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When it comes to sustainable living and business, there are many misconceptions that can make the sustainability movement seem inaccessible.

These misconceptions can stop people from immersing themselves into a sustainable mindset, both in their personal and corporate lives. We want to debunk some of the most common myths and make sustainability much less intimidating for everyone!

Myth #1: Sustainability is expensive

In recent years, the popular rhetoric has been that investing in sustainable alternatives is a costly and time-consuming initiative, but this is not always the case. In fact, the sustainable alternatives that 15Hatfields has invested in have saved us money in the long run. Over the last 14 years, we have learnt to be more mindful by evaluating the financial and environmental costs of each service or supplier we use. For example, by purchasing and installing solar panels, we have saved thousands of pounds overall.

Myth #2: Biodegradable plastics are the best option

Navigating the sustainable market and improving your sustainable credentials is undoubtedly an exciting challenge which can be obscured by complex terminology. For instance, the terms ‘biodegradable’ and ‘compostable’ seem to be the root cause of much misunderstanding.

Although used interchangeably, these definitions are very different. If a plastic item is labelled as biodegradable, it will eventually break down into smaller micro-plastics but may never fully break down. Conversely, compostable materials break down into non-toxic components such as water, carbon dioxide or biomass. Because they decompose into natural elements, they cause no harm to the environment. Take the time to check the exact composition of materials and the correct way to recycle them to ensure you are creating a circular economy of waste.

Myth #3: We can recycle our way out of the problem

While the importance of recycling cannot be underestimated, we must be conscious that one of the most sustainable activities we can undertake is to reduce our total consumption of plastics where possible. To quote UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson “If people think we can recycle our way out of the problem, we’d be making a huge mistake. We need to reduce the amount of plastic, we need far less and we need to restore the balance of nature.”

At 15Hatfields, we have pushed to Make Plastic History, through mindful consumption (seen through our involvement in the #OneLess bottle campaign) and sustainable sourcing, with the intention to lead the events industry into a new, more conscious territory.

Myth #4: You have to be vegan to be sustainable

Following a plant-based diet is said to be one of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact, but we do realise that such a radical lifestyle change is not plausible for everyone. Any reduction in your meat and dairy consumption helps the environment. To make this reduction easy for our delegates, we have adapted all our menus to consist of 60% vegetarian and vegan options. Not only are these alternatives better for the planet, but our event caterers, Eden, ensure that the food for events is always delicious, nutritious and ethically sourced.

Myth #5: Sustainability is boring

Leading the way in sustainable events and showing people that five-star service and experience doesn't have to be compromised is the kind of challenge we love at 15Hatfields. Sustainability is far from boring; every element of our venue has a sustainable story to tell. Whether it's a carpet woven from goats’ hair, limestone-cut-off walls or coasters made from old tyres - 15Hatfields provides the perfect canvas for your event without scrimping on quality. We understand the need for events to bring people together and drive business, therefore our detailed sustainable event management processes ensure your gatherings still make a lasting impression, without leaving a damaging footprint on the world.

Sustainable living is a journey we encourage everyone to take, not just for the environmental benefits but also for the unique challenges it presents. Find out how you can make your events more sustainable and contact our team for more information.