Welcome to Green East Blog

We aim to make our site and blog informative, to help you make the right choices in going green. Join in discussions about Eco Friendly products from our online store and other topics about making your home and lifestyle greener.

New Drinks Category for Green East

With the wonderful fragrance of fresh ground coffee wafting round our new shop, we just had to share it with our online customers, along with our new ranges of organic, herbal & Ayurvedic teas, hot chocolate and cocoa.

Equal Exchange Fair Trade Organic Coffee

Find the ‘Drinks‘ category in the left hand menu on site with sub categories to help you find your chosen beverage quicker than you can put the kettle on.

Aluminium Disaster: One Reason why Recycled Aluminium Foil is Better for the Environment

Green East has chosen not to use scare tactics, but genuinely helpful information that will give you a ‘good’ reason to switch to more eco friendly products.

With the recent Red Sludge Disaster in Hungary, it has become widely known through the press, the scary reasons why aluminium production should be kept to a minimum.  We can all do our part to help avoid this kind of environmental damage.  Here’s where the informative part comes in as to why buying recycled aluminium foil helps…

'If You Care' Recycled Aluminium Foil

100% Recycled Aluminium Foil for kitchen and home baking, a great ‘next step’ into going green.  It protects food against light, oxygen, humidity and bacteria.  At the same time, it also preserves taste, aroma, moisture, vitamins and consistency.

Recycled aluminium foil uses only 5% of the energy required for creating regular aluminium foil from new ore, while reducing the amount of foil placed in landfill.  Just 2lbs of aluminium goes a long way, creating more than 300 ft of household aluminium foil. 

Because aluminium is a light weight material, it saves vast quantities of transport energy making If You Care 100% Recycled aluminium foil a much more environmentally friendly option.

With it’s 100% recycled and 100% unbleached packaging, this ’If You Care’ eco friendly product gives a real sense of care for the environment.

If You Care 100% recycled aluminium foil can be recycled again. 

The box is biodegradable but should also be recycled again for maximum benefit.

Eco Directory “Eco Limit” launched by Green East Ltd

Green East has launched Eco Limit the brand new eco directory .

Aiming to be the most comprehensive directory regarding organic, green and ethical information we have launched with over 100 categories in place and over 100 listings – all added for FREE.

Because we care that others care for the environment, Eco Limit will be keeping all listing and advertising costs low in a bid to connect as many customers and ethical companies as possible through one single directory.

www.ecolimit.co.uk      Reaching for the sky!

Venik Brushes: Traditional broom made in rural community from natural grass crops.

Today I was introduced to the ‘Venik’ brush for the first time.  An amazing aroma engulfed my living room as a bundle of brushes were laid on the table.  It was sweet and summery, like the aroma of being in a traditional working windmill while the wheat is being ground.    

Venik Brush also known as Serge Brush

 

The Venik brushes are made from a natural sorghum grass which gives these durable grassy stems with rich natural colours.  These straw like stems are bunched together and bound with natural or recycled fibres to create the handle, then split and bound towards the fibrous ends to create a traditional and natural broom that looks good enough to hang on the wall as a conversational piece.    

“A Venik is a light and stylish addition to the home and should make a joy out of household tasks.  Veniks are made in Eastern Europe out of entirely natural materials at the hands of skilled craftsmen.    

Venik is a tried and tested concept, is very durable and sell by the million in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. They are versatile and are used for multitudes of tasks such as brushing hard and carpeted floors, patios, decking, clothes, cars, as well as dusting and getting at hard to reach places.    

As they are made of natural materials, they will not create static electricity, therefore they are better than any plastic brush.  By buying Venik brushes you will support a rural community who have made these brushes for generations.”    

After the meeting, we talked and played around with the brush for a while discussing the handling and abilities.  We were amazed that despite the purposely shorter handle, there was no difference in posture than using a longer handled broom, but with the Venik brush, it was a one-handed job while our standard broom required both hands.    

The flexibility of the brush head allowed sweeping under shelves and low places simple and quick, while our hard-headed broom was noisily banging into furniture and wouldn’t flex under the dining chairs without having to stoop and lower the angle.     

The Venik brush then sat happily near the fire-place looking elegant while the horrid purple plastic broom we’ve had for years got hidden away in disgrace again.    

I simply fell in love with these brooms at first sight and wanted to share the experience to find out if you would like to get your hands on one too.    

