Why We Choose to be Plastic Free and How it Affects the Planet

The P Word...

Plastic. Ugh. We're not a big fan of it. Does anyone else just hate it? We certainly do! Being a plastic free zone has always been a priority for us and is something that is at the forefront of our core values. If you want to get a bit more info on why plastic is not for us and the importance of this decision, then have a cheeky read below!

What are the benefits of recycling? 

Why do we recycle? I hear you ask! A simple answer is that it's good for the planet and yes, it is. But how? 

 By conserving our natural resources, recycling allows us to create less plastic by reusing what is already available to us. 

 It helps protect the eco-systems and habitats from damage, by reducing the need to grow and use raw materials.

 Carbon emissions are lower as we use less energy to create new products from recycled materials. 

 It reduces the amount sent to landfill which causes harmful toxins to be released into our atmosphere. 

 This is why every aspect of our packaging is recyclable...

This is from the cardboard box to the tissue paper to the tape used to seal the products. You can unpack your lovely goodies and pop all the leftover waste straight into your recycling bin or your own compost. Job done. (I don't know about you but it is a faff when you have sort through all the different parts of packaging, checking what is recyclable or not!). Our packing peanuts are fully dissolvable, so this definitely provides a little bit of fun when disposing of them. Not only is this making your life a lot easier but it is positively impacting the environment around you. 

 

Lets break this down, literally. Wax and paper takes 2-6 weeks to biodegrade and cardboard just 3 months, that's pretty reasonable right? We'll compare this to an estimated whopping 450 years for a plastic bottle to break down! That's pretty unreasonable, right? Imagine all that plastic currently sitting, waiting to breakdown and it will keep on building up the more we use it. This is why using materials that easily decay is something that is so so important to us and of course, the planet! 

Why is plastic in the Ocean a problem?

Think of your favourite beach. A beautiful beach, maybe you've been on holiday to this beach, maybe it's down the road from where you live. Either way, have you ever seen unwanted pieces of plastic there? I know I have. 

We are no stranger to the real impact plastic is having on our planet, particularly our oceans. It is at the heart of the issue as we continue to dump our single use plastics here. The impacts to has on our home is awful, and I don't know about you but I find it extremely worrying! 

Sea life suffer first hand when it comes to plastic, either accidently eating it or getting tangled in it. Both having extreme consequences. The ocean plastic breaks down further into smaller pieces, it becomes known as ''micro plastics''. Fish and other marine life ingest this and it then enters our food chain. Marine life have it tough when it comes to pollution and we want to help change this.

 This is why we will try and continue to use sustainable products that will not contribute to harming our beautiful home. 

 

The Facts About Plastic in Our Oceans... 

🌊 8 Million tons of plastic enters our oceans every year

🌊 1 Million species of marine life is killed by plastic each year 

🌊 Over 80% of the ocean's surface is polluted by plastic 

🌊 As of 2020 plastic outnumbers the amount of fish in our seas 

 

It's not all bad...I promise. 

I don't want to ruin your day by throwing a load of sad and quite frankly disturbing facts and figures your way! I am sorry about that.  So, just to make you feel better, here are some positive environmental facts and figures to make your day a bit brighter. 

🎉 Renewable energy sources, like wind and solar generated 47% of UK power in the first 3 months of 2020

🎉Cheetahs have been seen in Zambia again after a century 

🎉The Ivory Coast have created a marine protected area, including mangroves and reefs for sea turtles

🎉 Indonesia has pledged $1billion to help clean up the oceans 

Change is happening around us, right across the globe. We have so many reasons to be hopeful and many more reasons to keep doing what we can to help protect our planet. 

 

 How can you reduce plastic in your day to day life? 

5 VERY simple steps...

1. When going shopping (food or clothes) take reusable shopping bags to avoid using the single use plastic bags.

2. For all those coffee and tea drinkers get a reusable coffee cup, this will stop you throwing away the plastic cup from the coffee shop. 

3. A reusable water bottle is an essential and are vital when it comes to cutting out unnecessary plastic!

4. When at home, containers for leftovers can be a great way to avoid cling film or any other single use plastics that get thrown away.

5. Reusable cleaning cloths are a great way to keep your home clean! Just pop then in the wash and reuse, reuse, reuse! 

Our glass candle jars are a great place to start your sustainble journey...

Purchase one of our natural, highly scented candles by clicking here and once you've enjoyed our lovely scents to the very end you can reduce, reuse and recycle! 

Read our blog on how to clean our your jar here and what to do next here! 

Why is being sustainable important? 

Being sustainable to a massive part of our green policy. It's about providing a clean environment for future generations, we need to think long term. 

We are taking responsibility as a small company and creating a sustainable way of shopping for our lovely customers. We believe you should not have to pay an extortionate amount for a luxury product that also is eco-friendly. We understand the importance of using environmentally friendly products and we want to be transparent about what we use and why we use it. We are trying to be better and hopefully influence others to do the same. We want you to be part of making a difference! Change happens when we all come together and make it happen. We have a long way to go but we know we can get there with all your support! 🌏💚

 Happy Earth Day! 

 

If you have any questions about our journey to sustainability you can email us at info@fosseliving.co.uk.

You can also follow us on Instagram here to see our journey