So serious is the plastic pollution crises that the theme for Earth Day 2024 is Planet V’s Plastic. For the sake of human & planetary health, the global Earth Day movement is calling for an ambitious 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.

WHAT’S THIS GOT TO DO WITH MY SKINCARE?

Well, the beauty industry is responsible for over 120 billion pieces of packaging every year, the majority of which is plastic.

In fact, a huge 30% of all plastic waste in the world comes from beauty.

It’s time we all started waking up.

BUT ISN’T RECYCLING THE ANSWER?

No! Unfortunately, not.

In the Global North, only 50% of us actually recycle our bathroom waste (have you got a recycling bin in your bathroom?), and even if we do often it doesn’t actually get recycled. Instead around 60% of it is incinerated (more pollution) or shipped overseas where it will often end up in someone else’s landfill, or worse still, our oceans.

The infrastructure just doesn’t exist to handle all the recyclable plastic waste being created by consumer products.

IS RECYCLING PLASTIC FROM THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY THE ONLY ISSUE WITH PLASTIC THOUGH?

Sorry, but that’s another no. It’s not just how we dispose of our plastic that is the problem. It’s how it’s made…

Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels, directly tied to increases in greenhouse gas emissions annually.

BUT I LOVE MY SKINCARE AND BEAUTY, SO WHAT CAN I DO?

Well, thankfully there are brands, just like SBTRCT, who take your skin and the plastic pollution crises equally seriously.

We’re here to show you there is another way.

Concentrated solid formulations that prioritise skin-loving ingredients over wasteful water content, use of palm oil, and of course plastic packaging.

If ever there was a time to make the switch, it’s now.

GREENWASHING – WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Of course, during times such as Earth Day, particularly when there is a focus on plastic, greenwashing can become even more prevalent than ever.

Here are our top tips on how to spot it in beauty….

1. Beware of brands choosing to use misleading and nuanced language such as “single-use plastic free”. The fact is that as so little of our plastic waste is actually recycled, most plastic (even the recyclable stuff) will end up being single use even if it’s not intended to be.
2. Using recyclable packaging doesn’t make a brand “zero waste” or “circular” in their approach. Again, the reality is that most bathroom waste isn’t recycled and so if it’s plastic it’s waste and if it’s waste, it’s polluting the planet.
3. You may also see references to “Offsetting”, or ‘Plastic Neutral” and even “Plastic Negative”. Usually this refers to brands paying someone in the Global South to collect recyclable materials from landfill to then be recycled, in turn, “offsetting” all the polluting plastic you’re putting out into the world. Not a bad thing in and of itself, but it definitely shouldn’t be positioned as the solution.
4. Ask the tough questions. If you think a brand isn’t being clear or isn’t being completely transparent, then challenge them on it.
5. Look for anti-greenwashing technology – SBTRCT uses provenance technology to connect our claims to real data and evidence from our supply chain, or third-party verifications. You’ll see their interactive “Proof Point” icons on each of our product pages, validating each of our claims (e.g. Domestically compostable packaging, plastic free skincare, Cruelty Free skincare and Vegan skincare).

And lastly, remember, being plastic free/zero plastic is the only true solution to this problem.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

Please Sign The Global Plastics Treaty petition calling for a 60% reduction of plastic by 2040.

Urge the United Nations and Governmental Organisations to prove the health of the planet and its citizens take priority over an industry threatening the health of every human on Earth. 

This treaty has huge potential to set us on the path to a plastic-free future. Now we can help make sure it delivers on its promises.

Sources:
Earthday.org
Greenpeace.org
Plastic Solutions Summit (British Beauty Council and A Plastic Planet).

Nottinghamshire, March 2024 – Biosnooze, the pioneer in sustainable sleep solutions, proudly announces its latest achievement: certification by sleep expert James Wilson, known as ‘The Sleep Geek’. This certification underscores Biosnooze’s commitment to providing quality, sustainable sleep products.

With over a decade of experience in sleep education and sleep practioning, working with the likes of Next, M&S, Pataks, Under Armour and West Ham United, helping thousands of people each year get better sleep, James Wilson has earned a reputation as a trusted authority in the field. His endorsement of the Biosnooze 100% biodegradable down alternative pillow speaks volumes about its quality and sustainability.

