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Posted 12 months ago

·         A new study from Auto Trader reveals Lexus drivers have better eco-habits than Tesla drivers

·         Porsche and Land Rover drivers also rank among the most eco-aware drivers

·         Vauxhall and Toyota drivers are slower to adopt everyday eco-habits

Electric car champion Auto Trader has surveyed over 1,290 drivers to reveal which green habits the nation’s drivers are doing the most, and which drivers are struggling to do regularly.

The results show that the most popular eco-behaviors also ones that look after the pennies, such as taking our own shopping bags to the store, air drying our clothes and having a reusable water bottle.

In the new study, Auto Trader asked drivers how regularly they perform a variety of everyday sustainable habits, with the top ten most popular eco-habits as follows:

Drivers’ Ten Most Common Eco-Habits

 Eco-Habit% of Respondents Who Always, or Regularly Do This
1People say they take their own reusable bags when shopping88%
2People say they air dry clothes rather than tumble dry75%
3People say they recycle at home, using kerbside recycling for household items73%
4People use their own reusable water bottle66%
5=People say they switch their washing machine to 30 degrees64%
5=People say they wear more clothes to stay warm than turn up the central heating64%
6People say they recycle items that can’t be recycled at home e.g. batteries, water filters, black food trays, crisp packets etc.62%
7People turn off their computers and TVs, rather than using standby60%
8People use Tupperware or reusable wraps over foil or clingfilm59%
9People drive slower to use less fuel42%
10People buy second hand toys, clothes, appliances, furniture etc. for sustainability reasons34%

The least popular eco-habit is cycling instead of driving, with just 15% of drivers regularly adopting this habit. However, using an e-bike can massively improve your city commute, not just in terms of reducing carbon emissions, but by also providing a speedy alternative to sitting in a traffic jam and even taking away the stress of finding a parking place.

When cross-referencing the eco-habits with the brand of car the respondents drive, the study found that drivers of Lexus, Tesla and Porsche cars are taking remarkable strides towards reducing their carbon footprint and adopting eco-friendly habits.

Top 5 Drivers With The Best Eco-habits

1.                   Lexus Drivers: Lexus drivers are crowned the drivers with the best eco-habits, thanks to their pioneering behavior in reducing road congestion and emissions, with an impressive 63% frequently carpooling. Beyond sharing rides, Lexus drivers are also public transport advocates, as a majority (88%) of Lexus drivers admit opting for public transport over personal vehicles, demonstrating their dedication to reducing emissions on the road. Furthermore, Lexus owners also adopt consistent sustainable eating habits. Not only are 3 in 4 (75%) Lexus drivers embracing a vegan diet for sustainability reasons, a high number of Lexus drivers claim to prioritize purchasing food with fewer air miles – highlighting their commitment to reducing their impact on the environment.

2.       Tesla Drivers: Unsurprisingly, Tesla drivers are setting a high eco-standard. Aside from all driving an electric car, the Tesla drivers surveyed all claim to use their own water bottle, and an impressive 94% switch their washing machines to an eco-friendlier 30-degree cycle, significantly reducing their carbon footprint. Furthermore, over half (56%) of Tesla drivers opt to shop in refill stores, championing the reduction of waste packaging in their daily lives and a grand majority (81%) claim to buy second hand items for sustainability reasons.  

3.       Porsche Drivers: Porsche owners round up the top three drivers with the best eco-habits. Not only do they stand out with 100% claiming to prefer air drying over tumble drying, thus saving energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but the majority of Porsche drivers also claim to adopt a slower driving style to save fuel and lower emissions.

4.       Audi Drivers: Audi drivers demonstrate a commitment to sustainability when it comes to buying products, with 61% claiming to research the sustainability of brands and products before making a purchase. Owners of the German vehicles also prove to be eco-conscious in everyday shopping, with 56% of Audi drivers claiming to shop in refill stores to reduce waste packaging.

5.       Land Rover Drivers: Much like Lexus drivers, Land Rover owners are devoted recyclers, with 100% of them actively participating in recycling efforts at home, helping them land in the fifth position of drivers with the best eco-habits. Moreover, 95% of Land Rover drivers help reduce their environmental footprint by switching their washing machines to a more energy-efficient 30-degree cycle.

Drivers With The Worst Eco-habits

While some brand owners are excelling in adopting sustainable habits, others are slightly behind the curve…

·         Suzuki Drivers: Suzuki drivers, it seems, aren’t too keen on recycling, with 74% of those who drive the Japanese brand showing a reluctance to recycle regularly at home, highlighting a missed opportunity to reduce waste and conserve resources. Likewise, at 29%, they are one of the motorists least likely to avoid eating meat for sustainable reasons.

·         Seat Drivers: While we all love a hot drink while out and about, disposable cups should be avoided to reduce the ever-growing issue of single-use plastic waste. Seat drivers, however, seem less than keen on the matter, with less than half confirming they bring a reusable cup for hot drinks.

