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These eco-friendly tips will help you to save money and reduce your impact on the planet while working from home.
The problem
So, you’ve cut out the commute, and your office building is no longer having to supply all that gas, electricity and water needed to keep you and your colleagues comfortable and able to perform their jobs. Surely, that means less energy, less carbon pollution, and more eco-friendly working conditions? Not so.
Ditching the drive and working from home doesn’t necessarily mean we’re using less energy and reducing our impact on the environment. Seasonal factors need to be taken into consideration. For example, the energy needed to heat a large office accommodating 100 people is normally more economical than that needed to heat 50 houses or flats.
The Solution
With a second national lockdown in place at the time of writing, a substantial proportion of the UK population is now working from home full-time. And we’re all spending a lot more time at home generally. So, there’s no better time to create a sustainable working environment that works better for you and the planet.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of 5 eco-friendly tips to create a sustainable working from home environment.
1. Turn your heating down
According to research, the average household energy bill could rise by almost 20% as a result of working from home over autumn and winter. This surge equates to around £52m a week spent more on energy bills across the UK.
However, you can take action to reduce the impact on your bank account and the planet. Throw on an extra layer and reduce the temperature on your thermostat a few degrees. You probably won’t notice the difference but if enough people do the same, we can save huge amounts of energy. Even better, upgrade to a smart thermostat and you’ll save even more.
2. Switch to green energy
Thanks to a recent surge in wind power, almost half of the UK’s electricity is now powered by renewable energy.
If you haven’t yet made the switch to renewable or green energy, now’s a good time to review your tariff and become more eco-friendly.
There’s a misperception among many that you’ll have to pay more by switching to a green energy provider. However, there are a lot of affordable green energy plans available, and some are cheaper than non-green deals. This is because people are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, and technologies in providing renewable energies are advancing.
Many people assume that green and renewable energy is the same, but it’s not. Green energy is a category of renewable energy. Green energy is more environmentally friendly, as the resources do not deplete, but power comes from natural sources rather than just being recyclable.
3. Don’t keep devices plugged in
Leaving devices on standby can cost
UK households up to £86 per year in unnecessary charges. Unplug your devices (including
laptops, printer, mobile phones) when you’re not using them. Even better,
invest in a smart power strip that automatically turns devices off when they’re
not being used.
To further reduce your devices’ costs, swap your regular incandescent light bulbs for LEDs, and you’ll save 40% on energy. They’re a much cheaper option in the long-term and better for the environment. This is because LED bulbs don’t waste the electricity they consume.
4. Limit using office supplies
Before you hit the ‘print’
button, consider whether you need to print out that document? Limiting your
printing is a great way to reduce costs and the impact on the planet. When you
do need to print, use recycled paper and print double-sided.
As well as going digital, you could also invest in sustainable stationery, such as bamboo or refillable pens.
5. Buy sustainable office furniture
When you’re working from home for
long hours every day, you’ll want to be as comfortable and productive as
possible.
If you’re planning to switch working
at the kitchen table with setting up a new home office area, invest in
sustainable or second-hand furniture.
Materials such as bamboo, seagrass, and rattan are highly sustainable. This is because they don’t contribute to deforestation. If you’re buying wood, make sure it’s FSC certified, which means its raw materials are renewable and sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Top Tip: Did you know that you may be eligible to claim tax relief if you are required to work from home regularly? Visit GOV.UK to find out if you can get government help towards your bills.
Do you have any other eco-friendly tips for working from home?
We were featured in a Redfin article – Experts Share 21 Ways to Incorporate Eco-Conscious Swaps for a Greener Home. Check it out for more eco tips!
If you enjoyed reading this article, you may also find it useful to check out our tips to reduce water waste in your home. Don’t forget to also read about our top sustainable lockdown tips.
The Jolly Turtle supplies eco-friendly bespoke and pre-packed kits for events, travel, hospitality, and lifestyle, offering a simple and convenient way to shop for all your plastic-free essentials.
Are you looking for some top tricks to hold a ‘spooktastic’ eco-friendly Halloween celebration without polluting the planet?
The problem
It’s that time of year when the supermarket aisles are lined with cheap plastic-manufactured and plastic-wrapped sweets, costumes and decorations. Unfortunately, most of these will get used once and then thrown away, only to end up in landfill or polluting our oceans and beaches. From there, the plastic breaks down over hundreds of years but never truly goes away. It looks unsightly, kills wildlife, and costs billions in clean-up efforts.
The solution
However, it’s easy to get into the spirit of Halloween without creating unnecessary waste. It just takes a bit of thought and organizing.
Halloween will look and feel very different this year to a lot of people due to Covid-19. For a start, it’s unlikely that trick or treating will be considered safe by national governments.
But it’s still possible to have a ‘fangtastic’ time and keep safe from large group gatherings. Whether you’re planning to hold a virtual costume party, family treasure hunt, or host a spooky movie night at home, this year is a great opportunity to get creative and have fun whilst being mindful of waste.
Are you ready to ditch the synthetic for the sustainable? We give you our top tips and tricks to create an eco-friendly Halloween celebration.
1. Reuse costumes
Halloween costumes are estimated to generate over 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year in the UK. That’s equivalent to over 25,000 standard coffins. Eek!
There are so many how-to guides online to help you create a DIY costume and you don’t have to be an expert seamstress to give it a go. If possible, try and reuse what you already have. Can you upcycle that old shirt that’s been through the wash too many times? Rip it, throw it in dirt, or throw pomegranate juice at it. Just a few ideas to transform an outfit fit for a zombie!
If you’re still stuck for ideas using what you already have, think about scouring the charity shops, swap costumes with a friend, or rent a costume instead.
We wrote a whole blog post about eco-friendly costume ideas so check it out for some inspo.
Fun Fact: Halloween costumes were traditionally worn by ancient Celts as a disguise in case they encountered ghosts when leaving the house. This is because they believed ghosts returned to Earth on Halloween.