In his endorsement, Wilson highlighted the pillow’s unique features, stating, “The Biosnooze pillow is sustainable to its core. It uses a unique sugar enzyme treatment to encourage microbes to break down the fibers at the end of its life, ensuring it won’t linger in landfills. Moreover, it offers the softness of down while providing essential support for a restful sleep experience.”

The Biosnooze pillow is a groundbreaking product in the UK market, being the first and only 100% biodegradable down alternative pillow manufactured entirely in the UK. Packaged in 100% compostable materials, it addresses the pressing issue of pillow waste, with standard polyester pillows taking up to 200 years to decompose compared to Biosnooze’s mere two years.

James Wilson expressed his enthusiasm for the product’s sustainability, saying, “Encouraging healthy sleep habits is crucial, and the Biosnooze pillow offers this without harming the planet.”

Paul Whittey, the founder of Biosnooze said, “We are immensely proud to receive James’s endorsement and to display The Sleep Geek badge on our product. We aimed to create a sustainable yet comfortable sleep solution, and James’s support validates our efforts. This certification not only benefits individual consumers but also presents a significant opportunity for retailers and the hospitality industry to meet their sustainability goals.”

Biosnooze remains dedicated to revolutionising the sleep industry, one eco-friendly pillow at a time.

For more information about Biosnooze and its products, please visit www.biosnooze.com.

A recent YouGov survey commissioned by animal protection organisation Animal Justice Project, reveals just how little consumers know about where their eggs come from.  
 
With the average consumer eating 200 eggs annually and a whopping 11 billion eggs laid by hens in the UK each year, the egg industry is colossal. Whether scrambled, fried or baked in a cake – eggs are seen by many as a budget friendly and convenient food. As popular choice for vegetarians too, eggs are big business in the UK. 

 
Free-range eggs may feel like a no brainer for conscientious shoppers because the packaging implies hens have access to the outdoors and a better quality of life. Sadly, free-range eggs aren’t all they are cracked up to be.  This YouGov survey demonstrates that British consumers remain uniformed about egg farming methods and practices, and sheds light on some disturbing facts that the industry is keeping well hidden.  
 
The Results  
In a survey of 2,305 GB adults, 66% purchased eggs regularly (every 2-3 days to every two weeks) and the majority (59%) said animal welfare and free-range was important to them when purchasing eggs.  
 
Most respondents (64%) thought that free-range hens have daily access to the outdoors and over half of those surveyed (61%) didn’t know what age free-range hens are killed in the egg industry.  On the contrary,  
Animal Justice Project’s most recent investigation revealed hens being kept inside for up to four days on three separate farms, despite being certified as free-range. Whilst a previous investigation in 2023 revealed free-range hens being viciously caught and slaughtered at just 18 months old – a common industry practice in commercial farms.  
 
Unsurprisingly, most respondents (57%) said that the killing of male chickens within 24 hours of hatching was unacceptable and almost all vegetarians surveyed (80%) agreed.

 
Hidden secrets of the egg industry  
In the UK there are 39 million commercial laying hens being reared on free-range, organic and enriched cage farms. But what about the hens that produce the eggs, what kind of life do they live and what does free-range really mean?  

All male chicks in the egg industry are killed within 24 hours of being born, this is a disturbingly cruel practice which happens regardless of whether the birds are destined for caged, barn, free-range or organic farms. It’s not surprising that this is a practice the industry wants to keep under wraps.  
 
Most chicks (apart from organic birds) are debeaked. Debeaking is a painful procedure which removes around a third of a bird’s beak, without anaesthetic, and is intended to reduce feather pecking. Feather pecking can lead to feather loss, exposed and sore patches of skin and, in some cases, cannibalism. Stress, boredom and lack of space, mean that feather pecking is abundant on egg farms. 
 
Despite all major UK supermarkets and food companies committing to going cage-free for all of their eggs by 2025, cage-free does not mean cruelty-free. Currently, more than 70% of the UK’s eggs are cage-free, and around 30% come from hens kept in colony cages. These cages cram in between 40 and 80 hens per cage, giving each hen a total of 750cm2 of space each – not much more than an A4 sheet of paper. Each shed on a colony cage farm can pack in tens of thousands of hens.   

Cage-free hens, regardless of whether they are kept in barns or free-range farms, don’t fare much better. Egg-laying hens are crammed into sheds with up to 16,000 other birds, with an average of nine hens packed in per square metre – that’s the equivalent of 14 adults sharing a one-bedroom flat.  
 
