Click the link to see the picture;

1 - NO KINDA SURPRISE – PLASTIC POLLUTION

2 - PLASTIC MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

3 - PLASTIC BEACH RUBBISH IN LE TOUQUET

4 - THE GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH

5 - PLASTIC FOOD CHAIN

6 - PLASTIC BOTTLES IN SAINT MALO

7 - FRENCH SUPERMARKET MINI RECYCLING CENTER

8 - HEATHROW TERMINAL 1 RECYCLING BINS

9 - RUBBISH TIDE AT LE MONT SAINT MICHEL

10 - PORSCHE 918 SPYDER HYBRID SUPERCAR

1. Enjoy the fresh air. Grab the bikes, take a picnic and enjoy the great weather and fresh air. Whether you are with your family or by yourself you’d be surprised what a bit of outdoor activity and a good long walk will do for your brain and your boredom! Check out eco picnic ideas here.
2. Read a good book. Go down to your local second-hand or charity book store and grab yourself a good read. Settle down with a glass of wine and indulge in some ‘me-time’. Try and read something new and a bit different – this will keep your mind engaged and broaden your horizons!
3. Board games. Whether it’s an old Monopoly that’s sat covered in dust at the back of your cupboard, a game of twister found at your local charity shop, one of the fantastic eco-friendly games you can get online or your grandma’s scrabble set a board game is a great way to relieve boredom and engage the whole family!
4. Clear out those cupboards. Not only will this help remove clutter from your house it will also give you something constructive to do to remove that boredom! Sort out all your old clothes, books, CD’s, DVD’s and cuddly toys and take them down your local charity shop for a responsible and eco-friendly time-killer!
5. Research ways to make your life more eco-healthy. There are hundreds of fantastic websites that offer great advice on how to keep eco-friendly and eco-fit. Whether you’re after a responsible holiday, advice on how to stay slim or advice on ways to kick your life into eco-gear you can find articles and how-to’s online.
6. Dig out an old classic. Take a look through your collection of old DVD’s for a classic old favourite and enjoy some leisure time.
7. Get creative! Whether it’s fashioning new clothes out of old ones or helping your kids create dolls houses from boxes and ecover bottles (Blue Peter style!) there’s always creative ways to re-use your recyclables.
8. Think. We often have such hectic lives that we rarely just sit down and have a think. Grab a cup of tea and sit in silence – you’d be surprised just how relaxing that can be.
9. Do some exercise. I won’t bore you with the merits of exercise. Everyone knows it’s good for you http://www.moreeco.co.uk/news/top-ten-ways-to-keep-eco-healthy/ and helps you trim up. But if you are bored there’s no better way to feel better than get that heart pumping. Grab some of your favourite tunes and go for a jog for a sure-fire way to alleviate boredom and feel fantastic.
10. Eco-shop! Don’t forget you can always check out your favourite eco retailers. Whether shopping for a special occasion or just browsing there are always new products at our retailers. Check out some of MoreEco’s favourites here.

KATHARINE E HAMNETT
Katharine Hamnett is a true ethical clothing innovator, and a tireless campaigner for the use of organic cotton. After visiting Mali with Oxfam in 2003, the designer saw first hand the devastating effects of the conventional cotton industry, and immediately vowed to help drive the demand for the organic alternative. Her iconic slogan tees are the produced to the highest environmentally friendly standards and are the height of eco-chic.

HOWIES
For Howies, taking an ethical philosophy isn’t just about using organic cotton (although they do this as well!); it’s about making products that will last. This is why the brand’s selection of organic basics are some of the best out there, and are a good place to start if you want to make your wardrobe more eco-friendly.

EDUN
Founded by Bono and wife Ali Hewson in spring 2005, EDUN is far from being a celebrity fashion label. Created to encourage Fairtrade practise, the label fosters sustainable employment schemes in developing countries around the world. The fact that the clothes are some of the most stylish in the eco-market is merely a bonus.

CIEL
When Sarah Ratty established eco-fashion label Ciel she wanted to create clothing that would offer an ethical and environmental choice to fashion conscious women. She certainly succeeded, and her covetable collection garners as much attention for its beautiful cuts and colours as it does its’ impeccable eco credentials.

