Sustainability

<p>‘Circular economy’ is a bit of a buzz-phrase at the moment. In these days of climate consciousness, it’s touted as a much needed disruption of the unsustainability of consumerism. It’s gaining such traction that even some of the titans of industry are buying into the concept, but what does ‘circular economy’ mean exactly? Is it just a fancy term for recycling, or is there more to it? In this blog, we show you why many experts, companies and shoppers have decided that the time has come to ditch the wasteful ways of fast consumerism and to embrace a radically different approach.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>Why it’s time to shake things up</strong></h3><p>Today’s consumer culture is dizzyingly fast. Major manufacturers churn out new models at rapid rates, seducing shoppers into believing that the quicker we replace our gadgets and goods, the better. This hyper production and consumption is, of course, at odds with a planet struggling with dwindling resources, growing populations, and the chokehold of manufactured pollution.&nbsp;</p><p>Whilst it is true that some companies are waking up to the need for more sustainable approaches, many do so as an afterthought, doing little to tackle the issues of an already broken system. As <a href="https://www.economist.com/business-books-quarterly/2015/10/10/greening-of-business">Freya Williams,</a> a green consultant to giant firms, has pointed out, sustainability must be “built in” to operations not merely “bolted on”.&nbsp;</p><p>Here is where the circular economy comes in. It is designed to do away with the linear model where products quickly go from use to refuse, replacing it with a circular model that is all about reuse. Businesses that adopt this approach find clever ways of designing out waste and pollution and focus on making the most of resources by keeping them in use.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>How subscription services are leading the way</strong></h3><p>On paper, then, a circular model seems full of promise, but how does it work in practice? One of the fastest growing consumer trends is the subscription service. According to <a href="https://www.genzinsights.com/rise-of-the-subscription">Gen Z Insights</a>, subscription services have had 100% growth each year in the last 5 years and a recent survey conducted by Barclaycard found that the average household is now signed up to 7 subscription services. Many of these services are seriously disrupting the way we think about ownership. Rather than the short-lived dead-ended system of buy-use-dump, many are opting for sign-up services that give the freedom and flexibility to swap - meaning you always have the product you want and need without breaking the bank or contributing to the mountain of waste.&nbsp;</p><p>Groundbreaking companies like <a href="https://www.joindrover.com/">Drover</a> and <a href="https://www.grover.com/de-en"><span class="ck-fake-link-selection">Grover</span></a> demonstrate that you don’t need to technically own a product in the conventional sense to enjoy its full benefits. They've shown that even with serious investment products like cars and cutting edge tech, subscription gives you flexibility, affordability, and a cleaner conscience. The notoriously wasteful fashion industry is getting in on it too, with the likes of Selfridges offering it’s first in-house clothing rental collection in partnership with rental platform, <a href="https://www.hurrcollective.com/">Hurr</a>. And in July 2020, it was reported that retail giants John Lewis were considering loaning white goods and furniture as a part of their potential partnership with Amazon Fresh.&nbsp;</p><p>Subscription services demonstrate that the circular economy isn’t just a rebrand of recycling,it is a radical rethink of how we consume. Whilst the benefits of reuse to the environment are clear, there are other compelling reasons for us to get subscribing.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>Why subscription is the savvy choice</strong></h3><h4><strong>1) It offers unparalleled flexibility</strong></h4><p>Traditional ownership is a rigid system. Unless you return a product within a small window of time and within strict terms, you are pretty much wedded to it whether you like it or not. Subscriptions, however, are innately flexible. Gone are the days where buying (or renting) a disappointing DVD could ruin a Friday night; in the world of subscriptions, you just hit ‘stop’ and pick another, for no extra cost. And this flexibility isn’t just available in the digital world, it applies to big-ticket items too, taking the anxiety out of committing to some of life’s significant purchases.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>2) It’s more cost effective</strong></h4><p>The <a href="https://blog.moneyfarm.com/en/investing-101/average-savings-by-age-in-the-uk-how-much-should-you-be-saving/#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20low-income%20families,to%20the%20ongoing%20coronavirus%20pandemic.">low savings rate</a> amongst 24 - 35 year olds means that cash flow is a widespread worry. One <a href="https://www.raisin.co.uk/newsroom/articles/better-saving-money/">poll</a> found that 12% of this bracket had zero savings, over 20% had £100 or less, and the average savings comes in at just £3,544.16. Shelling out for goods in one go puts a serious strain on finances, which is why subscription offers a sensible alternative. With a subscription you pay small amounts over time, spreading the cost in a way that makes even the creme-de-la-creme of products affordable without destabilising your monthly income.</p><h4><strong>3) It’s for the greater good</strong></h4><p>Reuse isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for the economy. Taking Sweden as its focus, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/apr/15/circular-economy-jobs-climate-carbon-emissions-eu-taxation">a study of 2015</a> demonstrated that the circular economy also offers opportunities to boost jobs. Keeping items in circulation through expert repair and maintenance is more labour-intensive than manufacturing in highly automated factories. In adopting a model of reuse, the study concluded that the number of additional jobs would likely exceed 100,000 – cutting unemployment by more than a third.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>How Juno is pioneering the subscription revolution in baby products</strong></h3><p>Juno is the first and only subscription service in the world of baby products. For a fixed and modest monthly fee, our subscribers have access to premium products and enjoy flexibility like no other. We know that it’s incredibly unlikely that one pram will see you through growth spurts and growing families, so we’ve built in features - like our <a href="https://junobaby.co.uk/features#pram-swap">pram swap</a> - that allow for change. Our pioneering model also allows you to spread costs, giving you greater control over your finances and saving you money in the long run. And by refurbishing products to a “good as new” condition, we tap into the sustainability of a circular economy.&nbsp;</p>

