Bambienti unveil ‘Bamboo Chic by Bambienti’, a Shabby Chic range of interiors that is naturally sustainable.

The popularity of Shabby Chic style interiors, particularly furniture
and accessories continues unabated in 2009. However the problem for
many is that the original sources for this overtly neutral look, namely
antique shops and flea markets have grown aware of this trend and
increased their prices substantially. The result is that more and more
people have started to buy new furniture and accessories that replicate
the Shabby Chic look at cheaper prices but in many cases the source of
the wood used is unknown and can often be found to be unsustainable.

Bambienti have addressed this situation by unveiling a new range called ‘Bamboo Chic by Bambienti’. This white range is hand-made in small to medium sized workshops entirely out of Bamboo, a material that offers strength, style and natural sustainability.

There are five key reasons that make Bamboo a viable alternative to conventional timber.

(1) Bamboo requires no replanting after harvesting and is naturally sustainable because of a unique rhizome.

(2) Bamboo grows extremely quickly. Up to one metre a day in some instances.

(3) Bamboo provides natural resistance for a planet with increasing CO2 emissions. It releases more oxygen than the equivalent strands of trees, as much as 35% in some instances and is capable of removing up to 12 tons of carbon-dioxide from the air per hectare (10,000 m2).

(4) Bamboo can be grown comfortably in the top soil of degraded land. This is something that is not easy to do with conventional trees. Bamboo can therefore be used to counteract the soil degradation caused by illegal logging.

Describing the thinking behind Bambienti founder and director Charles Colbourne suggests that “by designing and making products using Bamboo we hope to support a necessary process that reduces our over reliance upon already limited conventional timber resources”.

Bamboo is appearing increasingly in peoples homes particularly in the form of mass produced products such as Bamboo flooring and kitchen and bathroom accessories. However the emphasis at Bambienti has continued to focus upon “hand made, low impact products, using low carbon processes that are rich in human creativity and ingenuity. We avoid mass manufactured products that rely upon carbon intensive processes and are produced in large factories where the artisan is liable to find themselves marginalised”.

In addition to selling online Bambienti are actively looking to establish new retail partnerships with independent retailers throughout the UK.

For more information and to view their Shabby Chic collection ‘Bamboo Chic by Bambienti’ please visit www.bambienti.com

New batch of corporate social responsibility (CSR) case studies

Article
13, the CSR and sustainability experts, have published a new batch of
case studies profiling the initiatives being undertaken by two members
of the Confederation of British Industries (CBI) to embed and integrate
corporate social responsibility in their mainstream business
strategies.  The CBI members showcased in this edition are: Barclays
and BMW Group.

Barclays has been selected for its financial inclusion programme.  By taking a long-term, partnership approach to improving access to banking, Barclays is achieving economic gains for its customers, the communities in which it operates and the bank itself.  Barclays believes financial inclusion is an area of key importance for the banking industry in the 21st Century, affecting developed as well as developing economies.  The three pillars underpinning the Barclays financial inclusion strategy are commercial sustainability, improving lives and promoting economic regeneration.  Efforts have focused on two areas: helping to reduce the number of unbanked people and improving access to affordable credit.  (Read more…)

The other company profiled in this batch of CSR case studies is BMW Group for its education programmes in the UK.  BMW has been supporting education and the environment by running a Discovery Day at Plant Hams Hall to demonstrate to students how wildlife and technology can co-exist, hosting school visits and work experience pupils, providing expertise in support of a specialist engineering college’s bid to become an Academy and acting as the ‘principal partner’ of the Lichfield Festival.  This approach to community involvement demonstrates CSR because it has been developed in response to stakeholder feedback, involves mutually beneficial partnerships and proactively addresses future risks to business.  (Read more…)

These latest CSR case studies can be accessed from the Article 13 homepage.  The CSR case study archive is also a useful tool for CSR practitioners, containing a large range of case studies within the categories of community, education, environment, governance, new product development, strategy, supply chain and workplace.

Article 13 is an expert in business responsibility, typically in the areas of corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability and governance.  Article 13 seeks to embed and integrate responsible business practices in organisations by means of consultancy services, training, coach-mentoring and thought leadership.

For further information on these case studies or to have your organisation’s CSR initiatives profiled, contact Jane Fiona Cumming on janefionac@article13.com or phone +44 (0)20 8840 4450.

By Joe Turner of the Freedom Clothing Project
Published in the Ecologist 19/03/2009

Dressing poorer
countries in our designer cast-offs while we invest in shabby sweatshop
chic? Invest in their infrastructure, not vetements, argues Joe Turner

For
many years, those of us well-versed in fair trade and trade justice
issues have been campaigning under a certain banner. We believed that
years of handing out money had been ineffective, and that actually what
we needed to do was to open our markets. ‘Trade, not aid’ was the buzz
phrase.

