News
The Quality of the air we breath impacts us all
Are our homes making us unhealthy?
The air we breathe—whether at home, at work, in schools, or in healthcare settings—affects every aspect of our lives.
Over the past few decades, our living spaces have changed dramatically. This discussion explores the contrast between the simple, locally sourced homes of the 1970s and the complex, globally manufactured environments many children grow up in today. Mark and Simon highlight how we haven’t just offshored carbon emissions—we’ve also introduced a complex “chemical soup” into our homes, where microscopic particles can carry and spread pollutants.
LIsten to the AirQualityMatters podcast channel for an insightful conversation between host Simon Jones and Thermafleece MD Mark Lynn to find out more.
What is Plastic Pollution?
A report on the current state of plastic pollution and how it affects our oceans.
When plastic waste is mismanaged (it’s not recycled, incinerated, or locked away in landfills) it becomes an environmental pollutant. Whether it’s washing up on our beaches, appearing deep in the Arctic ice or entangling marine wildlife, plastic pollution is where it shouldn’t be. And it’s causing catastrophic harm.
Over time, these plastics break down into increasingly smaller pieces called microplastics and nanoplastics, which further cause a load of problems. Not only are these small plastic fragments extremely difficult to clean up once in the environment, but they also act as vessels carrying toxic chemicals everywhere they go. And they have found their way into every nook and cranny of our planet, including our bodies.
Read Now
The rapid increase in single-use and disposable plastics has and is continuing to make plastic pollution one of the most pressing environmental challenges we face globally today.
Plastic Pollution in Numbers
- Over 11 million tonnes of plastic finds its way into the ocean every single year. 9.5 million tonnes of this enters the ocean from the land, and 1.75 tonnes are thrown into the sea directly from the fishing and shipping industry.
- There are approximately 51 trillion microscopic pieces of plastic, weighing 269,000 tons. That’s about the same as 1,345 adult blue whales. And 500 times the number of stars in our galaxy.
- Approximately 11 million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean every year. That’s the equivalent of us dumping 2,000 rubbish trucks full of plastic into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes every single day (UNEP, 2025).
- There could be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050 (EMF, 2016).
- More than 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution every year (UK Government, 2018).
80% of all studied marine debris is plastic. (IUCN, 2021) - It’s estimated that UK households throw away a staggering 1.7 billion pieces of plastic packaging a week (Big Plastic Count, 2024). That means every year, we throw out about 100 billion pieces of plastic – the same number of stars in our Galaxy!
Environmental Product Declaration available for SupaSoft Insulation
As the demand for transparency and independent data grows the need for verified EPD’s becomes ever greater. EPD’s are a way of determining and publishing the environmental impact of products and cover a range of aspects including embodied carbon, measured as the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the product.
The data on the SupaSoft Insulation EPD is published for the thickness required to achieve an R value of 1 enabling easy comparison with other products.
72 packs of SupaSoft Recycled Plastic bottle Insulation –
Adding to the warm atmosphere at Appleby Hub
Appleby Hub, located in the former Methodist chapel on Chapel Street provides a community café serving homemade artisan wholefoods, a second-hand book shop, together with a great variety of community groups and classes all with a focus on creativity and well-being.
As part of the Green small business certification which highlighted the lack of effective insulation in the Hub loft area. Sarah contacted Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd who were able to provide SupaSoft, a safe to handle, safe to install, none itch insulation which matched perfectly with the Hub’s Green Business credentials.
Read Now
A total of 72 packs of SupaSoft, the equivalent of 57600 waste plastic bottles not going to landfill) were delivered and installed by local firm Nathan Richardson Joinery, turning the loft into a SupaSoft Winter wonderland.
‘I’m so grateful to Eden Renewables.’ says Sarah, 'SupaSoft is a lovely product, so much kinder than the old-fashioned fibre glass insulation and very in keeping with our environmental values.’
Appleby Hub is owned by the Oakleatrust and run by subsidiary right2work , a CIC (Community Interest Company)
Further information on The Hub can be found at
Supasoft part of the 'Take Back the Tap' campaign in Canada
Samples of SupaSoft have made their way over to Canada to become part of the ‘Take Back the Tap’ campaign which aims to educate communities about the negative impacts of drinking from single-use plastic bottles.