·         Toyota Drivers: As well as general low eco-habit adoption scores across the board, a clingfilm conundrum places Toyota owners among the worst eco offenders, as they stand out as the least likely to use Tupperware or reusable wraps, often opting for clingfilm or foil, which can contribute to plastic waste.

·         Vauxhall Drivers: Much like Seat drivers, Vauxhall owners suffer from cup dependency. With 41% of Vauxhall drivers not using their own cups for hot drinks, there is a missed opportunity to help reduce single-use plastic waste.

Erin Barker, editorial director at Auto Trader, says: “At Auto Trader we’re passionate about supporting consumers with their environmentally friendly vehicle and journey choices. From upgrading an older petrol car to a newer, cleaner one or switching to an e-bike for your city commute, there are plenty of ways we can reduce our environmental impact. It’s encouraging to see from this study how many eco-habits have been adopted into our daily lives and we would love to see more drivers making more environmentally conscious decisions on the road, whether it’s sparking your electric journey with a pre-loved electric car, or simply reducing your car’s emissions with a smoother, slower drive.”

Eco-Friendly Driving Tips

Driving with minimal eco-impact is an essential practice to reduce your carbon footprint and help preserve the environment, and while opting to purchase or lease an electric car would be the top solution, there are plenty of other actions you can take to start driving greener today.

With 42% of people admitting they drive slower to use less fuel, Auto Trader’s experts have shared some top tips for eco-friendly driving: 

1.       Maintain a Consistent Speed

Use cruise control on highways to maintain a steady speed. This can improve fuel efficiency by reducing the need for constant acceleration and deceleration. Gradual acceleration and smooth braking help conserve fuel and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle.

2.       Check Tyre Pressure
Keep your tires are properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Under-inflated tires can decrease fuel efficiency and increase emissions.

3.       Lighten Your Load
Remove unnecessary items from your car. Extra weight can reduce fuel efficiency, so only carry what you need for your journey.

4.       Limit Idling
Idling consumes fuel and produces unnecessary emissions. Turn off your engine if you expect to be stationary for more than a minute. Modern engines are designed to handle frequent starts, hence why restarting your engine after a brief stop is more fuel-efficient than idling for an extended period.

To see the full Greenest Drivers report visit: www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/electric/greenest-drivers/

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Posted 12 months ago

People across the UK are being invited to plant a pair of cotton pants this spring and then dig them up two months later to see for themselves the life within the soil.

The Plant Your Pants campaign, run by education charity The Country Trust, launches on the first day of spring (20 March 2024) and invites everyone to take part in a journey of soil discovery to find out what really is going on down there. Along the way, partici-pants will be encouraged to look, touch, listen to and smell their soil. Healthy soil will break down or degrade cotton more quickly than soil with low levels of microbial life. If you’re left with just the elastic, it’s a good sign that your soil is active and healthy.

The Country Trust is an education charity that connects disadvantaged children with the land that sustains us all through hands-on, sensory experiences of food and farming. Last year 23,000 children visited working farms with The Country Trust to learn at first-hand about how food is grown and the vital importance of soil to all our lives. The charity’s national Plant Your Pants campaign is wonderfully simple – just plant a pair of (ideally pre-loved) cotton pants in soil on or around the first day of spring in March, and then dig them up eight weeks later to see what has happened to them.

Jill Attenborough, CEO of the Country Trust, said: “We all depend on soil for our existence but as Leonardo Da Vinci said 500 years ago, ‘We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than about the soil underfoot’. The response to Plant Your Pants last year exceeded all our expectations, and we can’t wait to get the nation planting pants again.

“It’s our mission as a charity to enable tens of thousands of disadvantaged children every year to discover that what we eat and grow affects our own health and the health of our planet, through inspiring, transformative visits and activities. Plant Your Pants is a way of sharing that experience with everyone – young and old, gardeners, non-gardeners, whether you have a window box, a flowerbed or a veg patch. Gardeners, like farmers, have a big responsibility as stewards of this amazing world beneath our feet, and we hope that through participation in Plant Your Pants, we can all experience the excitement of discovery and find out more about how small changes can make a big difference.”

Soil provides 95% of our food, but how many of us really know what is in it, how it is formed, and what life it sustains beyond the plants we can see growing in it? Soil shows us how our climate is changing and holds many of the answers to our urgent climate questions. It is one of the most important carbon sinks on the planet with the capacity to capture and store carbon in plant roots and systems which, even on a small garden scale, can be very effective.

Tom Fairfax, a regenerative organic farmer based in Northumberland who hosts Country Trust Farm Discovery school visits and is a Plant Your Pants campaign champion, said: “Healthy soil is teeming with life, much of which can’t be seen by the naked eye, so getting our hands in the soil and seeing the way it acts on a pair of cotton pants is a brilliant way to experience its magic.  We have ignored the soil for too long and this has had a negative impact, not only on the environment, but also the quality of the food grown in it and our health. We all have a role to play in improving our soil, all we have to do is open our senses to the ground around us and listen to what it has to tell us.” 

