Eco-Guide

Carbon Neutral

Either the product itself has been made by a carbon neutral company, or it is carbon neutral because we have planted trees to offset its journey here. More information on the benefits of being carbon neutral can be found at The CarbonNeutral Company.

Fairly Traded

The product is either certified as Fair Trade or meets Fair Trade standards. As it is expensive to obtain Fair Trade accreditation some of our smaller suppliers cannot afford to do so. Buying Fair Trade products is the consumer’s best way of ensuring that the people who made or farmed the product received a fair price for their goods.

Trading Fairly: Complete online listing of the UK’s fairly trading retailers
Only Fair: Buy fair, pay fair — it’s only fair!
Butterfly Treasures: Your place to buy original gifts and accessories, ethical & fair trade
The Green Providers Directory: The leading green, organic and fair trade directory

FSC

Wood or paper goods which meet the Forest Stewardship Council standards. This means that the wood that these products are made from comes from forests which are managed in a responsible way. More information about the FSC and its benefits can be found at the FSC site.

Low Energy

Either little energy was required during the production of this product or it is a low energy consuming alternative to more conventional products.

Eco-Friendly Lightbulbs: Our Energy Saving Light Bulbs use 80 per cent less energy than traditional bulbs. Available in a wide range of shapes and fittings.

Handmade

As it suggests, these products are made by hand and not mass produced. We try to support many other small businesses, and source lots of products from individual designers and makers.

Paisley Daisy: From cushions to coat hooks, all handmade and recycled by textile designer Sophie Beale
Chica Chick Handbags: Handmade handbags that are biodegradable

Natural

These products will contain no artificial ingredients and be made from 100% natural sources.

Sustainable

These products are made from materials that are plentiful, and so using these materials to make things will not have any negative impact on the world’s natural environment. Bamboo is a good example of a sustainable material, as it is the fastest growing plant known to man and highly renewable. As it grows at a rate of several feet a day it can be cropped on a regular basis without having the negative impact on the environment that deforestation has.

UK Made

These products are made in the UK — this reduces the environmental impact of transporting the goods and supports other UK businesses.

Vegan

All the toiletries that we sell are not tested on animals (from ingredients to final product), and those marked vegan will be free of all animal ingredients, such as honey, milk etc. More information at the Vegan Society.

Vintage

These products have been made using vintage materials (from the 50s, 60s etc), which just adds to the character!

Pretty Vintage: Vintage crockery and accessories hire

Organic Cotton

The organic cotton clothing we sell is made from cotton which is grown without the use of pesticides or insecticides. It’s nicer for the people who grow it as they don’t have to deal with all the harsh chemicals which can cause cancer and even death, and it’s nicer for the people who wear it — it won’t irritate sensitive skin like ‘normal’ cotton clothing can do. And it lasts longer too due to the stronger cotton fibres which haven’t been weakened by chemicals. It’s the perfect solution!

About Organics: A guide to adopting an organic lifestyle
Wyldcats: Ethical clothing for baby boys & girls who like cats and other furry animals!
Conscious Elegance: Beautiful, made to order organic wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses
Ochre & Ocre
: Organic & Natural kitchen and dining textiles, made in Europe
Organic Babe: Organic babe and kidswear, where busy mums can shop for quality organic cotton baby and children's clothing. Australian site.

Organic Toiletries

Products that are either 100% certified organic or contain certified organic ingredients. Our skin can absorb up to 60% of what we put on it, so it makes sense to steer clear from harmful and toxic ingredients, such as paraben preservatives, SLS etc as these are absorbed into the blood stream.

aloebaby.com: Luxury organic baby and children skin care products and complementing organic accessories
The Natural Organic Soap Company: Organic, Vegan friendly soaps, made using the traditional cold press method. Certified by the Soil Association
Green People: Responsibly sourced organic skin and hair care products for all the family, from natural shampoos to organic sun lotion
Aubrey Organics: The UK’s only dedicated Aubrey Organics online shop — organic skin care, hair care and body care products with no petrochemicals
A & M Organics: Website with a variety of organic products, including make up, perfume and gifts
Ecosoapia: Organic Castile liquid soap and body wash. The Castile soap loved by celebrities.

Bamboo

Products made from Bamboo are therefore much more environmentally friendly than those made from more slow-growing wood sources. Bamboo can also be used to make clothing, and doesn’t need to be treated with fertilisers and pesticides as it grows so fast. The finished clothing products are soft, hard-wearing, ideal for sensitive skin, and contain a natural anti-bacterial agent which means they even need to be washed less than other clothes!

Recycled Products

Recycled products have lots of environmental benefits. They reduce the amount of raw materials needed to make things, and they also help save energy in the manufacturing process. It takes 60% less energy to make new paper from old paper than it does to make it from trees. Recycled products also help to reduce the amount of waste sent to land fill, meaning land can be used for better things than just burying our rubbish!

The Green Stationery Company: The UK’s premier recycled paper and green office products supplier
The Exotic Paper Company: Suppliers of Ellie Poo paper and stationery items. The offer a complete range of 100% recycled papers and cardboards
Recycling Supermarket.com: Recycling Supermarket provides news, information and guides on everything to do with recycling, waste management and the environment