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The ting sling: relax in a recycled hammock

hammock from recycled materialsTing, the small London label behind those funky bags, belts and wallets made from upcycled materials, has really shown what its designers can do with this full-sized hammock made from car seatbelts.

The belts in the 'ting sling' are woven together and available in a choice of bright shades including hot pink, orange, camel, turquoise, chocolate or black. You'll have to contact the makers to find out how to get your hands on one, but what an awesome alternative to the traditional hammock!

Posted by AbiSilvester on June 9, 2008 12:38 PM in Home & Garden| Outdoors & games| Recycling
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'Carrie' designer bike basket for the urban cyclist

bike basket.jpgBicycle baskets are a must-have for the modern day eco-worrier, and are even better when they're designed to detach and double up as shopping bags like this pretty pannier by designer Marie Louise Gustafsson.

The inspiration for the basket's unusual design comes from Gustafsson's Swedish grandmother's crocheted tablecloths. True granny chic!

Posted by AbiSilvester on June 5, 2008 2:00 PM in Fashion & accessories| Outdoors & games
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Easy, eco accommodation from Tangerine Fields

tangerine fields.jpgHow does the idea of staying in a cozy, pre-erected, eco-friendly tent for this summer's festivals grab you? As someone who loves music but has a phobia of mud, it's certainly sounding like the way forward to me, so I checked out Tangerine Fields' site to find out the deal with their festival accommodation.

I was pleasantly surprised at the prices, which start at around £47 per person for a tent-only deal. A step up are the special packages, which include such luxuries as a seperate area within the main festival campsite, with toilets and hot showers exclusively for Tangerine Fields customers -- these start at around £70 per person, so for a modest £30 extra you can lord it over all the poor old sods in the normal tents, having to queue for the chemical bogs.

Related: The Myhab -- Mudproof fallout shelter for festivals | Millet's Celia Birtwell tent | Environmentally friendly camping and festival gear

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Posted by AbiSilvester on June 2, 2008 3:17 PM in Green News| Outdoors & games
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Green Places to Stay: Three Acres Country House

three acres.jpgIf you're chosing to spend your holiday in the UK you're already off to a good start in the green stakes, and if you choose accommodation with sound eco credentials, you'll lesser the impact of your trip even further.

The Green Tourism site is a great first port of call if you're looking for an eco friendly B&B or hotel in the UK, and has a handy online list of establishments that have been approved by the scheme. And this weekend, I had the chance to visit one hotel that's doing its bit for the environment, Three Acres Country House, which is set in the beautiful, remote surroundings of Exmoor National Park.

Related: Eco-tourism: Organic places to stay

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Posted by AbiSilvester on May 27, 2008 10:03 AM in Outdoors & games| Transport & travel
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Have an eco-friendly bank holiday barbeque

bucket bbq.jpgNothing is more evocative of summer than the smell of sizzling barbeque food (even if you happen to be veggie). But how green is this form of outdoor cooking? The answer is it can be either decidedly ungreen, or not bad at all depending on which methods and fuel types you choose...

Lucy Sigel has given some good tips in this article on how to reduce the impact of your barbeque; the main point being that you should avoid the modern sort that pump out vast quantities of gas or electricity and ensure you use sustainable charcoal. A traditional, charcoal-burning model is the greener choice, and I love the fact that she mentions the best barbeque she ever had was cooked on a customised wheelbarrow.

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Posted by AbiSilvester on May 22, 2008 2:03 PM in Food & drink| Outdoors & games
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Traditional style solar powered garden lanterns

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You can always trust Firebox to come up with groovy gadgets to capture the imagination, and its range of solar powered toys is growing all the time.

Just in time for summer are these funky, Chinese-style LED lanterns, which soak up the sun during the day and give off a gorgeous glow as night descends. Each lantern is equppied with a dusk sensor so you need do nothing more than hang them in an eyecatching position and wait for the evening to begin. Each pack contains three red lanterns and three white ones. But here's the clever bit: the white lanterns contain colour changing LEDS that gently cycle through a kaleidoscope of entrancing colours. Trippy! £29.95 at Firebox

Posted by AbiSilvester on April 29, 2008 10:22 AM in Green gadgets| Outdoors & games
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Biodegradable picnic kit from Firebox

biodegradable picnic kit.jpgIt won't be long before we're all reaching for our beach tennis bats and baguettes, as parks and green spaces everwhere prepare for an onslaught of litter and discarded food...

Firebox has come to their aid, with this fabulous, totally biodegradable picnic kit that will leave minimum impact on the environment if you accidentally drop a knife while diving into the brie. The crockery in the set is made from our old friend cassava (the tapioca plant), with wooden spoons, forks and knives. You can even choose a gingham or camouflage cloth to complete your al fresco dining experience. All for just £14.95

Posted by AbiSilvester on April 23, 2008 12:25 PM in Food & drink| Outdoors & games
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