Bizzy Magazine Issue 1 by Jasmin Fee

bizzy

contents Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter

In your jeans

Luxury brands making change

Yoni : a female collective

The Seamstress

The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first sustainable luxury brand

Re:So ran by students

Is zero waste right for you?

Sustainable subscription services

A quest of 3Women

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Editor’s letter C

reating this first issue of Bizzy magazine. The aim was to both inform and explore. Giving you the chance to know more about the brands and businesses you might have heard about, but didn’t know what they were doing behind the scenes. Also helping you to explore into new brands and businesses that you may not have known about that you could fall in love with. Businesses that are empowering and influencing the world deserve more attention are filling these pages and gaining the recognition they deserve. These businesses are bettering the world through their morals and values in how they run their business and the products they make. This is a platform for everyone and anyone who is running a business or looking to find these businesses so they can help with their own impact on the world. Whether it be looking for a new place to shop that is more eco-friendly or to help support a small business that is purely based off of empowering women. For the first issue this is really just an introduction into what you can expect from Bizzy magazine in the future.

Not only is the aim to cover and report on businesses empowering the world but to really empower those businesses and show them the appreciate and attention they deserve. To spread awareness of these businesses is hugely important to support them and keep them going. To be able to Submerse yourself into a world of new businesses and information that could really change how you look at life. Learn stories of people behind the businesses and how they are ran to be as sustainable, empowering and bettering for all of us. If you’re looking for fashion, lifestyle, reviews or even advice on where to shop to be more eco-friendly. Bizzy is delivering it all to you in one place without making it too hard to find. Sincerely from Bizzy’s editor-In-Chief,

Jasmin Fee

Independent. Handmade. Sustainable.

new products. new designs. all for you.

it’s in your jeans

Sustainability and eco-friendliness in every possible sector of business is a cause that has been fought for decades. There’s been a lot of changes that have been made to help make this happen, though it’s slow and most of the bigger business have only got worse with their contributions. Fast fashion is getting worse and causing so much damage to the world. Most products that are part of fast fashion are made from synthetic materials such as polyester which require fossils fuels. Synthetic fibres have doubled in use for clothing since 2000 to 60% in 2019. A massive contributor towards damage to the environment. As an alternative cotton is used as a more ecofriendly option that is also higher quality. However, cotton requires a lot of water to grow and them turn into a final product. Levi’s recognising this issue, initiated their Water<Less collection in 2011. This introduced 20 different finishing techniques for denim that saved between 28% and 96% of water savings compared to their old finishing technique. On average a pair of Levi’s 501 jeans consumed 3000 litres of water in it’s lifetime. One huge way that they’re using to reduce the water use for creating their denim is through changing the material it’s made from. Changing from cotton to cottonized hemp which has been specially made and produced for Levi’s use.

It requires on rain to be grown meaning water consumption is decreased massively. Cottonized hemp also grows at a faster rate meaning that less is space may be needed for farming. Since the initiative was put into place in 2011, Levi’s has saved 3.5 billion litres of water that would’ve been used to make their products. This was also changing a process the brand had process and technique to make jeans for 170 years. In order to try and reduce the amount of textiles from the fashion industry that end up in landfills, 85% in the UK, Levi’s also introduced a new resource on their website called Levi’s Tailor Shop. In order to help customers recycle and reuse their old Levi’s products they can talk to fashion experts to come up with ideas to make the product into something new, upcycle or fix it. There could be endless ideas to gain from that feature. When it comes to the finishing of the denim up to 20 different techniques will be used in order to achieve the different types of denim. The techniques will vary in gaining different shades of blue, ripped jeans, bleached jeans etc. One way they have exampled via their website is to tumble dry the jeans with golf balls and bottle caps instead of washing with fabric softer. This takes water entirely out of this part of the process once again reducing water consumption of their denim. Levi’s have teamed up with Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green which is a organisation that is focused on recycling denim. To encourage people to do this with their Levi’s is providing boxes in stores to put old jeans and denim products in then allow customers to have 20% off their next purchase. This new initiative doesn’t stop at their iconic denim products. Puffer jackets and vest are being made from recycled plastic bottles and waste which allows for them to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Using recycled products also require a lot less energy make into polyester than creating virgin polyester.

