When Covid-19 arrived in the spring of 2020, it instantly altered everything. The global pandemic had a massive and long-lasting impact on people’s lives worldwide; UK residents were asked to isolate themselves at home, offices were emptied, travel was disrupted, and face masks became the norm.
Now in 2022, life has started to return to normal. But some of the changes look set to stay for the long term. One such shift includes an increased appreciation for what time spent outdoors can do for our mental and physical well-being.
Nature turned out to be a great provider of solace during tough times. The great outdoors offered opportunities to see people, exercise, explore nature and enjoy gardening. A report by the RSPB found that 76% of people felt that nature had been an important source of comfort for them during the pandemic.
Another change has been a renewed focus on purchases that put people and the planet first. Many individuals want to change their shops to create a better, healthier world. Covid-19 made many people reflect on their lives and want to aim for an improved future for everyone.
Evidence shows environmental concerns are now a higher priority. 62% of consumers said they’re willing to change their buying habits to reduce environmental impact. The same percentage feel it’s now more important than ever that companies behave in a sustainable way too. In response, manufacturers have become more transparent about their environmental impact.
LifestyleGarden has been a leading innovator in the outdoor furniture industry for over 25 years, and sustainability has long been at the heart of all that it does. Its vision for ‘Doing Business the Right Way’ means the brand is on a mission to bring even more recycled material innovations to UK homes.
LifestyleGarden has teamed up with Plastic Bank and the Eden Project to revolutionise how we treat waste materials. This year, they’ve launched the new Nassau collection, powered by Social Plastic, to pave the way for furniture to be created with social and environmental purposes at its core.
The range is made from Social Plastic, an ethically recovered material that helps fight ocean pollution while improving the lives of those who collect it. Every Nassau chair is made from the equivalent of 175 recycled plastic bottles, litter-picked from shorelines. The ambition is for a world without ocean plastic.
Collectors from the coastal communities receive bonuses for their materials, which helps them provide basic family necessities such as groceries, school tuition, internet access, health insurance, cooking fuel, and more, helping to empower their way out of poverty.
The environmental and social impact of the Nassau collection means that consumers will be bringing something into their homes that makes a real difference in the world.
Paul Cohen, Commercial Director at LifestyleGarden said: ‘Sustainable values have always underpinned our approach to innovation with our materials, partnerships and processes all focused on delivering as sustainable solutions as possible.’
‘However, the pandemic magnified this ten-fold and as a manufacturer, we, along with the wider sector, had to respond. This new partnership brings the new Nassau collection to market and sets the benchmark for innovation that tangibly makes a difference where it matters most.’
Tracey Smith, Eden’s commercial manager, added: ‘Sustainability underpins everything we do at Eden. We work on regenerative sustainability – making things better, not just less bad; environmentally, socially and economically.’
‘One of the easiest ways we can make a positive change as we move forwards in a post-pandemic world is to buy from brands making great strides in sustainable practices and bringing products that value the protection of the environment and the people within it. LifestyleGarden is one such brand, and we are excited to partner with them on this new venture.’