2. Pick your pumpkin
Who wouldn’t prefer to pick their own pumpkin from a pumpkin farm rather than from the local supermarket? Choosing a pumpkin is all part of the build-up to Halloween and by going local, kids will become educated on how pumpkins are grown. Plus, they are cheaper and fresher in comparison to shops and you know your money will go straight into the pockets of the farmer.
So, grab a wheelbarrow and head out to your local pumpkin farm this year for a day out to remember.
Fun Fact: The UK’s largest pick-your-own pumpkin farm is in Newark and has more than 100,000 visitors every year. It’s run by a 20-year old who started growing pumpkins as a hobby when he was 13.
3. Use pumpkin flesh and seeds
If you’ve ever spent hours carving a pumpkin work of art, you’ll know that it takes a lot of effort to scrape out all that pumpkin flesh and seeds from the inside. It’s a messy job, but it’s not all waste.
The pulp can be used to make a pumpkin puree or mash. My personal favourite is spiced pumpkin soup, which is perfect for this time of year!
Pumpkin seeds can be reused in several ways. If they’re big enough, large seeds can be replanted to grow into new pumpkins. Smaller seeds can be eaten – just rinse, dry, oil, season and roast for a nutritious tasty snack or sprinkle on top of salads. Check out the BBC’s Good Food guide for a list of pumpkin recipes.
Once you’ve finished with your pumpkin decoration, it can go straight into your compost bin or be used to feed wildlife.
Fun Fact: People once believed that freckles could be removed by spreading a pumpkin paste over the skin!
4. Use plastic-free makeup and glitter
Halloween costumes and make-up go hand in hand. What’s an outfit without a gory face to match in dripping ‘bloody’ paint or bejewelled skeleton eyes?
Yet so many cosmetic glitters on the market contain microplastics. These are millions of tiny plastic pieces which pollute our seas and our wildlife, creating long-lasting damage. Similarly, most cosmetic paints contain heavy metals and other toxic chemicals that can irritate the skin. Not to mention that they are often packaged in plastic packaging.
But it’s not all doom and gloom as there are so many eco-friendly and creative ways to up your Halloween look with paint and glitter.
Use a natural and vegan face paint made from fair trade organic ingredients. You can get some amazing colourful eyeshadow palettes made by ethical brands.
For glitter, make sure it’s eco-friendly, such as our bio-glitter, which is made from biodegradable film sourced from sustainable tree plantations. All of our glitter is packaged in biodegradable pouches for the ultimate eco sparkly solution.
We’re giving readers of our blog 25% off our bio-glitter and Aloe Vera glitter fix range until 31st October with discount code SPOOKY25. Check out our Poison Ivy and Red Voodoo, which we created especially for Halloween.
Will you be celebrating Halloween this year? Do you have any other tips to create an eco-friendly Halloween experience?
The Jolly Turtle supplies eco-friendly bespoke and pre-packed kits for events, travel, hospitality, and lifestyle, offering a simple and convenient way to shop for all your plastic-free essentials.
Do you want to reduce water waste and your energy bills at the same time as protecting the environment? We give you some top tips to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle at home.
Water is a commodity that we all need to survive and one that developed nations take for granted. Therefore, we must find ways to reduce water waste to make it more accessible to those that need it and reduce the impact on the environment.
In the UK, we use on average 150 litres of water per person every day. Think about all the ways we use it around the home – drinking, washing, cleaning, feeding plants. We definitely shouldn’t stop do those things. However, we should all be conscious of just how much we’re using and question whether any is going to waste.
Wasting water impacts the environment in many ways, including damaging the natural ecosystem when we take too much from it.
Reducing water waste will not only help conserve our energy but, if you’re on a water meter, it will reduce your costs too. Investing in a smart water meter is a great way to know exactly how much you’re using, where you can make cuts, and what it’s costing you. Most water companies in the UK will install one for free if you ask.
We’ve done some research and come up with five practical tips to help you reduce water waste.
1. Turn off the tap
The average 10-minute shower uses around 150 litres of water, compared to about 80 litres for a full bath. Also, the longer your shower, the more carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from the additional energy needed to heat your water tank (which also costs more).
Here are some practical tips you can follow to save water from being unnecessarily wasted down the drain and reduce CO2 emissions.
- Take shorter showers (turning the shower off a few minutes earlier than usual can save around 24 litres of water)
- Don’t leave the shower running (you could turn it off while shaving your legs)
- Install a water-saving showerhead or aerator to reduce the pressure or flow
- Don’t overfill your bath
Don’t forget to turn off the tap when brushing your teeth as this is another great way to reduce water waste. Keeping the tap running for two minutes can waste around 12 litres of water. That’s equivalent to almost 100 litres of water a day for a family of four who brushes morning and night.
Bonus tip: Did you know that showers are better than baths for those without skin conditions? Too much water can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to irritation. Use a moisturiser to replenish your skin within 30 minutes of having a shower or bath.
2. Use washing machine and dishwasher for full loads
A typical run on a washing machine uses 50 litres of water and is likely the most expensive energy-consuming device you’ll be using at home.
Perhaps question whether you need to put that item you’ve just worn in the laundry basket or whether it can go back in the wardrobe for another day. Is it dirty? Can it be worn again? I often use the fingernail test on my children’s school uniform. If I can scrape off minor marks, it goes back in the school bag!
Over-washing clothing will reduce the lifespan of those items. Therefore, not washing your clothes as often should also save you money if you don’t need to replace them so soon. And buying fewer clothes is another way to protect the environment.
The same applies when washing the dishes. Unless you have a full load of pots and pans to wash, it’s more efficient to either wash up by hand or wait until you have a full load.
If your washing machine or dishwasher has one, use an economy or half-load setting to reduce water waste.
Bonus tip: Washing your clothes inside out at low temperature using a natural laundry detergent will keep them looking new for longer. They clean just as well but won’t fade as fast.
3. Don’t overfill the kettle
Most people in the UK boil more water in their kettles than they use, wasting millions of pounds a year. As a nation of tea drinkers, that’s a lot of water and electricity gone to waste.
