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Vilde Svaner

jules — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:17:30 +0000

Over 60% of a garment’s carbon footprint takes place after it comes out of the factory. To make things a little more sustainable the girls at Vilde Svaner, previously known as Mädchentraum (The Dream of Girls) are applying the concept of food miles to the fashion world. Everything is made in Germany or has a certificate of origin if it is second hand. In both their male and female lines they’re using as much organic, recycled and sustainable materials as possible. And they’re also reusing recycled men’s shirts for their product line. www.vildesvaner.com

Viva la Vida, Madrid

jules — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:08:50 +0000

It can be tough being a vegetarian in Spain. So if you find yourself in Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras you can always head over to Viva la Vida’s vegetarian buffet. They offer a hot and cold buffet as well as a variety of sweets (the carrot cake is excellent). You put the food on your (paper) plate or in your (paper) take away containing and pay by weight. There is not much seating with a total capacity for four people but on a sunny day in Madrid that’s not a problem. The buffet is open all day from around 10am until 11 pm. They also stock a variety of food including, bread, fruit and vegetables. Calle de las Huertas, 57, Madrid. Tel. 913 697254

Neem oil for lice

jules — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:57:12 +0000

There are a million products out there for getting rid of lice or preventing them from moving into your hair. Most people who’ve had a brush with them can’t stand the little pests. We’ve had several episodes in our family and sometimes they are really difficult to banish. This lice season (lice don’t really have a season) we tried good old fashioned, aryuvedic neem oil. So if your kids come home with lice try adding several drops of neem oil to their shampoo, lather into hair and leave for 10 minutes. Then rinse and put some conditioner in their hair to help with the combing and get going with the nit comb. Do every day until you no longer find lice (should be a few days) then every second or third day for about 3 weeks. Yes it is labor intensive but it works and is natural. And it is rumored that washing hair with a few drops of neem oil added to your regular shampoo will keep them at bay. Here’s hoping.

Eco ski feminism

giovanna — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:39:02 +0000

Who would have thought that Rossignol would not only be making the first eco-friendly ski (Attraxion echo for life) for women from natural flax fibers rather than fiberglass but that they’d also apply Feminine Intuitive Technologies (FIT). Making a totally girlie eco-friendly set of skis that is designed especially for a women’s center of gravity (which is further back and lower than men’s). Flax cultivation is more earth-friendly than bamboo, poplar cores come from controlled forests, 50% of the inks have been reduced, soles are 25% recycled and the composites are designed to leach less. You go girl! www.rossignol.com

Used billboards

giovanna — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:31:49 +0000

Over 100,000 tons of vinyl billboards are produced worldwide every year. And they are huge contributors to industrial waste: while an advertising campaign only lasts three months, the discarded billboard will be at least 100 years in a landfill. That is where US based Vy&Elle come in. They’ve managed to reclaim and recycle over 200 tons of vinyl billboards converting them into unique tote bags, wallets, laptop cases, baby changing mats and portable foldable dog bowls. All of their scraps are 100% recycled and turned into floor tiles and garden hoses. www.vyandelle.com

Reusable bags

jules — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:41:38 +0000

Australian company Onya manufactures a range of reusable bags including Weigh, a nylon mesh produce bag that we have reviewed on our site. Purchasing their produce bags means that you will never have to deal the annoying problem of useless plastic supermarket produce bags. They also make folding backpacks as well as biodegradable doggy doo and rubbish bags.
www.onyabags.co.uk www.onyabags.com.au

Mooncup

jules — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:15:15 +0000

The Mooncup is a silicone cup that is used instead of tampons or other menstrual products. It can be used for years. Just empty, rinse and reinsert. Available from www.mooncup.com as well as international distributors. Or you can purchase its cousin - The Keeper - which is made from natural latex and has been in production since 1987. More info from www.keeper.com.

greenzer

jules — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:23:35 +0000

If you’re trying to be more eco in your shopping greenzer.com can help you find greener clothing, electronics, detergents, personal care products. The list goes on. The US website also includes some articles related to green lifestyle.

Wedge Card Loyalty Scheme

giovanna — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:24:27 +0000

The Wedge Card Loyalty Scheme gives people the chance to support local shops and services that might otherwise disappear. It’s simple: you buy a Wedge card for £10 (£5 of which goes to local charities); in return you get special offers and discounts at over 800 shops, restaurants and museums across London.
www.wedgecard.co.uk

Simple holidays

jules — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:03:05 +0000

It is possible to rent sparse stone cottages on unpopulated islands off the coast of Croatia. They have wells for water and gas lighting and are usually found on islands without shops, cars or ferry links. Minimum rental is usually one week. To find out more contact:
Kornat Turist (Hrvatskih vladara 2, Murter, T+385 22 435854/5, www.kornatturist.hr or in English, Croatia for Travellers (63 Therberton St, London N1 0QY, T+44 20 7226 4460, www.croatiafortravellers.co.uk)