We are officially one full month into the new year, and by now, statistically 75% of us have already failed our new year’s resolutions¹. Here at Canopy Press we won’t judge if your gym membership has yet to see the light of day, or if Dry January was over before it even began, but we thought we’d share some things we would like to consider more in 2019.
Organic, locally grown food
The benefits of organic produce have often been discussed in relation to our health, but its effect on the environment shouldn’t be ignored. Organic farming practices reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy². Pesticides can also contaminate water supplies and be toxic to birds, animals and fish³.
There is no formal classification for what defines “local” in “local produce”. But, choosing foods that are grown locally in your region or country helps to reduce the carbon footprint created by transporting foods internationally.
Our next book, Gather & Nourish, will look into the different ways a selection of artisans are using to be more sustainable and ethically source and produce their food. Coming in June 2019, watch this space!
Slow fashion
Did you know fashion is now rated as the fifth-most polluting industry on the planet? “Must-have” items for every season and the popularity of cheap and cheerful brands encourages a high turnover for your wardrobe, but where do these clothes go when we no longer want them? A staggering 300,000 tonnes of clothes were sent to landfill in the UK alone in 2016⁴! However, according to WRAP, extending the wardrobe life of a garment by an extra nine months reduces its environmental impact by 20-30%. Providing one tonne of clothing for re-use by donating it to a charity shop/thrift store or selling it online can result in a net greenhouse gas saving of 11 tonnes of CO2 equivalent⁵.
Thankfully, conscious fashion is pushing its way to the forefront of the industry’s agenda. It is encouraging to see big names such as H&M, Nike and ASOS voicing their support for positive changes to make products more sustainable⁶. Although, there are already a number of companies that are committed to the highest environmental standards of production. For example, Thought Clothing use natural, organic and recycled materials for their garments, and People Tree weave, knit and embroider their products by hand which ensures their production is carbon neutral.
We will also be exploring sustainable fashion in our upcoming book Woven & Worn in September 2019.
Reducing plastic waste
We’ve all heard the terrible statistics. Every minute, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic is dumped into our oceans⁷. On our current trajectory, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050⁸. As plastic has been so prevalent in our lives for so long, it may seem like a daunting task to break certain habits. Luckily, these days you don’t have to look too far for decent plastic alternatives. You may already carry your reusable coffee cups, bring your own bags to the supermarket, and say no to plastic straws, but have you considered trying these items in your home?
- Bamboo toothbrushes
- Beeswax wraps
- Shampoo bars
- Soap pouches
- Loose leaf tea
Canopy Press aims to build awareness around sustainable living and an appreciation of the earth we dwell on, but we’re always looking for ways to improve! We would love to hear your advice. Share your top tips below!
Izzy Harridence
Marketing Coordinator
Links
¹ Forbes.com
² https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm/
³ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2984095/
⁵ https://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/valuing-our-clothes-the-cost-of-uk-fashion_WRAP.pdf
⁶ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/28/stella-mccartney-calls-for-overhaul-of-incredibly-wasteful-fashion-industry
⁷ https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/