A
growing area of awareness, as far as the Environment is concerned, is
our excessive use of “Throw Away Carriers” (“TACS”) and even
some of the larger “multiples” have used TV Advertising Campaigns
to encourage us to use ANY bag in their Stores.

In
the UK we get through something in excess of 11 BILLION “Throw Away
Carriers” (“TACS”) each year, which is over 300 per household,
and with the average “Life Span” of these “TACS” being around
8 minutes isn’t this all getting a bit ridiculous?

The
GOOD NEWS is that there are alternatives and by “Thinking
outside of the BAG”, it is possible to help BOTH the Environment
and YOUR Business…

In
2003 a Family Run Company “Ecobags”
launched. They specialise in working closely with High Quality
Independent Businesses across the UK to design & supply their own
range of
Highly effective, long lasting, reusable “Walking Adverts”, which
substantially cut down on the HUGE number of “Throw Away (single
use) Carriers” (TACS) used on a daily basis.

As Debbie Kay & Gavin Sheppard, the Directors of
“Ecobags” told us:

“Whilst
both working in Marketing, we became aware of the fact that most
businesses were keen to find new ways to get themselves noticed and
with the growing “interest” in Environmental Issues, the idea
came to us – WALKING ADVERTS – and “Ecobags” was born”.

“Over
the last six years we have developed relationships with hundreds of
High Quality Business clients across the UK and by “Thinking
outside of the BAG”
have helped them to BOTH increase their
exposure & sales, whilst at the same time reducing their
overheads & substantially helping the environment… Some of our
clients have reduced the number of “TACS” they use each year by
MANY pallet loads!!”.

But what do we mean when we say “Think outside of the
BAG?

“We’ve
all heard the expression “Thinking outside of the box” to come up
with something innovative and that’s exactly what we do with our
clients…. By changing your thinking a
bag becomes a dynamic Marketing tool.

What exactly are
“Ecobags”?

High Quality Bags, Custom Made for any Business – Any
Shape; Any Size; Any Colour – and come “Logo Printed”, so they
act as perfect LONG LASTING, COST EFFECTIVE “Walking Adverts”.

Debbie told us: “We have found, over the past few
years, there are FOUR MAIN REASONS for
Businesses to approach us and start to work with us:

1. The Business wants to show its customers that they are
   concerned about the Environment
   and by using “Ecobags” they will help to cut down on the 11
   billion Throw Away Carriers disposed of in the UK each and every
   year.

2. Businesses using long lasting, re-usable “Ecobags”
   will SAVE MONEY, as
   it reduces the overhead of “plastic carriers”. Customers who buy
   an “Ecobag” will bring it back every time they shop and not
   expect to be given throw-away carriers on each visit.

3. “Ecobags” are best sold at cost and as such will
   give any Business using them FREE
   ADVERTISING, as their customers walk around
   promoting that business wherever they go. Our clients have found
   that a majority of the General Public are quite happy and willing to
   pay for a High Quality, re-usable bag, to “do their bit for the
   environment” – think about it for a moment – would you? And
   most importantly, would your customers?

4. The Image & Identity
   of the Business MUST be protected. Our list of clients who regularly
   re-order from us is testimony that if you’re looking for a High
   Quality re-usable bag that needs to look good for the long term,
   then you need to consider talking to “Ecobags”.

Gavin then went on to say…

January
2008 saw “Ecobags” launch our major initiative: “Make 2008 the
year your Business Goes “TACS Free”".

“Many
of our existing clients, as well as plenty of new ones are
re-ordering so often, with more & more of their customers buying
their logo printed “Ecobags”, that they have been able to make
huge reductions in their spend levels on “TACS”.

One
of these clients, has reduced their weekly “TACS give away” from
3,000 bags to around 1,200. Just think for a moment the ANNUAL SAVING
you would make if you didn’t have to order ANY “TACS”, or even
substantially reduce the quantity you used day in, day out….

