1. It's Obvious but Invest in a Reusable Bottle

According to WWF, a conventional plastic water bottle takes around 450 years to break down completely. Plus, the amount of energy it takes to produce, and transport water bottles could fuel over 1.5 million cars a year. Invest in a reusable bottle, you’ll save money and you’ll save so much unnecessary energy and waste. The S’well reusable bottles are incredible because they can store hot or cold liquids, preserving cold water for up to 24 hours and hot drinks for up to 12 hours. We recommend investing in a few bottles, so you can change it up and make sure your household is covered. The Ocean Bottle is made from upcycled ocean-bound plastic, stainless steel, and for every bottle sold they fund the collection of 11.4kg of plastic (equivalent to 1000 plastic bottles) whilst investing in people-powered waste management.

2. Go Zero Waste Shopping

Shopping at bulk stores is a great way to cut down on single-use plastic. Instead of buying all of your goods in pre-packaged bags, bring your own bags and containers to places like Earth Natural Foods in Kentish Town or Bulk Market in Hackney to avoid plastic. Plus, it is such an important time to shop small and support our local businesses. Almost every area in London has a farmer’s market once a week, where you can buy local organic produce direct from farmers and usually plastic-free. During this odd time, we also recommend shopping online from Farmdrop, who always delivers as sustainably as possible and without plastic.

3. Avoid Plastic in Your Wardrobe

Hopefully, by now we are all familiar with the horrific waste and exploitation the fast fashion industry creates. However, what lots aren’t aware of is that according to the UN, about 60% of materials made into clothing is made from plastics. Polyester, acrylic, and nylon textiles are all cheap synthetics that contain tiny plastic fibers, also known as microplastics. Every time these items are put through the laundry, they release microplastics which cause around half a million tons of microfibers to end up in the ocean each year. According to the UN, that is equivalent to around three billion polyester clothing items. Microplastics are killing our marine life every day when they are mistaken for food my animals. And of course, when we eat fish, we are in turn also eating microplastics. We urge you to stop buying these materials and switch to buying organic cotton, organic linen, and recycled fabrics.

4. Grow Your Own Herbs

We love adding fresh herbs to lots of recipes but if you’re buying these pre chopped from the supermarket, they usually come in a plastic wrapper. We have found that growing our own herbs from seed in our kitchens results in almost no plastic waste, but is also much more cost friendly. If growing your own seems a little daunting or isn’t working out for you, we recommend buying a potted herb plant instead. Basil and mint are pretty easy to take care of and make amazing additions to recipes!

5. Don't Wrap Your Food in Plastic

In every kitchen, it is common to find clingfilm to preserve leftovers and cover food. However, clingfilm is often made also made from PVC, which as we already mentioned contains highly dangerous chemicals that we don’t want anywhere near our food or our oceans. An amazing alternative is beeswax food wraps, which work just as well as clingfilm, and you can reuse them forever. You can easily find them online but to save on even more plastic, we love to make our own. Find the guide we use here.

6. Carry a Larger Reusable Bag

Plastic bags, which are used on a daily basis can take up to 1,000 years to fully break down in landfills. Our sea life, such as turtles often mistake these plastic bags for their favorite meal, jellyfish. The brilliant people behind Turtle Bags were horrified by the number of turtles suffering due to our plastic-filled oceans, so they created organic cotton string bags to replace single-use plastic bags. They are incredibly strong and stretchy and can hold up to 40kg! They also fold up really small in your bag. Every time you head out, make sure you throw one in your bag to make sure you never have to use a plastic bag again.

7. Switch to Plastic Free Skincare

It has been reported that the beauty industry creates 120 billion units of packaging every year. The majority of toiletries from shower gel to shampoo arrive to use in plastic bottles – 70% of which will end up in landfill and make its way into our oceans. Even if plastic packaging goes into recycling bins, not all of it can be recycled for reasons as simple such as the colour of the plastic. By simply switching to using plastic free skincare options we can significantly reduce the amount of plastic that will leave our bathrooms.

8. Skip Plastic Beauty

Think about your beauty routine, your haircare, body care, skincare, and makeup routine – how much of it is in plastic? Most likely a majority of the products in your regime are in plastic. Go zero-waste with your beauty routine to drastically cut down on your plastic use. We are proud to stock June, beautiful zero waste makeup range that has zero plastic in it whatsoever and is fully recyclable. Ditch makeup wipes and plastic cleansers and use reusable face muslins.

9. Make your Periods Plastic-Free

Periods aren’t fun for us or the planet. Conventional period products contain lots of unnecessary plastic. According to National Geographic in 2018, 5.8 billion tampons were purchased in the USA alone. Between the applicator, the individually wrapped tampon or pad, and the box that holds it all – that is too much plastic. In lots of tampons, there are even plastic within the absorbent part to help hold the cotton together. Thanks to companies like Grace and Green, we can have zero waste periods that are totally plastic-free, chemical-free, and 100% organic. Better for us and better for the planet.

10. Work Out Without PVC

Did you know most conventional yoga mats are made from the highly toxic plastic, PVC? This specific plastic releases more dangerous chemicals than any other plastics so there is no safe way to produce or dispose of PVC. Yoga is a sacred practice that deserves to be practiced on something better than plastic. Switch to a yoga mat that is made to last and biodegrades easily. The Complete Unity Yoga mats are designed with natural jute fiber that is encased in 100% natural rubber, which are both biodegradable. These mats have incredible grip ensuring a beautiful practice and smooth flow.

11. Make Your Own Lunches

Preparing your meals avoids so much unnecessary waste. Instead of ordering in or buying premade meals out, try and take a little more time either the night before or in the morning to make a quick healthy lunch that you can store in a reusable container. Get some inspiration from one of our favourite chefs Anna Jones. You’ll save money, know exactly where your ingredients came from, and you’ll be saving on single-use plastic. 

12. Switch to a Bamboo Toothbrush

It takes around 500 years for a plastic toothbrush to fully break down and the average person goes through about four a year – that is far too much plastic dedicated just to cleaning our teeth. Switch to a zero-waste toothbrush like the Truthbrush, which is made from all plant-based materials. The handle is crafted from sustainable, organic bamboo which is naturally anti-bacterial and of course biodegradable.

Canyon Coffee

“Coffee punctuates life’s quietly meaningful moments: reaching for a favorite mug; a morning pause; the aroma drifting across the house; a Saturday in bed; a conversation with an old friend; the daily rituals that become part of our stories.

Canyon is inspired by savoring life’s details through the coffee we drink daily — made with exclusively single origin and certified organic beans, all roasted in Los Angeles. Deliciously smooth, perfectly balanced, and purposefully versatile; for brewing whichever way you like, whenever you want it.”

First of all can you tell us a bit about why you wanted to start a coffee company and the evolution of Canyon? 

My partner Casey and I had always toyed with the idea of starting something together, and over time, coffee emerged as our true shared passion. We had developed that passion together over time — diving into the coffee industry through our travels, trying to make better coffee at home, and eventually working in the industry itself.

We saw something missing in the specialty coffee world that we felt we could contribute — and contribute in a way that was a true expression of what coffee means to us. We wanted to source top quality, certified organic coffees, but speak about and share them in a way that conveyed what we found most special about coffee — the warmth and mindfulness of the coffee-making ritual, and how coffee brings people together.

Why was making sure the coffee was organic so important to you? 

In our own lives, we always sought to purchase organic products and support organic farmers. It has as much to do with the implications of organic practices on the farm and the soil as it does with the health of the produce and other products we consume. We care about the land and the people working it, just as we care about how what we put in and on our bodies affects our health and well-being. So to not commit to certified organic coffee from the beginning would have felt hypocritical. It’s certainly more work, and has impacts on what coffees can be sourced and selected, but it just felt like the right thing for us to do.

