There are so many awesome recycled decoration ideas coming to life in the run-up to Christmas it's hard to know which to choose, but when I saw this recycled wreath from Biome Lifestyle, I just had to share the cheer...
Look closely, and you'll see that it's made from recycled materials, including waste tin that has been carefully blunted, painted and crafted into leaves and other shapes. All the work was done
by a small co-operative in Africa. The cost of the wreath goes directly to the co-operative which helps local families and artisans. Why not put one on your door this Christmas? It's bound to get comments, giving you a cue to spread the word on this very worthwhile project. £25 from Biome Lifestyle.
When the Bag Lady send me a tip about a new 'eco bag', it'll tend to be either yet another canvas tote or an unaffordable designer handbag, made with very expensive sustainable materials where the very expensive leather would normally be.
Not this one: it's fun, trendy, ideal for Christmas parties and a steal at £30. Available at Fashion Conscience, the 'disco clutch' can only be described as 'ring pull bling'; each is hand-crafted by women in co-operatives in Brazil, lined with a pocket and zip and even tells you the name of the lady that created it for you!
If you didn't catch Black Gold during its cinema run, it's now available to buy on DVD, with extras including interviews and reports on progress made following the release of the film.
Juxtaposing consumers willing to pay £3 for elaborate coffee drinks, against the plight of farmers who are barely paid enough to not be called slaves, Black Gold draws attention to the fat profit margins of corporations like Starbucks and how little it would take to remedy the situation. Fair trade beans are readily available for about £4 per kilo, which, speaking from experience, is enough to easily make a month's breakfast lattes in a home coffee machine.
To coincide with the DVD launch, the independent team of filmmakers behind Black Gold have re-vamped their website.
Ever feel bad about how much you spend on clothes? Stylish ethical label Tam & Rob can help, as every time you buy an item of clothing from their range, they'll donate a new sari to a destitute woman. The scheme is in operation between now and Christmas, with all benefits going to Social Action for Association and Development (SAAD).
The charity also provides literacy and skills training to some of the world’s most vulnerable women, as the label’s own ethos is also to increase opportunities for disadvantaged groups. The women trained by SAAD are social outcasts and victims of abuse. The new saris donated by Tam & Rob will benefit these women as they start their new lives and careers supported by SAAD.
Tam & Rob has stringent ethical standards for its manufacturing process, even going as far as producing videos on their producers' working conditions. The current range is a sharp, sassy collection with an oriental twist, and with prices between £18 and £180, it's well worth having a look.
I'm loving these cheery kids' winter warmers from Fairwind. The fairtrade emporium has gone mad for brightly-coloured outerwear this season, with a new range of gorgeous, warm, hand knitted childrens' wear from Nepal.
Each purchase helps support net4kids, an international children’s charity, as well as the 40 children at the Nepal Matri Griha School in Kathmandu. The The knitwear itself is hand knitted in Nepal from 100% wool. The ranges are machine washable and suitable for children from 3 – 11. Adorable, warm and extremely ethical!
If you're finding your daily grind unsatisfying, and you long to get up every morning with saving the world on your mind as well as paying the bills, then this guide could well provide you with some food for thought. 'The Ethical Careers Guide' offers a range of advice on different careers, as well as fascinating case studies of people in positions ranging from a Campaigns Officer in a charity to a social worker working for a local council.
I was given a copy of this book by a friend after I left university. I'd decided my next step was to find some voluntary work - with the eventual aim of doing some paid work for a charity - and I definitely found the book useful in terms of inspiring me in my quest. In particular, I think the fact that it includes a large number of case studies makes things sound a little less daunting, as the case studies make you feel as if you're having an informal chat with someone rather than reading a 'guide' per se.
Peau-Ethique is a small and friendly family-run French business specialising in lingerie, night clothes, accessories and socks, all from sustainable sources and using organic materials.
The company has just extended its range to include opaque tights, made from 100% organic cotton. Available in natural, black and chocolate, the selection could see you through all the season's trends. All products in Peau-Ethique's catalogue are fairly traded, made in partnership with a small Turkish workshop. Visit the site for more information, including detailed accounts of the manufacturing process, and pictures of the company's workers.
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