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As people are becoming more eco-conscious about where their food comes from, many are looking to hunting as a possible sustainable alternative to farmed meat. However, hunting remains a controversial topic within the sustainability movement. What are the key points to consider when looking at the sustainability of hunting? A more eco-friendly source of meat Problems with farming meat Many groups today call for us as a society to move away from meat eating altogether in order to benefit the planet. Veganism has risen dramatically, and more eco-friendly meat alternatives are being developed. Intensive meat farming, especially factory farming, is known for its negative environmental impact. With the high levels of methane (a potent greenhouse gas) that cows and sheep release, the water and energy usage for large facilities to store animals in, and the clearing of land to grow monocrop grains for animal feed, it’s widely agreed that this method of farming is destructive. Hunting as a more sustainable option When we look at buying meat, opting for organic produce is a great way to support earth-friendly farming. Local, grass-fed meat has become increasingly popular in recent years. But many are starting to look at hunting as a way to take their eco-conscious meat eating to the next level. Hunting meat is undoubtedly more sustainable than factory farming. There’s none of the land and water pollution that comes with farming practices, and the meat is usually healthier too as the animals haven’t been pumped with antibiotics and hormones. Ecological conservation Regulated hunting supports conservation efforts in a number of ways. The most notable ways are funding projects and maintaining animal populations. As sustainability is about keeping the earth liveable through practices that help maintain ecological balance, hunting is inherently sustainable through this lens. Funding conservation efforts The money that hunters spend on licenses, tags and stamps provides funding for environmental projects. As well as this, taxes on firearms and ammunition also contribute to conservation efforts across the US. Preserving habitats of wildlife is one of the main ways legislation has helped encourage sustainable hunting. Managing Animal Population Sizes As human populations led to a severe reduction in wild predators across the US, prey animal populations can become over abundant. This causes issues to both people and the environment. When deer and elk populations are too large, the number of vehicle collisions increases dramatically. In addition to this, deer cause damage to plants and trees through their eating habits and fraying with antlers. Regulated culling of deer helps keep populations at an optimal level to support their wellbeing as a species, keep habitats in tact, and protect the human populations in surrounding areas. Sustainable Hunting Accessories If you’re interested in sustainable hunting practices, ...

Make a memorable impression this season with these fall themed promo items. As the temperature drops, it’s the perfect time to refresh your marketing to maintain brand exposure. Check out our 3 favorite picks for fall! 1. Personalized Umbrellas Don’t let your company get caught out in the rain when it comes to advertising this season. Umbrellas are an ideal fall themed promo item, especially if you live in an area prone to wet weather. Your customers will be whipping out your umbrellas every time it starts to drizzle, and this is a great opportunity to increase your brand awareness. Choose a bright color to make your logo or company name pop, ensuring it’ll be visible even through the downpour. Large golf umbrellas are best for making the biggest impression. We’ve all been out in the rain with a compact umbrella, only to have it snap and bend inside out with a strong gust of wind, leaving us wet and flushed with embarrassment. In these moments, the person walking past carrying a sturdy golf umbrella becomes the envy of everyone around. Make the most of this by having a contrasting logo printed on the side, and your company name will stick in the head of any poor, soaked soul who gives it a glance. 3. Waterproof Bags The leaves are turning warm tones and beginning to fall, the air is crisp, and there’s a feeling of cozy nostalgia in the air. People are flocking to the mountains and the forests to catch a glimpse of this magical transformation of nature. As the sun is low in the sky and the clouds roll in, hikers are putting up their hoods and preparing to press on through the elements. Customizable waterproof bags are another ideal fall themed promo item. Help keep people outside in all weathers, enjoying the pastimes they love the most. By offering innovative waterproof bags, your company is protecting the essential items that outdoorsy folk need. Perfect for hiking, hunting and fishing, people will be raving about your waterproof bags all season, and anyone with soggy pockets will be trying to find out where they can get one. 3. Insulated Mugs It’s pumpkin spice season! Everyone’s rushing to their local coffee shop to pick up a seasonal latte with an extra shot of heartwarming feels. An eco-friendly reusable mug is a perfect fall themed promo item that will keep your company in everyone’s good books. In the US alone, we throw out over 50 billion disposable coffee cups each year. Consumers today are seeking reusable alternatives in an attempt to reduce their environmental impact. Offering customized reusable insulated mugs helps you win favor with your shoppers while spreading your company name - just think of all the instagram posts your logo will feature in!