That said, we also have purchased from producers who lack organic certification, but are nonetheless engaged in sustainable or regenerative practices that we could verify. Obtaining organic certification can be a challenge for different producers, and this can even have to do with the infrastructure (or lack thereof)  in a given country. Just as we support farmers at the farmers market who can attest to their organic practices but lack the certification, we care mostly about supporting that approach to agriculture. But having the seal is like a guarantee, or form of assurance, to our customers that they can trust the coffee inside is truly organic.

And you guys recently introduced organic regenerative coffee which sounds amazing! Can you tell us a bit about what this is?

Yes! We are very excited to be one of only four roasters to have introduced the first Regenerative Organic Certified coffee to the US. To us, this certification is really the future. It builds upon existing certifications like Organic and Fair Trade, but incorporates environmental,  economic and social factors that have been missing from other certifications — like soil health, liveable wages, and animal welfare — that result in an approach to agriculture that is truly sustainable and will lead to drawing down carbon levels from the atmosphere.

At the heart of the certification are regenerative farming practices themselves, which involve playing off a farm’s unique climate, terrain and surroundings to produce a more harmonious ecosystem. It encourages farmers to plant ground cover, hedges and shade trees that can in turn be monetized (think beans, avocados, and trees for timber). So the solutions to creating healthier soil aren’t purely environmental, but can also have a better monetary impact on farmers.

Have you seen any impacts of climate change on the coffee industry? 

Definitely, in many ways. Increasingly violent storms have severely damaged harvest crops. Environmental devastations and crop failure has led to one of the greatest crisis for farmers in Latin America, which is that farmers and laborers are leaving the farms behind to emigrate north for better opportunities. Increasing temperatures have led to greater risk of disease like “coffee rust” spreading and affecting yields.

In the face of this, regenerative organic farming practices have proven to be more resilient. Conventional, chemically-intensive farming practices deplete the soil and leave plants less able to deal with adversity. So supporting regenerative agriculture is even more important in the face of climate change.

Terra Kaffe

This editorial is brought to you by our friends at Terra Kaffe.

Terra Kaffe takes a global approach to culture with a local focus on coffee. We love their beautiful yet simple super automatic coffee machines for zero waste brewing and an at home ritual that speaks to taking a moment to yourself. Born in Berlin and raised in Brooklyn, Terra Kaffe is raising the bar on espresso and we are thrilled to be working with them. We love to use ours using Canyon’s Organic coffee, a reusable cup, and then setting some nice intentions for the day.

Read more about Terra Kaffe.

Shop Terra Kaffee.

About Daylesford Organic

Daylesford Organic was founded over twenty years ago by Carole Bamford, who has devoted her life to championing organic farming, craftsmanship, sustainability and holistic living. Daylesford’s 2,350-acre regenerative, certified organic farm in the Cotswolds is home to animals including beef and dairy cattle, sheep and poultry, as well as an organic market garden which grows seasonal vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Daylesford raise all their animals organically, to the highest standards as laid out by the Soil Association. They choose native breeds and rear them slowly, in harmony with nature. Daylesford built their own abattoir to ensure the highest welfare possible at every step and to reduce food miles.

Daylesford is committed to working with nature and encouraging biodiversity on the farm, from their 17 acres of wetlands to their 30-acre agroforestry project, to support soil health and the resilience of Earth’s ecosystems as well as food production.

Personally, I’ve been shopping at Daylesford since moving to the UK over seven years ago. When I lived in London, I would go to one of Daylesford’s farmshops in Marylebone, but now that I live out of the city, I love that I can order my favourites online. They make wonderful edible goodies and have the most beautiful items for the home, from candles to table linens to throws.

How to Create my Earth Hour Meal

The Table – 

As Earth Hour occurs just after the Spring equinox, I wanted to bring spring colors to the table, so I went with Daylesford’s beautiful organic cotton tiller tablecloth and napkins in peony. For plates, I chose the peony dinner plate and for glasses the white tipped wine glasses. It wouldn’t be earth hour without an array of natural and nontoxic candles, and Daylesford has always made some of my favourite candles.

Shop My Table on Daylesford – 

Tiller Peony Tablecloth

Tiller Peony Napkin Set

Slip Peony Dinner Plate

Ledbury White Tipped Wine Glass

Chin Chin Matches

Set of 6 Chapel Dinner Candles

The Food – 

For my Earth Hour Dinner I wanted to use British seasonal ingredients grown at Daylesford, which is why I chose leeks and potatoes as the sides to their organic, grass-fed fillet steak. Daylesford raise all their animals to exceptional standards and their cows are not only grass fed, but they are native breeds too. Daylesford has also built their own abattoir to ensure the highest welfare possible and to reduce food miles. Their animals mature slowly while nourishing the soil they roam on, which in turn helps keep their land rich and thriving.

Appetizer – 

Sourdough with Daylesford’s Delicious Organic Chicken Liver Pate 

Main – 

Organic Truffled Fillet with Mashed Potatoes, Cheesy Leeks, and a Red Wine Gravy

For two people

For the Leeks 

4 leeks

25ml olive oil

Salt

Pepper

40g parmesan

Preheat the oven to 220C / 425F.  Trim any tough green tops from the leeks, then slice lengthwise and wash thoroughly. Place in an ovenproof dish and coat with olive oil, salt and pepper and arrange them cut side down. Roast for 20 minutes, remove from the oven and turn the leeks over, top with parmesan and roast for 5 more minutes until golden brown. 

For the Mashed Potato

500g potato

50ml milk

40g butter

Salt

Pepper

Peel and cut them into equal size pieces and boil potatoes until soft. Drain and leave to steam dry for 5 minutes before mashing with milk and butter. Season to taste.

For the Organic Steak

2x 200g Fillet Steak 

Olive oil

Salt

Truffle Salt 

Bring steak to room temperature, at least an hour before cooking. Season generously with salt and fry in butter hot pan to your liking. For a medium-rare steak, cook for roughly 3-4 minutes on each side. Leave to rest at least 5 minutes before serving whilst you make the gravy. Lightly sprinkle truffle salt onto the meat before serving. 

Red Wine Gravy

1 tbsp plain flour

250ml red wine

400ml beef stock

After cooking your steak, briefly cook the flour with the pan juices before adding the wine and beef stock, reduce on a high heat for a few minutes to burn off the alcohol and thicken the gravy.

Alma Proust Seeds

Alma Proust is a small scale flower farm in West Sussex. Milli Proust grows and designs floral arrangements whilst maintaining her core ethos of sustainability. Milli stocks seeds varieties of her favourite flowers on her site…

“…they are flowers that are easy to grow, that look great in the garden, and cut well for the vase. Whether they have a unique colour, a delicious scent, or are great for drying, they’re my favourites for a reason- and they are very easy to save seed from so you can build up your own stock. Each packet has been beautifully printed on recycled paper with my colourful illustrations.”

To learn more, read our guide on how to grow your own flowers sustainably with Milli Proust

Real Seeds

Real Seeds are a seed company that have been producing for over twenty years on their site in Pembrokeshire, west Wales. They pride themselves on their reputation for excellent seed quality. They are a DEFRA-registered and Soil-Association-registered seed merchant. All their seed is grown, dried and stored professionally, and gets fantastic feedback from customers. All their varieties are real, open-pollinated seed (non-hybrid), so you can save your own seed for the future, using instructions they supply. Real Seeds offers everything we expect from the best seed companies.

Vital Seeds

Vital Seeds was founded in 2018, in response to the lack of availability of UK-grown organic and open-pollinated seed. Most of the seed planted in the UK is actually produced many thousands of miles away in countries with a drier climate and cheaper labour.  This means that the varieties we grow are unable to adapt to our specific climatic conditions over time. It also means that we do not have control over this vital element of our food system, which Vital Seeds believe is very important. In the last 100 years we have lost 90% of the diversity in our food crops globally, mainly due to the industrialization of the food system and wide-spread use of proprietary F1 hybrid varieties. Vital Seeds’s are one of the best seed companies are open-pollinated you can save your own seed from them year after year.

