Browsing: eco-friendly

In some circles, becoming ‘green’ might suggest developing an uncontrollable ‘green-eyed-monster’ type of jealousy, or perhaps suffering from extreme sea-sickness, but the shade of green I’m currently aiming for is the eco-conscious, eco-friendly, eco-chic variety.

Now it’s not that I’m a new convert to the ideology for I’ve definitely never been against being green – in fact my parents have always promoted good practice. However, having recently moved in with my other half, it’s time to start putting all of the well meaning theories and parental practices into action for myself.

In these times of credit crunch some elements of becoming green around the house are easy to adhere to, for not only does turning down the heating help to save the environment, it helps to save the gas bills too. So far it seems that I’m the only one who feels the cold anyway, so it doesn’t worry my other half if I become more frugal in the radiator department. But hand in hand with the gas bill comes the electricity bill, and here is where the real challenge begins…

Read the rest of Becoming Greener »

If we ever need a little inspiration, a push in the right direction, or a kick up the backside to ‘Go One Better’ or green up our lifestyle than we should look no further than our own back yard.

It appears that nature is teaming with busy little environmentalists, all hell-bent on reducing, reusing, and recycling whatever is in their path.

According to Environmental Graffiti, a cracking site for environmentalists who don’t take themselves too seriously, these little chaps are the most eco-friendly bugs around;

3. Environmental Designer Extraordinaire: The Orb Web Spider
The female orb web spider is one of natural world’s top designers, but she’s one of its thriftiest recyclers too. She’s known to eat her web at night, before spinning a new one, to recoup some of the energy expended producing silk that’s rich in protein and stronger than steel.

Read the rest of The Top 3 Eco-Friendly Bug Awards »

The people involved in this eco-crusade are using the most peaceful and productive guerrilla tactics around to take matters of excess plastic bag waste into their own hands. No longer content to sit back and watch careless rubbish disposal destruction wreak havoc on our environment, the Morsbags team aims to eradicate the modern shoppers’ perceived need for disposable plastic carriers through the power of handmade cotton bags.

Morsbags consists of a network of socially minded people who form into groups known as ‘pods’. They get together as and when they can, and sew together  old and unused pieces of material such as curtains and duvet covers, creating reusable bags which they then distribute guerrilla-style to those who don’t even necessarily know that they are in need.

Read the rest of Morsbags Guerilla Bagging »

I am not about to confess a hitherto secret compulsion to wash obsessively. My obsession is firmly contained within my head and has yet to materialise into much productive output.

It all began when I looked at the label in my son’s new light grey sixth form trousers to discover that they were Dry Clean Only. I was so incensed that I overcame my inhibitions to ask about it openly at the Sixth Form Information Evening.

Read the rest of An Obsession With Washing »

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. »

Newcastle Green Gathering is back, bigger, better and, erm, greener than ever! It aims to raise awareness of environmental issues and living ethically by providing a creative and educational environmental at an arts and music based event.

There’s a Kids Area and Healing Zone as well as a plethora of local and national bands performing – ensuring there’s something for everone to be entertained by. As well as this there will be a whole host of stalls and pitches around the site in Exhibition Park inspiring the ethical consumer and green living enthusiast in all of us.

 As the official site says;

‘The festival will be taking place in Exhibition Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne on the 30th & 31st August. Featuring 5 stages of local and national music, arts, community groups, alternative therapies, stalls, food, drink (please note – no alcohol to be brought onto the site – drinks available through event bars) and much more. All dedicated to making sure that everyone in the city and beyond can make small but practical steps to change the environment we live in for the better; and have a great time while learning a bit as well.’

For more information check out the Green Gathering website

Photo: BBC

Daniel Radcliffe, Lewis Hamilton, Ricky Hatton and Dame Judi Dench’s shoes are all up for grabs!

I know how mad that sounds but it’s true, and it’s all in the name of charity. The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is running a ‘De-Feet Cancer’ campaign and a host of stars have got on board to donate their footwear to the cause.

Ecorazzi have attributed the following quote to champion boxer Ricky Hatton “I am used to defeating my opponent in the ring, so I’m delighted to get behind the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s De-Feet Lung Cancer campaign. By getting involved with De- Feet, you too can help give lung cancer the knock-out blow.”

Nice pun Ricky!

The shoes are going to be auctioned off starting on September 12.

If charity footwear floats your boat, why not check out Ethical Superstore’s great range of ethical and Fairtrade footwear; designed and manufactured in a planet-friendly manner, meaning that your feet can be encased by eco-friendly, comfy, and stylish trainers!

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)

Well, it’s supposedly summer time which means that the majority of people are off on their holidays sometime soon! And we all know that style and convenience can’t afford to play second fiddle to cumbersome and unsightly ‘travel gadgets’ these days. Luckily, MSN have compiled a Top 8 of 2008’s Coolest Travel Gadgets to take the stress out of choosing the right piece of kit to make your holiday run smoothly.

From camera tripods to motorized luggage cases; there really is something for everyone. Two products in particular caught my eye, though. Yes, Ethical Superstore stocks 2 of the 8 products featured; the Indigo LED Wind Up Lantern, and the Powermonkey eXplorer Portable Solar Charger (pictured) grace both the Cool List and the pages of your favourite one stop ethical shop!

Not only does that mean that Ethical Superstore makes it easier for you to shop by ethics, but also maintains a sense of style, of cool, and of sophistication. Check out the range of travel gadgets available that didn’t quite make the Top 8 this time around . . . . There’s always next year!

Now then, I’m new to the world of ‘blogging’ but an old hat at armchair activism!

By that I mean doing my bit to help make a difference, create change, influence friends, and ultimately feel better about my life and the way I live it.

I’m not going to start preaching to you because if you needed preaching to you wouldn’t be here, I merely want to pass on any hints, tips, and products I come across to help you in your quest for a more ethically minded, environmentally friendly lifestyle.

So, I’m going to start this series of posts with my Top 5 tips which can help you save money, and help save the planet!

1. Recycle rain water: I live in the north east of England. A pretty wet place. So, I have set up a water butt in my back garden to collect rain water ready to reuse on those odd occasions when the sun decides to shine and my plants need a watering! Still need convincing? Check out this article on the merits of saving water in the UK

2. Compost your food waste: composting is easy, fun, and beneficial to both the environment and your garden! Don’t throw your tea bags, banana skins and potato peelings away, chuck them in a composter and let the worms do the rest!

3. Switch off your appliances: I know this might sound like an obvious one but did you know that about 10% of your annual electricity bill is spent on standby electricity! So either switch off or invest in some standby busting devices now!

4. Keep an eye on your energy use: although this sounds complicated it couldn’t be easier! Ethical Superstore has a range of devices designed to monitor your energy use so you can always be aware of where your money goes. You’ll become obsessed with checking it every five minutes!

5. Grow your own: whether you only have enough room for one pot on your balcony or your garden in the size of a football pitch, there’s no excuse for doing a bit of organic gardening at home. Not only will this save you a bit of cash, but your produce will taste all the better having been lovingly tended to by you!

There you have it, 5 little things that can make a huge difference, see you don’t have to scheme to take down the major supermarkets . . . just do your bit

Any other suggestions or top tips? Send them in!

Thanks to Ned Trifle for the photo.