Auro UK have been supplying natural paints for over twenty years, their new labels and CO2 neutral accreditation firmly puts them as leaders in true Natural Paint distribution.

Auro UK Natural Paints are pleased to announce the launch of their new look label that incorporates Ethical Consumer Magazine’s new ‘Best Buy” logo.

Auro 321 emulsion paints were first listed as Best Buy in the 2006 paint edition and retains top Ethi-Score in their review of paints. Auro products have also previously won Ethical Consumer readers’ favourite DIY product award.

We are pleased to have recognition from Ethical Consumer Magazine who
lead the way in reviewing products and companies based on their ethical
and ecological ethos. This allows people to make clear decisions on
what products fits within their personal ethics and is often a valuable
eye opener. Ethical Consumer editor Rob Harrison said:

“By identifying those companies such as Auro who consider ethics
throughout their entire operation, the Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label
gives shoppers the confidence that they are making the best possible
ethical and environmental choice. The label is the definitive
endorsement for people who want to put principles at the top of their
shopping list.”

Auro’s new labels also easily points to their CO2 neutral status in the
manufacturing process of their paints. Not only does the factory
incorporate rain-harvested water for washing down machinery, it also
uses wind and solar technology to reduce energy consumption at the
factory in Braunschweig, Germany. Further CO2 emissions gained through energy use, transport, business trips etc. are offset
annually through the Climate Neutral Group who finance renewable energy
and forestry projects. The amount of carbon offset by Auro is equivalent to the growth of over 13000 trees over a year.

Auro Distribution in the UK is done through the Greenshop Group from
their new Ecobuilding which uses the latest light weight timber frame,
solar thermal store and green roofs, designed by the award winning
eco-architects Architype. The business is, of course, run and managed
as sustainably as possible – more info can be viewed at
www.greenshopgroup.co.uk

In this day and age many companies are jumping on to the Green
bandwagon and you can’t move for new Eco products. We believe a line
should be drawn between Eco and Natural products. Many new ‘eco paint’s
for example use a minimal VOC acrylic (petro chemical) binder, and are
called eco because they have less smell to conform to EU regulations,
which we all have to do. This does not, in our opinion, make them an
ecological product especially if you define ecology as incorporating
sustainability. We believe producing sustainable products based on
natural, grown and ethically mined material is key in creating true
ecological products and it is this that makes Auro stand out from the
crowd. Auro paints are in fact 100% biodegradable and can be composted
together household waste.

Our new label and re-branding points some of these differences out and
also positions Auro within the growing designer paint market.  We now
offer three times the amount of colours than we did last year and
continue, as we have done for the last twenty years, to promote
sustainable, great quality paints and wood finishes and meet the cry
from demanding and environmentally conscious customers. Auro publish
and list all their ingredients for all their products and have a full
carbon report available on their website – www.auro.co.uk

Review by Richard Barnett 

Compiled by Linda Moss and just published by Green Books
(both EJ members), the recently published third edition of Organic Places to
Stay in the UK is a fast becoming a staple resource for those seeking holidays
with a light carbon footprint.  Anyone
wanting a UK based holiday where there is an emphasis on organic produce and
environmental awareness need look no further.

The book, like its predecessors, is beautifully presented
with hundreds of colour photographs showing a huge range of wonderful places to
stay.  I was very impressed with the great
diversity of listings which cover B&Bs, Guest Houses and Hotels as well as
self catering and camping locations. 

All
the venues offer guests at least 50% organic food and many manage 100%.  Browsing through the 300+ pages lets you
consider staying in some fantastic and beautiful parts of the country in
glorious properties.  And all tastes are
catered for.

The new edition is right up to date and each entry gives
full details of costs, whether children and /or dogs are accepted and if the
accommodation is within a mile of train stations or buses.  Where appropriate there are links to websites
and the maps help you locate the approximate location of all the featured
places to stay.

The environmentally conscious traveller will definitely find
many places of interest here and Linda Moss, who set up Organic Places to Stay
some ten years ago, is to be congratulated on once again collating such a rich
source of environmentally sensitive accommodation.

“To order your copy of Organic Places to Stay: UK & Ireland at the
special offer of £10.95 with free p&p, phone 0845 4589910 quoting the
Ethical Pulse reader offer.  All major credit cards accepted.” 

Eco-Boudoir’s SS09 collection
available at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, John Lewis + Adili.com

Eco-Boudoir’s SS09 collection offers the first eco-friendly structured bras – underwire and padded bras made from organic silk and organic cotton, complementing soft and pretty one-pieces, indulgent hemp/silk dressing gowns, and lovely empire-waist sheer chemises.

