Price Points: Recycled ocean plastic products

I read a shocking prediction a while ago; by 2050, there’ll be more plastic than fish (by weight) in the world’s oceans. Even though the claim can’t truly be verifiable, it’s still a massively worrying statistic.

Each time we’ve been to the beach recently, I’ve cleared up bits of plastic that have washed up on the tides. It’s mainly been colourful nylon rope that escaped overboard from boats. However, there’s also been no end of drinks bottles & lids, disposable cups and carrier bags. And what about all the microplastics that we can’t see?

Currently, salvaged and recycled ocean plastic is being turned into fashion & footwear, jewellery, eyewear, toys, furniture, homewares… and plastic bottles. So we’re slowly trying to ‘turn the tide’, so to speak. We’ve picked out three products that stood out to us.

Nomadix ultralight travel towel: £33.13, Amazon
We use post-consumer recycled materials to make revolutionary new products. Part of living with less means using what you already have. You never waste a thing. With so much plastic waste floating in our oceans and trashing our communities, we’ve committed to using post-consumer recycled materials for everything we make. And since our fibers are designed to dry quickly and resist bacteria that cause towel funk, you can wash less and save precious water. Through years of research and development into turning recycled plastics into durable and versatile fibers, developing responsible manufacturing practices, avoiding harmful dyes that waste and pollute our water, we protect the world we love.
Time for Oceans watches: £119.00 each, Triwa
The world’s first collection of colourful statement watches made completely from recycled ocean plastic, designed to highlight the critical health of the oceans and generate money for a continuous ocean clean-up.
Seaqual eco luxury mattress, king size (150x200cm): £349.00
The Seaqual Eco Luxury mattress is a quality, low carbon footprint mattress with a medium feel. Featuring a Seaqual fabric cover made from certified and traceable upcycled marine plastic. Seaqual have partnered with over 400 fishing boats who between them retrieve a ton of plastic a day out of the ocean, which is recycled into high quality, sustainable polyester fibres. The mattress features a 10cm low carbon eco foam base, this high density supportive base is completely recycled, preventing mattresses from going to landfill helping to create a cleaner more sustainable future. All the foam in the product can also be ultimately recycled.

shop recycled ocean plastic products

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Seaqual eco luxury mattress, king size (150x200cm)
£349.00

‘Time for Oceans’ watches
£119.00 each

Nomadix ultralight travel towel
£33.13

Seaqual eco luxury mattress, king size (150x200cm)
£349.00

‘Time for Oceans’ watches
£119.00 each

Nomadix ultralight travel towel
£33.13

Seaqual eco luxury mattress, king size (150x200cm)
£349.00

‘Time for Oceans’ watches
£119.00 each

Nomadix ultralight travel towel
£33.13

Seaqual eco luxury mattress, king size (150x200cm)
£349.00

‘Time for Oceans’ watches
£119.00 each

Nomadix ultralight travel towel
£33.13

Seaqual eco luxury mattress, king size (150x200cm)
£349.00

‘Time for Oceans’ watches
£119.00 each

Nomadix ultralight travel towel
£33.13

Looking to make your home office environmentally friendly? Here are few easy tips

While a lot of things are getting back to something resembling normality out there, many of us know that we’ll be working from home for a while longer yet. Over the last year or so we’ve all made a big effort to make sure we have a home office set-up that actually works for us. We’ve left the kitchen table behind and invested in a desk chair that won’t ruin our back. But we’re also always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, which means that our home office should be more than efficient; it should be green. Here are three ideas to help you create an environmentally friendly home work space.

Make sure you’re making the most of natural light

This point is a lot easier in the summer as we start to enjoy longer, brighter days, but you should aim to be working in a well-lit space all year round. Sunlight is not only a great booster for your mental health, but it will also cut down on the amount of electricity you’re using. So, if you’ve squirrelled yourself away in a quiet spare room that sits in darkness most of the day, think about relocating to somewhere brighter. Your mood and your energy bills will thank you.

Use energy-efficient light bulbs

Of course, using natural lighting isn’t always an option and we are all familiar with those long evenings spent trying to complete a project ahead of a deadline. When you’re burning the midnight oil, make sure to use energy-efficient light bulbs. These days, it’s easier than ever to make the environmentally friendly choice, and LED bulbs are significantly kinder on the climate and your energy bill. These LED bulbs with e27 socket are far more energy efficient than their incandescent or halogen counterparts, and there are dimmable options available too. Any-Lamp has an amazing range of bulbs to suit your lighting needs.

Don’t forget to recycle

As we went wild on the online shopping over the last year, it has been easier than ever to let some of our good environmental habits slide. However, it’s easy enough to turn that car around, and it starts with getting some good habits going. Investing in separate waste bins for recyclable and non-recyclable goods is a classic first step, but what about repurposing and reusing? Think twice before throwing anything away and ask yourself if your rubbish could have a second life.