By using already using recycled materials, these products are all 100% recyclable continuing the sustainability Levi’s is trying to achieve with it’s collection. The ultimate aim is for 80% of Levi’s products to be made in a way that is part of the initiative to just be more sustainable. Not contributing so much to the environmental impact caused by the fashion industry as it is. They also want to make their products last as long as possible which may help decrease the 26.7kg of clothes people in the UK buy on average every year. In addition to their original initiative in 2011. In 2018 they introduced the Levi’s Authorised Vintage collection. This was created after a collector contacted Levi’s explaining they had 65,000 pieces of Levi’s denim products in amazing condition. They up cycled these products and started selling them into Levi’s stores across the world. Each piece was unique from the pre-worn in element of the vintage clothing allowing for the guarantee that anyone who purchased from the collection got something no one else had. With a brand as classic and widely recognised as Levi’s now having initiatives and collections that are purely based off of bettering the world for the future both near and further is important. We have smaller brands consistently making their sustainability part of their brand from the start, but to influence bigger brands who are causing more of the damage. Levi’s could easily be the start of a domino effect of influencing other brands to follow their actions. We are already seeing changes in other brands following in Levi’s footsteps. Nike has released a collection that is making products from recycled materials and with Nike having taken place as the biggest fashion brand in the world.

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Luxury brands making change

Luxury brands are often overlooked when it comes to their impact on the world and how they run as a clothing company. Most of their iconic products require them to ignore the changes a lot of smaller brands are making. They want to maintain with the materials and products that made them famous. Buyers want the classic and highest quality materials at any expense. These aren’t fast fashion brands creating cheap products that will be out of stye in a matter of weeks or months. That doesn’t mean that their techniques and production aren’t effecting the world and uses limited resources. There’s always going to be room for improvement from all brands. What are these luxury brands doing to help with the fight in stopping the industry damage to the world?

Burberry has implemented policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their own operations by 95% by 2022. Along with that they have initiatives in place to reduce the water used in their production processes. Eco-friendly materials are being incorporated into their products and what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re made up of. In terms of the making of their clothes, labour in their factories are highly monitored for health and safety. However, Burberry do use a lot of animal skin for their products and it brings down their contributions. The overbreeding of animals creates a lot of additional environmental damage. Fashion transparency index: 31-40%

Saint Laurent still uses fur, Angora and exotic animal skins which is an immediate set back. In the process for tanning their leather they also use hazardous chemicals which in the disposal and use of it cause a lot of damage. There is policies in place to reduce greenhouse emissions. Saint Laurent does disclose some information about forced labour, gender equality or freedom of association. Along with that they have been open about providing policies to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19. Despite this there is no evidence to suggest they ensure supply chain employees have a living wage. Fashion transparency index: 41-50%

With Chanel’s most iconic items including lambskin bags and wool matching sets, it’s not surprise that they still use leather, wool, exotic animal hair and silk. All very expensive and mass produced, and as a lot of harmful processes used to get the final product. Chanel has no policies in place to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions or use of hazardous chemicals in their production. There’s also no policy to minimise the suffering of animals that are used to make their clothing and accessories. With nothing in place to create any change from their production history there doesn’t seem to be any chance of Chanel’s contributions to environmental damage reducing. Fashion transparency index: 11-20%

Louis Vuitton does make an attempt to use a few eco-friendly materials but there’s no suggestion that they make any attempt to minimise textile waste from their production processes. There’s still a use of hazardous chemicals along with also using fur, Angora and exotic animal skin for their products. However, there is a target to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases in their own operations but in their supply chains there is no policies or targets to reduce anything. Louis Vuitton also disclose any information about the treatment of their suppliers work conditions and whether the workers get a living wage. Fashion transparency index: 21-30%

Being one of the better luxury brands when it come to eco-conscience Alexander McQueen has a lot in place. In this there is polices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout their whole production journey including their supplies chains. A policy to prevent deforestation in their supply chains has been put into place. While there is no use of angora, fur, down or exotic animal skin; they do use wool but make sure it is from non mulesed sheep. In their supply chains they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any public information about the wages or standard health and safety but they have put policies into place for protecting workers from the impacts made by COVID-19. Fashion transparency index: 41-50%

