The Eco Edit
How to make little changes that have a positive impact to our planet
Sustainability is back on the agenda for 2021, with consumers demanding that brands show more responsibility for the environmental landscape, and are being held accountable for their choices. Debbie Plumridge, founder of Shop No Plastic, discusses.
More than two-thirds of the British public vowed to be more environmentally friendly this year according to a survey carried out by E.ON UK, which is music to our ears. Companies now have to make some big decisions on everything from manufacturing, sourcing of materials and packaging or risk being left behind in a consumer driven landscape. So how do we assess a product’s eco-friendliness?
The first question to ask is if the product is produced sustainably, for example, using renewable energy to power factories, reducing water usage during the production process, and using paper and wood sourced from certified sustainable forests.
Then we need to ascertain if materials are ethically sourced? Ethical questions include are the items made with fair working conditions, and are the workers being paid fairly for their services?
We need to ensure there is sustainability through longevity – we have become a throw-away society, buying for convenience rather than staying power, and to address sustainability, we need to make choices on the length of life the product will have.
Sustainability through longevity helps offset the carbon footprint by designing products to last.
Does the manufacturer/supplier support eco-initiatives, e.g. Plant a tree, WWF, MCS UK, Water Aid, Period Poverty to name just a few? A lot of companies are invested in counteracting what they take by giving back to the world, and these are companies we need to choose. Our purchasing power can influence the decisions these brands are making,
Other aspects to consider include: Is the product cruelty-free, vegan friendly, made from recycled material? Is the packaging eco-friendly? Can the product be purchased locally?
Haslemere has some fantastic local initiatives designed to help the environment, more can be explored within the eco section on This is Haslemere, but there are some businesses that are going above and beyond to ensure their products are as environmentally friendly as possible. Here are a few of my favourites:
LittleLeaf Organic Cotton
Little Leaf Organic Cotton are a family business that offer homeware, clothing for adults and children and beautiful bedding that is ethical and good for the environment.
The baby clothes from LittleLeaf Organic Cotton come with five star reviews, and are described as being "lovely, great quality products'.
Ami Lou Gifts
Ami Lou Gifts is a bespoke gift and furniture shop offering original upcycled items. All components are sourced locally and therefore one off. My favourite items from their range are the shopping bags which are handmade from recycled fabrics, or the oak chopping boards. Made from reclaimed laminated oak and finished with iron handles, the boards are treated with food safe Danish Oil before being sold.
Fordies Brownies
Handcrafted locally in Hindhead, Fordies Brownies are a firm favourite amongst customers in the area. They pride themselves on their plastic free packaging, and reviewers have described them as "the best brownies they have ever tasted!"
Vinnie & Brigitte
Vinnie & Brigitte are an eco friendly brand making soap pouches, face and eye masks, wash bags, reusable face pads and pencil cases. The fabrics used are beautiful and colourful, and they even offer a Liberty range to ensure that you are not only eco friendly, but stylish too!
Her customers say the fabrics are beautiful and super soft.
Shop No Plastic
A small online business providing affordable, eco-friendly, sustainable household, beauty products and gifts for the family to enjoy
These laundry sheets have had a number of five star reviews, with Nicola saying "laundry sheets are really good - kind to clothes and skin. I am converted, and inspired to try more products next time!"
Debbie Plumridge comments, "My journey to reduce single-use plastic came about by accident. I had planned to take a sabbatical, and my team bought me a reusable bottle (and a bottle of Gin) as a going away gift which got me thinking. I have always loathed litter, and plastic makes up a fair percentage of items being carelessly discarded. So I looked at some easy swaps I could make while travelling.
Things like, reusable cutlery, bowls, cups and bottles, bamboo toothbrushes, reusable shopping bags and saying no to straws: all really simple and small changes that make a big difference.
Changing habits of a lifetime takes time and perseverance, and my advice to anyone who would like to reduce plastic would be to take it slowly. We all make mistakes along the way, and unless you are very disciplined and want to progress to zero waste, there will be some products you will feel you can't replace."
As I hope you can see, choosing companies that have a commitment to helping the environment and saving the planet is easy to do, and by making small changes we can all reduce the impact we are leaving on our world, and protect it for future generations.
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