Sustainability
Hello dear friend, if you’ve found this section, that’s awesome as it means you’re interested in sustainability and caring for our world too!
I believe that caring for the planet is everyone’s responsibility, so businesses both large and small should be actively reviewing the impact they have on the environment.
My commitment to the environment is embedded in all I do, both in my personal and work life. At home I am ‘Queen of ‘re-using, repurposing and recycling’ and very little goes into our black ‘general waste’ wheelie bin as I’ve usually found a way to give each item ‘another life’! I follow social media accounts who are in a position of influence and authority (such as my Local Council’s sustainability updates) to keep up to date with changes, and I subscribe to newsletters (such as Recycling and Waste Management News – letsrecycle.com) to help keep me informed on environmental issues.
I apply the same principles to my professional life, especially when it comes to clothing, with most of my workwear outfits being sourced from local pre-loved boutiques and second-hand stores! I buy recycled paper and card products, or those accredited to sustainable forestry schemes, and I have an arrangement with my local independent stationery supplier, and she now only uses recycled card stock for my products, and I work with my clients to help them make fantastic eco-friendly choices for their special ceremonies.
I’m so glad you are part of this eco-friendly journey with me!
Maddie x
My Approach
I am committed to being an ethical, inclusive, Independent Celebrant, passionate about creating personalised ceremonies, with a focus on making environmentally-friendly choices accessible to everyone. I became a vegan around 10 years ago, and I am proud that my stance on animal rights also benefits the planet. I am continually learning and try to keep updated with ethical new ideas and adopt Best Practice ways of working. I actively support other women in business and other small businesses -and have a dedicated link to these ‘Friends’ on my website. My values are such an important part of who I am and what I do and they are therefore evident throughout my online presence.
Although I am constantly reviewing my approach to sustainable practice, I aim to have a thorough review of this Sustainability Policy every six months, with a view to eventually being able to measuring my carbon footprint.
Energy Conservation
I am a sole trader, working from home in Northamptonshire, and use Octopus as my green energy supplier as they claim to be one of Europe’s largest investors in renewable power, managing ~4GW of renewable electricity over 240 large-scale green energy projects spanning 10 countries.
I make eco-conscious choices throughout my working day and that affects how I keep my working environment at a pleasant temperature. I move to different rooms in my home according to the weather, so if it’s hot outside but cool in the north-facing lounge, then I’ll work in that room, but if it’s cooler outside but warm in the conservatory, I’ll work there. If additional heating is still needed after I’ve worn an extra jumper or used an additional throw/blanket, then I first try and heat my immediate space with a hot water bottle or heated throw, if necessary, I will then heat my small office space and not the whole house. I turn off electric appliances when they are not in use.
My website domain is hosted by 34SP who take their commitment to the environment seriously, something evidenced by their partnership with the Green Web Foundation, who independently assess and verify 34sp’s environmental suitability.
My website was built and is run by Pine Creative a small, independent UK based business, where meetings happen via phone or video link.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
I try and live my life both at work and at home in an eco-friendly manner. At home, I am queen of re-use and recycle! I try very hard to avoid buying new or single-use items and I am a regular shopper at our local preloved boutique ‘Kitty’s Closest’ which funds a local charity who enrich the lives of the elderly in my community and I don’t own a tumble dryer, as I prefer to dry my washing outdoors whenever possible.
Everything that can be given a second-life is re-purposed (or recycled), and when even that isn’t possible anymore, I try and find another home for it! I regularly donate items to my village school’s Forest School program, or donate ‘the best junk’ to my local home-ed classroom, who take their junk modelling very seriously! See the page here
I do not ‘buy into’ the need for the latest technology and instead I buy refurbished phones when I need to replace my current model. My phone provider is Giff Gaff, who have also produced their own sustainability manifesto.
Responsible Transport
I live in a small village, so the options for public transport are limited, but I still plan my journeys in a mindful way and keep my travel to clients (and other suppliers) to a minimum, by combining a mix of in-person visits, video & telephone calls, and text/WhatsApp messages. Almost all my work takes place in my own county or in neighbouring counties, and wherever possible I consolidate appointments, again keeping my mileage to a minimum.
I do not fly and instead choose to remain in the UK for almost all of my holidays, often staying in small independent accommodation built in the gardens of my hosts.
Sustainable Initiatives
I buy and use recycled paper, and by communicating to my suppliers and clients electronically where possible, I aim to keep my printing to a minimum, I also re-use scrap paper. Where I need to outsource paper products, I ask my suppliers to use recycled paper/card, or at the very least use materials approved by the forestry commission. I regularly use local suppliers, especially micro-businesses run by women. I order my stationery through Bespoke Stationery by Unique Deesigns who supplies me with my recycled card stock products, and who at my request, has dispensed with wrapping my products in (eco friendly) cellophane and now only uses paper to package my orders.
I also use another micro-business, Ruby Creations for all the keepsake items I gift to my clients. The very talented owner, Lou, creates beautiful bespoke glass bauble mementos for me (helping me avoid needing to order from giant delivery corporations). Lou lives locally to me and so collection or delivery of my items is usually based around us driving past each other’s houses when we are on-route to another engagement (thus minimising unnecessary mileage).
I subscribe to Ecologi, a company dedicated to reforestation efforts around the world. Every ceremony I lead, funds the purchase of another tree that will be planted as part of reforestation projects around the world. It feels good knowing that my contributions help restore forests, support biodiversity, and make a real difference in the fight against climate change.
Mindful Ceremonies
I encourage my clients to think sustainably and creatively when planning their ceremonies, this may mean that I ask them to consider elements such as flat-packed or cardboard coffins, or using home-made confetti from local flowers, or suggest that they ask their florist not to use green floristry oasis, but that they consider eco-alternatives.
I actively encourage my clients to use sustainable suppliers in their ceremonies (for example; hiring decorations, or pre-loved artificial flower bouquets, or having a natural burial instead of a cremation).
I do not include Chinese Lanterns or balloon releases (of any type) in my ceremonies, as they still cause harm to wildlife. (https://greencitizen.com/blog/biodegradable-balloons/)
As I am unable to accommodate animal exploitation in my ceremonies, I actively encourage alternatives to rituals such as dove or butterfly releases, suggesting eco-friendly options such as ‘real leaf and petal’ confetti, or bubble wands. Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Balloon Releases & Sky Lanterns | RSPCA – RSPCA – rspca.org.uk
When working with clients to create their ceremony script, amendments and alterations are made by sharing scripts digitally, avoiding the need to print and waste paper, and reducing my need to make multiple additional car-journeys to work-through the scripts together.
