These simple yet beautiful laquered sugar bowls are handmade using time honoured processes by artisans in Vietnam.
Available in three different colours (orange, red or green) the makers of these bowls work under a fairtrade scheme that guarantees a decent living wage. Ha Tay province villagers make the pots when they aren't planting and harvesting their crops, and access to outside markets provides employment and preserves traditions for the men and women. Available for $17.95 at World of Good.
Ladies, there's a great little offer going on at the Green Apple at the moment: buy a pair of these 'green man' boxers and you'll get a complementary bar of Divine fair trade chocolate and a fab valentine's gift box for the undies.
For just £13.50 you can buy these super soft bamboo boxer shorts, made from 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton and certified fairtrade. Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and ideal for sensitive skin...including your boyfriend's naughty bits! Available in small, medium or large.
If you take care to buy fairtrade coffee, clothing and chocolate, you'll be pleased to hear that you can now enjoy another of life's pleasures without someone else suffering for it (depending, of course, on your prowess in the bedroom!) French letter is a new brand of condom made in the UK under the same fairtrade conditions applied to other products.
By choosing a fairtrade condom brand (this is the only one I'm aware of, and a google search doesn't throw up any others), you can be sure that your Johnnies will benefit workers on rubber plantations, whose wages and wellbeing will be protected under the scheme. The French Letter range is also beautifully presented for those most intimate moments, and will soon be available online.
Related: Vegan condoms: enjoy dairy-free sex
Looking for fresh, healthy food and fabulous fairtrade coffee in the capital? If so, look no further than Abokado. It's fast become the eatery-of-choice for Shiny staff, and I believe this small chain has a big future. It's also very environmentally-aware compared with other chains I could mention, and has invested in new forms of biodegradable packaging.
The branches in Drury Lane, Fleet Street and Newman Street serve delicious deli wraps for combinations for veggies and carnivores alike. They also do the best noodle soups that are both low in calories and immensely satisfying as a lunch option. My hot tip has got to be the vegetable dumpling gyoza noodles. I'm a self-confessed foodie, and healthy eating never tasted so good.
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Sharkah Chakra is a new name in sustainable, stylish denim whose garments are made according to a rigorous fairtrade philosophy, and with a strong respect for the earth.
Available exclusively in Harvey Nicks, this is the first completely organic and fairtrade denim range I'm aware of in the luxury end of the market. No stone has been left unturned in putting the garments together and each pair of jeans is decorated with buttons made from 9-carat part recycled gold plating. The organic cotton is dyed using natural Indigo using a method dating back thousands of years, and is then woven by hand making for one unique and very swanky pair of jeans. The jeans are available in men's and women's styles, and come in at a surprisingly reasonable £195.
You've got your sustainable Christmas tree sorted out, so now the real fun can start: decorations!
There are all sorts of green and ethical tree decorations on offer this year, from classic designs to quirky, recycled ornaments for the best dressed 21st century trees. Here are a few of our favourites.
Nigel's Eco Store is selling the recycled circuit board decorations pictured left, as well as a fun, reflective set made out of old CDs. We've got both the circuit board and CD sets here in the office, and they're much shinier in real life than they look on-screen. Perfect for geeky types!
WWF Earthly Goods has some really traditional and pretty ornaments that you can imagine handing down to your grandchildren. The 'robin bell' is particularly cute and like all items in this range, it's made through a fairtrade co-operative, too.
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There are plenty of entries in the green calendar this weekend, and as you might expect, green Christmas fairs are cropping up everywhere. I've included a few of these from around the UK, plus a tree-planting day for more out-doorsy types.
Central London
Head into town for some ethical shopping and MP-spotting at the Fair Trade Fair, taking place in Parliament Square. The UK's 'oldest fair Christmas event' has loads of participants on board, and runs from 12-5pm on 1st and 2nd of December at
Westminster Central Hall, Parliament Square, London SW1.
Swansea
The Swansea Christmas Green Fayre takes place on Sunday 2nd December, at the National Waterfront Museum. This will be a good one for foodies, as the green fayre's stalls will be joined by Waterfront's monthly Local Produce Market, but there's more than just mouth watering organic treats on offer here: you'll find craft stalls, tools for self-sufficient living, Oxfam charity stalls and ceramics. The event promises to be 'bigger and greener than ever', and judging by the success of last year's event, I'm sure it'll will be. You can see some pictures here.
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