The Green Providers Directory is the UK's leading resource for finding green, organic and fair trade products and services. We are a not-for-profit directory whose aim is to encourage more people to buy from ethical and sustainable sources. All the companies listed in our directory have been vetted so that you can be sure of their eco-friendly credentials. Our directory is free and easy to use - providing everything you need for sustainable living under one roof!
"We love your directory and have used it many times to shop and find green online services." - Paw Luxury
"Thanks to the Fair Trade market, our standard of living has substantially increased. With your support, we look forward to a more promising future." - Miguel Trigoso, APARM coffee cooperative, Peru
Did you know? 20% of the world’s population live on less than a dollar a day!
"The Fair Trade movement is growing as people realize that they can help alleviate poverty and protect the environment by choosing Fair Trade products." - Robert Alan
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Fair trade bags Perfect for shopping, the beach or picnic, or as a fashion accessory, fair trade bags are becoming ever more popular. Fair trade certified cotton bags are for life. They're sustainable and reusable and represent a stand against throwaway ‘carrier bag’ society. |
Plastic bags - shocking statistics! Five trillion plastic bags are maunfactured globally each year. It takes around 1,000 years for a plastic bag to break down. In the process, toxic substances leak into the soil and enter the food chain. Approximately 1 billion seabirds and mammals die each year by ingesting plastic bags (source: Say No To Plastic Bags).
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb
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Organic health & beauty products do not contain harmful chemicals or pesticides. All the companies listed in our directory follow organic principles, offering everything from natural skincare products, shampoos, soaps and toiletries to bath salts and herbs.
Did you know? The skin is very permeable and most of the lotions you apply end up inside your body; this can include toxins and chemicals which are potentially harmful in the longer-term. |
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Nature's Boutique helps you leave high-street cosmetics behind, with more natural beauty products that will keep you looking good on the outside – and feeling good on the inside. |
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Do you know where your clothes come from? Many mass-produced clothes are made in sweatshops under very difficult conditions, usually where the workers have few rights. Some companies outsource production to third world countries because they can pay employees much less then they would have to pay for domestic labour. Sweatshops are created when individuals are exploited, working in hazardous conditions for long hours and very low pay. Often child labour is used to cut production costs. |
"Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." - Robert F. Kennedy
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The Exotic Paper Company produces 100% recycled paper and paper products like stationery sets, jotters, journals, sketch pads and shopping lists all with the inclusion of elephant, reindeer or rhino poo. They also have a range of handmade and plantable papers as well as poo planters (grow kits with a difference!). They make unique and unusual gifts and their paper provides an innovative and ethical way of printing letters, invitations, menus, etc. Their products help support people and animals as well as helping to sustain the environment.
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Fair trade, organic clothing is both fashionable and ethical! Made with organic cotton by workers who are paid and treatly fairly unlike much of today's mass-produced department store clothing. There is a huge range to choose from in our clothing section. |
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Fair trade, organic t-shirts Did you know that conventionally grown cotton is the second most pesticide-laden crop in the world? It takes approximately 150g of chemicals to grow enough cotton to make just one t-shirt! Choose an ethically produced, trendy t-shirt instead. |
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The Fair Trade Clothing Shop offers ethically-made clothing for shoppers with a conscience, covering everything from cotton t-shirts, sportswear, evening wear and children's clothing to footwear and accessories. The site is continuously updated with the latest fashion offers, bargains, special deals and ethical clothing information. |
“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” - Mother Teresa
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Tropical rainforests took up to 100 million years to evolve and are believed to be the oldest and most complex land-based ecosystem on earth, containing over 30 million species of plants and animals. That's half of the Earth's wildlife and at least two-thirds of its plant species! |
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Some interesting facts: A typical four square mile patch of rainforest contains as many as 1,500 flowering plants, 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds and 150 species of butterflies. Rainforests provide many important medicinal products, including those used in the treatment of cancer.
"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
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The Malay word orang-utan means "person of the forest" These long-haired, orange coloured primates are only found in Sumatra and Borneo. They are highly intelligent and close relatives in the evolutionary tree to humans. Click here to find out more about the orang-utan.
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Meat and climate change Links between meat eating and climate change have been widely known for many years, partly due to deforestation in the Amazon rainforest to make room for cattle grazing. Clearing these forests is estimated to produce a staggering 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the entire transport sector! |
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Water: The source of all life About 70% of the earth’s surface is covered with water and 97% of this is salt water. Although the salt can be removed (desalination), it is a difficult and expensive process. 2% of the water on earth is glacier ice at the North and South Poles while less than 1% of all the water on earth is fresh water that we can actually use. Click here to read more about 'embedded water' and how its affecting our environment. |
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Polar bears face 'tipping point' due to climate change The journal Biological Conservation has published research which suggests that polar bears face a ‘tipping point’ due to climate change. The research claims that there will be a dramatic and sudden decline in the number of polar bears, due in the main to falling pregnancy rates and fewer bears surviving during longer, ice-free seasons. |
| Eco friendly toys Fun to play, entertaining and with an educational content for both babies and children. All the toys listed in our directory are made from sustainable sources and recycled, recyclable and biodegradable materials. |
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Did you know? A baby's skin is five times thinner than an adult’s, which means it is easier for harmful toxins to enter their bodies. Organic cotton is softer, more durable and safer for your baby to wear whilst being less likely to trigger allergies. See our baby & children section.