Using an energy-saving kettle will help as it should have a guide to show the amount of water needed for the number of cups. Even better, if you can afford it, invest in a boiling water tap, which uses heat-exchange technology to reuse energy. This is ideal for businesses that need to cater to lots of tea drinkers all day as a significant amount of money would be saved on energy bills very quickly.
Bonus tip: Boiling the same water twice can give you a lower quality cup of tea. Reboiling removes the oxygen and nitrogen from water and gives a stronger flavour of undesirable minerals that don’t taste very nice.
4. Reduce toilet flushing
There’s a saying that goes ‘if it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down’.
Flushing the toilet as many times as the average person does every day uses around the same amount of water as you would drink in a month. A lot!
Most modern toilets have a dual flush option so don’t use the full flush unless you need to for number twos. This can save around 66% of water compared to single-flush toilets.
For single-flush toilets, you can fit a plastic bottle or flush bag in your cistern, which collects water from each flush that can be used for the next flush. This can save around 1,500 litres of water a year on average.
Bonus tip: If you do decide to ‘let it mellow if it’s yellow’, make sure you flush at least once a day. Otherwise, the bacteria will create a foul odour and stain your toilet.
5. Install a water butt in your garden
Use a water butt to collect rainwater and you’ll save huge amounts of water and money compared to using a hosepipe. Waterwise.com states that the average UK home receives over 21,000 litres of rainwater on its roof. So, more than enough to clean your car and water your garden all year round.
Go one step further and fit a water butt to your bathroom waste pipe to catch all that water from the bath and shower.
Bonus tip: Plants tend to prefer rainwater than tap water. This is because rainwater contains plant-loving nitrates and other organic chemicals. Whilst tap water won’t harm plants, it is more acidic due to the chemicals added during the filtration and refining process.
If you’re serious about cutting back on water waste, use a monitoring tool such as the Home Energy Check (for those in Scotland) to work out how much you’re using now and how much you could save after making changes. The Energy Saving Trust is also a useful resource to find out more about how you can save water at home.
The Jolly Turtle supplies eco-friendly bespoke and pre-packed kits for events, travel, hospitality, and lifestyle, offering a simple and convenient way to shop for all your plastic-free essentials.
Are you looking for eco-friendly insect repellent? If you are prone to insect bites and want to deter them naturally, we’ve provided some eco-friendly tips that will help you repel mosquitos (and other insect bites).
When it comes to sun protection, natural eco-friendly sunscreen should be everyone’s first choice.
Whether you’ll be out in the UK sunshine (camping, anyone?) or going somewhere hot, you’ll definitely want to think about slapping on some sunscreen to protect your vulnerable skin from prolonged exposure to that beautiful yet dangerous ball of fire in the sky.
But which brand do you use and do you know exactly what you’re putting into your body and into the environment?
If you’re not using a natural eco-friendly sunscreen like Shade Sunscreen SPF25, here are 6 great reasons why you should be.
Reason 1 – Natural ingredients won’t harm your skin
The most common ingredients in chemical sunscreens are…unsurprisingly, chemicals. Chemical-based sunscreens are known to absorb the sun’s harmful UV rays, creating a chemical reaction that disperses those rays through your body and into the air. That means, chemicals (up to 60% of them) are absorbed into your skin and bloodstream, which can cause health issues such as allergies, eczema and even infertility. Because children’s sunscreens have high SPF ratings, they contain higher amounts of chemicals being absorbed into their skins.
Artificial fragrances added to sunscreens can also cause reactions such as reddened skin and watery eyes, especially for those prone to allergies and asthma. You might be surprised to learn that these fragrances can also enter a woman’s milk if breastfeeding, which I’m pretty sure is really bad for babies!
However, unscented and natural eco-friendly sunscreens like Shade actually reflect the sun’s rays, acting like a mirror on the skin, therefore protecting the skin from getting those rays into your body. And because the ingredients are non-toxic, they won’t harm your skin at all.
Reason 2 – Natural ingredients won’t harm the environment
Just as the chemicals in chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the body and dispersed into the air, the same happens in water, except the particles are dispersed into the sea instead. This can cause incredible damage to coral reefs and contribute to the destruction of these beautiful underwater habitats and the marine life that relies on them.
Did you know that Hawaii became the first US state this year to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone andoctinoxate, which some scientists claim contribute to coral bleaching? One study found that about 12,000 metric tonnes of sunscreen have been washed into coral reefs. That’s more than The Eiffel Tower weighs!
Natural eco-friendly sunscreens like Shade contain minerals and ingredients that won’t harm the environment.
Reason 3 – They’re immediately effective
Chemical sunscreens take up to 20 minutes before they become effective and start protecting you from the sun. Not ideal, particularly if you want to protect your children’s delicate, young skin straightaway when out in the hot sun.
Natural sunscreens, on the other hand, get to work immediately, forming an instant barrier between your skin and the sun.
Reason 4 – Shade is not packaged in plastic
Most conventional sunscreens, and even a lot of natural sunscreens, are packaged in plastic bottles and if you’ve been watching the news lately or ‘Blue Planet’, you’ll know just how damaging plastic is to the environment. Plastic sticks around forever and if it’s not in landfill, it contaminates our water systems, damaging our precious oceans and wildlife.
Shade is packaged in a recyclable aluminium tin so there’s absolutely no harm to the environment. Going plastic-free is definitely the way forward!
Reason 5 – I can pronounce the ingredients
Personally, I prefer to use products where I can pronounce the ingredients and I know what I’m putting onto my skin and into my body. With ingredients like cinoxate, octyl methoxycinnamate, octorylene, and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (the list goes on but you get the gist), unless you’re a scientist, you probably won’t know what these are and why they’re in your sunscreen.
Shade Sunscreen contains just four ingredients – coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, and zinc oxide (the first two being organic). The zinc oxide acts as a sunblock, reflecting the light from the sun and bouncing it away from your skin. Know what you’re putting into your body!
Reason 6 – The travel-sized tin is tiny
The 15ml Shade Sunscreen is less than 4cm in diameter and only 2cm high so perfect for a weekend away or day down at the park. It will fit into a pocket and a small handbag, and only takes up a tiny amount of space in an airport security bag for liquids when flying.
