From Saturday 30th September until Thursday 5th October, The Psychedelic Society (https://psychedelicsociety.org.uk/) will host Enchanted Woodland Retreat, a 6 days journey delving into the wondrous realm of the mycelial world and immersing in the captivating woodland setting of Cae Mabon (https://www.caemabon.co.uk/) in Snowdonia, where nature’s magic awaits.

Guests will experience the fungal realm in all its glory by getting up close and personal with the many mushroom species that grow in the woods, forging an intimate bond with the mystical Amanita Muscaria mushroom, uncovering its hidden secrets in a safe and nurturing environment. 

Amanita Dreamer, world renowned researcher and speaker, is one of the facilitators who willshare her wealth of knowledge, providing invaluable insights on how to find, prepare, and work with this magical and mysterious mushroom.

Activities will include a special Amanita Drumming Ceremony, sweatlodge Ceremony, forest foraging, sacred rituals, dancing, hiking, wild swimming, meditation and much more, with like-minded human beings and nature lovers in a magical setting that will ignite your soul and uplift your spirit

The dates has been carefully selected to coincide with the peak of mushroom fruiting season, so there’s high chances of encountering the magnificent Amanita Muscaria in its natural habitat. 

You may be lucky enough to see the Unicorn, it may be hiding behind the Gorse by the Stone Water Trough at Wootton.

Maybe Willow was right… it may go to Setley Pond for a drink!

It could even be visiting the Trolls that live under Wootton Bridge.

Perhaps the Unicorn did visit Hincheslea, and saw the Hot Air Balloon?

And on a walk at Wilverley Plain or Longslade, you may be lucky enough to see the New Forest ponies grazing or playing: Drummer, Merlin, Peewee, Riley, Willow and Juliet.

If you go to the Deer Sanctuary at Bolderwood or to Pipers Wait you may even see The Monarch.

But on a dark clear night if you look up, the Unicorn may appear among the stars in the sky over The New Forest.

Drummer, Merlin, Peewee, Riley, Juliet and Willow will keep looking, will you join them?

The New Forest Ponies all roam free and wild within The New Forest, if you visit, please remember to look and to admire them, but never ever touch or feed them.

In short, what is Have You Seen the New Forest Unicorn? about?

The story is about 6 new forest foals and their adventures looking for the New Forest Unicorn.

What inspired you to write the book?

During lockdown when we were unable to see and cuddle our family as were the rest of the world, I spent a lot of time with my granddaughter and found it really upsetting being away from her. Pre-lockdown, she always wanted to watch the ponies as they walked past the house so I began to narrate stories over facetime to her.

What age group is it aimed at?

My idea is for the story to be suitable to be read to smaller children who will be able to associate with the story and the illustrations but also be interesting for older children to read.

What is your connection to The New Forest?

I have lived in The New Forest since 1985 when I met my husband. I have been fortunate to have owned and ridden horses and walk my dogs each day in the New Forest.

Are the places visited by the characters in The New Forest fictional?

The places that the characters visit are actual places that I either, walk or ride past most days.

Is this your first book?

Yes, I have never written a story, only reports when I was working.

What came first, the characters or the plot?

The plot came first as my granddaughter loves Unicorns and that gave me the idea to write the story.

How did you create the characters in the book?

All the main characters are based on ponies that I have both owned and known over the years.

Who is your favourite character in the book if you had to pick one?

I think it would be Merlin as he was the naughtiest and the one that stole my heart but also Peewee as he is so cheeky.

Is there scope to continue the story in future books?

Absolutely, I have lots of ideas as to where the characters can go in future.

How long did the book take you to write?

Originally it only took a matter of hours but I have rewritten it as I developed the story.

What was the writing process like?

Really rewarding, I love writing and never thought that at this time in life that I would embark on something completely new.

Did it involve much research?

Not really as I already ‘knew’ the characters and the places they were visiting.

What inspired you to write a children’s book specifically?

During lockdown I really missed the girls and wanted to write a story that I could read to my Granddaughters and then thought how lovely it would be if I could publish a book specifically for them.