Chiltern Seeds

Chiltern Seeds was founded way back in 1975, when Douglas Bowden, keen gardener of things unusual, dreamed of turning his hobby into a business and with his wife, Bridget. They set up Chiltern Seeds from their sitting room in Buckinghamshire, with the main aim of selling unusual items not available elsewhere in the UK. Today, Chiltern Seeds is ran by Douglas and Bridget’s two daughters, Heather and Sally, who made the decision to relocate Chiltern Seeds back down south to the Chilterns where they took over a converted barn near Wallingford, Oxfordshire, where they can now be found.

Sarah Raven Seeds

Sarah Raven’s wide range of flower seeds collects together the best varieties for your garden and will help you to make your garden the best it can be. Growing your plants from seed can be hugely rewarding; follow their easy instructions and you won’t look back. Almost all their flowers are cut-and-come again so the more you pick, the more they flower. And most of their flower seeds are single colour, tall-stemmed forms which gives you an intensity or purity of colour hard to find in a mix. Each variety has been tried and tested, most for many years, in Sarah’s garden at Perch Hill. Sarah Raven flower seeds will give you a quick-growing, easy to look after, highly productive and beautiful garden. If you are looking for the best seed companies to support, this should definitely be one of them. Most importantly all their seeds have been through rigorous germination tests and none of their seeds have been genetically modified or chemically treated.

Grace Alexander Flowers

Based on Malus Farm in Corfe, Somerset, Grace Alexander is a biodynamic flower grower and seed merchant. Grace created Gather, which is an online membership space for flower lovers and seasonal living advocates. On Gather you can purchase Grace’s seeds amongst receiving many other offerings.

“I sell my own seed exclusively to members of Gather because, as a kitchen table business producing most of my own seed, demand has always outstripped supply. However, I recently created a special gift package of seeds which is available in my public shop here for anyone to purchase as part of a gift membership to Gather.” Although Grace’s seeds can be found locally in some independent shops.

The Newt In Somerset Seeds

At The Newt In Somerset, their passionate team of farmers, gardeners, butchers, bakers, cheesemakers, chefs and cyder makers work in harmony with land and livestock to produce delicious food for the table. As part of their online store, they sell beautifully designed and packaged seeds that are also used and grown in their market garden on the estate.

Daylesford Organic Seeds

As part of a mission to reverse the industrialisation of our food and the pollution of the land that nurtures it, Daylesford Organic practise organic, sustainable farming with far fewer pesticides and herbicides on their crops. They do not use artificial growth promoters and hormones on their animals, and maintain the highest welfare standards. Luckily for us Daylesford also stock their own certified organic seeds for us to purchase and continue on their philosophy of sustainable growing.

“THERE IS LITTLE MORE SATISFYING THAN WATCHING SEEDS YOU HAVE PLANTED GROW AND FLOURISH.”

– Daylesford Organic

Are you in the US?

Check out our list of the best seed companies in the US. Read more

First of all, can you introduce Singita and your mission with it? 

As an ecotourism and conservation brand, Singita is unwavering in its commitment to protect Africa’s wilderness and since opening its first property – Singita Ebony Lodge – in 1993, sustainability, environmentally conscious hospitality and the empowerment of local communities have been cornerstones of this enduring 100-year purpose.

Our 100-year purpose is to protect and preserve large parts of African wilderness for future generations. 

It is our life’s work to share these awe-inspiring parts of the continent with guests who appreciate pristine wide-open spaces, while preserving the natural environment and challenging accepted norms in luxury travel to raise the bar on sustainability. Singita’s concessions, reserves, 15 lodges are in some of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas, and our commitment to safeguard the precious wildlife and communities of these areas is entrenched in three core pillars: Biodiversity, Sustainability and Community.

Alongside our partner conservation Funds & Trusts, we are the guardians of large areas of pristine wilderness and responsible for thriving community partnership projects that make a tangible difference in the lives of people living and working in and around our lodges. Looking towards the future, these initiatives remain at the heart of Singita’s story.

What’s the history of the land – has it always been used for conservation or was this something that has evolved with time? 

Singita’s story dates back almost a century ago, and started on a piece of land in a remote corner of the Sabi Sand in South Africa, which was purchased by Founder, Luke Bailes’ grandfather. This 30,000-acre traversing land, which would later become the Sabi Sand Reserve, was transformed over time from a former hunting concession into an exclusive conservation reserve where all species are protected.

Singita Ebony was the first Singita lodge to open, in 1993, and has now grown to a portfolio of 15 lodges and camps in four African countries.  It was the dream of our Founder, before the Singita brand was born. 

You say the Singita is an ecotourism brand – what does that mean to you? 

Conservation is our passion and purpose. 

Over the 30 years, our far-reaching commitment to safeguarding the continent’s wildlife populations and wilderness areas – as well as creating economic independence within communities living alongside them – has seen us implement strategic partnerships with non-profit Funds & Trusts in each of the regions in which we operate.

Through our support of our partner funds and trusts, we attract purpose-driven guests who share Singita’s vision of a sustainable future for Africa’s precious species as well as vulnerable communities through long-term conservation projects that make a meaningful impact.

Singita is a story of a sustainable farm-to-table food journey that celebrates fresh, seasonal produce and traditional regional flavors; the story of wellness that extends beyond conventional treatments, emphasising true wellbeing & balancing body and soul; and reconnecting with nature in meaningful ways, beyond sustainability – to regeneration.

Looking to the future, we are focused on our 100-year purpose, and it continues to inform all our decisions on the ground. The breathtaking landscapes of our reserves and concessions form the perfect backdrop for the stillness our guests seek and we are dedicated to creating exclusive sanctuaries that inspire a soul-restoring sense of calm. 

We will only develop new properties that are better than, or as good as, the ones we already have and this disciplined approach ensures that we continue delivering Singita’s unparalleled guest experience, remain steadfast in our commitment to our purpose, and keep benefiting the land and communities in which we operate.

We work tirelessly to achieve our goals. It includes sustainable operations across all our lodges and urban offices, and we continuously reduce our ecological footprint, improve conditions for our people and support initiatives to uplift communities neighbouring the lodges.

Read more: Community, Biodiversity, Sustainability

How do you focus on maintaining biodiversity and protecting wildlife whilst still welcoming outside guests to the land? 

30 Years ago, we created a conservation model which is still the foundation of our work. 

At Singita, conservation encapsulates an interdependent relationship between three critical components: Biodiversity, Community & Sustainability. They are all integral to our model, as we believe Africa needs large and meaningful projects to move the needle.

Focusing on biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, meaningful community partnerships, a commitment to sustainability and treading lightly on the Earth, our strategic partnerships with non-profit Funds & Trusts help to protect unique ecosystems, recover critically endangered species, ensure no further extinction, benefit neighbouring communities under our care and contribute positively to the reduction of GHG emissions through our climate commitments.

The aim is to secure the continued ecological integrity, wildlife management and ecosystem restoration of some of Africa’s most diverse wilderness areas– from the savannas of the Serengeti to the rainforests of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. 

Our conservation partners strive to restore, enhance and protect the biodiversity of the ecosystems.

Our conservation partners are: 

• South Africa – Singita Lowveld Trust 
• Zimbabwe – The Malilangwe Trust
• Tanzania – The Grumeti Fund 

For example as custodians of the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe, the Malilangwe Trust manages the conservation of this pristine wilderness – which comprises 38 different habitats and ecological zones in 130,000 acres of protected land. After successfully introducing black and white rhinos to the reserve in 1998, it’s now home to a globally significant population of both and the programme has been so successful that it is a source for restocking rhinos in other reserves on the continent.

