Munique Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Last weekend I made it to the Design Museum to catch the ‘Brit Insurance Design awards 2011’ It was an inspiring exhibition on many levels, not least because of my perspective as a designer. I very quickly noticed a popular theme in the nominated work, which was that there were many designs that had some form of ethical purpose.

The kind of considerations ranged from products that are created primarily to be an ethical alternative, designs that simply served their purpose in a thoughtful way, through to designs that had their ethical credentials seemingly as an afterthought (though importantly they were still mentioned). My favourites included the winner: Plumen 001 (a beautiful lightbulb intending to make energy efficient lighting more desirable) and the Branca chair (a nature inspired chair made with minimal waste).

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epitype is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

In the heart of the countryside, our restored 17th century stone farmhouse is surrounded by forests and olive groves and the sounds of nature. Slow Life Umbria is not only our inn, it is also an expression which means to live life according to the rhythm of nature and to rediscover moments of serenity and harmony with nature and within ourselves. In our restaurant we serve 100% organic and biodynamic food, carefully selected from small organic and biodynamic farms. We also have our own organic garden. Our organic olive oil won an award in 2009 as one of the best olive oils in Umbria. We make our own homemade pasta, bread, cakes and desserts. We offer organic and biodynamic wines, selected from small local producers.
http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2824.htm

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

Our aim is to reduce the vast amounts of waste produced by printers and print finishers by working with local companies to find innovative ways to re-use their waste.  To kick of the campaign, we will be producing 3,000 bespoke boxes for a London-based charity out of waste board, donated to us by a local printer.  The charity will benefit from having their boxes produced for free and we will have diverted a large amount of unwanted paperboard from landfill!

Throughout the week we will be talking to printers, print finishers and frankly, anyone who needs innovative ideas for how to re-use rather than recycle!  Any waste materials given to wewow by the printing sector we will aim to transform into unique, new products for our customers and at the end of the week, we will begin to calculate exactly how much waste we have successfully diverted from landfill!

This is just the beginning for wewow’s WOW campaign as we will continue to promote the message of reuse, reduce, recycle throughout the year, working closely with our local print partners to minimize the waste produced by our joint operations.

wewow Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

If your boiler broke down tomorrow, would you just get another one? Or might you consider one of the various types of renewable heat that are now available?

I ask, because the final details of the renewable heat incentive are due to be released. This is the government’s scheme to encourage us to adopt renewable forms of heating such as solar panels, heat pumps and biomass boilers, by giving us a financial boost to choose them.

But renewable heat is a bit more complicated than just getting a new boiler, and I’m interested in finding out how successful they are being in raising interest and awareness. You can help find out how much people know about renewable heat by doing a quick survey. It will only take a minute or two. Click here to do the survey.

YouGen is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

MuLondon – Natural Organic Skincare signs The Compact for Safe Cosmetics and receives full membership status, proving that divinely fragranced and effective skincare products can also be safe and free from toxic ingredients.

The Compact for Safe Cosmetics is part of a campaign that works to improve the safety of cosmetics and personal care products on the market. It is founded by The Environmental Working Group, Breast Cancer Fund and Friends of the Earth, among others. The idea behind The Compact is that by having companies committing to providing better information about their product ingredients, consumers can make informed decisions when they go shopping for cosmetics and skincare products. One of The Compact’s primary goals is to eliminate harmful chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products.

Signing The Compact for Safe Cosmetics is a natural step for MuLondon – Natural Organic Skincare, since the whole philosophy behind MuLondon is to make safe, effective and natural moisturisers without any preservatives or toxic ingredients that can harm the body or the world we live in.

All MuLondon products are guaranteed 100 percent natural, vegan, free of preservatives, and, of course, never tested on animals and contain no animal products. They only contain reliable, tested ingredients such as Jojoba oil and Shea butter that are safe to use on a daily basis, and natural fragrances such as Lavender, Rose, and Marigold that won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin. Certified organic ingredients are used whenever possible.

To this date, more than 1,300 companies have signed The Compact for Safe Cosmetics, but only 250 are fully compliant. MuLondon is one of the 250 fully compliant companies and receives zero hazard rating for all its products. That is the safest rating any product can get and means that MuLondon is among the safest skincare choices out on the market.

In other words, the many women and men out there who have grown used to pampering their skin with MuLondon’s moisturisers and can’t imagine giving them up, don’t have to. They can safely continue using them without having to worry for their own health or the well-being of the planet. MuLondon’s products can be used with a clean conscience.

Boris Zatezic, founder of MuLondon says: “I am delighted to be a signer of The Compact for Safe Cosmetics, and proud that we have achieved full membership status and zero hazard rating for all MuLondon products. Having safe and effective skincare has always been the driving force behind MuLondon, and this proves publicly how committed I am to delivering that.”

More information about MuLondon can be found at www.MuLondon.com, where customers can place secure orders on-line 24/7 for worldwide shipping.

Customers can check the SkinDeep database for all MuLondon products, ingredients and ratings here:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/brand/MuLondon_Natural_Organic_Skincare/

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Established in 2008, MuLondon is based in London, UK, specialising in producing the finest natural and organic products for skin, body and home. MuLondon fine products are made by hand from pure, natural and, where possible, certified organic ingredients. They contain no artificial preservatives, emulsifiers or fragrances. Instead, pure natural essential oils and herbal extracts are used to divinely scent and gently preserve.

