The original FreeLoader is one of the most popular products here at EthicalSuperstore, and judging by the amount of customer queries we receive about it, you’re all keen to harness the power of the sun for your charging needs. However, with ever changing charging platforms and fancy new gadgets launching every week, it’s hard to keep up with the FreeLoader’s compatibility with your devices (and as I’m a Product Information Assistant it was starting to get to me!).
Well, the answer to all of your questions (and mine!) is here. The FreeLoader Pro is the ultimate, professional solar charger capable of charging your most power hungry, energy sapping gadgets and devices.
With a Multi Voltage switch allowing you to charge anything from your mobile phone and mp3 player right through to a digital SLR and video camera, it’s this years must-have green gadget for any tech-geek, eco-warrior, or light-stepping adventurer.
So, let’s just clarify;
Q: Will the FreeLoader Pro charge my iPhone 3G?
A: Yes!
Q: Can I charge my digital camera battery with the FreeLoader Pro?
A: Yes!
Q: Does the FreeLoader Pro have a battery level indicator?
A: Yes!
Ahhh, result.
Let’s just hope all of the products we stock don’t follow in the FreeLoader’s footsteps; ticking all of the boxes and answering all of your questions right out of the box, otherwise I might find myself out of a job!
“We have to make people think that it’s unfashionable just as we have with smoking. We need a similar campaign to convince people that this is wrong,”
said Tim Lang, the Government’s natural resources commissioner.
And all of this negativity surrounding bottled beverages seems to be having an impact with recent figures from market research company TNS suggesting that last year bottled water sales fell by 9% (this on the back of approx 10 years of year on year increases in sales).
However, is the bottled water industry really so bad?
That time of year is upon us once again where the mornings are getting lighter, the evenings brighter, and our bodies are waking up from winter-mode. For me and for my family, that usually means a passion for all things Spring Cleaning comes to the fore like never before.
Whether it’s finally getting round to painting the bathroom ceiling again, fixing that dodgy shelf, clearing out your wardrobes, or giving the house a good once over; there always seems to be something to do!
But in our hurry to get the job done and in our attempt to create the tidiest and cleanest environment possible, do we sometimes neglect to think of attaining the greenest environment possible?
At Ethical Superstore we are passionate about supporting good causes, trying to tackle injustices, and doing our bit to make the world a better place. That’s why, where ever possible, we endeavour to stock products that can back up their claims; whether through accreditation like the Fairtrade Label or an endorsement by the Soil Association.
Ethical Superstore have been donating £1 for every order placed by our customer community this week to Comic Relief (we’ve raised over £700 so far!), and our staff have felt compelled to get involved.
That’s why when Red Nose Day was on the horizon we set about making our own contribution to the day that it often remembered for slapstick comedy, over-sized noses and fancy dress. We’re not one’s to break with convention on this one, so we all donned our finest 80′s gear and Red Noses, tucked into some home made party food, and took part in a couple of quizzes all in the name of a good cause.
There was no place for any Mitchell & Webb style Flashdance routines (despite Vic’s outfit!) but we did all share Comic Relief’s vision which is ‘a just world free from poverty’.
However, what’s the story behind the headlines? Where does your money go? And what happens when the cameras stop rolling?
The meals have been eaten and well-digested, the dishes have been washed, the recipes have been passed around and the all-important votes have been counted and verified (by me), and I can confirm thatthe Ethical Superstore Slow Cooker Challenge 2009 Winners are;
[Cue a horrendously long pause and close-up camera angles on all the participants . . .]
So, congratulations to Elaine and well done to all the participants. Once again it has shown us all the joy of some home cooked lunch, the pleasure of sharing it with friends, and the money-saving and health benefits of simple, good food.
In the run up to Go Banana’s For Fairtrade day, which is tomorrow (6th March), we here at Ethical Superstore have been racking our brains to come up with the most creative, entertaining, bizarre, and thought provoking banana-based activities!
Late last week we had a trial run of our banana-eating-a-thon, a few more games and events are in the Top Secret pipeline, and over the past couple of days we’ve been trying to get rid of a Fairtrade banana by offering it to passersby.
Let me explain; we tied a Fairtrade banana to a tree outside our offices so that it was hanging above the footpath within arm’s reach of any pedestrian, with a note attached saying “Please eat me, I’m safe & Fairtrade too!” in a hope of raising awareness of Fairtrade.
BarryNana has received a few funny looks, been ignored, been pointed at, but not once has anyone attempted to free him from his state of limbo and indulge in some Fairtrade goodness.
This got us wondering why people seem to be so adverse to freebies, why people seem to ignore what they don’t think is really there, and why people’s confusion or apathy leads to inaction or inertia.
A banana-based frenzy broke out at Ethical Superstore this lunchtime. As part of the Fairtrade Foundation’s Fairtrade Fortnight celebrations, we’re in training for the world’s biggest Fairtrade banana-eating record attempt.
Ethical Superstore Teams Go Bananas!
You can join in too; all you have to do is eat a Fairtrade banana any time between noon on Friday 6 March and noon Saturday 7 March.
We’re signed up as one of a whole host of events across the UK – check out the map on the Go Bananas! site to find your local event or submit your own; whether it’s just the family munching a banana each at home, or a whole office involved with banana-themed games – there’s sure to be something you can get involved with.
To keep you informed and entertained throughout your banana-eating check out these banana facts and figures;
The banana is the most popular fruit in the world – people spend over £10 billion a year on the fruit globally.
Banana plants are the largest plants on earth without a woody stem.
Wild bananas have been cultivated for more than 4,000 years.
Bananas are one of the few fruits that ripen best off the plant.
Bananas are harvested every day of the year.
The word banana is derivated from the Arabic meaning ‘finger’.
Eating two bananas provides enough energy to see you through a strenuous 90-minute gym workout.
There are 57 certified producer groups in ten countries of Latin America, the Caribbean and West Africa supplying Fairtrade bananas to twenty countries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
Fairtrade bananas were launched in 1994, and now one in four bananas sold in the UK is Fairtrade.
Bananas contain tryptophan and vitamin B6, known to help make you feel happy
Don’t Panic! (or should that be rejoice?!) The fast-food chain we love to hate hasn’t been subject to some kind of McDisaster. Rather, this is the latest installation from the Danish art-collective Superflex entitled “Flooded McDonald’s”.
The latest line of products to enter our ever-expanding warehouse here at EthicalSuperstore is the great new Spring ‘09 range from the outdoor clothing and technical apparel manufacturer, Patagonia.
We’re excited to bring you this new product range, including hiking boots, men’s and women’s walking and outdoor equipment, and some fashion pieces.
Patagonia started life as a one-man mission to make and sell affordable and reliable climbing gear to like-minded people. Now, after over 30 years in business the folk at Patagonia still hold the same values dear; simplicity, utility, respect for nature, and a minimalist approach to life and work.
The range is not only functional and stylish though, it also boasts top-notch environmental credentials; Patagonia use recycled polyester in many of its clothes and only use organic cotton. You’ll find more information on individual garments’ materials and make-up on their product page.
If you’re wondering what Fairtrade means to the producers of goods then watch this short video which documents two Fairtrade certified banana producer organisations, BANELINO and ASOBANU in the Dominican Republic and find out how Fairtrade has changed their lives and livelihood for the better.
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