Singita’s guest activities are always done with respect to the animals and landscapes; and game drives and nature walks try to leave as little impact as possible. 

Examples of projects to protect and preserve biodiversity in various regions. 

• (SA) – Rewilding/ rehab of orphaned rhino
• (Tanzania) Reintroduction of black rhino & anti-poaching 
• (Zim) Rhino Conservation 

 How do you think creating a connection to the natural world through the Singita stays can lead to a commitment to sustainability for your guests? 

A shared vision for the future – Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to form meaningful partnerships with conservation organisations in each region. It’s through this spirit of collaboration that the many worthy initiatives that make a lasting impact on the ground are possible.

Guests can also experience this valuable work through opportunities to participate in various projects, and see first-hand what’s being done in communities and on our concessions to work towards sustainable futures – for both people and wildlife.

We also inspire guests to lead more sustainable lifestyles and gently introduce wellness, Wholeness, meditation; less animal protein; healthier drinks, yoga, sound therapy and grounding treatments as well as removing all single use plastic in the lodges so that guests (and children) can learn and take back some practices to their lives.  Once guests visit and fall in love with the African landscapes and iconic wildlife and inspiring projects, they usually want to become involved and share the message with others. Social media has been an important driver of this.  

In 2021, Singita opened two art galleries (in Sabi Sand and Kruger Park). Only African art is shown and sold, and proceeds benefits Singita Lowveld Trust for community enterprise development projects. 

How does Singita approach the idea of only creating a new place when they can make something better than they found it initially? 

As mentioned, the Singita philosophy on growth is : we will only develop new properties that are better than, or as good as, the ones we already have and this disciplined approach ensures that we continue delivering Singita’s unparalleled guest experience, remain steadfast in our commitment to our purpose, and keep benefiting the land and communities in which we operate.

Read more here. 

How have you empowered and engaged with local communities whilst running Singita? 

Apart from restoring, securing and safeguarding unique wilderness areas and wildlife, Singita strives to build strong community partnerships with our many neighbouring villages, and to assist them to thrive economically and socially.

We work with three incredible conservation NGOs in South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe and run a few projects in Rwanda too. 

Dedicated initiatives across all regions include a strong focus on education and range from Early Childhood Development to onsite environmental education for school groups, academic bursaries and scholarships, digital learning opportunities for remote villages, English classes and adult bridging courses – as well as gender empowerment for woman and girls. We also support small and medium enterprise development and livelihoods such as smallholder agricultural cooperatives that supply to our lodges, honey production, and local arts and crafts.

One of our most successful community partnerships in three regions is our Singita Community Culinary Schools (we have 3). About 10 students from the local communities are selected and complete a world-recognized chef’s certification and employment prospects. 

This unique program that serves to fulfill a real need in the community, as well as for the South African hospitality industry as a whole.  They graduate as commis chefs of the highest calibre. There are three Singita Community Culinary Schools (SCCSs) – located in South Africa, Tanzania and Rwanda respectively. 

Most of our staff come from local communities in each region. 

Please see here for all the projects Singita supports with marketing, fundraising and connecting guests to the projects.

How do you make sure that the design of your various lodges is reflective of your sustainable ethos?

At Singita, a sustainable world is one in which people enjoy happy, healthy lives within their fair share of the earth’s resources, leaving space for wildlife and wilderness. We recognise that sustainable operations across all our lodges and support offices play a major role in achieving our purpose.

We consistently strive to be more sustainable by doing all we can to reduce our ecological footprint and to improve the lives of our people, and those in neighbouring communities.

New builds, such as Singita Kwitonda Lodge & Kataza House in Rwanda and Singita Sabora Tented Camp in Tanzania, are built from a sustainability mindset, in terms of local procurement; local workforce; incorporating local art and décor; less air conditioning; water management systems; waste reduction; solar power etc. 

All 15 Singita lodges are guides by 10 principles of One Planet Living framework. 

The success of the tourism operations is directly linked to the success of the conservation and community development work that Singita undertakes or supports. By becoming a One Planet Community Singita is pledging to ‘operate within global environmental limits’ and committing to this principle as the foundation of how the company conducts its business. 

Singita has demonstrated this in several ways:

• Outreach to influence conservation in the region and tourism globally
• Continuing to partner with Panthera to support leopard conservation
• Founding member of the Lionscape Coalition
• Participation in Vulture Safe Zones Alliance (with Endangered Wildlife Trust) and Birdlife’s critical bird monitoring in the Greater Kruger system.
• Training of all guides as first responders in poison interventions in the Greater Kruger (with Endangered Wildlife Trust)

Are there any other ways you have looked at sustainability for the lodge that you feel are unique? 

See all projects here

Locally sourced food / Carbon offset levy introduced on all guest nights / Culture and community / Sustainable materials / Zero carbon (solar power 50% of all lodges) / zero waste / water conservation/ Equity and local community 

We introduced a carbon offset levy  in 2021 for all guest nights, donated to verified projects

Read more about our philosophy to food and reducing food waste here & here

Solar power to 50% of our lodges

What are your hopes for the future of Singita and its wider impact? 

There were some opportunities in the wake of the pandemic to evolve ecotourism  into an even more effective model for conservation. 

Singita Founder, Luke Bailes, says the following: 

“Companies need to be fully transparent about where conservation money is going – and measure how effectively it is being spent. Donors want to see the vast majority of their money going into projects, instead of supporting administration costs.”

“Cooperation is another key issue and one of the things that concern me most is the lack of collaboration between NGOs and conservation bodies to solve the massive problems that confront us. The issues are too big to do individually, so I would love to see increased efforts to work together.”

“There is also an opportunity for NGOs and conservation brands to work more closely with the media to tell real stories and create awareness, while providing easy access to ways to get involved. We have seen through our guests how well this can work, how often they want to get involved to make a difference and there are some very compelling initiatives to do this.”

Finally, can you give us your top three tips for sustainable, and even better regenerative,  travel? 

1. Luke Bailes: “Travel to Africa! 

The more travellers come to Africa, the more funds will flow into its economies. The benefits will then filter into the continent’s communities, where one person normally has 10 dependents. When there is an increase in the demand for ecotourism properties, more employment is created and lodges do better – leading to more opportunities for new entrants to the business.

It’s worth remembering that you don’t just support a lodge – there is a far-reaching economy that is created by ancillary services like transfers, private charters, laundry, butcheries, and more. Travellers should also do their homework before they come. They should choose responsible, conservation-driven brands and make sure that their travel dollars support sustainable projects.”

2. Be a Responsible Traveller 

• Guests should choose a responsible ecotourism operator to travel with. Select a reputable, proven conservation brand with a stellar track record, where they can see incredible projects and positive results.  
• Support community or conservation projects that resonate with them. For example, at Singita Kruger National Park, you could visit the Singita Community Culinary School and take a cooking lesson and buy our cookbook – funds from both support the students. 
• Alternatively, guests can support any of Singita’s conservation or community projects via our partner funds and trusts. Guests can leave a safari knowing they have contributed to early childhood development, anti-poaching canine units, community projects, leopard research, or many other life-changing projects.

3. Reduce your own footprint – 

• Rampant biodiversity loss driven by mankind’s unsustainable consumption patterns has led to the planet losing nature faster than it can be restored. This decade is set to be defined by restoration and regeneration and our efforts are fully aligned with global conservation goals.
• The latest findings report that we have lost 70% of biodiversity – habitats and species in the last 50 years. Human activity is driving land degradation (through deforestation, city growth and farming), and resource use for our food, water and energy needs. This is driving accelerated global warming and increasing climate instability.

Also, reduce or refuse single use plastic; recycle; compost food; change to solar power; reduce your carbon footprint; shop responsibly; buy local; eat less animal protein; travel responsibly i.e. support local community or conservation projects such as Singita’s canine anti-poaching team. A visit costs R5,000 or USD500 per person which supports the scouts and dogs.

