We launched our brand new Junior Collection in August 2011. Green Nippers Junior Collection consists of colourful organic clothes for boys and girls aged 0 to 5 years. The range includes smart and practical dresses, smock tops, t-shirts and leggings for girls. For the boys there are a wonderful range of t-shirts, stylish trousers and dungarees.

Green Nippers have proven that been organic does not mean that you have to limit the colours to cream and brown. We have carried on our ethos of been bright and colourful for our Junior collection, using a great range of warm and rich colours such as rustic red, chocolate brown, navy, marmalade and forest green.

Since launching our Junior range, it has proven to be very popular. Especially our boys dungarees! Our customers have been drawn the fabric initially as they are not made from the usual denim. One of the unique selling points of Green Nippers dungarees is that they are actually made from a high quality organic cotton sweater fabric (similar to jogging bottoms) which is much softer and more comfortable than denim. However they do have the smart ‘denim look’ with the colour and contrasting top stitching. Our dungaree/pinafore dress and boys trousers are also made from the same fabric.

Green Nippers boys dungarees have been that popular that our cotton dungarees have been bought for girls too – so they are in fact unisex J They are so practical and durable, allowing little children to play comfortable all day long.
Here are some of the key features:
- The legs turn up and the straps have 2 fastening options allowing your little one room to grow
- They are made from soft 100% organic cotton sweater fabric and organic cotton jersey (pockets)
- They contain no nasty chemicals or pesticides, so are therefore eczema friendly
- The buttons are made from coconut shell
- There are nickel free popper fastenings around the inside leg (for easy nappy changing)
- Ethically made in Turkey
- High quality and hard wearing
- Easy to wear, smart, practical and comfortable
- Ideal for babies suffering from reflux as they are not tight fitting around the stomach

Green Nippers blue dungarees are available to purchase from our website (www.greennippers.co.uk). They are very reasonably priced at £19.99, and are available from ages 0 to 3 years.

Green Nippers is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

You’ll probably know by now that organic cotton can help babies and children with eczema or sensitive skin because it doesn’t contain the finishing chemicals or pesticide residues that are found in conventional cotton. Organic cotton has a longer smoother fibre because it is grown naturally without the chemicals needed to boost production, this results in a silky smooth, ultra soft feel which can reduce irritation.
 
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence to say that younsters with sensitive skin or eczema do much better wearing organic cotton clothing. Wearing organic cotton next to babies sensitive skin reduces the risk of irritation and reduces the risk of absorbing chemicals through the skin so if you treat your children to one organic cotton item then it’s wise for it to be something worn next to their skin.

Children are more susceptable to skin irritation at night due to the fluctuations in temperature so treating your child to organic pyjamas can be hugely beneficial.

Globalkids is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

There is a time honoured tradition of Egyptian cotton luxury Italian bed linens such as Frette gracing the world’s elite hotels to provide a luxurious and distinctive experience for guests.  What made and still makes this bedding so special today starts with the best cotton fibre, through Italian craftsmanship in weaving and finishing.

The end result is fine bed linen which is not only luxurious and silky soft against your skin to give you the feeling of sleeping in one of the world’s elite hotels but also exceptional quality which lasts and lasts through laundering. The quality and comfort of Egyptian cotton bedding is now available in organic cotton with Italian finesse. Read on for six reasons on why organic Egyptian cotton bedding is so special.

1.       Characteristics of Egyptian cotton

Egyptian cotton fibre is longer than other cotton fibres so permits the spinning of extremely fine yarns, needed to weave high thread count bed linens.  This long and also thin fibre allows strong, smooth continuous lengths which do not break like shorter staple, inferior cotton fibres and results in fine bed linens which are very soft and supple as well as durable. 

2.       Organic cotton properties in addition

How many consumers or hotel guests have slept in organic Egyptian cotton bed sheets? The advantages of organic cotton from a planet friendly point of view are obvious, but organic cotton fibres are really softer and longer as they are grown without harsh chemicals to break the fibre and there are wider benefits too.

Organic Egyptian cotton bedding is even stronger and durable because it is made from long staple fibres, so will last and last. Organic bedding is made from organic natural fibres and is completely toxin free, so it is great for sensitive or allergy prone skin.  As well as wrapping yourself with softness and comfort for a wonderful night’s sleep – organic fabrics are traceable, protect the environment, reduce chemical sprays and toxins for farmers and ensure fair trade. 

3.       Quality

Due to the long, continuous fibres, the cotton does not pill and the softness of the bedding improves with washing which means that organic Egyptian cotton bedding retains its soft and silky feeling of comfort. Even better, it doesn’t wrinkle too badly.