In support of this , the Office of Sustainability has partnered with the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre in Toronto, to host an exhibition highlighting the impacts single-use plastics are having on Canadian waterways, the alternatives available, and ideas on what can be done with those plastics already in existence.
The real lady in the van
SupaSoft insulation helping to keep an eco-friendly mobile home warm and cosy.
Louise Watts wanted her unique mobile home to be as environmentally friendly as possible, but with limited space, weight restrictions and a roller shutter at the back making it difficult for the van to conserve heat, the insulation not only had to be eco friendly and able to help keep the van warm, but also be lightweight and non bulky.
Read Now
The solution was found in using SupaSoft, with its’ recycled content of over 95%, and made almost entirely from recycled plastic bottles it fit the environmental bill perfectly, whilst the crimped polyester fibres provide loft and maintain durability which ticked the weight and lack of bulk boxes. With the warmth and comfort provided by polyester fibres widely used to fill duvets and pillows it also meant that the insulation would help to keep the van warm and cosy even in the coldest of weathers.
Nightmare of plastic oceans will only get worse
King Charles has often spoken about the ‘nightmare’ of plastic waste polluting the world’s oceans, saying he fears it will get worse. As Prince Charles he delivered a speech at a meeting of environmentalists and business leaders in London to discuss the issue .
The heir to the throne spoke of his ‘deep frustration’ at the world ignoring the problem and called on companies to make changes to cut their plastic waste.
By Sarah Knapton, The Telegraph
To read the full story click here
Circular solution to plastic waste
Plastic has a significant role to play in achieving a sustainable future. Global production has topped 300 million metric tons per annum, a figure expected to double in the next 20 years.
The systems for dealing with plastic waste lag significantly behind other materials, with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation reporting that only 14% of plastic packaging is collected for recycling and just 10% of that is actually recycled.
Best sustainable thermal insulation company
Cumbrian based company Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd are once again winners in Build Magazine’s Sustainable Building Awards. This time the company has won “Best Sustainable Thermal Insulation Company – UK”
As suppliers of the UK’s most comprehensive range of natural and recycled insulation, Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd offer products that uniquely combine natural and recycled fibres at their optimum proportions and density. The company is recognised throughout the UK and Beyond for both their commitment to sustainable building and an uncompromising approach to performance, quality and service.
Read Now
Of the Award, Build Magazine say ‘The Sustainable Building Awards celebrate the trailblazers of this dynamic industry. What started out as a niche sector, is now one of the key contributors to the wider construction industry.
These awards are designed to recognise the high-level of dedication and skill that has been displayed by the innovative firms and individuals of this remarkable industry.”
Eden Renewable’s flagship brand Thermafleece is now in its 20th year and includes British hemp as well as British wool which it is best known for. The company is also leading the way in developing the market for insulation made from recycled materials such as newspaper and plastic bottles. With the re-launch of its recycled polyester insulation in September and the continued growth of its Thermofloc cellulose insulation brand, the company sees great potential in this area.
Of the award, Managing Director Mark Lynn “This award helps assure us that we are on the right track. The need for natural and recycled insulation will continue to grow as more and more people discover the options available to them and the many benefits they bring”.
For more information on Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd range of both natural and recycled insulation visit the website www.thermafleece.com Email enquiries@thermafleece.com or call on 01768 486285
Plastic pollution rivals climate change
Experts issue shocking warning as they reveal ONE MILLION plastic bottles are sold every minute.
The number of plastic bottles sold every minute will climb by 20 per cent by 2021, with more than half a trillion bottles sold every year in just three years.
Fewer than half of these bottles are recycled and most plastics end up in the world’s oceans and are ingested by marine wildlife
Read Now
Our addiction to plastic packaging could be as harmful to the environment as climate change, experts have warned. Experts said the increased demand is largely being driven by the popularity of bottled water in China and the Asia Pacific region. More than 480 billion plastic bottles were sold last year, while 300 billion were sold annually a decade ago.
Scientists said if each bottle was placed end to end, the resulting plastic tower would reach halfway to the sun.