So, which sunscreen will you be choosing this summer? If you love your precious skin and environment, choose an effective and safe product like Shade Sunscreen.
And don’t forget to follow other safety measures when in the sun – cover your body and avoid direct sunlight when the sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm.
The Jolly Turtle provides quality bespoke and pre-packed festival kits to festival-goers, offering a simple and convenient way to shop for all your quality festival essentials.
With hospitality now open in the UK, the buzzword on many holidaymakers’ lips is staycation, so an eco glamping holiday could be the perfect getaway for you this summer.
What is glamping?
Glamping allows you to experience the best of the great outdoors without compromising on the quality and comfort that many hotels offer. Think fluffy towels and dressing gowns, luxury eco toiletries, organic breakfast hampers, books by the woodfire, fizz in the hot tub, toasted marshmallows over the campfire, and evenings wrapped in blankets watching the stars while drinking hot chocolate or gin cocktails.
Glamping really is for anybody of any age – couples, families, groups of friends, corporate groups, young and old and everyone in between.
Regardless of what you want to get out of your glamping experience, it’s the perfect opportunity to go off grid, recharge your batteries, and reconnect with nature. Just what we all need every now and then!
The secluded location of many glamping sites means social distancing should be relatively easy. You’ll have more privacy, access to explore wide open spaces, amazing views and sunsets, plenty of fresh air, and it’s generally a very sustainable way to holiday.
A glamping holiday is a fantastic way to have fun and relax with kids (all that space to run around) and large groups (communal dining and drinking whilst social distancing can be done)!
How much does it cost?
Costs for packages vary considerably so you really can make it as cheap or luxurious as you’d like. Whether you plan to stay in a bell tent, yurt, cabin, hobbit house, shepherds’ hut, safari lodge, tipi, dome pod, gypsy wagon, goji, or treehouse (the list goes on!), you’re sure to have a unique and memorable holiday.
Get inspired for your next glamping break as we give you some of the best eco glamping holidays available to book now. This is our top 15.
1. Kudhva
Where: Tintagel, Cornwall
Stay in a luxury contemporary hideout totally off-grid deep in the woods by the Cornish coast. Choose from a Kudhva (Danish cabin) or tree tent and feel like you’re being cradled by the natural world as you hang suspended amidst the treetops. There are bar facilities onsite as well as a hot tub
Eco: Solar powered, natural water supplies, compost toilets, responsibly sourced products and services, limits waste sent to landfill, offers lectures and talks about sustainability.
2. Larkhill Tipis & Yurts
Where: Near Cardigan Bay and Carmethen Bay, West Wales
Set on the edge of an enchanting four-acre woodland near miles of sandy beaches, guests can stay in tipis or yurts at Larkhill.
Eco: Larkhill is a certified eco-friendly off-grid glamping site. Electricity is produced using green renewable energy, all food waste is composted, they make it easy for guests to recycle, they use ethically sourced cleaning products and toiletries (provided free of charge), they’ve planted 4 acres of woodland, created habitats for wildlife, and built a compost toilet.
3. Pickwell Manor Treehouses
Where: Braunton, North Devon
If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a treehouse in the middle of the woods, now’s your chance. Luxurious and intimate, the secluded treehouses at Pickwell Manor provide views of the sea or surrounding woodland from your bed. And some include a hot tub.
Eco: The treehouses are handcrafted using sustainable British trees, solar panels provide all their heat and light, and the water is sourced from their natural spring.
4. Brook House Woods
Where: Bromyard, Herefordshire
With options to stay in a luxury treehouse, yurt, hobbit house, or tree tent, there is something for everyone at Brook House Woods. Ideal for those wanting a decadent break in a secluded location. Lots of activities are on offer including sustainable woodwork, tennis, yoga, cider tasting, raw chocolate making, in-room massage and beauty treatments, and more.
Eco: All the structures are made using locally grown wood in a way that maintains the health of the woods. Wind and sun energy is used for power, water is sourced from the farm and is not chemically treated, their cleaning products are biodegradable, and toilet roll is recycled.
5. Wingbury Farm
Where: Wingrave, Buckinghamshire
Stay in one of three luxury en-suite glamping pods in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside, which includes your own private handmade Scandinavian wood-fired hot tub, BBQ, and fire pit.
Eco: The glamping pods are powered via solar panels, and the heating and hot water are provided by ground-source heat pumps.
6. Daisy Cabin
Where: Buntingford, Hertfordshire
Nestled in a private orchard in the heart of the open countryside, Daisy Cabin offers bespoke retreat packages focused on wellness and mindfulness.
Eco: The solar powered cabin is built mainly from reclaimed materials so it’s a low impact way to do a glamping getaway.
7. Brockloch Bothy
Where: Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
Stay in either the Eco Bothy or treehouse at this luxury eco retreat in south west Scotland. Both contemporary structures have featured on George Clarke’s amazing spaces! You can gaze at the stars through the skylight in the treehouse while cosied up in your Egyptian cotton bed linen or gaze at the panoramic views by the outdoor fire bowl.
Eco: The structures are made using sustainable timber and insulated using sheep’s wool, solar panels provide electricity, and even the paint is environmentally friendly.
8. Loveland Farm
Where: Hartland, Bideford
Sustainability comes first at this eco-retreat located on the Hartland Peninsula in North Devon, which also couples as a design studio. Each of the 6 geodesic domes on site comes with its own private shower and the Loveland includes a projector for movie nights. Don’t fancy staying in a dome? Stay in one of their new tipis instead.
Eco: Energy is powered using solar panels and a recycled wood chip biomass system, they provide locally-sourced food, and the award-winning eco compost toilet ‘thrones’ use no chemicals (and also offer stunning sea views).
9. Jollydays Glamping
Where: York
Stay in a woodland tent, woodcutter hut, or lodge tent in the magical woodland surrounds of this Yorkshire eco glampsite. Kids (big and small) will love to experience the many fairy trails in England’s first fairy sanctuary.
