16
Sep, 2020

Is Veganism Truly Sustainable?

Go vegan, they said. Save the world, they said. But is the plant-based diet as good for the environment as we’ve been told? A group of researchers has recently published a study in which they describe various biophysical simulation models that compare 10 eating patterns: the vegan diet, two vegetarian diets (one that includes dairy, the other dairy and eggs), four omnivorous diets (with varying degrees of vegetarian influence), one low in fats and sugars, and one similar to modern American dietary patterns.

What they found was that the carrying capacity—the size of the population that can be supported indefinitely by the resources of an ecosystem—of the vegan diet is actually less substantial than two of the vegetarian diets and two out of the four omnivorous diets they studied.

The Price of Veganism

The number of vegans has increased 160 per cent over the past 10 years, but people need to be asking “where has this food come from” as they fill their shopping baskets with the fruits of the world: pomegranates and mangos from India, lentils from Canada, beans from Brazil, blueberries from the US and goji berries from China. Eating lamb chops that come from a farm a few miles down the road is much better for the environment than eating an avocado that has travelled from the other side of the world.

As we greedily plunder the world’s bread basket, it’s the consumer who benefits, while those at the source can be left high and dry. Take avocados and quinoa, whose prices have been pushed up so much by Western demand that they’ve become unaffordable to those who depend on them in their country of origin.

Rather than being seduced by exhortations to eat more products made from industrially grown soya, maize and grains, we should be encouraging sustainable forms of meat and dairy production based on traditional rotational systems, permanent pasture and conservation grazing. We should, at the very least, question the ethics of driving up demand for crops that require high inputs of fertilizer, fungicides, pesticides and herbicides, while demonizing sustainable forms of livestock farming that can restore soils and biodiversity, and sequester carbon.

Not only does this system of natural grazing aid the environment in terms of soil restoration, biodiversity, pollinating insects, water quality and flood mitigation – but it also guarantees healthy lives for the animals, and they in turn produce meat that is healthy for us. In direct contrast to grain-fed and grain-finished meat from intensive systems, wholly pasture-fed meat is high in beta carotene, calcium, selenium, magnesium and potassium and vitamins E and B, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) – a powerful anti-carcinogen. It is also high in the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid DHA, which is vital for human brain development but extremely difficult for vegans to obtain.

Much has been made of the methane emissions of livestock, but these are lower in biodiverse pasture systems that include wild plants such as angelica, common fumitory, shepherd’s purse and bird’s-foot trefoil because they contain fumaric acid – a compound that reduces emissions of methane by 70%, according to reliable studies.

In the vegan equation, by contrast, the carbon cost of ploughing is rarely considered. Since the industrial revolution, up to 70% of the carbon in our cultivated soils has been lost to the atmosphere. So there’s a huge responsibility here: unless you’re sourcing your vegan products specifically from organic, “no-dig” systems, you are actively participating in the destruction of soil biota, promoting a system that deprives other species, including small mammals, birds and reptiles, of the conditions for life, and significantly contributing to climate change.

There’s no question we should all be eating far less meat, and calls for an end to high-carbon, polluting, unethical, intensive forms of grain-fed meat production are commendable. But if your concerns as a vegan are the environment, animal welfare and your own health, then it’s no longer possible to pretend that these are all met simply by giving up meat and dairy. Counterintuitive as it may seem, adding the occasional organic, pasture-fed steak to your diet could be the right way to square the circle.

15
Sep, 2020

Sustainable Transportation: Everything You Need To Know

Are you concerned about the depletion of the ozone layer? Do you want to play a role in preventing this major global environmental problem that leads to an increase in skin cancer or immune system damage? As we celebrate the International Day for the Prevention of the Ozone Layer tomorrow, it is the ideal time to learn more about sustainable transport.

What is Sustainable Transport?

The term sustainable transportation refers to any means of transport that causes the least damage to the environment. Also known as “Green Transport”, it consists of relying on renewable or regenerated energy for transportation instead of depending on fossil fuels, which have limited life expectancy. 

Since this type of transportation, including walking, cycling and even public transportation, uses either sustainable energy sources or depends less on natural resources, it has minimum negative effects on the environment compared to standard vehicles.

