The past two seasons in Ibiza have been quieter than usual. With the clubs shut, the party masses have stayed away. The silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic was that the reduced number of tourists to Ibiza over the past two years gave the island’s sensitive ecosystem a much-needed break. With a local population of just 152,000, the island on average welcomes 3 million visitors a year during peak season from May to October. This places the island’s land, water, and ecosystems under serious pressure.\n\nIn a similar vein to how the Eavis family - owners of the Glastonbury festival site in Somerset - give the land a breather to recover every four years, Ibiza was able to rejuvenate during the past two years of downtime. According to analysis from local environmental body IbizaPreservation, CO2 emissions on the island dropped a staggering 98% during the first lockdown between March and May 2020. Residents reported that the water was looking cleaner and local wildlife including dolphins, rare birds, and even turtles nesting on the beaches were seen to be flourishing.\n\nBut unlike Glastonbury, Ibiza can’t take a breather every few years, and much of the island’s economy depends on the tourist season. As the island prepares to welcome hordes of tourists for this summer when the clubs open again, demand for eco-friendly hotels for sustainably-minded tourists is at an all-time high. Ibiza is a leader in sustainable tourism and favored for its Agrotourismo – farms with accommodation. Strict planning laws also mean that any new hotel developments must adhere to certain sustainability criteria. Sustainability is seriously important to us at Lick, and so is enjoying a good holiday. So, we’ve rounded up the top five options for an eco-friendly holiday on the White Isle.

Since opening more than twenty years ago, 12-bedroom luxury boutique hotel and organic farm \nCas Gasi\n has dedicated itself to sustainability. Nestled deep in a terracotta-soiled valley near celebrity hangout Santa Gertrudis, the small hotel is based in a cozy 19th-century farmhouse which has been restored by its owners by embracing true Ibiza style, including mismatched upcycled furniture and paintings by local artists. The grounds are home to more than 450 olive trees and the hotel has introduced even more measures to improve their ambitious environmental targets ahead of the summer 2022 season.\n\nOwner Margaret von Korff has recently re-designed the vegetable garden to a ‘no-dig’ system. This is all about feeding the soil, not the plants. It leaves the soil undisturbed so that organisms can work and multiply organically. The organic produce that is grown on the land goes from farm-to-table and is farmed using clean working habits by going back to basics and using simple brooms and pruning methods with scissors. All of the hotel’s vehicles are electric and there are plenty of charging points on site for guests to charge their electric cars – perfect for zipping to one of the island’s nearby beaches.

\nOKU Ibiza\n on the Western side of the island - near party-hub San Antonio - is another new addition to Ibiza’s luxe hotel line-up. The 189-bedroom hotel opened last year and offers a laid-back, 70’s bohemian appeal. Designed by the hotel’s in-house design team and with local architecture firm MG&AG Arquitectos, OKU’s rooms use minimal earth tones, embracing the Japanese design philosophy of wabi-sabi, which is all about connecting to the earth with the use of natural materials. There’s plenty of oak, rattan, hessian, and stone featured throughout the property – all classic Ibiza textures that blend easily into the island’s environment.\n\nAs a recent hotel development, OKU has had to meet strict sustainability criteria. The hotel tracks its energy usage by using LED technology throughout, as well as motion sensor lights in all public areas. The hotel was designed with a wooden façade which helps to naturally control the climate and keep temperatures cool throughout the property. All of the furniture used in the hotel has been handmade using organic materials and the spa uses local ingredients for all of its holistic treatments.

Opening a hotel in the middle of a pandemic was a brave thing to do, but \nSix Senses\n has already become a popular choice for both holiday makers and locals looking to explore its stunning facilities since opening last year. Designed by architect and developer Jonathan Leitersdorf and set in the quieter North of the island at Xarraca Bay, Six Senses has set the bar high in its combination of luxury facilities with a strong sustainable ethos. The hotel features 116 rooms, including cave suites that have been built into the cliffs – perfect for those not yet ready to shake their troglodyte tendencies post-lockdown.\nAs well as farm-to-table dining and a sustainable fashion boutique, Six Senses is also powered by its own renewable energy source and has ambitious zero-waste and zero single-use plastic targets. There’s also a 400-year-old olive press on-site, where guests can take part in growing organic produce. It is the first resort in the Balearic Islands to receive a BREEAM certification – one of the world’s leading assessments of sustainability in the built environment.

As you thread through the valley on windy dirt roads to find this secluded spot in the center of the island, when you reach \nCan Lluc\n there is no doubt that you are getting away from it all. Owned and managed by husband and wife Tina Soriano and Lucas Prats, Can Lluc offers a family-friendly sustainable holiday. Set in an estate dotted with thousand-year-old pine, carob, fig, and olive trees, the hotel was originally Lucas Prats’ grandfather's home and was converted by the couple in 2000 with local architect José Torres.\nIts laid-back style using neutral tones blends well with the countryside around it. Rooms feature stone walls and juniper wood ceilings from the original house, and many of the former tools from the farm have been upcycled as decorative pieces.  Can Lluc comprises of twelve rooms, eight villas, a pool, spa, and restaurant serving organic island staples. While you feel like you’re deep in the countryside, local village San Rafael is just a five-minute drive away. In March the hotel won an award for its sustainable efforts, which include offering responsible cosmetic products, supporting local biodiversity and the natural habitat, offering electric charging points for cars, recycling all its waste, and being single-use plastic-free.

