Leading tech firm Gander is announcing a new service partnership agreement with C-Store Collective, a renowned name in the convenience and forecourt sector. This strategic partnership aims to expand the reach and enhance the availability of Gander’s product to a broader customer base. 

The collaboration brings together C-Store Collective’s extensive experience and their ability to revolutionise the commercial success of their clients, with the tech of Gander, to drive reduced-to-clear food into the world’s biggest channels.

Damien Corcoran, Chief Operating Officer at Gander, said: “We are excited to be working with C-Store Collective. Their industry knowledge and experience is phenomenal, and they know how to make sure convenience stores are structured, both strategically and tactically, to provide amazing service and, in turn, profitability.  Gander will be a great addition to the C-Store Collective toolkit, using technology to drive more sales and footfall through our reduced-to-clear local feed; all whilst reducing waste and doing our bit to save the planet.

“The partnership is set to leverage the strengths of both companies, combining Gander’s expertise in food waste management with C-Store Collective’s extensive market presence. Together Gander and C-Store Collective will drive efficiency, improve profit and grow sales, whilst helping shoppers beat the cost of living crisis and preventing food from going to waste.”

Gander has become one of the fastest growing tech innovators. The SaaS company recently announced exceptional results from a trial with the Snappy Shopper home delivery app. The collaboration proved how successful the integration is for retailers looking to increase basket spend and reduce wastage costs within their own stores, and for customers looking to find reduced to clear goods locally.

For the second consecutive year, Gander has been nominated for the prestigious Earthshot Prize 2024, a global environmental award launched by Sir David Attenborough, Prince William, and The Royal Foundation. The prize seeks solutions to critical environmental issues like climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Jonathan Rons, Co-Founder of C-Store Collective, added: “This partnership is an extension to Gander’s existing relationship with the C-Store Collective. Gander’s solution drives sustainability and reduces food waste by enabling retailers to sell more reduced food, providing a win-win for retailers and shoppers. With Ganderlytics, the powerful analytical tool as part of the package, retailers will be able to track their improved performance when selling reduced food. 

“We are delighted to strengthen our existing relationship with the Gander team and being their go-to contact for the convenience channel. We are looking forward to helping our clients solve problems they may have with waste, reductions, compliance, and driving sales.”

Claire Goddard, Marketing Manager at Pricewatch, was introduced to Gander by C-Store Collective. She said: “Partnering with Gander through C-Store Collective has revolutionised our sell through rate and waste reduction. Since 2021, we’ve sold 260,551 reductions and seen a 51% increase in our sell-through rate, thanks to strategic guidance from C-Store Collective. The Gander app has helped our customers save money, reduced our food waste, and saved 177 tonnes of CO2, underscoring our commitment to sustainability. This collaboration has significantly enhanced our operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.”

As part of the agreement, Gander will support C-Store Collective ensuring seamless integration and outstanding customer service retail customers are accustomed to. Both companies are committed to a collaborative approach, with ongoing efforts to explore new opportunities and drive success.

DOWNLOAD NOW IN APP STORES

Gander – Reduced Food Alerts on the App Store (apple.com)Gander – Find Reduced Food – Apps on Google Play

Gander – Reduced Food Alerts on the App Store (apple.com)

Love jewellery, but worry about the impact that buying a new necklace, ring or earrings could have on the planet? Meet Jana Reinhardt jewellery, an ethical and eco-friendly brand who create all their pieces as sustainably as possible. You can even win yourself one of their beautifully designed, gorgeous pieces! Read to the end to find out how!     

The brand define sustainable jewellery as products that have had a minimal impact on the planet in each stage of the production process, from mining, to manufacture, packaging and shipping. Here five things the brand recommend looking out for if you want to ensure your new piece of jewellery leaves as small a footprint on the world around us as possible.

  

1. Don’t buy jewellery from a fast fashion brand:

As with so many environmental problems, overconsumption is a major driver of the jewellery industry’s negative impact on our world. Did you know the average 40-year-old woman owns over £6,000 worth of jewellery? Including £3,000 worth which she will never wear? And much of this is costume jewellery, often worn just a handful of times before being thrown away. 

The gold and silver plating on cheap jewellery can quickly fade leaving the greenish-tinged base metal exposed. You fall out of love with it, chuck it in the bin and it ends up in landfill. The metal and plastic don’t biodegrade and end up releasing toxins into the air and water.  

This is just one of the reasons why Jana Reinhardt don’t gold plate our jewellery anymore. Opting for a piece made from sterling silver and solid gold means they can be polished if they tarnish. So, they won’t ever permanently discolour, and you’ll never need to get rid of them. 

