How to have a more sustainable summer:

Leah - Wrap Top

Throughout the summer, an abundance of time is spent in nature. Although the sunshine offers positive physical and mental health benefits, action must be taken to prevent an unhealthy rise in global surface temperatures. A sustainable summer can be achieved, by engaging in easy zero-waste habits and participating in enjoyable activities.

 

Paper Straws - Home

1.      Always carry a re-usable bottle

Over 7.7 billion plastic bottles are used, within the UK each year [Water UK, 2018]. Single-use plastics accumulate either in landfill where they release greenhouse gases as they decompose or within marine environments where they are ingested by/cause harm to life underwater. Approximately 340 million plastic bottles would be saved by an individual, by carrying a refillable water bottle. Therefore, as temperatures rise, a refillable water bottle is essential for remaining hydrated without harming the planet.

 

2.      Eat seasonal fruit and vegetables

Over one third of fresh products is imported from climate-vulnerable countries into the UK. Transporting fresh produce thousands of miles across the world generates a mass volume of greenhouse gases which accelerate global warming. Seasonal fruit and vegetables grown locally are fresher, healthier, more tasty and have a lower carbon footprint that others imported out-of-season.

 

Accessories - Curated Brands 

3.      Purchase reef-safe sun protection

Conventional sun-creams often contain oxybenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate which disrupt hormones and eventually enter oceans once washed of human skin. over 14,000 tons of toxic sunscreen enter the ocean each year; bleaching coral reefs and poisoning marine life [Molvar, 2018]. When purchasing sun protection, look for reef-safe formulas that do not contain oxybenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate.

 

4.        Ditch the car; walk, run or cycle in the sunshine

The transport industry consumes the largest amount of carbon (through petroleum) and emits the highest volume of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Travelling by foot or by bike generates zero carbon emissions and therefore are two simple forms of climate activism. Walking and cycling are also proven to have physical and psychological health benefits which may be noticed with only 30 minutes of either being performed 5 days a week.

 

5.      Ditch or thrift summer trends

New fashion trends emerge with the launch of spring/summer collections. Each year, the same products re-enter stores in new colours or slightly-altered silhouettes. As the fashion industry was coined the second most polluting, refusing to engage in short-lived trends will help to reduce the volume of low-quality, disposable garments eventually entering landfill. The key to a gorgeous and sustainable summer wardrobe, it to re-wear and love items already in your wardrobe. However, if you do fancy purchasing something new for the season, shop at ethical boutiques (including Madia & Matilda) or second-hand stores.

 

Mel - Tunic Dress

6.      Dry clothing naturally/ on the line

Drying clothing outside requires zero energy and will prevent fabric damages occurring within a tumble-drying machine. If you do not have access to an outdoors space, clothing may be hung inside on (bathroom/ bedroom/kitchen) rails above a towel.

 

7.      Plan a staycation

Aviation is the most carbon-intensive, polluting mode of transport. If you are in need of break from your daily routine, discover and travel to new places within your local or nearby areas. As well as saving time and potentially money, staycations save a significant amount of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere.

 

Imogen - Top

8.      Unplug, go outside and enjoy the sunshine

A digital detox is proven to improve sleep, decrease stress/anxiety levels and enhance cognitive functions. As well as improving your mental health and supplementing you with vitamin D, switching off and unplugging technology will reduce energy consumption.  

 

 

References:

Water UK. (2018). National Refill Day. Available at: https://www.water.org.uk/news-item/national-refill-day/

Molvar, K. (2018). ‘Is Your Sunscreen Bad for the Planet? Here’s How to Choose an Ocean-Safe Formula’, August 14, Vogue. Available at: https://www.vogue.com/article/reef-safe-sunscreens-oxybenzone-free-sea-turtles-environment-stream2sea

 Sincerely Madia & Matilda

The re-fillable revolution: The benefits of re-fillable beauty products

Over 120 billion units of single-use packaging is produced by the beauty industry each year.

Due to the short life-span of products and a lack of recyclable packaging, only 9% of all plastic waste has been recycled and the rest either incinerated (12%) or dumped into the environment as landfill (79%) [Prabhakar, 2020]. 

 

Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly threat to life on land and under water. During the 400 years plastic takes to decompose, poisonous greenhouse gases (predominantly carbon and methane) are released into the atmosphere which accelerate global warming. When lying obsolete on land or floating in water, wildlife may ingest, become entangled and harmed by the plastics used once and disposed of by mankind.

