Two-week Sustainability Festival returns to St Albans this May
SUSTFEST2021 runs from May 23 - June 6thwith 100+ events to inspire sustainable living and connect people with nature.
(May 13th, 2021 St Albans, Herts.)The award-winning festival is back and includes a packed calendar of on and offline events co-ordinatedby local community groups, businesses, and faith groups across St Albans district.
Now in its 5thyear, the festival begins and ends with a hugeSustainable Marketin St Albans town centre which runs in association with sponsor,St AlbansBusiness Improvement District(BID).
The market unites a wide selection of eco-businesses, community groups and charities and is a great way to discover eco-friendly and sustainable St Albans. From ethical fashion items to vegan foods, gift items, skincare, interior accessories and pet foods - there is plenty to inspire everyone says manager at St Albans BID, Denise Parsons,
"This year's Sustainable Markets will bring the city to life and inspire us to shop sustainably as over 50 local traders showcase their incredible planet-friendly produce. There is nothing like market day in St Albans, so come and enjoy the buzz at this special event, pick up some fantastic local produce and support our amazing local independent businesses."
One local business taking part in both markets is sustainable fashion brandTwenty Outfits. OwnerEliza Lau-Johnston said,
"The fashion industry has a disastrous impact on the environment, it is the second largest polluter in the world. Why buy new when there are so many amazing preloved pieces circulating out there! We source and rebrand preloved and vintage clothes so it's easy to look effortlessly stylish, individual whilst doing your bit for the planet."
Jill Watson, chair of the SustFest21 Volunteer Working Group and also a Sustainable Market stallholder, said,
"My personal passion is reducing plastic waste and the Sustainable Markets will be great opportunities for people to see all the zero waste alternatives they can buy in St Albans. During the two-week Sustainability Festival they can also go to a craft swish (27thMay), get creative at special Collective Art Gallery re-use workshops (26th-28thMay), learn about low-waste lunches from Becky Alexander (27thMay) and even find out where our waste goes with a talk from Herts Waste Aware (25thMay)."
Over 100 events will take place across the fortnight-long festival both in-person outside and online. Residents can book a guided walk to see butterflies in Heartwood Forest on 29thMay and a family scavenger hunt across Harpenden Common at half term. They can hear Jonathon Porritt speak on climate change on Zoom on 3rdJune.
Residents can organise their own "Climate Conversation" with family or friends during SustFest21 - perfect for people who want to talk with others about climate change but aren't sure how. Downloadable ready-made materials are provided to facilitate discussions. Alternatively, you can book onto Climate Conversation with a facilitator.
The full event list can be found on the festival website, which was launched by The Wombles who took part in a special short animation!Click here to watch.
SustFest21 is a community umbrella festival organised by the charity Sustainable St Albans and St Albans Friends of the Earth group.www.sustfest.org
St Albans Sustainable Markets
Sunday 23rdMay
Sunday 6thJune
11am-4pm. Free.
St Peter's Street, St Albans, AL1
60+ local eco-businesses, environmental groups and great food! Go #plasticfree #shoplocal.
Please shop safely and follow covid safety guidance.
For more information on events in St Albans please visitwww.EnjoyStAlbans.com
~~ENDS~~
For more information on SustFest21 Sustainable Markets and St Albans BID please contactChrissie@pr4.com07957 383070
IMAGES:
St Albans Sustainable Markets poster
Phase Out Plastic
Twenty Outfits
Twenty Outfits