We’ve recently launched an affiliate scheme, where you can earn some cash for referring sales through to our website www.elementsforlife.co.uk

It’s free to join and each time you refer a sale to us, we’ll give you 10% of the value of the sale to say thanks. The more people you refer and the more purchases they make, the more you can earn.

You can find out more about the benefits of Raw Chocolate on our blog

More details and sign up at http://www.elementsforlife.co.uk/affiliates

Lightbeing Creations is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

A recent Today programme on Radio 4 (13th January) highlighted a piece of research promoted by Jonah Lehrer within Wired magazine that claimed that it is easier to remember information that is difficult to read than it is to remember information that is easy to read. In other words non fluid fonts such as Comic Sans were better in terms of information retention than the likes of Helvetica. The idea is that the brain works harder to decipher what’s going on and thus retains more of the content. Dr Lehrer claimed that the new research went against the history of typography which was to create clearer fonts.

There are three reasons why this information is interesting at a brand level

Read more here >

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Dewalokam is an organic farm that produces fish, meat, eggs, milk, fruits and vegetables. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not used here. The produces are purely for in-house consumption and not for the market, and the demands of the market do not have any influence on our farm and the products. The guests are welcome to see and experience the abundance and diversity of mother earth here. Sustainable Travel is the motto of Dewalokam. Bio-diversity is maintained with the help of choice ayurvedic herbals and a variety of native fruit plants. The organic waste is recycled with the help of fish, fowls and animals and a vermin compost unit. Cooking gas is produced with the help of a biogas plant and solar energy is tapped for the water heating system. We produce much more than we consume at the resort. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2930.htm

Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

So, just how much could switching to reusable nappies save your family?  I actually sat down and worked it out in January 2011 and even I was amazed – it could be as much as £12 per week!

The cost of disposables

I looked at one of the larger chemists at their branded nappy range and, based on a size 4 nappy, was shocked to find out that the average disposable nappy costs over 20p.

Working on an average of 8 nappy changes a day over 30 months, that works out to £1460 from birth to potty training (assuming 10-12 changes a day for newborn and the recommended minimum on 6 a day for older babies/toddlers).

Add into that the cost of 1.5 packs of baby wipes per week (around £2.40 per pack at the large chemist) that is getting close to £15 per week just on nappies that you are going to throw away – a total of £1941!

And just in case I had got my figures wrong, I did some more research and found a 2006 Guardian article* that quoted £14.50 per week on disposable nappies, wipes and sacks.

And in case anyone questions the fact that these figures are based on branded nappies, it should be noted that they account for over 90% of the UK disposable nappy market.

The cost of reusable nappies

You can buy a really simple to use and wash set of Flip Nappies for £125 or by spending around £300 you could have a set of premium Bumgenius Onesize V.4 Nappies that are just gorgeous to look at.

Either way, you will need to budget for another approx £20 on nappy accessories, such as nappy bucket, mesh and wet bag plus £24 for reusable baby wipes.

You need to add into that the cost of home laundry, which works out at £132 over the 2 ½ years, giving a total cost of reusable nappies of £297 to £420.

The savings

 My maths

The disposable nappies come in a range of sizes and packs.  Basing on size 4 nappy, the branded nappies cost:

32 nappies for £6.49

56 nappies for £9.99

42 nappies for £9.98

25 nappies for £4.99

That gave an average price per nappy of £20p, £1460 over 2 ½ years.

The wipes came in packs of 60-64 for either £2.40 or £2.54 per pack.  Assuming 2 wipes per nappy change, this gave a use of slightly over 1.5 packs or £3.70 per week, or £481 over the 2 ½ years.

The washing

Most studies quote an extra 3 washes a week, or 390 washes over 2 ½ years ( I know I didn’t do that many extra washes as I generally bunged the nappies in with other washing).

A 4kg tub of premium brand washing powder costs £13.37 – this is enough for 100 nappy washes (based on using half the recommended powder as nappy manufactures advise), giving a cost of £53.48.

An average B rated washing machine uses 1.15 kw of electricity per load at 60 degrees**, at an average cost of 12p kw/h, giving 13.8p per load or £53.82 for 390 washes.

WEN calculated that the average depreciation of the washing machine caused by washing nappies is £25 – I am not going to argue with their figures but I have the calculation if anyone wants to see it.

This gives a total home laundry cost of £132.30, even with the higher electricity costs of 2011.

Sources

Prices for consumer products based on online prices at large chemists and supermarkets and energy providers, January 2011.

*Details of a report commissioned by Family Circle magazine and sponsored by Maestro. Based on potty training at 30 months. Quoted in the Guardian Newspaper, 16^th February 2006.