Sustainable Transportation Examples

Many countries have encouraged people to use public transport instead of private cars to become more sustainable. Cycling is also becoming increasingly popular because it is seen as a cheap transportation method and is also beneficial for maintaining physical fitness.

A series of measures have also been taken to develop cleaner and more energy-efficient modes of city transportation. Experiments have been conducted with several types of fuel to introduce “green vehicles”. For example, hybrid cars are promoted as an alternative to conventional vehicles and have likewise become more widespread. While standard cars usually run on natural gas or electricity, these hybrid transports operate with a combination of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.

Why Choose Sustainable Transportation?

  1. Greenhouse Gases Emissions Reduced
    Various forms of transports consume between 20% to 25% of the earth’s energy, contributing to the significant high level of greenhouse gases (GHG) produce. In fact, 15% of GHG produced worldwide come from regular transportation.  While on the other hand, driving eco-friendly vehicles help in the reduction of these emissions and in keeping our air cleaner. These transports are also more energy-efficient, hence sustainable.
  2. A Money Saver
    These days, in many countries, we’ve seen the rise in fuel prices, and sustainable transport is an effective way of saving on these costs. It is indeed cheaper to walk, cycle, take public transportation, or drive energy-efficient vehicles. Plus, Eco-driving will not only help you to save on fuel expenses but also on maintenance as car parts will wear and tear less. These modern transports also have the perks of improving road safety as they are less prone to accidents.
  3. More Rapidity And Flexibility Obtained
    If you need to travel somewhere close by, sustainable transports like walking or cycling will allow you to reach the destination faster while avoiding traffic jams. This is also an ideal way of saving you the hassle of finding a suitable parking space for your car. However, if you have to carry heavy bags, public transport can also be an alternative.
  4. Healthier Lifestyle
    We all know the importance of keeping active, but we cannot always spend extra time on physical activities with our daily packed schedule. Yet, walking and cycling to work, for instance, is an effective way of killing two birds with one stone as it will not only allow you to save the world but will also keep you healthy. On the other hand, public transport produced less air pollution than private standard cars leading to lower carbon emission. Consequently, this keeps our air cleaner and our lungs healthier!
  5. A Great Way To Have Fun
    Cycling is often considered as a leisure activity. And this sustainable means of transport can be a great way of enjoying this activity during your trip to work.

As you’ve learned more on the concept of sustainable transportation, you can now make a difference and help in the prevention of the Ozone depletion! Don’t forget to leave a comment once you’ve adopted this environmental-friendly method of transport.

11
Sep, 2020

7 Handy Tips to Slay in Planet-Friendly Apparels

Almost everyone is hooked on cheap and shabby clothes. All thanks to cheap manufacturing in underdeveloped countries and the rapid rise of fashion, clothing has shifted from valuable goods to disposable items that we throw away at the end of the season.

The rate at which our environment is being destroyed by corporations and big business is indeed very alarming. And as consumers, one of the best ways we can help combat this catastrophic issue is by making more eco-conscious choices a part of our daily lives. Simple things, such as switching to environmentally friendly clothing, can significantly influence our planet. For example, producing a single cotton shirt uses 2,700 liters of water.

And let’s face it, we all wear and buy new clothes regularly, so why not ensure your love for fashion also shows your passion for the earth? Keep reading to learn how to find clothing that’s planet-friendly!

#1. Say No To Real Leather

Real leather is not only harmful to animals, but it’s also not environmentally friendly. To make animal skin into leather, it has to go through an extensive process that uses many chemicals and energy (not to mention that animal agriculture as an industry has a large carbon footprint!). Opt for vegan leather when purchasing items.

#2. Choose Sustainable Fabrics

One of the best ways to cultivate an ecological wardrobe is by buying clothing made of sustainable fabrics. As mentioned above, cotton uses a ton of water and also large amounts of pesticides. This has a more considerable impact on the environment than other types of material. Opt for clothing made from linen, hemp, or even bamboo. Linen comes from flax, and besides using far fewer resources to manufacture than traditional cotton, it’s also able to be composted.

Hemp is easy to grow and doesn’t require a lot of pesticides or fertilizer. Hemp is also diverse and can be made into a wide variety of fabrics. Bamboo is great because it also used no pesticides and is fast growing. 

