Gifted items.
One of my favourite thing about my blog is that I have this massive opportunity to make a difference. I use my blog to spread the word and make people aware of ethical and green issues. I find that the best way is to do this by introducing other options, that are positive choices for people and planet. We don’t have to accept and buy the goods big labels and glossy adverts are trying to sell us. Money is a vote which you can use every time you go shopping. By using your spending power wisely you can help to create a better, healthier and greener world.
With that in mind, the idea to create a new monthly review series called “My Ethical And Green Picks Of The Month” was born. The posts are to introduce all the small shops and indie brands which produce and sells ethically produced, eco-friendly, organic, natural, cruelty – free and fairly traded goods, that are alternatives to everyday items such as fast fashion, processed food, cosmetics and cleaners containing toxins and harmful chemicals.
My aim is to inspire you to choose positive buying by choosing ethical and green picks. To reverse reducing the power of local communities, to stop overconsumption, abusing animals and wasting our natural resources. This is where my ethical and green picks excel!
Eco-friendly and refillable cleaning products
Using non-harmful cleaning products is very important for me for two reasons: first that I don’t risk my families health with harsh chemicals and second that I don’t flush these harsh chemicals into our sewage system. These refillable cleaning products from Clean Living are formulated to be 100% natural, biodegradable, PH neutral, vegan friendly and non-damaging to aquatic life. To reduce carbon emissions, they deliver the bottles empty with a sachet of concentrate so you can fill them at home.
When empty, reorder a new sachet and enjoy a clean home in the knowledge that you’re being kind to the environment. (Sachets can be sent back or recycled with Terracycle – either way a LOT less plastic waste created!) They have all sorts of cleaning products: from multipurpose cleaner to dry carpet cleaner, they have everything you need in your home. I received The Complete Cleaning Kit. RRP: £43.99
Sunglasses made from marine plastic waste
I’ve teamed up with Sea2See for their ambassadorship program. Their stylish sunglasses and optical glasses are made of 100% marine plastic waste! They collaborate with fishing communities in Spain, Ghana and Senegal in order to collect discarded marine plastic waste. This provides a new source of income to these communities and so far they have collected 364 tonnes of plastic! Plus they look stylish and cool! I received a pair of Alex sunglasses (different colours and polarisation available) RRP: EUR 125
Stainless steel and bamboo lunchbox with water bottle
This lunch box and water bottle set by Reusaboo lunch box and water bottle set to give you the perfect way to enjoy everything you would normally from your meal deal without the waste. A 800ml single compartment stainless steel lunch box with bamboo lid and secure strap to keep all your food snugly in place and 350ml stainless steel water bottle with bamboo lid and carry handle. All plastic free! RRP: £24.99
Book about climate change
Call Me Joe is a novel about the not so distant future and life on Earth depends on all of us. Where we, at last, all work together to ensure the future. With the help of an unlikely hero called Joe.
This book was written to help galvanise people to stand up and challenge the way we live, and the way our leaders make decisions, that impact the future of our planet. Because what’s happening in our world is NOT science fiction. It’s not in the distant future. Climate change is happening right here and right now. RRP: EUR 22.50
Sustainable gift boxes
These gift boxes from Koti Boxes are filled with sustainable, eco-friendly products for your home, they are carefully created and it’s not a subscription service. Their aim is aim is to fill our boxes with long-lasting, sustainable and waste-free products – so each box should last you a long time: they are eco essentials. You can build your own or select a pre-made box. I received their self care box, which I really enjoyed! RRP: £22
Low-impact eco-shop
ecomersh is an online retailer of all sorts of eco-friendly and sustainable products. I have received a shampoo bar, a conditioner bar (complete with aluminium tin) and plastic free, handmade dishwashing paste. I’ve been enjoying using them all (the dishwashing paste is really effective!) There are lot of other products available in the shop. RRP £7 (shampoo and conditioner bars) and RRP £10 (dishwashing paste)
And this is how they were wrapped. I just love how waste free they are!
