With reduced electricity tariffs on their way from 1 July, EV drivers will be able to charge their cars for less, but could save even more says Ohme, the UK’s fastest-growing dynamic smart charging company.

While the Standard Variable Tariff is lowering to 30p/kWh on 1 July, EV drivers could make further savings by switching to one of the many off-peak EV tariffs available from companies such as Octopus or Ovo.

“It’s great that the Standard Variable Tariff is dropping which will help EV drivers reduce their charging bills during this cost of living crisis,” says David Watson, Ohme CEO. “But EV drivers can lower their bills more by changing to an off-peak tariff. If their existing energy provider doesn’t offer an off-peak tariff, then they should consider switching to one that does, to maximise the savings of running an EV.”

With the average UK driver covering 6800 miles a year, smart charging on an off-peak tariff in a typical EV would cost just £127.50 for a year’s worth of driving with Octopus Intelligent at 7.5p/kWh. At the new Standard Variable Tariff of 30p/kWh, that same annual mileage would cost £510. By comparison, the same mileage in an equivalent petrol car would cost a driver more than £1100. The current rate of 34p/kWh has been in place since 1 October 2022.

Ohme’s dynamic smart chargers can connect with the national grid in real time and their unique software can automatically adjust their charging for drivers to take advantage of all the times of low price charging with smart off-peak tariffs. Ohme also offers drivers the option to charge their car when renewable energy generation on the National Grid is at its highest, further lowering their CO2 impact.

Ohme is the official charger provider for the Volkswagen Group in the UK and Ireland as well as customers on the Motability scheme, the largest UK fleet operator in the UK, and has been named as the Best Electric Charging Point Provider by Business Motoring.

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is featuring the Labyrinth Challenge in an exciting four-day festival of summer fun. It will run from 17th to 20th August 2023 and boasts one of the most impressive inflatable obstacle courses in the world, measuring over 1,000 feet in length. 

The Labyrinth Challenge is one of the UK’s largest inflatable obstacle courses and is divided into five different challenge zones, including the Lava, Jungle, Toxic, Combat, and Ocean zones. With 34 continuous and unique challenges and obstacles, thrill-seekers will be able to release their inner child and experience the ultimate summer adventure, says Adam Streeter, estate general manager. 

From jump-offs and hurdles to biff n’ bash sections, balance beams, giant balls, corkscrews, and more, there will be no shortage of excitement as participants dodge swinging blades, leapfrog over hurdles, and race to the finishing line.

Whilst the main Labyrinth Challenge is height-restricted to those over 1.2m, there is also a Mini Labyrinth Challenge that is suitable for smaller children. This 200ft inflatable obstacle course brings storybook and video game adventures to life, creating a crazy fantasy world of bouncy fun with four zones, including Arctic, Jurassic, Egyptian and Jungle. Adult spectators can get 50% off garden entry when booking the Mini Labyrinth Challenge.
To ensure that everyone can enjoy The Labyrinth Challenge, visitors can book SEN-based sessions on 17th August; they offer a quieter setting with a reduced volume of crowds, making it a safe and comfortable environment for all. 

In addition to the obstacle course, visitors will have all-day entry to Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, which spans 240 acres of woodland gardens. They can explore the estate, where wallabies and deer roam free, visit the famous magical world in miniature at the dolls’ house museum and gift shops, and check out the plant nursery centre.

The gardens feature on-site cafés and there will be a selection of local food vendors for the Labyrinth Challenge to keep everyone energised. Estate favourite Garlic Wood will be serving a choice of breakfast baps, burgers, hot dogs and much more to tickle the taste buds. Sugo82 offers a selection of pasta, tiramisu, arancini and cannolis; while the team from Leonati’s are all on board to provide a range of crispy, thin-based pizzas with a wide choice of fresh toppings. 

“We are delighted to host The Labyrinth Challenge at Leonardslee and for visitors to experience the thrills of the largest inflatable obstacle course in the UK. It’s going to be a summer to remember!” says Adam Streeter. 

Whether you’re looking for a fun summer holiday outing or a unique children’s party, the Labyrinth Challenge is the answer, he says. Visitors can book a one-hour time slot for access to the course as many times as they like. Ticket prices start from £10.50 for children, and Leonardslee members benefit from a 50% discount.

