical practices right across a company’s value chain – especially […]
Play Press Toys have developed new and innovative zero waste packaging for their products. The toys have always been eco-friendly and non-toxic and this was the logical next step for the company to take. Play Press Toys have always delivered products in limited amounts of packaging, reducing the need to throw large boxes away once […]
Award winning furniture designer and master craftsman Angus Ross will be exhibiting at RHS Chelsea in May this year for the first time. On display will be the limited edition Dalerb range of garden furniture. The range is available to pre-order from Angus Ross for construction after the show is over. The company is proud […]
We were really excited that Natalie Bennett, Green Peer and former Leader of The Green Party, agreed to talk to us about her book ‘Change Everything’ and to discuss all things to do with small businesses and the green economy. Small businesses and the high street To explore the everyday ups and downs of running […]
We’ve been out of the office for the last few weeks at Decorex and the Sustainability Show. One of the advantages to attending events like this is to meet people who are at the cutting edge of technology that will make our world more sustainable. We talked to Riversimple at the Sustainability Show about their […]
The fashion industry in the UK is responsible for a lot of waste. A report by Labfresh, based on 2016 data, found that the UK was the fourth largest textile waste producer in the EU, with over 206,000 tonnes of waste every year. That’s around 3 kilos of waste per person. Of that only 0.3 […]
UK consumers spent 24,489 million pounds on home furnishings last year (Statista). That includes sofas, beds, tables & chairs, cabinets and other items of furniture that have wood materials in them. The wood comes from forests around the world, from the United States to Finland. Almost half of the softwoods imported into the UK come […]
Net zero is not just a buzzword. It is a serious attempt to reduce carbon emissions and reverse climate changes. As businesses we can calculate our carbon emissions and reduce them so that we are doing what we can. What is net zero? According to the Oxford Dictionary definition it is “A target of completely […]
This week Everyday Plastic & Greenpeace team up for the Big Plastic Count (16-22 May). The campaign is easy to take part in. Simply count all the pieces of plastic waste you throw away at home during the week long period. By reporting back to Big Plastic Count, you can help the campaign to push […]
Circular economy is a popular phrase in sustainability circles, but what does a circular economy mean and how can we make it work for our businesses? What does circular economy mean? According to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, a circular economy is a move away from a linear economy where we extract materials from the planet, […]
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