Discover the brilliant experienced people who are helping SmartPlanet through the green and ethical minefield.
From high-street coffee turning to Rainforest Alliance to Corrie, CO2 CDs and organic baby products and clothes -- it's all kicking off.
Costa to brew Rainforest Alliance coffee
Costa has just announced that all its coffee will be Rainforest Alliance certified. By 2010, that is. We appreciate the chain has decided to shape up and join the Rainforest Alliance hot drinks brands as we haven't been exactly impressed with the company's ethical and eco-credentials so far. In our own personal, not very scientific coffee chain checks, Costa gets the lowest score for barista awareness of Fairtrade coffee. The ones we've asked simply didn't even know what Fairtrade was.
Ecoescape launches UK travel guide
Laura Burgess, one of our expert leisure reviewers, has just published a new book, the 'ecoescape UK travel guide'. She has travelled slowly by bicycle, bus and train around the country, visiting all sorts of green places -- from strawbale cabins to boutique hotels. Get eco-travel inspiration from ecoescape's £9 travel guide or website.
Music for green ears -- CDs made from CO2 emissions
Carbon neutral music albums just reached a whole new level. The Telegraph reports that scientists have found a way to make CDs, DVDs and plastic bottles out of carbon dioxide. The new method, which allegedly turns CO2 from smokestack emissions into plastic, could be used in just a couple of years. This idea is almost as great as Ev-eon's Unnaturally Carbonated Water. Let's hope this one isn't an April Fool.
Katharine Hamnett to speak at Fashion Evolution events
Legendary ethical eco designer and SmartPlanet board member Katharine Hamnett is scheduled to voice her opinions at two Fashion Evolution events in Dublin this April. The events are part of an awareness campaign that seeks to educate consumers about ethical and environmental issues within fashion. Sounds right up your alley, Katharine.
Frugi dresses in potatoes
Award-winning organic children's and mums' clothing company Frugi has just told us it's going to use non-GM potato starch packaging to protect its organic clothes instead of traditional plastic bags and postal bags. The great idea has earned the young Cornish company a nomination for Best Innovation of the Year at The Cornwall Business Awards, which will take place in early May.
Baby Boo Organics is born
We welcome new organic baby toiletries brand, Baby Boo Organics, to the world of green. The company -- which boasts a Soil Association certification, uses recycled packaging and runs its business on bio diesel -- will show its face to the world for the first time this up-coming weekend at the Natural and Organic Products show. We'll be at the show too, and we'll have a video report for you very soon.
Halo and Horns in Boots
Another chemical-free children's body care brand, Halo and Horn, has now reached toddler age and is moving onto shelves at Boots and Costco. At less than £3 a pop, the company's products are known for being an affordable alternative to chemical-riddled soaps and shampoos.
Organic Boutique makes 'window-shopping' easy
New online shop, Organic Boutique, has just launched its spring/summer collection. A strapless, printed cotton dress and a denim bikini caught our attention. All the outfits are certified organic and packaged in recycled or biodegradable materials.
Corrie's fair trade doll
We know we've got Britain onboard the fair trade wagon when the sponsor of Coronation Street swaps a Barbie appearance for a fair trade rag doll (above). Rosanne, who stars in Harvey's Furniture Store ad, is made in Sri Lanka from local materials by workers -- strictly no children -- who get paid fair wages. The dolls cost £9 each and are available from Fair and Fabulous' online shop.
Re-light our fire
Ever wondered where your old shampoo bottles go after you've put them in the recycling bin? Well, some of them might have gone into the making of Luminair's cool lamp, Re-light (below). It's made from recycled plastic bottles that have been collected from various councils across the UK and it's obviously designed to light up with energy-saving lightbulbs. You can buy for £39 from green and fair trade online shop, Tactile Interiors.
The Re-light lamp that's made from recycled plastic
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Discover the brilliant experienced people who are helping SmartPlanet through the green and ethical minefield.
