Green Store News: Face, Feet and Holidays

At Life Goggles we do a lot of product reviews so have a great deal of interaction with online stores and get loads of press releases. So following on from the previous Green Store News, here’s some more snippets for you.

Natural Beauty
A new holistic beauty store has opened for the UK. The Natural Beauty Store offers organic skincare and beauty products – and the ingredients to make your own. The site also includes a section with articles about natural and holistic beauty care.

Green Feet
Male Organics has started selling shoes. Shoes from Terra Plana, Worn Again & Vivo Barefoot Terra Plana uses a variety of eco-friendly materials including: chrome free leathers, vegetable tanned leathers, recycled materials, pure latex soling materials, recycled rubber soles and recycled foam foot beds. And there’s 25% off if you grab them quick, I’m going to.

Going on holiday?
Nigel’s Eco Store has a few tips for you to make it as eco-friendly as possible. “British tourists, planning to fly this summer, should make an effort to reduce their impact on the environment because by jumping on a plane, they are adding a huge chunk – nearly a half a tonne for one return short haul flight – to their carbon footprint,” says Nigel from Nigel’s Eco Store. He recommends the FreeLoader or Solio portable solar chargers for PSPs, iPods etc. And for those sun filled afternoons by the beach, he suggests the EyeMax Wind Up LED Solar Radio.

Responsible Tourism Awards 2008

The Responsible Tourism Awards are now into their fifth year.

The idea behind the Awards is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. The Awards recognize individuals, companies and organizations in travel that are making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.

They’re a little different from other awards schemes in that winners are nominated by travelers. The deadline for receiving nominations this year is Monday 16 June so you better get a move on! Nominations can be made there before that date, and I encourage you to do so if you’ve perhaps stayed in a great little lodge or perhaps traveled with a tour operator who you were impressed with their responsible attitude towards the environment.

Last year there were over 1,700 nominations, the video below shows you last year’s overall winner.

Official Green Hotel Scheme Launches In UK

VisitBritain, Britain’s National Tourist Board has launched a new program to help accommodation providers and visitor attractions in England take the first steps toward becoming sustainable businesses.

The Green Start project aims to encourage a “rapid, widespread and significant increase in the adoption of sustainable tourism principles” by offering a validated sustainable accreditation scheme.

Jason Freezer, VisitBritain’s sustainable tourism project manager, said: “VisitBritain is committed to encouraging sustainable businesses. However, nearly two-thirds tell us they need more guidance on developing their business in that way.

“Green Start is an initial step in helping more of our tourism businesses improve their existing practices and signal to visitors that they recognize the increasing importance and value of sustainable good practice.”

Benefits to businesses are listed as including:

• Cost savings, e.g. on utility bills
• Improved quality profile and market edge
• Increased business, e.g. from green conscious consumers
• Improved management efficiency and skills
• A feel-good factor for you and your staff

Using an online self-assessment tool, participants must meet a code of conduct, commit to four fundamental sustainability requirements and, over a period of two years, meet or work towards at least 23 relevant ‘good practices’ from a total menu of 50. These could include insulating buildings and water tanks, using low-energy lighting, collecting rainwater, using locally-sourced produce or promoting eco-friendly travel such as cycling. More details can be found on the Green Start site.