One of the best ways to have a sustainable Thanksgiving is to reduce the amount of food that you let go to waste. Food waste is already a big enough problem in the US without the added strain on the environment that comes around the holidays. Every year, the average household of 4 wastes around $1,500 worth of food. At Thanksgiving, we see an increase of food waste up to 25 percent. Why is food waste a problem? As food lies in landfill, decomposing, it releases a huge amount of methane. Methane is a harmful greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. In addition to this, food waste takes up a lot of space, polluting our planet. It’s also important to remember that it’s not only the food that is going to waste when we throw scraps in the trash; the water and energy used to produce that food is also wasted. It is very important to learn about the environmental impact of food waste, as this will make us see that our actions matter a lot. Tips for having a sustainable Thanksgiving feast Plan who’s bringing what If you have guests or family members bringing dishes to Thanksgiving, make sure you know exactly who’s bringing what. This way, you can avoid having multiple of the same dishes and reduce the amount that goes to waste. It also means you can advise your guests on portion sizes so you don’t end up with too much food. Check your cupboards Cleaning out your cupboards before going grocery shopping will help you have a much more sustainable Thanksgiving. Take stock of what ingredients you have so that you don’t end up buying items that are already hiding at the back of your cupboards. Make dishes from scratch Once you’ve discovered which ingredients you have, it’s likely there are dishes on your list that can be made from scratch. Bread and desserts are great examples of items that a lot of people buy around the holidays that are easily made at home using what you have. Use eco-friendly food containers Involve your guests in your pursuits of a sustainable Thanksgiving by encouraging them to bring dishes in reusable containers rather than disposable ones. You can even reuse them on the day by sending guests home with leftovers, so that you’re less likely to throw excess food away. Only make dishes that are always popular We all have a dish or two that we make at Thanksgiving just for tradition, but that nobody really likes. Cut down on your food waste by taking that dish off the menu. If you’re still making this dish just because that one uncle likes it, try making a smaller portion just for him! If you own a grocery store Help your customers have a more sustainable Thanksgiving by stocking up with reusable grocery bags. You can even customize them in fall colors like oranges and reds to encourage shoppers to find a sustainable way of taking home their turkeys!

Food and beverage professionals are meeting in Paris this October to share the latest in food industry sustainability. Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL) is one of the biggest food trade shows in the world, and members of the U.S. Sustainability Alliance are attending to show their developments. Who's Exhibiting? There’s a whole section of the SIAL show dedicated to food industry sustainability in the United States, known as the USA General Food Pavilion and Lounge. The U.S. Sustainability Alliance organizations who are exhibiting at the show are: USA Poultry & Egg Export CouncilFood Export USA - Midwest & NortheastUSA Dry Pea & Lentil CouncilOrganic Trade AssociationUS Soybean Export CouncilUS Dairy Export CouncilUS Meat Export FederationUS Dry Bean Council Interesting food industry sustainability topics being discussed over the event include ethical food sourcing, innovative food and drinks packaging, and new plant-based food products. Some exciting new plant-based innovations include Austrian company Revo Foods’ plant-based seafood products and consumer brand AcreMade’s new plant-based egg. Ideas for your next trade show In-keeping with the hype surrounding this food industry sustainability rendez-vous in Paris, it’s a great time to consider how best to present your own business at food and beverage trade shows. As with all trade shows, freebies and giveaways are vital. Having customized items to give out to attendees will help them remember your company or brand once they leave the event, especially after speaking with potentially hundreds of people. You want to make a memorable, lasting impression, and this is a great way to get promotional items out to new potential clients. Make sure all of your custom promo items are eco-friendly, so that they fit the values of the show surrounding food industry sustainability. Some great ideas for eco-friendly promotional items for food and drink trade shows are: Reusable strawsGiving away reusable straws in customized packaging is perfect if your company is exhibiting new drinks or beverage innovations. Paper straws and stainless steel straws are available in different colors and costs to fit every company.Sustainable food containersGive your attendees an eco-friendly way to eat their lunch throughout the event by giving out reusable and biodegradable food containers. These are ideal if your brand wants to hand out food samples and advertise at the same time. Attendees will also take these home and reuse them after the show.Reusable trade show bagsBags are a must at any trade show. When handing out freebies and promo items, you want to make sure that you’re still appealing to those who are invested in food industry sustainability. Stock your booth with bags made from recycled materials or organic cotton to best portray your business. There are plenty of customizable options out there that are both sustainable and budget-friendly!