For eggs to be labelled ‘free-range’, birds must have continuous daytime access to outdoors. Although outdoor space is accessible, due to the sheer number of birds inside, they are often physically unable to reach the exit or are prevented by more dominant birds.  

Animal Justice Project’s countless investigations into caged and free-range egg-laying farms have revealed birds dying, dead and decaying. Their recent investigation exposed these issues in ‘high welfare’ RSPCA Assured farms supplying major supermarkets like Sainsbury’s and Aldi, raising serious questions about the reliability of welfare labels.  
 
Once their egg production slows down, egg-laying hens are deemed unprofitable and sent to slaughter at a mere 18 months old. 

Before death, birds must first be caught and transported to the slaughterhouse. Catching teams are employed by farmers to catch, transport and slaughter hens, in a process known as ‘depopulation’. 

Animal Justice Project’s RSPCA Chicken catching investigation was a UK-first exposé of this disturbing practice. Their undercover footage showed birds repeatedly kicked and trodden on by workers, as well as being violently thrown into shed walls.  
 
This YouGov poll shows us that British consumers think animal welfare is important when purchasing eggs, that the public think free-range hens have access to outdoors and the killing of male chicks at birth is unacceptable. 
 
Claire Palmer, Founder and Director of Animal Justice Project, explains the importance of these findings: 
 
“This survey reveals just how little the public understand about how eggs are produced.  

Laying hens are tragically exploited as ‘egg machines’ within the egg industry, enduring immense suffering. Hens endure terrible conditions – crowded spaces, filth, mites, noise, panic and abuse. Hens are social, intelligent and sensitive animals who don’t deserve to suffer like this. It is essential that consumers see the grim reality of what they’re funding when they buy animal products. When animals are exploited for their ‘products’, their wellbeing will always come last, that’s why we implore consumers to consider adopting a plant-based diet.” 
 
The suffering that egg-laying hens are forced to endure is endless, from birth to death their life is full of cruelty.  Despite what the convincing marketing campaigns say, birds are being kept in horrific conditions and suffering is at the heart of the egg industry. Birds endure a miserable existence and are slaughtered at a young age, all for the sake of food. The only way to protect hens is to stop eating eggs and go vegan.   

• Home brewed coffee contains between 80-100 mg of caffeine per 240ml cup while commercial coffee can contain up to 325 mg in a medium cup. 
• Costa coffee contains five times as much caffeine as Starbucks coffee and three times as much as homemade coffee. 

New analysis conducted by Expert Reviews has discovered significantly higher caffeine levels in chain coffee shops, compared to home brewed coffee. 

Caffeine data from coffee chains such as Starbucks, McDonald’s and Pret a Manger show their standard brewed coffees range from 66-325 mg caffeine in a medium/regular size. This range is notably higher than a typical 240 ml cup of home-brewed coffee, which averages 80-100 mg of caffeine. 

Beverages	Caffeine content
Brewed coffee (240ml cup)	80-100 mg
Espresso (shot)	~65 mg
Cold brew (240 ml)	~100 mg
Instant coffee (240ml cup)	60-80 mg
Decaffeinated coffee (240ml cup)	~2 mg
Costa (medium Americano)	325 mg
Greggs (medium Cappucino)	197 mg
Pret a Manger (medium Americano)	182 mg
Caffé Nero (regular Americano)	160 mg
McDonald’s (regular Americano)	142 mg
Starbucks (tall Americano)	66.2 mg

The chain coffee shop that serves the Americano with the highest caffeine content is Costa, with a staggering 325 mg – a whopping 165% more than the coffee from Greggs.

A medium Cappucino from Greggs contains 197 mg of caffeine, making it the chain that sells the second most caffeinated coffee. Pret a Manger  has less of a caffeine kick and stands in third place with 182 mg for a regular Americano.

Health experts recommend limiting caffeine to 400 mg per day for most adults – 200mg for pregnant individuals. This means that if you’re buying more than 2 cups of commercial coffee per day, you will likely be exceeding the recommended caffeine limit. For reference the daily coffee consumption in the UK has reached 98 million cups.