Words by Inge Kotze, Head of Conservation and Luke Bailes, Founder of Singita

Follow Singita on Instagram @singita_

First of all Hazel we would love to hear about what brought you into the world of gardening and where your love of nature was born? 

My Grenadian Mum is an instinctive gardener. She immersed herself in this country’s plants but always added in her love of a vivid tropical colours, she created a magnificent garden. I was lucky, from a young age I learnt about the beauty of flowers through watching her garden, family visits to public gardens and trips to nurseries. I’ve always loved flowers and floral prints which played out when I worked in fashion, but it wasn’t until I had my own garden that my own passion was ignited.

We know that gardening helped you quite a bit after a bout with cancer – would you be able to tell us a bit about how this process of immersing yourself in nature helped you process and heal?

The soothing act of gardening and existing in nature was my tonic. My relationship with nature shifted forever. My diagnosis happened at the same time I owned my first garden. Growing gave me a grounding sense of purpose and routine. This was incredibly powerful at a time when I had little control over my future. Facing mortality made me connect with the smallest things. Still to this day I find the tiniest of moments give the greatest joy such as beautiful sunset on a summer’s night.

And when did the idea of really needing to bring sustainability into your gardening first bloom for you?

When I first started, I saw how much waste can be created in the industry, almost unapologetically. Having founded a vintage clothing business previously. sustainability was always going to be an important value in my new career. I quickly learnt that the most beautiful and fragrant flowers are British, grown by dedicated flower farmers. They provide us with varieties that can’t be found on the large wholesale market. Like any artist we seek the unexpected and theatrical in our work which is why we champion using these flowers alongside other practices such as composting or drying surplus flowers, banning floral-foam and the use of single use plastics.

You now run a “seasonally responsive” floral studio which we love the sound of – can you explain a bit more what that means to you?

We stopped using the word seasonal last year after the punishing heat changed the availability of flowers we had previously relied on. It’s unrealistic for us to promise we can deliver a certain bloom in a particular colour even in its peak season. This ethos must be the way we now work if committed to using British grown flowers whenever we possibly can. The essence of flower farming and global warming means that nothing is certain. What we can guarantee is to consistently create beautiful designs that tell stories, evoke emotions with an acute understanding of colour palette and texture. This is the true essence of being an artisan studio, working in tandem with nature and what’s happening in the fields.

How have you learned to embrace seasonal flowers when we are so accustomed to having any sort of floral we want at any time of the year?

(answered above)

What have been some of the ways you have made sure the flowers you work with are as ethically sourced as possible?

We use the Flowers from the Farm online directory which champions artisan growers of seasonal British cut flowers, it’s a brilliant resource. Due to the extensive and large designs we produce if we do use imported blooms, we work with our Holland wholesalers on sourcing Fairtrade or ethical flowers. It’s important that as a London florist we’re aware of the privilege in being able to buy British flowers from trusted suppliers at New Covent Garden Flower Market too. There are many in the flower industry who can’t access this or travel to independent farms which is important to note.

What has been the installation that meant the most to you and why? 

Creating the iconic RHS letters for the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show was a huge career milestone for the studio. Another highlight was creating a floral exhibit for the Garden Museum’s annual British Flower Week in 2021. We created a life-size wishing tree decorated with British dried and fresh materials. Visitors were invited to write their wishes for the future on colourful tags and place them on the tree’s branches. It was at a time when many were venturing out into public spaces for the first time due to lock-down. The response was phenomenal, we had to deliver more tags to the Musuem throughout the week. We still have every single wish, some incredibly poignant and personal. The reaction was amazingly unexpected and boosting for myself and the team.

Do you have a favourite flower to work with?

I’m constantly changing my top choices as I discover new varieties. Roses will always have a place in my hearth due to their fragrance, beauty and the wide range of varieties. The Emily Brontë shrub rose by David Austin is a highlight and was the first rose planted in my garden. I’m also drawn to unfashionable or overlooked varieties. We’ve just worked on creative shoot celebrating snowdrops, although diminutive they are truly breath-taking to me.

And for anyone wanting to bring the natural world into their homes do you have tips on what to look for to do that in the best way possible?

I would look out for Fairtrade flowers in your supermarket of use a florist that uses British blooms. In the deep winter dried flowers bring welcome decoration when most of the garden and flower farms are awaiting the growing season to start. Make sure you look for uncoloured or bleached varieties. If you leave near the country, then fallen branches can look amazing in a vase. Don’t forget houseplants and foliage. We are in touching distance of blossom, magnolia, and lilac season. A few of these stems in a vase can bring fragrance and beauty into the home without having to purchase copious amounts of stems.

You did a feature on growing your own wedding flowers which we love the idea of so much – can you speak a bit about ethical flowers for a big day as we know the wedding industry can be quite harmful when it comes to conventional flower growing?

Thank you! In in the piece, I suggested to work with a florist who is also a grower or has proven links to using British flowers. This is the ultimate dream for couples looking to source their flower ethically.  Unless you have the means and more importantly patience, time and experience, growing your own flowers could be difficult. What is realistic is to grow copious amounts of one variety such as cosmos is you’re having a summer wedding. This is easily grown from seed and the more you cut the more they produce. I think one of the biggest hurdles is educating couples on the reality of being a sustainable florist. Pinterest is unrealistic, often images created for one editorial shot won’t be appropriate for a day and evening long wedding.  Couples often become fixated on a particular look without realising the seasonal reality it will take to achieve.  The biggest tip I would say is to trust your designer, select them for their overall style over specific and individual blooms and research what’s in season ahead of your date if flowers are important to you.

We are coming up to Valentine’s Day and we would love to hear any tips for sourcing sustainable flowers if people are choosing to celebrate with florals?

The demand for imported red roses in winter has environmental, social, and economic issues and puts a huge strain on international growers and importers. We need to move away from the premise that these blooms must be gifted at Valentines or buy Fairtrade. I would embrace the alternatives available online at your local florist. Greenery at this time of year is beautiful as are display of bulbs or hellebores.  Why not make a gift to save the planet on behalf of your significant other instead. You could supply a vulnerable family overseas with five fruit tree saplings via charity Cafod or dedicate a tree, area of even bench to your loved one via The Woodland Trust.

And finally what do you have in store for 2023 that is most meaningful to you?

There are exciting things that can’t quite be shared ahead but we are relaunching our newsletter which will be packed full of garden, floral advice and lifestyle inspiration. We’re also back teaching at Daylesford in Gloucestershire. In the workshops we use blooms picked from their organic garden which is special experience for us all. Owning a busy creative business can result in me becoming disconnected from spending meaningful time outdoors. It’s moments in my garden, trowel in hand, that can be the most meaningful.

Words by Hazel Gardiner @hazelgardinerdesign

For more gardening content check out our home and garden section

First of all, can you introduce Hôtel Weekend and your mission with it? 

I launched Hôtel Weekend back in 2015 with the idea of sharing the hidden gems I found along my travels with people who had a similar mindset around traveling. At the moment there were not many places to look for small, beautiful hotels that shared a philosophy of slow living. I wanted to create a portal for those who enjoyed design-oriented, meaningful experiences. Little by little, a community of likeminded explorers.

Where did your love for travel come from and when did you realize that it was an industry that needed to be done more thoughtfully?

My mother was a traveler. She dreamt of exploring the world. She was such a free spirit and I loved that about her, hoping one day I would be like her. My mom passed away when I was 17, I believe every time I travel she’s right there by my side. 

I moved to Europe from Colombia when I was 20. Here, I discovered how everyone was so into fast travel, it was so easy. . We didn’t have that in Colombia as it’s more expensive to travel both inland and to other countries, so people usually plan their vacations more thoughtfully. But in Spain, you could easily go to Italy, Greece, France, and basically anywhere for a weekend for less than 100€ (the airfare). I did this a couple of times with friends before realizing I wasn’t really enjoying each destination. Everything felt rushed, impersonal, and not fulfilling – let alone not sustainable. I started traveling more consciously, taking more time to really discover the heart of the destination. Quality over quantity. Less places but more in dept.

