Whatever inspiration you’re after…. a new recipe to wow the family, a little bit of help making the perfect bed, styling a sideboard, some lifestyle articles or what’s new at Provincial, our Journal will bring you stories to brighten your day.
With Earth Day approaching, it’s time to reflect on ways we as individuals, families and companies can do our bit to help protect our environment. Every conscious decision we make, and every little thing we do adds up – and it will make a difference if we all get involved.
EARTH DAY INITIATIVES
Earth Day is a reminder for us to protect the planet and work towards sustainability for a brighter future. This year, Earth Day is on April 22nd, and the goal is to raise awareness, inspire change, and cultivate a stronger bond with nature. This year the theme is Planet vs. Plastics.
“The word environment means what surrounds you. In the case of plastics, we have become the product itself – it flows through our bloodstream, adheres to our internal organs, and carries with it heavy metals known to cause cancer and disease. Now this once-thought amazing and useful product has become something else, and our health and that of all other living creatures hangs in the balance,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY.ORG. “The Planet vs. Plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastics and safeguard the health of every living being upon our planet.”
Mountain photography: Trees on mountain under cloudy sky by Jacques Bopp, Tree photography: Green leafed trees on forest by David Clode, Plant photography: Green plant by Noah Buscher
PLANET VS PLASTIC
Plastics are a danger to humanity and all living creatures, disrupting the delicate balance of life on earth. EARTHDAY.ORG is unwavering in its commitment to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.
HEALTH AWARENESS
The aim is to rapidly phase out all single-use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN treaty on plastic pollution and call for an end to fast fashion.
DEMAND CHANGE
Investing in innovative technology and materials to build a plastic-free world.
Just a few of the facts from EARTHDAY.ORG about plastic that will really make you stop and realise that by making small changes (no plastic bags or bottles) what a huge difference we could make.
“More than 500 billion plastic bags—one million bags per minute—were produced worldwide last year. Many plastic bags have a working life of a few minutes, followed by an afterlife of centuries. Even after plastics disintegrate, they remain as microplastics, minute particles permeating every niche of life on the planet. “
“Making a plastic water bottle requires six times as much water as the bottle itself contains.”
“Plastics pose a serious threat not only to the environment but also to human health which is just as alarming as climate change. As plastics break down into microplastics, they release harmful chemicals that contaminate our food and water sources and circulate through the air we breathe. Plastic production has skyrocketed to over 380 million tons per year. More plastic has been produced in the last decade than in the entire 20th century, and the industry plans to continue growing at an explosive rate in the future.”
“All this plastic was produced by a petrochemical industry, an industry with an abysmal record of toxic emissions, spills, and explosions,” said Denis Hayes, Chair Emeritus of EARTHDAY.ORG. “Plastics are produced in polluting facilities that somehow seem to always be in the poorest neighbourhoods. Some plastics are lethal when combusted; other plastics transmit hormone-disrupting chemicals; and all plastics can starve birds and suffocate sea life. At every stage of their life cycles, from the oil well to the town dump, plastics are a dangerous blight.”
It's something we can all be mindful of and change our habits, to avoid plastic whenever we can, which will help us and our planet.
Earth Day reminds us, that with every choice we make, we can make a difference. Even when you decorate your home – think about the impact on the environment your choices will have. Choose natural materials, recycled materials, and easily renewable materials.
Ocean photography: School of fish in water by Naja Bertolt Jensen, Plastic bottle photography: White plastic bottle lot by Jonathan Chng
WHAT MAKES FURNITURE SUSTAINABLE
Sustainable or eco-friendly furniture is made from renewable materials with minimal negative environmental impact and uses only a negligible amount of chemicals in production.
Furniture made from reclaimed timber falls into this category and the timber can be sourced from factories, bridges, buildings, and gates – where it is no longer needed but can be given a second chance when it is made into beautiful eco friendly furniture.
We source oak and elm to reclaim and use in the production of some of our furniture pieces, reducing deforestation while adding additional charm and personality to the furniture.
HOW TO SUSTAINABLY DECORATE YOUR HOME
Natural materials are biodegradable, soft and breathable, and have a longer lifespan, while synthetic materials can take hundreds of years to decompose. Choosing cotton for blankets, pillows and bedsheets, instead of those made from synthetic materials is another sustainable decor option.
Taking this a step further, recycled cotton is now being used that reduce textile waste which would otherwise end up in landfills. Recycled cotton is an excellent alternative to virgin cotton - we have a wonderful range of tea towels made from recycled cotton that has all the same wonderful qualities of cotton.
When purchasing furniture look for high quality furniture and decor items that will last and you’re going to love for years, reducing the need for frequent replacements and hence unnecessarily adding to landfill.
If you have to part with a piece of furniture or a décor item – gift it or donate it to a local charity shop or a recycling centre, instead of sending it to landfill.
Again, choose natural fibres like wool, sisal or seagrass if you’re in the market for a new rug. Not only will you have a beautiful rug, but these materials are also biodegradable and eco-friendly.
Embrace sustainable principles and eco-conscious decisions in your interior design to craft a space that not only reflects your style but also fosters a brighter tomorrow. Opt for greener, more sustainable alternatives—utilize natural materials, employ energy-efficient lighting, incorporate eco-friendly decorations, and explore sustainable furniture selections. The avenues for cultivating a stunning, environmentally conscious living environment are limitless. Initiate the journey towards a more sustainable home today and let your space epitomize your dedication to a greener future.
It is estimated that the world’s population will reach 10 billion by 2050, and an increasing number of people will be unable to meet basic needs. The world is already stretched thin on natural resources, and our lifestyle choices directly impact the planet. Looking after the environment is a conscious choice and sustainable home decor is just one step toward reducing your carbon footprint. We can’t be 100% sustainable 100% of the time but we can choose to reduce our environmental impact by using natural resources wisely, reducing waste, and minimising pollution.
What environmentally friendly choices are you going to make?
Invest In Our Planet