As a brand, Jana Reinhardt has always been about making thoughtful, inspired jewellery rather than throwaway fashion-led items. Their intention is to create forever pieces that you’ll want to wear on repeat.   

Their price points might seem expensive compared to some mass-market brands, but that’s because they make everything by hand using traditional techniques. You’re buying jewellery made with superior craftsmanship and materials, you really do get what you pay for! 

2. Choose jewellery made from recycled precious metals:

The mining of precious metals is associated with all kinds of damage to the environment. Some of the chemicals used during mining can pollute the air, and metal mining requires massive amounts of water, which can damage local ecosystems and indigenous populations. Mining might also cause soil erosion and releases a large volume of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. 

Then there’s the human cost of mining: many workers aren’t paid a fair wage and are forced to work in unsafe conditions. An estimated one million children are working in mines around the world, inhaling dust and dangerous chemicals which damage their health. Entire communities can be displaced when mines are established. 

This is why Jana Reinhardt now exclusively use recycled metals, from suppliers certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council, rather than take the risk that the metals they make their jewellery from have exploited people or the environment. 

If you buy something silver or gold from Jana Reinhardt, you can feel reassured that the precious metals haven’t been freshly mined to create your jewellery. The brand guarantee there is zero newly mined metal in their pieces. Buying recycled precious metals means you are re-using a resource that’s already out in the world. Plus, recycled metals don’t require the use of cyanide solvents to separate them and aren’t associated with environmentally damaging processes. Phew! 

3. Pay attention to packaging:

When you buy new jewellery, it’s not just your ring, necklace or bracelet that can have an impact on the world. The pretty box, soft foam pad keeping everything in place, and the bubble wrap it’s been packed in can all have negative effects on the environment too. 

Have you heard that 40% of the total plastic used in the world is attributable to packaging? Most of it ends up in landfill, where it can take up to 1000 years to biodegrade. Some plastics will never break down and we’re stuck with them forever. 

8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into oceans every year. Plastic pollution threatens wildlife, alters ecosystems, and poses risks to human health. It’s estimated most humans have microplastics in their lungs. Microplastics were detected in the ice caps in Antarctica for the first time in 2022, a worrying sign.   

This is why Jana Reinhardt jewellery boxes are made from 100% recyclable card and paper. There are no plastic/foam pads, ribbons, or cushions in our boxes. They use vegan felt pads in their packaging instead, which sit on a folded card that is cut locally. They then pack the box with tissue paper. 

The brand’s cartons and printed materials are all 100% recyclable, and they even use recyclable paper tape.  Their gift-wrapping ribbon is now made from bamboo which means they are100% plastic free – hurrah! 

4. Consider the brand’s carbon footprint: Everything a jewellery manufacturer does has an impact on the CO2 in the atmosphere, from the air they breathe as they work on your piece of jewellery, to the electricity used to power tools, and the fuel used by the delivery van that brings you your jewellery.

It’s impossible to counterbalance the carbon created by these activities entirely, but Jana Reinhardt are very mindful of it, so they decided to join Ecologi in 2022, who plant trees to reduce carbon pollution and fund climate projects across the globe. In just over 3 years, Ecologi has planted 44.9 million trees and reduced 2.1 million tonnes of CO2e.

Whenever Jana Reinhardt sell a piece of jewellery, they plant a tree with Ecologi. This means that every time you buy something from Jana Reinhardt, they’re taking steps to offset the carbon created when they make your jewellery and ship it to you.

Plus – as Vegans, Jana Reinhardt are 100% plant-powered. So, the food they eat to fuel themselves has much less of a CO2 footprint than meat eaters. High-five!   

5. Choose a brand that gives back:

As well as making our jewellery as sustainable as possible, Jana Reinhardt made a choice a couple of years ago to use their jewellery skills to help charities and causes.

The Animal Wellbeing collection started life in 2020 with an Orangutan pendant that we created to raise funds and awareness for the brilliant charity OVAID, which sends vets to orangutan rescue groups and centres in Indonesia and Malaysia, and provides veterinary equipment and medicines. For every pendant sold Jana Reinhardt donate £20 to OVAID – it isn’t megabucks, but it’s a start, and every little helps. 

From the Orangutan pendant, the collection has grown and grown. Jana Reinhardt now work with 12 different animal welfare charities, from The Sloth Conservation Foundation to PETA, and The Badger Trust.