We are here ready to help any “Independent” who
wants to start working towards the day when they no longer have to
give away any bag, thereby helping the environment and INCREASING
THEIR PROFITS!

If you’re interested about finding out how “Ecobags”
could work with you, then more information can be found by visiting
their websites or calling them FREE:

0808 178 8822

www.ecobags.co.ukor
www.walkingadverts.com

SPECIAL OFFER for fellow members of “Ethical
Junction”:

20% OFF our standard “Price Guide” when you
mention this article

Plans are going well for The Great Big Green Wedding Fayre, taking place at Crosby Hall Educational Trust, Liverpool on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6th September.

The event was set up by new business partnership GreenLeaf Press, to showcase the very best in fair trading and ethical wedding suppliers. GreenLeaf Press are Amanda Barr  and Jemma Herbert, their new business designs and creates eco conscious stationery for weddings.

“We can’t believe the wealth of different green businesses that have
jumped on board, everything from peddle powered rickshaws to recycled
jewellery, vintage tea parties  to classical musicians!” explains
Amanda, “We have also been pleasantly surprised by a number of
traditional wedding suppliers who have been keen to find out what they
need to do to go green.”

“I spoke to a reporter recently who
asked if the event would be ‘All hemp dresses and veggie food?’” Jemma
smiles, ” Well, as a matter of fact we wouldn’t say no to a hemp dress
and we do have a veggie caterer- but the great variety of alternative
things that will be going on are giving the event as
festival/celebratory feel and I defy any ‘mainstream’ bride not to get
the urge to break the mould and go for the fun of being peddled to the
ceremony or the romance of a night under canvas, or indeed the bargains
to be had at in charity shop bridal section!”

Highlights include
a catwalk show courtesy of Oxfam Bridal; complimentary tea & cakes;
free pamper sessions with The Bodyshop at Home; the chance to win some
great green hampers from friends like Lovelula; presentations by Katie
Fewings from Ethical Weddings and Greg Valerio from CRED jewellery AND
a green goody bag to take home (plus the odd rickshaw ride!)

Find out more at www.biggreenwedding.co.uk

Tickets cost 6.00

Please reserve yours by contacting Jemma

jemma@biggreenwedding.co.uk

or tel: 07824 860 682

Massive Summer bag & accessory sale is now on…

50% off all stock

please note: NO MINIMUM WHOLESALE ORDER

silksack is a bag designed to be always
with you, a practical alternative to acquiring unwanted plastic bags
during spontaneous and everyday shopping. Stylish and strong it folds
neatly into itself to form a palm sized pad which is comfortable to
carry in your pocket or handbag. Sumptuous to touch, reusable and tough
but lightweight it is the very opposite of a plastic bag.
Carry a silksack with you and you
may never need to use a plastic bag again.
With over 80 billion plastic bags used every year in the UK alone
silksack is the smart alternative.

silksack is made from 100% silk
and is available in a range of colours – all from natural vegetable or
mineral dyes. The bags are manufactured by a Fair Trade craft
organisation based in Bangladesh. Each bag is approximately 35cm wide x
35cm high x 11cm deep. 

The bag is aimed at spontaneous shopping and those trips out to buy the
odd item (though the bags can carry a surprising amount) – so instead
of being given a nasty plastic bag to carry your carton of milk and
newspaper or bottle of wine you can bring out your silksack.
Open the bag – use it – and then stuff it back into its pocket.

Available at www.silksack.com

Designed by award wining environmental architect Susan Venner, silksack was short listed for a BFIIN
(British Female Inventors & Innovators Network) environment award
2007 – silksack also featured in
the exhibition reDESIGN 05 during London’s Design Week.

Supreme Creations were awarded the BITC ‘Responsible Supply Chain’ Award by HRH The Prince of Wales at Clarence House.

Winners of the top Business in The Community Supply Chain award in this year’s Awards for Excellence, Supreme Creations has been showing the big boys how it’s done. The accolade recognises the company’s pioneering product development and commitment to creating secure working conditions and sustainable communities for its 2,000-strong workforce.

