WRAPSACKS – THE ECO-FRIENDLY WAY TO GIVE THIS CHRISTMAS

Forget the gift which keeps on giving, this is the wrap that keeps on wrapping!

With an estimated 83km2 of wrapping paper (which is enough to cover Guernsey and then some!) used in the UK alone every Christmas, the eco-friendly WrapSack is the ideal packaging for anyone looking to reduce their own carbon footprint this season and help others to do the same.

Available in the UK for the first time this Christmas, the responsibly-made, fabric WrapSacks defy the social faux-pas of reusing packaging by actively encouraging recipients to pass it on with the next gift they give.

The ultimate aim is to keep the WrapSack on the move, creating an alternative to wrapping paper and eliminating waste in the process.

Available in a variety of designs and convenient sizes, including a tall bag for wine bottles, each hand-dyed bag has a unique number, which means it can be tracked as it is given to one person from another.

Once a gift bag is registered (and given its own identity) on the Track-a-Sack system (accessed through the global WrapSack website www.wrapsacks.com), its journey is recorded–

present by present – as recipients are encouraged to keep passing it on and update its former owners on the bag's whereabouts.

Aside from logging on to the system, wrapping a present becomes effortless – all you do is place

your chosen present in the bag and tie the integrated drawstring for attractive presentation. It also means there’s no wastage because there is no need for wrapping paper (most of which is still nonrecycled) or fiddly adhesive tape.

The bags encourage reuse –the growing trend of “pre-cycling” –– which is even better than recycling, according to Dan Brousson who is behind the UK launch of WrapSacks.

“While recycling wrapping paper is a positive thing, the process itself still requires energy and chemicals, meanwhile the WrapSack encourages people to reuse a single form of wrapping and by doing so creates a shared experience as it passes from owner to recipient and so on,” he says.

Keeping unnecessary packaging out of landfills is a priority and Brousson, who is the driving force behind the popular eco-carrier brand Onya Bags, is constantly on the look out for clever ideas that make being green easier for everyone.

WrapSacks are available in the UK through the Onya Bags website ( www.onyabags.co.uk) and

selected stockists (see website for information). Prices start from £3.20.

TOP TEN GREEN GIFTS to give this holiday season.

 ALL FROM www.ecotopia.co.uk

10. Something for next year!

Inside the ingenious box are plant seeds, a compost pellet and a terracotta pot - everything required to get growing.

Features

Pot 5cm
Contents

Plant seeds
Compost pellet
Terracotta pot
Just Add Water!!

9. Houses Nests & Habitats

 

 A lot of God's creatures are still out there!  Make sure you give them a hand through the winter!  Choose from many styles!

 

Hedgehog houses provide an inviting, warming habitat for hedgehogs and small mammals, this habitat makes the perfect home in your garden. Not only seen as a cute addition to the wildlife that frequents your garden, hedgehogs provide a much more important service. As being insectivores, they are an effective method in removing pests, such as insects and slugs from your garden flowers and foliage. Eating around 200 grams of insects each night, hedgehogs are often lured to gardens as a means of being a very strong pest control solution, without you having to use pesticides.

Our hedgehog homes come with full instructions to position the hedgehog house in the best spot in your garden and tips to invite hedgehogs to use your hedgehog house. Providing a revealing insight into the lives of one of the UK's most common nocturnal garden visitors, each hedgehog house includes a hinged roof which allows you an your family to view the hedgehogs much closer than previously allowed.

 

8. Lavera Volume Mascara £9.90

Lavera’s mascara gives your eyes expressiveness and makes them sparkle. The new volumising brush brings your eyelashes to life. Natural oils and waxes create softness and a silky lustre. A narrow section incorporated into lavera’s mascara case ensures that excess colour is drawn off before it is removed. This guarantees optimum colour distribution and prevents unattractive clumping of the eyelashes.

7. The Blue Planet Live Complete Series DVD £22.99

 

This definitive natural history of the world's oceans covers everything from popular shores and teeming shallows to the mysterious open depths. Two-thirds of the planet is covered by the oceans and yet they remain largely unexplored and certainly under-filmed. The TV series Blue Planet changes all that and subsequently changes our views of the deep. Advances in underwater photography have opened the doors to unknown territories never before explored.

Includes 3 new programmes: The Abyss, Dive To Shark Volcano & Amazon Abyss

6. Cotton Leather Notebook £4.99

  

These are made from handmade paper using recycled cotton rags. These are made in a rural place on the outskirts of Delhi. The company is a family firm and for many years was involved in the process of agricultural grain. When there was economic troubles for farming in India and the market for grain fell away, the boss of the unit decided to go to Jaipur and learn the craft of making paper from recycled cotton rags. He then returned to teach each and every one of his workers the new skills. This ensured their continued employment. 

 

5. Twig Catapult Pencil £4.99

This pencil is dedicated to Tommy Tucker Conservative MP betwenn 1950-1958

4. Tuaca Goblet £6.00

This Tuaca Goblet is made from the top of a beautiful Italian spirit bottle. This glass has a fantastic bluish green tinge and embossed logo. Very rare and great looking.

 

3. Black Low Cut Recycled Plastic Stool £49.99

low cut stool / low table stool, a table, an ottoman or just a beautiful object suitable for any environment, indoors or outdoors.
Do you organize parties or events? Then low cut is ideal for your seating. It takes up so little space for transport and storage, is easy to clean and is practically indestructible.

Eco credentials: single material construction means it is easy to recycle, the colour options with black are made from 90% recycled plastic.

 

2. Burt's Bees Head to Toe Starter Kit  £15.95

 

Contains:

Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme (.25 oz.)
Beeswax & Banana Hand Creme (.25 oz.)
Citrus Spice Exfoliating Shower Soap (.80 oz.)
Hand Salve (.30 oz.)
Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme (.30 oz.)
Honey Lip Balm (.15 oz.)
Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion(1 fl. oz.)
Orange Essence Facial Cleanser (.56 oz.)
Peppermint Foot Lotion (.47 fl oz.)
Vitamin E Body and Bath Oil (1 fl. oz.)
Peppermint Shower Soap (.80 oz.)
Coconut Foot Creme (.56 oz.)

1. Sun Jar - Blue £17.95

      

 

If you get Quaint one thing this Christmas, make sure it’s the blue jar from ecotopia!  This thing is as cool as gifts come.  Perfect for those who have a little fear of the dark.  Put one in your bedroom, the bathroom a few on the stairs, put them everywhere!  What is it? Well, visit their site!  www.ecotopia.co.uk   Do some of your shopping while you're there.