 Supporting these organisations means that when you buy from Jana Reinhardt you aren’t just bagging yourself a gorgeous piece of jewellery, you’re also donating to brilliant charities that are making a difference and helping vulnerable animals. 

Win your own piece of sustainably handmade Jana Reinhardt jewellery: a stunning hummingbird necklace: 

Jana Reinhardt has teamed up with Eco News to offer all our readers the chance to win one of their bestselling pieces: this dainty handmade hummingbird necklace, worth £89.

The pretty pendant is made from recycled silver and comes with a matching adjustable chain, that can be worn at 16 or 18 inches (41 or 46cm).  A beautiful, understated necklace, featuring a finely carved hummingbird, there are so many details to fallin love with on this one-of-a-kind pendant. 

Hummingbirds are believed to symbolise joy and lightness of being – things you’ll feel whenever you wear this gorgeous piece! 

To enter, head to our social pages – ENDS SUNDAY 16TH OF JUNE, MIDNIGHT.

Terms and conditions:

1. This prize draw is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over.  

2. The prize detailed: 1 x sterling silver necklace cannot be exchanged for goods, or towards the purchase of goods.

3. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash, or replaced if lost or damaged. 

4. Prizes must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred. 

5. The prize winner must respond and provide the delivery address within 1 month of being notified they have won the giveaway 

6. The decision of the judge is final and no correspondence will be entered into  

Supportive, confidence-boosting style is at the heart of this ocean-inspired Eco-Luxe collection from Deakin & Blue. Sculpted shapes, in-built support and double-layered compression fabric ensure confidence and comfort. A calming palette of ocean hues and a Mountain River print from Liberty Fabrics create a fresh and premium look.

The collection includes new versions of the best-selling, award-winning X-Back Swimsuit and Plunge Bikini. An update on the classic one-piece, the X-Back features a signature cut-out back, wide supportive straps and full bottom coverage. The Plunge Bikini has new, adjustable straps for tan-friendly bust support and is paired with retro-inspired high-waisted bikini bottoms with a firm but flush hold.

Proving that sustainability doesn’t have to be boring, Deakin & Blue’s beautiful eco-chic swimwear is crafted from ECONYL®, a 100% regenerated nylon fibre, meaning the fabrics are twice as resistant to chlorine, sun cream and oil as standard Lycra®. And, because women’s bodies change with age, Deakin & Blue offers a revolutionary inclusive sizing system that combines UK dress sizes 8-24 with three curve fits for bust sizes AA-HH, creating a tailored fit that adapts to the body.
This collection is part of Deakin & Blue’s new But First, Me range that inspires busy women to take time out for themselves for better well-being. Founder, Rosie Cook said: “We know life is busy and that you work hard, so we made your swimsuits and bikinis to work even harder for you. Adjustable, reversible, durable, comfortable. Come and be carefree in D&B. For once, put yourself first.

deakinandblue.com

The collection is:
Available in sizes 8-24, AA-HH cups
Made responsibly in East London, UK by seamstresses paid a fair wage
Made from waste fabrics and fibres, including ECONYL® – a regenerated yarn made from ocean waste
Hyper-resistant to chlorine, salt-water, UV rays and oils
Shipped to customers in 100% recyclable packaging
Given a free repair service within the first 12 months
Recyclable by D&B
To discover the Eco-Luxe collection visit deakinandblue.com

A new research report has been launched by CleanHub ranking the top 10 countries that export and import the most plastic waste annually. The top 10 export more than 4.4 million tonnes of plastic waste per year, and account for 71% of all plastic waste exports.

With many governments reluctant to release official figures, highlighting the complicated and shady nature of global plastic waste disposal, the research has been compiled from various key industry and scientific reports for a definitive ranking. 

Some of the countries export and import an enormous amount of plastic waste per year, simultaneously getting rid of the plastic they can’t process, while taking in plastic they can turn into material to manufacture new goods.

Key report findings:

• The top 10 countries export more than 4.4 million tonnes of plastic waste per year, accounting for 71% of all plastic waste exports.
• The top 10 exporting countries are all high-income, developed nations, and seven of them are in Europe.
• Germany, Japan, and the UK are the top three plastic waste exporting countries.
• Netherlands, Turkey, and Germany are the top three importers of plastic waste.
• Many nations have reduced their plastic waste exports over the past year – notably the US by 28%, and Germany by 6%.
• In the last year, Japan’s exports have increased by 7%, Canada’s have grown by 10%, while the Netherlands’ have shot up by 69% in the past four years.
• Around five million tonnes of used plastic are exported each year, 55% of which are discarded.

