Were you aware that it's National Compost Awareness Week? If not, you're probably a newbie to the art of turning waste into nutritious, squelchy mush for your garden. As a nation we produce around 30 million tonnes of waste each year, and over half of this can be easily recycled. So be part of the solution, and follow these links for advice on how to get started.
• There's a good 10-point guide here to the basics of composting from the National Trust. Did you know, for example, that different plants need different types of compost for optimum growth, and your local garden centre will provide you with any types of compost you can't 'cook' at home.
Continue reading >>
Global hypercolor is back! But this time it's, er, a bit closer to your crotch.
Ethical lingerie brand Green Knickers has incorporated colour-changing technology into its latest products, with two heat sensitive knicker designs. You'll probably be relieved to learn that the only part of the knickers actually sensitive to heat is the daisy motif on the front; the rest is just good, old-fashioned organic cotton. Both of these new designs cost £15 a pair and are available at Ethical Superstore
Hailing from New Zealand, Untouched World is one of the most excting eco chic labels around at the moment, specialising in organic merino as well as other sustainable fabrics. Until now, I'd only seen the odd UW item crop up in some very specialist boutiques, but I've just discovered it has launched a UK site, full of stylish, sustainable garments for men and women.
My favourite item in the current collection has got to be the 'splotch' dress I featued in this week's summer dress roundup, available at The Natural Store. But there's plenty more where that one came from, and the label is definitely one to watch.
There are loads of windup and solar radios on the market right now, but I'm giving love to this one today because of its smart, classic design. Also, of course, it's a lovely shade of green!
The vintagey-looking Dynamo solar radio is kitted out with solar cells which harness solar energy to power its built-in battery. It also has a hand-cranking device which is handy when the sun decides to take rest or if you just want to work your hand muscles while indulging in music. Want one? It's $25.00 at Uncommon Goods
[Via Ecofriend]
Onya bags have been making the squishy, ultra-portable shopping bags we all know and love for some time now, but the eco-friendly Aussies have now come up with a great solution for weekenders, daytrips and holidays: the 'Onya Back' lightweight backpack.
Like the shoppers, the Onya Back takes up a negligable amount of space in your suitcase, but transforms into a fullsized rucksack capable of holding up to 10kg. Available in a range of fun colour combinations, the new bags are available at the site for just £12.50
You don't need to have been paying too much attention to the festival scene over the last few years to have noticed that, as idyllic as the picture in your head may have been when you booked your tickets, things can sometimes go a little bit wrong. If it's not tents being submerged in mud and water, it's the apparently insurmountable variety of problems associated with outdoor lavatoriums.
Well, consider such problems behind you, as long as you don't mind shelling out. Basically, myhab is a shelter made of recycled plastic and waterproof cardboard. Fear not, the cardboard is all inside the myhab, and having checked it out myself at the product launch the other night, I can confirm that this habitat is extremely durable. Unlike a tent, the Myhab is essentially biodegradable, avoiding the problems associated with rogue tent pegs and plastic sheeting littering the countryside after festival season is over. So what's it like inside?
Continue reading >>
In the UK alone, we throw away a shocking 3.6m tonnes of food every year. We're terrible at keeping our food fresh (particularly salads and bread, it seems) so anything that encourages sensible food storage can only be a good thing.
This simple pattern makes a pretty pouch that will keep your sarnies fresh as you travel to work or school. For kids' lunch boxes you may want to vary the choice of fabric depending on those crucial factors like gender, prefered colours, favourite TV show etc. But the basic design is very easy to follow, even for beginners. You'll need some vinyl coated fabric for the inside, too. [Via Crafty Crafty]
digg this | del.icio.us this
| 
Stumble It!
