Ecobots disposable nappies

Ecobots by BabyLove Ecobots are an environmentally friendly disposable baby nappy (diaper). Ever had a baby? Think how many disposables you go through and where they end up. Most likely in landfill somewhere. These are also the only ones to be endorsed by Planet Ark.

Whilst they are not totally biodegradable, they are an improvement on many of the other mainstream brands. They are 68% biodegradable and of biological origin whereas the average for other brands is closer to 30% to 40%. At the time of writing they are also working on a reliable source for more biodegrable packaging.

They use biodegradable wood pulp from renewable plantation sources and use a non-chlorine bleaching process so you get the nice clean white look without the environmental damage. The bioplastics are based on a modified corn starch which is 100% biodegradable.

The full range and further details can be found at the Ecobots website.

Romi Hoodie by Edun

Edun Edun was launched in spring 2005 by Ali Hewson and Bono. Their aim was to create a not-for-profit socially conscious clothing company operating under the premise of trade, not aid as a means to helping communities. This means they are helping to build sustainable communities rather than just continually handing out aid money etc. They help work with factories in a number of countries including India, Peru, Tunisia, Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Mauritius and Madagascar.

The item pictured is their Romi Hoodie and is made from 100% organic cotton and made in Peru. These are high fashion items worn around the world with ranges for women, men and kids. Simple t-shirts through to jeans and dresses for women and jeans, shorts and collared shirts for men.

They have an online store or the clothes are available at many retail outlets around the world. Buying these clothes helps support the sustainability of local economies where they are able to learn to provide for themselves once they are given the world stage to show their products. Edun helps facilitate this.

More information available at Edun

Organic Fairtrade certified Republica Coffee

Republic Coffee - Fairtade and Organic Republica Coffee is an Australian owned company started by Jacqueline Arias. Of course it made sense for her to ensure the growers are given a fair price for their work after hearing stories from her parents about coffee farming in ancestral Colombia. All the coffee is Fairtrade certified and organic. Her philosphy is simple in that a profitable business can go hand in hand with running an ethical company.

At the time of writing there are three products on offer. Firstly the Organic Signature Blend with a full buttery body and sweet nutty chocolate notes. Second, the Organic Timor Blend an Arabica coffee sourced from the small country of Timor to the north west of Australia. A fruity aroma and subtle dark chocolate aftertaste. Finally there is the a decaffeinated blend, Peru Organic Decaf. As the name suggests, the beans are grown in the Peruvian Andes and decaffeinated using pure water and definitely no chemicals. This has a floral aroma and earthy character.

They are available at major supermarket chains plus many specialty food stores. For more information plus instructions on how to brew the perfect cup at home, visit the Republica Coffee website.

Reef Recycler Sandals

Reef Recycler sandals Reef are aware of their influence in the surf industry and as such support surfers who are environmentally conscious and strive to make products from sustainable materials. Some of them are in the range of sandals. One in the range is the Rob Machado Classic sandal and another one is the Reef Recycler. As the name suggests, recycled products are used in the construction of these sandals.

Recycled PET upper and lower thread, a 51% recycled compression molded eva outside and a 51% post industrial eva footbed. So they are not made from 100% recycled materials, however, greater than 50% is better than nothing isn’t it? Grab the Rob Machado ones if you prefer.

See the full details at the Reef website.

Body Glove Eco Surf Shirt

Body Glove eco surf shirt Body Glove don’t just do their Eco Fullsuits, they also have a 1mm surf shirt perfect for those winter swells in the tropics. Too warm for a wetsuit but too cool for just a pair of boardies. This surf shirt, like their wetsuits, is made from 100% non-petroleum bio-stretch rubber and claimed to be 100% ewnvironmentally friendly. Organic water based inks and recycled ykk zippers round out the equation.

Other features of the Body Glove eco surf shirt include 100% stretch, a boardshort connector, mini back zip and that all important exterior zip key pocket on the left sleeve.

See more about the Eco Surf Shirt at Body Glove.

Reef Loom Belt

Reef Loom belt Reef make more than just cool clothing and footwear, they have some great accessories. These types of products often get produced for very little cost and are view more as marketing tools and extra sales items. Fortunately some companies take their responsibilities seriously and look at the construction of these with as uch importance as their regular lines. The Loom belt from Reef is an example.The main part of the belt is made from 100% woven burlap and held together with 100% hemp webbing. Not much else to say about this one as belts are a pretty basic product that perform a very important task. It’s difficult to be active when your jeans are around your ankles, unless you’re talking about…Further details about the Loom belt at the Reef website.

EcoTowl Bamboo

EcoTowl Bamboo is a paper towel replacement. It can also replace those throwaway wipes and other microfibre products made from petrochemicals. Just think of the number of trees saved and the added benefit of them not ending up in landfill.

The EcoTowls are made from 82% bamboo fibre and 18% corn. Of course the corn is GMO free as you would expect. Bamboo is becoming a choice material for many products now because it is an extremely fast growing renewable resource and exhibits natural antibacterial properties. The latter makes it perfect for this type of product.

The EcoTowl Bamboo is super absorbant and can be used wet or dry for everything from wiping up spills to simple dusting. It is also machine washable so you can use it over and over.

It was named as a finalist in the “Green By Design” category at the 2008 Gourmet Product Show.

More information at the Pacific Dry Goods website

Earth Friendly Moving

Earth Friendly Moving offers a complete moving solution that does away with having to buy cardboard boxes, plastic bubble wrap and tape that all usually ends up in landfill. That’s Spencer Brown the founder and owner sitting on boxes made from recycled containers that you probably bought many of you household cleaning products in. The pallet underneath is made from about 500 recycled baby diapers. That’s just a couple of the many products.

The boxes pictured are RecoPacks and available in four sizes that you can rent for “a buck a week”. The Poopy Pallets help when loading into trucks. Then there are the packaging items like RecoCubes that replace the polystyrene beans or peanuts. They are made from recycled paper sludge, sugar, starch and vitamin B-12. B-12 is a plant food vitamin so when you are finished with them, just toss them in the garden.

It’s not only these products that make Earth Friendly Moving a stand out business. Their fleet of vehicles are veggie oil and bio fuel powered and when the trucks are driving around they are generating power that is then used to help make the Geami packing paper.

They also claim this method of moving will save you time and money, plus the environment. The RecoPacks are cheaper to rent than cardboard boxes and because you don’t spend time assembling and flattening them it takes less time to move. On average about 37 hours according to their calculations.

They are based on California and more information at the Earth Friendly Moving website.