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one thing going for Versace. They use eco-friendly materials. Beyond that, there is no policies in place to change their greenhouse emissions, the amount of water used in production or any deforestation effects. There is one target to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals by 2025, however this is an unofficial target and there is no evidence to suggest progress in this. No information of production in supply chains and even in their own operation available to the public. In their materials there is leather, wool, down, fur, Angora exotic animal skin and exotic animal hair. Again they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any policies in place to minimise the suffering of the animals used for these materials. Fashion transparency index: 0-10%

yoni

a female collective Created from humble beginnings in Kansas City, Missouri. Yoni is a brand created by a 23 year old entrepreneur called Kayla Nguyen. Based on the idea of made for women by women. Yoni is made for the empowerment of females with a mantra t-shirt having the words “Create. Meditate. Masturbate.” printed on the back of the t-shirt. Nyguen is making a point with her brand that there is a safe place for women and they have support even when it doesn’t feel like it. Driven by feminism, Ngugen is reinventing derogatory words used against women and creating them into something empowering. Using words like “hoe”, “slut” and “bitch” as something to be worn without shame. If those labels are given to women then they are theirs to own and decide what the definition of them are. Started during lockdown Yoni is a business built off of social media exposure through primarily TikTok and Instagram. While there’s just over 500 followers on the Instagram page, this is a brand worth paying attention too. The products available have especially grown within recent months. The latest launch that is upcoming is a line made to raise awareness of suicide with 10% of the proceeds going towards the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It might not seem like much of a big deal but suicide is still taboo in conversation. Seeing clothes made to support these causes and show that they are there to support people who struggle with this isn’t just amazing to see but it’s important.

Having a clothing brand dedicated to these causes, raising awareness of them and putting part of the proceeds into the supporting organisations could easily change the world. Yoni is one of these businesses paving the way for others to follow. Wearing clothes that show support towards feminism, suicide and self-love is sometimes something frowned upon. However, despite the stigma towards feminism can make it feel like something to be less public about supporting. Wearing something that shows support for any of these causes might not be quite so obvious. Yoni being what can be grouped at the pandemic businesses as they started during. They have gained attention as people have tried to support small businesses through these hard times. Especially with people starting them after being let go of from their main jobs. Buying from these businesses who tend to have more to their business than what you’d find from most easily recognisable, globally known brands. Messages and values behind them that reflect a new society that we’re aiming to achieve. Products available from Yoni include t-shirts, joggers, sweaters, crop tops, plaid shirts and an unlimited amount that could be on the way. There’s something for everyone from Yoni and with comfort also being a key element of the brand, because you can’t be supportive without making someone comfortable, there’s a whole other appeal to wearing their clothes.

the

After a year things started to feel off for her noticing certain other co-workers being slightly mistreated in the work place, though nothing was done to her personally. Along with the process of making the clothes. ‘It started to become very obvious, the waste, the way that they were treating certain staff members.’ Alice found it hard to work there with the methods behind the conduct.

itting down at my desk making the call to Alice Haspel, the impact of COVID was really prominent in how much things had changed in how interviews work now. She picked up with a warm voice and the sound of her car in the background while she drove home from work. The Seamstress started out like a lot of new businesses this year. As a result of furlough due to the pandemic. Through university Alice would often often do little seamstress sort of favours for friends and family. It allowed her to have examples of work that she had done for when she was applying for jobs. Starting a job straight out of university lace design, which didn’t fit with her quite right. Then being offered a job to work in a supplier to fast fashion companies for a couple years. Alice has a real insight and knowledge over what and how much the fashion industry throws away and wastes. “The first couple of months, I was loving it. It was perfect.’ She said while describing this job but then went on to explain ‘I was very naive to everything.”

When coronavirus came along Alice took the opportunity to distance herself from that work. With being on furlough it was made easier to do this. Right now, she’s working as a pattern cutter for a company in Leicester who are very ethical in their conduct. While she likes this job she did admit ‘I’m trying to make my side hustle my main hustle’. From the pandemic and furlough, the seamstress really came into play for Alice. Making the clothes was a pass time to get through being furloughed. Starting with a couple old pairs of jeans, Alice created a strapless corset top. Originally making it for herself, friends and family complimented her on it and the idea struck that she could be creating clothes like she really wants to. Completely designed by her with all her values behind the brand that she is the boss of.

“I’m not going anywhere near that kind of thing” Sustainability in The Seamstress has been hugely important since the beginning. The influence of having worked in fast fashion and seen the waste that is made from it. Alice

seamstress admitted felt it important her brand be 100% sustainable. From compostable bags for shipping to headstock or scrap fabrics to make the products. Being transparent about her business and the whole process is incredibly important.