Anyone can get involved with Plant Your Pants – it’s free to register online and you can add your pants to the interactive map. The activity can be enjoyed by individuals and families at home or by groups at allotment and gardening clubs, schools, youth and community groups or larger public access gardens. You don’t even need a garden – a window box or patio planter will do. Between March and the big reveal in June, the Country Trust team working with farmers and soil scientists will send ‘partici-pants’ informative and fun updates that will use all our senses to explore the soil and encourage positive action to improve its health.

Find out more and register now at www.countrytrust.org.uk/plantyourpants

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Posted 12 months ago

On 13th March,The Psychedelic Society https://psychedelicsociety.org.uk/ is calling in nature lovers for its Shroomshop London: Mushroom Cultivation Workshop with Darren LeBaron, a keen mushroom grower and teacher.

Guests will learn the basics of mushroom cultivation and explore various techniques for growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, gaining valuable insights into the world of mushrooms and unlocking the potential for producing their own food and medicine.

Mushrooms’ therapeutic value has been prized in indigenous cultures for thousands of years. In the past few decades, they have become even more popular for their medicinal qualities in the West, as a result of an expanding body of scientific research supporting their numerous health benefits.This will be a hands-on experience and will cover everything to know to get started. 

Wednesday 13th of March 6:30pm until 9:30pm.

Doors open at 6pm, and tickets can be bought here: 

https://dandelion.events/e/shroomshop-london-march

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Posted 12 months ago

Hyundai Motor UK has chosen award-winning dynamic smart charging company Ohme as its new official home charging partner. The agreement will see Hyundai recommend Ohme chargers for its EV sales.

“Hyundai is at the forefront of the move to electric mobility with its innovative and fast-growing EV range and a great partner for Ohme,” said David Watson, Ohme CEO. “With recent awards from Top Gear, Auto Express and the Scottish Car of the Year, Hyundai’s EV models are some of the most sought-after in the market and a perfect match for Ohme’s unique software and technology. We look forward to introducing Hyundai drivers to the benefits of dynamic smart charging with reduced running costs and low CO2 charging.”

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Ohme as our recommended home charger supplier,” said Ashley Andrew, President, Hyundai & Genesis UK. “Ohme is one of the fastest growing smart charging companies in the UK. Its technical innovation and extremely high levels of customer service make for an ideal partnership with Hyundai as we continue to expand our EV range with the new Kona and IONIQ 5 N.”

Ohme’s dynamic smart chargers can connect with the grid in real time, automatically adjusting to optimise the cost of charging and accessing all the times of the smartest, greenest and lowest cost energy tariffs.

Running a Hyundai IONIQ 6 Single Motor RWD with its 77.4kWh battery (WLTP range: 338mls) and an Ohme smart charger on Intelligent Octopus Go*, could cost £116.80 for a year for an average UK driver doing 6800 miles. By comparison, charging on the Standard Variable Tariff would cost £451.62 for the same distance and an equivalent petrol car would be more than £1200.

Ohme has just been named as Fast Track Company of the Year in the 2023 UK Green Business Awards as well as Best Electric Charging Point Provider by Business Motoring.

* Intelligent Octopus Go at 7.5p/kWh for 23.30-05.30am, Standard Variable Tariff – 29p/kWh

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Posted 12 months ago

Startups 100 Index reveals six of 2024’s most disruptive companies are sustainable F&B
startups
● Businesses include BetterDairy, THIS™, HoxtonFarms,Julienne Bruno, BoldBeanCo,
and MilkyPlant
● Thebusinesses have collectively raised almost £60m in funding to make eco eating
mainstream
● Together, they show that animal-free eating is for life, not just for after Christmas


The era of Veganuary looks set to come to an end, as a new wave of innovative UK startups is transforming the F&B sector to make green eating a year-round occasion.
The Startups 100, the UK’s longest-running small business index, has revealed that six of the most disruptive UK companies for 2024 are sustainable food and drink startups.
Having raised just under £60 million in funding so far between them, these businesses are
feeding growing investor and consumer appetites for a greener and more ethical approach to food consumption, ready to shake up supermarket shelves in 2024. Offering a wider variety of sustainable food options than ever before, these startups are also
challenging the notion that veganism has to sacrifice taste or convenience.
Whether choosing animal-free cheese or cultivated lab-grown fat, consumers no longer have to press pause on the food they love to eat ethically. Brits can incorporate green principles onto their dinner plates in many different ways, even if they don’t follow a strict vegan diet this January.
2024’s TopSustainable F&BStartups:
The Startups 100, now in its 16th year, is a list of the top new UK-based businesses to watch. Leading the green gastronomy revolution, here are the sustainable F&B firms that scored highest this year

● BetterDairy- Hackney-based ‘brewer’ of dairy products that are 100% animal-free
● THIS™-meatalternatives so realistic that even meat-eaters can’t tell the difference
● HoxtonFarms-food tech firm that’s “growing” cultivated fat for meat alternatives
● JulienneBruno- delicious vegan-friendly cheeses inspired by the Italian Burrata
● BoldBeanCo-thetastiest, protein-packed beans and a perfect alternative to meat
● MilkyPlant- machine to make plant-based milk from the comfort of your own home

