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Sustainable Living
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Why are there still plastic toys on magazine covers?
Published 1 September 2023Why 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 […]
Chloe Haywood’s couture patches are the perfect fashion fix for Manchester Art Gallery
Published 16 August 2023Chloe Haywood’s design style is a perfect match for Manchester Art Gallery’s new fashion exhibition. Unpicking Couture will feature pieces from a high-end fashion collection that was recently acquired by the gallery. The exhibition will showcase fabulous outfits from design greats like Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, Azzedine Alaia, Vivienne Westwood, Bruce Oldfield and Alexander McQueen. […]
Bin the wipe (or better yet, don’t buy it)
Published 31 July 2023We know pollution is bad for our waterways. A major contributor to water pollution is wet wipes. Wipes get flushed down the toilet and get thrown away in our rivers and oceans. They block pipes and cause problems for water companies. They cause harm to wildlife in rivers and seas. Wipes are often made from […]
A fun sustainable way to learn about British birds
Published 6 July 2023Learn how to identify endangered British birds in a fun sustainable way with PlayPress Toys new playsets designed in collaboration with the RSPB. How many British birds can you identify? Do you know how many of those are endangered? You might be familiar with the common birds like the robin, the blue tit or the […]
Our communities are choosing renewables
Published 29 June 2023Local communities are choosing renewables for themselves, their families and their local area. The UK continues to depend on fossil fuels and increase consumption of them. There is not enough investment in renewables. That’s why local communities are choosing to develop projects for themselves. Blue Patch supports these initiatives. Increase in fossil fuel energy The […]
Why grow your own is healthier and more sustainable
Published 15 June 2023Should you grow your own vegetables and fruit? Is growing your own better for you and your family’s health. What about the environment? Here are some reasons to grow your own. The grow your own trend is healthy Eating more vegetables is good for you and your family. By growing your own fruit and vegetables […]
Unsafe waters (water pollution in the UK)
Published 5 June 2023It is summer and many of us will travel to a local river or beach to cool off in the water. We will take part in summer activities like stand up paddle boarding, surfing, skiing and swimming. When we do this we, and our families, are at risk from water pollution. The Environmental Audit Committee […]
What to look for in a sustainable beauty brand
Published 25 May 2023There 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 […]
What is rewilding?
Published 18 May 2023The Cambridge dictionary defines ‘rewilding’ as “the process of protecting an environment and returning it to its natural state, for example by bringing back wild animals that used to live there.” It goes on to suggest that ‘Rewilding runs directly counter to human attempts to control and cultivate nature.’ Rewilding involves more than just ‘letting […]
Love your children, love the planet with sustainable children’s footwear
Published 12 May 2023Driven 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 […]
Retrofitting energy efficiency into our homes
Published 5 May 2023PAS 2035 is a new British standard that creates a recognisable quality standard for the retrofit and energy efficiency sector for housing (Social Housing Retrofit). Retrofitting energy efficiency involves building improvements into existing housing as opposed to a new build design. A qualified retrofit assessor visits your house and collects technical details on the property […]
What is doughnut economics?
Published 28 April 2023Doughnut 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 best ethical jewellery from Ethica Diamonds
Published 20 April 2023The 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 […]
Nature Wall; Artists Open House: Dulwich Festival
Published 17 April 2023Blue Patch Collective at Oru Space We’re inviting you to Oru Space for our exhibition Nature Wall, part of the Artists Open House, celebrating the Dulwich Festival. Come and view drawings, prints and photographs by the Blue Patch Collective at the wonderful Oru, soak up the lively atmosphere and enjoy a great meal too. The […]
Play Press Toys develops zero waste packaging
Published 13 April 2023Play 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 […]
Non toxic spring cleaning
Published 6 April 2023It’s astonishing how many cleaning products contain toxins. Luckily we have some amazing Blue Patch members who produce cleaning products that are eco-friendly for your non-toxic spring cleaning. The days are brighter and it is time to consider spring cleaning our homes in readiness for summer days. This is often the time when we look […]
Are we overfishing our favourite fish?
Published 30 March 2023Cod and haddock are our favourite fish, but with cod fish stocks in decline, are we overfishing? We love to eat fish. Especially when it is fish & chips. The British eat 167 million fish & chip suppers each year (UK Fisheries). Nearly a quarter of us eat fish & chips weekly and 80% of […]
What is a 15 minute city?
Published 23 March 2023The idea behind a 15 minute city is that all the services you need are within a 15 minute walk or bike ride, so that you do not need to use your car as much. The services include your work, food, healthcare, education, culture and leisure (The Guardian). The reduction in car travel and public […]
Preview the limited edition Dalerb range from Angus Ross at RHS Chelsea in May
Published 16 March 2023Award 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 […]
UK food insecurity
Published 2 March 2023The UK is suffering from food insecurity. There are gaps on our supermarket shelves and buying limits on salad vegetables. The insecurity runs deeper than that though. We are growing less and consuming more. We depend on Europe for imports and farm labour. The cost of producing our own food is increasing. We are also […]
What is green insurance?
Published 24 February 2023Green insurers are ethical providers. They will aim to align their policies with environmental, social and governance guidelines. They will ensure that every part of the insurance supply chain is ethical and responsible (UN). The insurance industry is big business in the UK, making investments to £1.6 trillion and employing 321,000 people in the UK […]
What are solar tiles and are they better than solar panels?
Published 9 February 2023Solar tiles or solar shingles are small photovoltaic modules that look like normal roof tiles. They are also sometimes called rackless solar systems because there are no racks of panels. Tiles can be used instead of solar panels where aesthetics are important. However, they are not suitable for retrofitting, according to Spirit Energy, and so […]
Slow food is important for UK food security
Published 2 February 2023Slow food is important for UK food security as it reduces dependence on imported food and drink. By supporting local food producers we can improve our food systems, enhance our biodiversity and reduce our emissions, while at the same time preserving our food history and local traditions. The movement started in Italy in 1989. The […]
Single use plastic: What are the alternatives for takeaways?
Published 26 January 2023The UK Government has announced a ban on single use plastics from October, but what is a small takeaway or restaurant owner to use instead? The answer is one of the many alternatives made out of materials like sugarcane or wood, paper and metal. The next question is whether these materials are a viable and […]
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