Eco: Very little is attached to the ground to preserve the environment, they use renewable energy where possible, and they are a gold award holder of the Green Tourism scheme.
10. Loch Ken Eco Bothies
Where: Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
Each of the four custom-built eco cabins (called bothies) are nestled in their own private area on the shores of the Loch Ken in Southwest Scotland. You get your own private log burning hot tub and kayak to explore the loch.
Eco: Powered using renewable energy – solar panels for lighting, wood fuel for the hot tub and log burner, gas for the stove and rain shower. The cabins are furnished using recycled and refurbished materials.
11. Cae Wennol Yurts
Where: Conwy, North Wales
Set in the picture-perfect Conwy Valley overlooking wildlife-rich eco ponds, Cae Wennol offers the perfect setting for glamping under the Snowdonia sky. Stay in a traditional Mongolian yurt within the gardens.
Eco: The toilets are compostable and the eco hot showers use fresh spring water.
12. EcoPod Holidays
Where: Derbyshire Dales
Go totally off grid and stay in one of five EcoPods in the Derbyshire Dales of the Peak District. Book for a romantic getaway but also ideal for family gatherings, parties and team-building weekends. There are some activities onsite such as giant jenga and swingball and the hosts will even help you organize music entertainment and book children’s entertainers.
Eco: The EcoPods are made with 50% recycled locally sourced wood, and the games room (which is heated by the sun) has a grass roof.
13. Devon Dens
Where: Germansweek, Devon
Stay in a cosy wooden cabin in a private eco-hideaway in the secluded woodlands of West Devon. At Devon Dens, you can indulge in a massage, enjoy the wood-fired sauna, or curl up with a good book in one of the hammocks.
Eco: The timber structures are made from sustainable local wood. The site is powered by solar panels, they have dry toilets using natural water filtration systems, all waste is composted, and the beehives and wildlife pond encourage biodiversity. They use locally sourced and home-grown food where possible.
14. The Secret Garden – Guilden Gate
Where: Guilden Gate, Hertfordshire
The Secret Garden is an enclosed smallholding containing an earth-sheltered Hobbit Hole surrounded by wildflower meadows, coppice woodland, vegetable fields, fruit orchards and herb gardens.
Eco: The cottage was built using sustainable materials and technologies, water is provided through rainwater harvesting and a borehole, greywater is recycled, and toilets are composted. Solar panels and a wind turbine provide renewable energy and the woodland provides wood for all heating, meaning Guilden Gate is a net zero CO2 emissions site.
15. Hill Farm Glamping
Where: Near Southam, Warwickshire
Situated on a working sheep farm on the end of the Cotswolds in the middle of rural Warwickshire, Hill Farm’s shepherd’s hut offers a secluded spot where you can bathe alfresco and shower amongst the trees. If you don’t fancy the hut, you can always stay in the bell tent or tipi. Lots of activities nearby including horse riding, golf, cycling, and even llama trekking.
Eco: Private eco toilet, solar-lit lighting, grass-fed and sustainably reared sheep, eggs and honey from the farm.
If you want to make your glamping break even more enjoyable and eco-friendly, check out our pre-packed kits. We’re giving readers 10% off the following kits until 31st July 2020. Use code ECOGLAMP10 at checkout.
If you enjoyed reading this, you might also like to read our interview with the luxury sustainable boutique accommodation provider, Portobello Tents.
The Jolly Turtle supplies eco-friendly bespoke and pre-packed kits for events, travel, hospitality, and lifestyle, offering a simple and convenient way to shop for all your plastic-free essentials.
With different types of disposable and reusable face masks on the market, do you know what the best options are to protect you and others from the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and the differences between them?
At the time of writing, the UK government has mandated that people must wear a face covering when travelling on public transport in England. It has also recommended that people wear them when out in public where social distancing isn’t possible, such as in shops and other confined or crowded spaces. Those exempt from this rule include young children, disabled people and people with breathing difficulties.
This applies to most of us and if it doesn’t already, it will do at some point. Therefore, it makes sense to be prepared by investing in a face mask or covering for when you need one. By wearing a face mask, you will be helping to protect others around you. When they wear one, they will be helping to protect you.
We shed light on the topic by explaining the different types of face masks available and the benefits of using a reusable one over a disposable one.
Types of Face Masks
Let’s start with terminology. Face masks are often referred to as face coverings or cloth coverings. A face covering or cloth covering is one that can easily made at home using any type of fabric or material that covers your face, and this is what the UK government is referring to in their guidance. The advice stipulates that a cloth face covering should cover your mouth and nose whilst allowing you to breathe comfortably.
Many homemade face coverings are defined as face masks but technically, face masks tend to be professionally manufactured.
There are two main types of face masks that help protect against viruses such as COVID-19:
- Surgical Masks – non-medical face masks or coverings generally made using fabric. These are normally loose fitting and comfortable to wear.
- Medical Masks – respiratory masks (such as N95) which offer the highest level of protection and are designed for use by healthcare professionals. These are tight fitting, uncomfortable, and typically contain a filter.
In this post, we deal with the subject of surgical non-medical masks – those that are to be worn by the general public and not frontline healthcare professionals. Medical masks are in short supply and therefore need to be reserved for those that need them most.
Let’s have a look at some of the key benefits of using a reusable face mask over a disposable one:
1. Eco-Friendly
Using a reusable face mask made from organic cotton fabric and biodegradable elastic means that not only is the production of the materials sustainable, but once the mask comes to the end of its long life, it will break down into the environment, leaving no trace.
Compare this with disposable face masks, which are used only once and typically made from and packaged in plastic. These might break up into smaller pieces eventually over years, but they never truly break down. Plus, the manufacturing methods can damage the environment, not to mention that most are shipped from China, adding to the planet’s carbon footprint.
Investing in a reusable face mask is the most sustainable option of all.
2. Saves Money
If you need to wear a disposable face mask every time you go out, you may get through a lot in a short space of time, particularly as the general guidance is to change your mask at least twice a day. A quick price check on Amazon lists packs of disposable masks for around 30 pence per mask. Six months of wearing two disposable face masks everyday would likely cost you over £100 a month.