This year’s Startups 100 list suggests that climate-conscious eating will be more than just a
one-month fad in 2024. As these startups continue to grow, they will play an increasingly
important role in transforming the food industry.
Brands like Julienne Bruno are already stocked in popular food joints like Pizza Pilgrims, while Hoxton Farms is preparing to sell its cultivated fat product as a B2B ingredient to enable the growth of meat alternative companies.
Richard Parris, Editor of Startups.co.uk comments:
“Fighting climate change begins from our dinner plates. To hit ambitious climate targets, we’re going to have to tackle a meat-eating culture that’s been built on a foundation of intensive farming. And that’s where these exceptional UK startups come in. Whether it’s supplying lab-grown dairy products with no farmed animals needed; creating convincing plant-based meat alternatives; or simply producing the best chickpeas I’ve ever tasted, each of these businesses has an authentic and exciting approach towards sustainable eating. Being one-and-done for a month in Veganuary is over– these businesses are showing us how a sustainable diet can be here for the long run.”

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Posted 12 months ago

CAMPSITES.CO.UK REVEALS ITS 2023 CAMPING AND GLAMPING AWARD WINNERS: One of the UK’s go-to camping and glamping booking platforms, Campsites.co.uk, announces its much-anticipated Camping and Glamping Award winners for 2023. 

Th annual Campsites.co.uk Camping and Glamping awards highlight the best camping, glamping, and touring sites across the UK, celebrating those who have gone above and beyond for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year.

From the simplest, tucked-away camping spots to family-friendly holiday parks with swimming pools or luxurious glamping sites with oh-so-welcome hot tubs – there’s a favourite for all.

The awards span various categories, including ‘Best Campsite’, ‘Best Glamping Site’ and ‘Most Unique Site’. Other specific categories include ‘Greener Site Award’ and ‘Best Coastal Campsite’.

The awards also spotlight the ‘Best Budget Campsite’, which proves that unforgettable camping memories don’t need to come with a price tag.

The 2023 Campsites.co.uk overall award winners include: 

• Best Campsite: Watermouth Valley Camping Park, Devon

• Best Caravan Park: Tregarton Park, Cornwall

• Best Glamping Site: East Thorne, Cornwall

• Best Family Campsite: Wooda Farm Holiday Park, Cornwall

• Best Adult Only Site: Longnor Wood Holiday Park, Derbyshire

• Most Unique Site: Living Room Treehouses, Powys, Wales

• Best Budget Campsite: Boskenwyn Manor, Cornwall

• Top Dog Award: Longnor Wood Holiday Park, Derbyshire

• Best Newcomer Award: Silver Fern Glamping, Ceredigion, Wales

• Greener Site Award: Wild Camping Wiltshire

• Best Holiday Park: Highlands End Holiday Park, Dorset

Martin Smith, the founder of Campsites.co.uk said,

“Choosing gets tougher each year, but these sites went the extra mile. A huge congratulations to our winners, thank you for setting the camping bar so high!” 

Winner (UK): Wild Camping Wiltshire, Wiltshire, Marlborough 

This off-grid campsite lives by the motto ‘respect the natural world, leave no trace’. Situated over three acres of paddocks and woodland, the site does it upmost to protect the local surroundings, with no electricity, mains water or light pollution. The previous winner of a Green Tourism Award, the site has also implemented a wild flower meadow and new trees to help with sequestering carbon. They even have their own borehole which uses solar energy to pump and filter the water!

Guests comments include:

‘It’s a beautiful place with loads of wildlife’ Helen S.

‘If you are looking for a quiet site in unspoilt countryside, this is the place. It is off-grid and concentrates on being eco friendly. Each space is surrounded by a generous wildflower border’ Carol M.

Runner up: Mount Pleasant Eco Park, Cornwall, Porthtowan 

An eco site of the glorious Cornwall Coast with scenic sea views. The green park is passionate about their local community and the environment, which is why they also run the Down to Earth Foundation. Through the foundation, the site works hand in hand with the community to increase biodiversity and create corridors for wildlife to move around the park. The site has planted thousands of trees, carefully choosing species that thrive in their soil and can withstand the powerful winds that drive the onsite wind turbine. There is also a community garden that grows fruit and vegetables, much of which is cooked up in the onsite canteen that specialises in plant based dishes!

Guests comments include:

‘Incredibly well-maintained site, really well-thought-out layout. Lovely community feel and ethos behind it.’ Bergitte M.

‘Wonderful community, location and food.’ Knox K.

Runner up: Woodfrys Farm, Dorset, Shaftesbury 

Guests can pitch up on wild-style waterside pitches at this eco haven. Since opening, the site has planted over 4300 trees and continue to find room for plenty more. They started farming here back in 2018 and are slowly restoring the holding to create a productive farm and campsite which is rich in wildlife.  To encourage locals to get involved, the owners also host annual community planting events every year to engage the community. To top it off, the site also provides each pitch with a compost bin to ensure all waste is disposed of correctly! 

