Wood and plants such as bamboo, have a large number of vessels that carry water and nutrients up from the earth when they are alive. The types of charcoal that are suitable for water filtration are made using a slow and careful process, so that these fine vessels remain intact, leaving a highly porous and permeable structure. (You could say charcoal is the carbonised skeleton of wood and plants). The size of the pores varies – anything from 50 nm to less than 1nm. (1nm = 1 billionth metre). So when water roams through those myriad porous cavities, chemical constituents such as chlorine are trapped in the cavities, removing the familiar tap water taste and odour.

If we were able to unfold all the pores and spread them on a flat surface, amazingly 1g of high quality charcoal could cover between one and three tennis courts – depending on the type of wood and processing temperature. Generally bamboo charcoal made at 800-1000 degrees is considered to be the most porous – and it is this kind of charcoal that has a surface area equivalent to up to three tennis courts per gram.

In Japan, people who use charcoal for water filtering at home tend to use either ‘binchotan’ or bamboo charcoal. Binchotan is an oak wood charcoal, which is very tough and heavy. For many centuries it has been an indispensable feature of high-end restaurant grills, as it generates an excellent quality, long-lasting flame that adds a wonderful flavour to meat and fish. It happens to make a rather good water filter too. ‘Kishu binchotan’ made in the Kishu region of south west Japan, is considered the best of its kind.

Bamboo charcoal tends to be made mostly for non-fuel uses. Due to its fantastic ability to absorb pollutants both in air and water, it is widely used as a natural water filter and air purifier. Bamboo grows in most parts of Japan and so bamboo charcoal is made throughout the country.

Whether it’s binchotan or bamboo charcoal, well-made charcoal is the result of real craftsmanship. It is almost always made in traditional clay kilns. Charcoal making is all about heating wood or plants without oxygen (or almost) and experienced charcoal makers have their own kiln design and temperature control techniques. They raise the kiln temperature slowly over several days to ensure thorough and even carbonisation. The process culminates with the ‘nerashi’, in which air is blown into the kiln in order to raise the temperature to 1000 degree or more. In the case of binchotan, after the ‘nerashi’, the charcoal is pulled out of the kiln while it’s still red-hot and extinguished by being covered with ashes. By contrast, bamboo charcoal is usually extinguished inside the kiln by sealing the air passages and it is left for a few days to cool down. In either case, it takes 10-14 days, in a labour of love. Charcoal made in this way is very ‘pure’ with a very high carbon content of, typically, 95% – the remainder is mainly minerals.

Other characteristics of slowly made high temperature charcoal pieces are that they tend to have a silvery sheen and are much harder and heavier than ordinary barbeque charcoal – which can be a bit ‘woody’. They are also beautiful objects. It seems only right that two weeks of hard work create not only a highly versatile charcoal, but also one that is aesthetically attractive and appeals to the human senses.

The Charcoal People is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

With clothing design both fashion and function come together. In recent years there has also been a focus on sustainability in the fashion industry which goes way beyond just using organic cotton fabric instead of conventional cotton or manmade fabrics. Sustainable design is the term that is used to describe the philosophy of designing objects to comply with the principles of ecological, social and economic sustainability.

Whilst in some ways fashion contradicts sustainability because the very nature of following constantly changing trends and fashions can be wasteful and also create much waste, there are some ways that fashion and sustainability can go together. Designers are implementing exciting new initiatives to help reduce the impact of clothing on the environment whilst still making it beautiful to look at and functional to wear.

The most innovative designs turn the sustainable features of a piece of clothing into the very thing that makes it desirable, fashionable or stylish. An example of this is the beautiful fabrics that are recycled into new pieces of clothing. It is the vintage nature of the fabrics that make the clothing so beautiful. Recently Christopher Raeburn has used surplus military parachute silk to make very on trend pieces of clothing. There are also various designers pioneering methods to reduce waste in the fashion industry including innovative new pattern cutting techniques which give the garment a characteristic look.

