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9 – 11 June 2023 

Planted returns to Stourhead for the second edition of Planted Country in partnership with the National Trust from 9 – 11 June 2023. 

Following the success of last year’s pilot event, Planted Country will present some of the UK’s leading nature-based businesses, alongside environmentally focused workshops, installations and a nine-part talks programme titled ‘Cool Design, Sustainable Futures’. 

Built on the principles of biophilic (nature-based) design and running in conjunction with the Great Big Green Week, Planted Country will bring together leading thinkers from design, food production, farming and environmentalism, to present a greener and more equitable future. 

Based around a nine-part talks programme titled ‘Cool design, sustainable futures’, this year’s talks will look at how we can adapt, mitigate and respond to an increasingly unpredictable climate which threatens to disrupt life as we know it with the destruction of natural systems. 

With a stellar line-up of guest speakers already confirmed including Helen Browning of the Soil Association, Andy Cato of Wildfarmed, Mark Barrow from Beneath our Waters as well as leading figures from within the National Trust, the talks will be set against the stunning backdrop of Planted’s mobile off-grid cabin. 

Running across three days, the talks will be hosted by biophilic design expert Oliver Heath and Planted co-founder Sam Peters. Located in the fields surrounding the main house, the talks will again be run entirely by renewable energy, courtesy of Planted’s energy partner SolCell. 

https://planted-community.co.uk/

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After the celebration of Earth Week, The Zerofy team is thrilled to mark the occasion by launching Zerofy 2.0, a new and improved version of the app with some great updates. Plus, the app is now available in the US!

If you’re not yet familiar with the Zerofy app, it helps households decarbonise by tracking carbon dioxide emissions, and then offering recommendations on how to reduce and switch to low-carbon alternatives.

We’ve had a lot of interest from those in the US who want to use the Zerofy app to help them decarbonise their households. The wait is over! Users in the US can now download Zerofy for free in the iOS App Store. Read below for information on Zerofy 2.0. If you’re already a Zerofy user, you can log in here. If you’re looking to get started, download the app here.

Zerofy is available in the US App Store!

The US version of the app has integrations with US utility companies, so US users can connect their utility accounts and track electricity consumption and emissions automatically. Additionally, customers of thousands of banks in the US can connect their bank cards to have the emissions associated with their purchases factored into their carbon footprint (though this is an optional step).

New My Home tab for greater energy insights

We’ve added the My Home tab to give users a detailed visualization of their house or apartment’s current electricity usage, so they can make smart decisions. If you have a supported smart meter, this is a great way to understand the real-time energy consumption of your home. You’ll also be able to view your current home environment, including important information like temperature, carbon intensity, and electricity price (the latter is not yet available in the US, but will be soon). Additionally, you can toggle between day, week, month, and year to access your historical data and understand patterns. If you don’t yet have a smart meter, you can manually add your meter readings, and we’ve added a completely reworked user interface and flow for this step.

Related reading: What is a smart meter and how do they work?

Emissions data front and center

A few releases ago, we redesigned the Emissions tab and made some great refinements. For this release, we decided to make the Emissions tab the entry point for the app, replacing the dashboard. This means when you open the Zerofy app, you will first land on the Emissions tab.

Given how important tracking and understanding your emissions is in the wider context of shifting to a fully electrified home, we decided this tab deserved a central position. When you open the app, you’ll see a breakdown of your emissions, and you can use the category filters at the top to segment them down even further. For example, you can filter your mobility-related emissions, and then examine how they compare over the past week, past month, and past year. This can help you identify patterns and opportunities to continue optimising for lower emissions.

Another update is that the carbon budget status is now available right in the emissions tab, making it easily accessible. Additionally, there’s now a monthly and a yearly carbon budget, in addition to the existing weekly budget.

https://www.zerofy.net/

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Build Your Own – Wallace & Gromit Rocket

Join Wallace & Gromit on their cheese-seeking mission to the moon with Build Your Own’s new eco-friendly, STEM-inspired Rocket.

