Brooklyn-based Rhodora reopened its doors in September 2019 as the first truly waste-free restaurant in New York. As people become more conscious of the environmental impact of food and plastic waste, they’re searching for models of consumption that can be applied to everyday life.

Food production has a bigger impact on the planet than anything else humans do, yet for all the natural resources spent, it’s estimated that a third of all food is squandered. Toast Ale is attempting to tackle the problem of wastage in a novel way – by making craft beer out of surplus bread.

Lush has introduced biodegradable cork pots, claiming that they are the world’s first climate-positive packaging. With people increasingly demanding ethical and sustainable products across all stages of the manufacturing process, Lush is maintaining its status as a pioneer in sustainability.

Retailers’ sustainability initiatives show that shoppers don’t just want cheap, fast fashion – ethical and eco-savvy values are important too. But are visibly mended sweaters and ‘sneaker cleaning’ services just an updated version of the ‘It bag’, or are people ready to adopt low-impact lifestyles?