BEYOND SKIN
Proving an ideal example of how far the ethical fashion industry has come in the past few years, Beyond Skin’s designs are as stylish as they are ethically sound. Handmade in a family run factory in England, the company has a cruelty free philosophy, in terms of not only animals, but humans and the environment as well.

ANNIE GREENABELLE
Available at Equa, one of our favourite eco-boutiques, Annie Greenabelle is one of those labels that instantly debunk notions that ethical fashion can’t be both green and stylish. Combining organically grown and recycled fabrics, her party dresses are a must for green goddesses.

AMANA
Amana was one of our favourite discoveries at last season’s London Fashion Week Estethica exhibition, an area dedicated to the best eco-clothing labels out there. Marrying beautiful design with ethical production, the entire collection is created by a fair trade co-operative of women artisans in Morocco. On top of this, organic silks and cottons alongside hemp mix fabrics ensure that the collection has minimal negative environmental impact.

>>> For more information on each of these designers and to see Marie Claire’s top tens click here

1. Don’t forget the UK. With the sun shining and the sea sparkling don’t think you have to fly abroad to get that tan. Stay in the UK for an eco-friendly summer experience. For inspiration check out Responsible Travel and our advice on summer holidays.

2. Enjoy summer trends. Just because you’re trying to stay green doesn’t mean you can’t grab yourself a maxi dress or trilby this season. Grab the hottest trends from eco-stores and look fabulous with a clear conscience. Check out EcoTrendSpotter for more information.

3. Protect your skin. Everyone has those old bottles of sun cream lying around the house so why waste them? Rather than buying a new (and expensive bottle) make sure to protect yourself the eco-friendly way by finishing every last drop. If you do need new cream, make sure to buy it from an eco store – Big Green Smile has a fantastic selection.

4. Drink more water. The benefits of water have been well documented but did you know it is an effective way to get rid of that cellulite? It’s free and comes out of tap so no need to damage the environment whilst you get your health fix.

5. Picnic away. There are plenty of fantastic eco picnic accessories on the market (check out Nigel’s Eco Store for example) so take a picnic to the beach and forget about the washing up. Saves money, is great fun and can be planet-friendly if you buy with ‘green’ in mind.

6. Walk. Enjoy this picture perfect weather by taking a stroll down to the beach. Save on parking fees and lower your carbon footprint. Amazing.

7. Make a splash. The sea is there to be enjoyed so rather than clambering into chlorine-filled pools enjoy the cool natural waters the sea has to offer (good for your skin, too!)

8. Pimms o’clock? As long as you stay well hydrated there’s nothing wrong with a little alcoholic indulgence. Grab some recycled glasses and enjoy this wonderful summer drink (with a little local fruit and cucumber, perhaps?)

9. Eco Slim. Read our previous top ten eco slimming tips for advice on how to get bikini ready in a way that’s beneficial to you and the planet.

10. Enjoy yourself! There’s nothing healthier to society and the planet than laughter. Get involved, bring your loved ones and enjoy.

There are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives to flying away to your favourite destinations. Check out responsible tour operators to find out what the least damaging methods of travel are to the planet. Also try and buy sustainably wherever you can. Here are our top ten tips to keep yourself eco-friendly this Summer.

1. Get in the slimming mood – eat less, drink more water and buy more organically produced food. It’s good for the planet and for your beach-body.

2. Get outside and enjoy the sunshine. There’s nothing better than ditching the car for a sunny walk to work and it will tone up those legs too!

3. Avoid those airports. Planes are the number one most damaging form of transportation to the planet. Try and find alternatives such as the train or ferry.

4. Buy eco wherever possible. We all need you need to protect your skin with sun tan lotion and your eyes with sunglasses so make those purchases count. Buy sustainably sourced products from eco-shops.

5. Recycle your old summer clothes. It’s all too easy to fall for the latest trend (maxi-dress anyone?) so make sure you truly need it before you buy. Leaving the purchase until the next day is sure to stop any impulse purchases. And if you simply have to have it then try and buy eco-friendly wherever you can.

6. Support Britain! Stay in the country and enjoy everything we have to offer. Avoid increasing your carbon footprint by lavishing in the stunning scenery the UK has to offer.

