By installing even just a few of these products, you can be assured that your carbon footprint will dramatically reduce and you won’t only feel better in yourself, you’ll notice the difference in cleaner air and less pollution. It’s not just about reusable bags (although that’s it, too). It’s about buying smartly so you get more for your money, and contribute less to the Earth living longer.

Wait; did we say ‘more for your money’? If helping the world in which you live is not incentive enough, then surely saving a penny is. By purchasing eco products, many times what you buy will not only last longer, but they can be reused (as in the case of reusable bags, such as canvas or string bags). Energy saving light bulbs will last longer, cost less to run, and won’t harm the environment as they operate. ‘Green ink’ will last longer as it is designed to use less as it prints, plus it is less damaging to the environment when the paper it’s on is thrown out (although hopefully you’d first think about printing an email, and perhaps putting it in the recycle bin when you are done with it, if you do print it).

So, now you’ve decided to get on board and do your bit. Good for you! But there is more you can do, without spending that much more. Ethical products ensure that whatever you’re buying is sourced or manufactured in areas free from slave labour, where the workers are paid a fair wage for a fair day’s work. Chocolate that has been made using cocoa beans from countries where children don’t work to gather them will taste better, and if you want to actively purchase products from countries where the people want to create the items, then there are stores that enable you to do so. Not only will you be buying something free from slave labour, you’ll be supporting the workers and supporting the communities they live in.

It’s easy to contribute to a better world, and it costs very little. The rewards, however, are great. What’s stopping you?

Choosing organic baby clothes

One of the great reasons to go organic with your infant’s clothing is down to the natural materials and fibres used in the manufacturing process. Many materials used in baby clothes contain dyes, pesticides and metals which are potentially harmful to a young child, particularly if they suffer with allergies. Not so with organic materials which can actually help to eliminate this risk. Child care experts also recommend organic clothing for children who suffer with skin conditions as the natural materials can significantly reduce irritation.

With that in mind, look for clothing that is made using organic cotton. This cotton is much softer and more durable than standard cotton and better for your baby’s skin than synthetic materials such as polyester. Organic cotton has also not been treated with any chemicals and the garments will be coloured and printed using environmentally-responsible plant-based or herbal-based dyes.

Where to buy organic clothing for babies

As the demand for organic children’s clothing increases, so the big companies are trying to cash in on consumers appetite for all things green. Unfortunately, many of the big retailers are putting profits ahead of ethical practices and what the customer buys isn’t always what it seems. Ethical gift websites are a great place to start in your search for ethically sourced and manufactured organic baby clothes.

When you find an online retailer, the next question to ask is how environmentally conscious is the company you’re buying from. Look for a retailer who deals with small suppliers and organic trade associations as they will check on the ethical sourcing of the products they stock. This guarantees that you are getting something that is Fairtrade, organic or eco-friendly. Try to use a reputable ethical products retailer who gives a percentage of their profits to charitable organisations or supports social causes with regular donations.

What organic baby clothes to buy

As any parent will testify, a baby requires a lot of clothing mainly due to the mess they make after feeding or when a nappy needs changing. Organic baby bodysuits and playsuits are essential babywear and there’s a beautiful range of classic and understated baby clothes available for boys and girls.

These recommended products are perfect for the fashion-conscious parent who wants quality baby clothes that will last for many years.

	A stylish white baby playsuit with navy dots and trim. Perfect for daywear or nightwear and machine washable.
	This funky pink playsuit made from natural cotton will be soft and comfortable against your baby’s skin.
	A beautiful kimono-style product that looks great when put together with a skirt or trousers. Easy to dress your child in and fully machine washable.

Compact fluorescent lamps, or CFL bulbs, are the best known low energy light bulbs. These bulbs light your room with the same intensity as an ordinary bulb but consume 66% less energy. These bulbs use less electricity so you end up saving about £100 per bulb per year. These bulbs also last 15 times longer when compared to ordinary incandescent bulbs. So by using CFL bulbs you not only save on your energy bills but also help in reducing global warming.

Halogen bulbs like CFLs consume low energy when compared to standard bulbs. The bulbs come in various shapes and sizes and can be easily used in your ceiling and wall lighting fixtures. These bulbs last 3 times longer than your ordinary bulbs, which more than justifies the price that you pay for them.

Light Emitting Diodes, or LEDs, are energy efficient and long-lasting light bulbs. These bulbs consume only 80 to 90 percent of the energy consumed by ordinary bulbs, and last up to 100,000 hours. LED’s are a bit expensive when compared to standard bulbs, but this high price is compensated by the energy saved and long life of the bulb.

Krypton bulbs can be found in chandeliers, ceiling lights and automobile lights. The bulbs are filled with Krypton gas, which allows the filaments present in the bulb to burn at high temperatures, thereby emitting whiter light. These bulbs last longer and are energy efficient when compared to standard bulbs.

You can use these low energy bulbs in your ceiling and wall lighting fixtures. Ceiling lights are attached to ceiling as hanging or mounted. Examples of ceiling lights are recessed lights, chandeliers, pendant lights, track lights and flush lights. Wall lighting on the other are fittings that are either pressed against or attached to the walls. The lighting can be attached to dimmer switches and motion sensors to reduce the consumption of electricity. Some manufacturers provide for the use of energy saving lights in their fittings to help you save on your electric bills. These eco-friendly light fixtures and lamps play an important part in greening your lighting.

Conserving electricity through the efficient management of your lighting is of prime importance. By conserving electricity we prevent burning fossil fuels, which have adverse affects on our environment. Also, the heat released by incandescent lighting is known to cause global warming. Energy saving bulbs are a tad bit expensive, but when you compare the energy saved and the life of the bulb, it’s actually a good investment. So save your environment – and your money on bills!