Eco-Fashion – a contradiction in terms?
The concept of eco-fashion can be confusing. In such a fast-paced transient world how can you possibly remain eco-conscious?
To be on-trend yet aware of your carbon footprint, the pit-falls of consumerism are seemingly overwhelming. And I’m not talking about high-end couture fashion. These days designers are creating astonishing masterpieces out of everything from recycled bottles to car tyres. No, I mean everyday wear. I mean that little dress from People Tree you can’t bear to be without, I mean those Love Eco earrings that would go perfectly with your Green People top, I mean that cute Ascension lingerie that would put a spring in your step.
It is all a matter of planning. A matter of intelligent decision making and questioning your purchases. There is nothing wrong with treating yourself to a new dress or buying a new bikini for your holiday but there is a fine line between being a conscious shopper and an impulse purchaser.
For one, ask yourself ‘will I really wear this?’ and by ‘wear’ I don’t mean simply on one night out, to one dinner party or one interview. I mean will it make a useful addition to your wardrobe. If the answer is no then step away from the clothes rack. As you remove yourself from the vicinity of the item your heart rate will slow, your mind will stop believing that top will make you look like Kate Moss and you will realise how un-important that item of clothing is to your life.
However, if you genuinely believe this garment will become a staple, that it is a classic or something you will make the most of then go ahead. Make sure it fits well and is well made (buy sustainable wherever you can) and don’t feel guilty about it. Buy it if you are going to enjoy it.
Being eco-friendly is not about feeling guilty for every purchase you make. It is impossible (or at least no fun!) to live in an entirely frugal manner. Cutting out all palm oil, only wearing clothes from charity shops and cycling everywhere (even in the rain) is admirable but for many it is not an option. Surely it is just as important to inspire one million people to buy little but quality, to make well-informed decisions and support eco-fashion lines as it is to praise the brave few who live in a zero-carbon manner?
Eco-friendly fashion is not a contradiction in terms. If anything, being conscious of your decisions as a consumer allows you to make informed purchases that are more likely to last the seasons and transcend fair-weather trends to remain chic and classic. Fashion is a multi-million pound industry and it’s safe to say it’s not going anywhere. So why not support well-made sustainable clothing lines that will last the ages? You don’t have to dress in recycled potato sacks to be eco you know.
>>> For more information on eco-shopping and eco-living click here
>>> For more information on Carbon Footprint click here
>>> For Top Ten advice on eco shopping click here
>>> For more information on eco-shopping click here
May 24, 2010
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New tool released to calculate greenness of food products
A new tool has been released that will allow people to measure the environmental cost of their food, as well as the nutritional value.
Carbonostics has released an updated version of its lifecycle management tool, which can determine the ‘hotspots’ in the food production process.
According to the company, the newly enhanced version features end-of-life calculation that takes in food and packaging materials and carbon emissions from the packaging process.
In addition, all the new information is broken down by steps in the supply chain process, meaning that more information is available than ever for calculating food choices.
The tool is suitable for small food manufacturers, retailers, public buildings and any suppliers in the food retailing sector.
A recent analysis of two studies by New Scientist, looking at green purchases, found that most consumers were easily fooled by packaging and a brand’s historical reputation meaning that they over-estimated the greenness of some products.
>>> Please read the full article here
March 13, 2010
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Why Green Events are So Important
Green festivals promote the awareness of ecological concerns whilst engaging with entertainment Festivals such as Chorlton’s Big Green Festival (27th March), the Real Food Festival (7th-10th May), The Green Festival (22nd May) and Fiddler’s Green International Festival (18th-25th July) promote positive change whilst providing fun, interesting and thought provoking days out for the whole family. The Big Tent (23rd-24th July) is Scotland’s biggest eco festival and has been a phenomenal success in the past providing a format that everyone can benefit from. The Croissant Neuf Party (13th-15th August) won the Greenest Festival of the Year award in 2009 and combines exceptionally great music with renowned street theatre, workshops, open mic sessions and sports activities. Perhaps one of the best known green events comes in the shape of the Big Green Gathering (dates tbc) which is a wonderful five day camping event in Somerset. Grown out of the Green Gatherings and Glastonbury Music Festival events it is definitely not one to be missed.
Another fantastic way of promoting the green agenda is by getting involved with an action day. Fairtrade Fortnight is currently underway and Walk to School Week will commence on the 17th of May – a great way to get the kids involved! World Environment Day takes place on the 5th June, recycle week begins on the 21st of June, World Water Week on the 5th of September and Buy Nothing Day takes place on the 27th of November.
