Organic September is here!

This week marks the beginning of Organic September! If you’ve never heard of Organic September before then let us give you an idea of what it’s all about… 

Organic September is a month-long movement raising awareness for organic food and farming. Eating organic has many benefits for the climate, wildlife, and our health; from increasing soil and water health to providing better environments for flora and fauna through reduced pesticide use. 

Each year Organic September and ‘nature-friendly’ farming is championed by the Soil Association. The Soil Association aim to build a greener future, and with organically farmed land in the UK, declining by 34% since it peaked in 2008, it is clear that this is an important campaign. As of 2020, organically farmed land area represents only 2.8% of the total farmed land. 

So how can we make small changes towards an organic lifestyle this September? There are several areas where you can take steps towards a planet-friendly way of living, below are just two of those areas. 

Fashion and Textiles 

“The fashion industry is the second-biggest consumer of water, and is responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.” 

One of the ways we can be more organic is ensure our clothes and textiles are certified organic. Unlike food, clothes and textiles can be labelled as organic without actually being certified; retailers can label items as organic, regardless of their actual origin and organic content. When shopping, find a Soil Association certified brand or look for the logos below: 

Food 

Ways to increase the amount of organic food you are consuming includes eating seasonal food that is naturally ripe and ready for harvest in your local area at the time, instead of imported foods, and growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs at home. Alternatively, if growing at home isn’t an option for you, you could sign up to a local organic produce box service, using ‘Find a box scheme’ on the Soil Association’s website. 

If you’re taking action this month and are joining in with Organic September, share your stories and successes with us online, via Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.