Compare that with £8 for an adult-sized reusable face mask and the sums speak for themselves!
3. Lasts Longer
Most disposable face masks are thin and made from poor quality fabric. This means they may not provide adequate protection for others and may increase the risk of transmission of viruses like COVID-19.
Reusable products are designed to last, and a reusable face mask will last as long as it is looked after. Wash on a standard washing cycle regularly to maintain face mask hygiene.
4. Comfortable
Most disposable face masks contain elastic that is designed to fit behind the ears, making them uncomfortable and sometimes painful to wear.
Some handmade fabric masks also fit in this way but can be made to feel less uncomfortable with a headband and sewed on buttons or other creative hacks. Our reusable face masks contain elastic that fits around the head rather than the ears, making them comfortable to wear for long periods.
5. Support Independent Businesses
Disposable face masks are typically manufactured in factories, usually the other side of the world and sold by large corporations.
Small businesses, on the other hand, need your help more than ever right now to stay alive so try to shop at ethical, independent shops that value more than just profits. When you buy handmade, you know that product is unique and that you’re helping creators to keep their craft skills alive and kicking. Besides, the designs that are available by handmade creators are so much more attractive. If you’re going to have to wear one, you may as well look awesome!
So, there we have it – our top 5 benefits of using a reusable face mask over a disposable one. There are lots of handy templates online if you’re a dab hand at the sewing machine and want to create your own DIY face mask.
If you would like to buy a handmade reusable face mask, we’re offering a 10% discount to readers of this blog post on all our face masks for a limited time (until 30th June 2020). This includes our reusable biodegradable and reusable cotton face masks. Simply enter MASKBLOG10 at checkout to receive your discount.
It’s important to have in mind that face masks alone won’t protect against the virus. Hand hygiene, especially washing or sanitising hands before putting on your mask and taking it off, is crucial to avoid contamination of your mask.
If you want to find out more about face masks in the context of COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) provides some useful FAQs on the topic.
How have you found wearing a face mask in public?
Important
Note that this article is not written by a medical expert and is not based on scientific evidence. It is, however, an interpretation based on research such as that provided by the UK government and World Health Organization (WHO) and is designed to provide helpful information to the general public on the use of face masks.
The Jolly Turtle supplies eco-friendly bespoke and pre-packed kits for events, travel, hospitality, and lifestyle, offering a simple and convenient way to shop for all your plastic-free essentials.
If you’re still deciding which festival to go to next year, we’ve pulled together some of the best official festival aftermovies from some of the UK’s biggest festivals held in 2019. Most festivals have sadly had to cancel their event this year, but planning for 2021 is in full swing and there’s no better time to look and book your tickets than right now if you haven’t already.
From rock to electronic, Afro-Cuban to underground grime, we cover a variety of some of the biggest UK music festivals to suit the most discerning of festivalgoers. Pour a cold drink, sit back and relax, and enjoy the magical festival nostalgia of yesteryear!
DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL
| Date: | 4-6 June 2021 |
| Location: | Donington Park, Derbyshire |
The UK’s premier rock festival features over 100 metal, rock and punk pop acts, as well as spectacles like the UK Air Guitar Championships and wrestling matches. Download’s 2019 headliners included Def Leppard, Slipknot, and Tool. Website
Their 2021 line-up hasn’t been announced yet but 2020 was going to feature Kiss, Iron Maiden, and System of a Down.
CREAMFIELDS
| Date: | 26-29 August 2021 |
| Location: | Daresbury, Warrington |
One of the best dance festivals in the world, Creamfields featured some of the following legendary dance acts in 2019 – Calvin Harris, Swqedith House Mafia, Annie Mac, and Tiesto. Website
Their 2021 line-up includes Carl Cox, Deadmau5, Eric Pridz, and Tiësto. Check out the full line-up so far.
NASS FESTIVAL
| Date: | 8-11 July 2021 |
| Location: | Shepton Mallet, Nr. Bristol |
With almost as many sport courses as music stages, NASS is a grime and hip-hop festival featuring international pro skate, BMX competitions, and street art. Their 2019 headliners included Giggs, Rudimental, and Cypress Hill. Website
The 2021 line-up will feature headliner, The Streets, with loads more to be announced. Full line-up so far.
WOMAD
| Date: | 22-25 July 2021 |
| Location: | Charlton Park, Chippenham |
Womad offers over 150 cutting edge performances from world-class musicians represented by over 50 countries. 2019 headliners were Zizzy Marley, Anna Calvi, and Orbital. Website
The line-up for 2021 hasn’t been announced but 2020 was going to feature Angelique Kidjo, The Flaming Lips, Kate Tempest, and Mariza.
BOOMTOWN
| Date: | 8-11 July 2021 |
| Location: | Matterley Estate, Hampshire |
Described as the most theatrically immersive festival experience on earth, Boomtown is a fantasy city of music, theatre, escapism and much more. Headliners from 2019’s ‘A Radical City’-themed festival include Lauryn Hill, Prophets of Rage, and The Streets. Website
Their 2021 line-up hasn’t been announced yet but you can get an idea of who might be playing from the 2020 line-up.
READING LEEDS
| Date: | 27-19 August 2021 |
| Location: | Reading & Leeds |
One of the biggest UK festivals to take place, Reading and Leeds share the same line-up over the August bank holiday weekend. 2019 headliners included Foo Fighters, Billie Eilish, and The 1975. Website
The line-up for 2021 is yet to be announced but 2020 was due to feature Liam Gallagher, Stormzy, and Rage Against the Machine.
Have you been to any of these festivals? Did you enjoy watching these festival aftermovies?
Don’t forget to order your plastic-free festival kit once you’ve booked your festival ticket. We offer an Eco Festival Essentials Kit and an Eco Festival Kit.
If you liked this post, check out 8 Aftermovies of 2018 from Europe’s Biggest Music Festivals.
The Jolly Turtle supplies eco-friendly bespoke and pre-packed kits for events, travel, hospitality, and lifestyle, offering a simple and convenient way to shop for all your plastic-free essentials.
