Subject
The words sustainability and splurging
do not naturally go hand-in-hand but
with Christmas around the corner
we looked at various ways that
consumers can act more sustainably
this festive season.
While it is important for companies to
consider the triple bottom line of profit,
people and the planet, consumers nowadays
are also being encouraged to think about
these credentials when making a purchase.
Earlier this year, Mintel reported that
when purchasing socks, soap and coffee,
consumers were prioritising recyclable
packaging (31 per cent), products made in an
environmentally friendly way (30 per cent),
chemical-free (43 per cent) and items that
don’t contain any harmful materials (33 per
cent).
While many of these considerations are a
given for businesses nowadays, developing
products that resonate with consumers and
push them towards making more informed
choices which benefit the planet as well as
others can be challenging.
At Ulster University Business School,
our new Sustainability Engagement and
Communications Assistant Robyn Simpson
has devised a list of gift ideas from local
businesses to help you sustainably stuff your
stocking this Christmas.
n Born & Bred:
Whether it’s art, homeware, food or
jewellery, you can find it all under the roof
of Born & Bred in Belfast city centre. They
stock products from over 85 makers, artists,
and designers from our local community.
This company works with artists,
manufacturers, and suppliers to reduce the
materials used in the production, packaging
and shipping process, encouraging them to
use sustainable, environmentally friendly
alternatives. The perfect gift shop to fulfil all
of your Christmas shopping needs.
n Gourmet Grazing NI:
A great option for festive nibbles – they
only use the freshest and finest locally
sourced products to create grazing tables,
platters, and boxes. Gourmet Grazing
NI supports local Northern Irish & Irish
artisanal producers like Ballylisk Cheese
and chutney from Armagh as well as Dart
Mountain cheeses from Derry/Londonderry.
n Life Farms Microgreens:
An urban farm that specialises in growing
microgreens from organic seeds, using
organic methods, and is chemical free. They
deliver in Bangor and host stalls at local
markets, providing healthy and nutritional
products to our local community that can be
incorporated into your new year diet.
n Mrs R-Ganics:
This earth friendly and cruelty free
skincare brand handmade in Crawfordsburn,
County Down, uses the highest quality
ingredients that are almost exclusively 100
per cent organic, raw, unrefined and ethically
sourced. When possible, these products
are created using local ingredients, such
as Duvillaun Irish salt, flowers and herbs
gathered from local organic farms, organic
apple cider vinegar from local producer
Natural Umber, Hills Mix spent coffee and
wild Irish seaweed gathered by hand from
the west coast of Ireland.
n Wild About Soaps:
Trained horticulturalist Averil Milligan
produces a wide range of handcrafted soaps,
shampoo bars, hair conditioners and body
butters at her local studio in Downpatrick.
All her soaps are free from palm oil,
parabens, SLES, SLS, artificial colours or
fragrances. While a number of gifts stores
across County Down and Omagh stock her
items, they are also available to buy online.
She even has teamed up with local potter
Lisa Brown of Cloverhill Ceramics NI based
in County Tyrone to produce some beautiful
hand thrown soap dishes (available to buy
online).
n Do Your Bit NI:
This Carrickfergus-based company offer
natural, chemical free, and plastic free
products to help you eliminate waste and go
plastic-free. They provide a wide selection of
products ranging from bathroom and kitchen
necessities, like reusable silicone Ziplock
bags and reusable Q-tips, to festive bundles
that makes for a great eco-friendly gift.
n TAMs:
The Art of Mindful Style. County Tyronebased mum Naimh Bennett launched her
sustainable fashion brand after being made
redundant due to the pandemic. With an aim
of doing fashion differently, TAMS products
range from organic cotton t-shirts, hoodies to
beanies. The products Fair Wear accredited
and PETA vegan approved so you can shop
for reasonably priced and stylish clothes
without a guilty conscious about investing in
harmful fast fashion brands.
n Beechfield Flower Farm:
Located in Magherafelt, County Derry/
Londonderry, this farm grows a selection of
seasonal and scented flowers with the aim
to encourage the promotion of locally grown
flowers in a sustainable environment of the
highest quality. From hand-tied bouquets
to jam jar posies, this business offers a
beautiful range of flowers that are the perfect
addition to any gift.
These are just some of the local businesses
we have spotted doing great things for others
and the planet. We hope we have given you
some ideas of where to source locally that
perfect sustainable stocking filler for your
loved one this Christmas!
n If you are a local business or you would
just like to know more about embedding
sustainability into your everyday practices,
please make contact with us at UUBS:
[email protected]
Period | 23 Dec 2021 |
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Media contributions
1Media contributions
Title Farm Week Media name/outlet Farm Week Irish News Ltd Duration/Length/Size 800 words Country/Territory United Kingdom Date 23/12/21 Producer/Author L Hollywood URL file:///C:/Users/e10415544/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/ZECGPK5U/FW-063-231221.pdf Persons Lynsey Elizabeth Hollywood