# Ranking	Top Plastic Waste Exporting Countries	Exported Plastic Waste Per Year (Tonnes)	Top Plastic Waste Importing Countries	Imported Plastic Waste Per Year (Tonnes)
1	Germany	688,067	Netherlands	796,234
2	Japan	606,374	Turkey	622,781
3	UK	600,000	Germany	503,268
4	Netherlands	576,702	US	446,831
5	US	431,841	Vietnam	378,944
6	Belgium	391,263	Malaysia	351,284
7	France	344,367	Belgium	282,980
8	Italy	205,621	Austria	245,079
9	Canada	201,780	Czechia	203,853
10	Austria	174,976	Indonesia	194,130

Exporting plastic waste has become a cheaper way for some of the wealthiest countries to avoid having to recycle, reuse, or properly process millions of tonnes of their own garbage. It keeps their carbon footprints and plastic footprints low, and maintains the impression that they’re progressing towards their net-zero targets.

Instead, they send it to other nations for recycling – while aware that vast quantities of the exported waste are mismanaged through dumping in landfills and/or burning.

The CleanHub report looks at the ongoing legislation around plastic waste, as well as detailing the way plastic waste exports impact the environment through:

• Polluting oceans: 5% of ocean plastic pollution is made up of waste exports, a total of around 635,000 tonnes of bottles, bags, plates, and other waste.
• Polluting countries: exported plastic waste is routinely burned illegally, which sends toxic chemical pollutants into the air, or dumped illegally, causing toxins to seep into ground and water supplies.
• Polluting our atmosphere: the five million tonnes of plastic exports are mainly shipped abroad, which emits 320,900 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Read the full report here: https://blog.cleanhub.com/plastic-waste-exports

‘The climate crisis asks us to imagine other forms of human existence—a task to which fiction is the best suited of all cultural forms… This initiative [The Climate Fiction Prize] marks the advent of a new awareness of the environment within the literary community.’ Amitav Ghosh, author and winner of the Erasmus Prize 2024.

● The Climate Fiction Prize will be awarded to the best novel-length work of fiction published in the UK engaging with the climate crisis
● The Prize will be the first major award of its kind to acknowledge the rapid rise of Climate Fiction as a genre in its own right amid recognition of the power of storytelling to address the crisis
● The Prize, supported by Climate Spring, is worth £10,000 and will be awarded in Spring 2025
● Five judges including the Chair have so far been appointed from across the literary and climate worlds

A new, major literary award, The Climate Fiction Prize, supported by its partner, the climate storytelling organisation Climate Spring, will launch at The Hay Festival this June. The Prize’s aim will be to showcase novels of powerful literary merit and to solidify, grow and expand fiction that engages with the climate crisis.
The prize’s inaugural year will bring together a stellar panel of judges from the literary and climate worlds. Its chair, renowned writer and journalist, Madeleine Bunting, will be joined by fellow judges; climate justice activist and writer, Tori Tsui, broadcaster and writer David Lindo aka the ‘Urban Birder’, non-fiction author Nicola Chester (On Gallows Down, shortlisted for the James Cropper Wainwright Prize) and Andy Fryers, Hay Festival’s Sustainability Director. They will all appear in a panel event to launch the prize to the public at Hay Festival on Sunday 2nd June 2024.

Chair of judges, Madeleine Bunting said:
“Change starts with the imagination and no subject so urgently needs new stories of repair and care than the climate crisis, and the value of this prize is to recognise new talent and help promote it to a wider audience, provoking debate and stimulating others authors to tackle this vital task of imagining what’s possible.”
Lucy Stone, Founder and Executive Director of Climate Spring said: “We are thrilled to be supporting the world’s first literary prize for climate fiction, celebrating innovative writers with new stories. We are in a moment of cultural paralysis where concerns about climate lead to despair not action. Fiction can unlock this paralysis; through storytelling we step into another person’s shoes, or feel empowered by imagining more compelling visions of the future. The climate story isn’t only a story of damage but is a story about the transformation and repair of ourselves as much as the environment.

Website and social: ClimateFictionPrize.com / X: @Climate_Fiction / Instagram: @ClimateFictionPrize

ull Ts&Cs and submissions details will be available from June 2024.