Iconic pieces complete Eco-Boudoir’s collection, including complementary accessories of eyemasks and boudoir ties for added spice.

The bald truth from buyOrganics

When we hear about toxins in personal care products, we usually think of makeup and skincare products rather than hair care – after all, aren’t our crowning glories simply “dead” strands of protein?   And although we slather on the shampoos, conditioners and styling products, we don’t think of the connection between them entering our bloodstream or remaining on our skin in the same way as other lotions and potions.

However, of course, shampoos and conditioners get washed all over
our bodies in the bath or shower, and our scalp has just as many pores
as the rest of our skin – a close look (if you can get near enough!) to
any man’s bald head is evidence enough of that!  So, it’s just as easy
to absorb nasty chemicals through our hair products but surely, shampoo
and conditioner don’t need synthetic substances in just to clean and
smooth our hair?

In fact, many regular shampoos contain petro-chemicals, which have been
implicated in causing cancer and other illnesses.  The chemical
1.4-dioxane, for example, is often used in shampoo, and has even been
found in household named baby hair care products!  1.4-dioxane is a
by-product of a petrochemical process called ethyoxylation which uses
known breast carcinogen ethylene oxide to process other chemicals to
make them less harsh and more palatable for the consumer to use.

The answer is, of course, to pick products which do not contain any
synthetically manufactured chemicals at all and, preferably, do contain
organic ingredients for added safety and purity.

One thing to remember when switching from regular hair care products to
natural, organic ones is that for the first couple of washes, the hair
can feel dull and lifeless – this is actually a result of the hair
going through a natural detoxifying process, where it loses the gunk
caused by plasticizers and other synthetic ingredients contained in
many regular hair products, which actually work by coating the hair
with artificial substances to create gloss and shine.  Once this layer
of trash is stripped away, the hair returns to its natural soft shine,
which is then enhanced by the continued use of organic hair care
products.

www.buyorganics.co.uk have researched, tried and tested the best
natural and organic hair care products which are safe enough for the
whole family, and selected a variety of items suitable for different
types of hair for any occasion.

For daily use, we recommend Green People’s No Scent or Aloe Vera
Organic Shampoos – cost-effective for everyday washing, and so gentle
even newborn babies will be safe.  Not only this but your hair will
feel really soft and silky, plus we find that it rinses out perfectly,
without the nasty gunky build-up you often get with regular products
which seem to stick to the hair shafts rather than clean the dirt
away.  We recommend the Essential Care Tea Tree & Herb shampoo for
itchy, flaky scalps, again a budget buy but wonderfully effective, even
on cradle cap and dandruff.

For a weekly dip into luxury, look no further than the John Masters
range of hair care products – sheer indulgence but even better than a
trip to the salon, the whole range is pure heaven, leaving your hair
beautifully clean, conditioned and styled with absolutely no risk of
chemical nasties!    The John Masters Zinc & Sage shampoo not only
does wonders for your hair, but treats the scalp to a pamper as well. 
The scalp really is the key to healthy hair because although hair
itself is dead protein, from the hair follicle downwards into the scalp
is alive and well and in need of some regular nutrition!  This shampoo
will satisfy the thirstiest follicles to give extra body and shine.

We also love the Honey & Hibiscus shampoo, a good reconstructive
shampoo for a once-a-week hair Detox – and boy does it smell good too! 
The John Masters luxurious conditioners are also a treat for your
hair.  Have daily reminders of the beach with the Sea Salt Sea Mist
Spray, a leave-in deep conditioning protective formula for daily use. 
We also highly recommend the beautiful smelling Lavender and Avocado
Intensive Conditioner for deep penetration and lasting condition.

Even styling can be safe and healthy, for you and the environment. 
Many eco-friendly gels, waxes and serums really don’t come up to
scratch in terms of performance, but you can’t go wrong with the John
Masters organic Hair Pomade, great for smoothing frizzy hair, sculpting
a style and even doubles up as a wonderful hand cream and cuticle
softener!

So take the plunge today and give you and your hair the treat you both deserve!

All products are available at top organic lifestyle online store buyOrganics: www.buyorganics.co.uk

Free Personal Coaching for a Healthy New Year

Fed up of New Year’s resolutions that fail before February? For 2009, why not choose a tasty and healthy new way to eat – with a little help from some friends?

Get personalised support, recipes, nutrition guidance and much more – all free, with The Vegan Pledge. The Bronze Vegan Pledge is to eat only vegan food for one week; Silver, for two weeks; and Gold, for one month.

A well-planned plant-based diet can support a healthy lifestyle at
every stage of life. Eating more fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole
grains can help to prevent heart disease.

