[Advertisement – this is a paid partnership with Briiv, but all words and opinions are my own]
Air pollution is something I’m increasingly concerned about. I’ve had asthma since childhood, and in the last year I’ve noticed my symptoms getting worse as traffic returns to normal levels and more and more people buy wood-burners. But it’s not just a problem outdoors – in fact indoor air pollution can be just as damaging, causing breathing difficulties, sleep disturbances, brain fog and more. And it’s not solely the result of external fumes entering through doors and windows, as tiny particles and harmful gasses are released every time we cook, use cleaning products, light candles, do DIY and even play with our pets
Plants are a great weapon against indoor pollution. So, when I was asked to try out a new air purifier that promises to be as powerful as 3,043 medium-sized houseplants combined – and claims to be the most sustainable on the market to boot – I was intrigued.
Created and manufactured in the UK, Briiv is the brainchild of a group of design-industry professionals who had grown tired of greenwashing and false environmental claims. Rather than treat sustainability as an afterthought, they wanted to put it at the heart of product design and set about devising something that not only improves our immediate surroundings, but is also as close to circular as possible.
The result of their efforts is now available to buy following a successful Kickstarter campaign and is made from 90% natural and renewable materials, including moss, hemp, coconut fibre and cork. Even the plastic sections use a new bio-plastic derived from elephant grass, which captures carbon as it grows and fully biodegrades. Most of the non-biodegradable elements (such as the glass dome) can be easily recycled but those that can’t – together with the energy consumed during production, transportation and lifetime usage – are offset by a tree-planting programme run in association with Carbonfund.org.
But if you think the focus on sustainability means a drop in performance, think again. Air is sucked in at the top of the Briiv purifier and passes through three different filtration layers before coming back out at the sides. The moss captures large particles, the coconut-fibre disc traps bacteria and mould spores, and the silk matrix filter beneath catches harmful fine dust. It’s very effective against smoke, fumes, VOCs, pollen and other allergens, and there are four different speed settings so you can control the air rate and associated noise level. You don’t even need to have it switched on all the time to make a big difference. Just an hour’s use at full power will improve the air quality in a 36sqm living space, and there’s a timer setting that will automatically turn it off after 60 minutes – ideal for giving your home a boost after cleaning or before going to sleep. There’s even an app that you can download if you want to use it remotely and set it running before you get home.
It’s also very pretty to look at – and very easy to set up. The understated cardboard tube it arrives in gives a hint to the minimalist design, and once it’s out of its packaging all you have to do is place the moss inside the dome and turn it on. Fully assembled, it reminds me of a snazzy portable speaker or a terrarium, and it certainly doesn’t look out of place against my neutral, pared-back décor. The moss adds a lovely touch of greenery to whatever space it’s in, too.
What I particularly like about the Briiv air purifier, though, is how compact and portable it is, meaning I can move it around the house to wherever needed. In the morning, I tend to put it on in my office to freshen it up for the day ahead, then I’ll do the same again for a bit just after lunch. Come evening, I often move it downstairs to the living room, as I almost always light candles in there and it’s the only part of the house where we don’t yet have any plants. And if we’ve had the windows open upstairs, I’ll leave it running in the bedroom for an hour or so to catch any resulting traffic fumes before we turn in for the night.
After a week’s use, I’ve definitely noticed a difference. I’ve been needing my inhaler less, and while I think it’s too early to tell if Briiv has had any lasting impact on my asthma, there’s no doubting the air inside our house is fresher – as if we’ve flung the windows open, but in the middle of the countryside rather than a busy city. And I’ve found myself feeling more alert and a little less sluggish in the afternoons and evenings.
Overall, I’m really impressed with the Briiv air purifier. It’s not cheap at £299, but it’s something I know will have a positive long-term effect on my home and wellbeing. And the costs associated with running it are minimal – the various filtration layers need replacing every 12 months, and the matrix filters every three, but you can buy a pack with everything you need for a year for £34.99. What’s more, its energy efficiency means the estimated electricity spend per year is less than £5. And it’s very reassuring to know that I’ll be able to put used filters in the compost rather than sending them to landfill. It really is a rare mix of form, function and sustainability.
By the Briiv air purifier here.
All photography by Abi Dare
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