Continue reading the article at the Ecologist online > > >

DeviDoll founder chosen as one of the most inspirational women in ethical & sustainable fashion

In London Fashion Week’s Estethica guide for AW09, Matilda Lee
of the Ecologist, picked the top eleven most inspirational women
in ethical and sustainable fashion today and her list includes Sindhu
Venkatanarayanan, founder of DeviDoll.com. DeviDoll is an online
boutique which sells chic, up-to-the minute fashion; pure, organic
products for the body and exquisite soft furnishings for the home.

Along with Lucy Siegle, India Knight, Livia Firth and Dilys Williams among others, Sindhu was selected for her upfront image as activist cum retailer in the world of ethical fashion.  Sindhu has been part of Estethica’s vetting panel and also writes a regular blog (‘Curate Your Consumption’ : http://devidollblog.blogspot.com) about the intersection between sustainablility, style and fashion.

DeviDoll.com (www.devidoll.com) only stocks things which in some way benefit the Earth and its people, meaning every wearer of a Devidoll garment contributes to a wiser use of human and natural resources.

Says Sindhu, “DeviDoll’s most public face is the boutique but there is more to the brand because we are ultimately striving to make clear that the scrutiny of luxury goods’ consumption in today’s ecologically and socially aware society is often misplaced – we believe the consumption of luxury need not be conspicuous, selfish, thoughtless or shallow.  By making room in the ethical lifestyle space for couture and luxury, DeviDoll proves that being eco and ethical need not preclude being in vogue.”

DeviDoll is currently enjoying great success with its Spring Fling sale, partnering with sustainable fashion designer From Somewhere with huge discounts on international ethical fashion labels such as Mociun, Kelly B, Deborah Lindquist and Fin, many of whom are exclusive to DeviDoll.com.

Says Sindhu of the Spring Fling, “This is the very first time that DeviDoll has been involved in a venture such as this. I personally love From Somewhere and it is a great honour to partner with them as both brands stand for original, stylish fashion as well as involvement in the ethical fashion space. We are showing our commitment to keeping the flag of ethical fashion flying high despite peoples’ possible current financial constraints, and I most certainly don’t want cheap, fast fashion to seem attractive again.”

All DeviDoll clothes and furnishings are made from organic or alternative fabrics (such as hemp, soya, bamboo, modal, peace silk); benefit children and/or women in their production; help revive ancient handicrafts among local populations or are made from vintage or reused materials.  Every label eschews any form of animal cruelty.

DeviDoll is about to announce its Spring collection; details will be available soon.

Online ethical retailer miki are now throwing miki parties in Hampshire and the surrounding areas.  

If you host a miki party you’ll receive 15% commission on all sales to spend on any items!  To book a party please call Claire or Jo on 023 92 717808/ 07818818791 or email info@miki.uk.com. To view our products please go to www.miki.uk.com

miki sources stylish and contemporary design, clothing & accessories, sustainably and responsibly made. We
aim to provide our customers with timeless pieces that go against the
current ‘throw away fashion’ trend combined with a selection of on
trend items that bring that extra something to your wardrobe whilst
insistently sticking to our ethical principles.

Natural mattresses may be the answer for allergy sufferers says buyOrganics

 Top luxury organic lifestyle gurus buyOrganics 
now offer people the chance to sample fabric swatches of their organic
mattresses in response to increasing numbers of customers with
allergies buying them from the online store. Maybe one reason for this
is the growing realisation that avoiding the synthetic materials and
chemicals present in regular mattresses can actually exacerbate not
only skin and sleep problems, but also even perhaps other conditions
such as ME.

As the average person spends one whole third of their life in bed, many people are unaware that what your mattress is made of could also be affecting your health?

Sonia Kalia-Sagoo of buyOrganics explains: “Organic mattresses are made from materials which have been created by traditional farming methods, thereby avoiding the use of highly toxic fertilisers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, which would otherwise leave residues in the final product.   Organic mattresses are made with 100% unbleached untreated cotton, coir (coconut) and wool products, meaning no health risks to the sleeper.   Sleep disturbances and neurological conditions such as ME have been linked with exposure to such toxic chemicals, as well as skin allergies such as eczema, so it is particularly important for example, for babies to sleep on organic bedding.”

As well as being safer for the end user, organic products are less harmful to the environment and for the growers and workers harvesting the crops, meaning that choosing an organic mattress will not only be healthful for yourself, but an ethical choice as well.  The pocket sprung and cot mattresses on the buyOrganics site are both Soil Association certified.

buyOrganics is very happy to send fabric swatches to potential customers to try before choosing which mattress they wish to buy.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Lisa Jackson, Eurydice PR ethical communications
lisa@eurydicepr.co.uk  01440 709460  /  07702 415187
Stockist details:  www.buyorganics.co.uk   0208 952 1424 

For a fresh perspective on green living in Scotland, check out Greener View,
Scotland’s only dedicated magazine for greener living. Greener View presents
news, views, features and information on issues and lifestyle with a particular interest in Scotland. Greener View is an ethical
lifestyle magazine that celebrates the resources, diversity and talent
that Scotland has to offer.