\nCan Jaume\n is another gem in Ibiza’s Agrotourismo offerings. The 15-bed hotel on the outskirts of Ibiza town was originally a dairy farm, and although the cows have long since gone, many of the original features of the farm remain in a charming combination of rustic and modern design. The décor is subtle and compliments the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside which creates a soothing atmosphere.\n\nThe hotel offers all of its customers free chargers for electric cars, filters all of its own water so it is drinkable, has a strict recycling policy as well as banning single-use plastics. The hotel is surrounded by 2,500 orange trees which are an intrinsic part of Ibiza’s biodiversity, and the fruits are used to provide guests with fresh orange juice. Just 3km away from Ibiza town, Can Jaume offers a rural retreat on the doorstep of Ibiza’s bustling port offering the best of both worlds for sustainably-minded holiday-makers.\n\nAnd it’s not just Ibiza’s hotels that are adopting a sustainable approach. Check out Lick’s picks of \nLondon’s 6 best eco-friendly hotels\n. While it’s important that hotels are beginning to focus more of their operations towards sustainable approaches, these are not just habits that we should be adopting when we stay somewhere else, but are all things that we should be doing at home and in our everyday lives.

In the consumer marketplace, it can be really difficult to separate the brands doing good from the brands claiming to do good. We are the sum of our actions, after all, so we thought we’d share 10 sustainable brands that are making big strides to change in the industry in which they operate. From reusable deodorants to an internet search engine that will plant a tree every time you look something up, these are the sustainable brands currently on our watch list.\n\nBy rotation\nMore than just a clothing rental app, \nBy Rotation\n is a platform where you can rent, lend, buy and sell designer fashion at a fraction of the retail price. The older sister that doesn’t mind your rummaging through her closet, their motto is, “what’s mine is yours”. A community-led, eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion, there is even an option to donate proceeds from wardrobe rentals to your chosen charity.

HAIRSTORY \nWith the aim to give the haircare industry a good old clean, \nHAIRSTORY\n creates small-batch products that are 100% biodegradable and free from detergents or harmful chemicals that would otherwise end up down your drain. You can choose between recyclable pouches are refillable bottles, both reducing carbon emissions by up to 76% when compared to regular plastic bottle shampoos. Plus, a portion of their profits is donated to water conservation NGOs.\n\nPatagonia\nThe gold standard for big-brand sustainability, \nPatagonia\n received the UN Champion of the Earth award thanks to its environmental efforts and commitments to sustainability. They offer a free repairs service on almost all items and even ran a campaign recommending customers ‘\nDon’t Buy This Jacket\n’. For an in-depth look at the story behind the brand, take a read of founder Yvon Chouinard’s best-selling book, \nLet My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman\n.

TALA \nLargely made from synthetic fabrics, athleisurewear is one of the biggest pollutants in the fashion industry. Not \nTala\n. This UK-based company uses upcycled and eco-friendly materials like bamboo, wood pulp, and Q-Nova (a fabric using regenerated waste materials) to create comfortable and long-lasting athleisurewear, designed to fit \nevery\n body. What’s more, their packaging is recyclable and their labels are plantable.\n\nWho Give A Crap\nMade from sustainably sourced bamboo, switching to \nWho Gives A Crap\n means one less thing to worry about flushing down your loo. Founded when owners Simon, Danny, and Jehan learned that globally over 2.4 billion people don’t have access to toilet paper (make that 2 billion, thanks to their efforts). To date, they’ve donated over £6,000,000 to charities including Water For People, Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor, and Splash. Plus they’re the best-looking rolls of toilet paper we’ve seen to date.

ecosia \nPlant trees whilst you Google? Sorry, whilst you \nEcosia\n? A search engine that donates 80% of its profits towards reforestation NGOs across the globe, at the time of writing they have planted over 147,368,421 trees globally. But this number is climbing by the second. However, it’s not just about what they as a company have achieved, they’ll let you know how many trees your online searches have planted. If ever there was an excuse to get stuck in a Wikipedia wormhole…\n\nWild \nAn all-natural deodorant, \nWild\n is free from nasties like aluminum and aerosols. Its reusable, compostable, and plastic-free plus it comes in a range of fragrances from fresh cotton to candyfloss. Plus, for every deodorant they sell, a percentage of the profits goes to ‘On a Mission’s reforestation projects.

Sojo\nIf you’re like us, you’ll have a bag of clothes sitting in the corner of your wardrobe bound for the tailor “when you get round to it”. \nSojo\n makes getting round to it that bit easier. Connecting you with local tailors, Sojo’s fleet of cyclists will pick up and drop off your garments, usually within five days. Championing that long-forgotten ‘make do and mend’ attitude, it’s the antidote to fast fashion.
\nThe Common Good Company\nWe’re always wary of a company that claims they’re doing everything just right, so \nThe Common Good Company\n’s mantra of ‘Better, not perfect’ chimes with us. That said, they received the highest possible rating on the sustainability directory, \nGood On You\n (our go-to tool for finding sustainable fashion brands) so they must be doing something right. Designing comfy casuals made from recycled materials they reuse all their offcuts and minimize the use of chemicals and water in production. A label you can be proud to show off.