A new mobile app called Ganddee is on a mission to reshape shopping and make
sustainable living accessible. Initially launched in London, the startup has now expanded its sustainability map across the UK.
Ganddee allows users to easily discover and support local ethical businesses, from charity shops to plastic-free grocers, passing by rental shops or vegan restaurants. The app features over 2,200 vetted sustainable businesses nationwide. It works much like Google Maps. Simply open Ganddee and search for what you need – clothes, restaurants, household items. The app will return relevant businesses nearby.
Users can view each shop’s sustainability credentials with one click. Ganddee also provides exclusive discounts and deals to make conscious consumption rewarding. The app is community-powered. Users can recommend their favourite ethical retail business to be added. Ganddee’s team vets each suggestion before publishing listings.

This crowdsourced model enables the platform to rapidly map shops that care about people, planet and profits – everywhere. Ganddee aims to reshape spending by directing more foot traffic towards purpose-driven brands. Whether reducing personal waste or shrinking collective environmental impact, Ganddee believes small daily choices can lead to big change.
The startup seeks to bust myths that sustainability is expensive or inaccessible. Their goal is to empower people across the UK to find and support ethical alternatives.
Ganddee is founded by two engineers with many years of experience in startups and in e-commerce giants like Amazon. The founders are on a mission to close the gap between consumers and the impact of their purchases. By making mindful spending simple, they hope to catalyse a larger transition to a sustainable economy.
Following the appʼs successful launch in London, Ganddee now covers all of Britain and welcomes suggestions from every part of the country to refine their directory of shops.
As Ganddee’s community grows, they plan to reshape consumption globally by inspiring and enabling conscious consumerism worldwide

This articles information / inspiration from April Graham 

Throughout mankind’s  history, we have a tendency to seek out a magical miracle potion in the hope for an instant cure. Whether it be from allopathic medicines or ‘alternative’ methods , humans understandably are drawn to convenience and look for easy fixes that they can  understand and suit their busy lifestyles. ‘Convenience kills ‘ some people say and later when we find out these ‘ miraculous ‘ potions can be dangerous, this makes a lot of sense!

Like some tragic story played out again and again the grandchildren of eras usually suffer the effects of our own willful ignorance and have no doubt that essential oils will be the same.

Many  ‘eco environmental ’ people cannot bear to criticise essential oils . Haven’t we learnt anything ?Just because a product is not prescribed by NHS and is made by a small family organisation does not make it unquestionable.

Let’s be open to learning more information before we consider

1 Plants defence mechanism 

Plants  produce oils that  act as a natural defense mechanism against insects , like natures natural pesticide. The The Oil equals acts as a poison  to insects 

As a plant grows it stores its own ‘’waste” within itself , unlike us humans plants can’t eliminate or detoxify. Essential oils  are often the waste products produced by the plant.

 2 One  drop of Essential Oil = One hundred forty two cups of tea!

 When bottled for human use, essential oils are highly concentrated. For this reason, it is important to be aware that using essential oils is very different from using the whole plant material and only a small amount is necessary to induce an extremely powerful benefit. 

Would you set down and willfully consume 63 pounds of peppermint leaf? 

It takes 63 pounds of peppermint leaf to make ONLY 5ML bottle of “essential oils”.

 There are 20 drops in a milliliter so 20 x 5ml = 100 drops

so just for fun lets see how much peppermint you would have to consume in one individual setting to match up to one singular drop of peppermint “essential oil”.

63 pounds divided by 100.= 0.63 pounds.

How does settling down and eating over half a pound of fresh peppermint sound? Still crazy? Because that’s how much you would have to consume in a single setting to EVER naturally encounter one drop worth of peppermint “essential oil”.

How many cups of tea you would have to drink to match that amount!

An average  peppermint tea bag has 2 grams of dried plant matter in it. You use one tea bag per cup of water.

Are you ready for this?

There are 285.76 grams in 0.63 pounds. 

285.76 divided by 2 = 142.88

So ONE DROP of peppermint “essential oil” is equivalent to 142 cups of peppermint tea drank in a single setting.

This does not change per company no matter how “ethical” or “small” “family run” the company is.

3 Salicylates and Fragrances

Perfume – fragranced products can cause symptoms of food intolerance due to inhaled or absorbed artificial  salicylates.

Salicylates are also present in their natural form in plants. Salicylic acid  protects plants from pests. They act as a pesticide , it is their natural defence. 

Salicylates can be readily absorbed through the skin and can also be inhaled through strong scents like essential oils. Many essential oils happen to be very high in Salicylates 

Some people are more sensitive to salicylates than others and Salicylate Intolerance is becoming more widespread. Sensitive people include those with Autism, Asthma and those with Gut issues.

