Most pre-packaged tablet medications in the UK come in blister packs.
Regrettably, these blister packs pose challenges for recycling, and the majority find their way into regular waste bins, eventually reaching landfills.
There is hope as efforts are underway to recycle this medication waste. However, information on the proper recycling methods remains scarce, so uptake is low.
Let’s dive into the nature of blister packs and how to recycle them responsibly.
Almost 80% of families in the UK choose traditional cremation when a loved one passes away, while the remaining 20% opt for burial.
However, it’s no secret that land for burial is scarce, and the flame cremation process carries a heavy carbon footprint — each cremation releases approximately 245 kg of carbon into the atmosphere. As a result, annual carbon emissions from cremations in the UK amount to a staggering 115,150 tonnes.
With growing concern, the funeral industry and the general public are keen to find a greener alternative, and water cremation is gaining traction. However, most of the UK’s population remains unfamiliar with it.
Let’s investigate water cremation, its operational process, associated costs, and environmental advantages.
Jewellery holds sentimental and emotional value for many people. However, with shifting trends, evolving preferences, and the potential for wear and tear, many of us own jewellery that remains overlooked and unworn.
Rather than relegating pieces to the shadows of a jewellery box or sending them to landfill, a more inspired and eco-conscious destiny beckons — the realm of recycling and upcycling.
If you have an unfashionable ring stashed away or a broken pair of sparkly earrings, join us as we uncover the potential of rejuvenating old jewellery.
Continue reading Eight ways to upcycle & recycle old jewellery
Agroforestry has been happening since ancient times and is still widely practised worldwide by over 1.2 billion people on approximately 1 billion hectares of land.
However, this land management method has faced various barriers to widespread adoption in the UK. 72% of the country’s land is farmed, and just 3% is used for agroforestry systems.
Let’s explore agroforestry and how it works before diving into its advantages and drawbacks. Doing so will give us a comprehensive understanding of the practice and its potential for the UK and the environment.
Schools play a vital role in promoting responsible practices within local communities, yet many produce a shocking amount of waste.
Every primary school pupil in the UK produces an estimated 45kg of waste per academic year, while secondary school pupils generate 22kg.
Notably, 70% of the waste in school bins comprises food waste, paper, and card materials.
Despite the potential for recycling, just 20% of the food, paper, and card waste in schools is currently being recycled.
Let’s hit the books and explore how your school can reduce paper waste and increase recycling to boost its eco credentials and academic budget long-term.
Food waste is a growing concern for the hospitality and food service industry in the UK. Every year, these sectors discard a staggering 1.1 million tonnes of food, amounting to a value of £3.2 billion.
Not only does this waste have a detrimental effect on businesses, but it also poses a significant threat to the environment.
Food waste accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting its undeniable environmental impact.
While some establishments are actively working to minimise waste to safeguard their finances and the planet, a new trend is emerging in the UK: zero-waste restaurants.
Since the UK’s first zero-waste restaurant opened in Brighton in 2014, these innovative dining establishments have steadily gained popularity.
Let’s work up an appetite as we discover what zero-waste means, how a zero-waste restaurant operates, and where you can experience one.
Continue reading A beginner’s guide to zero-waste restaurants
Glitter is attractively sparkly and adds a touch of magic to many corners of our lives — from fashion and greetings cards to festivals and crafting.
While it’s undeniably pretty, glitter’s impact on the environment has become a hot topic in the broader conversation on sustainability.
Let’s shine a spotlight on glitter and see how this snazzy product has become a glaringly obvious problem for the planet.
The digital revolution has enabled countless positive changes in business regarding the environment and the reduction of CO₂ emissions.
However, as the world becomes increasingly digitised, every individual and business must recognise the impact their online activities have on the environment.
Every time you send an email, upload a photo to your website, or replace broken technology, you contribute to your digital carbon footprint and climate change.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your company’s digital impact on the world, boost your corporate social responsibility, and enable a more sustainable future.
Let’s put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and define a digital carbon footprint before exploring simple ways to reduce it.
Continue reading How to reduce your business’s digital carbon footprint
The synthetic grass market is set to reach $7 billion worldwide by 2025 thanks to numerous novel uses, a rise in sports investment, and consumers wishing to reduce their water bills.
Popular in commercial and domestic settings, fake grass is undeniably green in colour, but is it green in terms of its environmental impact too?
Join us as we turf out the untruths and investigate how eco-friendly artificial grass is.
Continue reading Turfing out the untruths: Is artificial grass eco-friendly?
Environmental sustainability is a pressing concern, and businesses across most industries are actively seeking ways to reduce waste and minimise their ecological footprint.
The retail sector must play a significant role in adopting sustainable practices due to its large-scale operations and consumption rate.
Retail waste can encompass everything from unsold products to packaging materials, and waste causes and streams vary significantly between businesses.
With increasing consumer awareness and demand for eco-friendly practices, implementing waste reduction strategies in retail has become more critical than ever.
Let’s look at eight practical methods for retailers to reduce waste and promote sustainability, starting with the logical step of a waste audit.
Continue reading Eight ways to reduce waste in the retail sector