Could you tell us more about your own interest in horses?

Since I was a small child, I used to love watching a tv programme called Folly Foot, Black Beauty was my favourite book and I used to beg my parents for riding lessons for birthdays and Christmas. I was always going to the local stables to help out and loved everything to do with horses.

I got my first pony when I was about 11, he was called Raffles and I spent all my time, whatever the weather with him. I have had quite a few horses over the years apart from a break of about 10 years when the children were small.

What do you love the most about The New Forest?

Everything. The forest is a constantly changing environment, there are always new things to observe throughout the seasons. It is steeped in history which I find very interesting, full of myths, legends and stories. The New Forest has over 40 miles of coastline, so you are never at a loss of what to do with spectacular views toward the Isle of wight. What’s not to love??

What are your hopes for the book?

Mainly, I hope people enjoy the story and the illustrations. I would love to write more stories about our characters and their adventures and introduce new characters who can visit so much more of this beautiful area.

And finally, what do you hope that readers will take away from the book?

A smile.

Delighted to share that Spell’s best-selling Ocean Gown, which was worn by Camila Morrone in Daisy Jones & The Six, has just been recut for another season – officially available online now, and just in time for peak summer. Sizing ranges from XXS – 3XL.

Spell is also available on Revolve and Free People.

“We designed our Ocean Gown almost five years ago, and it came out at the end of 2019 as part of our Seashell collection. Since its first release almost four years ago, our major retailer Free People has requested it to be recut twice! As a brand that doesn’t recut our styles too often, we had only recreated these as special requests for retailers until the gown appeared on Daisy Jones & The Six and our customers begged us for a remake,” says Head of Brand, Mel Carrero.

https://usa.spell.co/

The fashion industry. An industry that has long been a major contributor to environmental degradation, and is now under increasing pressure to become more sustainable. But we can’t help but wonder, why does the interior design industry slip under the radar?

In this article, Accouter Group of Companies explore the significance of the interior’s industry making both ethical and sustainable changes, and how our B Corp™ certified collective is paving the way for luxury’s new generation.

The fashion industry has indeed received notable and significant attention for its environmental impact, particularly due to its association with fast fashion and the production of clothing at a large scale. However, it is important to note that the interiors industry must also be subject to scrutiny when considering its sustainability practices.

One large reason as to why this industry may appear to stay out of the spotlight compared to fashion is the difference in consumer visibility. Clothing is more visible on an every-day basis, and is often a personal expression of style. This therefore leads to a higher degree of public awareness and scrutiny. In contrast, interior design choices, especially within the luxury sector, tend to be more private, and the impact of individual purchasing decisions may be less visible to others. This can result in a lower level of public awareness and attention on the sustainability practices within the interiors industry.

Another factor is that the fashion industry has been more readily associated with issues like labour rights and unethical production practices, which have captured public attention. The prevalence of “fast fashion” and the rapid turnover of clothing collections have drawn criticism for contributing to overconsumption and waste. These factors have fuelled public discussions, activism, and media coverage, directing attention to the fashion industry’s environmental impact.

However, it is important to mention that sustainability concerns in the interiors industry are gradually turning more heads. As environmental awareness increases, consumers are becoming more conscious of the materials, manufacturing processes, and supply chains behind furniture and home goods. Additionally, sustainability certifications and standards for the interiors industry, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Cradle to Cradle, are gaining traction, helping to raise awareness and accountability.

While the interiors industry may not receive as much attention as the fashion industry, this doesn’t mean that the world of interior design doesn’t care. Sustainability in interiors is starting to become a part of the larger conversation on environmental responsibility. At the Accouter Group of Companies, we are pioneering our mission to bring this conversation to the forefront, to broaden the awareness and to therefore make better decisions for our planet.

AGC ARE B CORP™ CERTIFIED – WHAT DOES ACTUALLY THIS MEAN?

Earlier this year, Accouter Group of Companies were proud to announce our B Corp™ certification, being the first British Interior Design Collective to achieve this. Although the discourse of sustainability has risen significantly in recent years, the definition of a B Corp™ and how it develops us as a luxury studio may not be so clear.

