Milk cartons and Tetra Pak-style liquid containers are now a staple in households across the UK and the EU. But what happens once you have had your cereal, smoothie, or latte?

My guess is you pop it into the recycling and think nothing more of it. Unfortunately, the real-story is not so straight-forward.

Not only are these containers made of more than paper card, but they are often not readily recyclable due to their multi-layered composition. These cartons usually contain cardboard, plastic, and aluminum, making recycling a challenge. Some experts argue that using plastic bottles might actually be a more environmentally friendly option. However, progress is being made in carton recycling, with more collection points and sustainable carton options available. By being aware and making conscious choices, we can contribute to a more sustainable future for these convenient containers.

In today's fast-paced world, embracing sustainability is crucial. This guide explores ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle, covering food waste reduction, inspiring podcasts, waste-reducing apps, clothing rental, second-hand shopping, and supporting charity shops. It emphasizes the importance of small actions in building a greener future.

September is all about celebrating the awesome organic foods we offer and the fantastic benefits they bring to your health and the planet. 🌱 In today's world, finding the right balance between going organic and keeping that food budget in check can be a bit of a puzzle.

Discover the universe of eco-packaging with us. We'll shed light on bio plastics, untangle label complexities, explain the difference between home and industrial composting, and offer practical waste management solutions. Join our journey toward a greener, more sustainable lifestyle, where making eco-conscious choices becomes second nature and enjoyable in your daily routine.

France initiates an eco-friendly project, offering financial support for clothing repair to combat waste and promote responsible consumption. This aligns with global sustainability efforts. The EU introduces a law requiring smartphone manufacturers to create devices with easily replaceable batteries, aiming to reduce electronic waste and foster sustainability. This resonates with worldwide attempts to combat e-waste. Meanwhile, Killarney in Ireland makes history as the first town to ban single-use coffee cups, encouraging reusable alternatives and demonstrating a commitment to reducing plastic waste. These initiatives mark significant steps toward a more environmentally responsible and sustainable future.

As the global movement against plastic pollution gains momentum, UK and Ireland schools are stepping up to reduce plastic consumption and inspire sustainable practices. From innovative lunchbox solutions to rallying the school community for Plastic Free July, here's how students, parents, and educators can collaborate for a greener future.

This August our key sustainability spotlights - Irish Inventor Fionn Ferreira has created a groundbreaking solution to remove microplastics from water. UK is due to ban single use plastics from 1st October (sadly with some exceptions) and New Zealand bans single use plastic bags for fruit and vegetables in all supermarkets.

Our top tips on how to have a lower emission holiday and reduce your carbon footprint tailored to UK travellers. We've done the research so you don't have to and by following these tips, you can contribute to sustainable travel practices and help protect the environment while still having an amazing holiday.

Healthy nutritious eating has always been at the heart of what The Source Bulk Foods is about, as much as our mission to help our customers reduce their waste. Nutrition and diet is an ever evolving area with an endless release of books and podcasts covering a range of new ideas and theories. In this blog the founders of The Source UK & Ireland, Makayla & Patrick talk briefly about how food kick-started their zero waste journey, as well as highlighting a few of their recent reads and listens on nutrition, ultra-processed foods, the impacts of fasting and debunking the junk science behind health fads.

How the new viral planter led us to questioning carbon offsetting standards and our tree planting campaign, and find out how we at The Source remain committed to making a genuine and tangible impact on the planet

This Plastic Free July we want to use our platform to highlight the great work of charities that are working to clean up the damage already done.  Here at The Source Bulk Foods, we share these three Ocean Clean up Charities vision for a cleaner, healthier planet. We will be donating to one of these charities at the end of July and will publish how much we have donated at the beginning of August, check back here then to find out! Not familiar with these charities? Read more below for the fantastic work these charities are performing in oceans and rivers globally.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is a remarkable charity organization that has been making waves in the world of environmental conservation. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1990, SAS has consistently fought to protect and preserve our precious coastlines from pollution, specifically targeting the issue of sewage contamination. With their unique blend of passion, activism, and community engagement, SAS has become a driving force in raising awareness and effecting positive change for our oceans.