Warm up your winter bedroom with this burnt orange fair trade and organic duvet cover
This icy winter just seems to keep getting colder, so why not add a touch of warmth to your home with this beautiful burnt orange organic and fair trade duvet cover? Currently on sale at a reduced price at Biome Lifestyle, this stylish and comfy double duvet cover is 100% hand woven, with each thread hand set on the loom by workers in Bangladesh. Workers are paid a fair wage for their products, with fair and safe working conditions, so by purchasing this you are helping marginalised workers secure fair pay and build their own future and invest in their own communities. Because the cotton is organic, you are also ensuring that the planet’s resources are not damaged by toxic pesticides (as non-organic cotton is a pesticide-heavy crop). The beautiful burnt orange colour is achieved by combining three different colour threads on the loom, giving each of these lovely soft duvet covers a richness of texture that will complement any bedroom – and add a bit of warmth to these cold winter nights. Matching pillowcases are also available (and are also currently on sale!) so why not treat yourself? And best of all, you can sleep easy under your organic and fair trade duvet cover knowing that your purchases are helping others and the planet at the same time.
A solar powered security light helps keep your home safe
The recession has seen a steep increase in the rise of burglaries, so being security conscious has never been more important – and with this Proteam solar powered security light you can safeguard your home and the environment at the same time. This easy to install dual headed light is suitable for your home, garden, garage or shed. It comes with a wall mount bracket and 1.8m of cable, so that you can choose the best position to place it and it can be corner mounted or flat mounted against a wall. Featuring dual adjustable heads, LED bulbs, a solar panel and motion sensor, the Proteam security light is environmentally friendly and inexpensive to run, as it requires no mains power. It features a distance and timing adjustor and can be used to detect motion up to 10 metres away, depending on your requirements. The lights are also easily pivoted to give you the best coverage. As research repeatedly shows that all but the most determined thieves are deterred by even basic home security measures, this solar powered security light is an inexpensive way to help keep your home safe. In these dark months, it is also useful if you live in an area with poor street lighting – no more fumbling for your keys in the dark! Best of all, you can be sure that in protecting your home you are also protecting the planet by choosing this environmentally friendly system.
H2Oh! What a great water powered clock!
This amazing water powered multi-function clock is the cutting edge of environmental design. It offers digital technology and runs on an H20 water powered rechargeable battery – so it’s not only inexpensive to buy, it’s super-cheap to run and uses hardly any energy. The water powered clock not only tells the time, by turning it 90 degrees you can access day and date, alarm settings, timer and temperature – all in one compact device! To keep the clock going all you need to do is refill the water as it evaporates, which is roughly every two to three months – and the battery lasts up to two years of continuous use. It can also be stored dry and left to dry off, which extends its life cycle. The H2O battery has many advantages over its traditional equivalent: normal batteries are toxic and difficult to recycle and add significant amounts of waste to landfill every year, whereas all aspects of the H2O battery are recyclable and when it finally runs out, you simply replace the battery and keep using the clock. The perfect size for any desk, this multi-function water-powered clock is the perfect thing to cheer up your office in the New Year! Though you might not want to look at the temperature reading for a while…
Shed some light with a lovely lentil design lamp
If you are looking for a stylish and environmentally friendly lighting solution, this recycled lentil design lamp could just be the perfect choice. Designed and hand-made in London, this stylish lamp utilises eco-friendly materials and contemporary design to create something that is both chic and ethically sound. Because it is made in the UK there are no air miles to worry about, and the recycled lentil design lamp is made from recycled paper and porcelain clay, which is cleverly infused with lentils, which is what gives the lamp its beautiful finish. The lamp gives a lovely warm glow so is ideal for living rooms and bedrooms, especially on these cold, dark nights! Measuring 48 x 16cm, when turned off the lamp has a neutral, ceramic colour, plain enough to complement any decor, but is transformed to this lovely shade when switched on. So you can enjoy the best of British design while safe in the knowledge that you are not only investing in style, but in sustainability and the environment. So switch on a recycled lentil design lamp today, and shine a little light into these grim winter evenings.
The Smart Solar window alarm is a green way to secure your home
Want to be environmentally aware but security conscious too? It may seem a difficult balance, but the Smart Solar window alarm pack may just be the answer. This discreet alarm is easy to install, but effective, with a 6.8khz alarm sound, so perfect for your security needs. Smart Solar is a company which specialises in making solar powered equipment for the home and garden so you can be sure of the quality of the product, as you are buying from the experts. As well as being eco-friendly because it runs on solar power, the window alarm is also economical because there are no day-to-day running costs involved. The fact that the alarm is solar powered also means there is no ugly or difficult to install mains wiring. The alarms come with an adjustable cable so will fit most windows and can be mounted anywhere. There are two alarms to a pack and, as each Smart Solar window alarm pack retails for under £30, you can affordably equip your entire home. As the recession sees burglaries rise, home security has rarely been more important, and many thieves are opportunists who are deterred by visible security measures. So it is good to know that, thanks to Smart Solar’s window alarm pack, you can secure your home without compromising on your environmental standards.
