I've been using Ecover's original fabric softener for years, and find it works as well as any of the more chemically-laden ones you'll find in the shops. But a bit of variety is always nice, so I was pleased to learn that they've just brought out a new fragrance for their fabric softener; a summer scent called 'under the sun'. As with all Ecover's products, this new product is made from plant and mineral ingredients.

In addition, Ecover has expanded its bathroom range, with a new fragranced toilet cleaner and all purpose bathroom cleaner to look out for. It's also doing some interesting work with Water Aid, on a project to fund clean water in Ethiopia, which you can read about here.

Related: Method's bathroom buddies at Big Green Smile | Give your home a green makeover with Ecover

Just a little heads-up for a cause that's particularly close to my heart as a long-term veggie and animal lover.

WSPA is concerned the export of sheep from Australia to the Middle East. The charity wants to put an end to live, long-distance transport altogher, but as the world's biggest transporter of live sheep, the focus is on Australia to change its ways. In 2007 alone, 3.7 million Australian sheep were sent to the Middle East for slaughter, enduring a long and gruelling journey by both road and sea.

You can help by forwarding an email to the Australian government here -- it only takes a minute. Follow the jump for a video that shows why we need to act (it's pretty upsetting, but shows no actual slaughter of sheep)

Is it me, or are toothbrushes a bit rubbish these days? Perhaps I'm just a bit vigorous with my brushing, but I seem to have to replace them with alarming regularity. And cost aside, that's not good when most are made from brand new lumps of plastic.

Which is why I'm now switching to the Preserve recycled variety; also known as 'the toothbrush made from yoghurt pots', as a lot of the plastic used to make them comes from Stonyfield yoghurt cups. The brushes are now more affordable than ever, as Sainsbury's has slashed the price of Preserve by a third, so a toothbrush now costs just £1.99!

[Via Green Jellybean]

Related: Attack dental plaque with Soladey's ionic toothbrush | Stay smart with a solar powered shaver

You may remember that there was a trend in the '80s for animal-shaped rucksacks. I had a frog, and I remember all kinds of other critters adorning my schoolmates' backs. And now most of those schoolmates have kids of their own, I'm hardly surprised to see this cute little trend coming back.

Only this time, we're doing it noughties style, with far more respect for those involved in making the products. Tatty Bumpkin is one ethical label that's picked up on the trend, with its smiley 'spider' rucksack, that's just the right size for transporting essential items to school. Its costs £13.99. Alternatively, there's a similarly proportioned butterfly bag for young arachnophobes!

We know you loved the first two Tesco eco-shoppers designed by Cath Kidston. So you'll be thrilled to know that three new limited edition designs are being released in late August and Early October.

As before, the eco-friendly bags will retail at £3.50 with 50p going to Marie Curie Cancer Care. For more information, go here.

Related: Supermarket shopper bags get greener | Top 5 hippest fairtrade shopper bags

If you're off on your travels shortly, packing is often half the fun. Check out our list of eco-friendly items you want want to leave behind to make this your greenest summer break ever (that is, assuming you're not intending to travel by private jet).

Click on the image below to start the gallery

Related: How to reduce your carbon footprint on holiday | Perfect pack of facial care travel miniatures

I think just about all of this year's summer festivals have had their own 'claims to greenness' so far, and The Big Chill, taking place this weekend, is no exception. It's hosting an 'ethical runway show' featuring some of the top names in eco-fashion.

While it may not quite rival Glasto's potato starch tent pegs or Latitude's fuel cell stage in terms of direct environmental impact, I think this is actually a smart move on the part of The Big Chill, that will encourage a wider appreciation of ethical threads.

If you have a big family, lots of parties or are just very greedy, you probably find yourself regularly having to supplement your bag-for-life with a clutch of supermarkets plastic ones (fail!)

Not anymore, as the squishable, portable Onya bag has brought out a larger version that will carry 35% more stuff than the original bags. Like the other bags in the family the 'BIG Onya' folds down into a compact pouch small enough to carry everywhere. The new monster bags has reinforced handles and a carabiner clip that also doubles as a key ring, so there's no excuse for leaving home without it! It costs a small £8.