**http://www.appliancesonline.co.uk/blog/post/2010/08/06/How-to-calculate-your-washing-machine-running-costs.aspx

The Natural Nursery is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Facilitated by Schumacher College, Devon, UK

Course is taking place at Sharpham House, Ashprington, Devon, UK

Cost: £1550.00 all inclusive

“Imagine a home that heats itself, provides its own water, and grows its own food… It needs no expensive technology, recycles its own waste, and has its own power source. And it can be built anywhere, by anyone, out of the things that society throws away.” The words of US architect Michael Reynolds (star of the film Garbage Warrior) sum up the unique features of earthship homes. They are constructed out of natural and recycled materials such as earth-filled tyres, reclaimed timber, and used cans and bottles, and the passive solar design (glass on the south-facing side, thick walls with high thermal mass) means that no extra heating or air-conditioning is required. Water is collected, used and reclaimed using plants and filtration.

On this course, participants will work on the construction of a small earthship structure – a greenhouse – enabling them to learn the theory and experience the practice of most parts of the construction process. Each day will involve the equivalent of about an hour of theoretical input on various aspects of earthship construction, with the remainder of the morning and the afternoon devoted to the actual building tasks. The timetable will be somewhat weather-dependent – on very wet days there will be more talking and discussion, in fine weather more time outside.

For more information or to book a place please go to our website: http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/green-design-in-practice-building-an-earthship

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Ecological Facilitation : A gritty and creative approach to leadership

Course Leaders: Jenny Mackewn and Toni Spencer

A change in direction is what’s needed, and at the core of this course is the urgent question of culture change. Whether you are an experienced facilitator seeking a fresh approach or improved ecological awareness, or new to this field but wanting skills to lead and facilitate change in others – this course brings together the radical thinking that will enable you to be part of leading this transition.

For more details or to book a place on this course please visit our website: http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/ecological-facilitation-a-gritty-and-creative-approach-to-leadership

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Within this article, Vicky Kenrick at Sustainability Recruitment Specialists, Allen & York provides valuable insight into energy procurement within the public sector and explore energy initiatives such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) and The Pan Government Energy Project, and how these can benefit energy procurement for the public sector, with particular reference to schools. 

Energy procurement represents a significant percentage of public sector expenditure, accounting for some £3.25 billion annually. Clearly, an effective approach to collaborative purchasing offers the scope for real savings for the public purse.

The public sector is potentially a very powerful purchaser and is uniquely placed to play a leading role in sustainable procurement and in helping the UK to meet its targets of reducing CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.  Furthermore, with the UK public sector faced with a growing need to provide greater operational efficiencies as well as demonstrate their commitment to be among the leaders in the European Union (EU) for sustainable procurement, the need to secure best value through collaborative working has also become ever more critical.

Sustainability was recognised by the former government as a core component of good procurement, and in 2008 significant steps were taken by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and other departments to improve their leadership and governance on the issue. A number of developments since 2008, such as The Pan Government Energy Project (PGEP) have kept sustainability at the forefront of current issues in procurement practice.  

It is schools and higher education establishments that have been one of the last sectors to actively move from a fixed price, fixed term contract to a flexible, risk managed contract as recommended by government.  The Energy Consortium (TEC), whom contract for over 70% of the higher education sector, are actively working with the PGEP to help educational establishments understand the benefits of moving from a fixed price contract to a government recommended flexible solution.  As a result, the PGEP have an excellent understanding of a school’s energy requirements, and allow schools the opportunity to access increased benefits when following their recommendations and working with a central purchasing body. The PGEP, sponsored and chaired by the Ministry of Defence, has developed best practice recommendations for energy procurement in consultation with customers and public sector buying organisations.

If done incorrectly, energy procurement can cost a school thousands of pounds that could have been avoided. For schools, the cost of employing an energy specialist is often not feasible, and this can leave schools open to higher supplier margins and increased costs. In light of this, schools are currently being urged to access the benefits of using this government recommended solution for energy procurement.

By following the two recommendations outlined in the PGEP, schools can firstly benefit from making substantial financial savings through aggregation, for example, because a central purchasing body can purchase larger portfolios of energy and attract lower supplier margins, some by up to 5%.  In addition, schools that follow this government recommendation can also take advantage of market prices throughout the duration of the energy contract and have access to greater transparency of costs that make up the delivered energy price.

Mark Vidler, Energy Group Manager at Allen & York comments that:

“Purchasing energy in this way could also see organisations and schools mitigate against price rises and deliver savings.  Organisations can further benefit from the advice of skilled Energy Managers, who play a vital role in ensuring sustainable cost savings throughout the energy procurement process”

The second recommendation of the PGEP highlights how schools need to reduce their energy consumption.  If the purchasing of energy is carried out by experts in energy procurement then schools are able to benefit from experienced team management of all portfolio needs as well as have access to new products and initiatives, which include tools such as Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and advice, guidance and tool kits which can also assist with their Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC).