Marvel at the intricate detail as you re-create the duo’s homemade rocket from their outer space adventures in ‘A Grand Day Out’.

Everything you need is provided in the kit – simply follow the instructions: press out the pre-cut parts, build, play and display. There’s no glue, no mess, no fuss!

A cracking 40cms high once built, use the clever pull-tab rocket door opening mechanism to enter the wonderful world of Wallace & Gromit. You’ll be amazed by the incredible features you see inside! Watch the rocket flames retract as the doors open!

Includes Wallace & Gromit figures, the much-loved ‘cooker’ and many more internal furnishings.

Made using 100% sustainable cardboard and paper, Build Your Own’s Wallace & Gromit Rocket is not only fun and engaging to play with, but also eco-friendly.

Suitable for age 10 years – 100! Best enjoyed as a family experience.

(Under license with Aardman Animations Ltd.)

• Mess-free, slot together cardboard construction
• Perfect family time activity
• 3-hour build
• Skill level rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
• 135 press-out parts
• High-quality sustainable cardboard and paper
• Full instructions included
• Designed in the UK
• Fun, educational and supports STEM
• Age 10 year to 100! (Adult supervision recommended)

Launch Date: April 2023           RRP: £29.99

Build Your Own – Wallace & Gromit Sidecar Plane

Take to the skies on a daring high-flying adventure with Build Your Own’s new eco-friendly, STEM-inspired Sidecar Plane.

Simply slot together the cardboard parts to create your very own epic Sidecar Plane from the classic Wallace & Gromit animation, ‘A Close Shave!’ Watch it cleverly transform from Sidecar to Plane, then back again!

Everything you need is provided in the kit – simply follow the instructions: press out the pre-cut parts, build, play and display. There’s no glue, no mess, no fuss!

24cms in length once built, you’ll be amazed at the intricate detail found inside this innovative Sidecar Plane. Wires, cables, rivets and more. By ‘eck, it’s smashing!

The clever mechanics are cracking fun too. Pull the tailplane to make the wings fly out sideways! Pull the front of the plane for the porridge gun to pop-up!

Includes pop-out wings, porridge cannon, and a display stand. Plus, cut out a Wallace & Gromit postcard for an added touch of fun.

Made using 100% sustainable cardboard and paper, Build Your Own’s Wallace & Gromit Sidecar Plane is not only fun and engaging to play with, but also eco-friendly.

Suitable for age 10 years – 100! Best enjoyed as a family experience.

(Under license with Aardman Animations Ltd.)

• Mess-free, slot together cardboard construction
• Perfect family time activity
• 60-minute build
• Skill level rating: 3 stars out of 5
• 56 press-out parts
• High-quality sustainable cardboard and paper
• Full instructions included
• Designed in the UK
• Fun, educational and supports STEM
• Age 10 year to 100! (Adult supervision recommended)

Launch Date: April 2023           RRP: £14.99

Build Your Own – Wallace & Gromit Techno Trousers

Jump into a cracking mischief-filled adventure with Build Your Own’s new eco-friendly, STEM-inspired ‘Techno Trousers’.

Simply slot together the cardboard parts to create Wallace’s iconic trousers from Oscar-winning animated short ‘The Wrong Trousers’. Twist the paddle on Wallace’s back to bring him to life with a wonderful walking and stomping action!

Everything you need is provided in the kit – simply follow the instructions: press out the pre-cut parts, build, play and display. There’s no glue, no mess, no fuss!

A cracking 30cm tall once built, you’ll be amazed by the incredible interior detail – wires, pipe and all the clever mechanics that made the Techno Trousers function.

Includes the villainous penguin ‘Feathers’ McGraw and his chaos-causing remote-control panel. Plus, cut out a Wallace & Gromit postcard for an added touch of fun.

Made using 100% sustainable cardboard and paper, Build Your Own’s Wallace & Gromit Techno Trousers are not only fun and engaging to play with, but also eco-friendly.

Suitable for age 10 years – 100! Best enjoyed as a family experience.