Having worked in industry, Alice explained how she has known people to lie about these sorts of things to gain the appearance of being sustainable but don’t actually carry out the promises. Even trusting a factory to know how they pay their workers, the working conditions, or whether they would be producing just as much waste as fast fashion. Exactly what she wants to avoid. With each of her products not only being handmade by herself but made to order, we talked about how long it can take her to make an order. To make denim products they’re quite speedy to do, with them being exposed stitch as part of the style. Cutting it out, sewing it and packing it only takes about half an hour. For her London corset top, with it being a bit more of a clean style of stitching and it’s double layered, it’s a bit more intricate to make, it takes about an hour to finish and pack up ready to send. If the pattern is a custom order these times can take longer, or if there’s a specific request for the design.

“There is a big price tag on it and you think you’re getting quality but it’s quite rare.” Taking specific measurements for some people so they have the perfect fit with their top, it can take time but Alice wants her customer to have the best product possible. In discussing this we

went back to talking about how she makes everything by hand. Making everything herself really makes her confident in giving customers the highest quality she can. “Again it goes back to if were to be made in a factory, I’d be very very cautious of it”. Then she went on to explain how “time is money for a lot of these factories and a lot of it is rushed” which is why she feels she might not be able to give the type of quality she’d want to give people for her products.

“Paying nearly £50 pounds for a corset. People deserve the quality” In terms of future products, she has plans to build on the London corset top to make it strapless. With it being a headstock fabric she’s managed to talk to her supplier and get hold the same design in blue and a raspberry sort of colour. These products due to the limited stock with the fabric are exclusive to only so many

to work harder. While she’d over see everything and still be working herself, she’d want to have people there who are also passionate about the brand. We finished by discussing the styling of her products and Alice was proud to say that the corset can be styled into anything. Whether it being layering or worn as just a corset on it’s own with a pair of jeans. Being able to have a product that is so easy to wear and not have to worry about it working with an outfit makes it all the more appealing. She gushed about how she loves to see the different ways people choose to style it and really show their personality through how they choose to wear it. While Alice never expects for The Seamtress to be a huge brand, she does like being a little niche business. Though she did go on to say ‘I would love to be a huge name one day. I think for now I people being able to have one. Alongside that Alice talked about making a gathered denim bralette and an under bust denim corset that she wants to perfect the design of and release. When discussing business plans outside of the clothes themselves, when I asked about a boutique or a shop to shop at in person. Alice admitted she has always wanted to have her own clothes shop, but with the high street struggling she explained how staying online feels like it’s the right thing for her.

“A lot of students are very much underrated” With her store getting more online exposure and a following the subject of hiring other people to work and help in production came up. Talking about the type of people she’d hire, Alice said that she’d be more likely to hire people straight out of university who are eager for the experience more often than not willing

like being a little find’. Having someone who is so passionate about what they do and wanting to share it with the world while having clean morals and values, it’s a rare find but definitely a diamond in the rough that is worth paying attention too. Alice also expressed her love of supporting other small businesses and not seeing them as someone to compete with but making them part of a community. “I love to see people who are doing similar things because the more you support each other, the better the community gets.”

G e t t h at wat e r m e l o n sugar high

candy kittens

the world’s sustainable Designer brands rarely prioritise their carbon footprint or sustainability when it comes to making their products. More often than not there’s an impression given that quality can’t be achieved through recycled or sustainable materials. Neither of those descriptions are something that’s new and shiny like you’d expect when someone mentions luxury. Finally we have a designer brand to praise.

Morgan Young and Greg Harder are the found of Andagain and make the claim, along with having a decent amount of evidence to back it up, that they’re t”he most sustainable luxury fashion label in the world”. Starting in 2016, their main aim was to always focus on having a zero-waste process. Andagain was created in 2017 as their brand to produce clothing under. They are fully transparent about this on their website about their resources, processes and post-production. Starting with reworking vintage denim into new products to give the materials a new life. The available collection had only grown since then. Using deadstock and reclaimed fabrics to create their product means that they are able to make high quality products that are completely sustainable. Never allowing something to go to waste. From jackets to joggers. In the ready-to-wear and bespoke collections available there’s a variety of product to purchase. Including their zero-waste products that are made up from left over materials of other products available.