#3. Clothing Swaps

Another great way to get your hands on recycled clothing is by hosting a clothing swap. Make a Facebook event and invite all your friends to bring a bag of unwanted clothing. Most of us tend to have lots of clothing lying around that isn’t being worn, and clothing swaps are an excellent way to eliminate these items without throwing them away. Plus, you never know what fabulous clothing you’ll get from your friend to add to your wardrobe. After your clothing swap is over, collect all the remaining items, and consider donating them to a local charity.

#4. Embrace Second Hand

In Macklemore’s words, get ready to pop some tags because thrift shopping is one of the best ways to save the planet and save money. Use these secrets to help you pick fashionable secondhand items. Whether you’re going to a vintage store, consignment shops, or places like Goodwill, you reduce fabric waste if you buy clothing secondhand. Not to mention you’ll likely find excellent clothes for a fraction of what you would pay in a new-retail setting. Every year the average American spends over 70 pounds of textile to the landfill. So by choosing to visit the thrift shop, you are helping to reduce this waste.

#5. Repair Well-Loved Items

The new fashion is being consumed at a rapid rate. And we all have those favorite clothing items that have holes or excess wear and tear from being worn over and over. Instead of tossing these textiles out and looking to buy new things, consider repairing your well-loved items and extending their lives. Not only will this help to reduce your clothing waste, but it will also save you money and allow you to hold on to your most beloved pieces of clothing for longer.

#6. Buy Homemade Or Local

If you have the option to buy handmade or locally made clothing, jewelry, or shoes, this can be a great way to acquire environmentally friendly clothing. Handmade items not only tend to have a smaller impact on the environment since they aren’t mass-produced in a factory but by purchasing them, you are also supporting a local small business.

#7. Do Your Homework

If you are looking to buy new but buy only from eco-friendly brands, there are plenty of options. But like all things, you want to do your homework on these brands and not just go off advertising. Because of the boom in the popularity of sustainable fashion, many brands are hopping on the bandwagon. This is creating “green-washing” between brands and consumers. Where consumers are thinking, they are buying sustainable, but in reality, they aren’t. 

The secret to purchasing environmentally friendly clothing lies within the three R’s. By focusing on reducing the clothing you buy, recycling pre-worn clothing, and reusing (or repairing) what you already have, you will significantly reduce your clothing waste. Shopping sustainable clothing is becoming more and more important, so keep these tips in mind next time you are planning to shop

10
Sep, 2020

9 Ways to Reduce Your Electricity Consumption at Home

Your home and some of your daily habits are extremely energy-consuming. In addition to environmental concerns, this also has a significant impact on your electricity bills. Here are some ways to help reduce your electricity consumption at home to lead a more sustainable life.

1) Choose Low-Energy Light Bulbs

They have evolved a lot! No more light bulbs that light up after five minutes or those that give off a yellowish light. Of all the models, LEDs and compact fluorescent bulbs are the most economical. On average, they last twelve times longer than a conventional incandescent bulb while consuming five times less.

To optimize lighting, look at the “lumen,” which corresponds to the light intensity of a bulb: the higher the number, the more light it diffuses, regardless of the number of watts. In any case, don’t forget to clean them regularly. They will shine brighter!

2) Do Your Laundry Without Spending Too Much Electricity

To reduce your electricity consumption related to your laundry’s maintenance, forget the dryer, if possible. It is the primary source of consumption in this area. If you can’t do without due to limited space outside or inside to dry your laundry naturally, opt for a dryer that automatically stops when your laundry is dry, thanks to a humidity sensor, and spin your laundry well before putting it in your dryer.

3) Don’t Forget to Clean the Lint Trap

As far as your washing machine is concerned, choose low-temperature washing as much as possible, without prewashing, or, even better, cold washing, because 90% of the electricity consumption of washing clothes is actually due to heating the washing water. You should also wait until your washing machine is full before starting it.

4) Turn off Electrical Appliances

Did you know that by turning off all the appliances in your home, you can save up to $80 per year? Television, stereo, and computer continue to nibble away at electricity, even in standby mode. So remember to unplug them after each use, not to mention the coffee machine or toaster in the kitchen.