Visit the Labyrinth Challenge for booking information and Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens for other details.
  Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding Horsham, England, RH13 6PP

Welsh brand Battle Green has won GOLD in the Hair Care category at the twelfth annual Free From Skincare Awards, with their Orange & Neroli Natural Dry Shampoo.

The Europe-wide Awards were founded to encourage and reward manufacturers of skincare products that are ‘free from’ many of the allergens, preservatives, additives and fragrances associated with skin sensitivities, allergies, and ethical, environmental and health concerns.

A Free From Skincare Award judge says, “Restored volume and revitalised hair completely. My hair not only looked ‘good to go’ for the rest of the day but the positive benefits lasted into the following day too. I loved that it didn’t leave hair feeling chalky or dry: it felt naturally soft, which is a first for dry shampoos. I was amazed it worked far better than the mainstream aerosol alternatives. Delivered every time without drying or irritating the scalp. So good to find an ‘alternative’ and green product which outperforms mainstream options. I’m a convert!”

The Award announcements were made online on Tuesday 13th June, and followed a long judging process which included a rigorous month-long assessment by four experienced cosmetic testers, and concluded with round-table expert judging sessions, held in May.

Battle Green Co-Owner Lucy says, “We are absolutely over the moon to have won this award! After reading numerous news reports on the harmful ingredients used in many conventional dry shampoos, we set out to create a natural alternative – made from plant powders and clay – to absorb oil, add volume and leave a gorgeous natural scent behind. Our dry shampoo powders have been a big hit with our customers so it was fantastic to have this confirmed by the Free From Skincare Award judges, with their rigorous testing process. As with all of our products, we put as much thought into the packaging as the contents. Our dry shampoo comes in plastic free cardboard shaker tubes that are easy to recycle and can be reused: if customers scan the QR code on the base of each tube, they can view a video showing them how to refill it.”

Based in Snowdonia, North Wales, Battle Green started in 2018 in response to reports on the negative environmental impact of single-use plastic. Around 100 million marine mammals die from plastic pollution each year, and the beauty industry specifically produces 120 billion units of packaging annually, most of which cannot be recycled.

Battle Green have created a range of eco-friendly alternatives to everyday items – at the heart of which are their natural cosmetics that are handmade in Wales, PETA-certified vegan and cruelty free, and housed in compostable and refillable packaging to reduce waste.

Find out more at www.battlegreen.co.uk and receive 10% off your order with the code ECONEWS

Eco Kaila and Alice Oseman partnered up for a limited-edition launch of t-shirts in support of charity this pride! The t-shirt features a ‘happy pride’ illustration on the front, and a large colourful graphic on the back with characters from their hit book ‘Loveless’, which touches on a number of topics, including coming to terms with sexuality and asexuality.

All profits from the campaign are going towards Not A Phase, a charity helping trans communities thrive in the UK.

The t-shirts, made by Eco Kaila, were created sustainably using organic materials, ethical practices, and no plastics (including in packaging). Eco Kaila are leading the charge towards a more sustainable fashion industry. Now, add Alice Oseman’s visionary artistry and passion for positive change to the mix, and you’ve got a match made in eco-friendly heaven.

This collaboration focuses on a simple message that fashion has no gender. Eco Kaila and Alice Oseman have come together to create a product that welcomes everyone, regardless of how they identify. It’s a powerful reminder that fashion should be a space where all voices are heard and celebrated. You have the option to view all products on the site without being told which category the clothes fit into, allowing you to make your own choice from your own style.

Fans all over the world have been sharing pictures and videos with their new t-shirts, after thousands pleaded for a re-release having originally sold out in an hour. The restock proved to be a huge success, as Twitter has been filled with Pride march pictures featuring the stand-out design.

There you have it! The incredible, and unexpected collaboration has truly brought magic to the world of sustainable fashion. It is the perfect fusion of artistry, inclusivity, and environmental consciousness that will leave you feeling inspired. From the vibrant illustrations to the genderless design, this piece celebrates uniqueness and reminds us that fashion can make a positive impact. So, join the movement, express yourself, and embrace a greener future, whilst supporting a great cause this Pride month. If you didn’t get yours, there’s still availability at ecokaila.com/aliceoseman.

This World Refill Day, The Air Ambulance Service’s (TAAS) superstore in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, is highlighting its recently opened Miniml Refill Station to help tackle plastic pollution.