Bettercup\nThe world of toiletries tends to be a disposable one, but companies like \nBettercup\n are trying to change that, for the better. Whilst there are a number of reusable sanitary wear products out there, we think theirs is one of the best. Made from re-usable silicone, they’re not just about making the world of sanitary products a more sustainable one, but a more accessible one too. That’s why for every cup you buy they will donate one to the many charities that they support, like Irida Women’s Centre in Greece (a safe place for refugee, migrant, and local women) and PERIOD, a movement focused on eradicating period poverty.

We hope these sustainable brands help you create a more eco-friendly, waste-less home. Check out these \n7 eco-friendly home decor ideas\n or our picks of the \nbest zero-waste supermarkets\n.

Urban living and sustainability don’t always go hand-in-hand. So, when we’re exploring the concrete jungle we want to do it in the most environmentally conscious way possible. That’s why, be it on land or by water, we’re sharing our guide to the best environmentally-friendly activities in London so that you can discover the city with a clear conscience. \n\nExplore on foot \nLocations across London \nWhat could be more environmentally friendly than exploring the city on foot? Whatever your niche, \nLondon Walks\n has the tour for you. From Dickens’ London to the Beatles’ London—see the city through a new perspective. And up your step count whilst you’re at it. \n\nDiscover the city’s canals\nLocations across London \nGo electric with \nGo Boat\n and explore London’s waterways without contributing to their pollution. London’s first self-drive (yup, you read that right), electric boating company, you can be the captain of your own ship as you get behind the wheel and discover the city’s canals at your own pace. From the Docklands, Little Venice to Hampton Court embarkations run from East to West of the Thames.

Catch a carbon-neutral theatre show \n24 Ashwin Street, E8 3DL\nLess West End, more East End, Dalston’s \nArcola Theatre\n is committed to being the world’s first carbon-neutral theatre: solar panels, LED lights, and a heating system fuelled by scrap wood all contribute to this. Mixing the local, the national, and the international its roster of events champions inclusive and sustainably-minded events. Acknowledging that the cost of theatre can be prohibitive, they operate a ‘pay what you can’ scheme on Tuesday evenings.\n
\nTry your hand at being a farmhand \nLocation: 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA\nA city farm just around the corner from Columbia Road Flower Market, \nHackney City Farm\n is a bucolic oasis in an urban setting. Home to ponies, donkeys, sheep, pigs, and lots more their modus operandi is to help city dwellers learn about food, nature, and the environment. It also boasts a long list of activities and workshops, from pottery and painting to woodwork and bike maintenance. 

Learn how to cook the zero-waste way\nLocation\n: 15b Little Portland Street London W1W 8BW\nTouted as London’s ‘most sustainable’ cookery school, \nCookery School\n offers classes in more than the art of cooking, but how to do so without wasting. According to statistics, we each throw away almost 50kg worth of food annually. Cookery School teaches you how to make delicious food out of these ingredients that would otherwise be scrapped. What’s more, 100% of the energy used in the kitchens is renewable, and single-use plastics are banned—naturally.\n\nVisit London’s parks \nLocations across London \nBe they \nRoyal Parks\n or public gardens, London is home to 35,000 acres of parkland (equating to 40% of its total area) making it the greenest capital city in the world. From boating along \nHyde Park\n’s Serpentine, catching a play at \nRegent Park\n’s open-air theatre (May to September), \nHampstead Heath\n’s swimming ponds to urban gardening at \nEdible Landscapes\n in Finsbury Park—there is an abundance of enjoyable \nand\n eco-friendly activities to be found in the capital’s parks.

Visit a cinema that makes a difference\nLocation\n: 194b Chamberlayne Road, NW10 3JU\nNot only does \nThe Lexi Cinema\n have an impressive list of showings from indie films to box office smashes, but 100% of the profits go directly to The Sustainability Institute. Supporting training in ecological methods for local farmers, replanting of indigenous trees, as well as youth programs, it uses the natural world to help teach. Oh, and on Mondays at 11 am you’ll find baby-friendly screenings for carers and parents. \n\nGet across town on two wheels \nMeeting point: platforms 1 & 2, Waterloo train station. \nWhether you’re jumping on a Boris bike or nipping across town with \nBrakeaway Bike Tours\n, on two wheels is by far one of the most eco-friendly ways to explore the city. More often than not it’s quicker than driving and much more fun than the tube, choose from the Grand London or Secret London bike tours, or book your own bespoke private guided tour.

If you liked our green guide to London’s best eco-friendly activities, then why not take a look at our picks of \nLondon's best eco-friendly homeware shops\n, \neco-friendly bars and restaurants\n, \nzero-waste supermarkets\n, and \neco-friendly hotels\n.

