When you hear the company name “English Retreads” you may imagine getting your tyres upgraded in England. But actually, the company makes its home in the American state of Colorado, and the name comes from the founder, Heather English, the subject of Garments Without Guilt’s continuing spotlight on individuals who have made a positive impact on the environment.

Heather English
(photo from English Retreads)

It all started with an inner tube. That’s what Heather was using at the time to float down Colorado’s Boulder Creek, when a spark of inspiration set her creative ingenuity alight. Being a dedicated vegan, Heather was in need of a non-leather handbag that was not only durable, but fashionable as well. Her inner voice pointed her to her inner tube.

Quoted in the company’s media kit, Heather explains how it all got started:

“I needed a new handbag but I was a hardcore vegetarian. I wanted something that was fashionable and invincible—but not made from leather…I didn’t find what I was looking for, so I went to McGuckin’s, [a favorite local hardware store] bought some tools and started my own personal sweatshop—with me doing the sweating.”

And so English Retreads was born in 2002, with local truck stops and bike shops supplying the inner tubes from used tires. The company now has stores all over the United States, offering eco-conscious customers a stylish range of handbags, wallets, bentleys, belts, clutches and other accessories, all made from recycled inner tubes.

Yes, these handbags are made from recycled inner tubes!
(photo from English Retreads)

To Heather, the fact that these tubes have a “history” makes the final product all the more special. “Just think of all the places these tubes have been…Now it’s your turn to add to their miles and adventures.”

As are these, for men.
(photo from English Retreads)

Through it all, Heather has made sure the mission of English Retreads remains true to her own ideals as it continues to be an eco friendly, people friendly and animal friendly venture. As quoted on the company website she points out in the company’s mission that, “Each new design begins with the idea of striving to keep more waste out of the landfill by creating fashionable, yet sturdy items out of recycled materials…And by turning recycling into a bold fashion statement, we at English Retreads can empower consumers with an ecologically sound alternative to animal products without compromising style or durability. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

Who knew recycled inner tubes could be so stylish?
(photo from English Retreads)

Perusing the English Retreads mission page also brought into light two other facts worth mentioning. The company is working in partnership with Native Energy in order to minimize their carbon footprint and is also committed to the fair and ethical treatment of employees and workers along with promoting healthy communities where it does business.

Vested in achieving a balance as a Triple Bottom Line company (people, planet, profit), English Retreads bears testament to the ingenuity of the human mind and in particular, one Heather English who reminds us that fashion can be eco-friendly, stylishly simple and fun at the same time!

As we continued our quest through Inhabitat’s Green Holiday Gift Guide, we encountered some lovely jewelry!

Water Is A Human Right Necklace
Not only is this sterling silver faucet pendant with water droplet absolutely charming, it also supports the UN’s “Water is a human right” campaign, which funds clean water initiatives in third world countries. Any woman would be proud to wear this on her neck.

Also check out the Wheel Of Life Necklace - Bellisimo! Jessie Alon’s exquisite handcrafted baubles are cast using a 15th century Venetian technique known as terrazzo (Italian for “terrace”). Made from a mixture of reclaimed marble and recycled glass, her Wheel of Life necklaces are a fusion of Old World grandeur and modern verve.

But, wait! That’s not all! Visit these sites for more guilt-free jewelry!

World of Good and their beautiful handmade jewelry selections made from such diverse materials as recycled glass, scrap wood, locally sourced silver, and more. Their collection of jewelry is affordable and unique – the perfect gift for all. Be sure to read our article about World of Good on our GWG Universe Blog, too.

Novica who, in association with National Geographic, offer eco-friendly green treasures. Novica artisans worldwide have contributed hundreds of stunning eco-friendly and nature-inspired gifts, decor & jewelry. One example is the Turquoise and bamboo cocktail ring, ‘Imagine’ by Warren and Robbin, who explore the tribal origins of art with this imaginative design. Fashioned by hand, the wide silver band clasps an ornate piece of black bamboo. Natural turquoise completes the ring. “We probably hold the record for low environmental impact jewelry, using things like bamboo, coconut shell, bone and horn for the most of our designs, and sparingly using sterling silver.”