5) Call a Professional

Taking advantage of the expertise of a professional to better save energy can be a great option. We often want to solve our insulation and heat loss problems, but we don’t always know where to turn for the right expertise. Energy efficiency inspectors are the best persons to advise you. With specialized equipment such as a thermal camera, they can direct you to the best decisions to make before starting any work. They will also let you know where the greatest heat losses are in your home. This way, you will be able to direct your work to the right places, such as changing a few old windows or redoing the insulation, and energy savings will multiply.

6) Opt for Thick Curtains

Putting thick curtains on all the windows will keep in warmth in winter coolness during summer. This will also allow you to save on heating and air conditioning bills.

7) Use Natural Lighting

To optimize your natural lighting, arrange your interior to favor natural lighting over artificial lighting. For example, place your desk or reading area near a window, especially since natural light is better for the eye. Similarly, open the curtains and shutters in your home as soon as it’s daylight and make sure no trees block your windows.

8) Make Economic Choices While Cooking

A few simple gestures and common sense can save energy in the kitchen:

  • cover pots and pans during cooking
  • reduce power as soon as the water boils
  • use a pressure cooker (faster and more efficient)

9) Turn off Lights When Leaving a Room

It’s a simple matter, but significant energy savings can be achieved by simply pressing the switch at each exit. Easy, isn’t it?

In everyday life, there are many simple gestures to adopt to reduce your energy consumption, and consequently, your electricity bill. We hope that these few tips have helped you to do so!

9
Sep, 2020

Benefits of Eating Sustainable Seafood

As more and more doctors are recommending seafood, it’s become difficult to contemplate sustainability and also the ecosystems related to fishing.

What is a sustainable fish? Does the chance related to fishing outweigh the health benefits of fish? What should we eat, farmed or wild fish? we are able to wander away in some questions. So, let’s understand the advantages of eating sustainable fish?

1. They’re healthy

Many sustainable fish are rich in heart-healthy protein, nutrients, minerals and omega-3s, while containing few destructive synthetic chemicals. Overfished fish, like salmon and tuna, typically contain mercury, PCBs and contaminants. Large fish that are to a higher place the organic phenomenon generally have higher levels of harmful synthetic chemicals because of bioaccumulation. As a result, sustainable seafood is pure and healthy.

2. Less money has to be spent to shop for them.

Durable fish like trout and Salvelinus alpinus are quite affordable, unlike salmon. you’ll be able to also buy farmed fish instead of expensive wild fish to save lots of your money.

3. You’ll be able to eat seafood within the style of animal oil.

The immense benefits of eating seafood is realized by consuming it within the variety of supplements and animal oil. animal oil is obtained from fish that are caught to feed humans further as from fish that are caught to feed animals. the acquisition of sustainable animal oil and dietary supplements isn’t only beneficial to health, but also to marine ecosystems.

4. This may facilitate your support local farmers

Local farmers survive on small-scale fishing, unlike large commercial fishing companies that may hunt fish in large quantities using modern gear and fleets. By choosing sustainable seafood and third-party certified products, you may help poor farmers make a living.

Should We Stop Eating Fish?

Many people say it’s wise stop eating fish because the oceans are becoming poorer. We believe that this can be not the answer because many fishermen rely upon fish for his or her livelihood and fish has many health benefits. they’re rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals and of top quality. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy body and reduce the danger of diseases like heart attacks.

They stimulate brain health, prevent depression, reduce the chance of autoimmune diseases and might improve the standard of sleep, among others.

Fish may be a delicious food with many health benefits. So rather than taking a drastic step, you must take a selected action that may be beneficial to both the environment and human health. the simplest thanks to try this is to begin trying to find sustainable seafood.

How Are You Able To Check Whether The Seafood You Get Is Sustainable Or Not?

Sustainable fish has become an intriguing issue over the past decade thanks to concerns about over-fishing and harmful fishing practices on the seabed. For fish to be considered sustainable, many elements are taken under consideration, like the kind of food given to the fish if it’s farmed, the ecological effect of fishing, angling strategies, the present stock of fish, etc.

There are many sustainable seafood certifications and programs that job with fisheries, farms and businesses to market sustainable fishing practices and ensure a protected, reliable and responsible supply of fish. you’ll be able to check for these certifications after you go on a spree. you’ll also check sustainability options once you move to dilapidated a close-by restaurant.

According to the International Union for Conservation of untamed Fish report, quite 85% of the world’s fisheries are completely diverted. Gathering reasonably top quality fish reduces the burden of untamed fisheries and allows them to breed.