The most famous action day comes in the form of Earth Day which celebrates its 40th anniversary on the 22nd of April. These days provide an opportunity to show your support for a great cause and teach your family about the impact of their actions on the environment at large.
Or how about the EcoBuild exhibit (2nd-4th of March) where sustainable designers, innovators and constructors come together to provide more than 100 free conference and seminar sessions? Or One Life Live (18th-21st March) which provides inspiration and advice to those who feel they want to make more of their lives? These fantastic events combine volunteering opportunities, seminars, career advice and business acumen to help you make a difference.
If you’re still not convinced then check out UK Aware (16th-17th April) which brings together 200 exhibitors, 15,000 visitors, 100 low carbon vehicles and over 50 world guest speakers or Sustainabilitylive! (20th-22nd May) which is the UK’s largest forum for excellence and innovation in environment, water, energy and land and is guaranteed to have something for everyone.
>>> For more details on all the green events listed above, check out our Green Events page.
March 8, 2010
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Green and Black’s to go 100% Fairtrade
Move will make Green & Black’s the world’s leading manufacturer of organic Fairtrade chocolate
The company’s Maya Gold chocolate was the first official Fairtrade product to go on sale in Britain 15 years ago. Its extended range of chocolate bar and beverage products in the UK will start to carry the distinctive blue and green Fairtrade logo from late 2010, and it is hoped that full conversion of the entire chocolate bar and beverage range in more than 30 countries will be achieved by the end of 2011.
The Fairtrade market, which now covers products from developing countries ranging from chocolate and coffee to cotton, was worth £22m in 1999, according to a recent survey from the Co-op. Last year, sales of Fairtrade products grew to £635m and the Co-operative is predicting it could break the £1bn barrier in 2010.
The Fairtrade funding, approximately £300,000 a year, received by farmers in the Dominican Republic will be spent on sustainability initiatives which will include improving quality, yields and education, which in turn will increase income for farmers, ensure the cocoa industry becomes more sustainable and secure the supply of high-quality organic cocoa beans to support the brand’s international growth.
Dominic Lowe, managing director of Green & Black’s, said: “We buy quality, organic Trinitario cocoa beans from co-operatives in the Dominican Republic, and have done so for 10 years. Up until now we have committed US $500,000 in local initiatives to improve quality and availability, but we wanted to do more to support farmers.”
The Fairtrade Foundation (UK) executive director, Harriet Lamb, commented: “This newest commitment to Fairtrade will enable producers to benefit themselves, scale up their businesses and invest in their communities, not just now but for the future.”
See the whole article at theguardian.co.uk
February 3, 2010
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Taxes to be Introduced for Shopping Bags
The first shoppers in Britain will be taxed for their carrier bags within 18 months, it was announced on Tuesday.
Customers in Wales are to be charged up to 15p per carrier bag. Other parts of Britain are expected to folbow by introducing the tax aimed at reducing the number of plastic bags which take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Leaders in the the Welsh Assembly announced it will start in early 2011 and pledged cash raised would be spent on environmental projects not go into tax coffers. Supporters hope the charge will encourage more shoppers to take reusable bags to supermarkets.
Welsh Environment Minister Jane Davidson said: “Carrier bags represent a waste of resources and they are an iconic symbol of the throwaway society we now seem to live in.
“This government still holds the view that the voluntary agreement does not go far enough and we have to take more action now.
“We are behind the game when you look at what other countries have achieved with stronger action.
“In simple terms, the evidence shows introducing a charge works.”
An estimated 480m carrier bags are used in Wales each year and they take up to 1,000 years to degrade. Shops will be responsible for collecting cash and spending it on green campaigns. But Consumer Focus Wales chairwoman Vivienne Sugar said: “We are concerned about the possible impact a charge will have on lower income groups.” The British Retail Consortium said customers should be encouraged to change, and not “clobbered” with new “taxes”. But Ms Davidson added: “It is not my intention to create unnecessary additional burden for businesses.”
Ireland launched a 15 cent bag tax in 2002 – cutting their use by 90 per cent and reducing litter.
Since then it has raised £109m in tax, with plans to raise the levy to 40 cents.
Article Source: Telegraph.co.uk
Image Source: Telegraph.co.uk
November 18, 2009
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