Ruff and Cut’s glittering conscience and socially responsible luxury jewelry, inspired by the timeless and intrinsic beauty of the rough diamond. The Ruff&Cut Collection makes social responsibility at once effortless and luxurious with conflict-free diamonds and recycled metals. Pictured here is the Petals Pendant — A Ruff&Cut exclusive. The Petals Pendant features gentle floral open work and features a round brilliant-cut diamond weighing .03 carats. 18k. Designed by Fifi Bijoux.
The pendant is made in certified recycled gold. The polished diamond is from Liqhobong Diamond Mining Cooperative in Maluti Mountains, cut and polished by Surat Diamond Workers’ Industrial Co-Op Society.

See? There’s no need to feel guilty about jewelry!

The video above from The Daily Greens gives some great green gift ideas for grown ups, and below we continue our perusal of Inhabitat’s fabulous Green Holiday Gift Guide!

Vintage LP Recycled Coasters – $19.99
Useful gifts are always appreciated and almost everyone can find use for an extra set of coasters – especially fun ones like these ones recycled from vintage records! Each coaster features completely random artists from all eras of music and your giftees will have a blast serving each their guests drinks on coasters showcasing their favorite musical styles.

Recycled Wine Bottle Glasses – $35
These 100% recycled glass tumblers make great gifts for parents who appreciate unique housewares with a sense of history. Green Glass Company creates each one from a reclaimed wine bottle, and you can see the warp, and warble, and imperfections that make each piece unique. Choose from cyan (Bordeaux bottles), cobalt (Westport Rivers Wine bottles), and topaz (Californian Chardonnay bottles). It would go well with the organic wine club subscription mentioned in the video and also recommended by Inhabitat!

Culinary Herb Wreath – $65
This culinary herb wreath is just the thing to warm the hearth of your folks’ home and infuse it with the scent of the country. Each wreath is crafted from organic marjoram, dill, thyme, sage, lavender, anise, cinnamon sticks, and yarrow – all of which can be clipped at will to season meals well into the new year.

Samsung Reclaim Cellphone – $250
Samsung’s eco-friendly reclaim cellphone caused quite a stir when it was released early this year, and for good reason – the green machine is made almost entirely out of corn-based bio plastic and features a design that is 80% recyclable. The phone also boasts standard smartphone credentials sure to please any eco geek, including a full QWERTY keyboard, 3G, GPS, and easy access to social media sites like Twitter, Myspace, and Youtube.

While the video above gives us a look at fun, educational and must-have Christmas gift Ideas for kids in the UK, we’ve also a few more items to share for American kids from the Tots section of Inhabitat’s Green Holiday Gift Guide!

Baby Elephant – $24
Your little ones won’t be able to let go of cuddly Lil’ Ellie once they feel how huggable he is. Plus you can feel good about supporting a very important cause – since Lil’ Ellie is hand-knit by women in Kenya, your purchase allows them to earn a living wage by practicing a skilled craft.

Organic Finger Puppets – $20
Give little ones hours of good old-fashioned fun with these adorable organic finger puppets. They’re the perfect colorful way to teach kids about all the different types of animals and how they are all important to the earth!

Soysilk Tofu Bear & Organic Cotton Teddy
You can’t go wrong when it comes to giving a toddler a beloved plush teddy bear to cuddle — especially one that is as cute and eco-friendly as the Soysilk Tofu Teddy or the sweet organic cotton teddy bear from Volker Senger. The silky smooth tofu teddy is made out of soysilk fiber derived from byproducts of tofu manufacturing and the organic cotton bear is twelve inches long, the perfect size for tiny embraces which will be extra warm and cuddly due to his natural lambswool fill.

Knit Octopus – $78
Octopi get cold too! At least our lovable wooly octopus does, but luckily he has a fetching cap, scarf and booties for all 8 legs to keep him nice and toasty. We’re pretty sure he’ll keep your little animal lover cozy too!

Adopt an Animal From WWF and Get a Plush Toy – $25 to $250
This year give back to the earth by adopting an endangered animal through the World Wildlife Fund. There are 100 different species to choose from, and every donation made goes to protect severely endangered animals and support WWF’s conservation efforts. As an added bonus, you’ll receive a cuddly plush version of the animal that you protected that you can give to a loved one.

In the video above, Erin Carlson, a Yahoo Green expert, explains some of the myths that give us green guilt. We all want to do something to help the planet, but maybe we’re not sure what to do or exactly how to do it. We also found a list of tips in Self Magazine to help you get past the green guilt.