Finally, seafood may be a wonderful source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, but to form the correct balance between fish, humans and oceans, nothing beats choosing sustainable seafood.

8
Sep, 2020

6 Habits to Adopt for a More Sustainable Life

Our daily life choices affect the environment, the climate, and other species. From what we choose to consume to our family size, we can do a lot to “choose nature” and help decrease our footprint’s negative impacts and leave room for a more sustainable life.

1) Think Twice Before You Shop

“Reduce, reuse, recycle” may sound archaic, but it’s just as relevant today as it was when the term was coined. Each product we purchase has an enviromental footprint, from the materials we use to make it to the pollution released when the packaging goes to landfill. So before you buy, ask yourself if the product is necessary. If it is, consider buying a used product rather than a new one, and aim for minimal packaging and transportation.

2) Go Plastic Free

Billions of pounds of plastics are now found in the swirling convergences that make up about 40% of the world’s ocean surfaces. Annually, thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals are killed after being entangled in plastic. You can begin reducing your plastic waste by following these simple steps: use reusable bags when shopping, avoid single-use water bottles, bags, and straws, and avoid products made or packaged in plastic as much as possible (for example, choose unpackaged products at the grocery store, shop locally, reduce online shopping).

3) Grow Your Own Products

By growing your own fruits and vegetables, you can ensure that no pesticides or other harmful substances that contribute to water and air pollution are utilized. This will also cut down on the quantity of fossil fuels used to move products to supermarkets.

4) Don’t Waste Water

Avoid drinking bottled water. Bottled water companies try to sell tap water, even if it usually be free. Many city water products have won quality and taste tests compared to branded water. The extraction of water and the manufacturing of all these plastic bottles is a known detriment to communities and wildlife. Conserving water is also vital, primarily because our growing population is placing an increasing demands on the country’s water sources, and we are experiencing more droughts than ever before. You can save water by taking shorter showers, repairing leaky toilets, and choosing low-flow, water-efficient appliances. You can also consider xeriscaping your yard, a landscaping technique that uses native plants adapted to drought conditions, require less water and maintenance over time, and provide habitat and food for birds and bees.

5) Choose to Have a Small Family

Now is the time to talk about the rapid increase in the human population, the species extinction crisis, and the type of future we need for wildlife, the planet, and ourselves. With more than 7.5 billion people globally, and more every day, our need for food, water, land, and fossil fuels drives other species to extinction. Thus, having fewer children would be a wise choice. We can achieve an environmentally sustainable population in a way that promotes human rights; reduce poverty and overpopulation; raise our standard of living; and allow plants, animals, and the protected to thrive.

6) Drive Less

By altering your driving habits, you have the power to lower your carbon footprint. Walk, bike, carpool or use public transit whenever possible. Combine classes to make fewer trips. Participate in car-free days or organize car-free days in your neighbourhood. Keeping your car in good condition through regular tune-ups and tire inflation is also crucial. Regular tune-ups can improve your fuel efficiency by 4-40%, and if people keep their tires inflated, fuel consumption can be reduced by 2% across a country.

By following these simple habits, you can make a big difference!

7
Sep, 2020

Advantages and Limitations of Cardboard Caskets

It is strange but true, cardboard caskets are now a new alternative to traditional coffins. After nearly 30 years of acceptance in Northern European countries, their popularity is now on the rise in the USA also.

Following a recent post on What Is the Most Environmentally Friendly Funeral, we will now have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of cardboard casket.

Advantages of Cardboard casket:

Environmentally friendly manufacturing

The manufacturing of cardboard caskets is much simpler than that of wooden caskets. It is also more ecological:

– The different elements of the box are assembled by folding and gluing.
– These elements are made of recycled cardboard.
– For the assembly, the glues used are made from corn and potato starch and are totally biodegradable.

Good to know: it is entirely possible to assemble a cardboard casket yourself. These can be delivered in pieces, with instructions. No additional tools are required.

A unique casket

Cardboard caskets have the advantage of being customizable. It is indeed possible to:

– choose motives, drawings, paintings, or inscriptions to decorate the outside of the coffin;
– improve the interior by adding cushions or fleece.