Why the circular economy and subscription services are the future

Advice for parents

<h3><strong>So many pushchairs...</strong></h3><p>Shopping for your first stroller can at first seem like a bit of an occasion, especially with all the excitement around your impending arrival. However, excitement can quickly turn to frustration once you realise all the things you have to wrap your head around, like the myriad features or key practical considerations, like whether you can get the pram up your stairs or into your favourite coffee shop? Then there’s the added pressure of thinking about the future; with growing babies and expanding families, the question of how long a pram will work for you looms large. Trying to make that first purchase cost effective and practical for the long-term is, in conventional ownership, like fighting a losing battle. Realistically - even with just one child - it’s unlikely you’ll get by comfortably with just one pram. According to <a href="https://www.which.co.uk/news/2011/06/five-things-you-can-do-with-an-old-pushchair-256079/">Which</a>, 75% of parents said that they owned more than one pram, 80% of parents said they have at least one pushchair they no longer use and over half said that they were still holding onto all the pushchairs they bought! While most have the best of intentions to responsibly dispose of or re-home their perfectly good stroller, this often ends up becoming a rainy day task relegated to the bottom of the list of ‘things to do’.&nbsp; So it’ s no wonder that so many pushchairs sit in the attic or the back of the cupboard unloved and gathering dust.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>What are the common mistakes to avoid?</strong></h3><h4><strong>1) Thinking too far ahead</strong></h4><p>Whilst in life planning tends to serve you well, with prams, it can often lead to the opposite effect. Many parents purchase a “second child ready” pram even before their first has arrived in the hope that the one pram will last the entire journey. Though there are a number of perfectly good double pram models on the market, unfortunately, the double conversion feature of these prams tends to make them bulky and heavy, meaning that even in their single configuration they’re difficult to manoeuvre and become an unnecessary burden.&nbsp;</p><p>Even if you are planning to have a second child in quick succession, you will only need a double pram for about nine months at most. So what might seem like a canny purchase will only give you its full value for a short time, meaning that you’re mostly lumbered with a pram that is more frustrating than functional. Unsurprisingly, many who plump for a “second child ready” pram end up changing to something that is more suitable for their single child.</p><h4><strong>2) Assuming that one pram will fit all</strong></h4><p>As much as manufacturers like to claim they have designed the one pram that suits all scenarios, our experience and conversations with parents strongly suggest otherwise. We spoke to one parent who was on to their third pram with just their first child! Finding herself disappointed and frustrated by a top of the range pram, she eventually gave in and bought a lighter model better suited to urban living. Having persevered for too long, however, she discovered she’d made the swap too late and her child was already too big, necessitating a third ultralight weight purchase.&nbsp;</p><p>Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet and trying to find the&nbsp; elusive “one size fits all” pram can often end up leading to full attics and depleted bank accounts.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>3) Being dazzled by trends and features</strong></h4><p>It goes without saying that we all want the best for our children, but trying to ascertain what is “best” in the vast universe of prams can be bewildering, with their list of specifications reading more like car specs. Then there are the current trends to consider in terms of which is the most popular and most fashionable pram. Very quickly you can forget that a pram needs to be practical and fit your lifestyle and not the other way around.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>How to get it right</strong></h3><p>Rather than focussing on the bells and whistles of a pram and the dazzle of a million features, these practical steps will help you narrow down the right choice based on your lifestyle.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>1) Three questions to ask yourself</strong></h4><p>By keeping the focus on your lifestyle and needs, you are much less likely to be seduced by glossy lifestyle images or bewildered by bedazzling specs and far more likely to find the model that fits in with your world.&nbsp;</p><p>Ask yourself the following:</p><ul><li>First, consider where you live - are you in the heart of a city and roaming pavements, or the countryside and regularly going “off road”?</li><li>Second, think about how you will mostly be using the pram: to manoeuvre round tightly packed tables in cafes or for long rambling walks?</li><li>Third, decide where you will be storing it at home: will it be ready to go in a roomy hallway or neatly folded out of the way in a cupboard?</li></ul><h4><strong>2) Road test it</strong></h4><p>User reviews can be a helpful starting point, but there’s no substitute for real life experience. After all, you know little of an online person’s lifestyle and they certainly don’t know yours.&nbsp; Talk to friends with babies whose domestic and social life you relate to and find out what’s worked well for them and what hasn’t. Better yet, if you have the opportunity nothing beats a road test so, if possible, have a wander around with a friend’s pram to see if it will be a good fit for you.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>3) Accept that you will need to change</strong></h4><p>By accepting that you’re not going to find a pram for all ages and stages, you’re already avoiding one of the major pitfalls that many tend to fall into. Be prepared to learn as you go and most importantly don’t persist with a pram that you or your baby don’t like – it is much better to throw in the towel early and find a solution that works rather than put up with it because you don't want to part with a hefty investment.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>How does Juno help avoid the pitfalls associated with traditional pram ownership?</strong></h3><p>At Juno we have addressed the plethora of problems associated with picking the right pram and are releasing parents from the constraints of traditional ownership.</p><p>With a Juno subscription, you can rest assured that there is always a right pram for each stage of your baby’s growth. Because we understand that there is no one size fits all solution, we introduced the <a href="https://junobaby.co.uk/features#pram-swap"><strong>pram swap</strong></a> to all our subscriptions, a unique feature that allows you to change your pram as your baby grows and your lifestyle changes.&nbsp;</p><p>Each of the prams we offer has been carefully selected and road tested so that you can rest assured that you have access to the right pram for every step of the journey.</p><p>We are saying goodbye to the days of unnecessary clutter, cost and buyer’s remorse.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://junobaby.co.uk/features#pram-swap">Learn more</a> about how this unique feature works and the many ways in which our flexible subscriptions adapt to your needs, or speak to us to get started with a Juno subscription for all your prams and much more.</p>

