DIY tools are big business, with sales for 2020 forecast to be worth over $30bn USD – equivalent to the GDP of Iceland! But the majority of these tools are purchased for household use, which by all accounts isn’t very much use at all. According to Danish researchers at Concito: Hand drills get used for approximately 18 minutes in their lifetime, whilst…
What’s Going On Here? As the high streets reopen this week and Boris encourages us to ‘Get out and shop’, it feels an important time to remind ourselves how fast fashion and mass consumerism are exploiting people and the planet. What Does This Mean? Monday saw long queues outside many of the popular high street clothes shops. Whilst it’s nice to feel a…
What’s Going On Here? It’s Fashion Revolution Week and the campaign group behind it, Fashion Revolution, has published its fifth Fashion Transparency Index report which reviews 250 largest brands and retailers, scores and ranks them based on the information they tell us about their practices, social and environmental policies and importantly, their impact. What Does This Mean? Fashion Revolution Week encourages clothing brands…
What’s Going On Here? It is estimated that up to 50% of the goods we return to retailers are sent to landfill instead of being resold again. But one country has already banned the practice and independent technology platforms are trying to find ways to reduce this. What Does This Mean? Whether it’s because the packing or item is damaged or its out of…
What’s Going On Here? The single-use Christmas jumper is the festive season’s fast fashion flop.In the build up to Christmas Jumper Day (Dec 13th), Save the Children is urging us to think twice before buying a new Christmas jumper. What Does This Mean? Amid rising concerns over fast fashion and its impact on our planet, Save the Children is calling for us to reuse and upcycle…
What’s Going On Here? The fashion industry—clothes and shoes—accounts for more than 8% of the global climate impact. What Does This Mean? Following fashion trends can come at a big cost to the environment. A report into the fashion industry published by MPs earlier this year found that the textile industry creates 1.2bn tonnes of CO2 a year—more than international aviation and shipping combined—consumes lake-sized…
What’s Going On Here? It’s in our own hands. That’s the theme of Recycling Week 2019, the annual celebration of recycling organised by WRAP, which is taking place this week between 23-29 September. What Does This Mean? After big Dave hit us with Blue Planet 2, 2018 was the year Britain opened its eyes to plastic pollution. After Greta inspired the world, 2019…
What’s Going On Here? ‘Right to Repair’ has been gaining traction in recent months, as big businesses and presidential candidates get on board. At its core, the movement is fighting for a reduction in electronic waste— known as E-waste—by giving more options to the consumer to repair their goods. What Does This Mean? Think about the various gadgets you own. How many items could…
What’s Going On Here? A new wave of eco-fashion companies are now offering clothes that don’t need washing. From seaweed fibre T-shirts infused with peppermint oil to superfine wool that doesn’t trap sweat or moisture, these self-cleaning materials could be a gamechanger for addressing our society’s obsessive laundering habits. What Does This Mean? Yep, you heard right. Clothing brands such as Pangaia, Unbound Merino and Wool &…