7. Shop around. Find the best deals and the most planet-friendly goods.

8. Use your green thumbs. This stunning weather is the perfect excuse to get out in the garden and enjoy the sun.

9. Talking of gardening, use those leftover scraps of food to make your own compost. Stops any wasteful disposal, recycles leftovers and it’s good for your garden. Perfect.

10. Have fun! There is nothing better for the planet than optimism. Believe you can make a difference, do what you can, buy sustainably where you can and then enjoy yourself.

>>> Find out more about responsible travel here

Sting plus – upholstery made from nettles

There are lots of points to make about this fabric. But the main one is that it does everything a synthetic fabric can achieve (meeting fire ratings, “rub tests”, resistance to fading and so on) while being made out of nettles and old wool, the two things you’ll be almost guaranteed to find in a British field, together with barbed wire. There’s nothing barbed about this fabric, however – it may be ethical but it doesn’t sting or itch. Like linen, which is another natural fabric made from plant fibre, Sting is beautiful and glamorous.

Smile Plastics recycled plastic worktops

When it comes to specifying sheet materials for a new kitchen or some cupboards, recycled plastics often get overlooked, usually because they look like frozen sick. Smile Plastics, however, have begun making sheet plastics made from single source plastics: recycled and chopped CDs for example, which give the material the iridescence of abalone or mother-of-pearl. This is upcycled plastic. I chose it for this list because I wanted designers and architects to see it and specify it, as well as consumers.

Parans solar lighting

This product is almost too technical to describe. An egg-crate panel of little rotating eyes follow the sun all day long like a sunflower, collecting direct sunlight and distributing it through a building via a network of fibre-optic cables. This is ideal for introducing light into earth-sheltered or buried buildings or the thousands of London homes now retro-fitted with three underground storeys. It is brilliant. Literally.

Giles Miller – cardboard furniture

Giles is a designer-maker of extraordinary pedigree who examines the value and the usefulness of everything he utilises. So he forces us to re-evaluate materials like corrugated cardboard as not only durable and utilitarian, but also beautiful. We already ran the Grand Designs Awards and these are judged by a panel of luminaries from the worlds of design and sustainability. But choosing this range of cardboard furniture and the other green products here was a much simpler exercise – and much more personal. These are products and inventions that I’ve chosen because I like them, I’ve used or tested them and I wanted them to get more exposure.

Hemcrete – greener concrete

Hemcrete is a walling material that can be sprayed or cast like concrete, but it’s made from lime and hemp. It performs both as an insulant and as a thermal-mass and it locks up carbon as it grows. The average hemp house can stow away about 20 tonnes of CO2 into its walls this way, about 40 kilogrammes for every square metre of wall in comparison with a traditional brick, block and cavity wall which is responsible for the production of about 100kg for every square metre. And hemp is the second-fastest growing crop on the planet after bamboo, so it can be slotted in between other crops during a growing season. It also requires almost no inputs and enriches the soil.

EcoForce – recycled everyday homewares

I remember clearly the day – as if it were yesterday – that someone told me that toilet roll wasn’t made from recycled paper. What do you mean? Surely it’s got to be, it only gets used once? The same goes for scourers and cleaners. You’d sort of expect throwaway bits of foam and gritty green plastic to be of the very cheapest grades of recycled plastic. But not a bit of it. They’re all manufactured from virgin petrochemicals. I can understand that the acrylic used for making DVDs, that are read by lasers and spun at 200mph, needs to be perfect and crystal clear. But not my clothes pegs.

Black Mountain Sheepswool insulation – natural insulation

We all know about sheepswool insulation that comes from New Zealand or other far-flung outreaches of the world of sheep. It is highly breathable, natural, people-friendly and hygroscopic, regulating the moisture content in a cavity such as a wall. Very, very useful in timber framed buildings where condensation and moisture can dissolve the building into wet rot. And Black Mountain is British. Home-grown. Many of our sheep are bred to be shorn twice a year but only get fleeced once because the market for wool is so depressed. If we all bought sheepswool for our attics the flocks of Britain would be much more comfortable.