B Corps™ are defined as businesses that want to achieve more than just making a profit. Their company goals and values are committed to creating a positive impact on their employees, communities, clients and suppliers throughout their strategic decisions and operations.

As a B Corp™, our brands including Accouter take a holistic approach, understanding that the overall design and specification process itself is not the only way for us to be responsible and considerate. Sustainable milestones, as well as our Manifesto, gives our environmental ambitions credibility, and therefore proves our mission to be both purposeful and achievable. However, our B Corp™ design practice also must pay as much attention to our Social responsibilities and Corporate governance. This certification ticks every box in relation to a full ESG strategy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT B CORP™ HERE

BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ACCOUTER’S PROCESS & CLIENTELE?

“Both on the run up to and after achieving our certification, our process here at Accouter has gradually shifted.

We are constantly working on strategies and educating our supply chains to allow for our clients to purchase fully responsible and traceable product, in environmentally friendly packaging.

The key changes we have incorporated at our studio include finding local suppliers in the areas which we are designing interiors for, instead of further national or international suppliers. Not only is this supporting local businesses, but it also helps to protect our planet.

Another change to our process, is that we work with a trusted select group of craftsmen and artisans here in the UK, saving unnecessary emissions, meaning that we are being mindful of our carbon footprint.

Additionally, we are working towards incorporating antique, heirloom treasures within our designs, which have the opportunity to be recycled and gifted to generations to come. Ultimately, Accouter are now designing sustainably, with longevity in mind for both our clients and studio itself…”

-Lucy Day-Shanks, Accouter Group Director

AS BRITAIN’S FIRST B CORP™ CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGN COLLECTIVE, WE HAVE MADE 5 PROMISES:

• We commit to proving to you that we can make a positive impact on the world by acting and evolving as a responsible company.

• We promise to direct our efforts on measures that deliver the biggest impacts, aiming to continuously review and improve AGC’s environmental performance.
• We pledge to play our part in building an industry that is filled with, and supports talent from all backgrounds, abilities, ages and identities.
• We believe in the power of kindness, and pledge to use the powers of our business to create a positive impact on society. We support the Red Cross and charities that mean the most to our people.
• We understand that being a ‘Force for Good’ is a journey without a destination and we are committed to continuously improve and evolve our business for good. For more information regarding our B Corp journey please click here.

AGC’S WALPOLE ASSOCIATION

In 2021, Accouter Group of Companies  announced our membership with Walpole alongside leading British brands such as Burberry, Fortnum & Mason and Claridges. We are thrilled to be part of such a prestigious membership and to be a part of such an important movement within the luxury space.

Walpole’s mission is to promote and enhance the British luxury sector across the globe, and it has helped to reinforce AGC’s luxury brand positioning, but also supports our B Corp™ journey. As a member of Walpole, we attend sustainability round tables to both inspire and be inspired by these leading luxury brands with the aim to collaboratively improve Environmental, Social and Governance goals. As a result, AGC has created a Sustainability Manifesto in-line with Walpole’s to further create consistency, and pioneer new benchmarks in the luxury industry as a whole.

“Through our Sustainability Manifesto, we aim to support Walpole in their quest to transform the British luxury sector into a world leader in sustainability. Our manifesto is formal statement setting our goals and ambitions across AGC’s 4 pillars of sustainability and it recognises the importance of reducing our impact on the environment within a socially conscious and well governed company. This never-ending journey will assist in defining luxury’s next generation.”

-Stella Gittins, Co-Founder and Group Director

 You can read more about Walpole’s sustainability ambitions here.

AGC’S WALPOLE UPDATES

We are very proud of our award winning eco-conscious brand, our natural origin nail polishes and treatments are certified vegan and cruelty free.  We have replaced the single use plastic cap with highly sustainable bamboo and all seals within the cap are made from 100% post-consumer plastic. 

Our plant-based formula includes calcium and magnesium to help strengthen and condition nails with continued use.  We also offer a Recycle Reuse Programme to our customers, where all empties can be sent back for a circular economy.  We can provide more information about our sustainable production if required.   