The increased caffeine levels found in chain coffee shops are likely due to the specific roasting and brewing processes used by the big coffee companies. Darker roasts, finer grinds, and longer brew times can all extract more of the natural caffeine from the coffee beans.

For most people, a few cups of home-brewed coffee isn’t a major health concern. But if you’re drinking multiple cafe coffees daily, the caffeine can start adding up quickly. Excessive caffeine consumption can cause side effects like insomnia, anxiety, rapid heartbeat and more.

While coffee can be part of a healthy diet, it pays to watch your caffeine intake, especially from handcrafted coffeehouse and restaurant brews. Making coffee at home gives you more control over just how much of a caffeine kick you’re getting.

With electricity prices reduced from 1^st April, EV drivers will be able to charge their cars for less says Ohme, the UK’s largest dynamic smart charging company.

As the Standard Variable Tariff drops to 24.5p/kWh on 1^st April, the lowest price in two years, drivers of electric vehicles will be able to enjoy greater savings when charging at home.

However, while that will be welcome news for EV drivers keen to reduce their charging costs, Ohme is encouraging those same drivers to make even bigger savings by switching to a smart EV tariff.

“As more people are trying to lower their household bills, this reduction in the price of electricity will be welcome news for drivers of EVs,” said David Watson, Ohme CEO. “However, they could easily lower those bills further by finding out if their electricity supplier offers a special tariff for EV drivers. If not, then they should consider switching to an energy provider that does to enjoy even bigger savings of running an EV.”

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.

Charging on the new Standard Variable Tariff in a typical EV for 6800 miles of driving (the UK annual average) would cost £417.00. On a smart EV tariff such as Intelligent Octopus Go* however, the same mileage would cost just £127.50. The same distance in a petrol car would cost more than £1100.

Ohme is the official charger provider for Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai in the UK, as well as Polestar and the Volkswagen Group in the UK and Ireland and customers on the Motability scheme, the largest fleet operator in the UK. Ohme has been named as Fast Track Company of the Year in the 2023 UK Green Business Awards as well as Best Chargepoint Manufacturer in the 2024 Irish EV awards

* Intelligent Octopus Go – 7.5p/kWh

1. Can you tell us why you begun Irregular Sleep Pattern

We saw a gap in the market for responsibly produced design-led bedding and sleepwear that takes a confident approach to maximalist pattern and colour paired with an attention to detail in fit, cut and tailoring. Our ambition for Irregular Sleep Pattern is to make fabulous and durable products in a responsible manner. Our mantra is: Serious about Design. Serious about Joy 

2. Tell us about you..

We are a wife & husband team, Jolene Crawford & Mil Stricevic. I am a former arts tv producer, and Mil is a product designer who teaches at Glasgow School of Art and runs his own design consultancy. The year we turned 40 and 50 respectively (2017), I was ready for a change of career, and as we’d jokingly talked about starting this business on and off for a few years, it seemed like a good watershed moment to actually go for it. 

3. Where are your clothes made and why?

Our bedding & sleepwear are tailored in organic cotton in India. When we started, we had ambitions to produce our garments in the UK, but having produced our sample collection in London, we knew we’d have to charge £600 for a pair of pyjamas if this was to be a financially viable business. We found our amazing SMETA regulated family business factory in India with the help of UKFT (UK Fashion & Textiles Association), and manufacturing there allows us to sell our products for a more realistic price point. The general population is very disconnected with how much clothes should cost, seeing cheap garments as a human right. We advocate for buy less buy better / wear what you already have / shop secondhand which is what we do. 

The Irregular in our name is about the outsized bold nature of our prints, but it also refers to our values as a business. As well as the ‘responsible’ production ethos I outline below, we are a genderless brand, we have 8 size offerings extending to the equivalent of 4XL, we bank with an ethical bank, we only use people we know as models, we like to collaborate with artists (most recently for the launch film we made to celebrate our new collection. For us, the joy we have gained in building a community of like minded people as as important as actually selling stuff…. 

4. How does your brand support sustainability? 

We’d never claim to support sustainability, as we are producing new products which is never going to be sustainable. We prefer to describe ourselves as a responsible brand. We don’t follow seasons, we only have a core collection of garments and refresh the prints when the time is right for us, we use organic cotton, we produce in small batches, we have physically designed the garment construction to be durable, we cut our fabric to minimise fabric waste, the small scraps we do produce are sent to a refugee charity in India who are repurposing them into small products (scarves available soon, and eye pillows in production). We also encourage responsible consumerism: we use custom sizing due to being a genderless brand, which necessitates measurement / thought before purchase. We don’t offer free returns as we think this encourages impulse buying (we do offer a free exchange). 