The Eco-Eye Elite energy meter helps you keep your costs down
At this time of year it’s tempting to crank up the heating and damn the expense, but with ever increasing fuel prices, this can leave a nasty hangover in the New Year – which is where the Eco-Eye Elite comes in. This easy to use electricity meter has a large, clear display which shows how much energy you have consumed – and how much it costs you! This gives an excellent incentive to make sure you are being energy efficient, both in terms of reducing your carbon footprint and your bills. The Eco-Eye’s large, clear display gives at-a-glance information and can show by the hour, day, month or even year, and has a memory function so you can make comparisons and see how much you are saving once you start your energy efficiency campaign. Seeing how much energy you are actually using – and your resulting CO2 emissions – will hopefully make it easier to reduce your energy usage by doing things such as switching off lights, using draught excluders at doors, not leaving items on standby, or using energy efficiency boosters such as the radiator energy saving kit. These are simple steps we can all take to maximise our energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint, which is good for our wallet and the planet.
A radiator energy saving set saves you money and energy
With winter looking set to be colder than ever, staying warm has never been more important – and this radiator energy saving set from Nigel’s Eco Store is the ideal way to do this. Many of us worry not only about the environmental impact of using our heating systems but also about the increasingly high cost of energy: this set will help you keep warm, improve energy efficiency and save money (and, even better, it is currently on sale – so it really is a bargain!). The radiator energy saving set includes of a pack of 10 radiator insulation panels, which fit behind your radiators to reflect heat inwards rather than losing it; a radiator booster, (as seen on Dragon’s Den!) which is an innovative product which uses a small fan to capture and circulate heat from your radiator, thereby increasing its energy efficiency; and a radiator auto bleeder vent, which automatically releases air from a radiator, thereby maximising heat. These products work well separately, but together as a pack are both economical and efficient, and could save you up to an estimated £200 a year in bills. With the forecast saying there is even colder weather to come – and the likelihood that future winters will be equally bad, if not worse, as we see the results of climate change – making your home as energy efficient as possible with a radiator energy saving set now seems like a sound investment.
This cork eco laptop case will keep your laptop safe from scratches
If you want to keep your laptop free from dust and scratches, this eco laptop case is the ideal thing. It comes in a range of sizes for PC laptops and Macs, and is simple, stylish and eco-friendly. The laptop case is made from cork which is sourced from a sustainable certified FSC cork farm, and is made in the UK, so isn’t clocking up airmiles. Natural cork is an environmentally friendly material: it is farmed in such as way that no trees need to be cut down, the bark is simply harvested from a Cork Oak Tree, which renews itself. Cork is also environmentally friendly in that it can easily be recycled, or it simply biodegrades. Furthermore, keeping the demand for cork high – especially at a time when many wine manufacturers have switched to plastic stoppers or screw tops for their wine – enables the Cork Oak landscapes of the Mediterranean to flourish. This is important because it helps the region maintain biodiversity and prevents deforestation. Lightweight and durable, the cork eco laptop case is naturally soft and pleasingly tactile, and is a great way to keep your laptop free from scratches and marks. If you like this great laptop cover, you’ll be pleased to know that there is also a matching cork eco iPod case available.
Solar powered coasters make your party fun
If you want to light up your New Year’s Eve Party, why not try these solar powered coasters? These fun coasters are silver but change colour when you place your drink or bottle on them, going through a series of colours thanks to its integral solar panel which uses energy-efficient LED lights. These solar powered coasters come with replaceable, rechargeable batteries so cost nothing to run and don’t need any wiring, so you can use them anywhere. The coasters are available in packs of two, so why not stock up for the party season – they make a great talking point for any table! When fully charged they give you up to six hours light, so long enough to see you well into the New Year! The coasters are produced by Smart Solar, a company which specialises in using the power of solar energy to create innovative products. These include lights and water decorations for the home and garden, all of which you can enjoy without using energy – so you can drink with a clear conscience – so if being green is one of your New Year’s resolutions, here is a great way to start. Just make sure you are drinking organic champagne or wine so that you know your celebrations are completely environmentally friendly – that way the planet gets a happy New Year too!
Eco friendly cooking with recycled cast iron cookware
When it comes to kitchenware, it can be better to buy one quality item that will last a life time than make false economies and buy products with short lifespans that need regularly replacing – and this range of luxury recycled cast iron cookware is a perfect example of this. These ethically sourced, recycled cast iron pans are extremely durable, made to the highest quality and designed to last. They are made using a traditional Japanese artisan craft combined with sleek modern design. Because they are free from chemical substances (with no tefal or enamel coating, which tends to chip over time), no chemicals are released when the pans are heated. The oxide film produced naturally when heated prevents the pan from rusting and makes it a non-stick surface that makes cooking easier. The cookware is designed to be top of the range, cooking food faster, distributing heat evenly making food taste delicious. The pans are already a hit in Japan, where they are commonly used in top restaurants. The pans are made from 75% recycled cast iron and, when they come to the end of their very long lives they can then be recycled in turn. The range of luxury recycled cast iron cookware includes a wok, frying pan and roasting tin. Consider them the perfect investment for your kitchen – and the planet!