Less than a dozen of these amazing brushes were brought over to test the market.  I have been given the opportunity to put five of these Venik brushes on our website and to become the first UK site to sell them.  I would love to hear your views too…

Natural Crystal Deodorant: Detoxify Your Armpits and Reduce Body Odour the Natural Way

Natural Crystal Deodorants help stop odour causing bacteria from multiplying.  The deodorant stick leaves you smelling naturally clean and fresh without the use of chemicals, giving safer protection for you and the environment.

Natural crystal deodorants have been around for some time now. The first one I ever saw online was like a bar of soap, but made from what looked like a type of crystal or stone. I was sceptical – actually quite disbelieving that rubbing a stone under your arm could work as well as leading deodorants.

For years I carried on seeing these crystals pop up in longer stick form so you could hold it easier, rough rock form straight from mother earth, ones in little gift bags, ones with little bits of string tied through a hole so you can hang them up and finally, they started arriving in little pop-up tubes just like an ordinary push-up deodorant.

When I started my own eco-friendly company in 2008, I was researching products for our site, when I came across these little crystal sticks once again. I figured they had been on the market long enough to warrant a few moments of my attention so started to research.

The Research: Still unsure this would work, at an exhibition I put just three rocks in a little basket and waited. It was only a short time before the first one sold to a lady whose husband already swore by the crystals. She wanted one of her own. Other people soon came by and said they already used them and theirs lasted over a year – but they had just bought a new one last month. And so the day went on…

By the end of the day, I found that Some people prefer the truly natural ‘Mother Earth’ type products and liked the raw crystal straight from the ground. Others said they looked a little rough under the arm and preferred the idea of the smoother stones. Another said they are quite slippery when wet so are best in a holder of some kind. After several people saying they were slippery, theirs shattered in the sink when they dropped it etc. we decided to go for the option in the holder.

The Facts: Now for the ‘How’. The crystal is actually a type of mineral salt called ammonium allum. This is not to be associated with aluminium. When you wet the crystal or the skin and rub the crystal under the arm, it leaves and invisible layer on the skin. Unlike commercial deodorants, this has no fragrance and leaves no stains or powdery traces on your clothing. The mineral salts actually help prevent the growth of bacteria – which cause odours. At the same time, the ammonium salts still allow the skin to perspire naturally, removing toxins from your body.

This detoxification may not happen the first time you use a crystal deodorant and it could take a few days, or weeks to clear an existing build up of toxins. It is best to start while the weather is still a little cooler and allow your body to adapt and detoxify, but keep at it. Providing you haven’t dosed other areas of your body in contradictory toxins and you eat a fairly healthy diet, it does work. If you still have B.O. after a couple of weeks, look at what other toxins your body may be being exposed to.

The big advantage: Commercial deodorants contain aluminium, which blocks the pores under arm, preventing the arm pit from perspiring naturally. This causes the body’s sweat (your natural method of detoxifying) to remain under the skin. This has to find another route out of the body and travels back through the body, often across breast tissue, before it can escape. Sometimes, this action carries traces of the aluminium with it, and has been linked as one possible cause of breast cancer. All ladies who have suffered breast cancer are advised to ‘Stop’ using ‘antiperspirant’ deodorants.

I have purposely tried to find deodorants in the chemists and supermarkets, that don’t contain aluminium – and failed. I know there are options out there, but not everywhere. This is where a little shopping on the internet can find not only natural crystal deodorant, but a whole host of body products that are safe for you, and help the environment.

With regards to the environment, Natural Crystal Deodorant does last a very long time, saving you money. It uses NO chemicals, provides the most natural protection for your body and drastically reduce the amount of deodorant roll-on’s and spray cans that would otherwise go into landfill. Why try to improve on all the scientifically proven and tested chemical based products, when Mother Nature has had the perfect answer all along.

Compostable Plastic Bin Liners made from Potato Starch are a Super Green Option

It’s hard to believe that corn or potato starch can be turned into plastic but this becoming more popular for a variety of applications.

From compostable bin liners in a variety of sizes to cutlery, rain coats and more, bio-plast is finding its place in our future and putting non biodegradable plastic in the past.

Compostable Kitchen Caddy Liners

Sadly, the past of many millions of plastic items will remain in our future too, in landfill and at sea, causing damage and pollution for many years to come.

Plastic as we know it, has only been around for about 50 years and already the damage is un-measurable. Every discarded carrier bag, toothbrush and broken toy will remain in landfill for hundreds of years. At the rate we accumulate rubbish, this is already becoming an insurmountable problem and existing pollution will take decades to clean up without additional pollution.

