Ethical Sustainable Shoes from Simple ShoesSuede is from an eco-certified tannery.Soft and fuzzy certified organic cotton fleece lining.Natural rubber, non marking soles. Recycled PET and natural latex elastic laces with user friendly pull toggle. (PET is made of recycled plastic bottles) The foot form inserts are made of post consumer recycled paper. Washable!! Whoohoo Boxes made of post-consumer recycled paper, soy based printing ink, natural latex and starch based glue                                                                         Simple Weetire available in sizes 0-6m, 6-12m and 12-18m Click here to view                                                                           Simple Doodle available in UK Toddler sizes 4-9 Click here to view   Just a little reminder that our Summer Sale is still on! Click here to view

Globalkids is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

whomadeyourpants has been featured in the Guardian Society pages – lovely!

The article titled ‘Scheme offers refugees work and produces ethical underwear‘ written by Frederika Whitehead is an in-depth piece depicting Frederika’s visit to the Southampton based cooperative, and covers some of the background to why founder, Becky John started the enterprise. 

Here’s a few snippets of the article:  

It’s a little after 11am and I am standing in the office of a Southampton factory unit with my trousers lowered while two women I have never met before discuss the design of my underwear.

“Two panels, two side seams, no top seam,” concludes Samir, an Afghan in her late 40s, looking her companion directly in the eye.

Becky Johns is English and a little younger: “Marks & Sparks spring season last year,” she says, nodding sagely. I am impressed. These women are connoisseurs of pants. They sit back and look thoughtfully at each other.

John – who previously sold corporate software for a living – says: “I’ve always loved underwear but I couldn’t bear to buy knickers from a sweatshop. I came up with the name Whomadeyourpants? and that was it – I had to do it.”

Visit the Guardian to get the full article.

whomadeyourpants? is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

At Insideout we design and build highly insulated, outdoor living and working spaces; from garden offices to granny annexes. Over the years we have discussed in detail what people want when they decide to build a garden office or annex in their garden, rather than extend their house in the traditional way. They want four things: -

1. They want to separate part of their life from the main house. Typically they want peace and quiet at the bottom of the garden, if they work at home, or they want to dispatch the children to the bottom of the garden so that they can have peace and quiet in the house.
2. They want a building that is warm, dry and environmentally considerate.
3. They want something that is skilfully built.
4. They want good us to use top quality building materials.  
5. They want minimal maintenance.
6. They want to be looked after during the design and build process.

Our clients are often people who have looked at building a house extensions or garden rooms using traditional “wet” building methods i.e. bricks and mortar but have found that building traditionally is either too expensive or not appropriate for their needs. They want something that creates less mess whilst being built and that has less environmental impact. They want something that is quick to build. We respond to this by building using timber frame construction combined with high levels of eco-friendly insulation to provide a dry, stable atmosphere that requires minimal heating.

People love light and light is always an important factor in a garden office. Our buildings are often used for painting or just to take advantage of the garden sunlight, so we install Velux roof lights and design wooden windows and doors of all different shapes and sizes, with low-e double glazing, to capture the light.  

70% of our clients are concerned about the environment. The 30% that aren’t get an environmentally considerate building whether they want one or not! We  source building materials locally wherever possible, and look  for suppliers who show environmental integrity and small carbon footprints. We avoid plastic where possible. We clad the buildings with scottish larch and roof the buildings with cedar roof shingles. Both are maintenance free. The windows and doors are finished with low toxicity water based stains to create a building exterior with a very small environmental impact.

InsideOut Buildings Ltd (Garden Offices.) is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Digital Printing

Eco Print specialises in short and medium run digital printing.

What makes us ‘Eco’?

All Eco Print printing is on recycled paper and card. Our preference is always paper made from 100% recycled post consumer waste. Eco Print completes the environmentally friendly print process by using inks developed using organic based polymers instead of chemical based polymers. These fuse at a lower temperature making the whole process more energy efficient. These inks give a 1st class quality finish with vibrant colours which do not fade or peel off..

The cost saving and environmental benefits of the digital process lie in the very nature of short run printing – there is no minimum order and as such, you order what you actually need using less consumables and causing less wastage.

if you only want 150 letter heads why pay for a 500 minimum order at a litho printers?
 
Our digital printer is energy efficient using less heat. The majority of parts are replaceable and recyclable. When the toner and image drums are used up they are returned to the provider and once refilled they are sent back out to be reused.

Digital print turn around is traditionally much quicker as there is no plate making process, less set up time and no print drying before trimming.