Discover the retreats seeking sustainable change and giving our planet a much deserved break from environmental damage. From hotels harnessing renewable energy to in-house apiaries, these innovative eco-friendly resorts are leading the tourism sector in sustainability. The Environmental Impact of Hotels With hundreds of thousands of travelers each year, hotels have a huge carbon footprint. All eco-conscious vacationers will know that even travel to resorts is heavy on the environment. Flying or driving long distances generates greenhouse gasses before guests even step foot on the resort. Hotels use a lot of energy and water in their everyday operations. From powering rooms, to the huge amount of laundry involved in replacing bedding. Many resorts work around the clock, and have power-draining entertainment venues. Restaurants serve a lot of meat and fish year-round, and pools require massive amounts of water and heating. We burn fossil fuels for most of our energy, contributing to climate change through greenhouse gas. Oil and gas are non-renewable resources and will eventually run out, making them an unsustainable energy source in the long-term. Thankfully, some hoteliers are developing eco-friendly resorts and at least minimizing the impact a vacation has on the environment.  Top 3 Eco-Friendly Resorts in the US For those concerned about the environmental cost of their vacation, choosing an eco-friendly resort can help with guilt-free enjoyment. Here are 3 of the top hotels striving for sustainability: The Bardessono Hotel, CABuilt largely from the timber of salvaged trees, this hotel boasts LEED platinum certification. The Bardessono uses an underground geothermal system for heating rooms and tap water, in addition to the pool. 940 solar panels fuel the rest of this stunning eco-friendly resort. They even source their own organic produce in their gardens. Salamander Resort and Spa, VAThe 340 acre resort uses 200 acres of land for conservation, and has planted over 2000 trees. The hotel is also responsible for the building of waste-reducing water facilities for the nearby town. What's more, their garden provides fresh herbs and vegetables for the eco-friendly resort’s famous restaurants. The Ranch at Rock Creek, MTThe Ranch really defines responsible luxury with its closed-loop sustainability system. Because they use reusable bottles for drinks and toiletries, the hotel is able to eliminate 100% of single use plastic. They use solar energy to power lights in addition to contributing to local conservation efforts. Not only does the resort have on-site beehives for fresh honey, they also source meat and vegetables locally. In addition to this, all food scraps are directed straight to local farms. Promote Your Resort with Eco-Friendly Items If your hotel is working toward sustainable change, start by switching out single-use items for reusable ones. Promoting your brand as an eco-friendly resort is one ...

With football season approaching, stadiums are getting ready to welcome thousands of fans back through their gates. However, with such high footfall comes a high carbon footprint. Sports teams nationwide are starting to put their best foot forward when it comes to tackling environmental issues. Whether you’re a fan, a professional or local team, or a sponsor, you can get on board with sustainable changes to help reduce environmental impact and push toward eco-friendly sports. What is the environmental impact of sport? Sustainable energy Powering a stadium, especially one that can seat tens of thousands of fans, is no easy feat. Whilst ticket sales cover the energy bills, they unfortunately can’t cover the environmental costs. The US is currently part of the Race to Zero campaign, a global effort to cut down on carbon emissions. Part of this involves gaining the capacity for 750 GW of renewable energy by 2030. We source most energy from the burning of fossil fuels such as oil or gas to generate electricity and heat. As oil and gas are finite resources on our planet, this is not a sustainable way of powering our lives (or sports stadiums). Burning fossil fuels also takes a toll on our environment as it creates greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change. Some eco-friendly sports teams have taken it upon themselves to contribute to sustainable energy efforts by installing solar panels on stadium roofs and the surrounding areas. Harnessing the power of the sun, solar energy is a cost-efficient renewable energy source and helps teams cut down on energy bills. Plastic waste Each year, football season comes with a huge amount of plastic waste. A single Superbowl game alone generates an average of 80,000 lbs of trash. Where fans are prohibited from bringing their own food and drink into the stadium, it’s difficult for fans to make sustainable choices individually. Many stadiums are choosing to advance toward eco-friendly sports by replacing disposable cups and food containers with sustainable items such as reusable cups or recyclable aluminum cans. Sports brand Adidas have even created their first football pitch made entirely of recycled plastic. This recycled plastic field uses 1.8 million plastic bottles found at beaches and coastlines, cleaning up local areas whilst cutting down on the amount of water and energy used in pitch maintenance. The field can be found at Edison High School in Miami. Examples of professional teams making sustainable changes Sacramento KingsThe California basketball team boasts an arena that is 100% powered by solar energy sourced within 50 miles of the arenaPittsburgh Pirates:The Pennsylvania baseball team recycle more than 65% of all waste, saving it from landfillPhiladelphia EaglesThe popular football team harness solar and wind energy from panels and turbines, generating 6x as much energy as they need for one game and giving back to the local communityForest Green RoversThe UK ...

