bemoreeco

5 minutes with Elaine Dutton, Director of Pure Design 

Tell us about your business? 

Pure Design is an online eco gallery that promotes and sells the work of talented UK designers. We seek out new designer eco accessories, brining work out of the gallery or artists studio and to your door. 

What makes the company a great place to work? 

At the moment we are very new and so I am the company! But I do work very closely with the artists and designers we represent, and meeting them and hearing about their work is truly inspiring. 

Who do you most admire in the green industry? 

I suppose my ultimate shining star is Anita Roddick.  She achieved so much, and challenged preconceived conceptions about how a business could be successful and green and ethical. On a more day to day basis, I would have to say it is the artists, designers and other green entrepreneurs I meet – there is a great sense of being part of something that can make a real difference. It’s really motivating.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

The moment when I tell a new customer or colleague about a product or artist and they say ‘that’s amazing’. It’s great sharing my enthusiasm for what these talented artists and designers are doing with others. I suppose it’s a little bit of a missionary exercise, converting people to the ‘green’ side…

If you could change one thing in the green retail industry what would it be?  

For it to be mainstream and not niche – I think eventually we will get there, but one step at a time.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today? 

Make use of all the fantastic networks and business support organizations out there. Business Link, Striding Out, London Rebuilding, KX Creative – there’s loads and they are all there to help you. 


Second thing is you must listen to advice – it’s easy to be headstrong and follow your dream but sometimes you need someone to bounce ideas off and have a reality check from.

What is your vision for an ‘eco Britain’? 

Wonderfully designed interiors and everyone wearing beautiful eco fashion! And happy people. 

What is your number one Eco Christmas Idea? 

Snuggle up with your family by a log burning stove and under an organic throw (!), toast chestnuts, and turn the central heating down by a degree. 

What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told? 

Success in business is 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration. 

If you were prime minister for the day, what one thing would you do? 

I’d probably end up donating vast sums to aids orphan charities in Africa. Although my business is an eco one and I do my best to be green – I think my heart would rule my head and this is a cause I feel very strongly about.  

Please could you also tell me your top gifts for Xmas? 

• Nina 18ct Gold (ethically and ecologically mined – will be on site next week), £1,364.00.

• 
Karin Helena Turner Designs Eco Gift Wrap, £8.50 for 5 sheets
Bamboo
• Baby Bodysuit & PJ Gift Set, £65 (free shipping)
• 
Firehose Washbag, £50
 Firehose Card Holder, £30 
Firehose Tote, £180
• Diskette Bracelet, £45

• The Howgill 100% Wool Throw, £150

• Treat! Esther B , Vintage lace and silk evening bag, £525

Sara at Bemoreeco has 5 minutes with Marianne Tregoning from the award winning Beyond Organic Skincare.

Tell us about your business?

Based in Cornwall in a heart-breakingly beautiful part of the Lizard Peninsula, we hand make all our products in our workshop overlooking St. Anthony’s and ‘beyond’ to St Mawes and Falmouth.
We call ourselves ‘Beyond’ organic as we go further than just being organic and take a holistic, biodynamic, ethical approach to our production techniques.

In our workshops we have used Organic paints, so that no chemicals seep into the atmosphere.  We recycle (almost a full-time job sometimes!), source locally as much as possible, use products that are Fair Trade and community based and have a low carbon footprint.

We are certified organic with BDAA, (The Biodynamic Agricultural Association) giving us both UK6 and European 2092/91 certification.  They take a more holistic and biodynamic approach to natural farming and production.  They are also a worldwide organisation and highly respected.

“Motivated by Rudolf Steiner’s Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture and Goethe’s Conception of Nature, Biodynamic farmers view their farms as individually unique living organisms.”

We have many favourite charities, but currently the Cornish Shelter Box scheme is our local hero.  They do wonderful work worldwide and are one of the few Aid Agencies that were allowed into Burma right from the beginning

What makes the company a great place to work?
We all share the same passions - organic, natural, green, recycling and a philosophy that work should be fun.  Individuals do the work that they enjoy most (and you are good at what you enjoy!). We also value our freedom and our families and friends, and so operate a flexi-time system.  We believe in honest exchanges of ideas and lots of giggles!

Who do you most admire in the green industry?

They are so many people out there doing incredible work - but I think as one of the first ‘green warriors’ Anita Roddick deserves special mention.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

All of it!  Doing the work I love in an industry I love - with the confidence of offering people an excellent, natural alternative to products containing chemicals.  Networking with other like-minded people. I find people in the ‘green’ industry are usually so friendly and helpful.