(Under license with Aardman Animations Ltd.)

• Mess-free, slot together cardboard construction
• Perfect family time activity
• 60-minute build
• Skill level rating: 3 stars out of 5
• 76 press-out parts
• High-quality sustainable cardboard and paper
• Full instructions included
• Designed in the UK
• Fun, educational and supports STEM
• Age 10 year to 100! (Adult supervision recommended)

Launch Date: April 2023           RRP: £14.99

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New data from theecoexperts.co.uk has revealed that the energy crisis is stifling people’s green technology aspirations. The survey of 2,000 Brits showed that in the past 12 months, rising energy prices have made 43% of the public less likely to purchase low-carbon technology. 

• 43% of the public less likely to purchase low-carbon technology due to rising energy costs
• 38% of people earning over 200K purchased solar panels vs 7% of people on £40-70k
• 50% of people earning over £200k bought an electric vehicle vs just 8% of those earning £40-70K

Once people reach a certain earnings threshold and therefore not as impacted by the cost of living crisis, solar panels and other green energy options seem to be more viable. 38% of people earning over 200K purchased solar panels in the last 12 months (vs just 7% of people on £40-70k) and 50% of people earning over £200k buying an electric vehicle (vs just 8% of those earning £40-70K).

When the concern of money is removed, 51% of respondents said they would buy solar panels – compared to just 5% who actually did purchase solar panels – and a quarter would buy a heat pump (24%), compared to only 3% who did purchase a heat pump. 

With high costs of living over the past year and no sign of relief, Brits are avoiding green technology investments due to a high initial cost and current financial concerns. 

With solar panels saving you on average £608 a year on your bills, electric vehicles costing roughly half the price of petrol vehicles to run per mile and smart appliances potentially saving you £450 per year, it seems once again there are savings to be had, but only if you can afford to invest in them.

Although the government does offer a £5,000 grant to support heat pump installation in UK homes, a shocking 73% of those surveyed were unaware of the grant being in place. 

Whilst 49% of respondents admitted making energy efficient measures in their home due to climate change concerns, the majority of eco friendly behaviour was driven by the cost of living crisis; with 81% of respondents admitting to reducing their heating usage, turning off lights or using energy saving bulbs and to cope with rising energy bills.

Josh Jackman, Lead Writer from theecoexperts.co.uk commented:

“Our survey shows the appetite for green energy is there, but the cost of living crisis is making it impossible for people to make the changes they want to. It’s upsetting that household changes have overwhelmingly been minor alterations made spurred by a desperate needing to cut costs, as people are unable to make larger green purchases that would make a real difference to their wallet and the climate.”

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In partnership, Petplan the UK’s no.1 pet insurer, Surrey Heath Borough Council, Didcot Town Council and West Berkshire District Council are continuing to work together to bring awareness to support responsible dog ownership by helping owners clean up after their pets in the local community. 

With the maintenance of 100 stations across the 3 council areas, this exciting partnership continues to support and provide FREE compostable, biodegradable waste bags to dog walkers.  The project aims to reduce dog fouling in ‘hot-spots’ and popular dog walking areas, whilst taking the pressure from the council- putting ownership of waste back to the individual. The environmental stations allow for those moments where owners may have forgotten or simply run out of bags

The stations are sponsored by local and national businesses, with Petplan renewing their support to keep green space clean, the impact of this partnership is significant.

Bella von Mesterhazy Sales & Marketing Director at Petplan says:
“As the UK’s largest pet insurer we have been supporting dog owners for over 40 years. We champion responsible pet ownership and this includes clearing up after your dog. We know as dog owners ourselves that there are times when that poo bag just isn’t in your pocket so wanted to help provide a solution that supports dog owners and local councils in tackling this problem.

We are delighted to partner with Eco Green Communities to provide an environmentally conscious solution, to ensure dog waste is disposed of in a sustainable and planet-friendly manner. By supplying FREE, 100% compostable waste bags to dog owners, we also hope we can work with local people to protect, enhance, and enjoy our beautiful green and open spaces. “

Petplan are positively impacting the planet with the help of stations supplier Eco Green Communities.

