As the weather turns colder and the nights draw in warmer colours are dominating design schemes but in a new streamlined way. Take a clutter free approach with simple lines and pulled back curtains or blinds allowing as much light to flood in, thus reducing the amount of electric light needed.

Bring in the feel of nature with beautiful wood grain- FSC of course! -  and chalky paint, then add the strong colours and textures of warm fabrics and soft furnishings, rugs and cushions for a cosy autumn feel.

For inspiration check out some of the Gecco Interiors range:

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

Why use Recycled paper?

What is FSC?

OK,

It offers a certification and accreditation to ensure that wood and paper derives from a sustainable source so that consumers can be confident they are not contributing to deforestation. Please see http://www.fsc-uk.org/

The main thing to know about FSC is that in regards to the paper industry they also offer accreditation to recycled papers – you can get FSC 100% recycled paper for example.

I think what you really want to know is why go for recycled when you can go for an FSC certified product that is made from virgin fibre – so the real question is why use recycled stock?

Well…

Most print companies use FSC and claim to be ‘green’ as a result

Using recycled stock

Evidence…

Please find a conclusion from an ethical print information site :

‘WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) has commissioned the most exhaustive life cycle analysis ever undertaken, to inform this debate.

Energy: The report identified an average of 50% less energy consumption when recycling instead of incinerating paper and cardboard over the entire life-cycle. In other words, on average, virgin fibre production followed by incineration with energy recovery, consumed twice as much energy as recycling.

Carbon: As one of the most commonly raised impact categories, and of increasing importance, the report identified a clear carbon saving for recycled paper versus virgin paper.’

So… less carbon is used and less energy meaning that using a recycled paper (FSC or not) is more environmentally friendly than just an FSC virgin paper.

Our Papers

We use the following papers:

100% recycled paper

100% recycled card

80% recycled gloss

75% recycled satin

100% recycled silk

For full colour litho printing we use vegetable based inks which reduces the use of harmful chemicals and does not use a finite resource such as petroleum based oil inks.

Our digital printer uses inks derived from organic based as opposed to chemical based polymers

At Eco Print we are proud to be offering a truly ‘green’ alternative for all your printing needs.

For more information contact 01722 340350

printing@ecoprintuk.com

http://www.ecoprintuk.com

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

A trip around one of the biggest trade shows for the furniture industry left me aghast last month at the lack of interest, product lines or even marketing towards sustainable design or production.

In 4 halls of the NEC, I spotted one small sign for PEFC timber and just two companies selling products made with the planet in mind – one of those was a Portuguese company over here for the first time.

One other company handed out free bags to entrants advertising special ‘trade show’ deals. One such deal offered an upholstered dining chair covered in ‘eco leather’ selling at a trade price of £42.99! As a retailer of recycled leather and knowing the prices involved I was intrigued to find more. I spoke at length to one of the sales people who was surprisingly knowledgeable about the recycled leather he was selling. The product was indeed waste off-cuts from hides used in the tanning industry that were headed for landfill. This waste product was then shredded to form fibres, which were then bonded back together and given a PVC coating for durability. This is in fact how recycled leather is made and it has environmental credentials because it diverts a waste product from landfill. I enquired about the sales for this particular product. Recycled leather cannot be sold as ‘leather’ because it is classed as bonded fabric and so it has a lower price point. That is the reason for any sales made – i.e. lower price points!

Speaking later with the one FSC certified company in the whole show, they had received a great deal of interest. Their stand was suitably decorated with a large overhead hoarding depicting the great work that their chosen charity Tree Aid was doing in the third world. The FSC logo was clearly visible and many people stopped to ask about the bedroom ranges on offer. The reaction from the industry however was incredulity. What was this FSC logo all about? How do you expect to compete with prices that are so high? I can buy that bed frame for my shop for half the price in another hall! Once again price point is king!

Interestingly, when I spoke at length with the Portuguese company, whose business ethos was built around sustainable design and production, they informed me that on the Sunday, during public access, their stand had been extremely busy, but that interest had waned during the trade only days.