All MuLondon products are 100% vegan and are registered by The Vegan Society and PETA. MuLondon never uses any animal ingredients. All suppliers of ingredients to MuLondon are thoroughly vetted and and share the company’s green and ethical ideals: no animal testing, proactive environmental, recycling and fair-trade policies and support for community projects.

MuLondon – Natural Organic Skincare is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The Natural Nursery sell a range of washable nappies and are are delighted to announce that all full price real nappies now come with FREE UK post included in the price.

The cloth nappy range stocked includes bumGenius, Flip Nappies, Wonderoo Pocket Nappies and Mother-ease nappies.

The FREE UK post offer is valid on full priced real nappies, though other nappies accessories, such a nappy buckets, will incur a low postage charge of £2.95 per order.

If you would like advice on buying cloth nappies, you can visit their Reusable Nappies, Advice and Information page or call them on 0845 890 1665.

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

Hoyran Wedre is located in the quiet village of Hoyran which lies at the foot of the Taurus Mountains at an altitude of 500m above sea level. It overlooks the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea with views of Kekova Island and the Chelidonian Cape. Our guest houses are surrounded with aromatic plants of thyme, sage, oregano and trees of carob, bay, olive, fig and almond. The cottages are spaced amongst the old oak trees to merge into the environment, allowing guests to relax in the tranquil surroundings. Local stone was used in the construction of the cottages. The interior walls of the cottages are plastered with earth, straw and lime [wattle and daub], just like the traditional old houses of the region. This technique allows the walls to breathe, enabling the rooms stay cool in summer and insulated in winter. All the rooms are tastefully decorated with antique furniture, hand crafted closets, shelves and chests of drawers, and a traditional working fireplace. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2951.htm

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

In February 2011 Natracare became the first disposable feminine hygiene range to be approved by the Vegetarian Society. The Natracare range of tampons, sanitary pads, panty liners and wipes already boasts strong ethical values offering an organic and natural alternative to women however this new logo will offer extra reassurance for women buying their monthly products.

Checking labels, asking questions and contacting companies is an everyday part of a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle. It can be an uphill struggle getting information about animal testing from brands and yet vegetarian societies have been around since the early 1900s. The UK based Vegetarian Society takes away the hard work by doing the research behind the labels. Only companies that can prove no animal testing is used in any part of product ingredients are awarded the prestigious green logo to reassure customers that what they are buying conforms to vegan standards.

This new approval will come as a welcome piece of news especially for mums seeking animal-friendly wipes for their children. Notoriously, the cosmetics industry often uses unnecessary ingredients requiring animal testing and baby wipes contain many such chemicals unknown to the everyday shopper. Natracare’s Organic Cotton Baby Wipes and Intimate Wipes are made from certified organic cotton, drenched with gentle, organic essential oils and 100% natural plant-based ingredients to cleanse and moisturise delicate skin. Free from formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS, petrochemicals, alcohol and other skin-irritating ingredients, all ingredients have been carefully chosen to be kind to the skin, to animals and safe to the environment. Natracare also holds the 2010 TIPS Best Organic Baby Wipes award.

In the UK, Natracare is available at Waitrose, independent natural product stores, selected independent pharmacies and now also at OXFAM stores so you can also contribute to a charitable cause each time you buy!

www.natracare.com

Natracare – Bodywise (UK) Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Southampton-based graphic design company, Total Coverage, has been named ‘Co-operative of the month’, after completing an initiative to become greener and reduce their carbon footprint.

The business, established in 1988, which specialises in delivering engaging communications including marketing literature, corporate publications, display graphics and websites, received the award in recognition for completing the Greener Together – the co-operative way project.

A total of 49 members of the creative co-operative got involved and over the course of the project, managed to reduce 26 tonnes of CO2 emissions in areas such as energy and transport and also saved nearly a tonne of waste being deposited at landfill sites.

And the green team is not stopping there! They are continuing to reduce their CO2 emissions by making use of the prizes they have won from the competition, which include a wormery, energy monitor and radiator booster.

Linda Bratcher, Sales and Marketing Director at Total Coverage, said: “We are delighted to be named ‘Co-operative of the month’ for completing the Greener Together challenge and we’re thrilled with the prizes we have won.

“As a co-operative, we have a very ethical and environmental ethos at our heart and we had been looking at ways in which we could do our bit for the planet, and so joining up to the Greener Together project was ideal for us.

“We have been very committed to the project from day one and being named ‘Co-operative of the month’ is just the icing on the cake.”

Greener Together – the co-operative way, is a major project run by Co-operatives UK, the national trade body for co‑operative enterprises, which encourages and supports individuals to overcome the barriers of lifestyle change and live in a more sustainable way. The project helps co-operatives make a significant impact on climate change, and reduce their environmental impact in the three key areas of energy, waste and personal transport. To date, thanks to Greener Together, 19 tonnes of waste has been saved from being deposited at landfill and over 460 tonnes of CO2 has been reduced in energy and transport.

Total Coverage will now look forward to joining other co-operatives across the country to celebrate their participation in the project, during the first ever National Campaign to celebrate Greener Together, during Greener Together Week (21 to 27 March 2011).

Part of the Greener Living Fund, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the project aims to help people to live in a more sustainable way, by focusing on the small actions every individual can take in their daily lives and enables member organisations of Co-operatives UK, the Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH) and the Plunkett Foundation to work with their members and customers in achieving greener behaviour.

To find out more about Greener Together, visit the website at www.greenertogether.coop

Total Coverage graphic design co-operative is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more