Mil still works full time in two other jobs, while I do everything else on my own, but we have ambition when time allows to continue researching how we could do things better, for example using smarter ‘eco’ fabrics, because we understand that although organic cotton is better than regular cotton, it is still a problematic crop to produce. 

5. Explain your slogan, “designed, not designer” 

NB. this is a kind of sub slogan. Our main one is ‘bedding & sleepwear designed at the intersection of art + utility” 

Mil says, “The term ‘designer’ has become misappropriated over the past few decades to the point where the term really only signifies a label ie. a brand name. ‘Designer’ frequently only means the application of a logo and this is not the same as something that has actually been ‘designed’. For us, an example of a designer garment is an entirely generic thing like a t-shirt, whose price point is elevated simply by the application of a brand label which is seen to represent good quality, with very little thought given to the actual design of the garment. We are more interested in good design – the construction of the garment – where the things that make it special are all the details in the design, rather than the appropriation of a fashionable ‘designer’ name”

In contrast, following the Charles Eames maxim, ’The details are not the details. They make the design’, Mil developed the unique cut of our sleepwear – lightly tailored with a nod to workwear – to be both practical and flattering, as well as built to last: twin needle stitching, french seams, generous patch pockets, reinforced joins, shawl collar, high waisted trousers….. these are no ordinary pyjamas! 

As a result of all our design details, 90% of our customers choose to wear our sleepwear as daywear, so we describe it as being ’suitable for 24/7 fabulousness’! 

Serious about Design + Serious about Joy | Irregular Sleep Pattern

When you see Solidwool material it draws you in. You can’t help but want to touch it. Your eyes see the texture, yet your hands feel the smoothness.’

Solidwool was born from the idea to create something beautiful – making sustainable furniture with an unbreakable link to nature. A unique composite material, Solidwool is made in the UK using British wool and bio-resin. Think fibreglass, but with wool.

The journey of Solidwool began with Herdwick, an iconic Lake District breed. Their wool is a by-product of sheep farming, wiry and coarse, it is of little or no value. Solidwool set out to turn this unwanted fibre into sustainable design with purpose. Rewriting the story of undervalued breeds, to help this incredible, natural fibre find its value again.

When used in Solidwool the natural fibres of the wool shine through, creating a unique composite that is strong and smooth to the touch, yet at its heart is wool. The fleece from two heritage breeds are currently used in Solidwool. Herdwick produces a captivating dark grey composite, with visible lighter guard hairs. Welsh Mountain uses the wool from both the black and white sheep, combining mottled cream, black, grey, and brown fibres to create a striking marbled effect.

With two stunning composites the Solidwool Hembury Chair with its simple lines and timeless appeal is a product to be cherished and handed down through generations. Taking a considered and sensitive approach to all materials, the hand-turned legs are made by a local wood turner from UK sourced sustainable Ash and the frames are made from recycled steel.

Designing sustainably doesn’t have to mean fewer options, the Solidwool offering also includes a Hembury Side Table and a Hembury Stacking Chair. Each conscientiously designed to showcase the beauty of the material. Seven new colours have also been added to the Solidwool palette, including the neutrals of stone and bark, as well as brighter shades of moss, ochre, cobalt and tan. All are informed by nature and reflect the beauty of our environment.

All Solidwool products are made by a small team of skilled innovators in a workshop in Devon.

www.solidwool.com

Spring has sprung and for most of us, this signals positivity,  with lighter, longer days and flourishing nature, but Councils it is time to start applying Poison to our Pavements

Glyphosate is still the main chemical chosen for weed control in and around the  capital cities pavement’s, streets, around trees , publicly used buildings and spaces, outside houses , flats, schools, parks and medical establishments  and much much more , this continues , despite it being well known that this chemical, kills more than just the weeds!

It was way back in 2016, when The International Agency for Research Cancer (IARC) announced that Glyphosate was a probable carcinogen to both humans and animals.

Companies and manufacturers immediately raced to use well funded research and selective results defending the chemicals safety and protecting continued use and profits.

