Ethos

Care for the environment every day

Care and consideration for the environment has never been higher on our agenda.  Slowly we are taking note and small concessions are being made all around.  This could be taking more care to recycle, or minimising the use of plastic bags, or simply taking fewer car journeys

At Eco-naturally we believe in behaving fairly.  We treat our customers, suppliers and competitors as we ourselves would like to be treated: we do want to be successful, but not at any price.  We do not, and will not, export.

Our goal and vision

We believe that the ultimate ideal goal and vision for sustainable consumption is that all products are in complete harmony with nature by being:

·        Made out of durable, non toxic, grown or recycled materials

·        Easily recyclable or compostable in the UK at the end of their life, or that can be returned to the original manufacturer for recycling

·        Powered by renewable energy in manufacture and delivery and use

·        Free of releases of hazardous or persistent compounds during manufacture or in use

·        The income generated by product sales supports all participants fairly throughout the supply chain

Unfortunately, while this is an ideal vision, very few products available today meet these criteria. Consequently, we seek out products that are moving in a positive direction in some way, and constantly review which products are offered and how much difference they make to us and our world.

Values

At Eco - naturally we know whether the products work, and what they feel like or smell like because they don’t go on sale before the team have tested and enjoyed using them.

Our philosophy is that if we would recommend a product to our friends then we stock it, if we wouldn’t then we don’t!

We also consider products for our range when we believe that it just has good value towards improving consumer awareness about sustainability in general.

We want to give people like us the ability to adopt an organic lifestyle to whatever level they choose, by providing the quality and range of products required to go totally organic in a quick, convenient and stylish shopping environment.

We understand that individual requirements and budgets vary, so we stock as wide a range of products as possible, but we don’t compromise on our principles. We consider ingredients carefully, and where possible look for products certified organic by bodies such as the Soil Association, & their worldwide equivalents.

We are constantly looking for products that include any of the following criteria:

·        Good value for money. This is not always the same as 'cheap'. A longer product life, cheaper running costs, craft produced in fair conditions, less forest damage, better quality, and so on are all considered added value.
Use a lot less materials, water or energy. This is either during manufacture and when the product is in use or both.

·        Are viable to ship from their location to us. Our calculations show that presently US or Asian products need to be about 10% 'better' environmentally to be worth shipping in, and then only until a more local supplier can deliver the same performance.

·        We do believe that it is important to trade internationally. We would prefer the world to concentrate more on creative solutions like solar powered shipping for example, than to deprive developing worlds from international trade. We particularly like to encourage production of certain commodities such as bamboo and hemp for example, which have long-term benefits as sustainable and significant resources for the future of developing countries and the planet in general. We also believe that where some local industries are still very small or do not yet even exist in Britain, it is very important to develop the market for it and by doing this create a realistic possibility that the local industry will be able to grow.

·        Its manufacture does not exploit the environment, animals or people involved in its production and supply.

·        Are made using renewable energy like wind, biomass or solar power.

·        Are durable, so less of them need to be made.

·        Are made of recycled materials, ideally from 100% post-consumer waste.

·        Have a plan for when they are at the end of their life - they can be recycled, or composted, or sent back to the manufacturer for re-use or recycling.

·        Provide a full listing of ingredients, preferably a short list!

·        Are made of natural materials or materials produced by organic agriculture (such as cotton, food, wine, cosmetics ingredients etc.).

·        Are made of wood, either from forests that have been certified by an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accredited organisation; or which are from a forest we believe is being well managed. Not all the 'good wood' is certified, and not all certified wood is 'good'. The chemical treatment, energy used in drying and transport of the wood is also considered. We would ideally prefer air-dried, untreated, UK or European hardwoods.

·        Are produced and distributed through a chain of supply that has treated workers and communities fairly. We try to include into our range products that have been manufactured through Fair Trade organisations and schemes

·        Are from vegetable sources rather than being made of petrochemicals.

·        Are from companies that do not test on animals, ideally operating a fixed cut-off date policy of 1976. All our products that are not suitable for vegans are marked and these are mainly items containing beeswax or milk. All our products are suitable for vegetarians, unless otherwise stated.