It may be one of the industries most affected by Covid-19, but those of us with a love of travel know that that wanderlust feeling doesn’t disappear just because we can’t go on an adventure. As part of our virtual travel series, we want to encourage people during lockdown to get transported to the world of travel through their screens. Get inspired for your next trip with some of our favourite travel films we’ve watched.
Wild
Starring: Reese Witherspoon
This biographical movie stars Reese Witherspoon, who plays a woman who trekked over a thousand miles on a solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail without having had any trekking experience. This true story is based on Cheryl Strayed, who took the trek as an attempt to heal from some personal tragedies she suffered.
Why we love it: The inspirational message behind this movie is that, with will and determination, most things are possible. It also captures the spirit that travel can be a healer.
How to do it: Check out the Pacific Crest Trail Association, which offers advice on trekking and camping gear, food, maps, and permits.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Starring: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Dev Patel
Based on Deborath Moggach’s novel of the same name, several British retirees decide to stay at what is advertised as an exotic retirement home in Jaipur, India. Having arrived at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel after their eventful journeys, they realize it’s far from exotic and is actually a run-down dilapidated site. It’s how they deal with their past and embrace the future, that makes this film so heartwarming.
Why we love it: Each character’s personal journey shows that you’re never too old to turn your life around and do something completely different. And the important message that each of us has to make the best of life when things doesn’t turn out as expected.
How to do it: The hotel used in this travel film is called the Ravla Khempur, which is located in a small village in the Rajasthani countryside. Unlike the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the real hotel is more charming and situated in a much quieter location. Wild Frontiers Travel offer a small group 11-day tour.
Life of Pi
Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan
Based on Yann Martel’s novel of the same name, Life of Pi tells the story of a zookeeper’s teenage son who finds himself stranded at sea on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. His deeply religious principles conflict with his fight for survival as both he and the tiger learn to trust each other over the months they are confined at sea.
Why we love it: It’s such a simple plot yet gripping at the same time with powerful underlying messages about life. Depending on how you perceive it, the story can be either believable or unbelievable, so you don’t truly know what the truth is at the end.
How to do it: It’s probably best not to get stranded at sea on a lifeboat! Some of the movie was filmed in Taipei Zoo in Taiwan but you can see Bengal tigers in the wild in many national parks in India and Nepal. Organized trips and safaris are a sure way of safely seeing these majestic creatures in their habitats.
The Beach
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tilda Swinton, Virginie Ledoyen
Based on Alex Garland’s book of the same name, The Beach follows the character of Richard, a young traveller who goes to the other side of the world to find his paradise, a remote secret settlement in Thailand. But Eden is not all it’s cracked up to be and neither are the people, some who will kill to keep its secret.
Why we love it: This is the travel film that inspired me to go backpacking around Thailand in the summer term of my university years. The lure of a bustling Bangkok and paradise beaches, I knew it would be the most amazing travel experience and it was. Plus, it comes with a killer soundtrack.
How to do it: You can travel to the beach where the film is located on Phi Phi Leh Island, but due to the rise in tourism in the area, unfortunately it’s not remote anymore. However, there are many wonderful golden sandy beaches on the islands surrounding Phuket.
The Last King of Scotland
James McAvoy, Forest Whitaker
A Scottish doctor travels to Uganda on a medical mission and becomes President Idi Amin’s personal physician. As the pair become closer, he sees the powerful and brutal dictator for what he truly is and fights for his life as he struggles to escape from Uganda and its corrupt leader.
Why we love it: Whilst blindly stopping a spinning globe with your finger may not be the best way to decide on your next trip, I did it once after watching this movie and ended up doing a two-week camping adventure on the West Coast of the USA.
How to do it: Uganda is regarded as one of Africa’s safer countries to travel and the sheer number of national parks make it ideal for wildlife watching, especially if you want to see the country’s star attraction, the endangered mountain gorilla.
Thelma & Louise
Starring: Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Brad Pitt
Set in the early 90s, this movie follows two best friends who set out on a weekend road trip to get away from their unhappy relationships back home. However, they end up going on the run after committing a crime. It’s a classic movie that was regarded as controversial at the time due to its feminist take on male violence.
Why we love it: Going on a road trip with your mate sounds like enormous fun.
How to do it: Grab your bestie, book a convertible and hit the road. The actual route in this travel film doesn’t exist but most of it was shot in California and Utah. Highway 99 is great for road trips as it’s scenic and offers plenty of options to stop and explore different places.
The Holiday
Starring: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black
Having had enough of the flawed men in their lives, two women decide to swap their homes across the other side of the Atlantic. Set in Hollywood and England, each character gets an unexpected surprise when they arrive at their holiday homes, which are the polar opposite of their own homes. As it’s a romance-comedy, you can probably guess how the plot unfolds.
Why we love it: It’s an easy, feel-good Xmas movie that you can’t help but love (if you’re a bit gushy like me)! Not for those that don’t like the formulaic Hollywood happy ending.
How to do it: Although the English cottage in the movie doesn’t exist, it was inspired by Honeysuckle Cottage in Surrey. You can find many quaint period cottages just like it all over the country. The grand Hollywood house is located in San Marino in California.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Starring: Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, Rebecca Hall
Two American women travel to Barcelona together for a summer holiday and fall for the same guy, a seductive painter who invites them over for a weekend of food, art and sex. But his fiery and psychotic ex-wife unexpectedly arrives and is about to shake things up for them all.
Why we love it: The movie is set in my favourite city, Barcelona and does a great job showing off the buzz and energy of the Spanish city. In typical Woody Allen style, it has sex, comedy and great drama.
How to do it: Barcelona offers everything from amazing bars, restaurants, historic sites, and some of the best shopping in Spain. You can do a guided film tour to see the beauty of Barcelona through the eyes of the director.
Lost in Translation
Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson
This is a poignant and moving story about a man and woman who form an unlikely friendship after meeting in a Tokyo bar. Through their evolving relationship, they realize just how lonely they had become and that they want more than what they have back at home.