What does the idea of exploring the world at a slower pace mean to you? 

It’s about going to a place with an open mind and heart. Slow travel is about taking the time to really experience a destination by immersing yourself in the local culture and environment. It is about exploring and discovering each place in its own unique way, without being rushed. It encourages travelers to slow down and appreciate the beauty of their surroundings, instead of just seeing the main sights in a hurry. It also encourages a conscious approach to travel, with respect for the natural environment, local customs and cultures. while also opening up the possibility of new cultural exchanges, personal experiences and memories.

And what about the idea of “barefoot living” that you embrace? 

It’s a gentle way of living and exploring the world. Of enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Finding beauty in the ordinary, and in imperfection. 

You talk about supporting local and artisanal projects within the Hotel Weekend community – what does that look like for you? 

At the Souvenir Shop, we partner with local, independent and mostly women designers that create beautiful products. We promote “made to order” products and educate our customer that’s its worth the wait as this system makes each product more special and sustainable. 

Can you give us an example of a project that you feel truly embraces consciousness when it comes to a destination you are promoting? 

On each of our city guides, we promote small local businesses and independent stays. Supporting small businesses when we travel is an important way to help ensure the local economy thrives. This benefits both the destination and the local community in a number of ways. Slow traveling, allows us to more deeply appreciate our destination and immerse ourselves in the culture. This kind of intentional, conscious travel also ensures we are knowledgeable about the culture and customs so that we can be respectful guests. 

Additionally, we encourage our travelers to stay longer on each destination, as a way to really immerse ourselves on each place. 

Are there any other ways you have looked at sustainability for the hotels that you feature that you feel is unique? 

We mostly work with small, family owned hotels. Sustainability is a long path and each of the hotels we feature are on it, on different stages and processes but they are very conscious about their efforts. I love staying at small hotels where you can sit down to have breakfast with the owner, for them to tell you all about their space, and what they’re doing to give back to the planet and the community. 

What do you personally look for when you travel? 

To meet new people, try new foods and get inspired by each destination. Traveling always opens our minds and hearts. Since my daughter was born, we’ve been traveling so much. I want travel to be part of her, she really enjoys it and for me, it’s been like rediscovering the world.

Do you have a trip coming up this year that you are most excited about and if so, can you tell us a bit about why this one will be meaningful to you and your ethos?   

We want to spend this summer somewhere in Denmark, Sweden or Norway. We usually spend our summers in the Mediterranean but this time we are really looking forward to something different. Maybe rent a little house and enjoy the long summer days, pure “hygge”. 

Finally, we are going to Japan as my husband has an art residence there that was meant to happen in 2020, and we were just able to reschedule until now. I’m really curious and know we will absolutely love it, can’t wait to discover. Art residences are a great way to travel as it’s an opportunity to feel more like a local. 

Finally, can you give us your top three tips for sustainable, and even better regenerative, travel? 

1. Slow down your pace of travel and make use of more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation options, like taking a train instead of flying. Choose a destination that doesn’t get so many tourists, and travel during low season if possible.

2. Choose locally sourced goods and services. Supporting local businesses will have a positive economic impact on the community you’re visiting. It truly makes a difference to small businesses.

3. Be conscious about your impact, and always respect your surroundings. There is no better way to discover a city than getting lost walking around town.

Follow Hôtel Weekend @hotelweekend

Follow Natalia @nataliaswarz

First of all, can you introduce Ranchlands and your mission with it? 

Over the course of the past two decades, Ranchlands has grown from a cattle ranching business to a grass-roots movement that demonstrates how ranching is the most compelling model for landscape-scale conservation in the American West. While our model emphasizes ranch-based entrepreneurial businesses that build flexibility and financial stability as cornerstones for ecological land management, Ranchlands at its core remains a cattle ranching business and way of life, emphasizing open-mindedness, sharing ideas, and building longevity and community by perpetuating our ranching heritage. We believe that creating a profitable business that can support our environmental programs is one of the cornerstones of this successful conservation strategy.

What’s the history of the land – has it always been used for conservation and or/ranching or was this something that has evolved with time? 

Ranchlands has been managing the ranches currently under our stewardship for anywhere between 23 and three years. Prior to our management, these properties have been used for everything from cattle ranches to golf resorts. Our philosophy for the properties we manage always centers around using the presence of our livestock to achieve conservation goals.

You talk about hospitality as being a benchmark of sustainable agritourism – can you tell us a bit about what this means and how you work towards that? 

The void between urban and rural populations is growing at an alarming rate, with a stark minority of our global population living outside of cities. We see bridging this growing gap and engaging people from the city in our daily life on the ranch as critical to our survival into the future. By offering a compelling opportunity for people to come be a part of what we’re doing, hospitality is our way of trying to help people see that ranching is important to all of us on a fundamental level.

Additionally, the agricultural arena has changed over the past 20 years and business diversification for land-based businesses has become essential. Our hospitality and ecommerce businesses give us flexibility in times of economic or climatic downturn to sell or move our livestock because we have other income streams to fall back on.

What is Ranchlands Mercantile and your pursuits with that? Can you also tell us a bit about your collaboration with Shaina Mote as that is a brand we love! 

The Mercantile is a natural diversification of Ranchlands, a business born on the ranches, grown from the need to repair our tack and equipment that we use everyday, encouraging leather working skills and techniques to build hardworking and timeless gear. These skills were honed to produce beautiful pieces that can be used in town or on the ranch. As with other areas of Ranchlands, the Mercantile is an opportunity to collaborate with like minded people, artists, and makers. 

Shaina Mote’s work is mission-aligned and just so beautiful, which made the partnership a very logical and exciting one for us. We worked together to design an everyday sweater inspired by a Phillips family heirloom, and Shaina worked with her artisans in Peru to bring it to life. She brought a team out to the ranch to shoot the sweater on site, which really brought the project full circle.

How do you think creating a connection to the natural world through the Ranchlands stays can lead to a commitment to sustainability for your guests? 

We strongly believe that to experience something first hand is the best way to begin to understand it. We strive to share as much of the land, wildlife, ecology, and lifestyle as possible, and most guests come to us to learn more, not just have a cool experience.

How much is nature incorporated into a stay at Ranchlands?

We aim to immerse our guests in the landscape and nature as much as possible, whether that’s galloping through the prairie, or sitting, listening, and observing the intimate sounds of the insects, wildlife, and life on the ranch.

You have Bison at your ranch – can you tell us a bit about the importance of this aspect of ranching for you as this is an animal that seems to have a very complicated history in the United States? 

The Zapata Ranch’s bison herd is owned by The Nature Conservancy and has been an important ongoing conservation project for the last 30 years. The herd has been used for multiple studies, from bison contraception to dynamics between bison and elk. Most importantly, the herd has years of genetic data gathered, enabling the animals to be managed to secure the purest, most robust bison genes possible. 

The bison have also been an important tool for us to observe what the landscape of the ranch looked like 100 years ago. Ranchlands’ grazing programs aim to mimic the pattern of the large ungulate herds of the world, such as the bison and wildebeest that evolved in a symbiotic relationship with the great grasslands on which they roamed. We move our cattle in herds as large as possible in a migratory pattern, ensuring that the plant community receives as much rest as it needs. 

How do you make sure the menus at the hotel are reflective of this ethos of organic, local and seasonal? 

Many years ago, we built a relationship with the local food hub Valley Roots. Owned by a wonderful guy who believes deeply in locally sourced produce and food and the importance of the relationships with the farmers and ranchers, we have been working with Valley Roots to source almost all of our produce for the last seven years. It keeps our menu growing and changing and evolving, not just seasonal. It’s an important part of the way we look at food and food systems. We love to share the story of which farm or ranch grew their food with our guests. 

