Shopping with eco-friendly brands is a great way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Though with so much noise surrounding brand sustainability, knowing what products are truly ethical can be a headache. Read on to discover the green lights you are making planet-friendly choices so you can check out with a smile.

How to research a company’s sustainability and ethics?

One of the biggest challenges of knowing if a brand’s sustainable is not just what to look for. It’s where to look for it. With many of us shopping online, finding the information to know we are making eco-friendly choices is tricky. Transparency is a good sign you are in a green place, and truly ethical brands will have an easy-to-navigate environmental page that runs you through all of their eco-friendly credentials. Look at the bottom of websites for a tab, and if you cannot find it, email their customer service team with your questions. Another way to research sustainability is by doing a google search on them. Brands with a good reputation will have many mentions across blogs and various publications praising their efforts. Reviews and product scores can also be found on sites.

If you shop in-store, you can look at brands’ packaging to see if they reference sustainability or ask a store expert for more information. Researching brands before you shop will help you confidently decide what stores and aisles to head for.

What is greenwashing?

Fancy packaging and expensive marketing techniques do not make a product planet friendly. Let’s look at what it does and how you can be sure you are truly shopping sustainably.

What makes a brand sustainable?

The good news is with increasing awareness of global warming and how the products we use can affect the environment, many brands are making the effort to operate more sustainably. Here are some ways you can scale how eco-friendly their products and production process is to take a holistic choice about how to shop with.

Are they certified?

A textbook way to check a brand’s eco-friendly credentials is to familiarise yourself with certifications to look out for within their industry. For example, when shopping for bamboo products, an OEKO-TEX 100 certification ensures the products are free of harmful substances. Regarding manufacturing, a SMETA certification ensures workers have safe working conditions and are remunerated fairly. There are various other certifications to look out for depending on the product you are purchasing that is worth looking into.

Transparency

Above all transparency is key. While making efforts to implement more environmentally friendly practices can take time and be expensive, every penny is worth protecting our beautiful world. Brands owe consumers the truth and should be clear and assertive about the steps they are taking to go green and where they can do better.

We are committed to continuing our journey towards a greener world here at Panda. Come and join us @Pandalondon.

Explore our range

There is something about the start of a new year that feels as fresh as the pots, pans, and organic bamboo bedding you might have got for Christmas. It is the perfect opportunity to set goals towards better care of yourself and our planet. If you’re looking to embrace sustainable living for a healthier year, here are some easy, eco-friendly switches you can start making today. From planet-loving energy-efficient appliances to creating an eco-friendly bedroom, enjoy a scroll of inspirational footsteps toward a healthier and greener world.

For the Kitchen: Energy – efficient gems

With the cost of living getting higher every year, ways to save energy at home are becoming more of a priority. Research suggests you can save over £600 per year from making simple switches in your kitchen alone. What is an energy-efficient appliance exactly? Good question- essentially, any item that uses the least amount of energy per use compared to competing products. You can find an appliance’s energy rating by energy labels that give it a rating from A – G, with A being the most efficient. So when looking for kettles, ovens, and microwaves, always look for a label to help make the most eco-friendly choice. For cooking delicious meals, a slow cooker can be five times cheaper than an electric oven to run. Choosing energy-efficient appliances is a great way to live more sustainably while keeping those bills down- an eco-friendly win-win!

For the bedroom: Sleep like a hero

Pour yourself a green cuppa – and let’s get cosy! The bedroom provides many ways to live sustainably with products that transform bedtime. Choosing natural, organic materials like bamboo for your bedding and mattress is one of the best investments you can make for your sleep. The thermoregulating fabric will keep you warm all winter and breezing through summer nights whilst being anti-bacterial, incredibly durable, and irresistibly smooth. From breathable organic bed sheets to a hybrid bamboo mattress, creating an eco-friendly bedroom will have you sleeping like a hero all year. Sustainable brands like Panda London take pride in being eco-friendly from the forest to the front door, offering free home trials on our award-winning products—another reason to drift off with a smile.

For the bathroom: Splash sustainably

In this chilly weather (for those that live in the UK) a delicious hot shower or warm bubbly bath are one of the best ways to end the day. Though there are ways to indulge sustainably. The latest guidance recommends that we should try and make our showers four minutes or less to save water.

For you: Get the green glow

With an eco-friendly home taken care of, it’s time to think of ways you can feel greener on the inside. January is celebrated as ‘veganuary’ and is the perfect month to pick up some great recipes for a healthy glow and to reduce food waste. Plants have a far lower carbon footprint than meat. The agricultural industry is responsible for 25% of the world’s greenhouse gases. Switching up your snacks for fresh fruit and veg will help reduce that number keeping our world beautiful. They are stocked with nutrients and vitamins that will have you fighting fit for a healthy and vibrant year. From meatless Mondays to fruity Fridays, look for ways to embrace a more vegan-friendly lifestyle at your place.

P.S. Someone asking where you got that gorgeous glow will make every effort worth it.

Moving towards an eco-friendly lifestyle can be overwhelming, though remember every little change helps. Join us on Instagram to set your planet promises for the year ahead. Let’s inspire each other to walk together to a greener future.

Spending more time at home and beginning to run out of things to do? Enjoy a scroll of these planet-friendly ideas to make the most of time indoors and keep you and your family entertained.