If you could change one thing in the green retail industry what would it be?
I don’t like the ‘green-washing’ that goes on in some of the larger companies - people who are not genuinely committed to the green movement but are just trying to jump on the band-wagon.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today?
Simply do what you are good at - do it from the heart and do it honestly.

What is your vision for an ‘eco Britain’? 
All the obvious things I suppose - no GM crops anywhere - no testing of cosmetic products on animals - no battery farms - no chemicals used on the land - more awareness of biodynamics as well as organics. Humanity is currently alienated from Nature - think of the Demeter myth and that is in essence what Biodynamics is about. Britain should be world leaders in the current ecological crises. As a small island with a history of agriculture and fishing we are ideally placed to show the world that the answers lie in Nature’s abundance that has always been around us - we just need the courage to act and the ability to recognise that Nature has always been superior to the chemicals and genetic engineering of mankind.  One of the biggest things we need to do is stop relying on a few favourite crops to sustain us, and to start again growing a diversity of crops grown by our ancestors.

These ancestors had knowledge of local soil conditions and climate - this would be a first major step to averting hunger and famine.  We need to have the humility to start thinking simply again - thinking locally.  Free Trade should actually mean that those who produce should be able to trade their products freely with others in their local community. The World Trade Organisation prevents Free Trade while calling it Free Trade. People are being forced too buy from globally powerful organisations that are capable of straight jacketing local competitors.

What is your number one Eco Christmas Idea? Tell your friends that instead of giving you a present you would rather they gave that amount to their (or your) favorite charity.

What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told?

I can’t answer this one - I have learnt so much - but still have so much to learn! 

If you were prime minister for the day, what one thing would you do?
Ha ha!  A day would not be long enough - I would re-vamp our Educational system so that our children learnt skills for life.  I would totally re-organise our archaic legal system so that ‘Law’ became ‘Justice’.  I would do away with about three quarters of our current unnecessary legislation and let people and businesses be responsible for themselves.  

Please could you also tell me your top five gifts for Christmas 

Oliver Heath is famous for transforming homes up and down the Country on Changing Rooms. Sara Hobbin chats to the award winning eco designer and presenter of Discovery TV’s Dream Homes.

So Oliver, where did your passion for design and eco chic come from? Who inspires you?

I grew up in Brighton playing every summer on the sea shore which gave me a passion for the sea. At 18 I became a windsurfing instructor and taught people how to respect nature in order to take care of them selves whilst at sea. These experiences and lessons added to 6 years at architecture school (Oxford Brookes and the Bartlett, University College,) combining my passions for the environment with those of the built environment. I became interested in the ideas of architecture and design that worked with nature rather than constantly struggled against it – and so the birth of Eco Chic.

I am inspired by a number of designers many of whom work with the recycling of materials and find ways of creating contemporary and beautiful products, such as Lisa Whatmore at Squint Ltd.

Why ‘go’ eco?

Eco at home means that you will be creating a space that costs you less to run as you’ll be using less resources, it will be a more comfortable place to live in, contain less toxins and have a smaller impact onto the environment. In my eyes everyone wins, so why wouldn’t you do it.

You have pioneered the phrase ‘urban eco chic’. What does it mean to you?

Urban eco chic is an aspirational style that combines the functionality that we need to reduce our footprint with the sense of style that we need in order to make it part of our lives. After all we are emotionally led beings, and good design can inspire, and raise the emotions – so we need to first fall in love with eco design – the practicalities of the style inherently make sense to all.

What are the principles of it and how can we achieve it in our homes?

There are 3 principles that need to be in balance to create the contemporary style that is as good to live with as it is for the environment – these are Technology, Nature and Vintage. Its a style that balances form and function so that homes are eco friendly, and express character and identity.

1.Technology
Technology is an exciting area that is constantly developing; becoming smaller, better, faster and importantly more efficient. Embracing all that technology has to offer will allow us to make our lives less wasteful, more efficient and to gather more of what occurs naturally around us – such as renewable energies from the sun, wind earth and sea.
Technology not only refers to high performing appliances but also to cutting edge materials, be they new low impact materials, natural or even recycled.
We must trust that developments in technology are key to helping us reduce our impact on the environment and to combat climate change.

2. Nature
Nature is an essential component to our lives and one we sometimes take for granted. It should be remembered that we are not master of nature but part of it.
 