The use of sustainable fabrics is also a key part of sustainable fashion design. There are a number of different sustainable fabrics to choose from each having its own unique look, feel and properties. Bamboo is super soft, warm and comfortable and has been likened to cashmere that drapes like silk; it is perfect for leisure wear and also for draping. Designers are also constantly coming up with new materials that look great and are also good for the environment. Innovative dying techniques and use of natural coloured fabrics have also been used to create beautiful designs.

Sustainability is not just about what the clothing is made of though. It is about the overall and lifecycle of the product. How long will it last and when it reaches the end of its life can it be easily disposed of?

Biodegradable materials are key to reducing waste in the fashion industry but there are also more interesting projects happening for example where shoes can be deconstructed at the end of their useful life and some parts recycled. Any clothing, shoes or accessories can be made more sustainable by designing them to last and for maximum usage. This can include classic and versatile styles that won’t go out of fashion quickly and multitasking pieces of clothing that can be worn in a number of different ways.

Sustainable design is not just about one factor or aspect of clothing that reduces the impact of a piece of clothing on the environment. It is about designing a piece of clothing that takes into account all aspects of the garment from design to sourcing of materials to sale of the product and beyond. In order to be truly sustainable designers also need to take into account social and economic factors.   By embracing this philosophy whilst still ensuring beauty and functionality of the clothing, designers are helping to make the fashion industry more sustainable.

This article was written by Ceri Heathcote. Ceri is a fashion writer with a particular interest in ethical and eco fashion. She enjoys writing about a variety of topics from vegan shoes and natural footwear to sustainable accessories.

Po-Zu Ecological Shoes is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

London-based eco furniture company Bambienti are excited to announce the launch of a new collection of lounge, dining and occasional furniture. Each piece has been produced using Environmentally Friendly Bamboo.

Here they add a very different look and feel to their existing catalogue. A look that is based on clean lines and simple yet sophisticated design. Each piece can serve a number of purposes and compliment a variety of decor.

Using naturally anti-bacterial Bamboo the Bambienti range offers stain resistance and hard wearing durability over the long term.

At Bambienti they are passionate  about creating beautiful and durable products using plant-based alternatives to conventional wood timber. 

Currently they use Bamboo exclusively, a material that is hard-wearing and widely recognised as a strong and fast growing alternative to conventional wooden timber.

For more information visit www.Bambienti.com

Bambienti is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Searching around for information on the web I was impressed by the quality of the discussion threads on Ethical Junction so I decided to join.

I run a small architects practice based on my sustainable and ethical principles which operates mainly in Cornwall and the south west. (My wider contacts do persuade me sometimes to venture east to the rest of the country for certain projects). Do look at my website to see some examples of my work. www.robhomewood.com

I have been involved in energy conservation and sustainability for many years. In the early days it was very hard work persuading commercial and domestic clients to take any notice. I was also part of a government funded regional energy group which organised seminars for professionals to train and encourage their awareness but at times that also seemed like flogging a dead horse. I decided that maybe what I needed was more credibility so I took another degree in renewable energy about 20 years ago but to be honest I don’t know that it made much difference! Always keen on diverse skills I have also taken time out from my practice to undertake university research projects which were enjoyable and productive, but very disruptive to my practice’s programme!

Currently my practice portfolio has more domestic clients for whom I provide sustainable and energy efficient housing or extensions, although many clients still can’t see the benefit of obtaining a code of sustainable homes certificate. Larger projects e.g. affordable housing fares slightly better as the housing associations seem more geared up but commercial clients are still resistant to the benefits, often looking at short term issues only. Overall though the general shift in public awareness and option has facilitated more constructive discussions at least and there are encouraging highlights………

At the other end of the scale I have also taken on some part time teaching in sustainable construction where at least the students are keen and knowledgeable. What I need now is a magic formula to teach them how to persuade clients to put their money where their principles are!