We’re all about using our online presence as a force for good. Whether it’s sharing \nthe best zero-waste supermarkets\n or \nLondon’s best eco-friendly hotels\n, wherever possible we aim to make living sustainably that little bit easier. As do these sustainability creators. From plant-based advocates to going plastic-free, however big or small, these are the people making a difference on the road to a more sustainable lifestyle. \n\nPoppy Okotcha\nAn ecological home grower when she’s not off foraging, @\npoppyokotcha\n is teaching us how to create an edible and medicinal garden. An ambassador for \nNature is a Human Right\n, her Instagram is filled with useful how-tos and gardening inspiration. Check out her \nwebsite\n to sign up for her newsletter.\n\nWhy follow them? \nA big believer in gardening for small spaces Poppy says you can grow a garden’s worth of vegetables in just one planter.

Alice Aedy\nCo-founder of @\nearthrise.studio\n, @\naliceaedy\n is a documentary photographer, filmmaker, and campaigner focused on telling human stories of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis, refugee crisis, and the fight for women’s rights. A creative storyteller striving for a better future, her work has taken her across the globe, from COP26 to the Amazon rainforest.
\nWhy follow them? \nHer realistic approach to climate change: “If everyone had to be perfect, we would have a very small movement.”

Jack & Finn Harries\nBrothers @\nfinnharries\n and @\njackharries\n make up the other two-thirds of the @\nearthrise.studio\n team (alongside Alice Aedy). Together, this trio have become a force to be reckoned with amongst the climate activist community.\n\nWhy follow them? \nThey are currently working alongside @careorg to fundraise money for those affected by the Ukraine refugee crisis.

Madeleine Olivia\nAuthor of ‘Minimal: How to simplify your life’ @\nmadeleineolivia\n shares advice on how to live more simply and sustainably—all from her cozy little cottage in Cornwall. \n\nWhy follow them? \nFor the natural DIY cleaning tips and low-waste vegan recipes.

Flora Beverley \nCo-founder of Leo’s Box - a sustainable and cruelty-free, delivery box service - Flora Beverley, otherwise known as @\nfoodfitnessflora\n, made a name for herself as an ultra runner. When she’s not on the trail she’s advocating for life in the ‘slow living’ lane. Check out her \nblog\n for tips on sustainable gardening and creating a wildlife haven in your garden.\n\nWhy follow them? \nWatching her epic running videos will make you want to get up off the sofa and pick up your running shoes.

Max La Manna & Venetia La Manna \nThis husband-wife duo are making their voices heard in the climate crisis conversation. Whilst @\nmaxlamanna\n shares daily eco-friendly, low-waste vegan recipes (that \nactually\n look delicious), his wife @venetialamanna is a slow-fashion campaigner and the co-founder of @rememberwhomadethem - a platform advocating for a fair wage for garment workers. \n
\nWhy follow them? \nAside from the couples’ goals, we love their practical tips on how to live a more ethical and sustainable life.

Blue Ollis\nBrighton-based sustainability creator, @\nblueollis\n is all about a slow and intentional style of living. On her blog and YouTube channel, she shares vegan recipes, minimalism, zero-waste living, and holistic wellness.\n\nWhy follow them? \nWell, obviously we love her furniture upcycling tips.

Jazmine Rogers \nDescribing herself as a “sustainable baddie” Jazmine Rogers aka @\nthatcurlytop\n uses her colorful online platform to shout about slow fashion and advocate for social justice.\n\nWhy follow them? \nFor the ethical outfits and tips on how to quit fast fashion.

Kate\nSharing tips on how to live plastic-free Kate of @\nmy_plastic_free_home\n shares daily DIY tips (only not the ones you might expect). Less of a dab hand with a drill, she champions DIY cleaning, beauty, and homeware products.\n\nWhy follow them? \nIf only for the tip on how to remove sticky labels from jars once and for all. 

Greta Thunberg\nAnd finally, it would be remiss of us to mention individuals who’ve shaped the narrative of the climate crisis without mentioning @\ngretathunberg\n. Named as one of Time magazine's ‘100 most influential people’, she’s been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and has so far donated more than one million euros to charitable causes.\n\nWhy follow them?\n Because there’s something seriously satisfying when a 19-year old girl calls out world leaders—and they listen.

Find out how you can live more sustainably with the \n7 eco-friendly home decor ideas\n.

Sustainability is one of our top priorities. We are always looking for new ways to minimize our impact on the planet, as well as the latest \neco-friendly home decor ideas\n. One of the best places in the home to incorporate some eco-friendly life hacks is in the kitchen.
\nSustainable kitchen hack: ditch the plastic\nPlastic alternatives are on the up and it’s easier than ever - and more stylish – to use them. Swapping plastic containers for mason jars is a great step to embracing your own eco kitchen as well as being a fun décor hack too. You can buy jars online or in homeware stores and you can get refills at \nzero-waste supermarkets\n which continue to rise in popularity. We all know that plastic straws are a top polluter that will most likely end up in the ocean. Luckily, alternatives now come in multiple materials from bamboo to metal. They’re not expensive either, making it an affordable eco switch.