"Now that I've got kids, it's become really important for me on the health front to try to buy as much organic produce as possible." - Jamie Oliver, UK celebrity chef, in BBC Good Food magazine
| Switch to a green electricity provider in minutes and it won't cost you a penny more than you already pay! The biggest cause of climate change is the CO2 emitted from power stations - reduce your carbon footprint today. |
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How green is your electricity company? Click here to find out.
"Humanity has changed the climate. We can have no doubt the world is warming." - Sir David Attenborough, Naturalist
The biggest offshore wind farm in the world? Gwynt y Mor will be one of the single biggest private investment projects ever seen in Wales, creating one of the largest offshore windfarm projects in the world, able to provide enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of around 400,000 homes [read more]
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Biggest solar power plant in the world? A solar power plant planned for Arizona may be the biggest in the world, with $2bn in loan guarantees designed to kick-start the US solar energy industry. President Barack Obama has said that the project would provide more than 5,000 new jobs. The Arizona plant should power 70,000 homes and cut carbon dioxide emissions.
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World population is projected to rise from today's 6.8 billion to over 9 billion in 2050
“Those who fail to see that population growth and climate change are two sides of the same coin are either ignorant or hiding from the truth. These two huge environmental problems are inseparable and to discuss one while ignoring the other is irrational.” Dr. Lovelock, Gaia scientist. |
“Only when the last tree has been cut down, Only when the last river has been poisoned, Only when the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.” - Cree Indian Prophecy
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Fair trade, sustainable furniture Always choose wood from managed forests, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. It was founded in 1993 in response to public concern about deforestation and demand for a trustworthy wood-labelling scheme. FSC is supported by NGOs including WWF, Greenpeace and the Woodland Trust. |
"For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver." - Martin Luther
Did you know? Thousands of trees and tonnes of paper are used to produce telephone directories. You can now opt out of receiving Yellow Pages by calling 0800 671 444. Also, you can opt out of receiving unwanted mail by registering with the Mailing Preference Service. |
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Life on Earth is supported by the atmosphere The atmosphere absorbs the energy from the Sun, recycles water and other chemicals, and works with the electrical and magnetic forces to provide a moderate climate. The atmosphere also protects us from high-energy radiation and the frigid vacuum of space.
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"Only when I saw the Earth from space, in all its ineffable beauty and fragility, did I realize that humankind's most urgent task is to cherish and preserve it for future generations." - Sigmund Jahn, German cosmonaut
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Fair trade, ethical gifts Visit our gifts section to find some unusual, different ideas for birthdays and special occasions. Everything you buy will go towards worthwhile causes such as protecting the rainforests, helping endangered species and supporting children in the developing world. |
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How much carbon dioxide does a tree absorb? Each tree planted absorbs around 1 tonne of carbon emissions over its lifetime of 100 years. Planting trees is a simple and easy way to help the environment, adding beauty and enhancing the greenness of your community. |
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Saving money Living more sustainably not only helps the planet, it helps your pockets too! Turn off that light and switch off the standby on your television. When saving money look for ethical banks. When investing money always ensure its in ethical funds and ISAs that don't cause harm to the environment. |
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Recycling can save you money! Instead of buying new items at inflated prices, why not look for second hand goods at a fraction of the price? It could save you a small fortune over the course of a year and also help the environment. See our mobile phones section on how to recycle your old phone for cash. |
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Energy saving devices If everyone boiled only the water they needed, we could save enough electricity to run all the street lights in the UK! Plus, almost a billion pounds of electricity is wasted in the UK every year by people leaving appliances on standby! Save money and help the environment. |
Buying electrical appliances? Look for products marked as Energy Saving Recommended. These must meet stringent low-energy standards set by an independent panel, so you'll be able to buy with confidence.
Do you know how much electricity each device in your home consumes? Click here to find out more.