We are excited to join forces with the French high-end luxury brand Celeste Makeup to produce this eco-friendly manicure set.  The precision manicure implements from Celeste are packaged with 100% post-consumer packaging and 100% kraft card, designed by the Earthy Nail Polish team.  The set provides all your perfect mani-pedi needs including Nail Clippers, Mini Saphire Nail File, Nail Scissors, Cuticle Nippers, Cuticle Pusher/Trimmer and a small carry case to store all the implements in easy reach. The manicure set is now available for the fantastic price of £10.99 at www.earthynailpolish.com .

• The homebuilder reports increasing demand for sustainable properties
• Aerothermal energy, water-saving measures and local, natural materials all playing key roles
• Energy certificate A-rated homes delivered in tune with local settings and contexts

Sustainability and eco-friendliness are top concerns for an increasing number of holiday home buyers, according to leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España. With this in mind, the firm is showcasing three different takes on building second homes sustainably, in the Costa del Sol, Mallorca and Costa Blanca. Sales and Marketing Director Marc Pritchard explains:

“There are concepts which apply as standard when building homes sustainably, such as choosing natural materials and prioritising goods from local sources. It’s also important to understand the context of each site and how best to harness natural energy sources. Using aerothermal energy systems, for example, can extract up to 75% of energy from outside air, which can then be used to heat homes. That can deliver significant energy and cost savings for second home buyers.”

Aerothermal energy systems are used as standard in Taylor Wimpey España’s energy certificate A-rated homes. Given that half of Europe’s energy consumption relates to heating and cooling buildings, the switch to aerothermal heating can make a significant difference.

Other features resulting in energy savings across Taylor Wimpey España’s most sustainable homes include thermal insulation of exterior walls, rooves and windows and the provision of LED lighting, double glazing and low-consumption appliances. Properties also include pre-installation for charging electric vehicles. Other benefits are site-specific. Breeze, in Balcón de Finestrat in Alicante, for example, is well located for accessing the local public transport network, which includes bus, train and tram routes, providing homebuyers with a range of alternatives to using cars.

“We often think about energy efficiency and natural materials in terms of reducing properties’ impact on the planet. However, there are other benefits too. More energy efficient properties can save owners money on their gas and electricity bills. Internal air quality can benefit too, which can deliver wellbeing benefits for owners. As more and more buyers focus on sustainable homes, these types of properties are also likely to hold their value more than older, less eco-friendly buildings.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, Taylor Wimpey España

Taylor Wimpey España’s detached homes at Las Villas de Dalt de Sa Rapita in Mallorca showcase all of this in action. Particularly popular with British buyers, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom villas provide spacious accommodation with large terraces and private gardens and pools. The local area provides a variety of restaurants overlooking the sea, a promenade for strolling along the beach at Sa Rapita and bucolic spots to delight in the magical sunsets over the Mediterranean Sea.

Keen cyclists are also well served by the villas, which are priced from €740,000 plus VAT, with Sa Rapita providing an excellent starting point for various exploratory routes across the island. The villas hold an energy certification of A, thanks to their aerothermal heating, double glazing, LED lighting and numerous other sustainability-focused features.

Also A-rated as a result of these features, along with water- and energy-saving measures in communal areas, are the apartments of Almazara Hills, near Istán in the Costa del Sol. Surrounded by ancient olive trees and on the doorstep of the stunning La Concepción Reservoir and Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), the homes provide easy access to nearly a dozen hiking trails and six mountain bike routes. Other activities available in the area include fishing, canoeing, climbing and canyoning, while visitors to the reservoir, where motorboats are banned, have a chance to spot the Costa del Sol’s rare and elusive otters.

Homes at Almazara Hills are priced from €355,000 plus VAT. Apartments come with two or three bedrooms, while a select number of three-bedroom penthouses are also available. The properties face southeast, with unrestricted views as far as Marbella Bay and Gibraltar. All homes come with large terraces, with solariums for the penthouses. In addition to a communal pool and landscaped gardens packed with autochthonous plants, the development features rural pathways through the surrounding forest areas, enabling homeowners to relax and unwind in tune with nature.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Lincolnshire based lubricant manufacturer Witham Group, was delighted to host a special visit from His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to the company’s headquarters in Lincoln recently.

