Browsing: eco-friendly

Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, has just launched its new campaign. It’s one you can all get involved in and maybe win some great prizes.

Swap just one car trip between 29th June - 4th July ‘09 and walk, cycle, take public transport or car - share instead. This is the week to join with thousands of others and Change Your World.

If we all pull together, this one small action could reduce car pollution by 10%, giving us healthier journeys, cleaner air and quieter streets.

We’ve contributed a £100 EthicalSuperstore.com voucher as a prize too, so if it’s free stuff you want then head to their website www.changeyourworld.org.uk.

Image: mrhayata - Flickr

I know I’m a little premature with this one, but with the festive season over yet winter still upon us, my mind is turning to holidays. You must have noticed the travel agents’ New Year advertising campaigns trying to tempt us all with the promise of the exotic, and year on year increasing numbers of Brits are taking the pundits up on their offers, and fleeing the country searching for weather, activities and the holiday atmosphere that you just don’t get in the UK.

I’m feeling like one of the lucky ones at the moment. Rather than still having several months to wait, I shall be jetting off to foreign lands sooner than most – in only a few weeks time I shall be exploring all that India has to offer. It’s a trip I’ve been looking forward to for a while now, and although I’m sure the country has many challenges to offer, I don’t think India will fail to disappoint in terms of beauty and wonder, cultural diversity and tasty food.

In the face of such excitement in anticipation of a holiday, there is nevertheless a big issue looming… It’s all very well looking on at SkiDubai’s desert snow dome in judgement when I myself am indulging in totally unnecessary long-haul flying. Ok, so one trip to India versus 3 football-pitches of snow frozen exclusively for Dubai’s affluent skiers may not be an entirely equal comparison, but where exactly do you set your boundaries for what is, and what isn’t acceptable as a luxurious indulgence. It is possible to indulge in chocolate ethically with brands such as Green & Black’s and Divine, but is there such a thing as ethical long-haul flying? Offsetting the carbon emissions of your flight is a good place to start when journeying abroad (you can offset the carbon emissions of your shopping here at EthicalSuperstore too) but I’m not convinced that even that can entirely assuage the negative impact of aeroplane travel.

Read the rest of Ethical Adventuring and Green Getaways »

About as green as they come...!

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)