Sustainable kitchen hack: minimize food waste\nMinimizing food waste isn’t just better for the planet – it’s better for you and your wallet too. When you fail to plan ahead, you can often end up throwing out food. This isn’t ideal. The vegetables at the back of your fridge will judge you for it. Create a meal plan that’s easy to stick to and cook enough for leftovers. Avoid the temptation of a mid-week delivery when you know you already have food. If you do have food that’s going to waste, then think of repurposing or compositing it to keep your kitchen eco-friendly.

Sustainable kitchen hack: use eco-friendly cleaning products\nThere can be all kinds of nasties and harsh chemicals in cleaning products. Not to mention the plastic you buy and throw away with each item too. Switch to eco kitchen products instead. Many of these you can buy in re-fills too to help keep your plastic consumption down and save money.

Sustainable kitchen hack: grow your own vegetables and herbs\nWe know we’re quite obsessed with \nbiophilia\n at the moment, but plants in your kitchen that not only look good but you can eat too is the definition of sustainable living. Growing your own veggies and herbs is easy. If you don’t have outside space, don’t worry, a basil plant can thrive perfectly well on a windowsill.

Sustainable kitchen hack: recycle and upcycle\nInvest in a separate recycling bin to encourage you to recycle any plastic or cardboard. You can also be sustainable in your decor choices. Got \nleftover paint\n? Don’t waste it – use it to \nupcycle some furniture\n. Bring some life back into some old kitchen chairs or even a table. This can be a great way to create a fun color scheme if you’re decorating your kitchen. Don’t forget all of our paints are of course eco-friendly too.\n\nThe kitchen is the heart of the home, and it can be the focal point of your sustainability efforts too. If you are looking to find new ways in which you can refresh your approach to sustainability, then having a sustainable kitchen is a great place to start.

Between a reliance on single-use plastics and buying more than we need, the UK has a serious waste problem. According to a recent report by The Grocer, it’s estimated that the country’s total food waste could feed upwards of 30 million people a year, whilst each family throws away over 10,000 pieces of single-use plastic (of which 10% is actually recycled). The solution is not an overnight one, but one of the biggest changes you can make is by switching to a zero-waste grocery supplier. Nowadays, we are spoilt for choice. We recommend researching in your local area, but with everything from independently-run neighborhood joints to larger online suppliers, these are Lick’s picks of the UK’s 10 best zero-waste supermarkets.\n\nGet Loose Foods \nLocated: Hackney City Farm, 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA\n\nPart of Hackney City Farm (one of our must-do eco-friendly activities in London) \nGet Loose\n is part zero-waste shop, part social enterprise. Selling everything from organic pasta, fruit, nuts, pulses, grains, mylks in glass bottles, and cheese in compostable wrapping—and lots more. Not local to Hackney? They deliver within the local area.

Abel & Cole\nLocation: Nationwide—check your postcode to see if they deliver in your area.\n\nMore than just organic fruit and veg boxes, \nAbel & Cole\n have come a long way in recent years. Now offering meal kits, as well as sharing lots of tasty recipes, they’ll deliver all your weekly essentials for the fridge, pantry, and household. Committed to never using air freight, they are a certified B Corp and are Soil Association Certified organic.\n\nThe Vegan Kind\nLocation: Nationwide—check your postcode to see if they deliver in your area.\n\nThe UK’s number one vegan supermarket, \nThe Vegan Kind\n stocks thousands of plant-based products, household goods, and even beauty products. Committed to lowering their carbon footprint alongside their sustainable packaging they’ll plant a tree for every order you place with them.\n\nGather, Peckham\nLocation: 121 Bellenden Rd, London SE15 4QY\n\nAn organic refill shop and social enterprise \nGather\n is a sustainable hub in the heart of Peckham. Aiming to help the local community to lower its environmental impact they stock all your home staples. What’s more 50% of all profits are donated to environmental charities or go towards improving their eco-credentials.

The Source \nLocation: Across London, Brighton, and Online\n\nAs much about providing nutritious whole foods as they are about enabling Londoners to go low-waste, \nThe Source\n has an extensive array of produce for you, your kids, your pets, and your home. With shops across London, check your postcode to see if they deliver in your area.\n\nThe Clean Kilo\nLocation: 11 St Mary's Row, Birmingham B13 8HW\n\nThe largest zero-waste supermarket in the UK, The Clean Kilo’s ethos is to help people go plastic-free and reduce their food waste.  Delivering to the greater Birmingham area they stock everything you could possibly need to keep your home plastic-free.

Riverford Organic\nLocation: Nationwide—check your postcode to see if they deliver in your area.\n\nFocusing on organic, seasonal fruit and veg boxes, \nRiverford Organic\n has expanded its offering to include all your daily essentials, farm to fork meat produce, as well as meal kits and recipe boxes. Packaged in compostable bags and reusable boxes, they are a B Corp company and are Soil Association Certified organic. Employee-owned, last year they were voted one of the UK's 100 best companies to work for.\n\nRoots & Hoots, Brighton\nLocation: Unit B10, Enterprise Trading Estate Brighton, BN1 8AF\n\nSussex’s one-stop shop for all things zero-waste, \nRoot & Hoots\n stock everything from organic wine to freshly baked goods, eco-friendly gifts to pastas, pulses, and much more. Their electric vans service Brighton and Sussex and will home deliver everything in their reusable packaging.\n\nIf you’re interested in going zero-waste, why not take a look at these \n7 eco-friendly home decor ideas\n or some of our best eco-friendly homeware shops.

Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year, yet without getting all Ebenezer Scrooge on you, it’s also a time of huge waste. It’s estimated that we throw away 270,000 tons of food each Christmas and use almost 227,000 miles of wrapping paper—that’s almost enough to paper our way to the moon.\n\nThis is why we think it’s important to consider how we can reduce our consumption and limit our waste over this period. Here are 7 eco-friendly Christmas decor ideas to try at home, because this year, we’re dreaming of a \ngreen\n Christmas.\nEco-friendly Christmas decor idea: use leftover wallpaper as wrapping paper and decorations\nWhat could give a more premium finish than using your leftover wallpaper as wrapping paper? Not only do our \nwallpaper rolls\n come in a range of beautiful designs, but they are also FSC certified. Christmas card cut-outs, gift tags, festive paper chains, DIY Christmas wreaths: there are loads of ways you can creatively repurpose your wallpaper offcuts. \n\nIf you haven’t got any wallpaper to use up, go for recyclable brown parcel paper. You can even use leftover fabric to make bows and ties.

Eco-friendly Christmas decor idea: make your own cards using leftover paint\nThis is one of our favorite Christmas hacks. Use your leftover \npaint\n to make your own Christmas cards. Not only is this a fun way to get crafty, it saves you from buying expensive and wasteful cards. If you’re going to give it a go, be sure to use recycled paper and plant-based glitter. Take a look at the \n5 easy Christmas decorations to try at home\n for some more eco-friendly, crafty Christmas decor ideas.\n\n\nCheck out what to do with leftover paint. \n

Eco-friendly Christmas decor idea: opt for beeswax or soy-based candles\nWhether you’re burning candles at home to create a little bit more hygge in your living room or giving them as a Christmas gift, check the label and make sure you’re buying beeswax or soy-based candles. Not to be alarmist, but when burned, paraffin-based candles release benzene and toluene, both known carcinogens. These natural alternatives are better for the planet, better for people, and better for our pets. 

Eco-friendly Christmas decor idea: forage for natural decor\nNot only does foraging for natural decor get you into the great outdoors, it’s free of charge and looks fantastic. Use it to create a festive tablescape, make a DIY wreath or create your own foraged mantelpiece decor. Plus, there are lots of ways to use little sprigs and twigs, like decorating place settings or adding some extra flourish to your gift-wrapping. Take a look at these festive tablescape ideas for some inspiration.

Eco-friendly Christmas decor idea: switch to LED lights\nThey’re one of the best things about Christmas. A bit of sparkle in our darkest months, Christmas lights illuminate our houses and our streets during what would otherwise be a gloomy time of year. Switching to LED bulbs can use up to 75% less energy, and last up to 25 times longer than conventional bulbs which, as Christmas lights are often left on for hours on end, makes a big difference and can noticeably reduce your electricity bill. Not to mention, LED lights are also safer. Because they don't get hot to the touch, they are less of a fire hazard. If you haven’t switched already, \nwhat\n are you waiting for?

Eco-friendly Christmas decor idea: opt for a natural Christmas tree \nThe debate is over. Whilst it might seem less wasteful to buy an artificial yet reusable Christmas tree, they carry a  carbon footprint of approximately 40kg of greenhouses gasses. That’s because they’re largely made of plastic. Not only are they not biodegradable, but there are also toxic oils involved in their production and they are often shipped long distances. \n\nOn the other hand, a real Christmas tree, that is reused, either by chipping or is kept to grow in the garden, can have negligible or even negative emissions. When buying a Christmas tree, look for one that is locally grown with FSC certification. Alternatively, the \nmost\n eco-friendly Christmas tree option is the ones you’ve already got: your house plants. \n\nFind out how you can \nplant a tree with every wallpaper purchase\n. 

Eco-friendly Christmas decor idea: homemade crackers\nA Christmas table isn’t complete without crackers, but these Victorian throwbacks contribute to a large portion of that additional festive waste. Try the eco-friendly alternative by making your own. What you’ll need: \n\nSave up your loo roll tubes! You’ll need as many of these as Christmas crackers you want to make, so start storing them pronto. \nWrapping paper (as mentioned above, you can use leftover wallpaper, brown parcel paper or even old newspaper for a rustic look)\nSome ribbon or string (use leftover fabric swatches to avoid buying new)\nA pair of scissors \nSticky tape\nCrackers snaps if you want a bang. \n\nSwap out disposable plastic toys in favour of handmade or environmentally friendly gifts. Little pots of local honey or jams, bags of seeds or miniature soaps are just a few options. If you’re making hats, make sure the paper is recyclable. The only exception when it comes to recycled material is awful terrible cracker jokes. 

And that’s a wrap. Follow these 7 eco-friendly Christmas decor ideas and we’re sure you’ll end up on Santa’s ‘nice to the environment’ list.