Vegan soy-wax candle
I’m a little candle is a small candle brand. Very sweet, very simple: hand-poured using 100% soy wax and they ship for free in the UK. They are made using natural cotton wicks, the glass container is reusable, and they are shipped and packed sparingly in recyclable materials. I love this candle. All I want from a candle, really. RRP: £12.99
Zero waste bath products
The Soho Soap Company has a wide range (but I really mean: lots of different products!) of plastic free and zero waste hair and body products. They are not only gorgeous to look at, they work and they. are cheap as well (A shampoo bar in a free travel tin is only £5.95). They also smell beautiful! I received hair products a bath bomb (again, the price is unbeatable: they are available from £2.95 and a canvas bag.
Stylish stainless steel water bottles
Ohelo stainless steel bottles and tumblers are not your average water bottles and tumblers. My bright yellow bee design bottle has a 360° laser etched honeycomb design complete with mini bee that won’t fade.
It has a super soft strap to carry. It is vacuum insulated and made from double walled high grade 18/8 stainless steel. Made safer with lead free solder and BPA, BPS and BPF free. Also:The packaging is 100% plastic free, already recycled and is easily recyclable. They use paper postal bags which can be recycled. Their distribution centre is powered by 100% renewable energy and has an onsite solar farm. The stainless steel bottles should last for years and once they have had a good battering the the steel is easily recycled. 5% of all their profits is donated to charitable organisations. RRP: £29
Vegan and organic soap bars and scented wax tablet
MYTHYN has gorgeous, luxurious natural artisan bath, skincare and relaxation products formulated & handcrafted in Bedfordshire. They are all natural, organic, vegan and cruelty free, sustainably sourced. Ive received their Dusk soap bar and botanical scented wax tablet – they both smell like heaven! MYTHYN products are designed to nurture. I formulate and handcraft all of our soaps, bath products, cosmetics and home scented products in small batches with the highest-quality natural ingredients such as nourishing oils & butters, minerals, botanicals and essential oils. RRP: £6.50 and £8
Reusable cotton pads
Last Object is now a well known brand for their ingenious reusables, like LastTissue and LastSwab. LastRound is the latest addition to the family and currently available on their Kickstarter. LastRound is a sustainable alternative to single-use cotton make up remover pads, 100% natural and made of eco-friendly materials. Just wash and reuse! One pack is good for 1000 uses!
Gardening box for children
The Prickle Parlour has a monthly gardening subscription box for children mainly, but I think this beautiful box would be a great gift for any newbie gardener and a great choice as one of September’s ethical and green picks. Designed to connect children with the outdoors (and I think gardening too, which is very important in my view). A discovery box that delivers a monthly seed/bulb gardening subscription for growing food/flowers and herbs at the right time of the years. The boxes are 100% eco-friendly and they contain: 5 different types of veg/flower or herb seeds, compost discs, biodegradable grow bags, easy to follow instructions and one fun activity. RRP: £9.75
Menstrual cup
So I use these an I can continue to highly recommend them. Saalt has a premium design and quality menstrual cup collection. Not only saving tonnes of single use menstrual products going into landfill and leaching into rivers and seas. Saalt also gives back: 2% of their revenues goes to improve menstruation for all. With their impact partners, they empower those in need with knowledge and long-term solutions to improve their menstrual health and education. RRP: £25.-
Easy eco-swaps subscription box
MyInnerBox’s mission is to make it easier for you to make eco-swaps so each month they send you a few products to help you on your journey. MyInnerBox is a sustainable & vegan subscription box that brings eco-friendly products to your door every month. You will find a mix of skincare, tea&coffee, aromas, mindfulness, books and stationery, kitchen equipment, travel items, textile and bath products. See my box! They are also all full size products, not samples! RRP: from £35.99.
What do you think of this month’s ethical and green picks?