Etsy’s Post

How do you merchandise your trade stands? I see sooooo much plastic and poorly designed 'stuff', and it breaks my heart as I walk around an expo. Those that no me, know that I like doing things differently. And having worked at Stitch for the past few years, I know that's its possible to drive towards circular exhibition stands. After begging and borrowing merchandise for the past 18 months, for Amplify Goods | Certified SE and Diverse Owned, it was time to buy our own, especially as we are at the NEC - National Exhibition Centre next week with Social Enterprise UK. Here's what we do: 1. Start with the vision...natural 2. Try and find examples and their product names...wooden cake stands and birch bark plant pots (both for product plinths) 3. Search for local 2nd hand options....er, fail. 4. Find eco alternatives. For most stuff like this for home and work, 2nd hand wins, with minimal shipping carbon. Where we can't, instead of buying new products, our decision is to buy from local social enterprises, in this case, local sustainable wood products. Instead of endless listings on ebay for wooden stuff with no origin info AT ALLLLL. Big shout out to Martin from Sladebank Woods CIC. https://lnkd.in/ecS7GPyU ps. yes, I like bright yellow on a rainy April day apparently! #sustainable #local #socialenterprise

How do you merchandise your trade stands? I see sooooo much plastic and poorly designed 'stuff', and it breaks my heart as I walk around an expo. Those that no me, know that I like doing things differently. And having worked at Stitch for the past few years, I know that's its possible to drive towards circular exhibition stands. After begging and borrowing merchandise for the past 18 months, for Amplify Goods | Certified SE and Diverse Owned, it was time to buy our own, especially as we are at the NEC - National Exhibition Centre next week with Social Enterprise UK. Here's what we do: 1. Start with the vision...natural 2. Try and find examples and their product names...wooden cake stands and birch bark plant pots (both for product plinths) 3. Search for local 2nd hand options....er, fail. 4. Find eco alternatives. For most stuff like this for home and work, 2nd hand wins, with minimal shipping carbon. Where we can't, instead of buying new products, our decision is to buy from local social enterprises, in this case, local sustainable wood products. Instead of endless listings on ebay for wooden stuff with no origin info AT ALLLLL. Big shout out to Martin from Sladebank Woods CIC. https://lnkd.in/ecS7GPyU ps. yes, I like bright yellow on a rainy April day apparently! #sustainable #local #socialenterprise

Embrace the art of conscious gifting with our exclusively curated Eco-friendly hamper, tailored for those who value sustainability. Each meticulously crafted item is a testament to our commitment – not a single tree was sacrificed in the creation of these handmade treasures. Immerse yourself in the warmth of love and joy, meticulously infused into every product with boundless passion. Our packaging echoes this commitment, embracing an eco-friendly design. Beyond the tangible, this gift is a radiant exchange – a gesture that transcends mere transactions. Choose more than just a present; choose to share a smile. Your purchase is not just a transaction; it’s a contribution to a world of sustainable joy. Gift with purpose, gift with heart. #sustainability #sustainabalehamper #corporategifting #handmadegifts #ecofriendlygiftwrapping #ecofriendlygift #surprisesomeone #pinkymaheshwari

You Are What U Wear (YAWUW) Penneys announced yesterday, profits of £1,500,000,000stg, yes, one point five billion pounds sterling. These profits stem largely from selling clothes that are seen by some customers, as almost a single use item. This is the "say/do gap", where people say that they want to live sustainably, but also want a new outfit every weekend. This is just not sustainable, on any level. On the other hand we have clothing designers and manufacturers like YAWUW, who spend all their time and resources, creating clothes that are genuinely sustainable. They source polyester made from plastic bottles retrieved from our oceans. They use wool that is 100% recycled. They source recycled materials for all their packaging. They create and manufacture locally. This is the future. Our new re-commerce platform StyleBarn.ie is delighted to collaborate with YAWUW and Angela O'Donnell BA (Hons) and to be selling her beautifully designed and made, throws. These throws are made from recycled wool that would otherwise have been wasted. Each throw uses 1620 metres of recycled woollen yarn and is ethically made in Europe. YAWUW aims to divert a million metres of this recycled yarn, away from landfill, in 2023. This is the kind of company, that we need to be supporting. A company that is part of the solution, not part of the problem. YAWUW design and manufacture in Cork, Ireland, for a world market, using 100% recycled, or organic materials. We all like buying new things, we just need to think about buying things that are new to us. Stylebarn is an online retail platform that promotes the premise of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, without compromising on the style bit! (Brought to you by Richard and Mairead Jacob, previously of Idaho, Cork.) stylebarn.ie #sustainablefashion #sustainablefabrics #recycledmaterials #AW23 #stylebarn #fashion #scarf #throw #onfleek #clothing #recommerce #reducereuserecycle