It’s that time again! Summer is drawing to a close and the first students are flocking to campus for the new academic year. Now is the perfect time to stock your campus stores with back to school promotional items. Start the year right with our top 5 back to school promotional products to boost school spirit. 1. Tech-friendly reusable backpacks Backpacks customized with your school logo are perfect for back to school. Custom backpacks make new students feel welcome, create continuity across campus, and make it easy to identify other students. These tech-friendly reusable backpacks are perfect for back to school, as they’re big enough to store laptops, tablets, and notepads. With separate compartments, it’s easy for students to stay organized. Padded and adjustable straps make this bag comfortable to carry all day. What’s more, these backpacks come with a power bank to recharge devices across a full day of classes. 2. Recycled pens Make it easy for students to turn up prepared by stocking up on eco-friendly pens. Branded pens are ideal to hand out in giveaway packs for back to school, alongside important campus information. Wholesale custom pens are typically low-cost, making them a perfect budget-friendly promotional item. Choose an eco-friendly pen to promote sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of your institution. 3. Custom planners Getting used to a new class schedule is a big part of going back to school. Help students stay on top of deadlines with a planner customized with your school logo. These promotional branded pocket planners are essential for all students. With a high-quality foil imprint and 5 vivid colors available, they’re sure to fly off the shelves of your school store. Choose an eco-friendly promotional planner to reduce the environmental impact of your college. Custom Earth Promos uses only eco-friendly inks in their planners, manufactured without the use of harmful chemicals. 4. Personalized water bottles With the back to school campus rush comes a full gym and sports team tryouts. Custom reusable stainless steel water bottles are an excellent promotional tool when branded with your school’s logo. Stainless steel water bottles are very popular at the moment and are insulated to keep drinks cold or hot throughout a busy day of classes. These bottles help reduce the amount of single-use plastic on campus and save students money in the long run as they’re tough enough to last for years. 5. Custom duffel bags Moving to campus can be a daunting time for many new students. Luggage takes up a lot of space in a shared dorm room, but it’s still important for students to bring their home comforts when heading back to school. Supersized custom drawstring bags are perfect for bringing clothes and bed linens to college, and can be folded away or reused as a laundry bag after unpacking. Give these out as a welcome gift to new students to make them feel more at home ...

The US’ first commercial-scale wind farm is launching to increase renewable wind energy production. Developers of the project, Vineyard Wind, have chosen a massive turbine for the job. Read on to find out just how powerful this turbine is and how increased wind energy will benefit the US. Wind energy that can power a home with one spin GE, an American company, has manufactured the giant turbine that will be able to power a home for 2 days with just one spin. The turbine model, GE Haliade-X, is an upgrade from the current best turbine in the world, so will propel the US to the forefront of wind energy. With a capacity of 13 MW, the new turbine is twice the size of any turbine off the US coast at present. The amount of power it can generate has set a new record in terms of wind energy. Massachusetts is going to be the first state to benefit from such a large offshore wind farm, as the coast off Martha’s Vineyard is chosen as the site for the new development. The local area will see 400,000 homes plus additional businesses powered by the wind farm. Advantages of wind energy Wind energy harnesses the power of the wind to move blades of large turbines, creating kinetic energy. This energy converts into electricity, which can power homes and businesses. Wind is a source of renewable energy, and a sustainable way to produce electricity. As part of the global Race to Zero campaign, the US is committed to reach 750 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Wind energy is a valuable resource to achieve this, as it is a free and unlimited way to produce electricity. It doesn’t emit greenhouse gasses or pollutants into the air, unlike the burning of fossil fuels, making it a clean energy source. Wind energy doesn’t depend on other nations, so it’s more reliable than oil and gas. As seen this year, limited supply of non-renewable energy sources due to conflict in other nations can increase the cost of fuel in the US. Wind energy means cheaper power and lower utility bills for American homes. What’s more, wind farms create a lot of jobs and strengthen the economy. How you can help with the race to zero Whilst production of renewable and wind energy is under progress, you can boost sustainability efforts by making some simple eco-friendly changes. 1. Installing solar panels It might not be possible to install a massive wind turbine at your home, but you can harness the clean and free power of the sun by installing solar panels on your roof. This can provide electricity to your house or business, reducing the use of non-renewable energy. 2. Using sustainable options If you own a business, you can reduce your carbon footprint by making sustainable changes. Stores can offer customers reusable shopping bags instead of single-use plastic that harms the environment. Event organizers can also switch to eco-friendly promotional items such as organic cotton lanyards. Additionally, you can make invitations out of seed ...