If you’re reading this, you probably share our mission to make your home more eco-friendly. From switching energy providers, using non-toxic cleaning products, to \nactually \nchecking the label before putting something in the recycling— having an eco-friendly home doesn’t stop here. It’s important to consider how our decor choices impact our carbon footprint too.\n\nThough the decorating world doesn't match the fashion industry's environmental impact—which accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions—today, people are updating their interiors more frequently than ever before. That's why it's so important to make smart, informed decisions. As pioneers in the eco-friendly decorating field, from using non-toxic materials to re-using our paint where possible, here are some of our top eco-friendly home decor ideas.\nEco-friendly decor idea: choose low VOC paint\nDid you know that the global decorating industry produced 9.8 billion gallons of paint last year, yet only 30% of that was water-based \nand\n low VOC? An acronym for volatile organic compounds, low VOC paint means low in the chemical nasties that give off that pungent paint smell. You know the one. Those VOCs are the reason a fresh coat of paint can make us feel a little queasy or give you a bit of headache. There's no getting away from it in a newly painted room. That is - unless you use Lick paint. Because our paint is both \nwater-based and low-VOC\n, not only is it less harmful to the environment, but it's also less harmful to you—not to mention your pets! It's decorating without the headache.\n \nFrom our \npaint\n to our \ndecorating supplies\n, we aim to make \nrecycling our products\n as easy as using them is. What's more, is that for every tin of paint we sell, the equivalent of \ntwo plastic bottles is removed from our oceans\n. To date, that's more than 390,000 plastic bottles!

Eco-friendly decor idea: choose eco-friendly wallpaper\nBut it doesn't stop with paint. Though globally, we don't use nearly as much wallpaper as we do paint, since the turn of the millennium, an area the size of India has been lost to deforestation at the hands of the global paper industry. Wallpaper is a part of that. That's why we're trying to clean things up by ensuring that all of our wallpaper is FSC certified, meaning it is sustainably sourced and felled from forests around Europe.\n\nWe have also ensured that \nyou can decorate sustainably with Lick\n: 100% of our wallpaper supplies are either compostable, biodegradable, reusable, or recyclable. And, \nwith every roll of eco-friendly wallpaper you buy, we will plant one tree\n. So far we've planted almost 77 football pitches worth! So, whether you're going for \npaste-the-wall wallpaper\n or \nself-adhesive wallpaper\n, know that we make designs that hang about on your wall, not the planet.

Eco-friendly decor idea: embrace biophilic design\nThe decor trend that looks good and does good too. Not only is biophilic design linked to reduced stress and increased creativity, but the inclusion of indoor plants in your home also has lots of health benefits. They act as air filters, converting carbon dioxide into oxygen, as we all know, but they also remove harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Some plants can increase humidity, especially in bathrooms, which helps to soothe respiratory issues. As if you needed another reason to buy more house plants.

Eco-friendly decor idea: go vintage or upcycle\nSecond-hand used to be a dirty word, but now homeowners proudly display their charity shop finds and eBay treasures. And when it comes to the environment, second-hand is always best. Or even better, upcycle what you've already got. Wondering \nwhat to do with leftover paint\n? Upcycling is the answer. Or give existing materials a new lease of life. You only need to spend five minutes on Pinterest to find 10,000+ ways you can re-use a wooden palette. Wood or fabric off-cuts can be transformed into open-shelving or a new pair of cushions—with a little (or a lot) of help from a few Youtube tutorials.

Eco-friendly decor idea: opt for eco-friendly materials\nWhilst interior trends don't change as rapidly as fashions do, their production still takes an enormous toll on the environment. That's why, if you are buying new, choose brands that use FSC certified wood, recycled or recyclable materials. The \nJapandi interior trend\n champions this philosophy, preferring organic fabrics like linen and jute; and natural materials like wood, wicker and rattan.\n\nFrom nature-inspired color schemes to eco-friendly materials, here are \n8 ways to make your home look and feel more Japandi\n. There are some incredible pioneering companies making rugs out of recycled plastic bottles and chairs out of recycled wood. And, if they're not recycled, make sure they're recyclable.

Eco-friendly decor idea: go plastic-free\nGoing plastic-free is not only good for the planet, it looks good too. Turn your plastic-free storage into a design statement with \nopen shelving in your kitchen\n. Today, there are lots of plastic-free packaging websites where you can get all your household essentials delivered straight to your door, without the unnecessary supermarket plastic packaging.

Eco-friendly decor idea: switch up your products\nThe list is seemingly endless when it comes to eco-friendly home decor ideas, but one less visual change is to switch up your products—little things like opting for soy or beeswax candles over paraffin. Made from refined petroleum, paraffin-based candles can emit harmful and potentially carcinogenic chemicals.\n\nSo, if you like a bit of candlelight to set the mood, go natural. Or what about switching to a more energy-efficient lightbulb? The latter will give you the same look for a fraction of the energy consumption.

