Gecco Interiors are excited to be the first to launch a pioneering, organic fabric line featuring beautiful designs. The woven and hand printed fabrics and cushions are coloured naturally, using medicinally rich plants, natural mordents and all bleaching is carried out using sunlight. This is the first organically produced fabric that has been printed in this way.Gecco Interiors have teamed up with upcoming textile designer Polly Scott-Barton who created these fabrics with an Indian company dedicated to the development of natural dyeing techniques and whose mission is to eliminate chemicals from every stage of the processing of fabric. They have been pioneering in the development of organic natural printed and dyed textiles and have perfected the art of dyeing naturally. Placing fabrics in the context of both their design and their sustainability within interiors, has inspired Gecco Interiors to include this collection in their range of fabrics and accessories. Despite the fact that many companies now use organic cotton in their manufacturing, the majority of this fabric is still being dyed and printed using conventional chemicals. Gecco Interiors’ new fabric designs are manufactured using a unique dying and printing process that uses 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, linen and Ahimsa silks. The patented process used to manufacture these fabrics is 100% natural – combining ancient concepts with modern techniques.

Visit: www.geccointeriors.co.uk or call: 01494 565459

Gecco Interiors Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

2009 saw the launch of the first Book of Green paperback eco living directory with over 400 companies listed. This year, due to its huge success, Book of Green have doubled the print run of the 2010 edition from 30,000 to 60,000 copies and it will be available from June 3rd.  And, at this year’s UKAware show, the company launched the all new ‘Book of Green’ iPhone app.

This iPhone app is the first of its kind in the UK and can be downloaded free from the App Store. Once downloaded the user can choose a category from the home page, and the app will display the green businesses that are closest, plus any relevant web-only companies. The app uses geo location technology to show the locations of the company on a google map and will give directions from the user’s location.  Plus there is social media integration to twitter and post to facebook wall any info found.

Less than a week since its launch and the app is already benefiting businesses.”We’ve had two orders as a result of the iphone app listing – about £100 worth of products – we’re delighted.” Howard Carter – incognito.

Categories include; Business Services, Clothing & Accessories, Eco Builds, Green Children, Health & Beauty and Travel & Leisure. The app also includes a selection of newsfeeds – Book of Green, Ethical Junction & National Geographic GREEN – for up-to-date info, with twitterfeeds from across the green sector.Book of Green was co-founded by Sue Jueno and Katie Keegan, who run their own individual online eco directories providing free listings & promotions for green/ethical companies. Katie and Sue first met at the end of 2008 and felt they wanted to find an even better way to promote a greener future by pooling their experience and collaborating.  “We wanted to create ways of making green living really easy and practical for people. By having a directory that is free to the user available via web, paperback and on the iPhone, its now easier than ever to find many of the great green businesses that exist today.” Katie Keegan

Katie and Sue hope that in the future green & ethical businesses will become normal practice but in the meantime, Book of Green will guide you to 100’s of companies with environmentally friendly, sustainable, fair trade, organic, ethical and socially responsible products, services & info.

Book of Green is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

This years earth day was a massive success, with people all over the world becoming involved in this momentous occasion.

Designed to provide inspiration and awareness Earth day highlights the importance of looking after our environment in any way we can. MoreEco tries to do its bit by recycling, saving energy and reducing our carbon footprint in any way we can. How do you help the planet? It doesn’t take much.

1. Recycle everything you can, including giving old clothes and books to charity
2. Reduce your consumption by planning ahead – meals, days out and activities with the family
3. Enjoy the fresh air – whether it be gardening, going to the local park or walking to work, appreciating the outdoors is the first step to helping sustain our planet
4. Buy well – support your local community and sustainable shops by buying free-range, organic and fair trade produce whenever you can
5. Eco-travel – Cycle, walk or skate to work! Get the train on your holidays and research eco-ways to travel to cut your carbon footprint dramatically
6. Watch your water consumption – only boil the amount of water you need in the kettle and keep those showers short and sweet
7. Watch your energy consumption – turn off lights you aren’t using, turn appliances off at the plug and try not to keep that laptop running endlessly on charge!
8. Invest wisely – spending that little bit more on quality insulation or a well-made boiler could make a difference not only to your long-term bills but also your carbon footprint!
9. Get the family involved – teach your children, or friends’ children, from a young age how to be eco-friendly and see them reap the rewards of your knowledge
10. Talk! – Teach your neighbors, your friends and your colleagues about ways to reduce their consumption. Implement these ideas in your office or local community centre and help protect our planet.

>>> Check out our Green Events page for more information!

MoreEco is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Other great offers currently available on BigGreenSmile.com

1 - 25% off all Bentley Organic products – Range covers organic babycare, hair and bodycare as well as cleaning products. Offer ends 24th May

2 - 10% off all E-Cloth products – 10% off any product until the end of May

3 – 20% off Jason Sunbrellas – Natural Suncare range – offer available until stock lasts

4 – 10% off Ecover Laundry Tablets and 15% off Dishwasher Tablets – Offer available until stocks last

Big Green Smile is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

As a supplier of many different sustainably produced and organic textiles, I am concerned that we are often advising our customers to care for their textiles using ‘Green Dry Cleaning’. I wanted to know the facts behind green dry cleaning. Does it exist in the UK and what does it involve and finally how is it ‘greener’? 

Traditionally, dry cleaning meant cleaning clothes in liquids other than water and the solvent of choice was perchloroethyene or ‘perc’. This has since been proven to be a nervous system depressant and under US federal standards is listed as a hazardous air pollutant. An alternative method had to be found. Three new methods were favoured – washing with liquid CO2 in high pressured machines, using a silicone based solvent and finally, but much less effectively washing with regular water in computer controlled machines.