 Contact us now for an ‘Eco-Quote’ – 01722 340 350

 printing@ecoprintuk.com

 http://www.ecoprintuk.com

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

When it comes to needing an exact estimate for an energy efficient system, it’s the quality of the enquiry that ensures an accurate response – which is better for the customer, the installer and the supplier. Nu-Heat Trade Account Manager Gary Davies explains what information the team needs in order to get it right first time.

‘When taking an initial enquiry’ says Gary, ‘the worst scenario is receiving a set of plans and a request for ‘underfloor heating and a heat pump’. It’s like going into a BMW showroom and saying ‘I want a 2 litre car.’ If we get enough project-specific information at the start, our response will be dead on.’

Ethical sales

With renewable products in particular there is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’. With enough detail, it should be possible for a supplier to ascertain reasonably quickly whether the desired system is, in fact, feasible. If it is obvious that it won’t work well – such as an enquiry for a heat pump in a badly insulated older property – an ethical supply company will explain why it is not a suitable solution.

The supplier can then offer options for the installer to suggest to the customer – such as solar thermal for domestic hot water or underfloor heating (UFH) working with a condensing boiler (where the low system water temperatures of underfloor heating enhance the efficiency of condensing boilers and give a degree of fuel savings). Even for a well-insulated property, a ground source heat pump (GSHP) might be the ideal, but the budget could indicate an air source heat pump (ASHP) as a cheaper but still effective choice.

Support

With a design and supply company such as Nu-Heat support can be given from an early stage if enough information is available. This covers additional elements like cylinders, solar thermal or even towel rails and considerations such as the most suitable floor covering. ‘Basically any questions that an installer has we will endeavour to answer, however weird and wonderful!’ comments Gary. 

By investing a short amount of time to provide detailed information for an initial enquiry will help ensure that the response is right first time, which is beneficial for everyone involved. It also gives added value by facilitating an open, professional dialogue between installer and supplier, opening channels for excellent advice and first rate price options to be offered.

Nu-Heat is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

You will be given a better insight to our phenomenal Teak projects in Brazil, that are yielding our existing clients 10-20% per annum.

Date: 28th July 2010
Time: 6.30pm – 8pm
Location: St Clements House, 27-28 Clements Lane, London, EC4N 7AE

RSVP: As places get booked up very quickly, please ensure you RSVP before 5pm on the 28th of July 2010. Email: darren@globalforestryinvestments.com or call to book your place on 020 7754 0493. View our website for more information.

Global Forestry Investments is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Mrs and Mr Everybody have been busy doing research on alum, a common ingredient used through the ages in the wool, paper and leather trades as well as in food, water and medicines. Nowadays alum is best known by consumers as a deodorant ingredient and it is the subject of many sweaty discussions on the Internet. Some journalists proclaim its wonders and other implicate the aluminium contained in alum deodorants it in the development of Alzheimers disease and breast cancer. Mr and Mrs Everybody wish to add some new points to the debate. Go for it Mrs Everybody.

It all started about four years ago when I proudly presented the yet-to-be Mr Everybody with a crystal deodorant stick made from ‘ammonium alum’ which I’d bought in a health food shop. The deodorant was promoted as pure natural mineral salts. We both thought, ‘This is neat!’ as we rubbed this rock under our arms. However, after a few months they didn’t seem to work so well. Mr Everybody’s under arms started to become itchy and then he suddenly discovered raw patches of skin in his arm pits and a rash spreading across his chest.

We stopped using the deodorant and I searched for the traceability of the key ingredient, ammonium alum on the Internet, expecting to find the sources of the natural ammonium alum mines. No results appeared. I continued to try over the next few days using the most creative of search terms. Still no ammonium alum mines. Not accepting defeat, I switched to using French search terms and the artificial source of ammonium alum became clear on the French web domains, as did the sources of natural volcanic alum … So may I present you with:

A summary of research…
More detailed research…
I bet you didn’t know these facts about alum …
How to reduce your aluminium exposure through foods…
How to deodorize very sensitive skin with volcanic alum…
Where to buy natural volcanic deodorant…

You will be glad to know that we have managed to source volcanically formed alum and Mr Everybody has made a complete recovery. His sensitive (or should I say sensible skin) has not reacted since he has been using the volcanic alum.