Newform Energy – combined solar electricity and hot water

Since Becquerel used selenium to experiment with photovoltaics in 1836, and Horace de Saussure captured solar heat in his homemade “hotbox” in 1767, the two disciplines of using solar energy to produce either electricity or hot water have remained separate. Until a very short while ago when some brilliant German physicists decided to circulate the water from solar thermal panels around the electronics in solar photovoltaic panels providing – bingo – a faster-than-normal supply of hot water. The resulting panel also produces electricity more efficiency than a standard photovoltaic panel.

Heatsaver Shades – insulated blinds

Heatsaver is an American firm that make insulated window blinds from the multilayer thin insulation sold for roofspaces which looks like the covering of a Nasa spaceship. Heatsaver uses a less complex structure in its product, which has the appearance of interlined cream linen Roman blinds and the thermal performance of several inches of plastic foam. Their secret, however, lies in a specially designed channel on the wall, in which the blind slides, forming an effective seal. There is no better way of keeping heat inside a building with large glazed walls or a listed building that is single-glazed.

Tirex from Interface Flor – flooring made from recycled rubber

We throw away 486,000 tonnes of tyres every year in Britain. Tirex carpet tiles are recycled — with a minimum of processing — by slicing old tyres and rubber machinery belts into long French fries and then bonding them together side-on. The durable fabric webbing that is inside the tyre wall is exposed as the top surface of the carpet and the resulting texture is a revelation. Interface Flor sell it as “entrance matting” but Tirex doesn’t look anything like a tyre. Its colours are grey and brown. It is elegant and sophisticated and every office in the world and quite a few homes ought to be carpeted with it.

>>> Please read the full article here

1.    Get your Five a Day – If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a thousand times, but getting your five a day is good for you (and the environment!). Filling up on un-processed fruit and veg helps your digestion, clears your skin, rids your body of toxins and keeps your blood-sugar level consistent – stopping you from snacking! The benefits of this are obvious. Un-processed food uses fewer chemicals, machinery, oil, energy and resources and the lbs will drop off if you fill up on healthy, natural produce.

2.    Grow Your Own -  If you don’t own a garden, look into getting a allotment. Gardening is something the whole family can enjoy and as the weather brightens up it’s worth teaching your kids about the benefits of growing your own fruit and veg. Teach your family by example and get your hands dirty – now summer is looming you have no excuse! Spring is the absolutely best time to plant some seeds and enjoy watching them flourish and there is nothing more satisfying than watching that plant go from seed, to seedling, to plant to plate.

3.    Cook from Scratch – Not only is cooking from scratch more likely to result in healthy food, but it can also help you cut down on your carbon footprint. Teaching kids from a young age the benefits of cooking from scratch sets them up for life, and if you have your own home-grown fruit and vegetables then all the better! It also means you will cut down on over-packaged, over-produced and (often) over-priced food and will naturally lower your calorie, salt and sugar intake as hidden additives are often found in processed food.

4.    Support your Community – Local butchers, grocers and bakeries are dying due to the rise of big supermarket chains. Support your local farmers market or local providers by buying your food stores from their shops and help keep your local community flourishing. The produce will also be local, meaning the carbon footprint of your dinner can be reduced dramatically.

5.   Get the Kids Involved – Starting on this journey from a young age, and understanding the importance of keeping our planet healthy, is the first step to ensuring a good future for your children, grand-children and future generations. Teach your children to eat healthily and educate them about where food comes from and watch the enjoyment that comes from their understanding of how to make healthy choices.

6.    Fill up the Dishwasher – It might be dull but cutting down on your energy consumption is the first step towards a greener future. Make sure you don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s full, that way you cut down on your energy bills and your water consumption – saving you money and lowering your carbon impact.

7.   Cut down the Meat – Cutting down on meat can help you shift those pesky lbs (if you keep your diet rich in protein from eggs and nuts) and the manufacturing process of producing and packaging meat products can be costly to the environment. Find some amazing vegetarian recipes and learn that you don’t need to have meat on the plate to have a delicious  meal.

8.    Be Colourful – Make your plates alive with colour! The more colourful the meal, the more likely it is to be full of natural goodness. Think of green and red vegetables, add some yellow pepper, add some natural fibres and protein and you’re away with a meal that looks as good as it tastes.

9.    Be Seasonal – Try to stick to seasonal produce. This way you’ll ensure that what’s on your plate hasn’t been flown in from other countries, cutting down on your personal carbon footprint dramatically.

