Browsing: New Product

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.

Read the rest of Patagonia Hits The Shelves Of EthicalSuperstore.com »

Today is Groundhog Day, the annual holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on which, it is said, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If on the other hand, it is sunny and the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks.  Judging by the evidence outside my window I’m guessing that it beat a hasty retreat!

This side of the pond mention of ‘Groundhog  Day’ most likely conjures the memory of the 1993 comedy film starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.  In the film, Murray plays Phil Connors, an egocentric TV weatherman who, during his most hated assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, finds himself repeating the same day over and over again.

Perhaps it’s a testament to the quality of the film, that despite February 2nd not been recognised as either a weather predictor or public holiday in the UK, the phrase “Groundhog Day” has entered common use in our vocabulary to describe an unpleasant situation that continually repeats, or at least seems to, until one finds a way to work through it.
Making my way (extremely slowly) through blizzard conditions to the office I found myself feeling very disgruntled by a billboard advertising  Easter eggs. 

Read the rest of Groundhog Day »

Spicy Winter Vegetable Soup

So, day three of the EthicalSoup-erStore Soup Challenge, and the task falls to me to prepare the lunchtime broth. Now, I’ve made soup before, but I like soups to be thick and chunky, and I have a feeling that some of my classic family recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation may be slightly too eccentric for some of the palates here…

Read the rest of Ethical Soup-er Store Challenge – Day 3 »

Image of the Orla Kiely Wottle - from Brita

There were those amongst us who thought the Wottle would never happen, but today’s the day – Brita UK and the prominent contemporary designer Orla Kiely have brought it all together, and Ethicalsuperstore’s long awaited eco-friendly water bottle is on the shelves and raring to go.

Read the rest of The Wottle: let eco-friendly water bottle revolution commence »

I’m always amazed at how little changes to our everyday routine can create a massive change or make a sizeable difference to the environment, your pocket, or your lifestyle.

So when we got a load of small electricals through the doors of Ethical Superstore I couldn’t wait to dig up some facts and figures on the eco-friendly alternatives to some of our daily appliances.

Yes, this new Eco Hair Dryer from Babyliss is small light and portable, and guess what? It dries your hair too.

But for me, the real plus point is the energy you could save if you swap your current 2000Watt dryer for this nifty little thing.

Read the rest of The Eco Hair Dryer Blows Away The Competition. »

OLD AEROPLANE SEATS, USED MILITARY MATERIALS AND DISCARDED GLASTONBURY TENTS…

You’d be excused for thinking that these would be the kind of items you’d see in a Junk Shop or even at the dump, however the innovative thinkers at Worn Again have snatched up this array of random items, combined them with even more wacky bits of waste, and seen them as an opportunity!

Read the rest of Worn Again – Recycled Fashion »

So what exactly is the Wottle…? This would perhaps have been a valid question a few weeks ago, but for the up to date, green-living, environmentally friendly eco-drinker, Wottle is the new buzz word.

For those who are not yet in the know, the Wottle is a brand new refillable water bottle, the inspired result of a collaboration between Brita UK and Orla Kiely, the prominent contemporary UK designer.

Brita proudly presents the Wottle as ‘the world’s first designer reusable water bottle’, intended to be a handy way to always have Brita filtered water with you when you’re out and about and on the move. And for fans of Orla Kiely, her signature leaf design is instantly recognisable, which ensures that this funky little bottle is fashionable too.

The only question which may need to be adressed is what other than its designer kudos makes the Wottle stand apart from your average water bottle, any of which are admittedly as refillable as the next container, pouch or tin can canteen…?

What we really love about the Wottle is that it is launching a massive campaign to encourage everybody to do their bit when it comes to reducing waste created by massively popular disposable water bottles. Back in February, the Mail Online reported on the Environment Minister’s estimation that us Brits throw away around 10 million water bottles a year, equivalent to about one water bottle per head, per fortnight, for the entire UK population. So although your average bottle is refillable, the unfortunate fact is that people just aren’t reusing or recycling, which really is bad news environmentally.

The Wottle can be seen as following in the footsteps of the highly sought after ‘I Am Not A Plastic Bag’ canvas tote bags created by prominent designer Anya Hindmarsh, which contributed massively towards the campaign against the disposable plastic bags. High profile designer Katherine Hamnett is another big name in fashion who is beginning to realise that organic credentials and sound ethics really does stir up public interest, and has brought out her own line of very recognisable male and female slogan t-shirts which shout out their ethical ideologies in print as well as in through their production methods.

With such high profile associations, this stylish little bottle is unsuprisingly being hailed in both eco-friendly and fashion circles as the ultimate portable water solution for 2008, not to mention for years to come.

So whether you fancy a Wottle for its eco-friendly and sustainable recycled and recyclable credentials, or are more concerned with combining your Brita filtered water with up-to-date Orla Kiely style, it really does strike us as a great idea.