first luxury brand As explained on their website, Andagain gets deadstock fabrics from some of the largest and highest quality mills in the world. Having these connections with mills allows them to save fabrics from landfills and put them into use with a real purpose. The designs of their clothes can also be inspired by some of the fabrics they are able to get hold of through deadstock. All their products are also completely genderless and made for everyday wear. The clothes being modelled by both men and women on their website and social media accounts. This sort of inclusivity is important with their range being quite small for what you might expect from a fashion label. Keeping their range small makes sense though as it reduces the chance of making excessive amounts of waste. Andagain also promises that purchases are made to order and all made by hand in Los Angeles. Fit and sizing can also be requested to be personalised to the buyer. This is keeping in with the zero-waste aim as it means there’s no extra products that are made up that may not be purchased. To anyone who is becoming more and more interested, there’s also free express worldwide shipping.

Recently they collaborated for “a capsule collection”. One of a kind jackets, only one of each size. To incorporate their brand with real art. Istanbul based artist, Deniz Sagdic, painted on each of the jackets with a different portrait designs on the different sizes. These portraits are in Sagdic’s usual style and she admits that they are usually random people with the website explaining “they are nobody and simply everybody”. Sagdic specialises in painting on denim and often addresses subjects like equality and democracy through her art. Having a fashion label that is so sustainable and conscious of how they can create amazing products while recognising that the fashion industry doesn’t often consider such things. Andagain are proving that high quality, luxury items in fashion can be made from all sorts of materials and in ways that have zero-waste processes. Obviously fashion is subjective so while these might not be the products for everyone, there is no denying that fashion labels should be following and taking notes. Sustainability is what the world needs. Especially in fashion.

re:so - Ran by students

“We are more than a store”

store ran by student definitely sounds slightly chaotic but there’s some things that you should never underestimate. Speaking to Lesley Taylor, who has been the academic leader for running Re:So, cleared up that students are one of those things. Re:So started as a way for students to gain work experience through the university and share anything that they might be making which is a sellable item. Selling stuff at the store also gives students a chance to make some extra cash while studying and adding to their portfolio of what they can show any potential future employers. Interviewing over a video call was an interesting experience but oddly felt like it got any awkwardness out of the way of meeting for the first time very quickly. We discussed the beginnings of the store and how it came about, which was many moons ago now. There was a store manager who took the lead, being a graduate position for a student to take on when the students graduated if they wanted to take on the role. That position was cut over just a year ago due to budget but it was a great position to give while it was there. ‘You have an academic lead, a store manager full time, paid running the store and then you have these work-based learning students and some of them would stay on in paid roles.’

“The uniqueness is that it is student led” While there was all these roles, there is no longer a store manager meaning it’s more student led now than it ever has been before. Lesley went onto explain how she’d only be there 2 days that week out of 7 meaning students are running it the majority of the time on their own. “The ethos is that all of the products come from Solent students or graduates” showing just how much students really lead this store.

Taking into account that Re:So is ran by students, a lot of the courses that Lesley takes the role of teaching made sure that some of the units directly linked to the store. Last year there was 21 units contributing to the store. In the product design course they created a product for under £20 which has to appeal to the Re:So customer. Fashion buying and merchandising came up with a product that requires them to research the trends, market up, retailing in order to make something for Re:So.

“It’s very very difficult to be online.” Expanding the store is of interest and again making it something that students can contribute towards and get experience through. Level 6 (3rd year) students are creating a Shopify to try and give Re:So a platform online to sell products through. With the situation of covid-19 this year the need to be able to sell online has only increased with time. They even create a manual to teach someone else how to use it so after they leave it can then be passed down and used by others. “Module leaders, we write it between us. It’s really varied, but ultimately we show is that Re:So offers learning.” There’s thousands of hours of learning that is gained from Re:So by students and it’s that factor that keeps the store running when reviewed by the university board every year. ‘It’s much much more than a shop.’ While not the first university to set up a store and allow students to sell their work. Re:So is one of few and these are rare things to come by due to the budget required to run them, it also stands out by not being on campus and exclusively kept to the university itself. The University of the Art London has ‘not just a shop’ where they sell graduate students work and products that they make, often in their free time. However the store itself isn’t ran by students and they don’t have much to do with

