Issue Nº 503

Thursday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• Moving away from fast furniture

• How to green your holiday party

• Want to shop sustainably this holiday season?

• Starting a community garden

True or False?

Mangrove forests store up to 10 times more carbon than terrestrial forests.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Spruce Up Your Home While Avoiding Fast Furniture

By now, many of us are all too aware of the concept of fast fashion: Cheaply made clothes that are terrible for the planet. But when it comes to the tables, chairs, and other furniture that decorate our houses, many of us overlook the fact that they may be easy on our wallets, but come with an environmental cost. 

All this furniture creates a truly unimaginable amount of waste - more than 12 million tons in the US every year - either because its lackluster quality means it isn’t designed to last for long, or because people throw it away once they’re ready to upgrade. Plus, all that wood means there is a saddening amount of deforestation that can be attributed to fast furniture.

It’s time to move away from fast furniture, and while doing so, you can find some unique pieces that will truly make your house feel like a home. Here’s how:

1. Start With Your Mindset

If you’re looking to save money, cheap furniture seems like the obvious choice - especially if you’re renting or don’t think you’re going to be in a place permanently. But while this may be inexpensive in the short term, it leads to a trail of waste that will follow you from apartment to apartment. Instead, try to choose furniture you’ll love to own for the long run.

2. Choose Better Materials

Stay away from plastic and fibreboard. If you’re going to choose wood furniture, opt for those that are sourced from the U.S., where the risk of illegal logging is low. Well-made metal furniture is also a great choice for longevity, but thin, hollow metal will easily break or corrode.

3. Take Care of It

Make the effort to look after your furniture, and it’ll last longer. If accidents (spilled wine or a breakage, say) happen, it’s more than likely it can be fixed with some reupholstering, repair, or varnishing.

3. Look to the Past

Well-made second-hand furniture that’s still in circulation is a great and sustainable choice for decorating your home, and it can also be cheap if you’re prepared to do some digging. Check out garage sales, vintage furniture stores, and eBay. 

Green Your Holiday Party With These Eco-Friendly Tips

This holiday season, why not make your party as sustainable as it is festive?

• You can create a cozy atmosphere with natural decorations—think pinecones, dried flowers, or even upcycled ornaments from last year.

• When it comes to food, focus on local, seasonal ingredients and compost any scraps to keep the planet happy. Skip the disposable plates and cups, and opt for reusable or compostable alternatives that add a touch of elegance.

• For a personal touch, instead of traditional party favors, treat your guests to something meaningful, like a small plant or homemade goodies. And, to keep the energy festive but eco-friendly, use LED candles and lower the thermostat while encouraging cozy sweaters.

• Digital invites are a fun way to save paper, and at the end of the night, help reduce waste by sending guests home with leftovers in reusable containers.

With just a few thoughtful touches, your holiday party will be full of cheer, good company, and a lighter impact on the planet!

Want to Shop Sustainably This Holiday Season? 🎁

This holiday season, give the gift of sustainability with our hand-picked eco-friendly gifts from our 2024 Gift Guide! Whether for a nature lover or someone passionate about making a positive environmental impact, we’ve got the perfect picks that are kind to the planet and guaranteed to delight.

Check out a few of The Canopy’s top gifts for 2024:

🌍 Upway Bikes – Looking for the ultimate green gift? Give the gift of adventure with a certified pre-owned e-Bike from Upway! These eco-friendly bikes let you explore the outdoors in style—perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying nature. 🚲

🌿 BloomsyBox – Brighten someone’s day with fresh, ethically harvested flowers! BloomsyBox partners directly with eco-friendly farms, bringing sustainable beauty straight to your door. The perfect way to bring nature into any home, all while supporting responsible farming.

🌏 Why wait for the perfect gift? Explore our full gift guide with exclusive deals on eco-friendly gifts for everyone on your list! 🌱

Shop our 2024 Gift Guide Now!

Starting Your Own Community Garden

A community garden can provide you with access to fresh fruit and vegetables, even in the middle of a busy, concrete city. You might not have a garden of your own, but by joining forces with your neighbors, even a small green space can provide an abundance of healthy food as well as a sanctuary for local wildlife. These gardens are cultivated by a group of community members who split the fruits of their labor. Here’s how to go about starting one:

1. Find the Right Spot

You can’t have a garden without soil! Look around your local area for a suitable patch of land. It should have water access close by, decent soil, and of course, be available for rent or to buy. 

2. Get a Team Onboard

Now that you’ve got somewhere to plant your garden, you need to get a team together to get to work on the soil. Try asking around in your community, and putting up posters in coffee shops or community centers. Once you have a group of keen gardeners, be sure to draw up a Rules and Agreements document so people know what their roles and responsibilities are as part of the garden.

3. Find the Funds

While you’ll reap the rewards of a community garden later down the line, it’ll take some pretty substantial funds for all the tools, maintenance, and insurance you’ll need. You can fundraise this from your community with bake sales or similar events, but you should also look into grants or corporate sponsorship.

4. Decide What to Plant

When figuring out what to grow in your community garden, you’ll need to consider the available sunlight, the local climate, and the condition of the soil. Plus, you’ll need to ask your fellow gardeners what they’d like to eat!

5. Start Planting

Now it’s time to get your hands dirty! Divide the site up into plots and get busy planting your fruit and vegetables. In the coming months, you’ll have a rich harvest of food to divide between your group, and might even have leftovers to share with the community.

Reflections:

• 🌎 True or False: True, mangrove forests store up to 10 times more carbon than terrestrial forests.

• 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured in next Wednesday's newsletter!