In fact, 15% of public sector carbon emissions arise from activities in the English schools system and about a third of this is directly from energy usage in school buildings. In light of this, the Government aims to make all schools, sustainable schools, by 2020, by not just promoting sustainability through teaching methods but also by encouraging schools to participate in local authority carbon reduction commitment opportunities and other initiatives in order to reduce their energy consumption.  There is a clear need for public sector organisations, such as schools, to seek the support of Energy professionals and consultancies in order to work towards sustainability targets. 

Sustainability Recruitment Specialists, Allen & York, are witnessing a large increase in the demand for sustainable Energy professionals and the growing variety of roles within this sector.

Allen & York Energy Group Manager, Mark Vidler, comments:

“It is increasingly necessary for schools to recognise the importance of sustainability and its application in every aspect of energy management.  In particular, the renewable energy sector plays a vital role in this, it is now more important than ever before that we look to alternative sources of energy to meet our demands. By embracing and fulfilling its renewable energy potential, the UK’s public sector has the opportunity to not only demonstrate strong leadership domestically, in the fight against climate change but it also has the opportunity to set the standard for public sector organisations to follow globally.  Here at Allen & York we have almost 20 years of experience within the Sustainability industry, we recruit Energy sector professionals at all levels for both private and public sector organisations, nationally and internationally”.

It is clear that sustainability and environmental considerations are playing a bigger role in outsourcing energy procurement decisions.  Looking at the economic reasons for the move to sustainable energy procurement – large cost savings can be made by establishing a robust and effective energy management policy.  In addition, the development of the CRC scheme and PGEP stresses the importance of reducing carbon emissions and encourages public sector establishments to improve their energy efficiency, and ultimately save money, something which is particularly relevant today, as the public sector cuts begin to take shape.

Allen & York are a leading international Sustainability Recruitment consultancy, offering jobs in Environment, CSR & Sustainability, Renewable Energy and Carbon Management, plus Health and Safety Management. 

To explore the latest career opportunities and Allen & York’s services to employers, please visit the website at: http://www.allen-york.com

Allen & York is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The almost deafening buzz around social media has become so inescapable it feels we’ll be left with a ringing in our ears well into the new decade. And it seems that many brands have enthusiastically discovered this low-cost way of gaining exposure and perpetuating their brand image. However, I’m left wondering how much thought is given to the tone of voice, before hitting return and sending another tweet or status into the ever-rising ocean of information.

Read more

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As the first Christmas tree grower on a global scale, Bols Forstplanteskole has succeeded in achieving membership in the worldwide World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).

Although most people have removed the Christmas tree decorations and scrapped the tree by now, Christmas is not over yet in Central Jutland. Bols Forstplanteskole has just achieved a much-coveted membership in the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). The achieved membership is a result of the nursery’s long-term focus on improved working conditions and sustainable production of Christmas trees.

“Under the concept of Fair Trees®, we’ve worked hard for many years to improve working and security conditions among the poor Georgian cone pickers, who collect seeds for the European Christmas tree production under perilous conditions,” says Marianne Bols, proprietor of Bols Forstplanteskole.

So far, Fair Trees has been authorised through Fair Trade Denmark, of which Fair Trees is however still a member. Nevertheless, Marianne Bols makes it abundantly clear that the newly-achieved membership, which has been in the pipeline for two years, is a seal of approval that opens the way to future development. This membership is the fi rst of its kind in the Christmas tree business on a global scale.

“There is no doubt that it is of great importance to us to be endorsed by the world’s oldest Fair Trade organisation. It is a well-known logo around the world, and a logo that opens up new export opportunities,” says Marianne Bols, who adds:

“But first and foremost the membership emphasises the importance of the fact that we will continue our work in Georgia and intensify our demands in order to ensure ongoing sustainable Christmas tree production.”

FACTS: Christmas Tree Production and Fair Trees®
More than 80% of the Christmas trees sold in Europe are based on seeds from Ambrolauri-Tlugi provenance in Georgia. Today, Fair Trees has 25 percent of the harvest rights in Tlugi, corresponding to sixteen tons of seeds.

Fair Trees is a concept developed under Fair Trade Denmark, ensuring sustainable production and decent standards of wages and terms of employment. Fair Trees makes use of third-part auditing to inspect working conditions and the gathering and production of cones. Today, Fair Trees is a member of WFTO.

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Following the huge success of the first networking event in October, UK AWARE is pleased  to announce the second in the Catalyst series which will be taking place on Thursday 20th January at The Hub in King’s Cross.UK AWARE is delighted to welcome Chris Arnold as our keynote speaker. Chris is the founder of the ethical marketing & advertising agency Creative Orchestra (the world’s first not for profit ad agency) and a former Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi.

• network and build relationships with other green and ethical organisations
• hear world class speakers with a proven track record offering knowledge and wisdom from past experiences
• pitch your ideas to the floor to gage response from trusted peers
• meet corporate innovators
• equip yourself with the tools to thrive and survive in the current difficult economic climate
• connect, innovate and share experience and contacts amongst other like minded organisations

Capacity is limited, so register for your free tickets now to avoid disappointment.