The UK loves coffee. Even more than tea (The Guardian). Sourcing sustainable and organic coffee is not easy amid disruptions to global supply chains from the effects of climate change. Source Climate Change Coffee has been importing organic coffee to the UK for more than a decade. Fix Our Food The current food system is […]
Keep This Cracker does exactly what it says on the tin. They are reusable Christmas crackers and they can be used for any party event where a cracker is typically used. They also make handy gift boxes as the shape is a bit more roomy than a standard cracker tube. When does Christmas 2025 start? […]
The Storm Flowers team cultivate sustainability and community through their florist business and garden shop. Gardeners have a natural love of the environment. They take joy from watching things grow. They’re also more mindful of climate, noticing when the garden is dry or the frost has affected plants. It was only natural that the owners […]
Ethica Diamonds have been developing a carbon negative standard for the past two years. The first lab grown diamond to be certified C-® Standard was donated to the Born Free Foundation. It was raffled as a ‘Diamond in a Glass’ at the Footsteps for Freedom gala, alongside a luxury pendant necklace. The necklace was designed […]
Coldharbour Lights makes fabulous feather lampshades in shades of blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, black and white. They provide a decadent touch of colour to any room and impart a feeling of times past with a touch of Art Deco. The company uses only the best quality feather. They are carefully sourced from […]
Flooring by Nature does what it says on the tin. They look to source only natural flooring materials or use recycled materials. Their decision came about when they looked around them at flooring suppliers and carpet manufacturers who promoted man-made carpets as the ideal solution for the family home. It is not. Man-made carpets Man-made […]
Angus Ross and his team make museum quality furniture in his workshop in Aberfeldy in Perthshire. They are specialists in steam bending wood to make curvaceous and comfortable seating. They work on commissioned pieces for public spaces: sculptural benches and art installations for churches and museums. Their furniture range includes benches, chairs, tables, beds, cabinets […]
Judi Archer is a British designer who creates textiles for home interiors. Her handcrafted homewares include hand tufted cushions, artwork and foot stools. Her designs feature strong colours and patterns inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese design. During her MA in Multidisciplinary Print Design, Judi explored the sustainability of the textile industry and the relationship with […]
British wood furniture manufacturers cut down trees. We import 80% of our timber from other countries (Forestry and Land Scotland) but we also fell trees right here in the UK. Trees are essential for carbon capture and they take many years to grow. That’s why responsible forestry is so critical for sustainable wood furniture. […]
With winter in full swing in the UK, we are all wearing warm winter jackets when we go outdoors, but winter jackets are typically made of polyester fibres and polyester is bad for the environment. Is there an alternative, more sustainable winter jacket available? Ponda has developed one using a plant based textile called BioPuff®. […]
Suminagashi, the Japanese Art of Marbling (also the title of a book by Anne Chambers) was the inspiration for the kimono made by Rachel O’Connell for Blue Patch’s exhibition ‘Pull My Thread’ at Brantwood near Coniston Water, Lake District this summer. The feather light kimono and obi were made from Japanese habotai silk, a transparent […]
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 […]
Carpets can be made from man-made or natural fibres. There are a number of reasons that natural fibres like wool carpet are preferable for sustainability over man-made fibres. These include recyclability, renewability and making your home more eco-friendly by reducing VOCs and improving insulation. The UK incinerates 130,000 tonnes of carpet waste a year. The […]
Chloe Haywood is a thrifty entrepreneurial fashionista. She’s actively mentoring sustainable businesses on circular fashion with the experience gained in her own brand and rebranding. She creates UGC content for sustainable brands. She runs RewardRobe that collects and recycles waste fashion and accessories. And she sells her own upcycled fashion at Chloe Haywood London. Throughout […]
There is a lot said in the media about synthetic foods and the harmful chemicals they contain. Sustainable vinegar provides a natural alternative flavouring for food, but not all vinegar is sustainable. Flavoured vinegars, like those produced by Blue Patch member Womersley Foods, are natural and sustainable. Natural vinegar uses simple, natural ingredients. The three […]
Diversity in dolls and toys is bigger than being about representation. It matters because of the effect on children’s self esteem, emotional development and understanding of the world. Playing with dolls improves the cognitive, emotional, physical and social development in children. They learn about the world and themselves (NI Direct). Representation matters Children need to […]
The clocks go back this weekend and we gain an extra hour of sleep. But will you? There are many reasons why you might not get a good night’s sleep. Stress, noise, light and caffeine can affect your sleeping pattern (NHS). How comfortable your bed is and what the temperature is like will also impact […]
Many of the cosmetics we buy, even those from big name brands, contain toxic ingredients and they are packaged in materials that are not recyclable. That’s why we are pleased to have sustainable skincare brands in our UK directory for you to shop from. Conscious Skincare Conscious Skincare is a small brand based in west […]
A new kitchen showroom will shortly be opening in Cambridge, part of the Kutchenhaus brand. The new owners will be Catherine Salmon of C S Sustainable Design and her partner, Rodger Lloyd. They are ideally placed to help you build the kitchen of your dreams. Using a kitchen designer will maximise the functionality of the […]
Shearing time in the UK is over for most farmers. Unfortunately for them, shearing sheep for their fleeces is not a profitable exercise and huge quantities of waste wool are destroyed. Sustainable rope is one potential use for fleece wool from hill and mountain breeds which would otherwise go to waste. 35,000 British farmers produce […]
It is only natural with our exhibition ‘Pull My Thread’ happening this summer that we are thinking about sustainable textiles. The innovative solutions that our business community have invented or procured to replace petroleum-based textiles are surprisingly clever. Our community is constantly working to reduce the environmental impact that their businesses have. They do this […]
Willow weaving is both ancient and modern. Ancient, as it is one of the oldest crafts. Modern, because it is both useful and sustainable. Basketry dates back as much as 12,000 years (Heritage Crafts) making it older than pottery. Wickerwork fragments were found in Glastonbury Lake dating back to 100 BC (Pyrites). Pliny (AD 23-79), […]
Summer is finally here and we are spending more time in our gardens. We thought it was the perfect time for a round-up of green garden ideas from our community. Whether you are planning garden landscaping and construction, or want to encourage wildlife and birds into your garden, our sustainable business community can help. Garden […]
Why should we worry about the type of flooring we install in our homes? If we want to be sustainable, we want to use flooring that is environmentally friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable. Two classic materials for carpet – polypropylene and nylon are both petroleum based (Envirocycle London). They are not biodegradable, taking thirty to forty […]
Back to top
