#RidersOnAMission 30 Day Sustainability Challenge

July 01, 2019

#RidersOnAMission 30 Day Sustainability Challenge

Introducing the Honest Riders #RidersOnAMission Sustainability Challenge

If someone was to ask you “Would you like to make your everyday life more sustainable?”, chances are, you’d say “Yes, of course!”. We understand that our current habits and consumption are changing and damaging the world as we know it...

Did you know:

  • 26 million tonnes of the plastic produced every year end up in the Ocean, according to Greenpeace.
  • Recent figures from World Horse Welfare, the RSPCA and Redwings suggests there are over 3,000 horses & ponies in care in the UK due to having been neglected or abandoned
  • In developing countries, it is estimated that there are 250 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 who are forced to work in sweatshops, some of which produce the clothes we wear.
  • Research by Cruelty Free International and the Dr Hadwen Trust suggests that at least 115 million animals may be used in experiments worldwide each year. Shamefully, the UK is in the top 7 'animal testing' nations in the world.

It’s hard though isn’t it? There are SO many different things you could change that would make a difference. You might feel like you need to make big changes to make a real difference. Where do you start? It’s all just a bit overwhelming.

It doesn’t have to be though. Here at Honest Riders, we’re passionate about helping fellow equestrians be more eco-friendly. We’ve been working hard to reduce our own carbon footprint and built all of that knowledge and information into the products we sell. So we decided to challenge you all to make some changes. As a collective we can make a difference!

 

Taking part is really easy:

  • Read through the list of 40 small changes below, that we’ve suggested to make your life more sustainable
  • Choose the 5 that you think you can stick to (try and pick things you don't already do)
  • Share them on your social media
  • Make sure you use the hashtag #RidersOnAMission when you talk about the Challenge. Everytime you do, you’ll be automatically entered into our amazing competition
  • Stick to them for 30 days
  • Encourage your friends and family to do the same!

That’s it!

We've written three other blog posts to give you loads of top tips on easy eco-swaps on all of the changes below plus other eco-brands to check out:

Reducing your plastic waste - for changes 1-10 

Reducing your carbon footprint -  for changes 11-30 (LIVE Wednesday 3rd July)

Helping improve animal welfare - for changes 31-40

We’d love to hear how you’re getting on and will be sharing your successes on our social media when you tag us.

 

The Challenge

For the next 30 days I pledge to...

  1. Use only re-useable coffee cups
  2. Use only re-usable water bottles
  3. Buy only horse care that comes in recyclable packaging
  4. Switch to a horse feed brand that comes in recyclable bags
  5. Buy only loose fruit and veg
  6. Switch to recyclable supplement containers
  7. Switch to 100% biodegradable dog poo bags
  8. Ditch the face, anti-bac, tack, fly wipes! Swap for reusable, washable versions
  9. Swap traditional sponges for compostable / biodegradable ones
  10. Get your Milk delivered! Sign up to Milk & More to get your milk in reusable glass bottles instead of plastic ones.
  11. Commit to two days a week where you don’t eat meat
  12. Switch energy supplier to one that uses renewables energy sources
  13. Commit to two days a week where you use a microwave instead of the oven
  14. Plant and grow 3 types of vegetables
  15. Only buy clothing from small businesses
  16. Only buy clothing made from natural fibres
  17. Take a fast-fashion break
  18. Buy only chemical-free personal care
  19. Buy only chemical-free horse care
  20. Buy only chemical-free cleaning products
  21. Replace one of your short journeys in the car by walking or cycling instead
  22. Make the next piece of tack you buy, second-hand
  23. Get yourself removed from junkmail lists
  24. Fix leaky taps and water butts around the yard
  25. Organise a clothing swap party with your horsey friends instead of binning things you don't like anymore
  26. Buy chemical-free tack cleaner
  27. Recycle your horses shoes
  28. Take part in a beach clean
  29. Do your main food shopping online
  30. Pick two things from this list and switch to sustainable alternatives:
    1. Cotton wool pads
    2. Toothbrush
    3. Deodorant
    4. Shampoo
    5. Hand soap
    6. Toilet paper
    7. Suncream
    8. Drinking straws
    9. Food wrap
  31. Buy horse care only from cruelty-free brands
  32. Buy make-up only from cruelty-free brands
  33. Buy personal care only from cruelty-free brands
  34. Buy cleaning products only from cruelty-free brands
  35. Choose chemical-free products to use on your horses
  36. Donate £5 a month to an animal-welfare charity
  37. Set up Gift Aid so that my purchases will automatically help the charity of my choice
  38. Adopt my new dog / cat from a rescue centre or charity
  39. Plant some flowers around the yard! Bees will love you for it
  40. Go fur free!

 

Good luck! We can't wait to hear about the changes you've picked for your challenge.