• The successful partnership across the 3 council areas with Eco Green Communities since 2018 has dispensed 1,557,500 certified EN-13432 compostable bags used in total.
• 9.2 tonnes of carbon saved from entering the atmosphere.

The use of compostable bags has a huge positive environmental impact, the bags would normally have been plastic taking hundreds of years to degrade- only 6 months for the compostable bag.

Just 1 kilo of this plastic would create 6 kilos of carbon, ultimately entering the earth’s atmosphere. This means that so far Eco Green Communities with Petplan have saved the planet 9.2 tonnes of carbon.

If your company wants to support your local area and get involved, please contact Eco Green Communities with the information below.  We have projects throughout London looking for brands to connect to communities.

For more information please contact:

Julie Cook julie@ecogreencommunities.com

Petplan pressoffice@petplan.co.uk

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Exploring the Edges of England by Electric Car

Eye Books was the Midlands winner of the Small Press of the Year at the British Book Awards 2022
6 APRIL 2023 * PAPERBACK * £9.99 * / ISBN: 9781785633454

Having crossed a continent by train and sailed around the world by container ship, Clive Wilkinson has always had a penchant for slow travel. As his eightieth birthday approaches, he and his wife Joan set out on a new expedition: to tour the edges of England by electric car. How hard could that be? Given the parlous state of the country’s charge-point infrastructure back in 2018, the answer turns out to be ‘very’. In a 1,900-mile odyssey through fading seaside towns, rainswept hilltop passes and England’s only desert, each day’s driving for these unlikely pioneers is overshadowed by a cloud of apprehension. Will they make it to the next charge point? Will it be in working order? Will someone else be using it?
You could only undertake such a trip with a calm temperament and robust sense of humour. Fortunately Clive has both. With a relentless curiosity for history, geography and, above all, people, he and Joan explore the reality of life on England’s periphery – the ‘left behind’ areas that, by voting for Brexit, changed the course of British history – making new friends with every mile.

CLIVE WILKINSON trained as a religious studies teacher and taught at a mission school in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) before returning to the UK. He spent nearly twenty years training geography teachers and environmental studies specialists. His previous books are The Drop-Out Society, based on his own academic research into youth homelessness and unemployment in the North East of England, and Reflections from the Monkey Deck, an account of travelling the oceans by container ship.

‘A delightful, original, amusing tour of some of the UK’s less explored places’ Chris Mullin
‘The subtitle could equally well have been “a journey in search of a working and compatible charging point”. Frequently hilarious and highly recommended’ The Bookbag *
‘An entertaining travelogue taking in English history, geography and, most poignantly at times, human nature. An excellent read’ Nat Barnes, EVs Unplugged
‘As the journey progresses, you realise that, if good travel writing is all about things going horribly wrong, there’s no better way, short of a three-legged donkey, to set out than by electric car’ Simon Hacker, Stroud Times

More information: Simon Edge | 07765 898650 | simon@eye-books.com
www.eye-books.com
Eye Books was the Midlands winner of the Small

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STEVE BACKSHALL to be face of the BBC Earth Experience education programme for schools 

OPEN NOW 

10am – 7pm on Sunday – Thursday 

10am – 9pm on Friday – Saturday 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW 

The BBC Earth Experience is open now! The phenomenal, immersive experience has opened its doors for visitors to enjoy the magnificent wonders of ‘Seven Worlds, One Planet’, on a breathtaking scale. 

Featuring bespoke narration from Sir David Attenborough, the BBC Earth Experience is hosted in the brand-new, demountable Daikin Centre in Earls Court, London. The new London attraction spans 1608m²  and allows audiences of every age to lose themselves in boundless wonder, as they travel to far flung places. 

Renowned BBC natural history presenter and adventurer Steve Backshall officially opened the BBC Earth Experience and has been unveiled as the face of the BBC Earth Experience education programme for schools launching in May. 