Discarding the latter due to poor results, lets look firstly at CO2. Normally present in gas form, CO2 transforms into a liquid under high-pressure. In specially designed machines clothes are washed at 900llbs per square inch of pressure in liquid carbon dioxide and a surfectant (specialist detergent). After the clothes have been washed and rinsed, the CO2 is collected and reused. Several US textile companies have already started using this system commercially, but it is not common in the UK.

The stronger candidate for widespread ‘green dry cleaning’ comes from a group of ex-dry cleaners who have developed a system called Green Earth Cleaning. This system uses liquid silicone (a liquid version of sand) which is a naturally occurring material and is already used as the base material for many shampoos and soaps on the market today. Textiles cleaned using  liquid silicone do not lose their colour, do not shrink and come back feeling softer than before because the silicone is inert and doesn’t react with the fibres of the fabric in an aggressive way. It can even be recommended for the most delicate of fabrics. The best thing about this method of cleaning is that there are no nasty residues. When the silicone breaks down it forms three natural ingredients – water, carbon dioxide and sand.

Liquid Silicone appears to be the method of choice for UK Dry Cleaners and it is already available on the High Street!

Gecco Interiors Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

After two years running Greener Style I now have so much other work on that i can’t give it the focus and care it deserves and needs to grow to the next level.  Its a turnkey relocatable small business, ideal for one person to run as a home-based enterprise.

Please email me at richardevans@greenerstyle.co.uk if you’d like to know more.

Greener Style is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

This lovely snuggly babygrow is made with super soft organic cotton and features none other than Moomin!!!

We love this classic character and are thrilled to bring it to the newest generation. Moomin forever – yay!

Beautifully made and it really is amazingly soft.

www.the-green-apple.co.uk

The Green Apple is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

One Tree Sapling Planted for Every Bed Sold

Go green this Earth Day (22nd April) and do it in style, in a sustainable and beautiful handmade wooden bed from award winning bed and sleep specialist Warren Evans.

Not only are you guaranteed a good night’s sleep*, but for every bed sold up to and including 22nd April, Warren Evans will donate one tree sapling to be planted in London by Trees for Cities, an independent charity that works with local communities on tree planting projects in urban areas.

Earth Day is an international event where companies and individuals around the world join forces to promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.

The Warren Evans Bed Collection features a selection of affordable and stylish handcrafted wooden beds. Choose from:

 - The best-selling High Headboard frames, designed with sloping headboards, ideal for lazy weekends in bed, and designed to accommodate underbed storage units

 - The Space Saving Range, which comes in wooden and upholstered options, is based upon a floating design where the frame is tucked away under the mattress. This creates a unique sense of space whilst allowing for hidden storage, ideal for those looking to make the most of small spaces.

Joe Chown, Marketing & Communications Manager at Trees for Cities, says: “We’re thrilled to be receiving support from customers of Warren Evans. With responsibly sourced wood, and a sapling donated with special sales, we hope people will sleep easy in the knowledge that their bed has been ethically produced.”

So with the high quality of Warren’s products and his ethical practice you can jump into an amazing bed with a clear conscience this Earth Day – sweet dreams!

Pictured above: The Apple Bed, doubles from £295.00.

* Warrens’ most recent customer satisfaction survey reveals that a Warren Evans mattress gives you a better night’s sleep

www.warrenevans.com & www.treesforcities.org

Shop:
Online: www.warrenevans.com
By phone: 020 7693 8990
In store:
* 158a Camden Street, London, NW1 9PA
* Arch 8, Grant Road, Clapham, London, SW11 2NU
* 240 Trussley Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 7PP
*7a Ezra Street, London, E2 7RH (off Columbia Road Flower Market)
* 1 Elmfield Road, Bromley BR1 1LW

For images, further product information and price details, please contact Sophia or Olivia in the Warren Evans press office:
Sophia@pr4.com or olivia@pr4.com
020 3142 6804

The range has been inspired by the colours of India and in keeping with an Indian tradition of decorating and adding colour to everyday objects. Each piece has been hand-painted with a bird design by artisans in Kashmir. The artisans work in their own homes and these gorgeous home accessories are helping to keep local skills alive while generating a sustainable income for some of the poorest people in India.

The range includes cups (£6), bowls (£6), trays (£23), jugs (£27) and tiffins (£65). The vibrant colour options include, red, navy, green, light blue and cream & black, cream & red, cream & green and cream & blue. Hi res images are now available on Press Loft and are available to download from the Fairwind website – go to http://www.fairwindonline.com/resources.asp.

Fairwind is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

At Eco Print we do more than just print…and there’s always something different going on!

We offer a full Graphic Design Service with over 35 years of experience. Some of us still remember using felt tip pens! This means your printing is always safe with us – as a company with extensive design experience, we know how important it is that your printing looks exactly right.

We also provide wedding Invitations printed on ‘exotic’ papers and card – bespoke design that will blow your mind! These are one of our biggest sellers and last year, one of our clients were so thrilled with them we got invited to the wedding!!

A sadder time for families to get together is at funerals, we recently designed and printed a beautiful orders of service – one for my late Grandmother which received many positive comments and our designer’s efforts were duly noted.

Something people are often surprised to find out is that we can provide biodegradable lamination. This is a very new process but produces stunning results every time and can give business cards an extra edge or make something suitable for outside use, even during the traditional British summer!

You can follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/ecoprintuk and find us on Facebook – we often post discount codes and offers on there and we’re happy to answer any of your questions or provide free quotes.

You should also check out our Rhino Poo Pads! http://www.ecoprintuk.com/rhino-poo.php

01722340350

Eco Print is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more