So if you're looking for \nways to make an environmental change\n, why not try some of these 7 eco-friendly home decor ideas or to find out more about how we aim to make a difference through decorating, take a look at our \nSustainability Mission\n.\n

We’re all about eco – eco \npaint\n, eco \ndecorating tools\n, and eco-initiatives. Long gone are the days where sustainability was just a bit of a buzzword; brands all over the world are waking up to the fact that it’s a must-have, and in the world of decorating supplies, it means way more than a line of water-based paint (though it’s a good place to start). So here it is, an eco lowdown on what’s going on in the world of Lick.\nFirst up, facts, figures and setting the sustainable scene\n2020 wasn’t all doom and gloom you know. Searches for the term ‘sustainable brands’ reached its highest peak in five years – if that’s not a beacon of hope and a sign of positive change then we don’t know what is. 32% of adults in Britain state that sustainability now plays a part in deciding what products they buy and which brands they shop from. Half of the adults in the UK have already taken action whether that’s buying less plastic or swapping to speedy showers.

\nHere at Lick, we’ve wanted in on the eco-conscious action from day one. In fact, we’ve made it our mission to influence the global interiors industry’s environmental footprint for the better. To shake it up and to cause a stir, starting with our audit and \nsustainability report \nwhich you can find on our \nSustainability Hub\n.

In the words of our CEO and co-founder Lucas: “We are living in unprecedented times. Deforestation, ‘forever chemicals’, and greenhouse gasses – there’s no denying that the global decor industry is responsible for some damaging effects on the planet – and now we find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic. We want to provide stylish interiors without compromising on sustainability, so we bring the decor department to the doors of our consumers, without it costing the earth. From sustainable sourcing and manufacturing to carbon-conscious distribution channels and support of charities that create change, at Lick we are more than just committed to reducing our environmental impact: it is at the forefront of what we do.”\n“At Lick we are more than just committed to reducing our environmental impact: it is at the forefront of what we do.”\nLow VOC paint – say what?\nVolatile Organic Compounds – you can see why they’re referred to as VOCs for short. Aside from choosing \nwater-based paint\n, those with low VOC levels are the next eco box to tick. The fundamental reason \nwhy you should use low VOC paint\n is that it’ll contain fewer harmful substances. VOC solvents create paints that take longer to dry. They’re easier to work with, but their environmental disadvantages far outweigh their plus points. 

Sustainable decorating supplies as standard\nWhen our founders Sam and Lucas set out to create Lick, they were starting from scratch, so why wouldn’t they try to put their best foot forward from the offset? That’s why our line of \ndecorating tools\n is anything but a quick ‘off-the-shelf’ job. Far from it, we work with the first B-corp supplier in Europe.\n\nThat means whatever you pick out from our supplies section will have been manufactured to the highest environmental standards using sustainably sourced bamboo and sugarcane. Everything is either compostable, biodegradable, reusable, or recyclable because we recognize that we could make a difference not just through our paints. \n\nPsst…bedtime \nreading for the eco-conscious decorator right this way\n.

Why go at it alone? Meet our eco initiative partners\nThere are so many completely fantastic organizations out there who put all of their focus and energy into doing right by the planet. We figured, we could do more if we listened and learnt from them to bolster our own efforts. \n\nRight now, we, and everyone in the Lick community is supporting the work done by two environmentally conscious campaign groups in particular – \nOne Tree Planted\n and \n4ocean\n. \n\n“Sustainability has been a key focus for Lick since we launched, which is why we work with 4ocean & One Tree Planted to remove plastic and plant trees each time our products are purchased,” explains Lucas. “We wanted to have a positive impact on our environment and be transparent with our decorating community about the products they use and the supply chains we use, so we created our \nSustainability hub\n on our website, which includes a detailed audit.”\n\n“We wanted to have a positive impact on our environment and be transparent with our decorating community about the products they use.”\n\nOne Tree Planted brings our \nwallpaper\n collections into the game, because for every roll of wallpaper we sell they make sure a tree is planted in return. That's right - you can help \nplant a tree with every wallpaper or blind purchase\n. So far, we’ve got 1,666 trees in the ground – that’s roughly 23.5 football pitches – and 26 tonnes of carbon removed from the earth’s atmosphere.\n\n4ocean goes back to the liquid side of Lick, with a pledge to remove 18g of plastic (two plastic bottles to give you a gauge) for every 2.5 litre tin of \neco-friendly paint\n we sell. Read more about \nour pledge to remove plastic from the ocean with each paint purchase\n. Already our customers have helped shift over five tonnes of plastic from the world’s seas and oceans – that’s just shy of 51,000 plastic bottles. \n\nAnd this is just the beginning…

Check out our guide to sustainable living; including the latest eco-friendly decor ideas, lifestyle tips, inspirational interviews with eco-experts, and more.

Sustainable Living

Sustainable tourism: Ibiza’s top eco-friendly hotels

10 sustainable brands on our watch list

Green guide: the best eco-friendly activities in London

12 inspiring sustainability creators you should follow today

How to be sustainable in the kitchen: 5 eco-friendly hacks

Waste not, want not: the UK’s 10 best zero-waste supermarkets

7 eco-friendly Christmas decor ideas

7 eco-friendly home decor ideas

Decorate sustainably with Lick's eco paint, wallpaper and tools