Reviews & Articles

Since we were kids, we’ve constantly been told to share. Home-sharing – and to a degree, Airbnb – is the ultimate form of sharing and home-swapping is the purest type of sharing out there. They’re both wonderful ways to involve yourself in the sharing economy.

The UK’s second-largest supermarket chain, Sainsbury’s, have shocked the ethically conscious community after pulling support for the Fairtrade Foundation. The groceries giant is the largest retailer of Fairtrade, the world’s most prominent ethical stamp that sets standards to the benefit of over 1.65 million farmers across 74 countries.

Choosing an engagement ring is a much more emotional rather than practical decision. The rings we wear symbolize so much and are the ultimate BuyMeOnce purchase since many of us wear our engagement and wedding rings our entire lives.

Initially, I struggled with how to make my bedroom zero waste. So I sat on my bed and asked the question: “What in here could have a toll on the environment?” The more I looked around, the more I saw. Everything we own will eventually become waste.

A children’s birthday party is potentially one of the most consumerist events in the annual calendar, so what steps could we take to try and create an event with less ecological impact?

There’s something poetic about giving a wedding gift that could last the couple the rest of their lives - and beyond. Just as a marriage is a bond for life, so should be the perfect wedding present. This is a list of our top ten wedding gifts that could last the happy couple forever.

Thought experiment time: with realistic funds and resources, can you theoretically build an invincible bike? One that could last hundreds of years, used by great-grandparent, grandparent, parent and child? This week we spoke to Victor Duchêne of Auguste Handmade, the maker and mender that created Tara a “BuyMeOnce Bike.” 

 It’s important to put on that sunscreen and protect your skin from those harmful UV rays, but what’s in that cream? Certain ingredients in sunscreen have the potential to not only damage your skin but the environment too.

As you slink back to your campsite, as the clock ticks past 3am, and as the last glory of Sunday night fades into a weather-beaten Monday... the last thing you want to stumble into is a half-collapsed, sodden seamed, waterlogged tent. We discover the dos and don'ts of festival going.

For a fantastic lifetime gift, you can’t go wrong with a good book. Books stretch the imagination, inspire new ideas, encourage creativity and educate. They make great heirloom gifts – they never go out of style and can be read again and again. This year, give someone you love the gift of inspiration and wisdom.

 A LIGHTBULB MOMENT Have you seen The Lightbulb Conspiracy? If you haven’t, consider adding it to your Christmas film list. Maybe you’ve already had your fill of outrage for the year, but persevere – take a deep breath, absorb the information and you can always fix yourself.

Six months ago, I arrived in London with everything I owned – my DSLR, a carry-on bag of travel essentials and a single (extendable) suitcase filled with my clothes and important possessions. Seems minimalist, but I assure you it took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to make it a reality.