 

There are several ways to combat the plastic pollution crisis, one being the use of refillable product packaging. Product refills can be purchased from a retailer online or in-store and the poured and inserted into an empty product already owned. A product refill generates 70% less CO2, 65% less energy and 45% less water than an entirely new product [Niven-Phillips, 2020].

 

The benefits of refillable packaging, however, extend beyond clearing the environment to include:

1.      Save money- Product refills are significantly cheaper than purchasing the whole new product. Although select products may be initially more expensive, money will be saved overtime with every refill purchased.

2.      Brand loyalty reward schemes- Purchasing product refills may be a sign of brand loyalty, as you continue to buy and show love for a specific item overtime. As a way of thanking you for purchasing a product (refill) on repeat, select brands (including LUSH Cosmetics) offer points, discounts and/or the opportunity to enter prize draws. 

3.      Safer materials – Plastic packaging contains BPA and other harmful substances which may transfer into products which are then applied onto the skin. Glass and other non-plastic materials are commonly used to package refillable products which do not pose this same threat.

4.      Customisation- Due to the complexity of the human skin and cosmetic ingredients, it is important to find the products which best suit your skin type. Applying a variety of products onto the skin may cause irritations and blemishes which can be avoided by using few but effective products on a regular basis. A solid beauty/skin care routine (achieved with the use of refillable products) will optimise your skins health, look and feel.

5.      Decrease your carbon footprint- The carbon, energy and plastic waste avoided with the use of refillable (instead of single-use) products will help to reduce your personal carbon footprint and therefore support your zero-waste lifestyle.

 

Shop our curated range of refillable beauty products at Madia & Matilda here: https://www.madiamatilda.co.uk/allclothing-madiamatilda/BEAUTY-c21482242%3Fsort%3DnameAsc

 

 

References:
Prabhakar, M. (2020). PLASTIC-FREE BEAUTY: THE NEW NORMAL!, June 17, Beat the Micro Bead. Available at: https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/plastic-free-beauty-the-new-normal/

Niven-Phillips, L. (2020). Can refillable packaging *really* solve the beauty industry's plastic problem?, November 10, GLAMOUR. Available at: https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/refillable-beauty-products

 

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

How To Reduce Your Environmental Impact At Home

 

In September 2015, the United Nations established seventeen Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030 to prevent irreversible climate change. Although of different severities, everybody has an environmental footprint and therefore a part to play in achieving these goals. You can calculate your own carbon footprint to determine the most effective ways that you can reduce your environmental impact.

 

Carbon footprint calculator: https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

 

As the saying goes, change begins at home. Therefore, there are numerous ways to begin or continue your journey towards a sustainable lifestyle under your own roof- many of which involve reducing your energy use.

1.      Switch to renewable/ green energy

Renewable energy is collected from sources which are carbon-neutral and replenish naturally. Wind and solar power are (most commonly) converted into electricity and heat for use within the home. As countries aim to achieve net-zero carbon emission by 2030/50, renewable energy sources are becoming more affordable and accessible.

 

2.      Use energy-efficient appliances

Appliances are tested and rated on a scale from A to G according to their energy use (with A being the most efficiency and G the least). When purchasing new appliances, look for the energy label and consider its rating relative to its size. Energy efficient products reduce unnecessary energy consumption (often obtained from non-renewable sources) by up to 40% and lower energy bills.

 

3.      Wash clothing at low temperatures

Setting the washing machine at 30 degrees (instead of 40) will not only preserve the quality of your clothes but also lower your energy bill by £52 per year. Cooler temperatures prevent colour loss, fabric damage and shrinkages within garments to prolong their lifespan and therefore lessen the demand for new products which diminish the Earth’s resources.

 

4.      Buy in bulk

Unnecessary (often non-biodegradable) packaging is avoided when products are purchased in bulk. Single-use plastic accounts for 40% of annual plastic production and therefore contributes massively to plastic pollution and the saturation of greenhouse gases within the atmosphere [National Geographic, 2019].

 

Jamilla - Pink Bias Cut Ruffled Skirt

5.      Reduce, reuse and recycle

When purchasing items, consider their longevity and re-usability. Look for refillable or recyclable packaging to avoid single-use plastic and minimise waste. if an item is near its end-of-life, research ways which it can be re-purposed or upcycled, rather than throwing it away to become landfill. Check out our range of Curated Brands for zero-waste home wear.

 

Madia & Matilda Curate Brands – Home wear: https://www.madiamatilda.co.uk/allclothing-madiamatilda/New-Homewear-c14656008%3Fsort%3DnameAsc

 

Storage Baskets

 

References:

Parker, L. (2019). The world’s plastic pollution explained, June 7, The National Geographic. [Online]. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution

 

 Sincerely Madia & Matilda