World Refill Day (16 June 2023) is a global day of action to prevent plastic pollution and help people live with less waste. This year is surrounding reimagining the future and working to accelerate the transition away from single-use plastic and towards a circular future where reuse & refill are the norm.

Together with Miniml the lifesaving charity’s superstore is helping to inspire action and demonstrate that the world is ready for a refill and reuse revolution.

Miniml is a brand of The Friendly Chemical Co. Limited. The brand-new, closed-loop refill station is the latest innovation in eco-friendly products. There is zero waste, all the way down to the supply chain, with all products being cruelty-free and 100% vegan formulas.

The refill station includes products such as laundry products, washing up liquid, haircare and beauty products and eliminates the use of rigid plastic containers by replacing them with reusable packaging that can be used again and again – when the bottle has been used it can be taken back and refilled at a discounted price.

Co-Founder & Director of Miniml, Scott Rudd said:

“We are delighted to be working with the TAAS superstore in Melton Mowbray to reduce their community’s plastic wastage through our innovative refill station for cleaning, laundry and personal care products.”

“By working together to offer this simple solution we are hoping this will allow more people to make easy switches and hopefully make an impact to the number of plastic bottles that are thrown away every day in the UK,” he added.

The Miniml Refill Station was launched in-store this year by TAAS’ charity ambassador, influencer Jen Brady, a well-known charity shop advocate with a desire to help make 2023 a sustainable year.

“We’re really pleased to be able to offer our local supporters a way to purchase and use natural products, reducing the use of plastics. By visiting our superstore, you can not only check out these eco-friendly products, but also view our array of new and pre-loved items and grab a bargain,” said Kerry Martin, Store Manager at the Melton Mowbray superstore.

“We are joining Miniml on their journey to make the world a cleaner, greener place to live,” she expressed.

This year, the charity is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its national Children’s Air Ambulance, 15th anniversary of providing its lifesaving HEMS service across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, and its 20th anniversary of its HEMS service across Warwickshire and Northamptonshire, and is encouraging the public to support them through their network of retail outlets and reuse initiatives.

To get involved please visit: www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.

Oceanarium, The Bournemouth Aquarium is excited to expand its range of interesting exhibits by introducing a guitarfish and two Cownose stingrays to its collection in time for May half-term. In the months of planning and thanks to a successful collaboration with SEA LIFE London, it was agreed between the two aquariums – both associated as BIAZA members – that now Zebby the Zebra shark had outgrown his tank at Oceanarium, it would be appropriate to transfer the majestic creature into a bigger habitat at SEA LIFE London. Going the other way are Seamore, their Blackchin Guitar fish and the two Cownose stingrays, Trick and Treat, who are now resident at the Oceanarium.
As well as providing a much a larger long-term home for Zebby, it is also hoped that this extra space will allow potential for breeding this endangered species. Zebby is now calling SEA LIFE London Aquarium’s Ocean Tank home, settling in with fellow aquatic species including Football the Pufferfish, and Dougie and Boris, the attraction’s Green Sea Turtles.

Oliver Buttling, Oceanarium Curator said: “The arrival of the Guitar fish and Cownose stingrays marks the completion of a rigorous project which we have been working on for many months. The collaboration between the Oceanarium and SEA LIFE London has been really exciting and we are delighted to extend these species at Bournemouth as part of our commitment to sustaining animal wellbeing and promoting biodiversity through the variety of creatures on display.”

Visitors to the Oceanarium can now find the new additions in the Key West exhibit, at the end of their journey. The Key West display is one of the most popular amongst visitors and alongside pufferfish, triggerfish and Epaulette sharks, the addition of the Cownose stingrays and Guitar fish offers something new and exciting for everyone to see.
Open daily from 10am, visitors to the Oceanarium can save when buying tickets online in advance.
For more information about the Oceanarium – The Bournemouth Aquarium and to keep up to date with news and special offers please visit www.oceanarium.co.uk

To celebrate Big Green Week, we had an exclusive interview with Planted!

The Great Big Green Week is the UK’s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. https://greatbiggreenweek.com/

Planted is the creation of husband-and-wife team Deborah Spencer and Sam Peters.

How did the journey of PLANTED begin?

For the best part of a decade Deborah ran designjunction, one of London’s leading design events, while Sam was a journalist, travelling the world covering sport.

Through running designjunction, Debs witnessed first-hand the epic amount of waste which events could generate while Sam’s real passion had always been nature, sustainability and the outdoors.