4.       Great in summer weather

Egyptian cotton is high on the moisture absorption and breathability scale which is important for a comfortable sleep. In addition to these qualities, its smooth surface feels cool in the summer. Even sleep with just a sheet and an organic cotton bedspread on top, perfect for hot, summer nights.

5.       Tradition

Bedding, luxury in the time honoured tradition of quality, to treasure and pass on as was the custom with linens in times gone by. This is bed linen you can pass on to your children.

6.       Investing in organic Egyptian cotton

So if you are looking to update your bedroom and want to enjoy the comfort of the world’s finest hotels, try the luxury of 100% organic Egyptian cotton bedding. Buying a set of bedding in Egyptian cotton costs a bit more at the start but will outlast inferior quality bed linens and just get better with age. So, the investment in bed linen saves in the long run as it will not have to be replaced as frequently. Going organic in your Egyptian cotton bedding does not add a great deal to the cost but does add wider benefits and leaves out the chemicals.

So if you choose to buy organic Egyptian cotton bedding, rest very well assured that you are buying the best for you and the planet, even when you are asleep.

Stephanie McIntosh runs an online luxury organic bedding retailer and wholesaler, which offers award winning organic cotton luxury bed linens for homes and hotels, certified by the UK Soil Association according to the Global Organic Textile standard (GOTS). She writes on topics related to organic textiles, including organic bed linen, organic baby bedding, kid’s organic bedding and hotel bedding.

fou furnishings is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

THTC has recently released a
brand new range of organic t-shirts for A/W 2010 from 100% organic cotton,
built with the use of green energy using wind power, with a 90% lower carbon
footprint than conventionally produced cotton t-shirts. The cotton is certified
organic by The Soil Association and The Control Union, produced under the
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

The organic cotton is planted and harvested by hand, without
mechanization, and because organic farming does not use petroleum based
chemical fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide, it is less reliant on fossil
fuels. The t-shirts are built in association with The Carbon Trust, The Soil
Association, and The Fear Wear Foundation. They are also all certified by the
Oeko-Tex 100 Standard, Class I. The range has been screen-printed using
water-based inks, often using a discharge technique, which uses less ink and is
kinder to the environment.

The range takes influence from urban culture including music, street
art, politics and activism, with designs provided by THTC’s favorite designers
Mau Mau, Herse, Devolution, Gibla74 and Sam Coxen. Included in the range are
long running classic prints such as ‘Evil Mac’, ‘Free Burma’, and ‘Noah’s
Shuttle’, all produced by arguably the UK’s most talented graffiti artist Mau
Mau.

THTC also still carry a strong range of organic hemp t-shirts,
sweaters, track pants and accessories, and will continue to do so in the
future, with certain lines in organic cotton and bamboo to compliment this
offering.

To
view the new range click on the links below, and for High Resolution
images please contact me on the details at the bottom of the page.

Men’s Range:

http://www.thtc.co.uk/index.php?p=product_listings&cat=39

Ladies’ Range:

http://www.thtc.co.uk/index.php?p=product_listings&cat=45

Event ‘What
not to wear: Cotton and Child slavery’ on Thursday 8^th October,
7pm at Amnesty International UK. This event was originally scheduled to
take place on the 9^th June but was postponed due to a tube strike.

The event is free of charge. You can book your place online
by visiting www.amnesty.org.uk/events_details.asp?ID=1202

The Mayor of London’s Green Procurement Code unveils a fresh new
look with the launch of its revamped website. Greenprocurementcode.co.uk is an
information hub for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact
through responsible purchasing.

Visitors to the new site
can access the latest news and events listings, sustainable products and
suppliers, the latest industry publications and best practice case studies. Signatories
to the Green Procurement Code will benefit from a ‘members-only’ toolkit, which
provides comprehensive information and advice on implementing green purchasing.

Mayor of London,
Boris Johnson, said: “We want to make it easier for organisations to make
eco-friendly purchasing decisions. By doing so, businesses can not only be
kinder to the planet, but can also save money in tough economic times.”

Green Procurement Code Programme
Manager, Graham Randles, highlights the benefits of the new site. “In the
current financial climate companies don’t want to waste valuable time and resources
searching for information. The new website is an easy to navigate,
one-stop-shop for organisations looking to make smart green procurement
decisions.”

Visit the new website at www.greenprocurementcode.co.uk

The Green Procurement Code is one of
the measures in place in London designed to help achieve the Mayor of London’s
target of cutting the capital’s carbon emissions by 60% by 2025. 

For more information on the Mayor of
London’s Green Procurement Code please contact Jodi Lloyd on 020 7061 6355.