4 Killing hands on herbalism & ancestor knowledge 

In the current “herbalism” trend  there are thousands of people putting a drop of this, a drop of that, into some oil and beeswax or what have you and Ta Da, a cure all for xyz has been made. But at what cost does this convenience come?

I suspect the price is a rampant loss of connection to the land, respect for the plants, respect for our environment, the further loss of ancestral knowledge of plant based healing.  The death of knowledge and health go hand in hand and both die under the heal of one thing and one thing alone Convenience.

5 “But the Egyptians used them” is what so many people will claim

 Yes Egyptians  did use essential oils , but for the dead not the living . Egyptians used essential oils for mummifying royalty , in the dry conditions Essential oils helped to prevent the flesh from rotting (again like a natural pesticide) 

Definitely not intended for daily use.

6 Essential Oils are no better than someone wearing fragrance

Essential oils emit many of the same toxic gases as synthetic fragrances. These chemical emissions are toxic to everyone in different ways. 

No immediate reaction doesn’t mean they are safe as they add to your toxic load advancing your progression. It’s not a matter of IF you react it’s WHEN.

 7 Second hand ‘Essential Oils ‘

Essential Oils “scent” alone is strong enough to kill your gut flora. 

People think Essential Oils are only dangerous when taken internally and safe when inhaled or safe used on skin etc…However  we already know that tobacco is harmful when inhaled by others

When you breathe in Essential Oils, smoke, whatever, it is absorbed into your blood via your lungs.  Second hand smoke…second hand Essential Oils ..it’s the same principal.

 Breathing in Essential Oils refined volatile oils kills your gut health just as much as ingestion does , because they are so strong in their refined state they are indeed powerful antibacterials. Ingesting them in any manner is not much different than ingesting antibiotics that kill off all of your gut flora.

8 Regulations 

Since “essential oils” are not regulated by in ANY WAY they do not have to disclose this information to you in ANY WAY.

9 Health Problems linked to Essential Oils

Some  Essential Oils are hormone disruptors , linked to breast cancer ,injured babies in mother’s wombs and can even cause seizures. 

Analyzing 350 seizure cases, researchers found that 15.7% of seizures may have been induced by inhalation, of essential oils. 

After stopping use of Essential oils, the vast majority did not experience another seizure.

References

https://www.fedup.com.au/factsheets/additive-and-natural-chemical-factsheets/salicylates

https://www.fedup.com.au/factsheets/support-factsheets/fumes-and-perfumes

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132312001394?fbclid=IwAR0i16vyU_-NShQd_-jrsOHd1_cDVUvCU017wP9KIOUF_RvPBXUmDzGN_oo

https://www.wildwoodapothecary.org/essentialoilfree?fbclid=IwAR2UdbKV9zRDKvlKkZXLBkO70TKuODtC2NVANBVWa1aqyHNoKKAfxjmvSsE

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/essential-oil-safety-and-application-plant-perspective

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-020-00941-4?fbclid=IwAR1lGm3y4sf4i4W_8KyJJCWblkfuuAWuhyLW67gbox7Up3x0_Gs5WhZGybc

Essential Oils are NOT Essential

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33813360

• 97% of people report mental wellbeing benefits from forest activities (Forestry England)
• €9M Almazara Forest development will combine forest views with Spanish sunshine (Taylor Wimpey España)
• Forest play shown to boost children’s immune systems in just 28 days (Natural Resources Institute Finland)  

Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España is tapping into the increasing body of evidence that shows how positive the effects of forests are on people’s mental and physical health. The company’s €9 million new Almazara Forest development sits next to rolling forestland in Istán, Malaga, with the two- and three-bedroom apartments looking out over the greenery.

Countries around the world are gradually increasing their understanding of how forests can positively impact health. Finland has been leading the way. For the last decade, the country’s “health forest” project has been establishing forests next to national healthcare centres. Patients taken on guided treks through the forest have demonstrated a “clinically significant” increase in their mental wellbeing, according to a recent study by Helsinki University, the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare and Sipoo municipality.

The Natural Resources Institute Finland has observed the physical health benefits that forests can deliver. Its study found that playing in grass and forest undergrowth boosted the immune systems of children aged three to five within just 28 days. The children benefited from increased microbial diversity on their skin and in their guts, a greater number of T cells and a higher proportion of anti-inflammatory molecules in their blood plasma – all indicators of healthier immune systems.

In the UK, research by Forestry England and Sport England has also shown the positive impact that spending time in the forest can deliver. The Active Forests Programme encompassed a range of forest-based events and activities, after which 97% of participants reported mental wellbeing benefits. Other benefits receiving a 95% or more positive survey responses included a sense of fun and enjoyment, a feeling of escape and freedom, physical wellbeing benefits and feeling close to nature.