Biodegradable plastic is a big step forward and is certified to plastics that biodegrade into smaller pieces within ten years. This does however leave small amounts of trace plastic behind.

Compostable plastic is the ultimate breakthrough!  Not only does it retain it’s strength like standard carrier bags and bin liners, but it’s magic occurs when placed into the composter or landfill. In ideal conditions, compostable bin liners will break down into water and biomass in under 90 days.

Pets and Hygiene – Eco Products to Protect You and Your Pets

There’s nothing more cute and cuddly than a puppy or kitten, but just like a baby, they need protection from harmful bacteria.

Kittens stand a real risk of contracting T.B. even around the home, while dogs and puppies are susceptible to Parvovirus and more. All animals are prone to a host of other ailments too, due to rummaging round gardens, eating food from the floor and ‘socialising’ with other animals. Ailments include sickness, diarrhea, eye and nose infections, skin problems and more.

Parrots and other caged birds can even leave their owners at risk from toxic substances in their droppings.

Talking of foul things – all animals have to go. Unfortunately not all of them go outside and even when they do, it still has to be cleaned up. The risks of children playing in gardens or on the floor where cats urinate need not be explained in detail.

Children living in the same environment as pets have their exposure to bacteria and viruses increased, as well as potential allergens. But there is no need to start sending these comfort creatures to the sanctuary yet. Good hygiene and housekeeping doesn’t just apply to mopping pee off the floor. It also means keeping cages, runs, kennels and toys and the pets themselves as clean as possible.

There is a natural disinfectant available in the UK that is made from natural ingredients, kills T.B., Parvovirus and a wide range of other bacteria and viruses.

NewGenn comes in a ‘Ready to Use’ spray, and a concentrate version that can be used in a bowl or bucket as well as for topping up the trigger spray. The diluted solution not only saves money and packaging, it can be used for all your usual cleaning needs from floors and windows to worktops and tables, as well as for disinfecting animal cages, runs, food bowls, patio’s and more. That’s a lot of protection from one product. And because it kills the bacteria that cause odours, it keeps your home smelling fresh too.

NewGenn disinfectant when used for all you daily hygiene needs around the home, ensures ‘Every’ member of your family – human or animal – receives the best protection you can give them while protecting the planet too.

Ecoleaf Cleaning and Laundry Products Win Best Eco Household Products in Natural Lifestyle Awards 2009

Suma launched their own Ecoleaf brand of Eco Household Products in 2009.  Made from natural ingredients, their range includes Laundry Liquid, Fabric Conditioner, Washing up Liquid, Toilet Cleaner and Hand Soap as well as their long-standing 100% Recycled Toilet and Kitchen rolls being rebranded in 100% compostable plastic packaging.  

In January 2010 they have added Oxygen Bleach Stain Remover, Concentrated Washing up Liquid and Facial Tissues to the range.  Manufactured in the UK, the brand Ecoleaf has leapt into the market through health food stores and online eco stores, offering not only outstanding quality, but outstanding ethics that their customers find hard to buy into from major supermarkets.

The Natural Lifestyle Magazine, is a free monthly magazine that helps promote healthy living through natural and eco-friendly alternatives.  They have awarded Ecoleaf their ‘Best Eco Household Products’ category 2009.

Green East were amongst those proud to take on the Ecoleaf range and the ethics they stand for, and have already seen a successful response to the brand through their eco store online.

What do Household Rubber Gloves and Deforestation Have in Common?

Just about every household in the UK owns or has owned a pair (or lots more) of rubber gloves for washing up.  Like all little items we use - add together the rubber gloves of the population since they were introduced in the 1960′s and that’s a lot of washing up gloves.

Those rubber gloves all end up in landfill and that doesn’t even start to include the more commercial and industrial gloves used in medical and health professions or catering, let alone the cotton lined heavy-duty gloves worn by workers and engineers.  They are simply a pair of fitted rubber bags with five digits that we find under the sink when we need them.

Rubber Gloves can be made from a variety of materials including PVC, nitrile, neoprene and natural rubber.  Household Gloves are generally made from natural latex rubber.  A sustainable, renewable, organic material that’s healthy and indispensible for women who love taking care of their hands and finger nails.  At least that’s what we like to think.

Latex Rubber comes from tropical forest areas and because of our climate differences, all rubber is imported out of necessity.  This link shows both disturbing and interesting facts about the Amazon Rain Forest over the last 40-50 years and why we need to be more careful with this valuable resource.