Accompanied by Mr Ian Walter – the Deputy Lieutenant representing the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, The Duke toured the British lubricant manufacturer’s Head Quarters and Factory and had the opportunity to see how lubricants are made to different viscosities and how they are packaged and distributed throughout the UK.

The Witham Group, who recently celebrated their 100-year anniversary, showed His Royal Highness their award-winning carbon neutral lubricant blending technology called Blendtek, which uses a new unique ultrasound technology to blend its products instead of traditional gas and fossil fuels, resulting in dramatic energy savings for the business, and cleaning up the way lubricants are made.

The Duke also had the opportunity to see Witham’s latest environmental range of products, including their award winning Prolan range of lubricants, which are biodegradable, extremely long lasting and derived from natural lanolin from sheep wool.

Nigel R Bottom, Managing Director of Witham Group said: “Witham Group is immensely proud of its heritage and the work we are doing to develop new technology to clean up the traditional blending of lubricants. We were honoured and delighted to welcome His Royal Highness to our Lincoln Headquarters to see our manufacturing process and meet the Witham team.”

Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Ian Walter added: “The Witham team showed us an impressive set up during the visit and it was extremely interesting to learn more about the world of lubricants and the vast array of products made.”

ABOUT THE WITHAM GROUP

The Witham Group is one of the largest independent lubricant manufacturers and paint suppliers in the UK. It is a privately owned, family run business with its head office and lubricant manufacturing site based in Lincoln and a distribution warehouse, trade shop and paint decorating centre based in Soham, Cambridgeshire.

We are very proud of our heritage and over the past 100+ years we have grown a strong reputation built on quality products, looking after our people, our customers and leading the lubricant industry with our environmental credentials.

We operate throughout the UK and abroad, supplying our products and services to a full range of industries including agriculture, road haulage, marine and off-highway plant industries, plus we also supply many other sectors such as manufacturing, heavy engineering, motorsport, green energy, country estates and horticultural businesses.

We are extremely proud to have been awarded the Royal Warrant in 1991, for the goods and services we supply to the Royal Estates. The Royal Warrant helps underline our company’s commitment to maintaining and building its reputation as producers of the finest quality lubricants and paints and suppliers of excellence.

A Royal Warrant has always been regarded as demonstrating a very high standard in personal service, quality, excellence and innovation. Companies can only reach that status through careful and efficient management.

Over the past 15 years or so, Witham Group has grown faster than its previous 85-year history. The business has diversified into new innovative products and sectors and worked hard to put the environment at the heart of what we do. We remain committed and focused on our customers old and new.

We now employ around 50 employees across the 2 sites in Lincoln and Soham and have a customer focused sales team throughout the Midlands, Yorkshire and East of England. Our team is our most valuable asset and key to our success. We are immensely proud with the incredible longevity of service we hold across the Group and believe that it is our people, at all levels throughout the company, who make the difference between average and exceptional performance.

Today we are proud to be preferred suppliers of award-winning oils, paints, greases and other essential products to a huge array of businesses throughout the UK and abroad. Using only the highest quality raw materials, we meet both the latest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) requirements and worldwide industry specifications for all standards.

Social Media

Visit the Witham Group Social Media pages on the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/Withamgroup/

https://www.instagram.com/withamgroup/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/witham-group/

Tweets by WithamGroup

For the eco-conscious couple, a wedding offers the perfect opportunity to give back. With plenty of support from family and friends, large sums of money can be raised, and awareness spread for the organisations that do great things for the environment. In this guide, we take a look at a few of the simple ways that you can best support eco-friendly nonprofits at your wedding.

Ask for donations instead of wedding gifts

You may find that your guests present you with gifts at your wedding that you don’t necessarily need or use. While this may be thoughtful of them, it makes for a whole lot of unnecessary purchasing and potential waste – exactly the sort of thing that we want to steer clear of when trying to be eco-conscious.