Many of us don’t consider the environmental impact of the food that we waste. This issue is damaging the environment, from wasting valuable water and energy resources in the growth of a bad crop, to the greenhouse gasses released by food in landfill. Read on to find out how food waste harms the environment and 3 top tips on how you can help. How does food waste harm the environment? Growth Food waste begins at the farming level. Bad weather, pests, or uneven ripening patterns might ruin a crop. Insufficient labor can mean a harvest isn’t finished before the food turns bad. In addition to this, supermarkets often cancel orders for food at the last minute, leaving farmers unable to shift their goods. All of these factors contribute to food waste, and experts predict that 15% of the world’s food is wasted before it ever leaves the farm. This equals around 1.2 billion tonnes of food waste polluting the planet each year at the farming level. As well as this, all of the energy and water used to grow the crop is also wasted. What’s more, unsustainable farming practices around the world are also damaging to the environment. Chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides pollute waterways, whilst intensive agriculture often leads to irreversible soil erosion. Clearing the land to grow monocrops often involves deforestation, contributing to climate change and a loss of biodiversity. Transport The environmental costs of transporting food are high enough without adding the effects of food waste. Transporting food in planes, boats and trucks around the world comes with a high carbon footprint. The trucks used to drive food around the US alone use a significant amount of fuel, which is a non-renewable resource. Issues often happen along lines of transportation, such as boats or planes being delayed or trucks breaking down. These delays mean that food turns bad before it reaches its destination, leading to even more food waste. Landfill It’s estimated that 40% of all food produced on the earth is never eaten. Food waste is usually taken to landfill, whether it’s the tonnes of food lost in farming and transportation or the scraps from our tables. When this happens, the decomposition of food releases methane, which is a greenhouse gas. Even the most sustainable diet can be harmful to the environment when this happens. Data shows that 8% of all greenhouse gasses on the planet come from food waste. How can we reduce food waste? Each of us has a part to play when it comes to reducing food waste. Here are 3 top tips for how you can help: Plan your meals in advance Planning your meals for the week in advance will help you to only buy what you need at the grocery store. Take a list so you won’t end up buying extras that later turn into food waste. Meal planning also helps you with portion control, which will reduce the amount of leftovers ending up in landfill. Purchase some eco-friendly reusable food containers ...

Natural colored paper bags give an eco-friendly look to any checkout. Whilst paper bags fit the aesthetic many sustainable stores are after, they’re not the best option if your business is truly trying to go green. Washable paper bags offer an eco-friendly alternative. As they’re more durable than standard paper bags, washable paper bags are reusable. This means a reduction in the number of paper bags manufactured, and a better user experience overall. The problem with paper bags With many states banning single-use plastic bags, paper bags have risen in popularity. Whilst the environmental damage caused by plastic bags is now general knowledge, many people are still unaware that paper bags aren’t the greenest option. It's easy to recycle paper bags, which is a massive bonus that single-use plastics don’t offer. However, this doesn’t solve all of the environmental issues surrounding shopping bags. Washable paper bags may just be the compromise we need to steer away from plastic whilst being more environmentally responsible. Manufacturing is environmentally costly Trees used for paper bags are a renewable resource, which immediately puts them a step above oil-sourced plastics. However, these trees have valuable qualities that the earth needs to survive. Trees turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, which we not only need to breathe but also reduces the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Whilst sustainable tree farming and harvesting practices are now common, we should still be cautious about our use of this resource. Each day consumers use millions of paper bags, which require the cutting down of millions of trees each year. Manufacturing standard paper bags requires 4x more energy than plastic bags. Non-renewable resources such as oil and gas often fuel this energy. What’s more, the process uses harmful chemicals that can damage the earth around factories. Where paper bags are typically only good for one use, this means more manufacturing is required. Switching to washable paper bags gives increased durability and reduces the demand for manufacturing of paper bags. Many paper bags end up in landfill Just because paper bags are easily recycled doesn’t mean everyone recycles them. When paper bags end up in landfill, they take up more space than plastic bags, increasing pollution of our planet. Paper bags also take a long time to biodegrade, and still create methane (a greenhouse gas) as they break down. Choosing a washable paper bag reduces the number of paper bags that end up in landfill, as they can be used repeatedly over time. Standard paper bags aren’t a viable long-term promo tool We’ve all experienced the handle of a paper bag breaking on the way out of the store. It’s also a real problem when paper bags become wet from condensation on cold groceries or if it starts to rain. Standard paper bags rip and tear easily. Many people throw them away after only one use. If your company ...