It is critical that deforestation stops – but while demand for latex rubber remains high, demand will be met by communities and companies that are only concerned with meeting that demand and making the most profit in the process.  They show little regard for the land, communities and wildlife they are destroying along with the trees.

One way to combat deforestation without being able to picket, protest or visit the forests is to stop buying rubber products of any description if you are uncertain of the origin of the materials.  Buying natural latex rubber is certainly better than purchasing chemically processed rubber, as long as you are not allergic to natural latex.  Natural could still be a wild rubber tree that has been axed and processed without concern for the tree, its environment or the wildlife that it supports.

The only way to be certain is to choose natural latex rubber that comes from FSC Forestry Stewardship Council certified forests and purchased under Fair Trade conditions.  This way you are helping to support not only your own environment and landfill sites, but also that of the rubber tree, the farmers, their families and protecting the wildlife that habitats their surroundings.

Green Tips Household Rubber Gloves are just one example of eco products where you can make a small change in your household and have a positive impact on people who care enough to look after our earth, while boycotting those that don’t.

What would be the biggest driving force in getting you to go green?

I have been through some forums today and saw posts about people who accuse the government and scientists of lying, and saying that saving the planet is all a hoax.  At the same time, I can see where all the media and hype about fuels, emissions and targets has made people believe we must all rely on the government to save us – but what about all the following…

Fair Trade - supporting people who are trying to make a decent living while protecting their land, family and resources to make an honest living. This Washing Up Luffa is an excellent example of a farmer supporting his land and family while helping to save landfill from plastic scourers.

Ethical – products that have not come from slave labour, intensive manufacture, or been funded by investment into war, slave labour, sex, arms supplies etc.  Especially important when choosing jewellery or investing money in pensions.

Sustainability – purchasing products made from carefully managed woodlands and not deforestation. These Ethical Household Rubber Gloves are made from natural latex rubber instead of petrochemical plastic, are fair trade from a sustainable rubber plantation where the trees are well-managed and approved by the FSC.

Water Pollution – making sure the household and body products we wash down our drains are biodegradable and don’t pollute the water permanently or damage wildlife.  Ecoleaf  Toilet Cleaner is biodegradable and non fuming, making it much safer that bleach.  Things like micro-beads in body scrubs are often made of plastic, which apart from scratching your skin, gets washed down the drain, out to sea.  And because it floats and doesn’t biodegrade, gets caught in the digestive systems of wildlife.  Is this necessary?

Air Pollution – the biggest debate about global warming that everyone thinks we can do nothing about. Everything we use electricity or fuel for can be monitored and reduced to help reduce pollution.

Air Pollution – I say this again because health issues like asthma, cancer, migraine and fertility can all be affected by heavily polluted air and are completely separate issues to global warming.

Animal Cruelty – just switching to organic, cruelty free products need not be much more expensive and it feels so much more relaxing in a bath full of bubbles purchased in good conscience.  Mens Organic Blue Bath Soak was actually created by a couple who’s religious lifestyle teaches respect for all life and avoids the use of all animal products.

Landfill – Why do manufacturers have to wrap everything in so much plastic?  It drives me crazy having to empty a bin every couple of days because of packaging regulations!  In choosing products for Green East, I prefer to source items in only the packaging necessary with no extra promotional plastic added.  We also supply Compostable Caddy Liners and Kitchen Caddies to help you recycle food waste at home, easily and cleanly.

There are just so many reasons to go green that these are only the tip of the iceberg.  Health, wildlife, resources, pollution – and all people can think of is “Are the government going to do anything?” and “Why should I pay more?”

I’m not one to sit around and do nothing while waiting for the government to give me orders on how to run my life.  I WANT to do something to help the environment (not the government) but I’m only a housewife with a meagre budget.  By spending just a little more on making my own choices and feeling good about them, I am helping so many causes – without having to give money I don’t have to charity.

I don’t want to help the environment because people are shouting and screaming about things being wrong.  I’m not going to campaign, picket or go globe hopping to prove the point.  I’m happy to stay where I am and share my positive experiences about truly exceptional products that deserve a chance – not those products produced for supermarkets to look like they are going green while making more profit.

Saving the money to pay for things like organic shampoo and toothpaste is simple to do by being careful with electricity and car fuel, growing my own vegetables and all while teaching our children to respect so much more in life than electronic games and loud music.

What would be your driving force in helping to save the planet?

If you think that making little changes like this is not enough to help save the earth in any way – read this post… Little thinks make big change.