To avoid such unwanted gifts, consider naming some eco-friendly nonprofits on your wedding invitations that your guests can donate to instead. This is a great way to not only ensure that your chosen charities are supported, but to also spread awareness about the work that they do. You could even set up a fundraising page online, or a website through which your guests can make their donations for ease and convenience.

Choose vendors that give back

It’s important to shop around when choosing your various wedding suppliers to ensure that the money that you spend will be going towards eco-friendly practices. Ideally, you’ll find a venue that does its bit to regularly donate, or partners with other eco-friendly vendors that do their bit for nonprofits in the area.

If it’s tricky to find suppliers that give back, you can always make an effort to choose companies that do so inadvertently. This could look like purchasing decor that is made from eco-friendly materials, and avoiding ones that are harmful to the environment. Similarly, you can choose to recycle your chosen wedding decorations by donating them to nonprofits after your wedding – as well as your wedding dress or tux, and other supplies.

Make it a theme

For couples open to reducing the environmental impact of their special day, a sustainable themed wedding is a great opportunity to offer support to nonprofits. To make your theme a success and to get your guests talking about the cause, you could set up information stands throughout your venue. Not only will this educate your guests on the importance of eco-friendly practices, but it will also equip them with some top tips for giving back.

For couples looking to inject a bit of fun into the day, an auction as a form of wedding entertainment is a great way to raise funds and gain attention for your chosen charities. Similarly, you could consider hosting a fundraising event in the lead up to your wedding, perhaps in place of an engagement party or bridal shower.

Overall

There are plenty of ways to support eco-friendly nonprofits on your wedding day. In fact, this day provides a wonderful chance to do so, with all the people that you care about coming together in order to celebrate and support your union, as well as the causes that you care about.

Today the world’s first diesel pollution ward appeared on London’s Southbank, drawing attention to the devasting impact of air pollution on children’s health.

London’s diesel pollution ward for children featured 10 hospital beds – each representing 280 of the 2,800+ children and young people that were admitted to hospital with asthma in London in 2021/22.[1] Overall, the health impacts of air pollution cost the NHS an estimated £20 billion every year.[2]

Diesel vehicles are among the biggest contributors to this air pollution, accounting for 40% of the city’s toxic NOx emissions.[3] Illegal levels of harmful pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) have been found across Greater London, including Lambeth, Westminster, Ealing, Brent and Kingston-Upon-Thames.[4]

The stunt was revealed by a group of campaigners, fronted by Mums for Lungs with support from the Clean Cities Campaign, who are calling for commitments from all levels of government to phase out diesel vehicles in London by 2030.

Jemima Hartshorn, Founder of Mums for Lungs, says:

“It’s unacceptable that children growing up in London today are breathing in illegal levels of air pollution. More and more children are being admitted to hospital with severe cases of asthma and being subjected to life-long health conditions. We need to clean up our roads to protect future generations from these conditions, and we have to start with phasing out diesel vehicles.”

Oliver Lord, Head of UK and Campaigns, Clean Cities Campaign, comments:

“Our drive for diesel has led to a generation of kids breathing illegally polluted air, stunting their lungs and causing lifelong illnesses.  Despite this, and it being several years since the dieselgate scandal that shocked the world, there are still more than half a million polluting diesel cars in the capital.

“We’re calling on all layers of government to make policies and initiatives that help individuals and businesses to ditch diesel for good, whilst enabling a transition to more sustainable forms of transport. Our vision is for every Londoner to be free from breathing dirty diesel fumes by the end of this decade.

Dr Anna Moore, a respiratory doctor working in the NHS, adds:

“The link between air pollution and respiratory conditions is well established, but many people don’t know that it has also been shown to affect every organ in the body. Research has connected air pollution to heart conditions, various cancers, babies’ development, dementia and even our mental health. Cleaning up our air – starting with heavily polluting diesel cars – will be a crucial step to freeing up hospital beds in the NHS and improving Londoners’ health.”  