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Looking for cheaper, carbon neutral car insurance? Many insurers are now offering discounts for low emission cars and low mileage drivers. For money saving tips visit The Green Insurance Directory. |
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"The issue of climate change is one that we ignore at our own peril. There may still be disputes about exactly how much we're contributing to the warming of the earth's atmosphere and how much is naturally occurring, but what we can be scientifically certain of is that our continued use of fossil fuels is pushing us to a point of no return. And unless we free ourselves from a dependence on these fossil fuels and chart a new course on energy in this country, we are condemning future generations to global catastrophe." - Barack Obama
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Some interesting snippets
Property prices soar in the desert 27th July 2010
The Thar desert spreads 200,000 square kilometres across North West India, abd land there has gone from virtually worthless to being very valuable almost overnight.
The reason? The Indian government recently launched its National Solar Mission - a $19bn plan to generate 20,000 megawatt of solar electricity by 2022. And the Thar desert is a vast place basked in sun with abundance, meaning that it is ideal for generating solar energy. The beauty of this project is that it uses land that would otherwise be barren.
The region's solar revolution is expected to get underway shortly when one of India's biggest energy companies - Reliance Industries - switches on its 5 megawatt solar plant in the nearby town of Khimsar.
Ice on Mount Everest Disappearing 20th July 2010
Photos of Mount Everest comparing it in 1921 with 2010 shows that the ice mass is disappearing at an alarming pace.
"The photographs reveal a startling truth: the ice of the Himalaya is disappearing," an Asia Society statement said. "They reveal an alarming loss in ice mass over an 89-year period."
The Asia Society says that the findings are "vitally important" because the Himalaya is home to the world's largest sub-polar ice reserves. "The melt waters of these high altitude glaciers supply crucial seasonal flows to the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Salween, Irrawaddy, Mekong, Yangtze and Yellow rivers, which hundreds of millions of people downstream depend on for their livelihoods," the statement said.
Five Thousand Gulf Oil Spills 11th July 2010
That's the rate at which humans are releasing carbon into the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation every single day. That’s the same as five thousand spills into the Gulf of Mexico, all going at once, each releasing 40,000 barrels a day, every day for decades and centuries on end. Mankind is burning a lot of carbon!
Turning the concrete jungle green 2nd July 2010
Trees play an essential role in improving the quality of life in UK towns and cities, according to the Woodland Trust. Planting more trees has been shown to improve air quality, reduce ambient temperatures and benefit people's health it said in a recent report. The trust is launching a campaign to plant 20m native trees each year. "Towns and cities tend to put into sharp relief some of the key problems we are facing as a society," said lead author Mike Townsend. "So they are a good place to start when try to illustrate just where green spaces can deliver significant improvements for relatively little cost."
During a speech in May, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "If any organism has demonstrated an ability to multi-task, it's trees. They capture carbon and hold soils together, prevent flooding and help control our climate. They also add immeasurably to the quality of life of our towns and cities." She added that in some parts of inner London, it was calculated that each tree was deemed to be worth as much as £78,000 in terms of its benefits.
'Great Green Wall of Africa' to halt Sahara 21st June 2010
There are plans to plant a tree belt all the way across Africa, running from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east, in an effort to halt the advance of the Sahara Desert.
If it goes ahead, the tree belt would be 15km wide and nearly 8,000km long. The project is still tentative because there are concerns about lack of funding and longer term doubts regarding its maintenance.
The trees that would be planted are more drought resistant, helping to reduce soil erosion, slowing wind speeds and helping rain water to filter into the ground thereby holding back the desert.
Commercial fishing could be destroyed within 50 years 24th May 2010
According to the United Nations, commercial fishing could be over within 50 years. Their top environmental official has been keen to point out that this is not another scare story, and that within 30 to 40 years we could effectively have run out of fish. "It is not a science fiction scenario. It is within the lifetime of a child born today," said Achim Steiner, head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
The UNEP report claims that as many as 22 million jobs associated with the fishing industry may have to be axed globally, if fish stocks are to be saved. The report goes on to suggest that investment should be channelled into sustainable fishing initiatives, such as Marine Protected Areas, where the most endangered fish species are given an opportunity to recover.
Third runway scrapped 14th May 2010
The UK's new coalition government has cancelled controversial plans to build a third runway at London Heathrow airport. It has also refused to allow extra runways at London's other two main airports, Gatwick and Stansted.
Campaigners have been jubilant. Ben Stewart of Greenpeace said: "This is fantastic news that will be met with great relief. A third runway at Heathrow was always a bizarre proposal that made no sense to anybody who understood the impact aviation has on our climate. The politicians who promised they would do this have been good to their word."
Ozone hole discoverer's warning 14th May 2010
The leader of the team which found the hole in the earth's protective ozone layer has urged world leaders to do more to safeguard the environment. Speaking to BBC News on the 25th anniversary of the reporting of the hole, Dr Joe Farman said the environment was still being recklessly damaged in many ways. He criticised politicians for failing to lead on issues like climate change - it was "damned stupid" to keep increasing emissions of CO2 when we know it is a warming gas, he said. |
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