Interaction with nature is a grounding force in our lives, it quite literally brings us back down to earth, and reminds us that we are still part of the natural world. Think about the vibrancy of the smell of freshly cut grass, the textural feel of the bark on a tree, the flicker of the flames in a log fire-  these all raise simple but sensual primeval emotional responses in us, that are essentially very comforting. Like us, natural materials often improve with age and use, developing a sense of character unique to themselves and their experience, adding individuality and a certain richness to any home.
The use of natural materials not only brings textural sensuality to the home, but also allows us to choose sustainable and naturally renewable materials – ones whose impacts onto the environments, if responsibly managed will have a reduced impact on the environment. Better for for, better for the planet…………. brilliant!
 
3. Vintage
The term vintage is an umbrella term that opens us up to the glamorous worlds of the antique, the ingenuity of reuse, and even the excitement of flea market finds. It’s about making the most of what we already have produced, and finding new ways of using them – offering a new lease of life for an item that someone else may well have thrown away. The pleasure of vintage is all about invention - putting a new spin on an existing object – be that through repositioning, framing, grouping or remaking.
 
But more than just finding new ways of using old things its about using the sense of style that the object posses, about borrowing from its past to dd to your own. In this way vintage items have the potential to add a touch of glamour to our lives, which is no bad thing. After all why shouldn’t we live like kings just because we respect the environment? Surely a good king (or queen) has a vested interest in protecting the lands they posses?
 
Vintage items also have a softening quality - all those knocks, scratches, wear and tear are something that can’t be simply reproduced, they have the effect of taking the harder edge off a contemporary interior. This patina of age speaks of an experience, and uniqueness that money just cant buy. In this age of mass production we yearn for objects that posses individuality, and character- aspects that in some way wear off onto us, expressing our own identities and curiosities.
 

These 3 corner stones of Eco Chic; Technology, Nature, and Vintage can be interpreted in a number of different ways and can help you solve style and functional dilemmas when trying to create your own eco home and lifestyle.

What is your best eco design tip?

Sustainable living is a holistic way of life – no single change will make a significant enough difference – or simply let you “off the hook”. Of every decision we make we should be asking if there is another realistic way that has a smaller impact on the environment.

Now you have a new baby girl in the family, can you provide me with 5 top eco-family tips?

• Cut down on toxins in your home - use natural paints that don’t contain toxins such as Volatile Organic Compunds – www.earthbornpaints.co.uk
• Lights do get left on – so switch to energy saving bulbs and save 4/5’s of your lighting bills
• Education is key so create a place to grow fruit and vegtables – understanding the care and attention that food needs is key to greater appreciation and awareness of our environment.
• Enjoy using smaller fragments of materials – the patchwork effect creates a more relaxed feel and if one bit gets ruined or broken it can simply be replaced – think complimentary patches of wall paper, mismatched vintage chairs around tables, patchwork quilts etc.
• A home that is well insulated and free from draughts is a more comfortable and warmer p[lace to live (it’ll also cost you less!)

What is your vision for an eco Britain?

One that has a greater community focus, pooling resources and materials, with affordable and efficient public transport systems, and whilst were at it, a realistic grant system that allows everyone to invest in renewable energy technologies and insulation for their homes.

What is your green new year’s resolution?

To carry out an environmental refurbishment of the 1960s detached house that I’ve just bought for me and the family – it’s a great blank canvas, a good size, but ugly so needs a little aesthetic remodeling too!

Oliver appears on Discovery TV’s Dream Homes

Urban Eco Chic by Oliver Heath, Published by Quadrille, £19.99

Sara at Bemoreeco had 5 minutes with Gavin Wynne’s Red Robot.  This is what she found out.

Tell us about your business?

Red Robot is a new organic clothing company – we make cool t-shirts and sweatshirts for Men and Women. The designs and the quality of the finished product are very important to us. We are trying to switch everybody on to the brand, bringing organic / low impact clothes to the masses without coming across as too leftfield for the average man in the street.

What makes the company a great place to work?

With Red Robot being a new and small business there are so many things to be done and so few people to do them – so you just have to roll your sleeves up and get on with things, stretching yourself, often into areas that are not your core skills. You feel you are in the trenches somewhat but it is very satisfying to stick your head out every so often to someone wearing one of our t-shirts, or hearing positive feedback and then the dreaded to do list reappears on the horizon! 

Who do you most admire in the green industry?

We like Howies a lot, Anita Roddick was a groundbreaker in many ways but it is probably the number of “unknown” individuals who making their own small contributions we admire the most. I remember seeing a woman called Jackie, whom I had worked with number of years ago previously in a completely different capacity, having her clothes recycling business showcased on the “Clothes Show” and thinking “Well done”. Little things like that stick in your mind and spur you on.  