Guardian Article yesterday
Supreme Creations, the world leading
ethical manufacturer of reusable bags has been campaigning against
single use plastic bags for years. We have not just campaigned, but
provide a range of alternatives for promotional, retail and packaging.
We now offer the widest range of reusable bag alternatives in the UK.

Long
lasting reusable bags will strengthen your marketing message by making
it a positive one: environmentally friendly and extremely useful; two
excellent things to be associated with your brand.

Quick link to the largest range of bag styles, colours and options.

Call
0845 230 5996 or email kiran@supreme-london.com for the WIDEST CHOICE
OF ECO-BAGS FOR PROMOTIONS, RETAIL & PACKAGING & OUR LOW PRICE
PROMISE.

Tabitha Potts, a local home business owner, from London has entered The Remote Worker Awards, in association with BT Business, and hopes to achieve national recognition if she wins so she can inspire Mums to run their own business from home.

When Tabitha came across the Awards, she couldn’t resist the opportunity to win the fantastic line up of business support prizes for her home business, which sells eco-friendly children’s clothes, toys and furniture.

Tabitha and Mimimyne (Me Me Mine Ltd) now join the other entrants in a national search in The BT Home Business Award to find the most innovative business that demonstrates how remote working and home working has made a beneficial impact on their business and home life.

The BT Home Business Award appealed to Tabitha because it is
supported by so many sponsors and has been organized by a company
(Remote Employment) dealing specifically with home or remote workers.
Tabitha feels that the Awards will help to raise her profile to attract
potential customers as well as upgrade her small home office space to
work more efficiently.

Tabitha said: “I would also love to be
recognised as a Mum who runs an eco-friendly business from home because
I hope it will inspire other women like myself who are hoping to make a
living working from home, start a successful business and raise their
children without compromising their family life.”

Tabitha’s Home
Business considers the environment at every step and implements green
business practices wherever possible. She supports a local charity, the
Spitalfields City Farm, and run a community playgroup, Paintbox in
Stepney, which has recently been given a grant to build an organic
garden for inner city children to learn about planting and growing
vegetables.

Everything she sells is either made from renewable
resources (FSC certified paper, for example), recycled, certified
organic (all the cotton garments sold are organic and many use organic
printing inks and are printed in the UK), hand-made in the UK or Fair
Trade.

Tabitha seeks out independent UK designers, particularly
the vibrant creative community of the East End, who work in sustainable
ways to create exciting, modern and funky designs for children.
Examples are Sam Morgan of Spinifex, whose recycled cardboard Splat
chair (incorporating postal tubes) is going to be exhibited  at the
V&A Museum of Childhood, and Kerri Sellens of Creative Charlie,
whose eco friendly kids craft kits are made in the UK of either
recycled or reusable materials.

Along with a trophy to honour
the home worker of the year, Tabitha stands the chance to win an array
of prizes to improve her ‘home business’ as well as the wonderful eco
garden office in the Vivid Green Award.

The big attraction for
Tabitha is the range of fantastic business support prizes on offer and
she can’t wait to get her hands on what she calls a ‘perfect package’
of IT, HR, PR, Legal and marketing advice.

Paula Wynne, founder
of Remote Employment, an online job site specialising in remote and
home working, and organise of The Remote Worker Awards, said, “We are
looking forward to changing lives when we give someone their own home
based franchise worth £15k, five others a business kit and three others
a brand new career with the Open University Skills Award! The Awards
comes at a time when the British public need uplifting. We want to
celebrate the inventive pioneers who champion home working and show the
UK why more enterprises should give it a go!”

There are other categories including The Remote Worker Award and The Remote Employer Award.

For your chance to win one of these fantastic awards, enter at www.remoteworkerawards.

