RSSWhere To Recycle Electronics
June 30, 2009
It’s often difficult to know what to do with electronics, and some places charge for recycling electronics (I’m looking at you my local EDCO for desktop computers). So to help in trying to find places that recycle electronics for free, Consumer Reports has published a great article.
Conveniently called “Where to recycle electronics, free” the article includes some compelling reasons to recycle (e.g., The cathode-ray tube in old-style TVs and computer monitors contains 4 to 8 pounds of lead, a neurotoxin), as well as a list of companies that help you recycle (via drop off centers, mail in programs, etc) AND links to public programs.
Take a look here.
Cath Kidston Kitchen Cleaner Eco Product Review
June 29, 2009
If you hate cleaning, like me, you should get the job of testing cleaners out. It’s amazing how it focuses you as you wipe the grime away and you start thinking more about the product than the actual cleaning. Try it, it works. In fact, buy this Cath Kidston Kitchen Cleaner from Big Green Smile and let me know if like it – then you’ll be cleaning and reviewing at the same time!
Anyway, part of the Washing Line er line of products, the kitchen cleaner comes in a simple, friendly bottle with an Eco Friendly cloud on the front. The ingredients list reads: aqua, alcohol, alkyl polyglucoside, sodium citrate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, benzophenone-4, parfum and lactic acid. It says it’s non-toxic, biodegradeable, contains no animal products, parabens or sulphates.
As you would imagine, you simply spray it onto the surface and wipe away. I initially tried it on my stainless steel sink and while it didn’t work as well as Method’s stainless steel cleaner, it did quite a nice job. And on the usual work surfaces it did as good a job as any other cleaner I’ve used – eco-friendly or not.
The nozzle is quite good and helps cleaning as you can choose it to either spray or stream the cleaner out depending on what job you’re doing and amount of cleaner you need. Maybe a lot of cleaners have them and this is the first time I’ve realised, but it’s quite useful.
Another way it stands out from other eco cleaners is the smell. Most have a neutral or citrus scent, but this is ‘cotton fresh’ which actually rather pleasant and was a nice surprise as I wasn’t expecting it.
It’s good a big name like Cath Kidston has gone down the eco route with its line of cleaners and you’ll be happy with the result. The Washing Line Kitchen Cleaner cost ÂŁ3.95 for 750ml from Big Green Smile.
“Resuscitate the World” with Oxfam
June 26, 2009
A one minute advert for Oxfam trying to promote a petition that is aiming to put pressure on world leaders for the Copenhagen climate change summit later this year.
Raw Organic 80% Organic Refreshing Body Wash Eco Product Review
June 25, 2009
The first thing you notice about this Raw Organic 80% Organic Refreshing Body Wash is that the 80% bit stands out. But actually I like that. A lot of cosmetics are called organic but have permitted non-organic ingredients, while this one just tells you the facts.
Sent to us by So Organic, the shower gel is certified by the Soil Association and contains organic apple and elderflower oils to give it its distinctive fragrance. And it is quite distinctive and takes a little getting used to.
Being used to quite ‘watery’ shower gels, it was a bit of a surprise to discover how thick this one was and you have to give it a good squeeze to get it out of the tube. But being thick means a little goes a long way and it lathers up nicely.
It’s almost a luxury body wash if such a thing exists, it feels like a treat using it and is smooth and silky and, important, cleans you too. If apple and elderflower isn’t your thing, Raw Organic also make a range of hand soaps, shampoos etc in flavours like bilberry and juniper; wild chamomile and olive; and honey and barley.
Raw Organic 80% Organic Refreshing Body Wash costs ÂŁ8.00 for 250ml from So Organic.
Designer Toothbrush Made from Dollar Bills
June 23, 2009
Radius toothbrush have long made toothbrush handles from sustainable sources, we’ve looked at a couple previously here.
The Source range have changeable handles and in addition to the recycled wood handle they now have recycled flax and recycled dollar bills.
Yes, that’s right, the US Treasury sends them retired bills and they blend them with recycled plastic to make handles for the Source toothbrushes. It looks cool, and gives a whole new meaning to making your money work for you. Weird, but cool – take a look here.
Hemp Soap With Almond Eco Product Review
June 22, 2009
This Hemp and Almond Pure Vegetable Soap from Sativa Bags smells delicious. If you don’t like marzipan, it’s probably not the soap for you but I loved the almond smell which is strong but not overpowering.
The smell doesn’t stay on your hands after washing however, so fear not about smelling like cake all day. The picture is of the olive oil soap as they must be out of stock of this type at the moment.
Unlike a lot of non-natural products this soap doesn’t dry out the skin on your hands. I have sensitive skin that is prone to eczema but this did not irritate my hands at all. The lather is thick and ever so slightly oily leaving hands soft as well as clean.
A little goes a long way as it lathers up very quickly and after washing my hands numerous times the soap still looks the same size and shape as it did to begin with.
This is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin who struggles to find a soap that doesn’t leave their hands dry and irritated.
Bottega della Canapa Hemp and Almond Pure Vegetable Soap is made in Italy and is available from Sativa Bags costing ÂŁ2.50 for a 100g bar.
CamelBak Reusable Water Bottles Now Available In Steel
June 19, 2009
Previously one of my favorite water bottles (it sits on my desk every day) is the CamelBak (reviewed here) BPA-free plastic water bottle.
They have now launched the industry’s first spill-proof, no-tip stainless steel water bottles. Available in single-walled and insulated versions, the new bottles were engineered from the inside out to be both user-friendly and durable in demanding environments – whether in a stuffy, hot car or on an international adventure.
The new CamelBak® Better Bottle™ Stainless features the one-of-a-kind Big Bite™ Valve, making it spill-proof even when it’s open for drinking. When the bite valve is up, the mouth piece and straw allow for easy, no-tip sipping. The valve can be flipped shut for easy storage and transport. The mouth of the bottle is wide enough to clean easily and fill up quickly – even wide enough for ice cubes.
CamelBak’s stainless steel bottles are 100 percent BPA-free, stain-resistant and taste-free, with no liners or coatings inside like those found in aluminum bottles. Because the bottles are made with medical grade stainless steel, they are resistant to dents and blemishes. Take a look.