Natural Spa Supplies Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Here at Skin Blossom we are huge wildlife fans, and that’s why all our products are certified by the Soil Association and Vegan Society registered. So we are pleased to announce that we have also been recognised as a company using cruelty free practices in the new Compassionate Shopping guide http://www.naturewatch.org/shoppingguide/Index.asp

Find out more about Skin Blossom and our super affordable organic and vegan body care http://www.skinblossom.co.uk 

Skin Blossom Organic Bloom is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

A system that delivers solar water heating at a lower cost, quicker installation and with no need to buy a new cylinder was one of the finalists in the 2010 Ashden Awards for sustainable energy.

John Willis invented the Willis Solasyphon because he found that the cost and disruption of installing solar water heating was a barrier to take-up. He was also dismayed by the number of perfectly serviceable cylinders he was removing to install a new twin coil cylinder for a traditional solar hot water system.

The Solasyphon is a small heat exchanger that can be installed on the outside of an existing cylinder. This reduces installation time by at least a day, and makes it a much simpler job. So, as well as the cost savings for consumers, installers can put it in without disturbing the existing plumbing system.

Water is heated faster with the Solasyphon, as it heats small amounts of water at a time in the heat exchanger, and delivers it to the top of the cylinder where it stratifies ready for use. Standard European tests found that it produces a higher water temperature compared to conventional technology. A benefit of this is that it heats water to useable temperatures in marginal conditions (such as autumn or winter).  

In the commonly used dual coil cylinder, a much greater amount of water is heated, more slowly, by the coil. This means that rather than having water hot enough to use at the top of the cylinder, the solar panels raise the temperature of all the water in the cylinder, but in marginal conditions it still needs to be boosted by the boiler or immersion to reach a usable temperature.

“Weve had the Solasyphon in place for three years, now and it’s been absolutely fantastic,” says Liz McElkerney, a Willis customer. “We have piping hot water all day long. It starts working as soon as the sun hits the solar panel. It’s brilliant in winter as it activates with the winter sun, so we’re not dependent on a really hot sunny day.”

The Willis Solasyphon can be used as part of a MCS accredited solar hot water installation. Section 442 of the MCS has been amended to allow for an external heat exchanger to be used on an existing cylinder, as long as the cylinder meets the stated standards. It is also included in a field trial of solar hot water systems currently being undertaken by the Energy Saving Trust, which is expected to report next year.

Using a Solasyphon saves between £600 and £1,200 on installation costs compared to a conventional system.

This article was first pubublished on the YouGen blog. For more information on renewable energy, please visit the YouGen website

YouGen is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

VeggieVisionDating has just been launched enhancing VeggieVision TV and because so many viewers said that they want to connect with the like minded viewers of VeggieVision TV.

We asked VeggieVision subscribers how they felt about first dates and more….

Surprisingly just 4% of viewers said that nothing would stand in the way of dating Brad Pitt.  Only 6% however wouldn’t indulge in a good smooch after a first date. 

We do feel sorry for the guy who found a mole on his ‘privates’ before his hot first date and texted this to her instead of his friend. A viewer found out they were dating a guy (they thought it was a woman.)

How people now find love: 

38% of people have used Online dating.

20% have gone on Blind dates

12% have taken part in speed dating 

Other replies include

“I try to pull at the pub”

“Disco and hope”

“Met now husband after putting an advert in a magazine”

“Met Fiancé via FaceBook”

“I flirt with the rugby team”

“I just get chatted up all of the time”

Ideal First Date:

74% said that going for a meal is the ideal first date

14% would like to chat at a pub

12% would love the theatre

2% would love to go clubbing  

Other romantic dates include: 

Walking and adventure

Hike to watch a sunset while enjoying a glass of wine

A picnic

A delicious meal at home

Log cabin

Nature reserve

50% of people would rather go on a date with their current partner than Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. 

4% said that nothing would get in their way of dating Brad Pitt 

10% said they would rather pass a date with Brad or Angelina for ice cream 

Other replies include passing up on date with them for: 

George Clooney

Russell Crowe

Johnny Depp

A vegan meal and good company

A pot of hummous 

* Some people noted several options to this answer 

About VeggieVisionDating.com  

VeggieVisionDating has just been launched enhance VeggieVision TV and because so many viewers said that they want to connect with the like minded viewers of VeggieVision TV.

The site offers a free Trial membership which enables you to try out our system and see how it works for FREE. You can search, browse other members’ profiles, and even send FREE messages and cards, plus you can use our HotList facility and try out the various components of our SuperMatch system.

There are also silver, Gold, Platinum and Elite offering more benefits to subscribers.

Please sign up for free dating and confidence tips from experts too.

www.veggievisiondating.com

VeggieVision.tv is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more