How to pick the right pram to match your lifestyle?

Baby Products Made Easy

<h3><strong>Taking the stress out of the hunt for the ideal baby products</strong></h3><p>Finding the right products for your baby should be simple but the process is anything but. Even if you’re just looking for the basics - a pram, a crib, a baby carrier - the market is bursting with options and buzzing with information making the task of finding what’s going to work best for you bewildering and time-consuming.&nbsp;</p><p>A Juno subscription makes sourcing and choosing your baby products refreshingly easy. When you sign up, you have access to our carefully selected list of products, each one handpicked on the basis of a thorough understanding of the best the market has to offer. We pay close attention to user experience and get that one product does not suit all.&nbsp;</p><p>We curate our product bundles with differing lifestyles in mind, so you can opt for a good-to-go combination of products that work best for you. Or, if you prefer, you can create your own product package, safe in the knowledge that every product we offer is sourced from the leading baby brands and carefully chosen by us with the modern family’s needs in mind.&nbsp;</p><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3><strong>Making your convenience our priority, every step of the way</strong></h3><p>All too often quality of product doesn’t extend to quality of service, with many finding that point of sale equals point of abandonment. At Juno, we are with you for the duration, embedding exceptional and personable service into how we operate. We’ve made it our mission to make lives easier, and work to ensure this applies to every stage of your journey with us.&nbsp;</p><p>We have our own highly professional delivery team rather than outsourcing. We liaise with you to find delivery times that fit in with your schedule, including delivery options on evenings and weekends. Our team doesn’t just deliver to your door, we set up the products in the room of your choosing - taking away packaging and making sure items are properly assembled. And, when the time has come to move on from a product, we come and collect it for you too.&nbsp;</p><p>Our administrative team is replete with knowledge about every product and, like a faithful concierge, are on-hand for advice and help. Working in ways that work best for you is a priority; Juno is a premium service as well as a go-to for premium products, and all for a fixed, affordable monthly price.</p><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3><strong>Offering a flexible alternative to traditional ownership</strong></h3><p>Getting the choice of product wrong is an expensive mistake most can ill-afford to make. And finding products that continue to suit you as your baby and family grows further complicates things. Traditional ownership often means being saddled with underused and outgrown products that you’ve been meaning to get rid of, but just haven’t got round to yet…</p><p>Juno subscriptions offer a flexibility that doesn’t exist in the traditional culture of buying, using, and discarding products. Your baby product needs change constantly as your baby and your family grows, but this doesn’t have to mean more expense and hassle. At Juno we embrace change. Flexibility is a key feature of every subscription, giving you the option of swapping products that have been outgrown, adding more as your family grows, or simply making a change because you fancy.&nbsp;</p><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3><strong>...that is more sustainable too</strong></h3><p>All too often, hectic lives get the better of good intentions and products end up either gathering dust in cupboards or ending their brief lives in landfill. At Juno we actively combat this waste by keeping products in circulation, meticulously refurbishing each item between households and guaranteeing they are delivered to their new home as good as new.&nbsp;</p><p>By introducing a circular economy to the world of baby products, we are disrupting the norms and overcoming the limitations of traditional ownership. Our unique model extends a product’s life and increases reuse. By keeping products in circulation, we are able to offer you unparalleled flexibility whilst keeping costs low and rates fixed. The joy of Juno’s sustainable approach to ownership is that it gives you peace of mind without compromising on quality of product or service, a formula that places your baby’s needs above all.</p>

Why the circular economy and subscription services are the future

How to pick the right pram to match your lifestyle?

The modern, flexible way to get your baby products without the hassle