Power down properly

When you’re rushed off your feet, it’s easy to forget simple actions that make a big difference. For example, switching your office appliances off at the wall at the end of the day has a real impact on the amount of energy they use. However, there are a couple of other tricks of which you may not be aware. If you have a screensaver on your computer, switch it off and ensure that your machine is going to hibernation mode. Newer appliances should come with energy-saving modes so make sure that you use them. These steps may seem small, but their impact is anything but.

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How to use reclaimed items as home décor – tips and tricks

When it comes to home décor trends, one that has really picked up traction in the past few years is the use of reclaimed items as décor. This particular trend is able to create some really unique, eye-catching and stunning results; plus, there’s the whole eco-conscious aspect of it wherein people are recycling and reusing products rather than creating more waste.

So, how can you take part in this design trend and use reclaimed items as home décor? Here are some tips and tricks you can use.

Mixing and matching is encouraged

The first tip to remember is that mixing and matching is encouraged. When it comes to reclaimed pieces, it’s quite difficult to find full sets, so mixing and matching is going to be necessary. It also adds to the uniqueness factor as you can start to create your own collection that no-one else will have.

In terms of how to mix and match effectively, you can stick to one colour palette or theme in order to tie the items together.

Think outside the box

It’s also important that you don’t look at the items as they were originally intended for in terms of use – you want to think outside the box. For example, maybe you’ve reclaimed an old wooden bookshelf, but that doesn’t mean you have to use it as a bookshelf. You’re free to turn that piece into anything you want, which is where your creative vision comes into play. It’s all about breathing new life and purpose into old pieces.

Expect to make some minor enhancements

There’s also the fact that you’ll likely need to make some minor enhancements with the pieces. This could mean a bit of sanding, refinishing, repairs, painting or even complete deconstruction. This doesn’t mean you need to be a DIY pro, as just some basic skills can be more than enough.

Don’t forget the exterior

While you may be busy using all these reclaimed items in the indoor space of your home, don’t forget they also act as fabulous décor pieces for the exterior. Choosing to decorate your home with reclaimed items should be all-encompassing, meaning it’s a style used both indoors and outdoors. Cawarden has an excellent blog on what to use, how to style these reclaimed items and really give your exterior that pop of uniqueness. Cawarden is actually a leader in the industry when it comes to period building and using reclaimed items so they are well-versed in the tips and tricks.

Some of the key items you can reclaim and then use for the exterior spaces such as your garden, patio, and entertainment area include natural stone, benches and other types of furniture, a unique birdbath and statues just to name a few.

Reclaimed items can be a beautiful décor choice

So, if you’re looking to lessen the footprint you’re leaving behind and you’re in the mood for a home makeover project, using reclaimed items can be the perfect solution.

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Price Points: Eco disposable nappies

Regular readers will know that part of the H is for Home ethos is to reuse, recycle and reduce. We have strong views about single-use plastic; and, although we don’t have kids, we think that eco disposable nappies must be part of the war against landfill.

I remember in the 1970s, when my two younger sisters were born, my mother used cloth nappies and kept disposable ones only for special occasions – they were very expensive back then. A couple would be kept in their nappy-changing bag for when we went out for the day. How things have changed since then!

It’s been estimated that each year, in the UK alone, 3 billion regular ‘disposable’ nappies end up in landfill or being incinerated. That’s mind-boggling!

These days, eco disposable nappies are easy to get hold of and are affordable. To make the comparison even, we’ve chosen newborn baby-sized nappies and, as none of them are sold in the same sized bundles, we’ve calculated how much each brand costs per nappy.

Pingo ecological disposable nappies – pack of 27: £3.95, Natural Collection (15p each)
3⭐️ I used few times on my baby 3 weeks old. Unfortunately the protection is not great. I think the size is big in general for new born. When the baby had poo it was going through the space near legs as it was quite loose. I wish they would improve the model as I prefer to buy eco stuff.
Kit & Kin disposable nappies – pack of 40: £7.99, Ethical Superstore (20p each)
5⭐️ Absorbent, good size, eco friendly and cute! Been using these for the last 4 weeks amongst other eco brands and have to say they are one of the best before we switch to reusable!
Pack of 3 Beaming Baby biodegradable mini nappies – 60 nappies: £26.91, Amazon (45p each)
5⭐️ Purchased these nappies for my newborn, she is now 10 days old and can honestly say we have had no problems! Zero leaks, and no sore bottoms AND they’re biodegradable! Your child is comfy and you’re doing your part for the environment. Will definitely be buying more!

shop eco disposable nappies

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Beaming Baby biodegradable mini nappies
£26.91