As the days get colder, shorter and it’s dark by dinner time there’s no better place to be than warm and cosy at home. Though spending more time indoors, especially when you have little ones, can begin to feel as dull as the weather. Looking for inspiration? You are in the right spot. Here are some easy, eco-friendly ways to have fun while keeping cosy at home, sweet home.

1. Get Crafting

Time to get creative! With a little imagination, you can do a bit of your own upcycling whether with tired furniture, clothes or even old bottles. Have a look around the house and see what you can find. All you need to spruce up tired furniture is some fresh paints and a bit of rearranging. Adding a vase of fresh flowers to that old chest of drawers for example? Speaking of vases- about those bottles. Painting old milk or wine bottles and popping one or two of your favourite blooms is a great eco-friendly way to bring a bright splash of nature into your favourite room. Roll up those sleeves and get crafting.

2. Did someone say ‘Duvet Day’?

Cold weather calls for marathon movie days… Whether it’s watching your favourite Disney flicks (hoping the little mermaid is on that list) or getting into the festive spirit with Christmas classics – a fluffy duvet is essential. Duvet days are one of the greatest joys of winter. Keep them eco-friendly with a thermoregulating, bamboo duvet like Panda’s dreamy Cloud. The natural, breathable fabric will keep everyone oh-so-cosy and is perfect for snuggling all year round. For extra brownie points whip up some delicious vegan snacks and enjoy a cosy day together of sofa-surfing all wrapped up and comfy.

4. Picture Perfect

While most of our snaps are stored in the cloud or on social media these days, cosy days at home are great for getting out the old photo albums! From laughing at baby photos, cringe haircuts to reminiscing about the good old days, reflecting on memories are the perfect way to enjoy spending the colder days indoors. Celebrating special moments and the wonderful people in our lives is not only a planet-friendly way to enjoy time at home, but it is also great for giving us a warm glow of gratitude for all we have.

5. The big clean

Keeping our planet as clean as possible is a big challenge that we all need to work together on. Though the home is a good place to start. Doing some research into easy eco-friendly switches on your favourite products can make a big difference. From eco-friendly bedding like bamboo pillows, mattresses, and toppers to cleaning products like washing liquid, there are lots of small swaps that can help keep your home and the environment healthy. Even making an effort to use less water, washing on a lower heat, or snuggling up with blankets instead of turning up the heating can help take better care of our world. Over tea and those baked cakes, make a list of ways to be more eco-friendly at home and enjoy spending time together while making our planet smile.

With the precious winter months we get to spend at home, these eco-friendly ideas will help make the world a better place while making the most of your time together. One cosy day at a time.

Shop our eco-friendly range of Bedding, Bath and Kid’s products

Brr! It’s getting cold out there- time to stay home put the kettle on and get your cosy socks on. It’s the perfect opportunity to get yourself set up with a stylish, eco-friendly winter bedroom. As let’s face it- there’s no better place to be on chilly, dark nights than tucked up in bed. From soft, snuggly bamboo bedding to the world’s most comfortable eco-friendly mattress, enjoy a browse and warm up with these sustainable ideas for an elegant winter bedroom.

1. Snuggle into planet-loving winter bedding

The gentle fibres are beautifully breathable, and hypoallergenic, you can choose from a range of stylish colours. Panda’s Bamboo and French Linen adds a vogue twist offering a slightly denser texture through a careful blend of two premium, eco-friendly fabrics.

2. Upgrade sleep with an eco-friendly mattress

A wonderful mattress is a big investment, attention must be paid. Get it right, and you are all set for years of dreamy, comfortable sleep. Finding an eco-friendly mattress with unparalleled breathability, support and style is no easy challenge. You want to consider the materials, durability and eco-credentials of the brand you shop with. Panda’s breathable Hybrid Bamboo Mattress ticks all the boxes. Our BioCell Foam infused with fresh bamboo features open-cell technology to keep bedtime ultra-breathable. OrthoAlign Foam provides orthopaedic support while seven zones of premium pocket springs deliver tailor-made comfort to every part of your body. Six layers of sleep perfection sealed in a smooth, hypoallergenic bamboo cover. Plus, the mattress has a ten-year comfort guarantee and free recycling service for your old mattress.

3. Embrace pre-loved furniture

When it comes to bedroom furniture, pre-loved pieces can add a chic touch of eco-friendly style for a fraction of the price. From bedside drawers, and colourful artwork to vintage mirrors- there is some beautiful second-hand furniture up for grabs when you look around. Breathe life into older pieces by adding your own touches from candles on tables, a lick of paint on wardrobes or natural throws and blankets on bedroom chairs. Choosing small brands that offer sustainable delivery helps make shopping that bit greener.

4. Add cosy, stylish touches without turning up the heating

With the temperature dropping it’s tempting to reach for the thermostat to get warm and cosy. Though to keep your bedroom eco-friendly and get the bills down there are some stylish ways to stay snuggly. Layering your bedding with a thick throw in your favourite shade adds a splash of colour while keeping you toasty. They can always be used on the sofa or thrown over chairs later in the year. Making sure you have the right duvet tog for winter will also keep you warm- a rating of 10.5 is recommended. Natural choices like bamboo not only keep your bedroom eco-friendly, but the fabric is naturally thermos-regulating.

Staying eco-friendly, stylish and snug as we embrace the colder months is possible with a few simple switches. As the season invites us to slow down and get cosy, use these ideas to create your perfect bedtime sanctuary and get snuggling.

Sweet Dreams