A satisfied Gold Pledger said, “I know that taking the Pledge made me
more committed … my reasons for this choice are compassionate living,
environmental benefits, and good health! There was lots of information
provided … I am very thankful for all the help.”

Nigel Winter, Vegan Society CEO said today, “Clear your mind of
preconceptions, and think of delicious food that is kind to your heart
and to your waistline. Why not make The Vegan Pledge your New Year
Resolution, and ask for your personal vegan coach today? Explore this
tasty, guilt-free cuisine for yourself – you may never look back!”

Sign up by email or post for your free Vegan Pledge Pack, full of tips,
product suggestions and answers to common questions. We will then put
you in touch with your own mentor.

The Vegan Society Pledge is part of the ‘Vegan Catering for All’
project. Good vegan food is tasty, healthy, ethical and can cut your
carbon footprint. Free copies of the full-colour ‘Vegan Catering for
All’ booklet are also available from The Vegan Society.

Contact: Amanda Baker: media@vegansociety.com – 07847 664 793 – 0121 523 1737

Notes for Editors:

1. To start your Vegan Pledge, call 0121 523 1735/6 or 0845 458 8244
during office hours, or email info@vegansociety – visit
http://www.vegansociety.com/ at any time for more information.
2. Nutrition advice from The Vegan Society is based upon scientific
research, summarised in our book, ‘Plant Based Nutrition and Health’ by
Stephen Walsh PhD (ISBN 978-0-907337-26-3) and explained for parents in
‘Feeding your Vegan Infant with Confidence’ by registered dietician
Sandra Hood (ISBN 978-0-907337-29-4).
3. Founded in 1944, The Vegan Society promotes vegan lifestyles – which
exclude, as far as is possible and practical, all forms of exploitation
of animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. Registered Charity
No. 279228, Company Registration No. 1468880, VAT Registration No. 448
5973 95

www.worldfairtradeday09.org -  SIGN UP NOW

Host Universal. Inspiring Change. 6-10 Lexington St, London W1F OLB
http://www.hostuniversal.com T: +44 (0) 20 7849 4500 F: +44 (0)20 7849 4545

Article 13 Communication on Progress 2008 – UN Global Compact

Article 13 has just released our 2008 annual Communication on Progress (CoP) to showcase and report our United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) commitments. The UN Global Compact requires its members to monitor and report on its activities in all of the ten principles covering Human Rights, Labour Rights, the Environment, and Transparency and Anti-Corruption. As a CSR consultancy, experts in the areas of Business Responsibility, Sustainable Development, Corporate Citizenship and Governance, Article 13 takes its membership extremely seriously and as one of only a few small business members, we take particular care to strategically address a wide scope of issues.

Furthermore, as 2008 was the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of
Human Rights, it is with special significance that Article 13 has
published its 2008 annual Communication On Progress (COP) detailing
actions and commitments. We contribute to global topics linked to the
Millennium Development Goals, as well as local topics that are
happening in our own back yard.

Over the last 12 months Article 13 has taken considerable effort to
address each and every one of the UNGC principles in both global
actions that require partnerships and joint ventures, as well as local
initiatives that affect the community in which we work.  
Local scale -  our actions include supporting local business and
community through our procurement choices and environmental practice.
National scale – alongside being signatories to the recent Call to
Action on the Millennium Development Goals by Rt HON Gordon Brown,
Article 13 has committed itself to a number of responsible business
partnerships and ventures

Global scale – Article 13 has also been involved in a number of
initiatives supporting Human Rights, the fight against poverty and
hunger, and a number of international current affair causes.     

After being rewarded a ‘Notable COP’ in 2007, an extremely significant
achievement for a SME member of the UNGC, Neela Bettridge, the director
of Article 13 said: “We have been given a Notable COP status by the
United Nations Global Compact, which highlights and recognises
outstanding Communication on Progress.  We are even more truly
committed to embedding UNGC principles and Millennium Development Goals
in 2008/2009.”

Article 13 has also published a summary presentation of our 2008 CoP

Find out more about Article 13’s commitment to the UNGC principles

For information on Article 13’s UNGC membership, assistance with CoP
reporting, or any other information, contact Fiona Banyard on 0208 840
4450 or email fionab@article13.com

Oromo Coffee Enterprise goes Direct Trade!

James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, launched the latest Lorna Young Foundation venture, saying “This is a unique initiative that could make fair trade even fairer – and the coffee tastes great too!” Backed also by the Bishop of Manchester, the former Lord Mayor of Manchester, Afzal Khan, and Muslim and Christian faith groups, we are working with recently settled refugees from the Oromo region in Ethiopia who contacted the LYF for ideas on how to set up a self-help project, rather than rely on benefits.