Attention: the law imposes characteristics of resistance, waterproofing, the biodegradability of the casket when it is intended for burial.

Cardboard casket: light and solid

A cardboard casket weighs three times less than a wooden casket:

– Its weight is about 10 kilos, compared to the traditional 50 kilos.
– However, depending on the model, a cardboard casket can withstand loads of 130 to 200 kilos.

Competitive prices

These new caskets cost about 5 times less than traditional caskets:

– The initial prices start at $100.
– The average price is $300.
– Quality and personalized cardboard casket can cost up to $600.
– Solid wood caskets, on the other hand, are sold at prices ranging from $800 to $3,000!

Cardboard casket: an ecological solution

Greener materials

To make a cardboard casket, biodegradable recycled cardboard and non-polluting glues are used. This allows us to respect the environment, whatever the method of burial chosen:

– In case of burial:
◦ The bio-degradation of the casket takes only one year, whereas that of a wooden casket can last up to 10 or 15 years.
◦ The amount of wood used to make a cardboard casket is divided by 8 compared to a traditional casket.

– In the case of cremation (when burned), a cardboard casket contains fewer toxic substances than a traditional casket:
◦ no fluorine ;
◦ low in nitrogen oxide ;
◦ no emanation of heavy metals.

All in all, making cardboard caskets would save:

– thousands of km² of a forest;
– millions of healthy trees;
– millions of cubic meters of water;
– millions of liters of fuel oil.

Cardboard coffins: limits

Despite the approval of the Ministry of the Interior, cardboard caskets are prohibited in some crematoria:

– As these caskets do not participate in their own combustion, it is necessary to inject gas to complete it. It is then more polluting. The consumption necessary to burn a cardboard coffin is thus higher than that necessary to burn a wooden coffin (10 kW more).
– Once incinerated, cardboard caskets emit as much dust as a wooden casket.

Please note: if cardboard caskets comply with the standards, crematoriums are required to accept them.

Good to know: in Scandinavia, coffins made from papier-mâché are currently being tested. They could be another environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wooden coffins.

Hoping that this post has given you a complete vision to understand the subject and the essential information to make the right choices.

8 Incredible Tips for a Nature-Friendly Wedding

First comes love, then comes wedding planning… Weddings don’t have to be wasteful. But that doesn’t mean you should wear a dress made of oats, offer a cake made out of raw sprouts, or skip on the things you love like florals, centerpieces, a gorgeous ring, or darling invitation suite – but you can opt for these small changes, so you create less of a carbon footprint! Talking about carbon footprints, green weddings are now becoming a thing! When it comes to preserving Planet Earth, everyone wants to do the right thing. There are so many new technologies and innovations that are making eco-friendly alternatives more accessible than ever.

But when it comes to planning the Big Day, we worry that being environmentally correct will mean sacrificing our cherished wedding vision. Luckily, you no longer have to wrestle with your conscience to have a celebration that is both beautiful and “green”—or at least, green-ish. Your wedding should be a reflection of you as a couple, including your style, love story, and values. And if living an eco-friendly lifestyle is important to you and your partner, your nuptials should relay that.

After all those months of planning your engagement and the wedding, it’s time for the final segment- your reception night. And just like you chose to go green for your wedding as well as your engagement theme, why not doing an eco-friendly reception too? To help make that happen, we’ve put together a guide with some stylish, sagacious and yet nature-friendly ways you can make your Big Day eco-friendly. From reception catering to your bridal outfits, we’ve got everything covered- Green themed! Check it out!

#1. Save Trees with Your Invitation Choice!

The easiest way to go green is through the invitations. “You can do a digital invitation for casual weddings to a high-end couture invitation on recycled cotton

#2. Wear Something Greener, but Chic!

You don’t have to sacrifice glamour to both look good and do good! Erase the picture of a “Bride in Birkenstocks” with a wreath of dried flowers on her head. The modern bride wears her “green” with panache. Most designer gowns are already made of a natural fiber—silk! Other green—er, white—options are hemp/silk blends and organic cotton, which go well with Victorian, Renaissance, or garden weddings.