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Sticking on my accountants hat – I have to say making sales. For two reasons: one, it’s time for talking to stop -  does the customer really like the product it enough to put his or her hand in their pocket – it is the acid test; and, secondly, for Red Robot, it provides the basic economic fuel to help us to the next level.

If you could change one thing in the green retail industry what would it be? 

This might sound like a “cop out” but we don’t know a lot of the other green retailers as we are ploughing our own furrow to a degree and are new to the party, so without knowing the other businesses and their agendas and priorities it is hard to comment. If we look at Red Robot, we know we have to prioritise and constrain what we feel we can achieve at this level in order to grow to achieve more at the next level. To many that might be the wrong thing to do, but I am sure a number of businesses are facing these same constraints and are trying to run their businesses accordingly and that may not be to all observers’ satisfaction.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today?

It would be a tad rich for us to be offering advice to others on their business idea and model as Red Robot is very much on the first rung of the ladder only and has a very long journey ahead. On a personal level I would say “Don’t live to regret not having had a go” this might only translate into the research and due diligence stage to ensure that the idea is actually a bona fide business. The other bit of advice I would give is to take positive strength from your previous successes to help you tackle all the challenges ahead. 

What is your vision for an ‘eco Britain’?

That “Eco Britain” will be the norm as soon as possible.

What is your number one Eco Christmas Idea?

We have a very traditional view of Christmas which should be enjoyed to the full with family and friends, just ensure you keep doing all the normal positive things you do everyday. 

What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told?

It’s a boy! (twice)

If you were prime minister for the day, what one thing would you do?

Don’t get me started; one day wouldn’t be long enough. I think the place to start would be that governments have to deliver their pre-election manifesto when they take office. If I was only given one day I would declare a national “Eco Day” holiday.

Please could you also tell me your top five gifts for Christmas;

• Fuel Gauge Men’s Organic Cotton White T-Shirt -High quality regular fit, men’s white organic cotton t-shirt made by Red Robot. Limited Edition “Here Today / Gone Tomorrow” message print by Red Robot. £17.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Multi Robot Men’s Organic Cotton Blue T-Shirt - High quality regular fit, men’s skylight blue organic cotton t-shirt made by Red Robot. Limited Edition “Multi Robot Dot” print by Red Robot. £17.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Robot Dogs Men’s Organic Cotton White T-Shirt - High quality regular fit, men’s white organic cotton t-shirt made by Red Robot. Limited Edition Reservoir Dogs Movie inspired print by Red Robot. £17.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Robot Hoodie Men’s Organic Cotton Grey Sweatshirt - High quality medium weight, men’s grey marl organic cotton sweatshirt with full length zip and front pocket. Large embroidered logo on the hood and Red Robot appliqué design on the sleeve. £39.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Fat Cat Women’s Organic Cotton Blue T-Shirt - High quality regular fit organic cotton t-shirt made by Red Robot. Limited Edition “Fat Cat” message print by Red Robot. £17.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Rainbow Turbine Women’s Organic Cotton T-Shirt - High quality regular fit, women’s cream organic cotton t-shirt made by Red Robot. Limited Edition “Rainbow Turbine Landscape” print by Red Robot. £17.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery
• Floral Organic Cotton Grey Hooded Sweatshirt - High quality medium weight, women’s grey marl organic cotton sweatshirt with full length zip and front pockets. Large floral embroidered logo on the lower back just above the waist and floral design on the sleeve. £39.99 Free UK & Ireland Delivery

This is the third in our series of BeMoreEco interviews. This week we Miles Owen from Ecotopia give us five minutes of his hectic timetable time to us. 

Tell us about your business?

A forward thinking ethical online retailer

What makes the company a great place to work?

Vibrant, fun, constantly evolving in an evolving market place

Who do you most admire in the green industry?

Dale Vince because he’s a pioneer in the environmental market place with great visions for a greener Britain.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Coming up with new exciting ideas that could make a difference and implementing them

If you could change one thing in the green retail industry what would it be?

Create an Ethical Retailers Association. There are so many businesses guilty of “greenwash” - deliberately misleading consumers about their eco-credentials and selling products on the back of them - that a trade association seems a good start to weeding out the wheat from the chaff.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today?

Be prepared to put a lot of effort in and focus on what your core values are

What is your vision for an eco Britain?

Less consumerism – we put far too much weight on to material possessions which in turn push up demand on all the finite resources.

What is your number one Eco Christmas Idea?

Consider all purchases with a longer term vision in mind. 

What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told?

Don’t eat yellow snow

If you were prime minister for the day, what one thing would you do?

Set a proper framework for annual climate change targets.

