Is your plastic bag collection starting to build up again? My kitchen currently looks a bit like this, and not being an expert knitter, I'm tearing my hair out trying to decide how to dispose of them responsibly.

One answer woul be to make this lovely bag, which can be done using a simple coiling method based on a Native American weaving technique. You don't need any weaving experience to do this, and you work will result in a brilliantly colourful bag you'll feel proud to take out shopping with you. Why not face the placky bag pile and give it a try tonight? [Via Crafty Crafty]

Related: Make your own Turkish-style string bag | Really easy pattern for a fabric shopping bag

Fashion Conscience is the place to be if you're after the very best in high-end eco chic fashion and accessories, and GreenMyStyle have a treat in store for anyone who'd like to get hold of items from brands like Terra Plana, Jo Wood Organics, Ovetto and Method at prices at more affordable prices. They're offering an up to 20% discount on all these names and more, plus the chance to win dinner for two courtesy of GreenMyStyle. Click here for details!

[Via GreenMyStyle]

Back in the autumn, we had a lot of fun testing out the latest in home energy-monitoring gadgets; discovering the ugly truth of how much electricity we consume. I was quite impressed by how easy it was to monitor the data on my PC, but now these devices have joined the social media generation and will actually tweet the information direct to your twitter account!

Tweet-a-Watt integrates with the Kill-a-Watt (one of the top-selling energy monitoring gadget's that's now available to buy in the UK here) to bring you your meter readings updates wirelessly, via twitter. You can see a live account of how it works here, and in all honesty, some of the reports are a damn sight more interesting than 90% of the 'tweets' I receive on a daily basis! [Via Adafruit]

Related: Green Challenges: Energy Monitoring Week day one | Get atmospheric C02 readings live on Twitter

The love affair between Melissa and Dame Viv is clearly far from over as these brazen bronze three-strap sandals have appeared on our radar just in time for that tricky transition into spring.

There's something of the gladiator about the shoes, which would go down a storm with bare legs and a mini dress. As ever in this range, they're ethically made in Melissa's native Brazil from that almost lickable recycled plastic that's such a treat on the beach. Pick up a pair for £61 at My Wardrobe

Related: Bubblegum-scented recycled plastic shoes by Melissa | Best of 2008: eco-friendly and sustainable shoes

OK...it's not remotely in the spirit of Hippyshopper for me to applaud the action of climate change, but can I please make an exception in this one instance? The crane fly is surely the most pointless and bothersome insect ever, and I for one would be happy to never have one fly into my face again. And if their numbers continue to dwindle, maybe I'll get my wish! The fact that it's due to climate change is...beside the point.

Or, if you're going to be more sensible about it, this story merits our approval becaue it'll get those who don't discriminate against members of the insect world to take action and save the crane fly from extinction. It appears they do in fact serve some useful functions, such as providing food for upland birds like golden plover, which are rather pretty. In fact, Dr James Pearce Higgins, of RSPB Scotland, said: "This is the most worrying development that I have found in my scientific career to date. So perhaps not such a reason for celebration after all...

Related: Not cute or furry, but insects need love too | One of UK's rarest insects thrives on Scottish Island

It's been a week of doom and gloom on the environmental front, what with the news that Obama will have to put some of his most important green projects on hold and that sea levels may now be on an unstoppable mission to wiping out several British cities.

Read enough stories like this, and it's quite possible to wonder why you're bothering to turn down your thermostat, forego cheap flights or shell out for organic food, so in the name of boosting morale, I've rounded up some of the more positive stories that are lurking out there, reminding us exactly why we do make those efforts and how they can be worthwhile.

Follow the jump for five good bits of green news!

Whether you're a card-carrying eco shopper with a regular order for recycled toilet roll or just someone who's had a one-off whim for some organic chocolate, you're bound to know about the two biggest players in online green retail: Ethical Superstore and Natural Collection. The two 'green giants' have co-existed for years but have announced today that they are to merge into one even bigger eco store, trading together as a 'force for good'.

Citing the current 'challenging retail environment' as motivation for the merger, the two firms predict that their combined sales will reach £8m for the 2009-10 financial year, putting them well outside the league of smaller market players; a fact that will undoubtedly lead to questions on how this will effect the stores' competitors.

[via The Guardian]

Sam Wollaston over at The Guardian test drove a Honda Insight and what was the verdict? "It is like a little environmental videogame."