Did you know that as we all strive to reduce our carbon footprint and make more eco-friendly choices, one simple yet impactful step we can take is embracing the world of secondhand shopping whether it's clothing, electronics, furniture, or books. Here are a few reasons you should consider secondhand shopping: 1️⃣ It’s a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle approach which helps us minimize the demand for new production and lessen the strain on our planet's resources. 2️⃣ Secondhand doesn't mean second-rate, you can find high-quality items at a fraction of the cost, saving your hard-earned cash while still enjoying great finds. 3️⃣ Every time we choose secondhand, we're voting for a more sustainable future. It's a small action that collectively makes a big difference. So, on this Day 26/30 of the #ECO30Impacts Challenge, let's commit to rethinking our shopping habits and consider the positive impact we can make by choosing secondhand products. Together, let's build a more sustainable and eco-conscious world, starting with our purchases. #SustainableLiving #SecondhandFinds #ReduceReuseRecycle

Do You Upcycle Old Items or Discard Them? Growing up in the Soviet Union, I remember my parents storing all old and broken items in case they could be reused in the future. To be honest, they still do it. My mindset of finding new uses for things has always stayed with me. Upcycling - the process of transforming old materials or products into new ones of higher quality or value - is having a real moment right now. Major brands like Patagonia, Freitag, and Southwestern Airlines are creating new products from recycled materials like old raincoats, truck tarps, and airplane seat covers. Even luxury brands like Hermes and Salvatore Ferragamo are upcycling leftover fabrics and accessories. The appeal of upcycled goods is growing rapidly. Etsy listings tagged as "upcycled" have increased from 7,900 in 2010 to about 200,000 today. Hundreds of DIY IKEA upcycling projects on Pinterest show how consumers are extending the life of IKEA furniture through creative repurposing. As a business leader, I think upcycling presents an opportunity to reduce waste from production while developing more interesting and attractive products. Consumers are increasingly concerned about sustainability and want to support brands with purpose. Taking a fresh look at how leftover materials can be reused upstream could unlock new revenue streams while benefiting the environment. What are your thoughts? Did you reuse something recently? I built the wood fire storage from IKEA bed :) #upcycling #secondlife #environment

We love the thrifting trend and how retailers are realizing this needs to be a part of their product assortment to build a sustainable future! Retailers big and small see that thrift shopping offers consumers a chance to exercise their creativity and make outfits that are uniquely them. When considering how to implement this eco-friendly practice in your stores, there is inspiration all around. Anthropolgie, for example, has been using recycled fabric in their blue jeans and upcycled material in their couches. There are endless ways to make your brand more green, but if you feel stuck, thrifting and upcycling are always great paths to explore! 👖 Image Credits: Anthropologie, Pexels Learn More About Upcycling: https://lnkd.in/g4WE6Jns

Upcycling old denim is a clever way to turn your worn-out jeans into new and useful items. In 2023, there are exciting ideas for repurposing denim, such as creating pillows, baskets, wall art, rugs, bags, and table runners. These DIY projects not only save you money but also benefit the environment by reducing waste. Upcycling allows you to add a personal touch to your living space while practicing sustainability. It's an opportunity to be creative and make a positive impact by giving your old jeans a fresh purpose. Whether it's adding denim pillows for a cozy living room or crafting a denim rug for your floor, upcycling is a smart and eco-friendly choice. #Upcycling #DIYProjects #RepurposeDenim #SustainableLiving #CreativeReuse #ReduceReuseRecycle #EcoFriendlyCrafts #DenimDecor #HandmadeHome #GreenLiving

Still thinking twice about Thrifting? Here are the top 5 ways in which Thrifting embodies conscious shopping in multiple ways: 1. Extending Product Lifespan: By purchasing pre-loved items, thrifting reduces the demand for new production, thus minimizing the environmental impact associated with manufacturing processes such as water usage, energy consumption, and carbon emissions. 2. Reducing Waste: Thrifting helps divert clothing from landfills, contributing to waste reduction. Instead of discarding clothing that's still in good condition, thrifting allows items to find new homes and prolong their use. 3. Promoting Circular Economy: Thrifting supports the principles of a circular economy by keeping items in circulation for as long as possible. This reduces the need for new resources and supports a more sustainable consumption model. 4. Affordable and Accessible: Thrifting provides an affordable alternative to purchasing new items, making sustainable fashion accessible to a wider range of people. It allows individuals to shop consciously without breaking the bank. 5. Unique Style and Personal Expression: Thrifting offers a diverse range of styles and pieces, allowing shoppers to express their individuality while reducing the environmental footprint of their wardrobe. It encourages creativity in styling and promotes a more diverse fashion landscape. #thrifting #thriftstore #thrift