the actual going ons in the shop. Graduate students are bought from for their products and the profit from those products goes into buying the next set of those products. Being a student at Solent university in one of the fashion courses, I was actually oblivious to just how much went into running the Re:So store and keeping it going. Creating a functioning business that is now almost entirely led by students navigating their way through university is a seriously impressive concept to think up. Making it a reality is even more of an achievement. Another element to Re:So that makes it more appealing is that the prices aren’t extravagant or out of reach for someone who wanders into the store out of curiosity. From Ulster university they have a shop known as Unique that sells amazing pieces from student, but they tend to be priced higher with being more of the fine art selection. In the past there has been plenty of events held at and with Re:So, some of them being events created by student in their courses as part of their units. One that has been very resent was the Carbon Live event which included several different events for beauty, a cocktails night and an opportunity to design your own clothes. There was also launch events held for ranges, in the Illustration course student would create a collection that would be launched at the store. All organised and created by them which would then pay for the end of year show. To keep up with being able to have events and not miss out on them. Having online events created by students is an addition Lesley talked about making in order for them to still be able to have these events while keeping to social distancing and lockdown rules. By having students create these events it’s much more appealing and allows the answer of “what would someone in your age group want to login and be apart of?” These are answer that students can give and contribute towards the store.

“Anything yellow that is a fashion accessories will fly” In discussing the products themselves in the store and what sells best. “Up until last year, before lockdown, it was bumbags.” Most things that people would count as an impulse buy, primarily accessories are sold fairly quickly.

Artist, Wendy Moon, who does a lot of hand painted stuff is the best selling artist for the store and she attended the art school which came before Solent showing that they will support former students long after they graduate. The slowest selling products are actually fashion, simply because there isn’t a lot of clothing from students. Lesley explained how “t-shirts do tend to sell better than a fashion collection because they’re cheaper” and also added that the store tends to sell things that are really an impulse buy more than anything. “We never have enough jewellery” is always an issue with it selling well and being something that people are quite happy to buy, again, impulsively. Sometimes student do get so engrossed in their work for university that selling at the store takes a backseat meaning their stock can be short at times. Obviously in September there was a high demand for masks with everything reopening and masks being something that people will buy with as a small gift.

“It’s raining cats and dogs” Anything that has cats or dogs on tends to be very popular. Especially if it’s an animal that looks particularly close to a customers pet, they fly off of the shelves. During the interview Lesley even noted down to make a call out to students who stock for the store to make things the have cats and dogs on them because of the popularity of the products. As for stockists for the store, they are both students and graduates who provide for the store. There is also students who have gone on to created businesses, primarily from illustration students who will go on to be freelance and commission a lot for their jobs after university. “Often we give them their first little step up on the ladder” which can lead to selling at street markets or online on places like Etsy. There is no doubt that there will be more to come from Re:So as more students move through the university. The store is certainly different and unique in the way it runs to give student the chance responsibility and work experience. This is the exact type of thing showing that student are capable of being left in charge of something and it being a success.

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is is zero zero waste waste right right for for you? you? Article on next page

zero waste 38

For anyone who might no know, a zero waste lifestyle is when someone changes almost every element of their life in order to produce no waste at all. This means in food, travel, work, health, fashion and anything else in life that might cause an environmental impact is changed. Switching from a car journey to a bike journey to decrease carbon emissions is one popular approach. Trying to make small changes to decrease your negative impact on the world can seem quite simple at first glance. Small exchanges of choosing glass, paper or recyclable products over plastics. That’s easy. You might even consider going a few steps further. Could you manage the whole 9 yards and put yourself into a lifestyle that produces no waste whatsoever. There’s a lot of easy ways to start. Swapping out plastic bags for reusable bags, bottles of shampoo and condition to bars of shampoo and condition, loose fruit over pre-bagged fruit and putting them in reusable cloth bags. Immediately that cuts out creating waste from those products that everyone uses. That’s a start. Delving deeper into what we can expect from zero waste lifestyle. Thrifting clothes is a hugely popular and cheap way to produce zero waste. This is stopping the contribution towards the destructive cycle of fast fashion and don’t underestimate the quality of older clothes. Not to mention there is some gems you can get through thrifting. There’s also a lot of businesses that are no reworking vintage and deadstock fabrics into the most amazing pieces to wear. Buying from these businesses is an easy way to be zero waste and have clothes that you love. Travel is another factor that has to be taken hugely into account. As mentioned, choosing a bike or a car when taking the journey is an easy swap to make. So long as you are within a reasonable distance and in a decent state of health for cycling to and from work. There’s also the element of weather that could work against this option.