With our support, the Oromo community (who have legal residential
status) have now created a direct trading ‘community to community’
social enterprise – ‘The Oromo Coffee Company’.  As the birthplace of
coffee, the Oromo region of Ethiopia provides some of the finest
quality beans in the world. This direct trade initiative will cut out
middlemen and ensure an even greater level of profit for smallholder farmers  than would be possible
just through Fairtrade.

James Purnell was aware that we have come this
far with no funding — just a lot of good will — and backed our appeal
for sponsors.  He added: “The Oromo Coffee Company has been set up by a
group of people who have said quite clearly that they want to
contribute to society and to help smallholders back home at the same time.  And this
is an outstanding example of what can be achieved when people work
together to develop their different skills in an innovative way…I will
certainly be asking whether this coffee could be stocked at the House
of Commons in future.”

This exciting new venture is being assisted by Bolling Coffee, a
Yorkshire based family-owned roaster, which has generously agreed to
support the OCC with roasting and packaging of the coffee. There has
been a huge amount of interest from retailers and the public, and the
new Fairtrade certified range of coffees will be available in May 2009.

Garedew Yadessa, one of the Oromo community leaders, emphasised the
importance of this self-help initiative: “You can already see what a
difference this project is making to the morale of our community. We have been living here with very little, with very low spirits.  It
has been really excellent to be able to work with the LYF and Bolling
Coffee, and to get advice from Tameside Council. We believe that we
can teach British people a lot about coffee heritage as well as working
hard ourselves – and in doing so, we are helping the smallholders back
home.”

How Can YOU Help? Get Practical!

• Contact the LYF to place an order for the OCC’s coffee for your business/ community group/ workplace/yourself
• Provide some ‘in kind’ support – individuals with skills such as
  business mentoring, PR/ Marketing and financial expertise are very much
  needed by the enterprise
• Make a donation to the LYF in order to support the project/ sponsor the OCC

Contact us now on 07538 690072 or 07944 979721

What is so different about the LYF?
We will work with any smallholder farmers in developing countries who
need help with business and marketing support and learning. We are a
registered UK education charity that seeks to level the playing field
for smallholder producers, so that they can compete fairly in the
marketplace. We are all about empowerment in action – we aim to assist
producers to make the transition from being providers of raw product to
becoming managers of their own businesses, building their
commercial/marketing skills and helping them to develop local brands
and add value to their products.

Who Was Lorna Young?
The Lorna Young Foundation (LYF) is named in memory of Lorna Young, a
marketing specialist seconded from Equal Exchange to be the first Sales
and Marketing Manager for Cafédirect. She was a driven and dynamic
Scotswoman who secured the first supermarket listings for Cafédirect
products, and almost single-handedly took Fairtrade coffee from the
margin to the mainstream. She saw the need for smallholder farmers to
be able to gain the skills and confidence to break into their own local
and regional markets, as well as internationally. Lorna died in 1996 at the age of 44; but her name, and her fierce
commitment to championing the cause of producers, live on through the
LYF.

Green driving techniques help you find love

Green driving advice given to motorists works as well in the planning of the ideal Valentine’s Day date as it does in helping to reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions, according to ethical breakdown company the Environmental Transport Association (ETA).

The ETA advice to motorists (and those in search of love) is:

1. Keep it smooth
Avoiding harsh acceleration and braking saves fuel and reduces wear and
tear (Wining and dining should never be rushed – start the day as you
mean to go on with breakfast in bed)

2. Anticipate
By looking as far as possible up the road it’s possible to reduce
stop/start driving, thereby reducing fuel consumption (Book your
restaurant table early to avoid disappointment)

3. Shed weight
Remove unnecessary clutter from your car and you will use less fuel
(Being a weight you are comfortable with will boost your confidence)

Director of the ETA, Andrew Davis said: “Green driving can help save
the planet and your relationship – a year of following our tips can
save enough money to pay for a meal and night’s stay at a top hotel on
Valentine’s Day.”

An Uncivilized Solution to a Global Crisis

Ultimately, Time’s Up!
is a book about survival; about ensuring that every individual human
has the means to save herself or himself from the global crisis that is
unfolding.

“Keith Farnish has it right: time has practically run out and the ’system’ is the problem.” – Dr. James Hansen, Director, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

“This is the book I wanted to read – full of ‘fancy that’ moments, it’s unexpectedly entertaining and a page turner. It’s also the most subversive book I’ve ever read.” – Ana Salote, author of Tree Talk.

Read more > > >