When our daughter Ella was born, we sought to combine our passions for nature and design by setting up and events and media company which promoted nature-based design businesses and environmentally focused organisations. That’s how Planted began. 

What’s the mission of your business?

In setting up Planted it was our belief we could affect positive environmental change through events and media. Through the Planted community we want to educate and inspire people to reconnect with nature and become environmental advocates of the future.

What is your main goal towards helping our planet during Big Green Week?

To deliver a Planted Country event which has the lightest possible physical impact on the land and environmental while simultaneously having the biggest impact on people’s understanding of the need to urgently address climate change and biodiversity loss.

For too long we have been fearful of nature and this has led to us to destroy it. If our children are to inhabit a liveable and living planet, we need to deconstruct the perception nature exists to be controlled, exploited and commoditised by human beings.

The Big Green Week is to push community action, how does PLANTED help communities?

Climate change and lack of access to nature impacts the poorest people in society most directly. Nature deprived communities experience poorer mental and physical health while education standards are lower and obesity rates are higher. We believe access to good quality green spaces (and that doesn’t just mean huge arable fields which happen to be green at certain times of the year) should be a basic human right.

In the short term, we need to educate people and engage the next generation with the importance of protecting and regenerating nature for people and planet.

Hopefully the next Planted Country event, when we will be holding a dedicated schools day on Fri June 9, while running a series of environmentally focused workshops and talks, will help us achieve that.  

PLANTED helps nature-based businesses and organisations, how can brands join your community?

By contacting us via our website www.planted-community.co.uk If you truly place nature and the environment at the heart of your business, you are welcome to join us!

Printable art refers to digital art that can be downloaded and printed at home or at a local print shop. Many websites offer printable art for purchase, ranging from photography and illustrations to typography and abstract designs. Some popular formats for printable art include JPEG, PNG, and PDF.

One benefit of printable art is that it can be customised to fit specific sizes and frames. It also offers a more affordable and convenient option for art lovers who want to decorate their homes without breaking the bank.

Printable art can indeed be a form of ecological art, as it offers several environmental benefits compared to traditional art forms. Here are some ways in which printable art can contribute to ecological practices:

• Reduced Paper Waste: Printable art eliminates the need for physical prints on paper, significantly reducing paper waste. Instead, digital files can be shared and displayed on electronic devices or printed on-demand, minimising the consumption of paper resources.
• Sustainable Materials: When printable art is produced, it can be created using environmentally friendly materials and inks. Artists and printers can choose eco-friendly options such as recycled paper or vegetable-based inks, which have a lower environmental impact compared to conventional materials.
• Minimal Transportation Impact: Printable art can be easily shared electronically, eliminating the need for physical transportation of artwork. This reduces fuel consumption and associated carbon emissions that would otherwise be generated during the shipping of physical art pieces.
• Accessibility and Reproducibility: Printable art allows for the reproduction of artworks on demand, reducing the need for mass production and excess inventory. This approach aligns with the principles of sustainability by minimising resource consumption and waste generation.
• Awareness and Advocacy: Printable art can be used to raise awareness and advocate for environmental issues. Artists can create digital artworks that convey powerful messages about ecological conservation and sustainability, reaching a wider audience through online platforms and social media.

Environmental artist and recycled plastic jewellery maker Jagoda Jay Sudak Keshani decided to transform her work into digital format mainly for those reasons.

“I want my wall art, made of recycled bottle tops, to be easily accessible and affordable for everyone. My main goal is to promote environmental awareness about the plastic problem, which impacts us all. I believe that only by working together we can make a change.” – says Jagoda.

“Since 2017, I have melted a lot of carrier bags and bottle tops into plastic plates. I then cut them to make unique statement earrings. The patterns and colours of melted plastic are incredible, and I thought it would be worth sharing them. Thanks to technology and the Internet, I transformed the pictures of melted plastic into digital artwork, which can be now downloaded on my website www.yagoeco.com.”

Jagoda adds – “I see my work as a gentle reminder. It is like a kind mother’s voice saying to us – Look, we made a mess. We can still make something beautiful out of it, but please be conscious of how you use plastic in the future.”

Jagoda’s visual art can be printed on demand. The patterns can be used as wall art and become a conversation starter about environmental issues. They can also appear on clothes and bags to carry around and spread the environmental message.