Meanwhile, Melanie over at Bean Sprouts makes some interesting points about why we are avoiding plastic bag use in the first place. The answer is not as clear cut as you might have thought, and it's always good to keep up to date on your motives for adopting 'green' behaviour.

Mini desktop PCs are the latest fad in computer chic, and being small and compact, these super-slim new models use far less energy than their bigger cousins. Great news for the environment! And if aesthetics and eco-friendliness are two of your chief concerns, the Dell Studio Hybrid Desktop might just take your fancy.

Let's talk aesthetics. It's pretty darn attractive, and as it's 80 percent smaller than a standard desktop, it's a great space saving machine too. As far as being green goes, the Hybrid Mini PC consumes 70 percent less power than a standard desktop with 95 percent recyclable packaging. So eco-friendly is this here mini desktop, it even comes with a system recycling kit. So, if you're a bit anal when it comes to being environmentally friendly, or you just like to be kind to the outside world, this is a feel good option for you.

I'd never have predicted it five years ago, but a cute pair of leopard print flats has become almost a staple of the standard fashionista wardrobe, and this dainty pair by Bourgeois Boheme with their neat red piping would add a welcome splash of colour to most outfits without screaming for too much attention.

So how are these colourful lust-objects green?

It's fantastic to see another style enter the hall of ethical fame, and as a big fan of all things fun and 50s, this has to be the first time I've seen totally sustainable clothing and accessories produced in this style.

Red Hot Ruby is the latest hot label to come out of Brighton, which, along with labels like Organic Stereo and of course Nigel's Eco Store, seems to be a hive of activity for green inventiveness at the moment.

Warren Evans has become the big name in eco-friendly beds over the past few years, scooping award after award for its thoroughly sustainable and very stylish furnishings. All its beds are FSC certified, all mattresses are organic, and items are shipped wrapped in blankets instead of using traditional packaging.

As someone who lives in a shoebox, I'm especially interested in Warren Evans' latest range, which has been designed with maximum space-saving in mind and, for obvious reasons, using fewer materials. Pictured is the Caymen Bed, a double that's available from £495. Not bad at all for such a highly praised piece of furniture that will last a lifetime!

If you've dropped into luxury ethical fashion portal Devidoll lately, you may already have spotted my roundup of hot summer outfits; all chosen for their high standards of sustainability and style. I had loads of fun picking out items, and so will you if you check out the site's new offerings, which inclue a gorgeous range of embroidered dresses by Indian designer Anita Dongre.

read on after the jump to find out what else is new at Devidoll

We weren't too impressed with Origins Organics' foaming face wash when we tested it the other week (mostly because it didn't foam!) but not wishing any ill-will against this usually very reliable beauty range, I'm happy to say we've since been testing their new Perfect World cleanser, and are extremely impressed. It's a really creamy cleanser, yet feels very refreshing due to the use of palm and coconut.

This time, the cleanser foams up really nicely, and has a lovely scent of light magnolia and orange. The use of oat amino acids help deep cleanse and detoxify the skin, and washes off all traces of makeup.

Related: New Philosophy Purity Made Simple high foaming cleanser with no SLS | Essential Care creamy coconut cleanser | Fight of the foaming cleansers: Madara vs. Philosophy

It's often the smallest actions that make the biggest difference, and with this in mind, I was really inspired by Flickr member egstcm, who has been using Freecycle as an alternative to normal waste recycling. You wouldn't think 200 people would have any interest in empty yoghurt cartons, but you'd be wrong, as this resourceful guy managed to shift that many to willing recipients who took the pots off his hands to use as plant starters, workshop storage, craft materials, food distribution containers and more.

This 'extra stage' in the pot's lifecycle meant that each one had at least one use and one re-use before being recycled. Good thinking, and an option to bear in mind next time you find yourself en route to the recycle bin. Remember, re-use is always better than recycling!