Eco-Conscious Content a Focus for The October Live Show
Helping to tackle the environmental plastic crisis, Grand Designs Live, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, is continuing with its initiative launched in May at the London ExCeL show, by reducing the usage of single-use plastics at the Birmingham show, taking place from 10 – 14 October at the NEC.
Kevin McCloud commented; ‘Our planet is clearly in crisis, and we have to figure out how to reverse the damage we’re doing to it. Aside from the issues around carbon emissions and climate change, two of the biggest challenges we face are to do with protecting the biosphere and the species in it and how we manage all of the resources of the globe sustainably – including the plastics we produce. With a fair wind we still just have a chance to get things right, by changing the way we manufacture, use, repurpose and recycle what we need. These are objectives that lie at the core of One Planet Living and which Grand Designs Live takes seriously. This year, Grand Designs Live is launching an initiative to reduce the usage of single-use plastics by reducing the sale of plastic bottles from all on-show floor catering points – along with the distribution of plastic straws and cutlery. We’re also working with the Amsterdam based foundation Join the Pipe to provide a water refill station in the Central Bar for visitors to use. On October 10th I’ll also be hosting a panel of eco-experts in the Grand Theatre’s ‘Plastic Surgery’ session, discussing the challenges of green living; and of course, I’ll be showcasing my new selection of ‘Green Heroes.’
Grand Designs Live will be working with their official charity partner, Friends of The Earth, who will be providing refillable bottles for visitors to use throughout the show and contributing to content in The Grand Theatre. Craig Bennett, Friends of the Earth Chief Executive, said: “Innovative design will play a huge part in creating solutions to deal with the plastic pollution that is choking our oceans and harming our wildlife; which is why we’re excited to be partnering with Grand Designs Live. Getting rid of unnecessary, throw-away plastic items like single-use plastic bottles, cutlery and coffee cups is an important first step towards dealing with the pollution crisis we all face.”
In addition to this, Grand Designs Live, is also working with Amsterdam based foundation, Join the Pipe, to provide a water refill station in the Central Bar for visitors use. Committed to reducing the amount of plastic waste and promoting drinking tap water, Join the Pipe supply water stations for public places and sell reusable bottles to both individuals and companies. Through the sale of the Refill Stations and water bottles, Join the Pipe finance Clean Water Projects and City Clean-Ups in developing countries, minimising plastic pollution at the source and giving communities access to clean drinking water and sanitation.
Andrew Eversden, Managing Director of Join the Pipe International comments; “Many people want the option of filling up their water bottles and it is an inexpensive, healthy and environmentally friendly option to have tap water accessible. Our goal is to make clean drinking water accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world whilst promoting the usage of tap water and discouraging the use of polluting single-use plastic water bottles.”
In the popular Grand Theatre, sponsored by Airflow, visitors will have the chance to listen to informative seminars on this topic from a host of industry experts. On Wednesday 10th October, Kevin McCloud will chair a panel of eco-experts including Charity Partners; Friends of The Earth, environmental foundation Join the Pipe and Designer Stella Conran, looking at how we can reverse the vicious cycle of use and pollution by designing our homes without damaging our planet and explore some design pioneers who combine their passion for innovation and inspirational design with care for our planet.
Other Grand Theatre talks concentrating on eco-living, will centre on sustainability and recycling; Upcycled Hour, presented by Chris Billingham, looks at the stylish but sustainable side of upcycling and gives visitors an insight into the supreme quality that is being achieved by professional creative reuse artists. While engineer Dick Strawbridge and Interior Designer Angel Adoree will upcycle an unused household item into a stylish and unique piece of furniture.
Specialising in bespoke artwork for public environments, Creative Artist, Stella Corrall has produced a unique art installation for the show’s Central Bar, made from recycled bottle tops and straws, she has used recycled waste, which would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. Stella explains; ‘At Lucentia we are passionate about transforming precious waste plastic into wonderful new sheet materials for innovative artworks and high-quality products. Our central bar installation takes inspiration from the ocean waves. With each droplet made from 100% recycled bottle tops, the aim is to highlight the volume of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean. We hope that WAVE helps turn the tide on attitudes to plastic, to be socially responsible and value its worth.’
This is not the only eco-conscious steps that Grand Design Live will be making this October. Kevin McCloud’s Green Heroes will make a welcome return, with four brands on display and three products giving live demonstrations, giving visitors the chance to see the very best eco-innovations in the flesh.
This October’s edition of Grand Designs Live, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, is set to be one of the most engaging, informative and exciting to date with plenty of advice surrounding eco-living and environment. For more information visit www.granddesignslive.com