Guests comments include:

‘The location was stunning and each pitch felt like a secluded little meadow.’ Sarah C.

‘The stay was very quiet. Nature was lovely. I met a couple of robins that said hello to me on both days.’ Colin P

The full list of award winners, including regional winners, is available on the Campsites.co.uk website here: https://www.campsites.co.uk/awards 

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Posted 12 months ago

Welcome to the Deakin & Blue Spring/Summer 24 collection! Joyful swimwear for women who want support, style & sustainability. Deakin & Blue have created a ground-breaking sizing system to ensure women have the perfect fitting swimwear for their body and bust.

Because no two size 14s are the same Deakin & Blue offers inclusive sizing that takes into account the dress size & bust size. Offering three curve fits; Hepburn, Monroe & Hendricks alongside dress sizes 8-24 creates a tailored fit that hugs every beautiful jiggle and curve.

Designed for avid swimmers, adventure enthusiasts and holiday goers, the SS24 collection features Liberty prints, bold colours and sophisticated styling that offers supreme comfort.

Crafted from ECONYL® a 100% regenerated nylon fibre made from post-consumer waste including old fishing nets and industrial plastic makes the fabric extra durable. Each piece is designed to last, swim after swim.

With their Swimcycle scheme Deakin & Blue is closing the loop on production by saving swimwear from landfill. Customers simply send back any old, used swimwear to be cleaned, purified and regenerated into new fabric.

The X-Back Swimsuit – £120

This best-selling style is loved for it’s incredible comfort and style. It features built-in bust support and a flattering scoop back for maximum tan. Designed to adapt perfectly from lengths and laps to holiday lounging. Available in Scarlet Red, Cobalt Blue, Plum (all pictured above) as well as Black, Teal & Liberty Fabrics Zoo Print.

The Swimcrop High Waister Bikini – £120 & The Sweetheart Swimsuit – £130 Both in Liberty Fabrics Beach Meadow

Print Pairing British heritage with relaxed summer ease Beach Meadow is a hero Liberty print. Featuring a tropical tree of life, mixed with stylised fruit interspersed with brightly coloured ferns and leaves.

With it’s zip fastening The Swimcrop Bikini offers ease & speed when changing after a swim. The Sweetheart Swimsuit is loved for it’s elegant retro style paired with black panelling for a sleek & graceful look.

The Plunge Swimsuit – £120 & The Plunge Bikini – £110

The Plunge Swimsuit & Plunge Bikini feature a sexy neckline without compromising on the excellent bust support that Deakin & Blue are known for. Both styles are made in luxurious Italian Lycra® for a second-skin feel. They offer a relaxed, elegant option for sunbathing and laps in the pool. The Plunge Bikini has high-waisted & regular bottoms to ensure a perfect fit and is available in Black & Plum.

Alongside these hero styles Deakin & Blue have a core collection of swimsuits and bikinis which offer the impeccable style, fit and function that the brand is loved for.

All Deakin & Blue Swimwear is:

● Made responsibly in East London, UK

● Made from ECONYL® – a 100% regenerated nylon yarn made from ocean & consumer waste

● Hyper-resistant to chlorine, salt-water, UV rays and oils

● Shipped to customers in 100% recyclable packaging To discover the SS24 collection visit www.deakinandblue.com

For further information, high resolution images or product samples please contact:

Alice Jackson e: alice@deakinandblue.com, t: +34 693 013 602

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Posted 12 months ago

Build Your Own Unicorn – £9.99 – Discover a magical world with Build Your Own’s new Unicorn kit. 

Perfect for the junior builder, little ones will love creating their very own mythical creature. The cute moving head action, stardust markings, and multi-coloured rainbow mane will delight unicorn fans of all ages. 

Your majestic unicorn comes complete with grooming accessories, colourful gems, a miniature toadstool friend and more for a fun-filled, imaginary play experience. Plus, an adorable trinket chest for you to safely store your precious items. 

Find the secret hidden heart as you build and make a special wish. 

There’s also a ready-to-colour unicorn picture inside the packaging for creative young artists to enjoy. Colour it in, then proudly display your masterpiece. 

Easy to assemble using slot together techniques – there’s no glue, no mess, no fuss. Everything you need is provided in the kit – follow the simple instructions: press out the pre-cut parts, build, and play. 

Proudly designed in the UK using 100% sustainable cardboard, Build Your Own’s new Unicorn is not only fun and engaging to play with, but also eco-friendly. Contains zero plastic; both kit and packaging are fully recyclable. 

Our new range of junior kits are ideal for children aged 4+ and have been designed to introduce younger children to imaginative construction. Best enjoyed as a family experience, these kits are packed with creative play fun for you to enjoy together. 

  • Mess-free, slot together cardboard construction  
  • Perfect family time activity 
  • 20-minute build 
  • Skill level rating: 1 star out of 5 
  • 28 press-out parts 
  • Includes toadstool friend, trinket chest and key, flower wreath, bow, brush, gemstone, jewel collar, doughnut and cookie treats, and magic star 
  • Made from high-quality sustainable cardboard  
  • 100% plastic-free / Fully recyclable 
  • Easy to follow instructions included 
  • Designed in the UK 
  • Fun, educational and supports STEM 
  • Age 4+ (adult supervision recommended) 

Build Your Own Dragon  – £9.99 – Step into a fantasy fairy tale with Build Your Own’s new Dragon kit. 