The children’s zone is a self-guided experience with curriculum based activity booklets designed to inspire children and develop their understanding, empathy and desire to protect the planet. Children can complete the booklets either onsite or back in their classroom.  The resources are curriculum linked and include Teacher Guides which can be enjoyed by all, no matter what key stage. School and group tickets are available to purchase now at bbcearthexperience.com/schools-groups.  

Presenter Steve Backshall says: “This is as close as you can get to being in the field, surrounded by the greatest natural spectacles on our planet. One of the producers who was on the actual shoots recording this footage said it felt more like being there amongst it than when he was actually there. Watching the polar bear sequence, I actually started to feel cold because it was so immersive. I really felt like I was there.”

Why is it an important experience for all ages?

“We are becoming more aware now of both the limitations of endless travel and needing at the same time to be able to inspire people in the natural world. Not everyone is able to visit Antarctica at the click of their fingers. You certainly can’t do it over a weekend but here they can transport themselves from the centre of London to the most far-flung frontiers of our planet.” said Steve.

What is the main message of the BBC Earth Experience? 

“We need to be inspired by the natural world to want to protect it and want to save it. That is something that BBC Natural History Unit has been doing wonderfully for a very long time and this is another new media ground-breaking way of doing just that.”

Do visitors need to have watched the award-winning Seven Worlds One Planet TV series before attending the BBC Earth Experience?

“Absolutely not! Visitors will be given a running commentary by the greatest wildlife broadcaster of all time, Sir David Attenborough. The sights and sounds you will be rewarded with are going to be omnipresent, flooding your senses throughout this experience so you have no need to have done any prep beforehand!”

 Does the BBC Earth Experience aim to inspire visitors to protect the planet?

“We have to take responsibility for our own patch. That starts with getting involved with local wildlife and conservation organisations and taking ownership of the little bit of the planet that is our own. 

“Apart from anything else, it’s where you can most clearly see your own impact and we have to take responsibility for it because at the end of the day it’s ours and ours to take care of.” 

How do you teach your children about caring for the planet and conserving our extraordinary wildlife?

“I do a lot with encouraging my kids into wildlife. The way it starts is by getting dirt under the fingernails, by getting them fully engaged with wildlife by climbing trees and crawling under hedges looking for spiders,  pond dipping and finding aquatic invertebrates and all the things that I used to do when I was a kid. We now live in a very different world where there are so many cutting edge ways of bringing people to the natural world.

I do everything I can to try and inspire my youngest and give them that thirst for knowledge and an understanding of nature.”

How does it feel to be inspiring the next generation by being the face of the BBC Earth Experience Education Programme? 

“It’s a massive honour! It is headlined by Sir David who is my absolute idol and the greatest wildlife broadcaster of all time. For me to have a role in this project is a huge honour.

“Tens of thousands of kids are going to visit it and we have the opportunity to reach out to them through this Experience – to give them all of the majesty and wonder that this world has to offer. Hopefully at the end we will have converts – children who are going to be the next generation of animal conservationists. To have that opportunity is amazing.” 

BBC Earth Experience is open daily, Sunday-Thursday 10am-7pm and Friday-Saturday 10am-9pm. Tickets can be purchased online from www.bbcearthexperience.com from £22 for children and £28.50 for adults.

Visitors will take a truly transformative audio visual journey as they find themselves witness to the phenomenon of the wilderness; from a four-tonne elephant seal fight to a colourful carpet of starfish. 

The brand-new experience explores the landscapes of the seven continents to bring Planet Earth to life. From a forest full of fireflies putting on a spectacular light show in North America, to snub nosed monkeys huddling together to stay warm in Asia and hungry hamsters fighting to keep their food in Europe, visitors will experience our seven continents like never before. 