Meanwhile I carry on encouraging my clients to build sustainably and if you have a building or site which may turn into a project, do contact me even if you are not in the south west – I may be able to help you. Remember too that the earlier I get involved the better I can apply my skills and this has huge implications for the creativity, the smooth running and the economics of the project.

Rob Homewood Architect is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Talk to your local builder long enough and the pressures of meeting the ever changing standards of building regulations will inevitably come up. And not in a nice way. Is there any rhyme or reason behind the seemingly endless changes in regulations for new builds? Well yes, there is.

The construction industry has been given a timeline punctuated with various levels of sustainable building practices, which should culminate in 2016 with carbon neutral buildings – otherwise known as Level 6 Building Code. Carbon neutral buildings should create as much energy as it takes to build them, or to create the materials that are used to build them. They should be airtight and superbly insulated to create the most thermally efficient building possible.

Good architects and builders are already achieving Level 5, but there is a large hill to climb in the next five years if we are to achieve the ultimate low energy model of the German Passivhaus system.

Many in the industry are more concerned with the leaky old houses that we all live in – well 26m of us anyway. The Great British Refurb Campaign is working hard with the government and industry leaders to create a plan that will help the rest of us to improve the energy performance of our properties. Adding insulation and solar panels or renewable energy to a property costs money that many of us don’t have. The governments plan is called ‘The Green Deal’ which should provide applicants with a loan of up to £6,500 to improve their property. The 25 year loan will be carried by the property and will be passed on to the new owners should the current owners move on. Those who decide to invest in new technology and create their own energy can potentially save vast amounts on their energy bills (up to 80%) and earn at the same time, by selling any excess back to the national grid under the new Feed In Tariff.

The energy performance of a property is already recorded in the EPC report carried out by estate agents for every property that is marketed. This report will be increasingly important over the next few years. We could soon be reaching the point where the thermal efficiency of a property might actually make it more desirable and add a premium to the final asking price. A strong argument for even the harshest climate change sceptics!

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

Launched in January 2010 NEW FRONTIERS is a national to global initiative created to stimulate truly sustainable design solutions fit for the social and environmental challenges of the 21st Century. Designed to capture, catalyse and create ideas and innovation, from architecture to urban design to materials engineering to product design, NEW FRONTIERS is working with leading universities, professional institutions, NGOs, government agencies and pioneering global brands to embed a strong understanding of sustainability; form new collaborations; and promote the best innovation for this new and fast moving sector.

Focused on interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge sharing, capacity building and public discourse,  NEW FRONTIERS programme comprises seminars, scholarships, mentoring, a participative digital platform, a living lab and other planned elements, culminating in a prestigious biennial national prize.

The initiative begins with a series of seminars created in collaboration with NEW FRONTIERS’ partner organisations and panel members, many of which are playing an integral role in the development of the series. Featuring a world-class speaker line-up and rolling out across venues in Greater Manchester including the Centre for the Urban Built Environment, the seminars will explore the very latest developments in sustainable innovation in design, engineering, science and technology.

Themes the seminar series will explore include Biomimicry, Living Architecture, Industrial Symbiosis, Design Ecology, Closed Loop Systems, Chemical Leasing, Sustainable Building Technologies, Smart Cities, Urban Farms, Air Pollution, Resource Harvesting, Urban Acoustics, Open Source Design, Fab Labs, Upcycling and Micro-production. Confirmed speakers who will be giving presentations and keynotes during the seminar series include amongst others NEW FRONTIERS panel members Senior TED Fellow Dr. Rachel Armstrong, Professor Neil Spiller of the Bartlett School of Architecture and the UK’s foremost biomimicry expert Professor Julian Vincent.

On 23rd September 2010 NEW FRONTIERS is hosting the second seminar in its series. Titled ‘Building Blocks of the Future’ the event will bring together diverse elements of the built environment supply chain, from material chemists to architects and designers to explore new and evolving chemistry solutions and materials for the future of sustainable buildings. The speakers are Dr. Richard Miller (Technology Strategy Board), Dr. Troy Manning (NSG Group, Pilkingstons) and Gill Kelleher (BASF). The free seminar will be followed by a drinks reception and buffet sponsored by industry-led chemical cluster support organisation for the £10.2 billion NW chemical sector, Chemicals Northwest.