Hugo Tagholm, from the marine conservation and campaigning group Surfers Against Sewage, told The Guardian that the statistics were ‘devastating’.‘The plastic pollution crisis rivals the threat of climate change as it pollutes every natural system and an increasing number of organisms on planet Earth,’ he said.
Sustainable building firm of the year
Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd named as winner of the Sustainable Building Firm of the Year Award!
“Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd stands out from the thousands of potential contenders due to creative movements, a dedicated team & brilliant quality of production and service you have offered to your customers. This shows in your constant progression within this sector allowing growth within your firm and being a one to watch in the near future. ‘– Build Magazine
Read Now
Speaking of the award, Mark Lynn Managing Director said “Sustainability and well-being are at the heart of our business and our proposition. The team are delighted with the award. Winning sustainable building firm of the year helps make the effort worth-while”.
Work on EU-funded BIO-CIRC research project
Eden Renewable Innovations, manufacturers of SupaSoft insulation worked with partners from both sides of the Channel on an exciting EU-funded research project called BIO-CIRC (Bio and Circular Insulation for Resourceful Construction).
The project was awarded by the Interreg VA France (Channel) England programme, which was co-financed by the ERDF.
Read Now
PROJECT PARTNERS:
• Nomadéis (lead partner)
• The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP)
• Eden Renewable Innovations
• Back to Earth
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
- Investigate the waste bedding sector and the potential reuse of a problematic waste source – polyester duvets, a waste product with poor recycling rates and sanitary issues.
• Examine the sanitisation and re-fiberisation process for polyester duvets, with the aim of creating a feedstock for novel insulation materials.
• Design and developed 3 prototype insulation products made from waste polyester fibres combined with natural fibres – sheep’s wool and hemp.
• Test and deploy the 3 prototypes on pilot sites to assess their energy and environmental performance.
• Network and engage with key stakeholders such as the ASBP’s Natural Fibre Insulation Group and Plastics in Construction Group, to gather intelligence and help create a business case for the development of natural and recycled fibre insulation (NRFI) materials.
• Undertook market intelligence of the insulation market to identify key markets and opportunities for growth for NRFI.
• Review the air quality and health & well-being benefits of NRFI.
• Disseminated the project findings and raised awareness of the benefits of NRFI among diverse networks of construction professionals.
About the INTERREG VA France (Channel) England programme
The INTERREG VA France (Channel) England programme was a Cross Border European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) Programme which aimed to support the development of the France (Channel) England area in line with the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy to create jobs and smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
To select and fund projects that contributed to these goals, the programme was structured around 3 priorities, which were split into 5 specific objectives.
The BIO-CIRC project lay within Priority 2: Support the transition towards a low-carbon economy in the France (Channel) England Area, within Specific Objective 2.1: Increase the development and uptake of existing or new low-carbon technologies in sectors with the highest potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The BIO-CIRC project built upon the work of the Sustainable Bio & Waste Resources for Construction (SB&WRC) project, funded by the INTERREG VA France (Channel) England programme, in which Nomadeis (lead partner) and ASBP were key partners.
Top exhibitor at the Home Building and Renovating Show
SupaSoft was chosen as one of the top exhibitors at The Home Building and Renovating Show.
SupaSoft, the sustainable insulation product made from recycled plastic bottles and created by the team at Eden Renewable Innovations ltd, has been chosen as one of the Top 10 exhibitores at the Home Building and Renovating Show, london by the well-known trade magazine Building and Facilites News.
Read Now
The product which utilises the warmth and comfort provided by polyester fibres widely used to fill jackets, duvets and pillows, to produce long lasting and safe insulation throughout the home.
SupaSoft has a recycled content of over 95%, and is made almost entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Crimped polyester fibres provide loft and maintain durability ensuring the insulation lasts the life of the building in which it is installed.
Completely safe to handle, itch free, insulation, SupaSoft offers a real cost effective alternative to glass or other mineral insulation.
Managing Director of Eden Renewable Innovations Ltd, Mark Lynn said of the award:
“We are delighted to be recognised as one of the top exhibitors at the recent Home Building and Renovating Show in London. SupaSoft is a great product and our team worked hard to make the stand as eye catching and engaging as possible”.