Please tell us your top five gifts for Christmas?

1. Ipower solar charger – the latest in mobile solar chargers for ipods, cameras, phones etc - £39.99
2. Recycled jewelery – fashionable jewellery that doesn’t cost the earth - £11.00
3. Cardboard playhouse – hours of fun from the recycled cardboard range, if they want to draw on the walls they can - £29.95
4. Paper potter – perfect for green fingers, a limitless supply of pots - £9.95
5. Window feeder – for the twitcher in all of us and great for the birds too this winter - £8.95

This is our second BeMoreEco interview in the series. This time we had a special 5 minutes with Nigel Berman from Nigel’s Eco Store.

Tell us about your business?

Nigel’s Eco Store is an award winning online retailer of environmentally friendly products you’ll love. Inspired by stylish, innovative and functional eco design, Nigel has handpicked a variety of products and gifts that’ll help you to save money reduce your carbon footprint and live a more planet-friendly life. The range features something for everyone including home furnishings, kitchenware, gadgets, office products, kid’s toys and energy saving devices.

All products sold by Nigel’s Eco Store are environmentally sound. Made of organic, recycled and energy efficient materials, they will not only look great in your home, but will help to reduce your contribution to global warming.

What makes the company a great place to work?

We’re a small team, all very hands on, and it’s a creative company - we love new ideas and making them happen, and doing so quickly. As a small company everybody who works here makes a difference, and can see that difference.

Everyday we come across innovative new products and we get to try them out before anyone else! Plus it’s cool to be doing something that you can believe in, and that does some good…

Who do you most admire in the green industry?

Anita Roddick has always been an inspiration, and a pioneer. Al Gore got the message out. Lots of other people - who’ve stuck their neck out and gone for it!

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

We get lots of calls from people seeking advice on say energy saving, and it’s great to be able to help. Seeing people buy the things that we think are really cool, is also good.

If you could change one thing in the green retail industry what would it be?

There are some great products out there, but sometimes people haven’t thought about the packaging - I’d want to see

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today?

Come and talk to me

What is your vision for an eco Britain?

Locally grown and sourced food. Small scale community micro generation - solar and wind power. Bicycles, public transport, solar powered cars. Stronger communities. Sustainability at the core of everything.

What is your number one Eco Christmas Idea?

Recycle your unwanted presents! Unfortunately everyone receives at least one unwanted gift at Christmas. You can recycle them to charities, local hospitals or hospices or you could try our regifting forum - and swap them for other people’s unwanted gifts!

What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told?

The only thing that’s constant is that everything changes.

If you were prime minister for the day, what one thing would you do?

Getting solar panels onto the roof of every home and community building so that we can all generate our own electricity and not rely totally on (centrally generated) power from fossil fuels or nuclear.

Please could you also tell me your top six gifts for Christmas?

1. Squeezy Santa Torch - £4.99

2. Cardboard ipod Dock - £19.99

3. I’m Not a Paper Cup - £12.99

4. Wind Up Shaver - £24.99

5. Sun Jar - £19.99

6. Grolsch Goblets - £11.99

If you would like to shop at Nigel’s Eco Store <click here>

We had five minutes with with Lula Braithwaite from LoveLula so we were very specific with the question we asked.

Tell us about your business?

LoveLula.com is an online organic apothecary where you’ll find over 800 organic and natural beauty products (all free from ingredients such as sls and parabens) by brands including John Masters Organics, Spiezia, Dr Alkaitis and suki

What makes the company a great place to work?

We’re all passionate about what we do and love the products. It doesn’t really feel like work!

Who do you most admire in the green industry?

Craig Sams (founder of Green & Blacks) for his integrity and passion for his beliefs

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Being in a position to advocate and promote organic beauty and to make these amazing products available to a wider audience

What is your vision for an eco Britain ?

I’d love to see us as a nation of people more in touch with nature and with our instinctive sides; something that modern life seems to have separated us from. We’d be much happier and healthier as a result and we’d automatically make lifestyle decisions that were more eco friendly.

What is your number one Eco Christmas Idea?

My new in-laws do a ‘present fuddle’ (don’t ask me where the name came from!). Everyone buys just one gift for the family member who’s name they draw from a hat. The gifts are then given out by the youngest member of the family and everyone opens their gift together. Now that I have 16 brothers (in law) & sisters (in law) and 17 nephews and nieces I’m rather glad of this tradition!!

What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told?

Eat your greens

If you were prime minister for the day, what one thing would you do?

Increase investment in technologies that will help us move away from our crippling dependence on oil. 

If you haven’t shopped at LoveLula before <click here>