A global pledge to ban animal testing for cosmetics will be launched on Monday 18th June 2012 at The Body Shop stores across South Africa as part of a campaign by Cruelty Free International, the first global organisation dedicated to ending the use of animals to test cosmetics products throughout the world.
Following the launch six weeks ago in a clothed street in East London, Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced the first results of its revolutionary clothes recycling initiative, Shwopping. Half a million used and unwanted items have been shwopped – the equivalent of eight items a minute. Every single one has been donated to Oxfam for re-sale, re-use or recycling.
Most of us know that the fashion industry isn’t the most sustainable industry in the market. The fast cycles (promoted by disposable clothing that needs to be replaced each season), coupled with harsh labour practices, cross-country transport and the chemicals used during the production processes, make it everything but green. While a lot of attention gets placed on labour practices and production processes, how often do we take a look at the fashion industry’s effect on water supplies?
While the textile industry as a whole has been recognised as an environmental hazard, fur in fashion remains controversial because of the animal cruelty factor. But with everyday fabrics like cotton heavily depleting and polluting fresh water supplies worldwide, could it be that we need to revaluate our views on fur?
I´m not normally a big fan of facials as I have very sensitive skin and have had a couple of bad experiences in the past, think tight, inflamed skin rather than a relaxing, nourishing experience.
Avant Garde, Live Eco´s upcycled fashion project, is underway for a second season. Together with the Design Academy of Fashion, Live Eco will be presenting an upcycled fashion show, proudly sponsored by Pick n Pay & The Body Shop, at The Green Expo at the CTICC on 24 November 2012.
Kloof Street has a new gem in the form of a progressive beauty spa that uses only organic certified products. As well as the usual facials, manicures and massages, WOW spa specialise in unique treatments such as organic waxing, natural teeth whitening and a foot treatment involving fish!
You rarely think about the effect your appetite for fish has on the ecosystem (and to be fair, many “fish lovers” eat fish maybe once or twice a week – so how bad can it be?). According to many marine ecologists – the situation is bad. Our appetite for fish is exceeding the oceans’ ecological limits and the biggest single threat to marine ecosystems today is overfishing.
At first it seemed like a bit of effort for good publicity after he was exposed as a cheating husband, but it seems Irish pop singer Ronan Keating’s mission to help the environment is the real deal. What mission, you ask? To save the giant clam!