Individuals that wish to participate with NEW FRONTIERS seminars, but cannot make the events in person can send questions and comments remotely via the NEW FRONTIERS groups on Linked and via the Twitter using the hashtag #NEW_FRONTIERS

Further information on this event can be found at NEWFRONTIERS.uk.com

Societás is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Oxford -based print firm Seacourt have just been awarded “The Sustainable Business of the Year 2010” at this year’s Sustainability Live, the UK’s premier environmental event. 

As part of the Environment and Energy Awards, and sponsored by organisations such as WRAP, BSi and AEA, amongst others, these awards are now well recognised as industry standard awards, celebrating excellence and innovation in sustainability. 

Open to all companies across all industries, the awards are always well-subscribed with over 100 entries in the Sustainable Business category alone.  Judging criteria was based on recognising businesses or organisations which have taken their environmental, social and financial performance to the next level, by mitigating impact whilst using the sustainability agenda to gain competitive edge.  The judges looked at the organisation’s strategy and performance within a number of areas including waste, transport, energy, carbon emissions, buildings, pollution control and stakeholder engagement.  From a shortlist of 5 companies, all were asked to present a case for their company.  The category was one of 11 awards presented that evening. 

Seacourt,  quoted as a “Top 3 environmental printer worldwide” by The Waterless Printing Association, has won numerous national and European awards to date, and is a recipient of The Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development.  This award constitutes their 9^th over the last 10 years. 

Jim Dinnage, Chairman, stated “The Sustainability Live event and publication have grown over the years to become outstanding platforms of communication in our industry, and so we are bowled over to have won this prestigious award.  However, the greatest recognition and thanks need to go to our loyal and supportive customers, many who’ve been with us from the start of our sustainable journey. “  

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

One Tree Sapling Planted for Every Bed Sold

Go green this Earth Day (22nd April) and do it in style, in a sustainable and beautiful handmade wooden bed from award winning bed and sleep specialist Warren Evans.

Not only are you guaranteed a good night’s sleep*, but for every bed sold up to and including 22nd April, Warren Evans will donate one tree sapling to be planted in London by Trees for Cities, an independent charity that works with local communities on tree planting projects in urban areas.

Earth Day is an international event where companies and individuals around the world join forces to promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.

The Warren Evans Bed Collection features a selection of affordable and stylish handcrafted wooden beds. Choose from:

 - The best-selling High Headboard frames, designed with sloping headboards, ideal for lazy weekends in bed, and designed to accommodate underbed storage units

 - The Space Saving Range, which comes in wooden and upholstered options, is based upon a floating design where the frame is tucked away under the mattress. This creates a unique sense of space whilst allowing for hidden storage, ideal for those looking to make the most of small spaces.

Joe Chown, Marketing & Communications Manager at Trees for Cities, says: “We’re thrilled to be receiving support from customers of Warren Evans. With responsibly sourced wood, and a sapling donated with special sales, we hope people will sleep easy in the knowledge that their bed has been ethically produced.”

So with the high quality of Warren’s products and his ethical practice you can jump into an amazing bed with a clear conscience this Earth Day – sweet dreams!

Pictured above: The Apple Bed, doubles from £295.00.

* Warrens’ most recent customer satisfaction survey reveals that a Warren Evans mattress gives you a better night’s sleep

www.warrenevans.com & www.treesforcities.org

Shop:
Online: www.warrenevans.com
By phone: 020 7693 8990
In store:
* 158a Camden Street, London, NW1 9PA
* Arch 8, Grant Road, Clapham, London, SW11 2NU
* 240 Trussley Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 7PP
*7a Ezra Street, London, E2 7RH (off Columbia Road Flower Market)
* 1 Elmfield Road, Bromley BR1 1LW

For images, further product information and price details, please contact Sophia or Olivia in the Warren Evans press office:
Sophia@pr4.com or olivia@pr4.com
020 3142 6804

In September 2009, wewow launched a unique design competition with the aim of promoting practices of sustainable design to students, graduates and product designers.  The Bradford-based company have today announced the winner of the design contest; Sun Park, a  student from Central St Martins College, London.