The Honda Insight is a hybrid car with rather impressive green credentials to boast about. Turning the ignition on will light up a little green plant icon on the dashboard signalling that the driver is in Econ mode, meaning that a message is sent out to improve fuel economy. Also encouraging the driver to be more green is the speedometer which lights up green when the throttle is used lightly and "an angry purply-blue when not".

To the uninitiated, Spotify is the latest musical phenomenon to hit the internet and in a gesture that's as green as its logo, the service has joined up with WWF (the panda people, not the wrestlers) to provide a soundtrack for the charity's Earth Hour event.

Earth hour aims to send the message to world leaders that people are serious about climate change by encouraging millions of people to turn off their lights at the same time for 60 minutes - on Saturday 28th March at 8:30pm. Spotify will provide an hour long playlist of darkness themed songs to keep spirits up while you keep tripping over bits of cabling...

New products have just arrived over at Fashion Conscience from the lies of Minna, Biblico, Matt & Nat, Melissa Shoes, Verderocks and Kayu just to name a few. Here are some of our favourite picks.

Left: Team this cute dark blue dress from Biblico (£42) with gorgeous oversized bamboo sunglasses from Kayu (£150), Ivy League cuff from Verderocks (£105) and add a pop of colour with this bright pink bag from vegan-friendly Matt & Nat (£145). Perfect for staying cool whilst shopping in the summer months!

Right: An elegant cream lace and cotton Minna dress (£250) doesn't need too much in the way of accessories, so complement it with a grey Matt & Nat clutch bag (£90) and these electric blue Melissa Mary Janes (£50). A great look for a casual or smart lunch!

Related: New season begins at Fashion Conscience | Fairtrade Fortnight: Fashion with a conscience

The multi-talented Warren Ellis spotted this rather cool spoof on the famous wartime slogan Keep Calm and Carry On, which turns out to be one of the latest desins from howies.

The reference to the thrifty and resourceful spirit being shown by many of us (either through necessity or through choice!) is one that really resonates, and I see this being a big hit.

If you'd like to get your own organic 'Make Things' tee, you can pick them up for £25 on the howies site

Related: Hippyshopper out and about at howies' Carnaby St launch | howies and Folksy want you to get crafting

In an age of pen drives and CDs, there's not a lot you can do with a 3½-inch floppy besides turn it into something else altogether - and as re-use for computer bits goes, this greetings card idea is not a bad one. I like the way that the finished result created is an image of another 'obsolete' piece of technology: a vinyl turntable. The 'record' also really moves, which makes the project all the more satisfying. Full instructions on how to do it are here.

I wonder who'd appreciate a card like this though? Possibly someone who's a bit of a throwback! [Via Craftershock]

Related: How to make a shower puff dress | How to re-use those annoying pasta sauce jars

Electrolux are set to launch the world's most eco-friendly vacuum cleaner this April in the UK, due to retail at £159.99. Called the Electrolux Ultra Silencer Green, part of what makes this vacuum so green is the fact that it is partly made out of shredded cars.

The body is made with 55% recycled PP, which saves two litres of crude oil and 80 litres of water per vacuum. As well as being made out of recycled materials it is also 90% recyclable itself. Comparing this new model with a vacuum made out of virgin plastics, there is a 90% reduction in energy consumption during manufacturing.

Related: It's teeny being green (if you're a vacuum cleaner) | The green AA

Since its launch in 2005, Terra Plana has been highly influential in getting the 'ethical can be cool' message across to the more fashion conscious customer. Its designs are contemporary and distinctive, unmistakably eco. But with its new crop of styles for summer 09, I'm seeing a more trend-driven direction for the label, particularly in these 'Caecilia' pumps with contrast heel and platform. Smart move! Caecilia is £100 at Terra Plana

Related: Look pretty in pink with Terra Plana Juniper | Fresh new styles from Terra Plana

Jodie Kidd was the first person in the UK to the Fiat eco test drive; a new initiative aimed at showing the benefits of environmentally friendly driving. This scheme is being piloted at ten Fiat dealerships throughout Greater London, and could be available across the UK if it is successful.

Similar to a usual test drive, the eco:Drive also measures a driver's performance in environmental terms through the use of a USB stick which plugs into the car at the start of the drive. When the information is transferred to a computer, it can tell you how you performed and how you can then improve on your driving.

[Via Autobloggreen via ecorazzi]

Related: Carbon offset your baby, driving and flights | Driving tests to assess green car skills