Perhaps it would be wise for those doing the purchasing in the furniture trade, to read up a little about how the products are made and the impact those products are having on the planet. In addition they might want to check if the consumers give a damn, I think they could be surprised.

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

In Association with Warren Evans and Supported by the FSC UK

8th – 21st February

Wood you… like to sleep with a clear conscience in a beautiful handcrafted wooden bed built from responsibly managed forests? Now you can this February with Feel Good Wood Fortnight.

Award winning bed and sleep specialist Warren Evans has launched the inaugural Feel Good Wood Fortnight, supported by the Forest Stewardship Council UK (FSC UK), a registered charity that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests.

The Fortnight, which runs from 8th-21st February, highlights the many benefits of buying responsible forestry products, and aims to encourage more consumers to invest in sustainable products for their home and beyond.

Here are just five reasons why you should look for the distinctive FSC logo when buying wooden products:

1. FSC certified forests are cared for and managed with consideration to people, wildlife and the environment, so you can buy with a clear conscience
2. The FSC protects the rights of all indigenous people who live and use the forest where the wood is harvested
3. The FSC is the only wood certification scheme in the world that is supported by major environmental charities including The Woodland Trust, the World Wildlife Fund and Greenpeace
4. All FSC certified wood is tracked from the forest to the store and carries the identifiable FSC symbol so consumers know that the wooden product they are investing in does not have a negative impact on the environment
5. Forest owners are committed to using only locally sourced labour, and to providing fair working conditions and a decent salary for all workers.

Warren Evans is proud to be the first bed maker in the UK to be FSC certified, having gained the prestigious certification for his handcrafted beds in 2007.

Zoe Robinson, Sustainable Development Manager at Warren Evans, says: “Since inception, Warren has ensured that the wood he uses does not have a negative impact on the environment. And as such, he works exclusively in FSC certified pine. We do hope that this event will become the first of many.”

Warren’s dedication to the environment and to his customers has earned him six influential awards including an Observer Ethical Award, a Sunday Times Best Green Companies Award, a BCE Award and most recently a Growing Business Award.

Rosie Teasdale, Deputy Director at the FSC UK, adds: “We are pleased to support this Feel Good Wood Fortnight, raising awareness of FSC and the importance of sourcing responsibly.  Consumers tend to associate the FSC logo with garden furniture more than household furniture and promotions such as these help to highlight the range of FSC products now available.”

Warren Evans’ official FSC number is SA-COC-1742.

www.warrenevans.com & www.fsc-uk.org

Gecco Interiors, a new online environmentally friendly interiors company has launched with a full collection of products for the home. In addition to being beautifully designed in mind, each of the products sold by Gecco also helps preserve the planet.

Founders Angie and James Kraft pride themselves on sourcing products
that are genuinely stylish but also environmentally friendly.
Passionate about green issues and sustainability in design, they have
sourced a range of home interiors products that all have green
credentials.

Each item sold online has been created by
entrepreneurs who have had the courage and vision to look at their
industry and to try to do things differently. This may come in the form
of taking timbers from derelict factories in India and turning them
into beautiful pieces of furniture, a four year long research project
into the use of stinging nettles in upholstery fabric, or it may even
be the massive financial investment in a purpose built factory in
Stoke-on-Trent, where broken ceramic pottery is crushed and turned into
new ceramic bathroom tiles.The team at Gecco Interiors sources only the
best products designed to appeal to stylish eco-conscious consumers.

The site is easily navigated and broken down into seven sections:

1. Furniture – beautifully handcrafted and made from reclaimed timber
2. Curtains and blinds – made to order and hand finished with exclusive soft organic bamboo lining
3. Floor coverings – made from recycled materials
4. Fabric – using leading edge, organic and sustainable textiles
5. Lighting – elegant collection of the most up-to-date energy efficient lighting
6. Wall coverings – FSC certified wallpapers with natural dyes and non-toxic paints
7. Accessories – perfect for adding the finishing touches to an eco-friendly design scheme

www.geccointeriors.co.uk