Arts & information
The fourth episode of the Strawbridge's green renovation focused on a heat recovery system, designed to remove moisture from the air inside the house, after it had been well insulated with recycled denim! Current central heating systems, double glazing and insulation results in our houses having poor air quality, mould and condensation. Whilst we can open a window for some fresh air or buy more houseplants, we also waste energy through our heating systems. Heat Exchange System's ensure fresh, dry and warm air passed through vents around the house. For the first time, Briget Strawbridge proclaimed "its not easy to live a greener life", referring to home life without heating and the struggle to install all the vents around their farmhouse.
Continue reading >>
Utilities, services & misc
Forty-five years ago, Britain's "ecological debt day" was July 9; in 1981 it was May 14. This y
ear, according to the New Economics Foundation, "ecological debt day" in Britain was yesterday, April 16. The report is based on how much Britain consumes versus how much it takes to absorb the waste generated. It would, according to the NEF, take 3.1 Earths to keep up with Britain's pace of consumption. And some of it is just plain stupid: exporting 1,500 tonnes of potatoes to Germany and importing exactly as many of exactly the same stuff; exporting 460 tonnes of gingerbread while importing 465 tonnes; exporting 10,200 tones of milk and cream to France while importing 9,900 tonnes of the same. So buy local, guys!
Read more at the BBC story: Britain now 'eating the planet'
[Gabrielle Taylor]
Utilities, services & misc
The Green Stationery Company has a nice little seven-step process on how to cut down on waste generated by your office, followed by five reasons to go green. Not only is this a tidy sheet to show a sceptical boss, you can also toddle them around the online catalog containing such gems as eco-friendly gel pens in bulk and even wind-up mobile chargers for a very modest £7.95.
[Gabrielle Taylor]
Fashion & accessories
In my latest blog search I have uncovered.............
the weird craze of flowering tea [via Slashfood];
great facts and tips in recognition of World Water Day this week [via City Hippy];
the new clothes swap phenomenon [via Treehugger TV]
and a helpful site which answers all your eco-queries [eco-worrier].
Continue reading >>
Utilities, services & misc
Isn't it crazy that we let a perfectly good water supply i.e. rain, wash down our drains every day? I've recently switched to a water meter and will be getting a couple of water butts to water my garden this summer. If money were no object then I would invest in a rainwater harvesting system like this one from Freerain. The water is diverted from the roof to a storage tank buried in your garden where it is filtered and pumped out again to use for washing machines, WC's and garden watering. By using this system you will save 50% of your average water consumption. It costs around £3000 and its clearly a long term investment, which may add value to your home. For more details go to the website or call 01636 894906. [Ella]
Utilities, services & misc
For all you busy bees, Wax Nostalgic is a Scottish company selling eco-friendly household cleaning products - all made with non-toxic, effective and naturally fragrant ingredients wrapped in chlorine free packaging. The company also contributes a portion of its revenue to several ethical charities, and the website also has very readable and detailed information about the product, including this £9 turpentine-free lavender furniture polish. Household cleaning without the sting in the tail - nice. www.waxnostalgic.co.uk [written by Ian Harris]
Utilities, services & misc
Last year, while taking a slow meander through the caves of consciousness and a walk down the path of freedom (Glastonbury), I happened upon a free magazine called The Spark, a quarterly crammed full of ethical, organic and environmental stuff. "Thinking globally, listing locally," The Spark focuses on alternative life in the West Country and has been doing so since 1993 - they even plant trees to offset their carbon footprint. The Wild and Wooley West has the largest proportion of alternative practioners in the UK and is also the home of the best band in the whole world, The Ozric Tentacles. The mag's new issue out in Feb; you can download the current one as a PDF over at www.thespark.co.uk [written by Ian Harris]
digg this | del.icio.us this
| 
Stumble It!