Are there any other ways you have looked at sustainability for the hotel that you feel are unique? 

We use our own ranch raised bison and beef at meals. Guests have the opportunity to ride amongst the bison and learn about the history of the herd and why ungulates are so significant to the environment and our operation. We also began our first kitchen garden three years ago and it’s been developing ever since. It supplements the local produce we receive from Valley Roots, and we offer short talks and cocktails in the garden and share about the three sisters method of growing and other garden stories. 

What do you personally look for when you travel elsewhere? 

Not too dissimilar to what we share– large spaces, wilderness, adventure, horses. 

Finally, can you give us your top tips for sustainable, and even better regenerative, travel? 

1.Support places that are run by people who care about something bigger, and who are trying to make a difference with their business. 

2.Consider how your trip will enrich your life– mentally, physically, spiritually. These places are often ones that we return to, that we feel a connection with. Returning to the same place allows a relationship to evolve and become deeper, giving the opportunity to share the same feelings with our families and friends over many years. Maybe we become more educated and understanding about that environment and landscape over time, and therefore more invested in ensuring it will be protected into the future.

Follow Ranchlands @ranchlands

Ckeck Out The Other Articles From Our Eco Hotel Series…

Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn

Potato Head Resort, Bali

Wildflower Auberge, Hudson Valley

The Benefits of Rose Oil For Your Skin

Traditionally, we think of the rose as a symbol of romance and love – something special. It carries these views because of its long history within ancient Greek, Roman, and Persian cultures. Where it was used within apothecary, cooking, and more. It has been used topically for skin health since at least 1200 B.C.. Lots of ancient uses of the rose have been widely confirmed by scientists today. Which is why it continues to be such a commonly used ingredient. 

Most people are familiar with the two different types of rose oil. Rose oil from the petal and rosehip oil, made from the fruit or hip of the plant. They have a lot of very similar benefits, but there are a few differences. 

Rosehip Oil: Often used as a carrier oil for essential oils, rosehip oil is ultra-hydrating and an essential for anyone looking to brighten their skin, fade dark spots and clear up acne scarring as it is naturally rich in vitamin A and vitamin C. It contains vitamin E, which is a superhero antioxidant that brings down inflammation. So if you are prone to rosacea or are trying to soothe a sunburn, rosehip oil is a must. 

Rose Oil: Besides being an aphrodisiac, rose oil is incredibly healing and helps the skin retain its elasticity, which can fade as you mature. Rose oil is a godsend for mature skin as it boosts cell renewal. Which helps to keep the skin youthful and smooth. It is also a great treatment for acne as rose oil is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, which help to kill bacteria on the surface of the skin and take down the redness that usually comes with acne.

Our Natural & Organic Rose Skincare Products

Irene Forte Rose Face Oil

From the organic Italian brand, Irene Forte’s oil is a wild rose face oil that completely transforms dull and dehydrated skin. This product is an aromatic mix of calendula, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and more that together feed the skin with fatty acids and rich moisture. While I wouldn’t recommend this product for oily or congested skin types, it is the perfect oil for anyone looking for a boost of hydration or to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Shop here

Homecourt’s Rose Products

We love Homecourt’s up cycled rose water. By using waste from the main distillation, perfumers capture more scent elements. Through extra filtering, they discover new and fresher hints of the flower. Founded by actress Courteney Cox, Homecourt addresses an industry that is practical yet often too gaudy. Courteney aimed to bring beauty into home care with Homecourt. She created products that you can’t help but use. Vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic formulas use skincare-grade ingredients. Cosmetic chemists develop these products. Expert perfumers create custom fine fragrances. To learn more about the line, read our Homecourt editorial.

Shop here

Other Natural Ingredient Spotlights

If you like exploring the skin benefits of rose oil, check out our other natural ingredient skincare spotlights here:

Lavender skincare benefits

Olive oil skincare benefits

Prickly pear skincare benefits

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Skydiamond Jewellery

There is nothing more special than a beautiful piece of jewelry, but that piece does not need to have negative social, ethical, and environmental impacts – thanks to Skydiamond. The world’s only carbon negative diamond! They work with some of the world’s best artisan diamond cutters to create the most beautiful cuts in a range of sizes that have an internationally accredited diamond certification, but instead of coming from the ground they come from the sky! They take atmospheric carbon from the sky and then liquify and purify it. They then take rainwater and split it and take the hydrogen, which they then fuse together with the CO2 to create methane to feed into their Diamond Mills. Inside these Mills they grow their Skydiamonds from tiny diamond seeds. The process is truly incredible, we highly recommend you read about it in detail here. Skydiamond offer made to order diamond rings that are delivered within 6 weeks once you place your order. Whether you are thinking of proposing or want to gift your significant other a beautiful diamond ring, Skydiamond lets you easily customize your ring online. You can pick your shape, color, clarity, and cut of your diamond to pair with one of their 18ct or platinum settings.

Luckily they also have stunning pendant necklaces and earrings that are ready for delivery now, so you don’t have to wait weeks for something beautiful for your significant other. These pieces are available in a range of prices and styles, so there really is something for everyone!

Ranchlands Mercantile

Ranchlands is an agricultural-based business that operates large-scale cattle and bison ranches in the American West. They partner with conservation-minded owners to implement ambitious conservation programs that coexist alongside their own cattle operations. In addition to their diversified cattle business, they run a series of complementary land-based businesses including hospitality, hunting and fishing, a leather shop, strategic advisory services, and ecotourism.

We love Ranchland’s Mercantile products for a thoughtful and practical Valentines Day gift, for anyone that loves fashion and also loves spending time in the countryside this time of year. In particular, we love their Ranchlands X Shaina Mote Wool Sweater and their Pony Leather Bag which also has detachable straps that you can mix and match!

Vertly Body Care

Garden-to-Bottle Skincare. Vertly budded at the hands of husband-and-wife duo Claudia Mata and Zander Gladish. Everything they create is handcrafted in small batches, made fresh weekly in Northern California and each ingredient serves a specific purpose. No extra ingredients. Nothing artificial. Vertly products are made fresh weekly in small batches, and they are transparent with ingredients and test each product for over a year before it actually hits the market — ensuring promises of relaxed and radiant skin are ones they can keep.

A Weekend stay at Villa Lena

Situated on a hilltop in the wild woods of Tuscany, between Pisa and Florence, Villa Lena is a place where untouched nature, carefree creativity and magical stories intersect. With 500 hectares of land, mostly covered by untouched forests, an abundance of wild flowers and herbs and roaming deer and wild boar, Villa Lena is a unique place where hospitality is merged with creative residencies and food is collected or foraged on site. Creativity and collaboration underscore life at Villa Lena, exemplifying a new way of living and holiday experience.

If you were planning a trip, we think this would be the ultimate gesture for Valentine’s Day, a perfect scene for a special day and person! If you are already in Italy, you can visit one of Villa Lena’s farm-to-table restaurants for a one off meal, you won’t regret it that’s for sure!

Dinner At Spring, London

Spring brings warmth and elegance within a beautiful dining space set in the New Wing of the iconic Somerset House, in the arts and cultural heart of London. At Spring, food is celebrated for its conviviality and the joyfulness of sharing seasonal produce. Their cooking is heartfelt, wholesome, produce driven, and cooked by a team of people who are passionate about what they do and who feel truly privileged to work with beautiful ingredients. They hope to create an experience which not only sings on the plate but lingers in the memory.

One of our most favourite places to eat in the big city, Spring creates a wonderful atmosphere, perfect for a Valentine’s Day Date. Be sure to book soon to ensure you get a table for the night!

Oli de L’Oliveta

Oil de L’Oliveta is an Extra Virgin Olive Oil made from organic and ecologically grown olives in Catalonia. Coupage from varieties “Morruda” and “Sevillenca”.. Smell of great intensity, remembering fresh vegetables and flowers.