Sun Park sucessfully combined design flair with an environmental conscience to produce an innovative packaging solution for CD and DVD media.  Although the details of her unique design concept are being kept under wraps until the official launch of the CD/DVD packaging solution later this year, wewow have commented on the high calibre of this year’s entries;

“The designs we received this year have been outstanding and truly innovative.  Selecting the winning design was a tough decision as the five short-listed entries in paticular were truly exceptional,” commented Managing Director, Stuart Jones.

Entries were received from across the globe with a whole range of sustainable materials being utilized by the designers to produce eco-friendly packaging concepts.  Commendations go to Florin Alexa-Morcov from Romania for her design, ‘DisPlay.’  DisPlay transforms CD storage into a unique interior design feature whilst utilizing sustainable paperboard and water-based glues.  The outstanding finalists also included Andrew Rennie’s eye-catching CD packaging solution, Thomas Horwood-Luscombe’s CD/DVD mailer [pictured below] concept which provided a unique packaging solution for the rental industry and Sarah Young, the designer of an eco-friendly USB packaging concept.

The winning entry will be developed by Sun Young and wewow with the aim of launching the product at the end of 2010.

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

1. Be Selective

Make sure you don’t buy anything you don’t need! Try not to fall into marketing traps that make you feel as if you have to have something. If you don’t need it, don’t buy it! One of the biggest contributors to over-consumption is our ability to persuade ourselves to buy things we don’t actually want or ever use.

2. Buy local

Help your local community go green by buying local wherever possible. Not only does this mean a lower carbon footprint but it also keeps local independent shops running, they need all the help they can get in this age of big supermarkets and online shopping. Instead of driving to the nearest Tesco, walk to your local butcher, baker or delicatessen and help keep your local shops and producers open.

3. Recycle

Don’t let anything go to waste. Find out from your local council what recycling options your community has and recycle everything you can – from cans to plastic, from paper to fabric. Get down the local bottle bank and take the plastic bags that have accumulated from years of shopping to a recycling centre.

4. Re-use

If it can be re-used then don’t throw it away! Shopping bags, newspaper, plastic bottles and fabric are all materials that can be very useful around the house. Try to get the most wear out of all your clothes and shoes and make sure nothing goes to waste.

5. Plan Ahead

If you plan your meals in advance you’re guaranteed not to over-buy on your weekly shop. Make sure you know exactly how much produce you’re going to use so you don’t end up wasting food and drink each week.

6. Cut Down

Cutting down your intake of meat can make a drastic difference to the environment. Try to eat meat just once a day (or once every two days if you can!) to lower the emissions and carbon footprint caused by your food consumption.

7. Get Creative

Don’t throw that old pair of jeans out, turn it into a denim skirt! See what you can do with all those things you normally throw away. Wine bottles make great candle holders and old dresses can often be turned into wonderful new skirts. It’s good for the planet, your wardrobe and your imagination!

8. Make a Small Change

Small changes lend themselves to big differences. Try focusing on one aspect of your life a week that can be slightly altered to help the environment. It might be switching energy companies, it might be turning off appliances at the plug, it might even be walking or cycling to work every day. Buy your next party dress from an ethical clothes supplier rather than Topshop. Take small steps one week at a time and see your carbon footprint shrink.

9. Mend

If your favourite pair of shoes are starting to look a little worn then take them to the cobblers. If your favourite top has holes in then sew them up. Make the most out of what you’ve got by mending your current clothing rather than buying replacements.

10. Search Around

Check out your local charity shops before you go on that shopping spree. Not only could it save you money, but if you search around before buying ‘that’ top you might realise you didn’t need it in the first place!

MoreEco is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more