BBC Earth Experience

Venue: The Daikin Centre, Earl’s Court, London 

Tickets are on sale now from £22 for children and £28.50 for adults from www.bbcearthexperience.com

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• 66% of Brits are aware of the impact of fast fashion on the planet but only 47% understand the negative impact of fast homeware
• 44% of Brits agree that social media trends across channels such as TikTok encourage them to make impulsive and unnecessary purchases 
• Cushions (35%), rugs (34%) and pots and pans (33%) are the top household items that Brits are planning to buy new this year 
• 53% of Brits don’t realise the impact of these fast homeware purchases have on the environment 
• This Earth Day, Gumtree has teamed up with Miquita Oliver to start a Consumption Rebellion – a movement to encourage Brits to think second hand first for the next three months 

According to new research out today, last year half of Brits (49%) bought between three and eight new items for their home. This year, Brits are planning to spend on average £1,108 on further new homeware items.

Now, the impact of this ‘fast homewares’ movement has been quantified, with the amount of new items expected to be bought across the nation for the rest of the year resulting in a huge 43.9 billion kilograms of carbon emissions. This is the equivalent of two years worth of hot showers* for every person across the UK or more than five million flights from London to Barcelona*.

However, new stats from circular economy platform Gumtree, released to mark Earth Day (22nd April), show if every person swapped their homeware purchases from new to second hand for the next three months alone, an estimated 10.9 billion kgs of carbon across the nation would be saved – enough carbon for every Brit to enjoy hot showers for six months*.

Soft furnishings fueling carbon consumption

The homeware market in the UK has grown substantially in the last decade, going from 10.8 billion to 13.6 billion pounds by 2019** and there’s no chance of it slowing down. The study looks at Brits’ specific buying habits when it comes to homewares, with Brits typically spending £929 on a new sofa and £558 on a table and chairs. 

However, smaller homewares items such as rugs, cushions and lamps where Brits typically spend less are fueling unnecessary carbon consumption. Nearly a third (29%) of Brits regret buying these items, wasting a total of 275 kgs of carbon per person each year alone which is equivalent to heating a home for almost five years.*

Rugs are the homeware item the nation regrets buying most often (33%), followed by cushions (32%), and lamps (28%). Yet Brits looking to buy new homewares don’t seem to be learning their lesson, with 35% planning on buying cushions and 34% on the hunt for a new rug in 2023.

The carbon cost of ‘TikTok made me buy it’ and other social trends

Social media has been shown to play a role too, with the new research highlighting that almost half of Brits (44%) admit trends from platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have encouraged impulsive purchasing decisions for their home. 

In fact, one in four (25%) have come to regret at least one of these purchases and 28% agree they waste a lot of money on them. Those who have been influenced by social media to make homeware purchases, bought an average of five items on a whim.

However, if each Brit were to substitute their new homeware purchases encouraged by social media to secondhand items and forego new homewares for timeless pieces, they would reduce their carbon emissions by a staggering 1,071 kgs*. This is more than enough to heat a home for more than 18 years*.

With a third of the UK (34%) openly admitting to not thinking about the impact these purchases have on the planet, Gumtree wants Brits to change their homeware habits for good to protect the environment. With 3,546 rugs available across the UK and close to 4,000 lamps, it’s time for Brits to think second hand, first***.  

Shopping second hand – saving pennies and the planet 

Only 47% of Brits are aware of the impact fast homewares have on the environment – compared to a much larger figure of 66% who understand the impact fast fashion has. 

But switching to secondhand impacts finances too –  the average price of pre-loved homewares comes in at £86, compared to £222 for a brand new item – meaning a saving of £136 per person is made just from shopping secondhand as opposed to new. 

Welcome to the Consumption Rebellion

In response to the findings, Gumtree has partnered with pre-loved pioneer Miquita Oliver to encourage consumers to get behind buying less and sharing more as part of the company’s Consumption Rebellion movement. 

The data demonstrated that it’s Gen Z and Millennials in Greater London who regret the most homeware purchases so Gumtree has launched a guerilla advertising campaign across the Capital to coincide with the Extinction Rebellion march this weekend to illustrate the role shopping second hand can have in fighting climate change. 