In recent years, environmental art has gained even more significance as the urgency of addressing environmental challenges has become increasingly apparent. Many artists continue to use their creative voices to advocate for environmental stewardship and raise awareness about the need for ecological sustainability.

If you want to start your adventure with eco-friendly printable art, please visit Jagoda’s website www.yagoeco.com.

Use the FREEECOART code at the checkout to receive one free printable file of your choice.

Hi, my name is Polina and I am owner and founder of online dressmaking fabric store Good Fabric.

Our Story

In 2020, amidst a world that seemed to have gone a little crazy, my business journey began. After a successful career spanning over a decade with renowned fashion brands like Burberry, Ted Baker, Missoma, and Anya Hindmarch, I found myself being made redundant.

With my extensive background in fashion product development and production, I decided to combine my sewing hobby with my professional skills and bring sustainable fabrics to home sewists.

At Good Fabric, every section embodies sustainability from fabric eco certification to our packaging and the way to run day to day our business.

My mission is to enable home sewing to enjoy sewing and creating own garments with complete peace of mind, knowing that the fabrics they are using are kind to the planet, environment and everyone in the supply chain.

Fabric Shopping

I appreciate that fabric shopping online is a minefield so we have put together a super useful blog all about how to make the best of online fabric shopping including the most useful tip – ordering fabric samples.

Sourcing Sustainable Fabrics for Fashion Brands

Last but not least, we love working with sustainable brands and fashion startups. The difficulty that these brands face range from simply not knowing where to source sustainable fabrics, to dealing with huge minimum order requirements and international shipping. We are here to help!

With flexible approach and extensive eco certified supplier list, we can help you find the right dressmaking fabrics for your collection. Our minimum start at as little 10 meters which can be split across two fabrics.

Get in touch today to learn more on how we can work together hello@goodfabric.co.uk

Let’s get social

Every Tuesday we send out newsletter highlighting new sustainable fabric arrivals, promotions and exciting launches.

Our subscribers get a priority access to all sales and promotions, as well as 10% off their first order so make sure you sign up to our mailing list.

On Instagram we love sharing behind the scenes as well more detailed fabric videos. You can follow us on @good_fabric_store

Hope you enjoyed reading a little bit about sustainable fabrics store and we look forward to connecting with you.

Happy Sewing.

ABOUT WILDLIFE IN THE BALANCE

Dubbed as perhaps one of the most important books of our time, Wildlife In The Balance unearths the untold stories of wild animals, their immeasurable impact on the health of our planet and why they are essential to win the climate fight.

Many of us have marvelled at the sight of a whale, songbird or elephant, but have you stopped to consider why these animals are important? “Wildlife In The Balance” gives the answers to this simple question and explains how animals contribute to life as we know it, and why they are essential in our fight against the climate crisis. Best-selling Author and Ecologist Simon Mustoe lifts the veil on the overlooked impact of wildlife, how animals help “engineer”, maintain, regenerate and restore ecosystems and why we’re better off to change our relationship with them from one of domination to one of cooperation before it’s too late.

In the book, Simon reveals why we need animals to rebalance our de-stabilised planet. Whilst the world is increasingly aware we need to stop burning fossil fuels and protect and restore natural ecosystems, there is, however, a tendency to overlook the importance of the wildlife living in these natural ecosystems. In fact, with the twin crises of climate change & biodiversity loss and a 6^th mass extinction looming, there has never been a better time to understand the critical role animals have on our planet, what the stakes are for our future and survival, and what all of us can do to help rewild habitats and restore wildlife populations.

Animals are at the heart of the solutions we need. Our future depends on it.

Learn more & get the book at www.simonmustoe.blog

ABOUT SIMON MUSTOE

Simon Mustoe has worked internationally as an ecologist, expeditioner and conservationist. During a passionate thirty years as researcher, communicator and consultant he has witnessed first-hand, many oblique and candid interactions we have with nature, plus our failure to protect it and ourselves. Simon has led WWF researchers into the heart of oil spills, trekked in the remote jungles of Madagascar, produced Australia’s epic National Landscapes film series, and worked for the likes of the RSPB and BirdLife International. Simon continues to play an active role as adviser to important ecosystem restoration initiatives.  

BOOK DETAILS

Paperback £20.00

Published by Wildiaries Publishing 11 October 2022

341 Pages, 229 x 152 mm

ISBN: 978-0-6454535-0-8

Available at: www.simonmustoe.blog and all good book stores