Alternatively, public transport is encouraged. More often than not it’s also a cheaper choice with annual passes costing a few hundred which comparatively is a fraction of the cost to run a car. If having a car is the only option. Investing in a hybrid or a completely electric car would be a great option to take. They do obviously us a lot of energy but the impact of electricity is significantly better than the impact of petrol which release huge amount of gases into the atmosphere. For food there’s obviously purchases choices that you can make and how you contain them which can help reduce waste. Cloth bags for loose fruit and veg is a go-to change to make. There’s still the issue of what you’re eating might have a negative impact on the environment. Another option in terms of contributions to the environment from food. Choosing to reduce meat intake or being pickier about the meat that you buy can improve the damage caused by the industry.

Treating symptoms of a cold or cough can be easily take care of with lemon and honey or menthol crystals. There’s other herbal remedies to treat other illnesses that are easy to find online and often are overlooked on their success of working because of the ease of over the counter medicines or even prescription medicines. While zero waste lifestyle isn’t for everyone and might be harder to achieve if it’s such a huge change from your current lifestyle. But making the small changes one thing at a time could lead to a lifestyle that produces significantly less waste than at current. These changes can be what improves the world and environment to give it a longer standing chance.

While not forced or part of the terms in choosing a zero waste lifestyle, some people will commit themselves to the diet change of being a vegetarian or vegan. In some situations there’s no way of avoiding producing waste. Certain products just don’t come in zero waste options. Crisps are one of these products. There is the option to collect them up and once you have enough take them to a recycling facility to dispose of them correctly. That can be time consuming and sometimes it’s quite a distance from home, so there’s other options. To tackle the issue of un-recyclable materials, people living zero waste lifestyles keep jars for their waste that can’t be disposed of in a useful way. The idea is that if you are forced to put your rubbish into a smaller place, then you’ll produce less of it. For health, while there’s obviously certain illnesses that can’t be treated without inevitably producing waste. When it comes to something that might be able to be treated without medication, that it the better option to take.

An eco-conscious subscription service for bathroom essentials.

Sustainable subscription services Subscription boxes have been a convenient way to get products that need restocked regularly. These services might just be the way forward in helping be more sustainable. This isn’t anything new. I think I speak for everyone when I say we’ve had a subscription to Graze since healthy snacks are always appreciated. Having household and lifestyle products is slightly different. Everyone has been there when they’ve went shopping, got back and ended up forgetting something. Household products are quite easy to forget because you don’t always go down to that part of the store. Without a list food can be the first thing you notice you needed but didn’t buy. The concept is perfect in itself. There’s so many different companies and businesses offering all sorts of products that can be delivered directly to you door.

For home Cleaning:

Homethings Providing alternative to shop bought cleaners and minimising the easily cluttering cleaning products. Homethings offers a ‘Keep It Clean Kit’ which gives subscription users glass spray bottles to use. Tablets are given alongside the bottles that only require water to make them fully usable cleaners. For the kit the price is £24 for a subscription but does offer a one time purchase for £28 The tablets alone on subscription are £5 or £6 on a one time purchase

Smol With laundry pods, dishwasher tablets, fabric conditioner and cleaning sprays all available from the same company. There’s a short set of questions asked to make sure the amount of products you want and how often you’d like them to be delivered is all accurate to your use of them. Laundry pods are £4.50 per box Dishwasher tablets are £4.60 per box Fabric conditioner is £10 for 6 months of product (approx) Surface sprays are £10 for the first box with bottles and £1 for the tablets every time after that

For shower and bath:

function of beauty Already easily praised as an amazing product to buy simply because of it’s personalisation to each person. A quiz is given for either hair products, skin and body care. Anything of the customers choice and needs. Options of just a one time purchase or a choice of how many months are givens as subscription dates. Prices vary on the product and size chosen. One down is plastic bottles are used but all recyclable. Hair products prices range from £19-39 Body products are £29 Skin products are £19-44

leo’s box Giving a whole range of bathroom and home products offering shampoo and conditioner bars, laundry liquid and fabric conditioner, bamboo toothbrushes and powder toothpaste. Just to name a few things that they offer in t heir subscription boxes, there’s plenty to offer all from one box. You can make selections of what types of products you want or don’t want included in the box which is perfect if you are buying it for skincare over cleaning or vice versa. Each box for a monthly rate is £20