Hemp Table Napkins (Plain and Embroidered) http://www.organic-ally.co.uk/hempnapkins.html (trade enquiries welcome)
Organic Cotton Lawn Hankies (Handmade, Plain or Embroidered) http://www.organic-ally.co.uk/lawn%20hankies.html
At great introductory prices.

As part of Article 13’s commitment to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) we “encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies” (Principle 9). This includes sustainable water technology.  See our UNGC events pages (URL:  http://www.article13.com/csr/ungc_our_csr_events.asp).

Integrating sustainable water technologies into an organisation is
not only an ecologically sound and socially beneficial investment, but
there is also a solid business case attached. Utilising green water
technology:

• Helps to reduce organisational operating and waste cleanup costs; 
• Reduces overall water consumption costs;
• Can prove to be a source of competitive advantage; and
• Will
  make companies eligible for support under the Green Technology
  Challenge, i.e. companies can receive 100% first year capital
  allowances on investments that encourage sustainable water use http://www.eca-water.gov.uk/.

Here
at Article 13, we have leading edge experience in water resources
management, including waste water treatment, water demand management,
trade in water services, water technology, and water management
programmes.

New innovations in water technology have the
potential to pave a sustainable way for the future by making important
contributions to our lives, and the environment we live in.

Some particularly useful Article 13 resources are:

• Tackling water consumption as a core business issue http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=1239
• World Water Day report

http://www.article13.com/UNGC/World%20Water%20Day%20report_23.03.09.pdf

• The elements water

http://www.article13.com/A13_VintageSelection.asp#lst_The_elements_-_water

Article 13 case examples:

• BAA – Water management at Terminal 5: http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=1364
• AWG – RiverCare community water conservation programme: http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=1314
• United Utilities – Multi-partner sustainable water catchment management programme:

http://www.article13.com/A13_ContentList.asp?strAction=GetPublication&PNID=1360

For
information on how Article 13 can assist you in auditing your company’s
water management practices, developing water action plans, and reducing
your business’s water use and related impacts on the environment,
contact Fiona Banyard on 0208 840 4450 or mail fionab@article13.com

 Check out our sustainable fashion film on: www.morethanprettyknickers.com

     Brief Histories of Almost Anything is the sort of book you keep coming back to again and again. It contains fifty articles (or ‘savvy slices of our global past’) covering a huge range of subjects from A Short History of Food to A Brief History of Megalomania, from The Rich History of Pan-Africanism to Britain’s ‘Adventures’ In Ireland. Each article, written by past and present co-editors of New Internationalist magazine, aims to give a whistle-stop introduction to its subject. Whilst there were one or two that didn’t particularly grab my attention, for example A Short History of Architecture wasn’t really up my street, most of the chapters were fascinating and either introduced me to completely new subjects or gave me a fresh perspective on more familiar ground.

    For myself, the most interesting part of the book covered chapters
20 to 26, Global Issues. This section challenged a lot of commonly held
misconceptions about some important topics, as well as being
entertaining. The chapters here seemed to get the tone exactly right
between being light-hearted enough to read out to friends and yet
serious enough that they stirred compassion and awareness of the
issues’ relevance to the current world situation. I would say the most
frustrating thing about the book is that there is no ‘live update’
option – I found myself several times desperate to know what this
editor or that would make of latest developments in various fields!

   
I also enjoyed the far more objective tone than you usually find on
these subjects in the mass media, as the writers (as in New
Internationalist magazine) did not scruple to criticise America and
Britain at least as much those countries criticise other nations. The
book is obviously written by writers with left-wing views, but they
seemed to be very good at not allowing these views to colour the facts
given. I found the text to be fairly impartial, and although I did not
agree with some of the points raised, arguments were put forward
convincingly and led to many discussions between myself and my husband
once the book was put down.

    One other feature of the book,
which I was sorely tempted to photocopy to carry around with me, was
the Prelude, which gave 13 lists of five themes of the twentieth
century, including unfulfilled national dreams, ridiculous wars,
nonviolent direct actions, and revolutions that raised then dashed Left
hopes. This was a wonderful way to start the book, and I would have
liked to have read further on the issues the Prelude raised.

   
Brief Histories is an essential book for, well, anyone actually. It
should certainly be a starting point for anyone who wants a broad
picture of how the world has got the state it is in today, and where it
is heading. It manages to touch on a lot of issues of global justice,
and the breakneck pace manages skilfully to lead from ancient history
to the modern world in a way that is never dull or dry. It would be an
excellent book to lend to a friend, a source of inspiration for a
writer for example, and a good springboard to find out what interests
you and what to go away and learn more about. And all this for only
£8.99!

Chris Brazier (Ed.)
ISBN 978-1-906523-00-8
New Internationalist; pb; £8.99