1. Find planet-loving pals
Share tips, get inspired and locate other green-themed websites like GenGreenLife.org.

2. Manage the mail
Halt catalog chaos and you’ll spare trees while you curb clutter. Try catalogchoice.com

3. Befriend the faucet
Tap water hydrates you just as effectively as bottled H20, plus it’s free and doesn’t create waste for landfills.

4. Bypass the dry cleaner
Instead of exposing your clothes (and yourself) to dangerous chemicals, wash delicates at home or find a green cleaner in your area.

5. Halt the paper trail
Copying on both sides and using your work memo as a scratch pad are just two ways to use fewer sheets and preserve trees.

6. Shut down the computer
Conserve electricity and cash by flipping your machine off when it’s not in use.

7. Shun elaborate packaging
Opt for products with the least amount of wrapping to reduce needless waste.

8. Polish your brushing routine
Using a toothbrush made with recycled plastic can reduce decay of your teeth and the environment.

9. Use organic cotton each day
Products created without chemical pesticides can keep pollutants out of the environment and your home.

10. Skip meat at least once a week
Eating vegetarian for a day can prevent the release of tons of greenhouse-related gases.

11. Wash clothes in cold water
Be gentle on your duds while decreasing power and reducing emissions released into the atmosphere.

12. Pick juice or milk in plastic bottles
It’s easier to produce and recycle bottles made of plastic.

13. Green your cleaning routine
Tidy up with biodegradable, eco-safe products to avoid contact with potentially harmful chemicals.

14. Flip your lids
Keep non-recyclable plastic bottle tops from polluting oceans and harming sea animals – or take them to any Aveda store!

15. Grow a less thirsty garden
To cut down on your water usage and workload, plant flowers and bushes that thrive in your climate.

16. Wipe with sponges
Avoid paper towel waste by reaching for this kitchen essential more often.

17. Give away gadgets
Recycle rather than toss your outdated TV, computer or cell phone. Go to MyGreenRecycler.com to find where.

18. Buy locally
Championing neighborhood stores that sell locally made products rather than buying from far-flung locations can significantly cut down on pollution and fuel use.

19. Drive smarter without buying a hybrid
Turning off the engine rather than idling is just one way to make any car greener.

20. Don’t clean your plates
Let your dishwasher do the dirty work and cut your bills in the process.

21. Work out outdoors
Fresh air helps you stick to your fitness routine and cuts down on power use at the gym.

22. Fine-tune your fridge
Keeping the door shut will help your refrigerator run more efficiently and lower your electric bill.

23. Rediscover your wardrobe
Editing a teeming closet translates into less stress, more time and big savings.

24. Don’t blow it
Allow hair to air-dry to protect your strands and employ less power.

25. Lower your electricity bill
Using a power strip and other juice-saving devices can spare you loads of cash while conserving energy.

26. Carry your own bag
A fold-up reusable tote means you are always ready to shop.

27. Eat Organic
Vegetables and fruit grown without synthetic pesticides prevent those chemicals from harming farmers, wildlife and consumers. Get a list of the most contaminated foods at FoodNews.org.

28. Pack your lunch
Green bagging your PB&J in a reusable tote is good for the earth and your waistline. Polystyrene, the material that makes up plastic and white foam to-go containers, usually isn’t recyclable and goes straight to the landfill.

We at Garments Without Guilt know you want to live guilt-free, and we want to help!

The Dr. Hauschka website tells us so. “Dr.Hauschka Skin Care is a different kind of company. Inspired by our vision of a culture of care, we’ve created a company not driven by greed but powered by compassion. All we do is in the interest of fostering well-being in the world, from our ecologically sound methods of growing and sourcing ingredients to our one-of-a-kind manufacturing processes and international fair trade initiatives. “

They go on to say, “We’re active in our local communities and engage in projects the world over that help transform disadvantage into self-reliance and economic sustainability.” We love that about them!

Dr. Hauschka products include:
• Holistic Home Remedies
• Homeopathic Medicines
• Natural Skin Care
• Bath & Shower
• Body Care
• Decorative Cosmetics
• Face Care
• Gifts & Accessories
• Hair Care

The photo above is from a Treehugger.com article promoting their new shampoo line. “Natural and organic skincare company Dr. Hauschka has… four tasty hair care products: Macadamia and Orange Shampoo for normal hair, Nasturtium and Lemon Shampoo for normal to oily hair, Apricot and Sea Buckthorn Shampoo for dry and damaged hair, and Jojoba and Marshmallow Conditioner for intensive daily conditioning treatment.

