If you happen to be up and about at 4.30am on 6th May (I am often, thanks to my young daughter!) then you can take part in International Dawn Chorus Day. It’s aim is to focus on the great things in nature and, for a while at least, to put out of your mind the problems our planet is facing. All over the world people will be getting up at the crack of dawn and stepping outside to listen to the wonderful dawn chorus. It’s going to be one of the biggest birdwatching events in history…
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April 27th, 2007
International Dawn Chorus Day
April 26th, 2007
Hapi Bean soy candles
We’ve all done it. Spotted a massive bag of mini candles for a bargain price and then shoved them in a dusty cupboard before throwing them all out, unused, several years later. So it’s somewhat of a relief that you can pick up these handmade, GM-free…
April 25th, 2007
Odourbuster – Sort out your emmissions
About the only thing ethical about the Odourbuster is that it runs off a rechargeable battery pack, and perhaps, if you’re carbon-emissions in the loo match that of the local cow, you would probably be doing everyone else a favour. Nevertheless, this patented contraption caught my eye, and what can I say, you’ve got to give it to them.
April 25th, 2007
Robins wait for nightfall to sing their tunes
Poor little robin red breasts have been forced to sing their merry song at night due to the increasing noise of the city, a study by Sheffield University has discovered. The study found that robins nesting in the city were more likely to sing after dark, than their rural counterparts. It’s the latest in a growing number of studies that have revealed our feathered friends are being forced to adapt their behaviour to cope with modern life. I can sympathise with them, that’s why I moved to the country!
April 20th, 2007
Your office – eco-friendly inside and out
No, it’s not a shed! Step inside a state of the art garden office, designed and constructed to be eco-friendly by Inside Out Buildings. Using timber frames and chemical-free materials, the Lancashire based company builds offices and living spaces with a completely green philosophy. Their products are remarkably well thought out, taking advantage of double-glazing and full insulation to lower heating costs and energy consumption. It also makes their buildings highly sound-proof for a quiet working environment. But the main point is that it’s in your garden. No commuting, no car, no traffic, just a pleasant saunter across your lawn to get to work.
April 20th, 2007
Solar-Grill for fuel-free cooking
This has to be the most environmentally-friendly way of cooking your food this summer. The Solar Grill from Tammock Trading uses a flexible mirror to focus sun beams onto the specially-designed barbecue cup, quickly cooking food without the need for fuel or fire
April 19th, 2007
Magnetic Clothes Hangers
April 17th, 2007
Construction Resources natural wooden flooring
Wooden flooring continues to be a big trend and in my current househunting saga, I won’t bore you with how many badly laid, cheap ‘wooden’ floors I’ve seen. Far better to kit your house out with natural woods from renewable and sustained sources that are 100% recyclable. The timber comes pre-finished with a reusable click system. The suppliers, Construction Resources, also have a line of natural wool carpets which are also biodegradable at the end of their life cycle.
Related: More home and garden
April 16th, 2007
Milestone Eco Design recycled kitchens
Ever wonder what happens to your old yoghurt pots, or your plastic coffee cups once they’re sent off for recycling? Well, the lucky ones they end up in one of Milestone Eco Design’s recycled kitchens. They have created a modern, functional and attractive kitchen using everyday items which end up in our recycle bins. For example 700 yoghurt pots will make one cabinet door, and 2400 plastic coffee cups make up one metre of worktop!
Milestone are part of a growing number of companies who are using renewable and sustainable materials in the manufacturing of household furniture. A standard sized kitchen will cost you around £3200.
[via newconsumer.com]
Related: Kitchen renovation the green way | Dazzling recycled worktops
April 16th, 2007
Sheffield to get new eco-homes
Greenies in Sheffield will be pleased to hear that 47 new eco-homes have just begun construction in their neck of the woods. The Norfolk Wood site, formerly the site of some ugly concrete tower blocks, has been donated for the project by Sheffield council and will feature one, two and three-bed homes with solar panels, water-saving taps and recycled insulation. Prices start at £55,000.
Read more at The Environment Trust [via BBC]
Related: Chicago’s eco shopping mall I Green Roofs guide at Findaproperty.com I More home and garden