When shopping for your wedding dress, keep in mind the famous green adage “Reduce, Re-use, Recycle.” Rent your formal wear instead of buying, and you’ll save money and conserve resources at the same time. A heartwarming and straightforward way to “re-use” a dress is to tailor a hand-me-down to your modern sensibilities. Vintage is still hot, and what better accompaniment to a vintage ensemble than estate jewelry? Often more exciting and less expensive than its modern counterparts, estate jewelry avoids the politically charged stigma sometimes associated with the mining of precious gems. If you inherited an engagement ring, it could be reset to suit your taste. (Or follow the newest eco-friendly trend in jewelry—cultured diamonds. They’re socially acceptable and absolutely flawless!)

#3. Pick Your Venue

Choosing a location that is close to your guests will reduce your wedding’s impact in a big way. But once you’ve done that, you might also want to consider what type of venue you will be using. If you aren’t tied to a particular church, synagogue, mosque, or rammed-earth eco-dome, why not consider supporting your local community garden, farmer, or other worthwhile projects? Not only will your wedding serve as a useful source of revenue for the chosen local hosts, but it can also raise awareness of their work and send an intensely personal message about the issues that you and your partner care about.

#4. Green Your Transportation

So, now that you’ve picked the venue now, how will you and your guests get there? Try to provide as much information on transport options as possible. Encourage guests to carpool or set up an Uber to get your own ride code and set limits for how much you’ll cover for each ride taking guests to and from—even better if it’s a green car service that uses electric cars!

#5. Watch the Numbers!

No matter what other choices you make, the most significant factor in the ecological and financial impact of your wedding will be its size. The cold hard fact is that each person you invite means more miles traveled, more food consumed, a bigger venue, and more waste when it’s all over. Since this is your big day, invite as many loved ones as you want, but keep an eye on the numbers and be aware that the more the guest list grows, the harder it is to draw the line: “Well, if we’ve invited cousin Sami then we really should invite aunt Mary…”

#6. Eco-Friendly Decoration

Go for some creative DIY decor ideas and turn your backyard or courtyard into an attractive reception venue. If you’re having a destination beach wedding, simply use some colorful cushions, mattresses, chairs, and bolsters, and your reception venue is ready! In case of a forest wedding, just add wooden chairs, logs, and lanterns to deck up the setting with jungle vibes.

#7. Benefit from Natural Light

Celebrate the outdoors and the natural environment by choosing an outdoor venue where you can rely on natural light. Or, for a real intimate feeling, you could opt for candles instead of switching on light fixtures. Another way to make this work is by hosting a brunch wedding, instead of going well into the evening.

#8. Green Catering

When you’re looking for eco-friendly wedding reception ideas in the wedding catering area, think recycled plates and glasses or bamboo sweet-baskets. Make it an absolutely NO Plastic ceremony by using glass or steel water bottles and water glasses. Use as much local produce as possible. Ask your wedding bakers to use fresh milk and eggs for cakes and sweets. Fresh and locally grown produce would mean fewer storage requirements and hence lesser use of refrigeration.

4
Sep, 2020

What Is the Most Environmentally Friendly Funeral?

Respecting the environment at your funeral is a trend that attracts more and more people. Symbol of this eco-friendly funeral towards sustainable development: the cardboard coffin, which is an alternative to the wooden one.

In America, the funeral market could be a godsend for ecological entrepreneurs while a “fashion” has been emerging for a few years now: the desire to create ecological funerals, particularly with the use of cardboard caskets.

They are cheaper and more environmentally friendly, whether for burial or cremation. They seem to attract more and more people when it comes to organizing one’s funeral. Professionals in the sector are gradually entering this market, conscious that the will of their clients is evolving in this direction.

Five times cheaper than wood

It must be said that these coffins of a new kind, democratized in particular in the countries of Northern Europe, have several advantages over the classic version.

First of all, from a cost point of view, these cellulose coffins are cheaper: between $100 for the starting prices up to $600 for the high-end customizable versions. This is about five times less than solid wood caskets sold between $800 and $3,000, or even higher!

But what is of particular interest is the ecological footprint left by cardboard coffins. These coffins are five times lighter than those made of wood but just as resistant, would respect the environment from their manufacturing process to the standards in force: biodegradable recycled cardboard, non-polluting glues, etc…

Green benefits but also limits

Then comes the choice between burial and cremation. Here again, the cardboard coffin would show positive data in terms of ecology and limitation of air and soil pollution. Underground, it would degrade in barely 12 months, while the wooden one could take up to 10 or even 15 years. This is due to the fact that eight times less wood is used compared to a conventional coffin.

