My Ethical And Green Picks Of The Month: January 2020

Gifted products.

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 green and ethical 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 who produces 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. To reverse reducing the power of local communities, to stop overconsumption, abusing animals and wasting our natural resources. 

Backpack made of recycled car tyres

Lost in Samsara kindly sent this super cool back pack for me. This eco-friendly backpack by is hand made by Cambodian artisans recycling old car tyres. It’s waterproof and has different compartments. It takes my laptop (in a padded compartment) my camera, my coffee cup, computer and phone charger, shopping bags and all the necessary bits and pieces like phone, purse etc. In my view, it’s a very unisex design and I do love it’s cool look, just by looking at it you can tell it’s not the average factory line item. Lost in Samsara provides training, work and decent living wage to 13 artisans who make their items. These makers are disabled: land mine and polio victims. (V-A-C-C-I-N-A-T-E your kids!!!!)

Period proof underwear

I just participated in the #endperiodplastic campaign recently, so I’m fairly updated what changes are happening and what else can we do about eliminating period plastic. Conventional period products contain up to 90% plastic and are constantly being manufactured, used for between 4-8 hours, disposed of and then take over 500 years to break down! That’s over 7 times the average lifetime of the person using them, meaning if Jane Austen had used them they would still be decomposing today!

We can do better than this. Period proof underwear from Modibodi is a great solution: it’s reusable. You can choose from 4 different absorbency. Modibodi uses high quality natural fabrics and breathable tech-savvy blends (Bamboo, Merino Perform Wool and Microfibre) with the latest in antimicrobial fibres for a soft, silky fit.

Gin produced sustainably

Mermaid Gin is leading the way in how small businesses can do a lot for the environment and sustainability.
Of course it’s bottled in a glass bottle, but even the seal is biodegradable! The distillery has eliminated plastic and bubble wrap, plus plastic sealing tape (it seals cases with metal tags) from its production processes. It is also both vegan and gluten-free.

Aromatic and refreshing, Mermaid Pink Gin infuses the flavour of fresh Isle of Wight strawberries with the smooth yet complex taste of Mermaid Gin, a blend of lemon zest, grains of paradise and fragrant rock samphire. The latter, foraged from the island’s cliffs, is known locally as ‘Mermaid’s Kiss’, hence the gin’s name!

Zero waste toothtabs

I’ve received these Reco tooth tabs in a trial pack so that I can see if I liked them. It’s a great idea because you can test it for . a month – it only cost £3. Great idea. Some of the advantages: plastic-free and compostable packaging, vegan and cruelty-free, contains fluoride for strong healthy teeth, natural ingredients.

Compostable phone case

ITSKINS sells mobile phone cases that are made from a natural mix of wheat straw and biopolymers. This case is fully compostable – with the goal to help reduce the amount of plastic waste that discarded mobile cases have contributed to. 

They have teamed up with One Tree Planted to insure that a tree will be planted for each FeroniaBio case purchased. The tree will absorb CO2, produce oxygen, restore habitat, and offset the carbon produced in manufacturing/shipping.

Vegan kids’ hair care products

Locks In Goodness created two products for kids that are bursting with plant-based goodness. They are perfect for styling, shaping, detangling and smoothing those locks! Both the Hair Smoothie and Hair Gel contain no nasties to wonderfully tame and style locks. They are 100% natural, organic, vegan, eco-friendly and can even help to repel nits and lice!The packaging is 100% recyclable, sustainable and made from renewable raw materials.

Ethical hand warmers

These lambswool hand warmers are a naturally warm option for cold winter months. The Nitya hand warmer from Sherpa in Rathee Blue is the perfect option for cold hands. The super soft Polarfleece® lining will ensure your hands are kept warm and comfortable. Nitya is the Sanskrit word for “Always, Eternal”.  Handcrafted in small women co-ops in the ancient city of Bhaktapur right outside Kathmandu. Made in Nepal.

For every product sold, Sherpa provides education and resources for children in Nepal – for the entirety of their education, elementary through college.

Soda Stream

Everyone knows Soda Stream and everyone wanted to have one as a child. The awesomeness of making sparkling water at home has been around for decades and SodaStream now has cooler looking designs as ever. Saying no to the flavoured, fizzy drinks coming in single use plastic bottles is easy when you have one of these at home. One reusable Soda Stream carbonating bottle can save up to 1282 single use plastic bottles from our planet per year. We love ours, not only use it every day to make soda water to drink, but it’s also helpful when you need soda water for recipes like pancakes, tempura batter – or even Aperol Spritz!