Perfect for the junior builder, imaginations can roam free as little ones bring their friendly dragon to life. The cute moving head action, vibrant purple body, and contrasting brightly coloured jellybean detail create a whimsical, magical creature. 

Your beautifully bold dragon comes complete with a mix of jellybeans, magic bean wand, a miniature snail friend and more for a fun-filled, imaginary play experience. Plus, a cute trinket chest for you to safely store your treasured items.

Find the secret hidden heart as you build and make a special wish. 

There’s also a ready-to-colour dragon picture inside the packaging for creative young artists to enjoy. Colour it in, then proudly display your masterpiece. 

Easy to assemble using slot together techniques – there’s no glue, no mess, no fuss. Everything you need is provided in the kit – follow the simple instructions: press out the pre-cut parts, build, and play. 

Proudly designed in the UK using 100% sustainable cardboard, Build Your Own’s new Dragon is not only fun and engaging to play with, but also eco-friendly. Contains zero plastic; both kit and packaging are fully recyclable. 

Our new range of junior kits are ideal for children aged 4+ and have been designed to introduce younger children to imaginative construction. Best enjoyed as a family experience, these kits are packed with creative play fun for you to enjoy together. 

  • Mess-free, slot together cardboard construction  
  • Perfect family time activity 
  • 20-minute build 
  • Skill level rating: 1 star out of 5 
  • 34 press-out parts 
  • Includes mini snail friend, trinket chest and key, 7 magic jellybeans, jellybean plant, jellybean collar, pizza and cookie treats, and magic star 
  • Made from high-quality sustainable cardboard  
  • 100% plastic-free / Fully recyclable 
  • Easy to follow instructions included 
  • Designed in the UK 
  • Fun, educational and supports STEM 
  • Age 4+ (adult supervision recommended) 

Build Your Own Puppy – £9.99 – Build Your Own’s new Puppy kit will melt any child’s heart. 

Perfect for the junior builder, little ones will love creating their very own canine companion. The cute moving head action, fluffy fur effect, and adorable puppy dog eyes really bring this furry fellow to life. 

Your playful puppy comes complete with grooming accessories, dog toys and treats, a miniature duck friend, puppy poop and more for a fun-filled, imaginary play experience. Plus, a sweet trinket chest for you to safely store your puppy’s belongings. 

Find the secret hidden heart as you build and make a special wish. 

There’s also a ready-to-colour puppy picture inside the packaging for creative young artists to enjoy. Colour it in, then proudly display your masterpiece. 

Easy to assemble using slot together techniques – there’s no glue, no mess, no fuss. Everything you need is provided in the kit – follow the simple instructions: press out the pre-cut parts, build, and play. 

Proudly designed in the UK using 100% sustainable cardboard, Build Your Own’s new Puppy is not only fun and engaging to play with, but also eco-friendly. Contains zero plastic; both kit and packaging are fully recyclable. 

Our new range of junior kits are ideal for children aged 4+ and have been designed to introduce younger children to imaginative construction. Best enjoyed as a family experience, these kits are packed with creative play fun for you to enjoy together. 

  • Mess-free, slot together cardboard construction  
  • Perfect family time activity 
  • 20-minute build 
  • Skill level rating: 1 star out of 5 
  • 28 press-out parts 
  • Includes miniature duck friend, trinket chest and key, toy bone, sock, chew stick, bow, brush, jewel collar, cupcake and cookie treats, magic star and puppy poop! 
  • Made from high-quality sustainable cardboard  
  • 100% plastic-free / Fully recyclable 
  • Easy to follow instructions included 
  • Designed in the UK 
  • Fun, educational and supports STEM 
  • Age 4+ (adult supervision recommended) 

Build Your Own Kitten – £9.99 – Purrfect in every way, Build Your Own’s new Kitten kit is oh so cute. 

Ideal for the junior builder, little ones will delight in creating their lovable, sweet kitten. The cute moving head action, striking tabby fur pattern, and gleaming eyes cleverly bring this cuddly companion to life. 

Your playful kitten comes complete with grooming accessories, cat toys and treats, a miniature mouse friend and more for a fun-filled, imaginary play experience. Plus, an adorable trinket chest for you to safely store your kitten’s belongings. 

Find the secret hidden heart as you build and make a special wish. 

There’s also a ready-to-colour kitten picture inside the packaging for creative young artists to enjoy. Colour it in, then proudly display your masterpiece. 

Easy to assemble using slot together techniques – there’s no glue, no mess, no fuss. Everything you need is provided in the kit – follow the simple instructions: press out the pre-cut parts, build, and play. 

Proudly designed in the UK using 100% sustainable cardboard, Build Your Own’s new Kitten is not only fun and engaging to play with, but also eco-friendly. Contains zero plastic; both kit and packaging are fully recyclable. 

