New from Old

New from Old designs, handcrafts and installs bespoke solid wood kitchens and furniture for the home using either reclaimed pine or new accredited sustainable hardwoods, including the beautifully grained Oak, Ash, Elm, Sycamore, Beech. The grain of the wood is carefully chosen and used as an integral part of each design. Sole Proprietor Rick Forward is a furniture craftsman, and uses time-tested methods of craftsmanship to create traditionally made kitchens and furniture in contemporary and traditional styles. His philosophy is to create beautiful and functional interiors with minimal environmental impact. www.newfromold.co.uk

Natural air conditioning

Some of the worst air quality is found in the home. Plants filter out many air impurities and give off oxygen, so why not grow a few indoors? The green spider plant, peace lily and philodendrons are particularly good air filters.

The very best air freshener? Fresh air! Open the window for a while - its free. Air fresheners do not contain fresh air, but many contain toxins.

More money saving tips and ideas

Turtle Doves

Turtle Doves make recycled, ethical clothing out of pre-loved jumpers. They make once-loved garments into ethical clothing. They have been operating as a recycled clothing store since November 2009, recycling cashmere fabrics & other knits they buy into gorgeous Eco-friendly, fashionable items of clothing, which are useful and beautiful too! www.turtle-doves.co.uk

Living more sustainably also means saving money!

It's easy to forget the money side of things when moving to a more sustainable lifestyle and reducing your carbon footprint. Put simply, living more sustainably saves money. Switch that around, and it means that saving money helps us to lead more sustainable lives. Better for your pocket = better for the planet.

It's amazing when you really consider the amount of money that we could save simply by making a few simple changes. It comes back to the old adage - every penny saved is a penny earned. That doesn't mean, of course, that we have to make hard sacrifices to save a few quid. Quite the contrary, its often the simple changes that generate the greatest savings. Piggy Bank is a free website that provides lots of useful tips and ideas for saving money whilst helping the planet.

A family we knew recently changed their old gas guzzling boiler, reducing their carbon emissions whilst shaving £25 each month off their fuel bill. Over a few years it actually pays for itself. Beyond that its all profit. They also changed their 2.0 engine 4 x 4 for a smaller but equally practical family car - the road tax, fuel and insurance costs saved them a further £80 each month.

There are obviously many more changes that can be made to save literally thousands of pounds each year. A good idea is to write down your monthly outgoings and then consider how each one could be reduced. Try it! You could save a small fortune.

The Natural Gardener

Nature wastes nothing, and now we all know that it's a pity we did not learn from that wise old lady earlier!

All of The Natural Gardener's products, even their packaging, comes from the soil, and will return to it, but the journey includes fair free trade, wonderful natural growth in your garden and an income for at least a few of the millions far less advantaged than us.

Gardening naturally -  peat, chemicals and plastic free.

www.thenaturalgardener.co.uk

Fresh Therapies Natural Polish Remover

Fresh Therapies Natural Polish Remover is totally natural and uses a carefully blended mix of natural ingredients that are kind on your nails and skin. With no harmful man made chemicals it's perfect for you, your family and the planet.  Also winner of the Best Beauty Vegan Product 2013.

No man made chemicals,  just Mother Nature's very own solution...
www.freshtherapies.com

Honour Your Flow

Honour Your Flow. Natural and reusable menstrual pads, cloth tampons, washable breastpads and accessories. Very beautiful, top quality pads in many shapes and sizes to suit all needs. Extremely heavy flow a speciality, also a new Petite range. Most pads are made from oeko-tex bamboo fabrics, with wool backings an option.

10% discount with the code GPD

"I just tried your pads! Not only are they beautiful, but they are soft, easy to wash and they stay in place."

www.honouryourflow.co.uk

Spirals Fair Trade

Spirals offers you the chance to buy from a beautiful collection of ethically sourced products. Including fairtrade gifts, eco-friendly furniture, fairtrade home furnishings, ethical toys and the best in fairtrade and ethical fashion … there is plenty to choose from! Most of their fairtrade products are sourced from BAFTS registered wholesalers. They also stock products made in the UK which are earth friendly, many of them made in Hebden Bridge. This includes items made using reclaimed timber, natural skincare products, and work by local designers using recycled materials. www.spiralsfairtrade.co.uk