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Gifted items
One of my favourite thing about my blog is that I have this massive opportunity to make a difference. I use my blog to spread the word and make people aware of ethical and green issues. I find that the best way is to do this by introducing other options, that are positive choices for people and planet. We don’t have to accept and buy the goods big labels and glossy adverts are trying to sell us. Money is a vote which you can use every time you go shopping. By using your spending power wisely you can help to create a better, healthier and greener world.
With that in mind, the idea to create a new monthly review series called “My Ethical And Green Picks Of The Month” was born. The posts are to introduce all the small shops and indie brands which produce and sells ethically produced, eco-friendly, organic, natural, cruelty – free and fairly traded goods, that are alternatives to everyday items such as fast fashion, processed food, cosmetics and cleaners containing toxins and harmful chemicals. My aim is to inspire you to choose positive buying by choosing ethical and green picks. To reverse reducing the power of local communities, to stop overconsumption, abusing animals and wasting our natural resources.
Baby and toddler clothing subscription
Graceful Changes deserves an award really, for coming up with this idea, it’s brilliant. The concept is all about reducing our environmental impact and encouraging reuse.
For a monthly subscription fee of £30 (including postage) they provide a complete wardrobe of everything your baby or toddler needs to wear – it is you, who selects every single item going into your box. Every subscriber has access to the complete inventory online via the MyTurn platform, allowing you to customise your clothing selection.
When you need to exchange the items because your baby needs the next size clothing, you just return the ones you don’t need anymore and pick the next ones. In your signature package you’ll get 15 items. The clothes are all from British sustainable and ethical brands. They are mix of new and used items with normal wear and tear. Everything arrives to you freshly washed and ironed and without any labels, so it can be hard to tell what is brand new and what has already been worn.
Plastic free skin and body care
Ethique products are world famous for a reason. They work and they are as environmentally as they can get. Ethique have saved over 6 million plastic bottles from landfill since 2012, by producing solid bar formulas in place of liquid products – packaged in totally compostable casing. What’s more, the formulas are all vegan friendly, palm oil free and made with Fairtrade ingredients. I’ve been using them for a while and really happy with them, especially their shampoo bars! The children enjoyed the Bath Mylk it smells amazing and so good for their delicate skin!
Gluten wheat free and palm oil free treats
Oast to Hoast is an award-winning gluten and wheat free bakery based in the Kent countryside. Best friends Sally and Claire founded the business in 2011 through their shared experiences raising children with very specific dietary requirements.
The specialist kitchen bakes everything to order using local and responsibly sourced products from the ‘Garden of England’ and are proud members of Produced in Kent. I received their latest “Message in a Million” Millionaire’s Tart which was an absolute treat and to me it would not be possible to tell the the tart apart from the regular tarts made with pastry! Absolutely delicious. These delicious handmade gifts can be tailored to suit all occasions and can be sent straight to the recipient.
Natural twines and ropes for crafters
I have received two luxury baker’s twine boxes (I use these for cakes, decoration etc.) from the Everlasto ‘Beautiful Bakers Twine’ range. These colourful craft twines are made by the sole UK manufacturer of cotton baker’s twines, James Lever of Bolton. 100% natural soft cotton and are made in the UK from start to finish, supporting a plethora of British businesses along the way. You can buy them at Rope Source.
Plastic free, organic alcoholic drinks
Sipful Drinks has just launched a new, premium Cocktails in a Can, using only 100% natural fruit and flavours. When out and about, on a picnic and generally when others just having a can of beer, non-beer drinkers (me!) feel they have very little options left: gin in a can, maybe. But many people prefer wine (me!) and cocktails – so here comes Sipful into the picture. I have tested their new range and I have to say their Mimosas were really really good for s canned drink! This is probably, because they use the best, natural ingredients. They are perfect for a picnic and a summer stroll.
Drink responsibly.
Reusable pocket tissues
LastTissue is Last Objects latest project after the success of the LastSwab. The genius Danish brand designed a refillable, silicone pocket handkerchief holder filled with washable tissues made from organic cotton. Easy, on-the-go availability of the tissue pack and the environmentally-friendly, soft-on-the-nose handkerchief. Simply wash and refill the holder.
The paper and pulp industry is the third-largest industrial emitter of global warming gasses. Every year around 8,000,000 trees are cut down to make facial tissues for the US alone. Deforestation can lead to a direct loss of wildlife habitat. The removal of trees reduces available food, shelter, and breeding habitat. It also removes the miraculous effect the trees have of cleaning our carbon emissions to breathable oxygen – helping to prevent climate change. LastTissue combats this.
Plastic free deodorant
Pure by Pure Deo (available at Beauty Naturals) is what I’ve been using this month and I found it very effective. It contains natural vegetable enzymes to effectively neutralise odours. It has a subtle, fresh fragrance of camomile and is a mild deodorant. So it will not block pores or cause irritation. Comes in a plastic free, biodegradable, bps free, cardboard tube.
Free from aluminium, preservatives, artificial colour and perfume.
Premium beeswax wraps
I love using these wraps! The wrapit wraps (reusable beeswax food wraps) are an alternative to plastic cling film and plastic zip-lock bags. They are entirely biodegradable, reusable and chemical-free. The wraps can be used with an array of foods to keep it nice and fresh!
Plastic free period products
And reusable too! I’ve received this bumper pack of menstrual cup in my size with steriliser cup and organic cotton pouch, 2 reusable menstrual pads and a rather cute bamboo toothbrush. Arya is on a mission to challenge the stigma of menstruation through activism, education, and information.
The silicone used for the cup is hypoallergenic, medical-grade and FDA-Approved. Their products are free of BPA, Latex, Phthalate, and other toxic chemicals and their menstrual cup passed both SVHC test & Biocompatibility test and doesn’t interfere with vaginal pH. But also: 100% biodegradable internal packaging (inner wrap for hygiene), 100% recycled paper for the instructions manual, 100% recyclable carton for external packaging, 100% natural ingredients (cotton & bamboo) and they do NOT use air shipping.