Several high profile successful lawsuits later, the very real harm caused by Glyphosate has been brought to light. Supreme Court judges recognise and acknowledge research, which is free from vested interests  and available for public scrutiny and millions have now been paid out to those affected , thousands of cases are now awaiting trial and billions have been set aside to meet  future claims. 

Common sense, would dictate that any continued use of Glyphosate by councils, would immediately halt , but no, unfortunately common sense is not that common these days  and years later councils are still using!!

In Edinburgh, Poison is still being applied to our pavements in communities despite mounting local stories of everyday human and animal sickness and harm linked to nearby applications . Claims from council of apparent reductions and safety are amongst the usual responses , but the fact still remains – Glyphosate continues to be used, where we walk our dogs and our kids play.

Glyphosate is now not only linked to Cancer but to a host of today’s common ailments like Asthma, allergies, sore throats, stomach issues and epilepsy, Autoimmune dysfunction, respiratory distress and gastrointestinal issues have all been linked to Glyphosate.

Despite full knowledge of this, each year our elected officials vote and then go on to decide to allow applications to continue , aware that Glyphosate was only ever narrowly relicensed for minimal and restricted use only.

Glyphosate goes on to be applied by   councils usually 2/3 times per year between March and October , onto our pavements, streets, around trees, bus stops, lampposts, around signs, preparing flowerbeds, in cemeteries and in and around many other public buildings and shared spaces.

Glyphosate is applied right under our noses using quad bikes or by individuals wearing backpack applicators, without our knowledge or consent. Unless you are at your window 24/7 you are unlikely to ever see or know this has happened, making it near impossible to avoid.

Council are quick to reassure us of the chemicals safety, citing their other‘ environmental’ credentials and their many other admirable activities, hoping to justify continued use. Thankfully some prefer to take a precautionary approach.

Councils like Glastonbury, decided in 2016 if there was any doubt to the chemicals safety, to apply the precautionary principle and to immediately stop use . Glastonbury have been successfully removing weeds by using safe alternatives, prioritising the health of their community. Hammersmith and Fulham also switched to using safe alternatives without hesitation, removing  the weeds using safe environmentally friendly methods. Protecting pets, people and planet above profit.

Unfortunately , Scotlands Capital city seems to have been somewhat side tracked and although they were amongst the first to acknowledge the urgent need to stop using this chemical and remove the weeds safely way back in 2017, they still in 2024 actively choose to apply Poison to our Pavements and local areas, even outside our  homes!!- even when they are well aware of suspected connections to ill health and in the full knowledge that there are cost effective , safe alternative solutions available.

The village of Balerno, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, felt forced to take matters into their own hands in 2019, after they linked local applications to incidents of human and pet illness and bee death, dog sickness.

Reports  of sore throats, chronic coughs, allergies, asthma, arthritis, hay fever, gut issues, neurological issues , respiratory issues and autoimmune disfunction persuaded the council that no more Glyphosate was to be applied in Balerno and the council agreed to look into safe alternatives. Balerno residents now choose to safely remove the small strip of weeds outside their own home, while waiting as the Council investigate alternatives. 

Since ending the use of Glyphosate in Balerno , local residents have noted previously reported ailments have improved and in some cases their chronic health conditions have been completely resolved!

Public demand on this matter has never been higher now , as most people do not want  unnecessary toxic chemicals forced upon them! Edinburgh has a petition touching 5,000 , asking for no more Glyphosate to be applied to remove weeds and for safe alternatives to be used instead.

It will be very interesting to see this year how our democratically elected officials choose to allocate our £2.4 million budget which has been announced for Edinburgh Parks, Environmental protection and Biodiversity.

Isn’t it a very unusual democratic council that ignores the democratic wishes of the public it claims to represent and who are asking for safe alternatives to protect health and the environment!

Safe alternatives like Hot water or Foamstream machines are not only affordable at around £20,000, they are already used successfully worldwide to protect the environment and biodiversity. When used correctly, they are not only safer for health and the environment but they actually save councils money and are more effective . Multi function capabilities also mean they  are able to remove chewing gum and graffiti, clean bus shelters and can be used all year round and in all weathers!

With so much emphasis on health and the environment today it seems almost ludicrous and extremely odd and concerning to continue to use and force a known harmful to health and environmental chemical upon communities we claim to represent and protect.

