Earth Month: Small Business, Big Earth Love

April has rolled around again, bringing with it the promise of warmer days and the cheerful sight of blooming flowers. But it's also a significant month for our planet, as we dedicate April to Earth Month, culminating in Earth Day on the 22nd – a global moment to raise awareness and take action for environmental protection.

Earth Day Logo

This year, Earth Day's theme is OUR POWER, OUR PLANET. It's a theme that shines a light on the urgent need for a worldwide shift towards renewable energy sources, paving the way for a sustainable and fairer future for everyone.

Here at Just Plain Charming, I truly believe that looking after our Earth isn't just for one day a year; it's something we should strive for every day. As a sole trader, I might not have the reach of a huge corporation, but I'm committed to ensuring that my impact is as positive as possible. Connecting with customers who share these values is also incredibly important to me.

That's why you can find Just Plain Charming’s Sustainability Pledge right here on our website: https://www.justplaincharming.co.uk/sustainbility-pledge  This pledge is a transparent look at my ongoing journey and commitment to embedding sustainable practices into everything I do, offering a glimpse behind the scenes.

Here’s how my practices tie into this year's focus on renewable energy and a more sustainable way of working:

Powering a Greener Studio (and Home)

Large Kiln Firing at Clay shed

• Out with the Gas, In with the Heat Pump & Green Tariffs: A significant step I've taken is removing the gas boiler at my home studio and installing an air source heat pump. This is a direct move towards using renewable energy for heating. My future goal is to add solar panels, further reducing my reliance on fossil fuels and shrinking my carbon footprint.

• Green Energy for Ceramics: The ceramic studio I use ClayShed operates on green tariffs, meaning the electricity powering everything, even those energy-hungry kilns, comes from renewable sources.

• Sharing the Heat (and Energy): By participating in shared kiln firings, I can significantly reduce the overall energy used compared to lots of individual firings in smaller kilns. It’s a simple way to minimise energy demand and support a broader transition to renewables.

• Smart Lighting at Home: My home and studio benefit from smart-controlled Hue bulbs. These LED lights are inherently more energy-efficient than traditional ones, and the smart controls (dimming, scheduling, and remote access) ensure they're only on when and at the brightness needed, boosting energy efficiency and cutting down on waste.

• Switch it Off! It might sound obvious, but simply turning off equipment when it's not being used is a fundamental way to conserve energy and reduce overall demand.

Beyond Energy

Bunch of silver scraps to be reused

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: While not directly generating renewable energy, these actions are vital for reducing the energy needed to create new materials in the first place. Recycling, in particular, saves considerable energy compared to extracting and processing raw resources, supporting a less energy-intensive economy that renewables can power.

• Minimising Waste and Giving Scraps a New Life: By carefully managing my making process and finding new uses for scraps and offcuts, I can reduce the amount of new materials needed and the energy associated with their production and disposal.

• Precious Metals or Ethically Sourced Gemstones: I only use recycled precious metals, avoiding the energy-intensive and environmentally damaging processes of mining and refining new metals. For gemstones, I aim for ethically sourced options that minimise social and environmental harm.

• Supporting Local: Choosing suppliers closer to home helps to reduce transportation emissions, which often rely on fossil fuels.

• Tree planting with Ecologi: While not a direct partnership with a renewable energy initiative, I also recognise the vital role of ecologi, such as tree planting. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a key driver of climate change, which in turn makes the transition to clean energy even more critical

Raising Awareness and Connecting with you

Even though my platform might be small, I believe it’s important to use it to support and advocate for the shift towards renewable energy, aligning with this year's Earth Day theme. By sharing information and resources, I hope to connect with customers who care about these issues and feel confident in the practices behind Just Plain Charming.

The official Earth Day 2025 poster by Alexis Rockman, marking the 55th anniversary.

Earth Day isn't just one day – it's a call to action that extends throughout April and beyond. Here are some ways you can join in making a positive impact.

• Explore the Official Earth Day Website: Head over to https://www.earthday.org/ to learn more about this year's theme, delve into the world of renewable energy, and even test your knowledge with their quizzes.

• Spread the Word: Share an Earth Day post on your social media using the hashtag #EarthDay2025 to help raise awareness.

• Make Your Voice Heard: Consider signing petitions focused on promoting renewable energy initiatives.

• Find Local Action: Check if there are any Earth Day events happening in your local area where you can get involved.

• Make a Personal Pledge: Take a moment to consider your own commitment to sustainability and share it with others.

• Support the Cause: If you're able, consider making a donation to the Earth Day website to support their vital work.

• Treat Yo'self: A reminder that with every order placed at Just Plain Charming, a tree will be planted!

  
  

Thank you for taking the time to read about the steps I’m taking towards a more sustainable future. Every small action counts, and together, we can all make a big difference.

Happy Earth Month/Earth Day!