In addition, no heavy metals or fluorine would emanate from the incinerated cardboard coffin, but only a low level of nitrogen oxide. This means that far fewer toxic substances are produced when a wooden coffin is burned. In short, cardboard coffins would save kilometers of the forest; millions of healthy trees; millions cubic meters of water, and millions liters of fuel oil.

However, they are forbidden in many crematoriums because apparently some argue that these coffins do not participate in their own combustion, so it is necessary to inject gas to complete incineration; it is then more polluting. The consumption necessary to burn a cardboard coffin is thus higher than that necessary to burn a wooden coffin (10 kW more). Once incinerated, cardboard caskets emit as much dust as a wooden casket.

Our next publication will soon cover another topic to continue the subject of the cardboard coffin. Did you like this blog? We’re just getting started. You will be able to read more in our next publication, more precisely about the advantages and limitations of cardboard caskets. Keep reading our posts, and don’t forget to leave your comments and also to share this page with your friends! See you soon!

4
Sep, 2020

What Are the Key Principles of Sustainable Development?

Everybody talks about sustainable development, but nobody says exactly what it means. The term sustainability is broadly used to indicate programs, initiatives and actions aimed at the preservation of a particular resource. However, it actually refers to four distinct areas: human, social, economic and environmental – known as the four pillars of sustainability.

Human Sustainability

Human sustainability aims to maintain and improve the human capital in society. Investments in the health and education systems, access to services, nutrition, knowledge and skills are all programs under the umbrella of human sustainability. Natural resources and spaces available are limited and there is a need to balance continual growth with improvements to health and achieving economic wellbeing for everyone. In the context of business, an organisation will view itself as a member of society and promote business values that respect human capital. Human sustainability focuses on the importance of anyone directly or indirectly involved in the making of products, or provision of services or broader stakeholders (the human capital of the organisation). Communities around the globe may be positively or negatively affected by business activities or impacted through methods used to source raw materials. Human sustainability encompasses the development of skills and human capacity to support the functions and sustainability of the organisation and to promote the wellbeing of communities and society.

Social Sustainability

Social sustainability aims to preserve social capital by investing and creating services that constitute the framework of our society. The concept accommodates a larger view of the world in relation to communities, cultures and globalisation. It means to preserve future generations and to acknowledge that what we do can have an impact on others and on the world. Social sustainability focuses on maintaining and improving social quality with concepts such as cohesion, reciprocity and honesty and the importance of relationships amongst people. It can be encouraged and supported by laws, information and shared ideas of equality and rights. Social sustainability incorporates the idea of sustainable development as defined by the United Nations sustainable development goals. The principle of sustainable development addresses social and economic improvement that protects the environment and supports equality, and therefore the economy and society and the ecological system are mutually dependent.

Economic Sustainability

Economic sustainability aims to maintain the capital intact. If social sustainability focuses on improving social equality, economic sustainability aims to improve the standard of living. In the context of business, it refers to the efficient use of assets to maintain company profitability over time.

Critics of this model acknowledge that a great gap in modern accounting practices is not to include the cost of damage to the earth in market prices. A more recent approach to economics acknowledges the limited incorporation of the ecological and social components in this model. New economics is inclusive of natural capital (ecological systems) and social capital (relationships amongst people) and challenges the mantra of capital that continual growth is good and bigger is better, if it risks causing harm to the ecological and human system.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability aims to improve human welfare through the protection of natural capital (e.g. land, air, water, minerals etc.). Initiatives and programs are defined environmentally sustainable when they ensure that the needs of the population are met without the risk of compromising the needs of future generations. Environmental sustainability places emphasis on how business can achieve positive economic outcomes without doing any harm, in the short- or long-term, to the environment. An environmentally sustainable business seeks to integrate all four sustainability pillars, and to reach this aim each one needs to be treated equally.

The principle of the four pillars of sustainability states that for complete sustainability problems to be solved in relation to all four pillars of sustainability and then need be maintained. Although in some cases these may overlap, it is important to identify the specific type of green business to focus on, as the four types present unique characteristics. Businesses need to make a strategic decision about it to effectively incorporate the chosen approach into their policies and procedures.