Why we love it: It differs from the typical formulaic Hollywood plot. It’s the sophisticated and subtle acting that makes this film, so don’t expect big drama.
How to do it: Whilst most of movie’s scenes were shot in the Hyatt Park Hotel, it’s the dazzling lights of Shinjuku and Shibuya that will give you an authentic flavour of Tokyo’s bustling scene.
The Terminal
Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Victor is an Eastern European tourist who arrives at New York’s JFK Airport but finds that unexpected events make it impossible for him to leave. With only a suitcase and peanut can in hand, he sets up home in the airport for nine months, where he meets an attractive flight attendant.
Why we love it: This travel film inspired by a true story of an Iranian refugee who lived in a departure lounge at Charles DeGaulle Airport in Paris for 8 years. The film strikes a good balance between sentimentality and humour and offers a fascinating insight into what life could be like as a stateless individual with nowhere to go.
How to do it: The airport in the movie was actually a purpose-built hangar and you can’t legally live inside an airport. Interestingly, there is a list of people who have done so though. If I were to be stuck inside an airport for a long time, I would definitely choose Singapore Changi Airport, which is both vast and luxurious. Take your credit card though as the world-class shopping and dining would keep you busy before relaxing at one of the many plush lounge areas!
Other Travel Films
We haven’t seen these yet, but they are on our to-watch list:
- Into the Wild
- Eat, Pray, Love
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- The Motorcycle Diaries
When you do travel again, we can help you travel in eco style with our Eco Deluxe Travel Kit.
If you enjoyed reading this, you might also like to read about Virtual Museum Tours and Virtual Festivals.
The Jolly Turtle supplies eco-friendly bespoke and pre-packed kits for events, travel, hospitality, and lifestyle, offering a simple and convenient way to shop for all your plastic-free essentials.
Being stuck at home and unable to travel can bring out the wanderlust in even the most reluctant traveller. If your desire to travel is stronger than ever right now, there’s no better time to get inspired and explore the virtual world of travel. In the first instalment of our virtual travel series, we’re focusing on the world of museums.
If you’ve always dreamed of visiting an iconic museum you’ve never quite got around to visiting, many are now offering virtual tours. You’ll have no crowds to wade through, no self-sticks in your way, and no queues for coffee and cake. Not only will you get your cultural hit, but it’s also a great way to entertain and educate kids.
Thanks to Google Arts & Culture, you can now access online content from over 2,000 leading museums that have partnered with the Google Cultural Institute. Install the app to experience virtual reality tours. You may also want to check out the 360° videos to experience art, science, music, and history from all angles.
Here are some of our favourites you can explore from the comfort of your sofa.
Sistine Chapel
Where: Vatican City, Rome, Italy
One of the most famous museums in the world, the Sistine Chapel is home to the Pope. Built in the 15th century, this monumental structure contains an extensive collection of artistic works and archaeology gathered by Popes over the ages. The decorative ceilings are an extraordinary and mesmerising depiction of Renaissance art so don’t forget to look up!
Fun Fact: Michelangelo’s famous ceiling frescoes took four years to complete and covers 12,000 square feet.
British Museum
Where: London, UK
Also known as the museum of the world, London’s most iconic museum houses over 60 galleries’ worth of pieces across all continents from 2,000,000 BC to the present day. Simply click on the century, category of work, or continent, and it will take you to information about that piece.
Fun Fact: The British Museum has the largest indoor space in the world according to Google Street view.
Rijksmuseum
Where: Amsterdam,Netherlands
Choose one of eight virtual tours to see the extensive collection of art and historical works in this Dutch museum. It contains more than 2,000 painting, including works by Rembrandt.
Fun Fact: Rijksmuseum is the only museum in the world that has a road in it, and it’s still open to cyclists.
Natural History Museum
Where: London, UK
Virtual Tour
The NHM has 12 different self-guided virtual tours to choose from, from delving into the life of a blue whale, hanging out with scientists and more. The virtual tour gives people access to an extensive collection of digital exhibitions, specimens, and interactive gigapixel photos.
Fun Fact: The Natural History Museum houses the first fossil ever found from a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Where: Washington D.C., USA
Click on the interactive map and you’ll be taken to an area of the museum where you can zoom right into the information relating to each artefact. It’s particularly child friendly as it’s so easy to navigate around the museum and view each exhibit with high-quality clarity. It also has an educational program for teachers, families and teens.
Fun Fact: The founder, James Smithson, handed over the museum’s estate to the USA without having ever set foot inside the country.
The Louvre
Where: Paris, France
Take one of the many different tours of Paris’ most famous museum, including Egyptian antiques, filmmaking, Renaissance art, dance, and more. You can also experience the Mona Lisa in virtual reality.
Fun Fact: Da Vinci’s’ painting of the Mona Lisa was made famous in 1911 when it was stolen and returned to the Louvre two years later.
Picasso Museum
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Virtual Tour
The Museu Picasso features over 4,000 works of art by the Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso. The museum is made up of five large Gothic palaces and is the only one dedicated to Picasso’s work. You can take a virtual tour of the rooms housing his collections, the courtyards where the buildings are situated, and around the houses and places Picasso worked and visited.
Fun Fact: Picasso has 23 names (that’s 21 middle names)!
Museum of Modern Art
Where: New York, USA
Also known as MoMA, this museum in midtown Manhattan contains a collection of modern and contemporary art dating back to 1880, as well as performance art, design and film. Highlights include Monet and Van Gogh paintings. The museum is running virtual exhibition every Thursday.
Fun Fact: Most of the museum’s funding came from Abby Rockefeller because her famously wealthy husband, John Rockefeller, hated modern art and refused to financially support the project.
If you found this post useful, you might want to check out other ways to find out more about museums. As well as virtual tours, many also offer podcasts, online resources, and audio tours.
Don’t forget to also check out our post on Virtual Festivals.
Do you have any other virtual museum tours to add to this list?
The Jolly Turtle supplies eco-friendly bespoke and pre-packed kits for events, travel, hospitality, and lifestyle, offering a simple and convenient way to shop for all your plastic-free essentials.