The magazine was created as a place where people can get information they may need to make their
own decision on a greener lifestyle, to raise awareness about environmental issues as they
affect Scotland and to let people know about the fantastic
individuals and businesses who work tirelessly to provide great
products and services.

Article 13 focuses on emerging trends within the scope of business
responsibility.  In this update, we identify the current issues
surrounding sustainable investment, also known as ‘socially
responsible’ investment (SRI) or ‘responsible’ investment. This form of
investment has grown enormously in the past decade, with an increase in
sustainable funds and sustainable options. Sustainable investment has
been interlinked with developments in areas such as corporate
governance, corporate accountability, and sustainable development.

Socially responsible investment is a broad-based approach to investment, offering a way for ethically conscious investors to avoid investing in organisations which directly conflict with their values (i.e. organisations which present a conflict of interests). Socially responsible investors can include both individuals and institutions, such as corporations, universities, hospitals, foundations, insurance companies, and public and private pension funds. It is an investment strategy which not only seeks to maximise financial return, but also combines meeting social, ethical and environmental criteria. SRI can take the form of many methods of investment, such as:

• Socially responsible funds and durable performance funds (“best in class”);
• Thematic funds, such as green funds;
• Human rights funds.

SRI recognises that corporate responsibility and societal concerns are valid parts of investment decisions and consider both the investor’s financial needs and an investment’s impact on society. There is a large variety of socially responsible investments available that appeal to socially responsible investors based on topical, and relevant ethical issues. There are a number of leading indexes used to identify sustainable investments; these include the following:

• Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (www.sustainability-index.com)
• FTSE4Good (www.ftse.com/Indices/FTSE4Good_Index_Series/index.jsp)
• Innovest Strategic Value Advisors (www.innovestgroup.com)

Benefit from SRI
The increase in sustainable investment is leading to an increase in inspection and monitoring of companies’ business practices, in order to hold them to certain environmental and social standards and create portfolios for an individual investor. There are ethical funds that use shareholder pressure to bring about changes in company policy. By joining forces with other investors some ethical funds have successfully influenced several companies to change their practices. For a comprehensive expert view on SRI see:
http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=110

For more information please contact Fiona Banyard on fionab@article13.com or call 020 8840 4450. Please also see Article 13’s website www.article13.com.

Faith in Nature, one of the oldest UK based manufacturers of natural beauty products, have recently joined EJ, and are keen to make members aware of their extensive product range. To that end they are running a competition giving you the chance to win a goody pack of products worth £25.

How To Enter

• Go to www.faithinnnature.co.uk and find the answers to the following three Questions

1. When did we move into our new premises?
2. Neem and ******** Shampoo. What is the missing ingredient?
3. How old is Mrs Frankel’s Daughter?

• Go on the Contact Us section of the Faith website, fill in your details and put your answers in the Comments section.

• The competition is open throughout April and two lucky winners will receive a goody pack of products worth £25.

Small Print
The competition is open from 1st April to 30th April
Winners will be drawn on 5th May and notified by email.
Packs will be delivered free to the address provided by the winners
Entrants must live in the UK or Eire
Prize packs will have a retail value not less than £25 inc VAT.
By entering the competition, entrants allow the company to contact them in the future for promotional purposes.
Winner’s names and details will be posted on the website after 5th May.
No correspondence will be entered into and the judge’s decisions are final.

Shaun Chamberlin’s new book ‘The Transition Timeline’ is about as
important as any I’ve read.  It should take the momentum of the
Transition movement and, if there’s any justice, will catapult it
forward.

There is so much information coming out on an almost daily basis about
the state of the planet, and to a lesser extent, the fragile nature of
our future energy supplies, that it is easy to become bewildered.  In
‘The Transition Timeline’ Shaun has gathered all the key data together
and he presents a coherent and alarming analysis.  It is easily the
best discussion I have read about the tensions between peak oil and
climate change policy and he shows that a radical shift in approach is
vital.  That shift is at the heart of the Transition vision.

The
book has been described as the history of the next twenty years.  It
examines four scenarios for the future and what the implications are. 
The Transition scenario shows the positive and exciting challenges that
adopting it will give us – the others including what we are doing now,
will fail us.  And just as The Transition Handbook inspired me to begin
to do things differently Shaun’s book has done the same.

Of
course the information is grim.  We know now that the indicators of
global warming are all following the ‘worst case’ predictions made by
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.  And we know that the
most common reaction from people is to adopt the Ostrich position.  But
this is a call to arms written with passion and conviction containing a
whole series of innovative ideas on what to do.  The beauty of
Transition for me is, as Shaun points out in his book, that it is on a
human scale.  That’s the level we all work at.  We can see value in
planting a tree or getting together a community food coop and with its
rate of growth the actions taken by ‘transitioners’ can be a new,
positive tipping point.  As one quote in the book goes “imagine waking
up one morning and finding you’re in the majority!”

The Transition Timeline is a tool for changing the world I fervently hope you will use it and encourage others to do the same.

The Transition Timeline is published by Green Books at £12.95.

Richard Barnett