We need your help! - How can we improve our environmental footprint at Uk festivals

At The Canvas Co., we are always striving to improve every aspect of our business, especially when it comes to sustainability. This year, we're excited to share our latest efforts with you, our beloved festival glampers!

We’ve already made great strides in reducing our impact on the planet by addressing the massive issue of abandoned tents, managing rubbish effectively, and ensuring our crew is well-catered without unnecessary waste. Each year, we set up thousands of beautiful canvas structures, and they can be completed with beds, bedding, and other furnishings, helping to save tons of plastic tent waste and reduce the likelihood of abandoned sleeping bags, pillows, and airbeds.

But this year, we're taking things a step further. We’re turning our attention to toiletries. We’ve explored mini plastic bottles, switched to shampoo bars, and continue to seek the perfect solution to keep our guests feeling fresh and smelling fabulous.

Why travel-sized toiletries are a problem

Many festival-goers understandably opt for travel-sized toiletries to lighten their load. However, these tiny bottles have a surprisingly high environmental cost. While standard-sized products contain about 5.1ml of fluid per gram of packaging, travel-sized products hold just 2.7ml per gram. This makes them almost twice as polluting. In fact, over 980 tons of plastic waste are generated from travel-size toiletries each year, with many bottles discarded half-used.

New toiletries for a greener festival experience

This year, you’ll find a range of sustainable toiletry options at our festivals:

Soap, shampoo and conditioner bars

We're trialling bars of soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Here’s why we love them:

Zero plastic packaging: Our bars come in paper packaging, and we present them in paper bags with QR codes or slips listing the ingredients.
No plastic waste: When these bars reach the end of their life, they leave no plastic waste behind. Liquid shampoo bottles, on the other hand, contribute to landfill waste or require recycling.
Less energy and water usage: Producing solid shampoo and conditioner bars uses less energy and water compared to their liquid counterparts. Plus, shampoo bars are more concentrated, so you need less per use, which saves water during production.
Natural ingredients: Our bars are made with natural, non-toxic ingredients like essential oils (lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus), herbal extracts, castor oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. These ingredients are great for your hair and scalp and have a smaller environmental impact.
Economical and travel-friendly: Compact and lightweight, shampoo and conditioner bars are easy to carry to and from the shower blocks and last longer than liquid products – hooray for more washes!

Refillable toiletries

We're also introducing refillable liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner that guests can use with compostable paper ramekins at our shower blocks. Here’s why we’re excited about this option:

Just the right amount: Guests can fill compostable ramekins with just the amount they need for each shower, reducing waste.
Reduced packaging waste: Refillable products significantly cut down on single-use plastic bottles. Instead of discarding bottles, guests can refill compostable containers.
Compostable ramekins: These break down naturally, leaving no lasting impact on the environment.
Lower carbon footprint: Reusing containers reduces the demand for new plastic production, saving up to 70% CO2, 65% energy, and 45% water use.
Resource conservation: Extending the life of packaging materials means fewer raw materials are used.
Less transportation impact: Bulk quantities of shampoo and conditioner are more efficient to transport than individual bottles.
Healthier ingredients: Our refillable brands prioritise natural, non-toxic ingredients, which are better for both our guests and the environment. By avoiding harmful chemicals, we reduce the risk of polluting waterways.

Join us in making a difference

Both options have their environmental benefits, and we’re excited to see which one you, our wonderful guests, prefer. By providing these choices, we hope to make your festival experience not only enjoyable, but also eco-friendly. Let's work together to make a positive impact!

Here's to a fresh, fun, and sustainable festival season at The Canvas Co.! And, if you’ve tried our products, let us know your thoughts – info@thecanvasco.co.uk