The only question left now is: ‘Have you got the Wottle’?!?

You can buy one of your own soon, at Ethicalsuperstore.com.

There has been a significant amount of excitement reverberating around the office today, as this brand new Morphy Richards Ecolectric Toaster burst onto Ethicalsuperstore.com.

So it looks good, but what exactly is so ethical about this particular eco-friendly toaster?

Well, this little toasting device is truly cunning in the extreme; whilst being aesthically pleasing for those who like to have a trendy kitchen, more importantly the rather snazzy design incorporates a smoothly sliding fully closing lid which keeps the heat in and cooks your toast extra-fast. When monitored with the assistance of a handy Ecosavers Energy Monitor , second for second it does use around the same amount of electricity as the average conventional toaster, but the significant fact is that our new favourite domestic appliance cooks a fantastic slice of breakfast perfection in less than half the time. Ergo – less energy consumption, top notch eco-friendly energy-saving credentials, and great for people such as myself who are rather impatient for their hot and crunchy snacks…

And we should know – a significant proportion of this morning was dedicated to ‘crucial product testing’ and ‘vital experimentation’, involving a rather large loaf of bread which was quickly browned and subsequently demolished.

The results of our rigorous research were conclusive – this new energy-efficient Ecolectric Two Slice Toaster is a must.

And to add to all of this toastalicious excitement, here are our top ten toasty facts for you to consider:

• 1 –  Toast cannot be faxed
• 2 –  Toast can never be eaten raw
• 3 –  Toast is biodegradable
• 4 –  Toast will not stick to sellotape
• 5 –  Toast could be made into a hat
• 6 –  Toast is not USB compatible
• 7 –  Toast could be Mr. T’s surname
• 8 –  Toast is not to blame for the weather, blame it on the boogie
• 9 –  Toast can be used as a frisbee
• 10 – Toast is its own plural

For these and more insightful toast related facts check out toastfacts.co.uk. And get munching!

As a chocolate lover myself, when I stumbled across a copy of ‘Sweet Dreams: The Story of Green & Black’s’, I had no option – I just had to read it.

I never would have thought that the story of the development of a business would have been so interesting, but with a front cover that looks like a bar of chocolate, and the words ‘Green & Black’s’ emblazoned across in gold, I still found reading this book an irresistable prospect.

What starts out as an introduction to Craig and Jo, the couple who conceived and developed this internationally recognisable chocolate brand, soon morphs into descriptions of business plans and market analysis. However far from being turgid or overly detailed, the book manages to maintain the personal voice it starts out with, whilst not once loosing the readers’ attention. One device it uses is in-setting the main text with interesting little asides, from recipes for chocolate brownies to memorable words of philosophical wisdom, and from chocolate tasting techniques to facts about growing cocoa beans.

I also particularly enjoyed the parts of the book which they dedicated to describing the trials, tribulation and most importantly triumphs of their fair trade cocoa farmers in Belize, the country which Lonely Planet descibes as ‘so laid back it’s almost comatose’! As someone who has spent quite a lot of time in this wonderful little Central American country, Craig and Jo’s account of this element of their business further opened my eyes to a really interesting part of the world, and how much working with a company which believes in fair trade really has helped the people there.

The book also addresses a couple of popular questions which surround the Green & Black’s brand, namely why is it only the Maya Gold bar which carries the fair trade certification, and what motivated the takeover by Cadburys? I’m not going to give away any of the answers now – but give this book a try, you won’t be disappointed!

This publication should come with a health warning however  – this book is likely to encourage excessive chocolate consumption.

If like me you are unable to resist chocolatey temptations, there is no longer any need to leave the comfort of your armchair to achieve your chocolate hit, as these days you can buy Green & Blacks online. Fantastic.

Something that came to my attention about a month ago (and which I have successfully managed to block out since) has resurfaced thanks to our friends over at TreeHugger. The aptly named Shit Box is supposed to be the answer to all of your festival toilet troubles.

The creator, who also founded the footwear retailer Office, is Richard Wharton who has since set up the Brown Corporation to manufacturer his little brown brain child. It is a portable, flatpack, lightweight cardboard toilet designed for outdoor use when you need it most. It’s designed to be reused with the use of degradable poop bags – 10 of which come with the Shit Box.

So next time your kids are desperate for the loo in the car, or you’re at a festival and are dreading the long drop – just think – you could be sitting comfortably on a cardboard box, in the comfort of your own tent, emptying your bowels in style!

Seriously though, it’s quite impressive and its eco-friendly credentials aren’t bad either. Made with 70% recycled cardboard, with all of the components degradable, this novel idea might just prove to be popular, not least with eco-conscious festival goers.

We already have self contained solar showers, biodegradable tent pegs, and floatable dinner sets! 

So why not add a Shit Box into the mix?

Have a look at other innovative uses for the humble cardboard box over at Ethical Superstore.

I wonder what’s next . . .
 

(Image via LittleJackShit)