“The Germany-based firm only uses herbal extracts from plants grown organically or collected in the wild to create each product—without making sacrifices for scent, lather, or consistency. Plus, the quality seal of the German BDIH is stamped on every bottle. What does that mean? Full ingredient disclosure and no synthetic chemical colors, aromas, preservatives, silicones, paraffins, petroleum products, or animal testing.”

The company explains their “holistic” philosophy this way: “When it comes to any one action we take, any one decision we make, we take the time to look at the repercussions and ramifications on the earth, our clients and customers, our communities and our company.

“We carefully choose every plant and mineral ingredient based on its individual effects and the way it interacts with other ingredients, as well as whether it came from an ecologically and ethically sound source. We choose packaging that’s Eco-friendly and which allows us to keep our products free of artificial preservatives.

“A Dr.Hauschka Skin Care regimen should be part of a healthy lifestyle supported by diet, exercise and contemplative practices to reconnect us with our natural rhythms. All of these factors have an effect on skin health and beauty, and all are a part of Dr.Hauschka’s holistic approach.”

We at GWG like the way they go about their eco-friendly and people-friendly business!

Above you can see Rachel Sarnoff of EcoStiletto (who we’ve highlighted before) offering a great review of Alaffia, along with other fabulous eco-fashion tips, on CNN. She says Alaffia is truly amazing as a line and works incredibly well. And that it’s a great example all around: the packaging is recyclable, the products are made from all natural ingredients-organic ingredients-and also, the production of this line supports indigenous people in Togo, Africa. She also added that it smells amazing and that Shea butter is “just incredible for your skin.”

Their website explains that the founder chose to promote indigenous African natural resources that are culturally, spiritually, economically and ecologically sustainable. Shea butter that is traditionally handcrafted fits. It’s a renewable resource of African origin; shea trees are wild, requiring no chemical fertilizers or pesticides; and it’s an integral part of many savanna communities. Consequently, there is a wealth of local and traditional knowledge of making shea butter.

The fair trade of our handcrafted shea butter and shea butter skin care products is bringing income to and empowering our communities in Togo, while making indigenous, sustainable and effective skin care available to the global community.

Their website also tells us a bit more about how their company empowers all who work with them.

Alaffia strives to be an integral part of our communities in Washington state and in Togo, West Africa. Here are a few ways we participate:

In Togo, West Africa

• The Alaffia/Agbanga Shea Butter Cooperative is an important part of the greater Sokode community. We provide stable, fair incomes to over 80 families. The Cooperative also provides medical care and other assistance when needed. Our members are proud to be able to use their indigenous knowledge to feed and clothe their families. One of our goals is for the cooperative to be a model for other groups and individuals in Togo and other West African nations to follow.

• Community Enhancement Projects - Ten percent of our sales go directly to fund community enhancement projects in Togo. We have several projects, all of which serve to enhance community self reliance and sustainability.

Today, Africa is considered the poorest continent on Earth. Seventy-seven percent of Africans live on less than $2 per day, and women and children make up the majority of this number. African families must also cope with the impacts of diseases such as AIDS and malaria, high unemployment rates, and increasing problems with air and water pollution, including access to potable water.

Africans are still experiencing colonial legacies that impede the well-being of the people, such as the systematic exclusion of women from the formal education system and lack of access to adequate market information to trade their products fairly. The discrepancy between the extreme poverty and the natural wealth of the African continent has been a constant puzzlement and source of frustration for many over the years. So Alaffia helps people in Togo, but those in their community in the U.S. aren’t left out.

In Washington State, USA

• The Alaffia Global Community Scholarship is designed to assist low income high school seniors in Washington State obtain higher education degrees.

• Soaps & Lotions for Local Shelters- Donating soap and lotions to local women’s shelters is important, since we believe everyone should have access to high quality body care products, especially those who are facing difficulties in their daily lives.

• Visits to Alaffia - we discuss Fair Trade and demonstrate how we make our soaps and lotions at our building in Washington.

• Soap Making Classes - Alaffia teams with a local retailer, Radiance Herbs and Massage, to offer soap making classes at our facility several times a year.

