Ethical, sustainable and stylish - the coco tooth light
Many people here the words ‘ethical design’ and it conjures up images of cheesecloth or tie-dye, but this stunning coco tooth light illustrates that ethical, sustainable design can also be the epitome of contemporary chic. Proving that being green doesn’t have to mean ‘hippy’, this coco tooth light is designed to show that you can be ethical without compromising on good design. Handmade in the Philippines, this beautiful light is made from coconut shell slivers sourced from ethical growers. These shell slivers are cut, bleached and drilled and then sewn onto a wire frame to give this striking fluid effect that is both modern and natural. The coco tooth light is not only stylish it is sustainable: the coconut shell slivers are a sustainable by-product of the food industry, so using them in this way not only provides an extra source of income for the growers, it reduces landfill and is an innovative way to use what would just otherwise be waste. 27cm in height and with a diameter of 45cm, this light looks like it has sprung from the pages of a design magazine and would make a perfect focal point to any room. Who says ethical can’t be cool?
Eco-friendly sofas made from cardboard – comfier than they sound!
Eco-friendly or not, a cardboard sofa doesn’t sound like much fun, but this stylish cardboard eco-friendly sofa might just change your mind! Stylish and chic, this eco-friendly sofa is designed in Sweden – and those Swedes know a thing or two about design and the environment! Made from sustainable cardboard (40% of it recycled), the eco-friendly sofa is a perfect addition to any living room – and is comfier and more practical than it sounds! The cardboard eco-friendly sofa manages to encapsulate contemporary style without compromising ethical standards, to create a chic and eco-friendly choice. Sustainable, recycled cardboard is becoming an increasingly popular material for furniture – it has a natural, pared down look that is contemporary and stylish and fits well into a modern home. Sturdy and practical, this cardboard has a very low impact on the environment: coming from a mix of sustainable sources and recycled board, the eco-friendly sofa can of course be broken up and recycled again should you ever need to dispose of it – though as it is built to last, and to love, that will probably be years down the line. To ensure you keep your ethical credentials up, why not furnish your cardboard eco-friendly sofa with some environmentally friendly cushions – perhaps made from organic cotton or recycled seatbelts? This means you’ll be sitting comfortably – and comfortable that you are helping the planet by buying sustainable and environmentally friendly products.
Be eco-comfy with these bamboo slippers
These eco-friendly bamboo slippers from Totes are both comfy and stylish – easy on your feet and on the planet! Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly materials around: unlike cotton, it does not need intensive farming or chemicals to thrive (non-organic cotton is one of the most chemical-intensive textiles to produce). A fast growing and sustainable crop, bamboo is being used more and more in clothing. It is especially ideal for footwear as it is breathable, deodorising and cool, as well as being naturally anti-bacterial. These bamboo slippers are machine washable and biodegradable, and are made from a bamboo-based viscose and polyester mix. The bamboo clog slippers are also lightweight, soft and durable, with a unique insole for added padding, which means extra comfort! Isotoner is a subsidiary of well-known brand Totes, so you can be assured that the slippers are well-made and of the quality you associate with the Totes brand – and of course, this means they last longer, which further reduces waste as they need replacing less often. Isotoner’s eco-friendly range is designed with ethical sourcing, sustainability and the environment as priorities – as well as using sustainable and eco-friendly materials for the slippers themselves, Isotoner also uses recycled cardboard for the packaging, further lessening the environmental impact. So when you wear these comfy, stylish bamboo slippers, not only will your feet be happy, so will the planet!
Stylish and ethical – the Twig bench from Pinch
A beautiful and unique addition to any home, the handmade Twig bench is also eco-friendly and ethical. A stunning piece of furniture, the Twig bench is made from coppiced Hazel from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Because of the nature of its design, each Twig bench is completely unique and, due to its production methods and materials, it is inherently environmentally friendly as the wood is sustainable and comes from carefully managed sources in the UK. The Twig bench was originally a one-off piece designed for Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Dorset head office, but popular demand has seen it be made available to the general public. The Twig bench is designed by London-based husband and wife team Russell Pinch and Oona Bannon, aka the award winning Pinch Design. Pinch specialise in using local materials in their pieces, thus reducing air miles and supporting British suppliers, as well as ensuring they can keep a tight control on quality. Each piece is handmade to order using skilled British craftsmen, which supports local artisans and reduces waste, as nothing is produced that isn’t required. And, of course, in buying handcrafted British furniture made by British designers, you are supporting not only sustainable crafts but helping British craftspeople flourish in a difficult economic climate! Carefully crafted and made to last, each Twig bench is meant to give a lifetime of loving use.
Shine a light with eco-friendly desk lamps
Stylish but eco-friendly and energy efficient design is hard to come by, but this eco desk light from Luminair manages to beautifully combine high end style with the latest in eco-friendly thinking. The shade and frame of the light are made from black walnut wood, from sustainably managed forests with stringent environmental policies in place. This means that for each tree harvested, more are planted, making this one of the most sustainable materials around. These forests are also in the UK, which cuts down on air miles, often a concern when buying wood-based products, as some imported wood can have environmentally questionable provenance. The light itself incorporates an energy efficient LED light drive, meaning that using the light saves you money and energy – reducing your bills and your carbon footprint! As befits a light made to the highest design specifications, it offers all the features you would expect, including touch sensitive switch and dimmer, and precision machined and turned silver aluminium fittings. The light is also available in a Superflux version, which is similar but offers an ultra-bright 3W ‘super-flux’ LED light head. This Superflux light, too, is energy efficient and eco-friendly, made to the same exacting sustainable and environmentally friendly standards and out of the same beautiful black walnut wood. Either one of these super stylish lights would look great on any desk, making them ideal, eco-friendly gifts.