For hygiene:

wild Deodorant is something that everyone has ran out of at the worst time. Wild deodorant gives you the chance to invest in something that is not only way better for the environment and doesn’t put so many chemicals on your skin. Giving you several different scents to choose from and even different colours of deodorant stick to us. Case and first deodorant is £12 Additional subscription of 3 refills per box is £15

baeboxx Having something to almost look forward to while having to dread the worst time of the month for woman is a nice treat. Baeboxx is a monthly box that provides sanitary products along with little treats to help woman during the darker days of the month with sweets, chocolates, relaxing teas and pamper products for skin or hair. Preferences for women are made when choosing the subscription to accommodate each persons needs. A one time purchase is £12.99 Or a monthly subscription is £11.30 every month

For food:

thevegankind An all vegan food box to finally be put into the world was inevitable and we appreciate it. TheVeganKind are based in the UK and offer several subscription options. It is a monthly box with 6-7 snacks in the box that are all completely vegan and leaning towards the healthier side. Perfect for anyone wanting to introduced a more plant-based diet into their life too. Prices for their boxes go from £13.15 a month (postage inc.)

oddbox Created to provide fruit and vegetables that don’t look “pretty” enough to sell in store. A postcode check is done to make sure you live in a location that they can deliver to overnight as they want to reduce emissions. Delivery is free and a choice of weekly or fortnightly is given. They promise up to 9 varieties of vegetables and 5 varieties of fruit in each box, depending on your selection. Veg or fruit boxes are £10.99 per box The combine fruit and veg boxes are £12.99

A QUEST OF primarily their co-ord pieces, with old flour, sugar and feed bags. Choosing to use these as the materials means they’re made to last while also having that worn in feel to them. The designs on the bags are also part of the appeal with the feel of them being more organic and natural in feel and appearance. It also means there isn’t as many dyes used in the process to make these clothes. These pieces are unique and amazingly made.

While the price can sometimes seem a little steep, having high quality clothing that looks amazing and has an authenticity about it. These are stunning, one-of-a-kind piece of clothing that are made by talented, creative women that are running a fashion business that is ethically made and not harming the environment.

Starting a small business that is sustainable and high quality can prove to be harder than often given credit. Starting a small business at all can be a struggle but with such strong values to make the brand entirely sustainable. That’s a huge commitment. Started in late 2017, a small group of women based in Long Beach, California created the brand 3 Women Co. Natalie, Crystal and Jamie worked together to create a new sustainable brand. Originally focusing on reselling vintage clothes. Ranging anywhere from graphic t-shirts to slip dress from as far back last the 1930s. After a few months they began to introduce clothes that were made by themselves rather than bought in. These clothes are made purely from repurposed fabrics and vintage items. Products fair from silk scarves to custom made co-ord shirts and trousers. For custom orders there’s no two orders that are the same. To be considered a sustainable brand 3WomenCo makes shirts and trousers,

With none of the products being made to keep up with the latest trend or in mass production, but instead handmade. They have their own style that they keep too. It’s a very distinct style of clothing and with the materials used.

3WOMENCO Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to come by a company that has such values and follows through with their promises of maintaining a sustainable business approach. Throughout their run, 3WomenCo has had several collaborations and events occur. Most recently theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had pop-up shops to allow people to buy from their ready-to-wear collection. These are available online but having interactive shops where people can see how products fit, how the sizing works just makes for a great experience. There is also a few of product that are exclusive to the pop-up shop which are worth having. Every shared image on their socials given credit to the designer who made that specific item. Which allows people to know exactly who is making their clothes and showing that they are handmade with time and effort into the final product. Again emphasising the authenticity of the brand. This is also a female ran business that has managed to remain striving throughout a pandemic and continuing to make amazing clothes. In their run, 3WomenCo has also been Supporting nonprofit organisations with tickets to their events which recently were and education organisation called Adventure to Dreams and an organisation to help the homeless called Project Coffee Cup.

There is definitely more to come from 3Womenco and they have shown more variations in what they are bringing out. Along with supportung other small businesses that produce similar products to them which allows customers to buys things that might perfectly match their products if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going for the same aesthetic in all outfits for this.

3women store, long beach CA

Education and homelessness being two things that have struggled throughout the year due to the restrictions of the pandemic.

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