The unveiling of the new ward also aligns to today’s publication of the London Health Streets Coalition’s Healthy Street Scorecard, an annual ranking of London’s boroughs that celebrates their efforts to reduce car use and enable active travel. The Scorecard found Camden to have the lowest proportion of diesel cars (15%), with Hillingdon performing worst for both its share of diesel cars (27%) and cars registered per 100 households (109). 

For more information please contact:

DieselCampaign@grayling.com

---

[1] Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (2021/22 – 2022/23)

[2] Royal College of Physicians

[3] London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI) (2019)

[4] Analysis by Ricardo for Clean Cities Campaign (2023)

• 18.2 million kitchen fad electricals – from air fryers to bread makers, blenders to chocolate fountains, juicers to popcorn machines – are gathering dust in UK cupboards
• They could be turned into life-saving equipment instead
• Joanna Page and Ortis Deley are encouraging the nation to ‘fish out your FadTech’ and donate or recycle it

(Thursday, 29^th June 2023) You can’t move for talk of air fryers, the latest kitchen electrical taking Britain by storm: 40% of British homes have one. Doesn’t it feel like we’ve been here before though – from lean grilling machines to chocolate fountains, soda makers to spiralizers, teasmades to trendy blenders? 

Unlike the humble electric kettle, which is 130 years old this yearand has become a household staple, many electrical innovations burn brightly and then either burn out or get bunged in a cupboard. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.  

Whilst the air fryer looks like it could be ‘for keeps’ like the kettle, new omnibus research from Recycle Your Electricals has revealed the extent of Britain’s so-called kitchen FadTech obsession – electricals like bread makers, blenders, chocolate fountains and popcorn machines. 92% of UK households own FadTech – with an average of 4 items per household – BUT nearly half of households say their once-trendy items are now gathering dust. That means our collective cupboard holds a whopping 18.2 million kitchen electricals rarely or never used. 

Recycle Your Electricals is on a mission to get Brits to fish out their FadTech and donate or recycle them to allow the valuable materials in them to be reused as something even more useful.  For example, the estimated 2.4mn blenders gathering dust across the UK could be recycled into 2.1mn defibrillators!

The list of top 20 FadTech [see full table for Top 20] now gathering dust in UK homes is a roll-call of items that became trendy over the last two or more decades but then waned in popularity. The top five most likely items to be gathering dust are: ice cream maker, chocolate fountain, hostess trolley, popcorn machine and bread maker. The number of unused breadmakers in UK cupboards would stretch from London to Paris and halfway back again! In addition, there are an estimated 2.4 million unused blenders taking up space in cupboards. 

Scott Butler, executive director, Recycle Your Electricals campaign, says, “We’ve all fallen for the latest FadTech – including me – and sometimes they become kitchen staples. But, often, after taking up counter space they’re consigned to a cupboard. They’re not cheap, so it can feel wasteful to clear them out but they can be recycled into something really useful or donated if they’re still in good condition. If you have FadTech to recycle, the easiest thing to do is visit our postcode locator to find your nearest drop-off point.”

Actor and presenter Joanna Page, has a stash of FadTech, thanks to her children. She is backing the campaign, saying, “I’ve got children, so we get these items thinking they’ll be fun and they are at first. But then you don’t use them more than once a year and they just end up taking up space in your cupboard! I’ve got two waffle makers, I don’t even know why I need two! They’re not cheap so it can be hard to part with them but it’s great to hear they can be recycled and free up some all-important cupboard space!”

TV Presenter and Host of the Gadget Show, Ortis Deley, who helped put together the picture of how and why Britain’s FadTech stash built up says, “As a gadget fan myself, I know it can be tempting to want to join the trend but as with any fashion, these things usually always move on or improve, so it’s worth thinking about whether you will really use something before you buy it and if you find you don’t use it any more, recycling it to give it a new lease of life.”

In addition to a FadTech stash, nearly 1 in 5 British households have multiple items of staple kitchen items – kettles, toasters and microwaves. Across UK homes, there are 6.5 million kettles, 3.4 million microwaves 3.6 million toasters that are either broken or spare. These could also be recycled into something really useful, by visiting www.recycleyourelectricals.org