If you know a girl in your life that loves cooking or hosting we really recommend these gorgeous oils. Also they look perfect on a spring or summer tablescape!

Baina Towels

BAINA is an Antipodean brand of curated towelling founded by Bailey Meredith and Anna Fahey. Their contemporary, organic cotton towels celebrate the daily bathing ritual. Committed to creating timeless collections, BAINA takes a mindful approach to craftsmanship and materiality. Made in Portugal, Baina works with GOTS certified organic cotton and produces with one of Europe’s most established mills to develop their towels.

Their red check towels are a perfect unique valentines day gift, why not gift their Paloma Sun pool towel ready for summer!

First of all, can you tell us a bit about what made you want to create By The Sun? 

The creation of By The Sun dates back to when I had just graduated from high school. I opted out of going to college and instead took the time to zoom out and gain some perspective on what truly brought me happiness and fueled a passion in me. After some serious thought, I kept returning to the same topic – fashion.

Fast forward to a couple of years down the line, I was working as a production assistant for a prominent LA brand. I learned to love the process from conception to collection. However, throughout that process is when I learned the true reality of fashion; the wasteful and unethical protocols that are considered daily norms. I left that job with a complete understanding of my purpose on this Earth. Creating a brand that is not only sustainable but ethical.

Kelsey and I became close friends largely because we both had very similar tastes in just about everything, including our genuine love for our planet. We would chat over a glass of wine and get so worked up about the fashion industry and would then dream about one day starting our own line.

One of those chats led us to putting together what we would want our first collection to be. Next thing you know, we’re in Bali making it happen.

What was the basic ethos of the line? 

Ethics over everything, timelessness, and forever embracing the feeling of being By The Sun.

How did you own day to day style and materials you like to wear influence going about picking the fabrics that would make up the line?

Kelsey and I both lead lifestyles very much centered around the sea & the sun, which reflects highly in our fabric decisions both aesthetically and functionally. For example – the first pieces we launched were created out of a fabric that displayed this beautiful, natural, wavy texture. The Capri Button Down and Palma Pant physically are reflections of the ocean, and they are the perfect pieces to be worn by the ocean.

Bridging our muse in a way where it is represented both tangibly and functionally.

Can you tell us a bit about the fabrics you have ended up using? (A break down of each would be wonderful here!)

We were extremely fortunate to have found a team that fully grasped our vision of sustainability and ethics. Kelsey and I came to our initial meeting with a set of standards and guidelines that we needed to have when sourcing. Choosing local vendors was of the utmost importance, cutting out any emissions caused by air travel. Each swatch presented to us was a fabric originating naturally, organically, or through regeneration. We ultimately chose based on look, feel, and quality. Our Off-White textured fabric is constructed out of hemp & organic cotton – both of which give more than they take from our planet. Our Sur x Palma set is crafted lovingly out of viscose. Local vendors produce the biodegradable fiber in sustainably managed forests.

Do you think using natural materials is always the best option – why or why not? 

Natural materials are wonderful, but what we really need to bring to focus is not just how the material is made, but what transpires in the aftermath. Can this fiber replenish the soil it came from? Will this fabric be compostable once its life as a piece of clothing comes to an end?

Any material that can give once it has taken is the best option.

Would you ever love to work with a certain material that you haven’t incorporated into the line yet? 

So many! We’re just getting started on our journey. Our dream is to see a day when all materials that are used within the fashion industry are in some way sustainable. We’re both very much looking forward to experimenting with fabrics and materials and hopefully being able to extend a helping hand toward a fully sustainable future.

And how did you find the factory to work with? What sort of criteria did you want to have them connect with that reflected your own ethos?

Having previously worked with factories in Bali, I knew that they were the front-runners when it came to ethical fashion standards. So we started our search there! We chose our team based on the fact that they not only aligned with our own standards, but they surpassed them. Our team sources factories that abide by their own special set of certifications. They conduct a thorough inspection, ranging from safe working conditions to the overall happiness of each soul that steps foot into the factory. Going beyond that, our team awards factories with additional badges of honor. Categories like Women Founded, Family Owned, LGBTQ, Giving Back, etc. The wonderful women of our factory who produce By The Sun support & generously give back to their local orphanage.

For anyone looking to dress more ethically, what advice would you give them to look out for in terms of the material composition of what they may be considering purchasing? 

The best form of ethical shopping is repurposing a pre-loved item. But if you can’t find what you’re looking for in a thrifted item, the following best materials are those that are either recycled, natural, organic, or biodegradable. Avoid fabrics like polyester, cotton, and nylon. There’s so much power in choice, and we are beyond lucky to live in a world now where we have the choice to purchase a sustainable alternative.

Finally, what does truly sustainable fashion look like to you? 

Truly sustainable fashion to me is placing a spotlight more so on the ethical side of the process. Brands can claim sustainability, but at what cost? Top-tier working conditions, fair living wages, and obtainable timelines  – these are the standards that need to be accounted for when claiming sustainability.

Words by Sarah Nimptsch @sarahnimptsch

Skydiamond Jewellery

There is nothing more special than a beautiful piece of jewelry, but that piece does not need to have negative social, ethical, and environmental impacts – thanks to Skydiamond. The world’s only carbon negative diamond! They work with some of the world’s best artisan diamond cutters to create the most beautiful cuts in a range of sizes that have an internationally accredited diamond certification, but instead of coming from the ground…they come from the sky. They take atmospheric carbon from the sky and then liquify and purify it. They then take rainwater and split it and take the hydrogen, which they then fuse together with the CO2 to create methane to feed into their Diamond Mills. Inside these Mills they grow their Skydiamonds from tiny diamond seeds. The process is truly incredible, we highly recommend you read about it in detail here. Skydiamond offer made to order diamond rings that are delivered within 6 weeks once you place your order. Whether you are thinking of proposing or want to gift your significant other a beautiful diamond ring, Skydiamond lets you easily customize your ring online. You can pick your shape, color, clarity, and cut of your diamond to pair with one of their 18ct or platinum settings.

Luckily they also have stunning pendant necklaces and earrings that are ready for delivery now, so you don’t have to wait weeks for something beautiful for your significant other. These pieces are available in a range of prices and styles, so there really is something for everyone!

Feldspar Studio

A home objects and pottery line founded by Cath and Jeremy Brown, who create objects for life from their Devon studio. They make everything using a method called ‘slip casting’ – pouring liquid clay into plaster moulds. Mould making and industrial bone china production are all listed as critically endangered crafts by the Heritage Crafts Association in the UK. All production is local.

Renue the Label

Designed in London by Riley Uggla, Olivia Dowie and Lucy Watson, Renue is a sustainable lingerie line that uses organic, plant based fabrics for all their intimates with TENCEL™ Lyocel.  They work with an OEKO-TEX certified factory, working with 100% local workforce, free of child labour and in a safe and positive working environment. Their commitment to sustainability both socially and environmentally matches that of Renue. The perfect basics.

Allwina

ALLWINA is an ethical home decor brand that was born to promote appreciation for and foster excellence in South American textile crafts. They are creating art at the service of the triple impact, driving economic growth, social equality and environmental sustainability, and facilitating access to its consumption in Europe. ALLWINA aims to be a home for the celebration of crafts and people behind them and guarantees transparency, ethical production practices, fair trade and end-to-end reliability.

Milou Milou

Moored in design and sustainability, MILOU MILOU is an inclusive brand founded in 2019 as a made to order, pure flax linen, Oeko-Tex® certified bedding. The pieces themselves are also compostable and 100% of Milou Milou linens are sourced as end-of-line or deadstock fabrics that would otherwise end up in landfill. They have partnered with Greenfleet to measure and make additional contributions to native Australian reforestation, offsetting across import and general business operations.