“For many of us, daily life is disconnected from the natural world, meaning missed opportunities for improving mental and physical wellbeing. That’s one reason Almazara Forest is such a special place – it provides the chance to reestablish a relationship with nature and reap the myriad rewards that come with doing so.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, Taylor Wimpey España

Almazara Forest’s 24 apartments all come with underground parking, a storage room for clutter-free living and a lovely communal pool and garden area. The homes, which are rated ‘A’ for their energy efficiency, cost from €360,000 plus VAT. They are available to purchase off-plan, with delivery scheduled for February 2026.

The new homes at Almazara Forest are part of the larger Almazara Residences development, which represents a total investment of €38 million in the local area by Taylor Wimpey España. The development has already attracted buyers of 17 different nationalities, with Dutch, Belgian and British buyers leading the field.

In addition to Almazara Forest, the wider development is home to a selection of beautiful apartments and penthouses at Almazara Hills, the first phase of which has already sold out. The second phase, due for imminent delivery in May 2024, currently has its last penthouses available. The homes provide panoramic views across the greenery to the stunning Istán reservoir, along with spacious solariums. Prices start from 520,000 plus VAT.

Almazara Residences is also home to a selection of attractive townhouses at Almazara Views. Costing from €548,000 plus VAT, the semi-detached homes are nestled on the side of the mountain, commanding superb views towards Marbella Bay and Gibraltar.

Istán itself is an exceptional residential destination on the Costa del Sol. The idyllic town, which sits at the foothills of the Sierra de las Nieves, just minutes away from the golden beaches of Marbella, balances luxury and serenity with easy connectivity. Its lush cork and pine forests provide plentiful opportunities for an active outdoor lifestyle.

Taylor Wimpey España’s homes in Istán have been meticulously designed to respect the bountiful natural environment and to blend sophistication with functionality for an unparalleled living experience.

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.

• E.ON has revealed a striking mural in the heart of Coventry, inspired by what children imagine a greener future could look like in our cities
• New research has revealed more than half (58%) of children hope to see more green spaces as part of a more sustainable future with some even visualising litter picking robots (19%)
• Designed by Coventry artist Ben Barter, the mural titled ‘Our Imagined Future’ has been painted by school children
• Unveiled in Coventry’s FarGo Village, the mural celebrates the 15-year strategic energy partnership between Coventry City Council and E.ON

E.ON has this week revealed a giant mural in Coventry’s FarGo Village, illustrating what children across the country imagine a greener city could look like.

The design of the mural, titled ‘Our Imagined Future’, has been inspired following E.ON’s research with 2,000 children from across the UK¹ which revealed over half of children (58%) would like to see more parks and green spaces such as allotments in their local city, as well as more public recycling options (52%). Some children let their imagination run wild, suggesting litter picking robots (19%) and animals living in harmony amongst us (44%), all of which have been incorporated into the mural design by Coventry artist Ben Barter.

Over half of children in the UK (54%) also believe we need to reduce our use of plastic to make cities more sustainable, with 44% stating there should be more sustainable travel options in the future, such as trams and electric buses. In addition, almost half (47%) feel it is vital to have solar panels on all buildings and bus stops and over a third (34%) want to see only electric vehicles on the roads.

Ben Tuck, Social Value Programme Manager at E.ON, said: “Through this mural, we hope to further raise awareness of the importance of sustainability in cities like Coventry, and indeed across the country, as well as the changes we can all make to help build a greener future. ‘Our Imagined Future’ is a great way to visualise children’s inspiring and creative solutions to make our cities greener, more sustainable and better places to live.

“As part of our commitment to working with Coventry City Council to deliver long-term benefit to the local community, we are keen to build awareness and excitement amongst local residents around our shared goal of building a cleaner, greener Coventry.”

The mural design incorporates key findings from the new research, as well as sustainable solutions such as heat pumps, solar panels and EV chargers as part of a greener future in cities.

Located at the entrance of FarGo Village in the heart of Coventry and designed by both artist Ben Barter and muralist Katie O’Sullivan, the 32ft mural took over XX hours to complete. It was finished by pupils aged 9-12 from local schools, Earlsdon Primary and West Coventry Academy, adding colour to children’s imagined futures.

Coventry artist, Ben Barter explains: “It has been inspiring to see how children interpret what a more sustainable future could consist of within this city. My personal favourite is the robots picking up litter and the animals living alongside us in an ecologically diverse environment. As a Coventry local myself, I am excited to see this all come to life as well as witness the artistic talents of the next generation.”