• Internships - Alaffia works with several schools and universities to provide internships for students interested in learning about fair trade.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if EVERY company did their business with this level of integrity? At Garments Without Guilt, we can imagine it, and we’re working to see it become the norm.

In an earlier post that discussed how “Fair Trade Products Beautify the World” we mentioned several companies that are doing just that. One of them, Aveda, we covered in our GWG Universe Blog and now we want to highlight Pangea Organics.

Their name brings to mind the supercontinent-the one that existed when there was only one piece of land that all libing beings shared. Their philosophy is outlined quite nicely by their CEO, Joshua Onysko, in the video above, but their website puts it in these succinct phrases:

Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative.

Ecocentric Bodycare: Always Beneficial, Never Artificial.

And this is one of our favorite things they say: “You’re already beautiful. We’re just here to help cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin.”

Pangea products are (and always will be):
• Crafted by artisans in small batches, using pure, organic ingredients that replenish the skin
• Hand-blended to soothe or stimulate your senses
• Preserved using the gentlest of methods to retain the nurturing properties of the botanicals in each customized blend
• Intentionally sourced from organic farmers through fair trade practices whenever possible
• Honest above all else: if it’s in our products, it’s on our labels

ALWAYS
nurturing
handcrafted
organic & fair trade
cruelty-free

NEVER
petroleum-based ingredients
sulfates or detergents
synthetic preservatives
artificial colors or fragrances

Buying Pangea Organics products does more than make your body feel good. It means you’re supporting sustainable agriculture and culture – everything from fair trade sourcing and organic farming to living wages and the use of renewable, recycled and recyclable resources. In other words: good for you, good for every body.

You only have one body and we only have one planet. Pangea promises to do all that they can to take care of both.

We at Garments Without Guilt believe we should all use the same philosophy in our buying decisions-sustainable and ethical-whether for inside, on our outside of our bodies.

The poignant video above, narrated by Emma Thompson, illustrates the newest venture from Do The Green Thing called Glove Love. They explain, “Glove Love is an initiative where we take lonely single gloves that have lost their original partners, wash them and then pair them with brand new glove lovers. Click ‘Give Gloves’ to donate single gloves, or ‘Get Gloves’ to buy a matched pair”. Sounds simple enough, right?

The gloves are washed, repaired and then re-paired by Green Thing, who match them by size but not color, and also add recycled labels, nametags and letters of introduction.

Springwise told us that last winter’s strays were harvested from lost and found boxes through donations from The Natural History Museum, Transport For London and other organizations, and Green Thing is asking people to send in unpartnered gloves to keep its online store stocked. Profits go to Green Thing Trust, which is a registered charity.

As Green Thing points out, each sale keeps single gloves out of landfills and avoids manufacturing a new pair. It’s a fun and practical approach to sustainability, and one that Green Thing hopes will be copied by people in other parts of the world. Not just for gloves, but for “all sorts of single things that can be put together in new, creative and aesthetic ways”.

As temperatures drop, Garments Without Guilt hopes you can adopt a pair of lost and lonely gloves and give them both a partner and a home.

Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity. But it seems that with accelerating arctic warming and other early climate impacts, scientists have concluded that we are already above the safe zone at around 390ppm – and this number is rising by about 2 parts per million every year. So unless we are able to rapidly return to 350 ppm this century, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and major methane releases from increased permafrost melt.

That’s why On October 24th, people in 181 countries came together to speak with one voice on the most urgent issue of our times: the climate crisis. Through the website 350.org, people in every corner of the planet coordinated what is likely the most widespread day of environmental action in the history of the world.

At over 5,200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis. By the day’s end, it was clear: people of all kinds in just about every place on earth are calling for a fair, ambitious, and binding global climate treaty.

Though you may have missed the big day on the 24th, you can still make a difference. At the end of 2009, countries will meet in Copenhagen to craft a new global treaty on climate change. It is up to us to make sure that treaty is as strong enough to meet the latest science. The best way to do that is to be sure that world leaders hear this message and that the pressure continues to grow.

In the coming weeks, please join in to keep the pressure on and get the 350 message straight to decision-makers world-wide. A movement is like a bicycle-it needs to keep moving. And you are providing all the power.

Go to the 350.org website and click on Next Steps to find out how to sign your name to the pledge, upload and share photos and videos, sign up for action alerts and help spread the word.