Councils and communities have the responsibility to make this work. Surely our role and duty as responsible adults is to protect our most vulnerable and our next generation?

It may be doubtful that any future generations will ever wonder why companies protected their profits or why councils protected their reputations but they may indeed wonder and be shocked at why we so easily let it happen 

Contributed by Pesticide Free Balerno

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Edinburgh Petition

KFC & FareShare launch new campaign to raise awareness of community kitchens and drive more volunteers as 11 million Brits face food insecurity   

·       11 million people in the UK face food insecurity, yet most of us (51%) couldn’t identify a community kitchen in our local area  

·       New research shows the majority (53%) of generous Brits want to volunteer to support good causes – but many feel hampered by a low understanding of local problems, a lack of information and poor awareness of local charities  

·       In a bid to raise awareness of community kitchens and unleash Britain’s volunteering superpower, KFC and FareShare are teaming up to launch an eye-catching Bucket Bike, trialled on the streets of Brighton with volunteer riders who transport food from KFC to FareShare depots 

KFC and food redistribution charity FareShare today reveal a new ‘Bucket Bike’ designed to raise awareness of community kitchens and the need for more of the volunteers who power them. This comes as KFC hits the milestone of 1 million meals redistributed via FareShare.  

The joint action is being driven by shocking new research commissioned by KFC and FareShare revealing that 51% of Brits don’t know if there is a community kitchen in their area. Indeed, whilst 31% of us could confidently locate a local food bank and 26% a local animal welfare charity, just one in ten (10%) could say the same for a community kitchen. 

This is despite the fact that 11 million Brits are currently facing food insecurity, according to The Food Foundationⁱ, many of whom access community kitchens as a vital resource.   

FareShare has a presence in every Local Authority and Parliamentary constituency across the whole of the UK. Its charities and community kitchens operate as local support hubs for people facing food insecurity, using chicken from KFC to offer hot meals or food parcels for people to enjoy at home.  Many of the groups receiving food from FareShare also offer wraparound care to the people they support, such as mental health support, guidance with money, and referrals to external organisations. Volunteers are crucial to this ongoing work. 

Generous Brits Disconnected from Local Impact  

Brits are generous when it comes to supporting those in need – with 53% vowing to volunteer in future and 50% of us keen to offer our time to a local charity.  

However, a lack of information (22%) and limited awareness of local charities (20%) were identified as key reasons people have not volunteered more in the past.  

In more positive news, 32% of us would volunteer at a local community kitchen if there was one in our area.  

Recruiting New Community Heroes  

Research also shows 86% of Brits know where their nearest fast-food restaurant is and 77% of us expect restaurants to give surplus food to communities in need. KFC has been partnering with FareShare since 2021 to donate surplus chicken – and this month has hit a new milestone, with the equivalent of 1 million meals’ worth of food redistributed. KFC is currently on track to donate the equivalent of 2 million means by the end of the year through its ongoing partnership with FareShare.  

The joint campaign to big up the Bucket Bike is designed to raise awareness of local charities and community kitchens – driving volunteers to offer support at a time of need. By shining a light on the existing volunteers transporting surplus chicken from KFC restaurants to almost 1,000 charities and community groups across the UK, the hope is more will come forward to support FareShare. 

The Bucket Bike is being trialled by volunteer drivers in Brighton between FareShare’s Sussex & Surrey local depot and the KFC restaurant on Western Road. Its eye-catching design, modelled on KFC’s iconic Bargain Bucket, is geared towards awareness raising.  

Jenny Packwood, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at KFC Pan-Europe, UK & Ireland says: “It’s great to see how much people want to give back – but we need to do more to tackle low awareness of local charities. By bigging up the bucket bike, we want remove the awareness barrier and shine a light on the tireless work of local volunteers who transport our chicken restaurant to community kitchen.” 

FareShare Sussex & Surrey Volunteer Delivery Cyclist Adam Hall says: “Whilst volunteering for FareShare Sussex & Surrey, I have been amazed by both the amount of people who benefit from the food redistributed by FareShare, and the generosity of people who have surplus food to give. I have lived in Brighton for 10 years and always thought I knew the area really well. However, since volunteering for FareShare my eyes have opened to how many community kitchens, food banks and other care providers there are, right on my doorstep, that I had no idea about. It’s amazing to see businesses like KFC supporting the work of FareShare and giving back to local communities.”  