Our new range of junior kits are ideal for children aged 4+ and have been designed to introduce younger children to imaginative construction. Best enjoyed as a family experience, these kits are packed with creative play fun for you to enjoy together. 

  • Mess-free, slot together cardboard construction  
  • Perfect family time activity 
  • 20-minute build 
  • Skill level rating: 1 star out of 5 
  • 27 press-out parts 
  • Includes cute mouse friend, trinket chest and key, flower wreath, bow, brush, bell collar, ball of wool, fish toy, double choc cookie, treats, and magic star 
  • Made from high-quality sustainable cardboard  
  • 100% plastic-free / Fully recyclable 
  • Easy to follow instructions included 
  • Designed in the UK 
  • Fun, educational and supports STEM 
  • Age 4+ (adult supervision recommended) 

www.buildyourownkits.com 

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Posted 12 months ago
  • Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2024 highlighted Spain’s sustainability credentials 
  • Taylor Wimpey España selling a range of A-rated new properties 
  • Flight free travel and working from home supporting new sustainability patterns  

Lonely Planet has just ranked Spain as among the top ten destinations in the world for sustainable travel, as part of its Best in Travel 2024. The country’s commitment to biodiversity and the fact that “new cycle paths, electric buses and train routes offer flight-free ways to see the country” contributed to Spain’s status as a leading destination for eco-conscious travellers.  

Sustainability is an increasingly important issue for second home buyers in Spain, as well as holidaymakers. According to Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director at leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España, energy efficiency is increasingly top of mind for buyers. When asked to predict trends for the Spanish second homes market in 2024, he commented:  

“Buyers are increasingly seeking modern homes built with sustainability in mind. They are asking about energy certifications and seeking out A- and B-rated properties with features such as aerothermal heating pumps, installation for electric cars, energy-efficient appliances and energy-saving measures in communal areas. This is going to be a key trend in 2024 and beyond, with buyers increasingly turning away from older properties in favour of new, more sustainable homes.” 

Taylor Wimpey España already provides virtual show home visits for buyers looking to reduce their carbon footprint by minimising travel. The company has seen travel patterns change too, with many owners using their properties for fewer, longer breaks, often blending leisure time with working from home.  

“We expect to see further growth in executive nomads using their second homes in Spain in 2024. Those who have established effective, long-term working from home arrangements now have the freedom to change their travel patterns and enjoy greater lifestyle benefits as a result. Instead of travelling to the office daily, sitting in traffic and adding to the fumes, they can step onto the terrace and enjoy an early morning coffee in the near-year-round sunshine, drinking in the stunning view as motivation for the day’s work.” 

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, Taylor Wimpey España 

With “new train routes making flight-free travel a breeze,” according to Lonely Planet, Spain is immensely accessible by rail. London to Malaga and London to Alicante by train are both achievable in less than 23 hours. Travellers can make the journey part of the adventure – with the right connection times, they can catch a sleeper train from Paris and stop for a relaxed breakfast in the sunshine of the south of France before carrying on to Spain.  

Second homes in Spain come in a wide range of styles, sizes and locations, meaning that buyers can find the perfect balance to meet their individual needs when it comes to balancing work and leisure time. At Bella Beach in Dénia (in Alicante in the Costa Blanca) buyers can choose between ground floor homes with private gardens, two- and three-bedroom apartments with spacious terraces and luxurious penthouses with private solarium terraces. The A-rated homes overlook the sea and provide easy access to a wide range of facilities, with supermarkets, a market, cafes, restaurants, banks, a gym, a medical centre and a golf course all dotted about the local area. Prices start from €300,000 plus VAT. 

While the Costa Blanca typically provides greater value for money than the neighbouring Costa del Sol, it is the latter where demand for properties has really flourished over the past year. According to Taylor Wimpey España, homes in the Costa del Sol represent 50% of its total reservations so far in 2023, with demand still growing.  

British buyers, who accounted for 12% of Taylor Wimpey España’s total reservations between January and October 2023, have shown a particular preference for properties with stunning golf views this year. Homes at Solana Village, at La Cala Golf Resort in Mijas, have proven a hit, with British buyers snapping up properties at both Solana Village East and Solana Village South. Part of the same development, the two sites offer exceptional golf views, along with communal facilities that include an adult pool, infant splash pool and pretty landscaped gardens overlooking the valley. The difference, as reflected in the names, relates to the orientation of the two- and three-bedroom apartments, which are priced from €310,000 plus VAT at Solana Village East and from €370,000 plus VAT at Solana Village South.  

“2023 has been a busy year so far, with buyers of 52 different nationalities reserving homes spread across the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Cadiz, Mallorca and Ibiza. British buyers’ preference is undoubtedly for the Costa del Sol, with its signature blend of sunshine, beaches, golf courses and lively expat community.” 

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, Taylor Wimpey España 

Taylor Wimpey España has both off plan properties and key-ready homes available in the Costa del Sol at present. Buyers who act fast could enjoy spending Christmas in their new home – such as Green Golf in Estepona, where key-ready homes are available from €348,000 plus VAT – then work from home during the early months of 2024 to skip the worst of winter in the UK.  

