Conscious News Roundup - June 2024

Whew, there goes half the year! Lots to celebrate from last month as Sports, Fashion, Delivery and Retail all take leaps forward towards building a better tomorrow…

“New balls, please”, says the International Tennis Federation ahead of Wimbledon

At this year's Wimbledon tournament over 50,000 new tennis balls will be used and discarded. These balls will even be refrigerated to keep them in prime condition, but Tennis could soon see a significant shift in sustainability as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) explores new, eco-friendly ball designs. The ITF has developed a prototype tennis ball without a fabric cover, aiming to replace the conventional rubber and felt balls with a more environmentally friendly option. With hundreds of millions of tennis balls used annually, the current recycling challenges necessitate this innovative approach.

A dedicated working group involving the ITF and manufacturers focuses on assessing the new ball’s CO2 emissions, performance, and practicality. The ITF is also considering rule changes to extend the lifespan of balls and reduce the frequency of ball changes during matches. This proactive approach aims to stimulate innovation in the industry, setting a positive example for sustainability in sports, a topic that we can’t get enough of!

Source: BBC

Could Hydrogen be the new energy solution? All-electric Extreme E is now Extreme H

All-electric off-roading is evolving as Extreme E transitions to Extreme H, the first-ever hydrogen motorsport series. Known for their pioneering spirit, the Extreme team, who introduced the first carbon-neutral motorsport series and gender-equal teams, now unveils the hydrogen-powered Pioneer 25. This robust vehicle, capable of scaling gradients of up to 130% and reaching 100 kph in 4.5 seconds, signifies a leap in sustainable racing technology. Extreme H, set to begin in 2025 with races across the UK, Germany, and the USA, aims to highlight hydrogen’s role in the future of energy. This initiative not only revolutionises motorsport but also emphasises the broader potential of hydrogen in combating climate change and advancing renewable energy solutions. They want to use racing to drive innovation in Hydrogen technology in much the same way Formula One has done for road going vehicles!

Source: SKY Sports

Stella McCartney adds her voice to Feather Free Fashion

Sustainability advocate Stella McCartney has taken a stand against using feathers in fashion, urging international designers to join her in signing PETA’s Feather-Free Pledge. This move follows PETA's exposé on the cruel realities of the feather industry. Through a series of social media videos, McCartney aims to educate her millions of followers about the inhumane treatment of birds and inspire the fashion industry to adopt vegan materials that replicate the properties of feathers.?

Her Autumn 2024 collection features BioPuff, a sustainable material made from bulrushes that enhances wetland regeneration, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports biodiversity. Alongside McCartney, designers such as Felder Felder, Eirinn Hayhow, and Richard Malone have already committed to the pledge, embracing luxurious faux feathers made from bamboo, recycled materials, and metals. This collective effort signals a significant shift towards ethical and environmentally friendly fashion practices spearheaded by a pioneer we love who walks the talk when it comes to sustainability on and off the runways!

Source: Apparel Resources

Evri invests ￡19m in sustainability to electrify last mile delivery

Parcel delivery company Evri is accelerating its rollout of e-cargo bikes, aiming to expand its fleet from 33 to 99 within the year, with a goal of reaching 3,000 bikes over the next decade. This initiative is part of a larger ￡19 million investment in sustainability, positioning Evri to have the UK's largest e-cargo bike fleet for parcel delivery. Currently, Evri operates e-cargo bikes in London, Bristol, Oxford, and Cambridge, delivering 1.5 million parcels annually by bike or EV, with plans to increase this to 4 million next year. Each bike can deliver around 110 parcels per trip, producing no tailpipe emissions, and saving up to 250g of carbon per delivery.

Martijn De Lange, CEO of Evri, emphasised the company's commitment to reimagining parcel deliveries and becoming the sector's largest operator of e-cargo bikes. This initiative has already contributed to a 9% reduction in carbon emissions since last year. A 2022 study highlighted the potential benefits of e-cargo bikes for van drivers and fleet operators, though infrastructure concerns remain. Evri's broader sustainability team has achieved a 21% carbon reduction per parcel for the financial year 2023/24, with emissions now down to 370g per parcel. Here’s to more companies delivering the goods when it comes to sustainability!

Source: E-Bike Tips

M&S launches clothing repair service for the first time

Recent M&S data reveals only 10% of people feel confident repairing clothing, while 60% want more carbon footprint-reducing services. Starting in August, the "M&S fixed by SOJO'' hub will allow consumers to extend the life of their M&S clothing. This initiative is part of M&S's Plan A roadmap to promote circular economy practices and follows a successful garment donation program with Oxfam.

Customers can schedule custom repairs, such as knitwear and zip fixes, via an online hub, with repairs starting at ￡5 and items returned within seven to ten days. Richard Price, Managing Director of Clothing & Home at M&S, said, “Through our repair service, we’re making it easier for customers to give their clothes another life, whether using our new repair service or our clothes recycling scheme.”

Source: Apparel Resources

Each month, we underscore the breadth and depth of efforts towards a more conscious future. From the sports arena to corporate commitments and regulatory milestones, each development highlights progress in our collective journey. Join us next month for more updates on the latest positive strides to a sustainable future!