Local Coventry muralist, Katie O’Sullivan, who helped create and paint E.ON’s illustration, adds: “Coventry is a beautiful city that I have been fortunate enough to help paint, and decorate. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of this campaign, bringing life and colour to children’s hopes for the sustainable future. Mural artwork is a great platform to shed light on important topics and this particular piece will hopefully encourage visitors and the community to work towards an eco-friendly future.”

When looking into a sustainable future, 46% of children believe that cost is the main obstacle when it comes to building a greener city, followed by a lack of knowledge (17%) and confusion over what to do (13%).

The mural was commissioned to celebrate E.ON’s 15-year strategic energy partnership with Coventry City Council to transform the city’s approach to carbon reduction. The initiative sees the company, which has had its UK home in Coventry for almost 30 years, become the city’s new Strategic Energy Partner, forming an alliance that aims to build a cleaner and more sustainable city and drive a new green economy that will bring jobs and skills for generations to come.

E.ON is also making its return as lead partner for MotoFest Coventry 2024 and the company’s customer facing arm, E.ON Next, has been announced as a major sponsor of the Godiva festival.

• You can visit the mural at FarGo Village, 105-106 Far Gosford Street, Coventry, CV1 5EA from 22nd May 2024 onwards.
• To find out more about the mural, and the partnership with Coventry City Council, please visit eonenergy.com/coventry
• To find out more about E.ON Next, please visit eonnext.com

Following six months of intense scrutiny into Seep as part of the award’s gruelling selection process, Laura Harnett has become one of only 33 women worldwide (and one of three in Europe) to secure a place on this year’s Cartier fellowship.

She was awarded the prestigious title in China’s leading city for innovation and entrepreneurship, Shenzhen on 22 May for the plastic-free cleaning tools business she founded during lockdown.

This Global programme to support female founders includes leadership development with INSTEAD business school and a $30k prize.

Now in its 17^th Year, the Cartier Women’s Initiative boasts that 92% of women who join their programme as fellows remain in business. 

The initiative was set up by Cartier in 2006 and aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs. It is a global award split across nine regions, Europe being one, that recognises and helps to fund talented impact entrepreneurs who use their business as a force for good.

Seep was founded by Laura during the pandemic as she was frustrated by the amount of plastic in the cleaning aisle and knew that there was a better alternative. Now a Certified B Corp, Seep’s mission is to eliminate 1 billion plastic cleaning products from landfills by 2030. The company estimates that it has diverted 3.5M items (10.1 tons of waste) from landfills since its launch. Seep offers a line of zero-plastic, high-quality cleaning accessories made from natural renewable sources like wood pulp, plant-based viscose, maize, and bamboo.

Laura never planned to become an entrepreneur but said that setting up her own business later in life has been the best thing she ever did.

Laura said: “I was devastated to be diagnosed with breast cancer when I was just 39 years old. I was very fortunate to fully recover after a few years but that experience meant that I totally lost my fear of failure. After battling cancer I knew that I could do anything. 

“I always felt that start ups were just for young people. But then I read a Harvard Business Review article that completely debunked that myth. It said that when you look at the most successful firms, the average founder age goes up, and that overall, evidence shows that successful entrepreneurs tend to be middle aged.

“The biggest reason new businesses fail is because there’s no need for that product or service. More important than age or experience is to find a true gap in the market.”

Seep has a product range of 10 eco friendly, plastic free and biodegradable cleaning tools including cloths, sponges, bin bags, rubber gloves and copper scourers.

Wingee Sing, from Cartier, said: “The Cartier Women’s Initiative has been driving change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs for the past 17 years, and our commitment is unwavering.

“Throughout this time, while providing financial and human capital to grow these impactful businesses, we found that the biggest part of our work is to create opportunities for role models and sisterhood.

“By investing in women entrepreneurs, the Cartier Women’s Initiative recognises and grants the work of these changemakers. We provide the necessary skills and knowledge to support entrepreneurship and its community creates space for connections between the hearts and minds of entrepreneurs and between entrepreneurs and their supporters.

“Every year we have the chance to hear from thousands of entrepreneurs from around the world through their applications, our community and ecosystem engagement events.”

Seep has an all women team of five and also won sustainable brand of the year in The Start up 100 earlier this year.

Seep is an award-winning start-up bringing pioneering products to a dusty cleaning category, continuing to rethink traditional materials and innovate. https://theseepcompany.com/