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.  

463

Posted 12 months ago

A new report from plastic waste prevention startup CleanHub analyzes how plastic and the industry around it directly contributes to climate change – finding that it produces more greenhouse gasses than the Aviation and Shipping industries.

Here are the key findings:

  • Plastics contribute 3.4% (1.8 billion tonnes) of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions every year – more than either the Aviation (1.9%) and Shipping (1.7%) industries
  • 93% of plastics are made with fossil fuels – 14% of all extracted oil goes towards it
  • 60% of plastic emissions come from its production, 29% from distribution, 11% from disposal
  • Of the 353 million tonnes of plastic thrown away every year, only 9% (31,770,000) is recycled
  • Plastic kills millions of seabirds and marine mammals every year

Using industry research, the report highlights the emissions released through plastic production, distribution, and disposal as well as the toxic impact it’s having on wildlife and the environment. With news of microplastics being found in almost everything from food to Antarctic sea ice, the need to understand plastic’s overall contribution to climate and ecosystem change has never been more urgent.

A key finding is that plastics contribute 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases according to the OECD – 3.4% of overall emissions. This is much more than industries that are notorious for their emissions such as Aviation (1.9%) and Shipping (1.7%), highlighting that more must be done to lower plastic emissions at each stage of it’s production, use, and recycling.

From its start, plastic uses huge amounts of fossil fuels with one in seven barrels of all oil (14%) going towards its manufacturing. Oil production has increased by an estimated 40% since 1990, leading to a huge 629 million tonnes of oil used annually to produce plastic – a number that increases every year. As it currently stands, 93% of plastics are made with fossil fuels, and only 6% from recycled plastics. The remaining 1% are bio-based.



This production process is where the majority – three-fifths (60%) – of plastic’s emissions come from. According to global data, most plastic manufacturing comes from China – where almost a third (32%) of all plastic is made – then North America (Canada, Mexico, and the US combined) creates 18% of the total, with Europe making up another 15%.

The distribution stage of plastic – accounting for packaging, logistics and transport – is another huge contributor, accounting for 29% of the overall emissions. Packaging is responsible for the most plastic emissions (40%), and is a cyclical issue as plastic products inadvertently lead to more packaging produced.

Plastic disposal accounts for 11% of its overall emissions, especially as only 9% of plastic globally is recycled. In the USA, this drops to a tiny 4% – of the remaining plastic, 73% is sent to a landfill (estimated at 27 million tonnes per year), 19% is incinerated (which is also incredibly polluting), and a further 4% is mismanaged or uncollected.

The huge amounts of plastic sent to landfills degrade over centuries and release toxic chemicals as they do such as ethylene, and methane – which is at least 84 times worse for the climate than CO2 over a 20-year period. As much of it is dumped or mismanaged, an estimated 22 million tonnes filters into major water bodies and terrestrial environments. 

The microplastics from these cycle into rain clouds and disperse thousands of miles away from where they started, as well as being breathed in regularly by humans and animals alike. Microplastics in clouds also cause more extreme weather events, such as delayed and then heavier rainfall.

Plastic’s impact on animals is also devastating – it kills over a million seabirds, and 100,000 marine mammals every year, as well as negatively affecting around 700 species. Studies estimate that 90% of all seabirds and 52% of sea turtles have ingested plastic, and its ongoing contribution to climate change means over a million species are at risk.

Please see the full report here: https://blog.cleanhub.com/how-plastic-pollution-impacts-climate-change

Nikki Stones, Vice President of Marketing at CleanHub, had this to say on the findings:

“This research into plastic’s huge contribution to climate change and the negative consequences on the planet’s ecosystem is at the core of our mission at CleanHub. With a carbon footprint as large as aviation, over a million species at risk of extinction, and microplastics now found in humans, the scale of plastic’s impact is shocking and must be addressed.

There’s never been a more vital time to raise awareness to the dangers of plastic pollution, as well as to promote and use sustainable practices to produce and recycle it more effectively.”

CleanHub have included 5 ways that plastic pollution can be stopped from contributing to climate change further:

  1. Reduce Personal Plastic Consumption – as the average person throws away 221 kg of plastic a year, it’s vital that consumers cut their plastic consumption through sustainable practices. 
  2. Create A Circular Economy – build a system in which products and their parts are reused as much as possible.
  3. Clean Up Existing Plastic Pollution – as 78 million tonnes of plastic is mismanaged every year, CleanHub’s work with businesses is essential to reducing this figure.
  4. Recycle Plastic Waste – as only 9% of the 353 million tonnes of global plastic waste is recycled annually, it’s hugely important that we increase this figure to stop plastic having more impact on climate change.
  5. Find Greener Ways To Deal With Non-Recyclable Waste – better ways of recycling plastic must be used, such as co-processing – a method that CleanHub uses that burns plastic at extremely high temperatures to remove toxic elements for it to then be used towards cement production.