Through cutting our carbon usage, reducing our waste, and even lowering energy output – here are five British innovations that could make your home greener without a second thought.

Visionary Farms

Visionary Farms is at the forefront of the home-farming revolution, using vertical agriculture to make food production more sustainable and attainable for those without access to vast amount of land, or resources.

While their technology is already helping businesses grow fresh produce with minimal water and energy, they’re now testing ways to bring the innovations into the homes of customers. Their soil-free, climate-controlled growing systems allow plants to thrive indoors year-round, significantly reducing packaging waste, and reliance on large-scale agriculture.

Though currently available for commercial use, Visionary Farms’ home-growing solutions could soon offer households a convenient and eco-friendly way to produce their own fresh greens, herbs, and more – all with a fraction of the resources used in traditional farming.

Visionary Farms added: "At Visionary Farms, we’re passionate about transforming the way food is grown, making it more sustainable and accessible. Our vertical farming technology is already helping businesses cut waste and grow fresh produce efficiently, but we’re especially excited about bringing this innovation into people’s homes.

“Imagine being able to harvest your own greens and herbs year-round with minimal water and no need for pesticides – it’s a game-changer for sustainable living. We’re in the testing phases now, but we can’t wait to see how homeowners embrace this new way of growing food."

Hoopsy

Every year, millions of plastic pregnancy tests are used once and discarded, contributing to a growing waste crisis worldwide, but Hoopsy was founded in attempts to change that. With sustainability at its core, this UK-based company has created an eco-friendly alternative to pregnancy tests – with their invention being made from 99% paper.

Designed to be just as accurate and easy to use as traditional plastic tests, Hoopsy’s solution significantly reduces landfill waste without compromising on the reliability potential mothers need when testing for pregnancy. By rethinking an everyday healthcare product, Hoopsy is empowering consumers to make more sustainable choices, proving that even small changes can have a big impact on the environmental landscape of the planet.

Furbnow

Furbnow is a retrofit startup founded by industry experts, Becky Lane and Laurence Watson. After securing £1 million in funding, the company is on a mission to decarbonise a million homes by 2030. Furbnow offers a home assessment service carried out by a qualified surveyor to identify which areas of the home needs upgrading. The 360 degree service provides homeowners with an action plan, accredited suppliers to carry out the necessary work and expert advice and support throughout the process, making energy efficiency upgrades simple and accessible.

With the support of STEAMhouse, Furbnow is providing technology and the power of collaboration to help people navigate the complexities of home energy efficiency. Not only will this drive change and result in more environmentally-friendly homes but through Furbnow’s assessment and home upgrade road map, homeowners can halve their carbon emissions, save around £1,800 per year on energy bills and add over £20,000 to their property’s value.

Becky Lane, CEO of Furbnow, commented: “The Midlands has some of the oldest housing stock in the UK, many homes are leaky and inefficient, making buildings hot in the summer and cold in winter. Homeowners who want to make their homes more energy efficient but find the process overwhelming are now able to access stress-free help through Furbnow’s game-changing services. By giving homes an energy efficient makeover, homeowners could stop their energy bills from going through the roof, enjoy a healthier home and it will also contribute to the UK’s Net Zero targets.”

Fluus

Fluus is making haste in tackling one of the biggest sustainability challenges in menstrual care with its flushable period pads. Unlike traditionally used pads, which contain plastic, Fluus pads are made with a focus on being biodegradable, water-dispersible materials that break down naturally when flushed.

Designed to offer the same level of comfort and absorbency as mainstream period products, Fluus eliminate the need for disposal bins in women’s toilets, further reducing waste while providing a convenient and hygienic solution. By rethinking period care with sustainability at its core, this UK-based innovation is setting a new standard for eco-friendly hygiene products.

LullaLoop

Children grow fast, and keeping up with their ever-expanding wardrobes can feel like you’re contributing to a never-ending cycle of waste. LullaLoop is changing that with a clever solution that puts ease and sustainability at the forefront of what they do.

LullaLoop clothing sets are designed to grow with your child, offering easily swapped pieces – meaning that your baby’s wardrobe can grow alongside them. By engaging in efficient clothes renting, with user-friendly plans, LullaLoop keeps parents off of the high street, with this model aiding to reduce the production of new clothes, resulting in up to 60% less carbon and water usage.

The simple yet thoughtful way for parents to tackle the problem of outgrown clothes, means that parents who are environmentally aware can do their bit help the planet, and have their baby looking stylish whilst doing it.

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