Since 20 million people took to the streets in 1970, World Earth Day has been a collective protest as well as a call for individual action.
After Senator Gaylord Nelson witnessed a 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California he was inspired to create what would become a mass movement:
“The young, the old, the brash, the solemn and the bland packed the avenues and malls and main streets in a celebration, half gay, half ghoulish of Earth Day, the first mass reminder of our decaying and polluted planet,” wrote Alistair Cooke, the Guardian’s then chief US correspondent, reporting on the first World Earth Day.
53 years later the movement continues, and this year’s theme is ‘Invest in Our Planet’. Lately, many grocery brands have been accused of of greenwashing, and there has been increasing discussion about corporate responsibility.
With that in mind, Grocery Gazette rounds up brands that are not just undertaking marketing ploys, but which genuinely invest in our planet, inspiring sustainability beyond World Earth Day.
PureOaty
Earlier this year the well-known Swedish oat milk brand Oatly, which attracted investment from the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Blackstone, had one of it’s adverts banned by the ASA for misleading greenwashing claims after complaints from the public and campaign group A Greener World.
For those looking for a UK-based, sustainable and entirely gluten free alternative, Glebe Farm in Cambridgeshire produces a gluten free oat milk PureOaty, as well as a variety of porridge oats and granola products. The family-run business has said that it endeavours to be entirely net zero by 2028.
Ecover
Ecover’s range of ecological washing products includes vital items like fabric conditioner, laundry detergent and surface cleaner. They also use plant-based and recycled materials in their packaging, and in some locations there is the option to refill.
What’s more, they have taken part in a campaign to tackle fashion waste under the hashtag #letsliveclean. Fast fashion is responsible for 8-10% of global emissions and British shoppers buy more clothes than any others in the world; as well as the detergent itself being a more sustainable choice, the Belgian brand makes a clear statement that less clothes should go in the bin.
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Willie’s Cacao
Tony’s Chocolonely, a Dutch brand who’s self-styled mission is to “make 100% slave free the norm in chocolate”, came under fire after admitting to 1,700 cases of child labour in its supply chain (due to its links with Barry Callebaut) last year. The company were also dropped by Slave Free Chocolate in 2021.
For those looking for an Earth Day alternative, Willie’s Cacao, owned by William Harcourt-Couze moved his factory from Venezuela to Devon in 2007 and sources all the company’s beans via direct trade, paying a higher price premium than fair trade.
Our Cow Molly
One of the best ways to help protect the environment is to consume local produce. Transport emissions account for nearly 19% of carbon emissions from food systems and British animals are protected under law, which cannot always be guaranteed elsewhere.
Our Cow Molly is a dairy farm located atop one of Sheffield’s mighty peaks, and has been going since 1974. As well as selling scrumptious ice creams amid scenic views at the farm, the family-owned company supplies its milk to retailers in local areas around Sheffield city, including some Morrison’s and Co-op supermarkets.
They sometimes supply in glass bottles too! A pint of Our Cow Molly milk in a glass bottle is £0.99, according to Sheffield retailer Zeeds.
Love this ! Fantastic to see @coopuk Supporting #local @ourcowmollymilk #fulwood #Sheffield @bexcoopmanager #ItsWhatWeDo @Garywilliams119 pic.twitter.com/tji7WAW6BW
— Lee Westwood (@lee_westwood99) April 14, 2022
Oxney Organic
Sustainability is not just for the sober, it is for all, as the crowds at World Earth Day have shown since its inception.
As well as being made locally, all of Oxney Organic’s wines are vegan and are made without the preservative sulphur dioxide. They also generate biomass heat for their the winery operations from woodchip sourced on their own woodland.
Consumers can celebrate their good choices (or just getting through the week…) with a glass or three of Oxney Organic’s luxurious English sparkling wine. With the days getting brighter and bank holidays looming, Oxney’s Brut Rosé available from Waitrose cellar for £25.99 is a treat worth considering.
In the last of our films celebrating the #CreativeSpiritofSussex, meet Salvatore Leone, winemaker at @oxneyestate near Rye.
See the full film here: https://t.co/fUbzfvrT4m
Funded by @southeastlep
🎥 : @TAThistle pic.twitter.com/mO8ooc0FZQ— Sussex Modern (@SussexModern) October 30, 2022