10.    Try something New – Be adventurous! What’s the point in sticking to the same old food? Try something new and encourage your family to design and create new recipes you can all enjoy. Have fun with your cooking and reap the benefits as your bills, carbon footprint and clothing size decrease…

2.    Compost Compost Compost! – Make sure you keep a compost bin and make the most of your left over food scraps. Just place all peelings and left over biodegradable vegetables in your compost bin and then watch your home-grown vegetables thrive.

3.    Walk – walk your kids to school, walk to work, walk to town. Reduce your carbon footprint and tone up by ditching the car keys and grabbing your walking shoes.

4.    Watch that water level – Only boil the amount of water you need, fill your dishwasher to the brim, time your showers, limit the number of baths you have and watch your water bills (and carbon footprint) decrease.

5.    Turn it off – turn off those appliances. Turn off the lights you aren’t using. Switch the TV off at the plug each night and don’t leave your laptops and mobiles plugged in all day everyday. Not only will you be helping the environment but you will notice a difference to your energy bill.

6.    Recycling can be fun! – Get the kids involved. Check with your local council what can be recycled and make sure to adhere to their rules. And get creative! Old clothes can be given new life, old containers can be used to make toys (think Blue Peter!) and wrapping paper and gift cards can always be personalised and re-used.

7.    Find eco-alternatives – Going on holiday? Take a train, not a plane. Try and stay local or take an eco-route where possible. Or looking to buy a new book? Head to your local charity shop, they will have plenty!

8.    Get eco-fit – don’t stay at home watching television. Grab the kids, turn off those lights and get active! Take a walk to your local park, have fun and get fit. Learning to enjoy the outdoors will help you appreciate the importance of keeping our environment healthy and getting active will make you feel more energised and less like sitting in front of the TV or computer.

9.    Teach those around you – Make sure your family, your children and your friends know the importance of making small changes in their lives that can considerably reduce their carbon footprint.

10.    Get involved – stick to your eco-resolutions and find out about any local charities or organisations that need help with their green agenda. If you can spare some money look to giving a monthly sum to a non-profit organisation that concentrates on ecological issues and, if you have the time, campaign your local MP and local companies to make green promises (and stick to them!).

Earth Hour 2010 – 27th March

UK Aware 2010

Top Ten Eco-Ways to Get Fit and Lose Weight!

Fewer children now walking to school

Winner of UK heats for innovation awards announced

MoreEco Fairtrade Guide

Why Green Events are So Important

Whaling worsens carbon release, scientists warn

London drives sustainable fashion

MoreEco at UKAware 2010

1. Go for a walk – There is nothing more refreshing or eco-friendly than going for a stroll! It uses absolutely no carbon energy and can be a replacement for your school or work trip meaning you save on petrol as well as keeping fit!

2. Eat seasonally – Save on energy consumption by buying local, seasonal and fresh produce. Try not to buy anything that has been flown in from abroad and have a go at trying some new foods to mix up your diet!

3. Go to a local exercise class – Support your local community and businesses by attending a local exercise class. Whether it’s pilates, yoga or spinning this can be a great way to trim up and meet new people in the area.

4. Take your nutrients – Shops like Holland & Barretts provide a great range of vitamins and supplements that will help keep you fighting fit and your metabolism high.

5. Cycle to work – Cycling has many benefits for your body. It’s great cardiovascular exercise and, now the weather is warming up, can be a brilliant way to get to and from work.

6. Don’t take too many baths! – Not only do too many baths waste water and energy, they are also bad for your skin! Having too many can dry out your skin meaning you require more moisturiser and products that can be detrimental to your bodily health.

7. Get your Five-a-day – Make sure you get your recommended five fruits and vegetables a day. Keep them seasonal, keep them local and try them in all kinds of combinations. You will be surprised what a difference it can make to how you feel.

8. Lose weight the sensible way – Don’t invest time, money and energy in fad dieting and overpriced exercise machines. Go for a run, take the kids to the park and eat right and you will see that weight come off at a healthy rate that is maintainable.

9. Eat less meat – Get your protein from other sources, such as nuts, and help cut your personal carbon footprint as well as naturally increasing the healthy foods you eat during the day.

10. Have fun – Enjoy the outdoors, enjoy your food and look and feel eco-fabulous!