The campaign will also see the nation asked to pledge their support at Gumtree.com, and join the Spring Second Hand Challenge and shop second hand for the next three months. Whether it’s listing items from a spring clean onto Gumtree or purchasing preloved summer staples from the site – every Brit can do their bit for the planet and spring into action for second hand. 

Hannah Rouch, Chief Marketing Office at Gumtree continued: “Overconsumption remains one of our greatest climate challenges. At Gumtree, we’ve been passionate about the circular economy for 23 years and now we’re issuing a rallying cry to the nation to join our Consumption Rebellion and mission and think second hand, first.” 

“Whilst many Brits are becoming more aware of fast fashion, our research shows that half of Brits don’t think about the impact new homewares have on the environment. But UK communities can come together and slow down the speed of climate change simply by sharing what they have.”

Miquita Oliver, ambassador for the consumption rebellion movement commented: “I’m passionate about showing people the impact overconsumption and fast fads can have on our planet – and how second hand doesn’t mean second best. Fighting climate change can be daunting, but this Earth Day, everyone can make small steps that will have a big impact on our future.“

“There is so much joy to be found in hunting down a beautiful second hand find and some of my favourite homewares in my home all have a story behind them that a brand-new item just won’t have. So why not join me in taking on the challenge to lean into the circular economy as much as possible and think second hand first for the next three months? We can all do our bit for the planet and choose second hand for Spring.”

Top 10 household items Brits are looking to purchase in 2023: 

1. Cushions (35%)
2. Rugs (34%)
3. Pots and pans (33%)
4. Candles (30%)
5. Lights (29%)
6. Lamps (28%)
7. Sofas (26%)
8. Table and chairs (23%) 
9. Artwork (21%)
10. Vases (16%)

Top five household items Brits are looking to purchase in 2023 that have the most negative impact in terms of carbon emissions per item*: 

1. Lamps (389 kgs)
2. Sofas (285 kgs)
3. Cushions (271 kgs)
4. Table and chairs (171 kgs) 
5. Rugs (115 kgs)

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Event from The Psychedelic Society (https://psychedelicsociety.org.uk/)

On Tuesday 25th April, they will welcome Unseen Connections: A Concert of Plants + Voice, one of the most unique musical experiences out there – a symphony by and for plants.

Part sound healing, part meditation, part visual projection and light bath, Natural Symphony uses his ingenious technology to translate the live frequencies of plants into beautiful soundscapes while Kate Fleur Young employs the vibrations of her enchanting voice to bring humans into harmony with themselves and nature.

The two artists most recently featured their work at The Barbican’s fantastic The Future is Sound and Wilderness Festival in the UK.

Tickets can be bought here, they’ve standard option at £35, as well as low income option at £30 and abundant at £40. 

https://dandelion.earth/events/63dc8813964ff00004e371f0

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As part of an on-going sustainability drive, The Somerset Toiletry Co. (STC) is the first UK company to partner with ‘Bower’, an innovative app rewarding customers for their recycling efforts. Anyone can use the Bower app, but STC customers will receive extra points for recycling their toiletries correctly, which can be converted into cash vouchers or charity donations. 

As a company who produce consumer goods, STC have been focusing on their development process over recent years to ensure their packaging is environmentally friendly, recyclable and contains recycled content. However, the Bower partnership will encourage customers to responsibly dispose of their packaging after using products.

An established British brand, STC are keen to  support a circular economy, as less energy is required (reducing carbon emissions) to produce goods with recycled materials with less of an impact on the earth’s natural resources.   

How it works

It’s simple, quick process to set up the app and scan products as you recycle them:

1. Download the Bower app on your mobile device 
2. Register the location of your recycling bins
3. Scan the barcodes of your used, empty products when you recycle
5. Collect rewards on the app

About Bower 

Bower is a certified B Corp, embracing a new kind of business, balancing profit with people and the planet with the intention of building an inclusive and sustainable economy that works for everyone. They are also a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation helping to build a circular economy and a better system to help fight climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Bower has been operating in Sweden since 2019. The scheme’s success in the Nordics has resulted in +450k users and +46m packages recycled so far.