Feelgoodhandbags has now been online since April 2008, providing ethical handbags, accessories and shoes for the discerning shopper. Feelgoodhandbags seek designers and suppliers who use only animal friendly materials in their products. For the Summer month of July there is a 15%
discount on all purchases, including some sales items. Just quote
the discount coupon at the checkout: ETHJU09

Fashion and ethics can be combined. We provide charming
alternatives to leather. All products available are 100% animal free,
for people who wish to make certain lifestyle choices in their
purchases. The products are carefully chosen for the benefit of the
ethical shopper, taking into account the utmost consideration for
animal welfare and ethical manufacturing which gives the customer more
choice when considering what to buy.

Feelgoodhandbags is
dedicated to bringing about an awareness of non-exploitative animal
products which can be readily available to everyone.

We offer
beautiful designer created animal friendly handbags with style and
quality. We use designers such as English Retreads, AmyKathryn, Susan
Nichole, Big Buddha and ESPE all of whom are very much in demand.

To compliment our handbags we also provide Californian Ragazzi shoes and ‘Jewels of the Feet’ created by the designer Rina Shah.

Fairtrade recycled bags are also part of the collection.

www.feelgoodhandbags.co.uk

 Don’t forget or the Summer month of July there is a 15%
discount on all purchases, including some sales items. Just quote
the discount coupon at the checkout: ETHJU09

Ethical Junction member Bags of Change has some Weleda goodies to give away.
Buy a Bags of Change eco shopping bag via www.bagsofchange.co.uk and get a FREE full size Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash (RRP £6.95) with your order. 
Plus, your new bag will get you discounts at some of the UK’s best ethical independents - saving you up to 10% off your shopping basket every time you shop.

Weleda’s
Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash is a revitalising blend of
antioxidant-rich biodynamic sea buckthorn oil and oranges, mandarins
and grapefruit from pure essential oils.
Sea
buckthorn is a particularly nourishing oil and a rich source of
anti-ageing pro-vitamin A and vitamin E. Sea buckthorn encourages
cutaneous cell-renewal thereby assisting the skin’s natural
regeneration. Gentle on the skin as well as the environment.

According to online travel agent responsibletravel.com, holidaymakers’ confidence has improved over the last three months as almost a fifth
(19%) of its total customers have gone ‘late’ and spontaneously
enquired and departed within a four week period. Furthermore, over a third (37%) of customers have travelled within eight weeks of first enquiring about their holiday.

These four week late booking figures reflect a rise of almost a third (31%) compared to the same period last year and almost a fifth (20%) for eight week late bookings.

The increase comes at a time when tour operators and airlines have
already reduced capacity for the upcoming season and across the year in
general. The late availability holiday deals that are on offer are
being snapped up fast and according to Justin Francis, managing
director of responsibletravel.com, it marks a pronounced increase in consumer confidence:

“There is no doubt that times were tough over the winter and
consumer confidence was severely affected as a result. However, these
figures are a sign that holidaymakers’ confidence is definitely
improving. While it’s far too early to call an end to what might be a
long recession it’s clear that in recent weeks more people are coming
into the summer market looking to book and depart at short notice. Some
will be disappointed that they cannot get their first or even second
choice holidays as airline capacity has been reduced.”

 Those countries topping the list for late bookings are: England; Italy; Morocco; Spain; France; Turkey; Wales and Greece.

responsibletravel.com
work with over 300 tour operators across the globe, from small
specialist operators to some of the larger, more mainstream travel
providers.

See

www.responsibletravel.com/latedeals 

New EJ member Fair Trade Faerie proudly announces its recent Bafts Accreditation

Fair Trade Faerie are a young, up-and-coming business, passionate about bringing fairtrade products to a wider audience.

Founder, Sue Lindsay, said, “My dream was to source stylish, contemporary, high quality and affordable products and make fair trade and natural skin care available to a wider audience. All products on offer are selected by me for their quality & fairtrade provenance.”

High quality goods, affordability and personal customer service are
Fair Trade Faerie’s priority and, in order to maintain these standards,
Sue works closely with a select number of certified Fair Trade
importers and small, family based natural skincare manufacturers. As a
result thebusiness has grown rapidly with new products and ranges being
added regularly. Why not visit their online store > > >