Kris Gibbon-Walsh, Chief Operating Officer at FareShare says: “Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at FareShare. We know that the charities and community groups we provide food to often rely on the generosity of volunteers to deliver their services. Through our work with KFC, we are hoping to shine a light on all of the wonderful volunteers giving their time to help get food to people in their local communities and encourage more people to volunteer with FareShare.” 

Dan Slatter, Chief Executive Officer at FareShare Sussex & Surrey: “Over 150 wonderful people of all ages and all walks of life volunteer with us each week, many initially come to us driven by a desire to help others locally in Sussex and Surrey but most stay due to the sense of community, belonging and friendship.  Volunteering is such a wonderful thing to do, aside from the enormous practical help to our operation, there are huge benefits to combating isolation and improving physical and mental health. Shining a light on food insecurity and the benefits of community cooking through this partnership with KFC and FareShare is incredible. We hope that by spot lighting the wonderful work of our volunteers, more people will be inspired to take action and help their local community.” 

KISS FM partnership to supercharge awareness  

As part of its ongoing partnership with KISS FM, KFC will be using 2024 to talk about its mission to get meals to the people who need it the most. Working with KISS FM gives a platform to talk about this in a way that resonates with younger audiences. KISS FM presenter Tyler West visited a community kitchen recently which is supplied with chicken from Fareshare and KFC and spoke with volunteers and beneficiaries. 

DJ Tyler West, KISS Radio, Weekdays 4pm – 7pm: “Already on this journey I’ve learnt so much and felt so inspired by the stories I’ve heard. It’s a privilege to be able to shine light on those making real change and helping people up and down the UK. It’s so important now that we’re able to connect with the services available and support in any way we can.” 

¹ Source: The Food Foundation 2023, Food Insecurity Tracker Round 13  

How does it work for FareShare?   

FareShare charities and community groups collect frozen food from KFC three times a week. The restaurants are currently able to redistribute their five main chicken items (original pieces, hot wings, mini fillets, fillets and zingers) to charities. The food is transported over to the freezer ready for charity collection.  

The designated charities must confirm their collection through the FareShare Go Foodiverse app between 8-11am on the day of collection.  

If it’s not confirmed by the designated charity, then it’s offered to the next charity in line. The provision is then confirmed by staff on the FareShare Foodiverse app through KFC’s in-restaurant system.  

The food is then collected by the local charity or community group and reheated into meals for the community or provided as part of a food parcel for people to enjoy at home.  

Argentina’s leading exporter of organic wines, Domaine Bousquet, has launched its first wine with Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC™) into the UK: Virgen Vineyards Organic Malbec 2022.

The Gualtallary Valley based estate became only the fourth winery worldwide – the first outside the US – to achieve ROC™ status in 2022.

Co-owner & CEO, Anne Bousquet commented: “We were delighted to achieve ROC™ in 2022, and now the launch of our first wine with this status gives us the opportunity to communicate to the consumer our regenerative organic approach, our commitment to combatting climate change and our 360˚ sustainability ethos. Hopefully, we can also encourage other wineries around the world to work towards gaining ROC™ along the way.”

Virgen Vineyards is also a natural wine, with no sulphites added. To protect against faulty flavours associated with harmful bacteria and oxidation, the winemaking has to be exceptionally clean and precise with wines stored at a cooler temperature post-fermentation. The wine is wrapped in thermal blankets before shipping to create an air chamber between the container and the wine which minimises contact with fluctuating temperatures. Storage is the same as with a normal bottle of wine (a cool, dark space), but wines may be more sensitive to high and low temperatures.

Bousquet added: “Making a sulphite-free natural wine is a challenge but also a natural progression for us, having worked organically since the beginning at Domaine Bousquet. We have already had success with Virgen Vineyards in the US and can see the market for natural wines growing significantly, with consumers – particularly those unable to tolerate sulphites – actively seeking them out, especially from brands with a track record of organic, sustainability and quality.”

Virgen Vineyards Organic Malbec 2022 is made from grapes grown in Tupungato, in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, in the foothills of the Andes. It has an RRP of £14 and is available to independent wine merchants via UK agent, Vintage Roots. Domaine Bousquet Virgen Malbec No Sulphur from Vintage Roots www.domainebousquet.com | @domainebousquetarg