The new website Moorbi.com has created a shopping destination for consumers seeking sustainably designed and produced fashion and home decor items created by talented independent designers. The London-based site (launched in December 2012) features over 500 OOAK and limited edition items.

Moorbi’s goal is to feature a broad spectrum of international designers focused on creating the highest quality upcycled products with the lowest environmental impact. Products are chosen that reflect conscious design and character that will endure throughout the item’s lifecycle. The site features creations that might otherwise be only available in local shops or galleries.

The site is constantly searching the global design community for designers of unique, sustainable creations. If you’re a designer concerned about the environment, that uses upcycled, recycled, salvaged or reclaimed materials in your design process and are looking for a global showcase for your work, Moorbi might just be for you – contact them.

Pictured items top to bottom:

Rawation Box by Adi Zaffran – features bark, reclaimed tree branches and recycled plastic (Israel)

Benedetta Zebrano Wood Bag and the Laura Eco Bag (in beige) by Embawo – created from sustainably harvested wood (Italy)

Star Belt and Abi Bag by Katcha Bilek – made from recycled bike tires and inner tubes (UK)

ReCrate Desk by K3 Urban Design – features upcycled pallet wood (UK)

Shark and Squid pendants by Oliotto – sustainable cherry wood veneer (USA)

For those that can pull this kind of thing off…

These sexy-looking adjustable bike shorts from Emilie Bosworth-Clemens and CrossFox almost made it into last week’s Eco Fashion Friday Finds. The made to order  shorts are created from a combination of organic cotton jersey and spandex (95% organic cotton, 5% spandex) – they’re hand-dyed with low impact fiber reactive dyes to create the unique color.

The fitted shorts are perfect for layering under shorter garments for worry free prancing about – or can be worn, uncovered, as an eye-catching pair of sexy shorts. The waistband can be worn up or down for the look you desire – high waisted or folded over. Epaulettes with small gold buttons further enhance the unique, stylish look.

CrossFox creates an extensive collection of original organic clothing. These eco bike shorts will run you $55

Our latest edition of annotated eco news.

• All the worst conditions for a tornado came together in that one spot… Why Was the Moore, Okla. Tornado so Deadly? – livescience
• It’s not what you think… The Fracking Boom Triggers Water Battle in North Dakota – nbcnews.com
• If you like to drink water this is kind of alarming… US Aquifers Depleting at a Rapid Rate – enn
• Vertical gardening… ‘Pinkhouses’ – The Future of Urban Farming? – npr
• Why it’s evolution my dear Watson… Why Did Penguins Stop Flying – natgeo
• A little fungus lead to the death of over 1 million people… Irish Potato Famine Pathogen Identified - bbc
• Electric car marketers need to overcome the consumer’s ‘range’ anxiety… Tesla Motors: Could Electric Cars Refuel Faster Than Gas Cars? - csmonitor.com

photo of underwater swirling fish via shutterstock.com

related: more eco news from The Alternative Consumer

Summer’s fast approaching and many of us will be increasing our time in the sun while pursuing all our favorite outdoor pastimes. Having a nice deep tan can make you look like your favorite celeb on DWTS (they use spray tan) but also expose you and yours to some very harmful sun-related effects. One of our favorite people-friendly orgs, Environmental Working Group, has just published its 2013 Guide to Sunscreens and a list of things ‘not’ to bring with you on your next vacation or trip to the beach. Here’s a quick look at their recommendations:

• No to Spray Sunscreens – What price convenience? Mom’s may appreciate the ease-of-use of these products but there’s a looming concern that these sprays pose serious inhalation risks. The spray also makes it easy to to miss a spot or have thin areas of application – leaving bare skin exposed to harmful rays.
• No to Super-High SPFs – Products with sky-high SPFs don’t necessarily provide more protection than SPF 30, and though they may protect against sunburn, they can leave your skin exposed to damaging, deep-penetrating UVA rays. Consumers can also be lulled into a false sense of security by staying out in the sun longer while using a high SPF product.  The higher SPF products may prevent sunburn during extended sun exposure, but that extra time in the sun will increase the risk of other kinds of skin damage. Note: only one in seven sunscreens in EWG’s sunscreen guide this year boasts SPFs higher than SPF 50+.
• No to Oxybenzone – Check those labels – oxybenzone is a common ingredient in many sunscreens. The chemical penetrates the skin, gets into the bloodstream and acts like estrogen in the body. It can also trigger allergic reactions. Preliminary data has found links between oxybenzone and endometriosis in older women and negative effects on pregnant women.
• No to Loose Powder Sunscreens – Like sprays, loose powder sunscreens can expose users to the inhalation of chemicals like zinc and titanium. Sun care products designed for the face and hair often contain loose powder. If they do, don’t use them. The FDA no longer allows manufacturers of over-the-counter products containing loose sunscreen powder to advertise and SPF or claim sun protection claims.
• No to Retinyl Palmitate – This chemical form of vitamin A is often used in night cream beauty products for its supposed anti-aging properties. Unfortunately, government studies have indicated, that when applied to sun-exposed skin, retinyl palmitate may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions. Almost one in four of the SPF-rated sunscreens, makeups and moisturizers in this year’s EWG suncare guide contains retinyl palmitate.
• No to Combo Sunscreen/Bug Repellents – Here’s a case where multi-tasking can be a bad thing. Two notes: bugs are not a major problem during the hours when UV exposure is at its peak and sunscreen may need to be reapplied more frequently than repellent, or vice versa. Studies have indicated that combining sunscreens and repellents leads to increased skin absorption of the repellent ingredients – so keep that stuff off your face.
• No to Sunscreen Towelettes – In 2011 the FDA updated sunscreen rules to end the sale of sunscreen wipes and towelettes. Some small companies have been granted another year to remove them from their product lines. The towelettes can provide too little sunscreen to provide adequate protection.  Chuck em’ out.
• No to Tanning Oils – Though you may admire the deep brown, leathery look of George Hamilton in his prime, these products don’t provide enough protection and promote risky behavior by encouraging users seek out intense sunshine and pursue tanning behaviors that can result in skin damage and increased risk of developing skin cancer. EWG recommends avoiding products with SPF values lower than 15 or those that don’t contain either zinc oxide or avobenzone for UVA protection.

We would also recommend that you always cover-up when out in the midday sun. Wear a big hat, a long sleeve shirt (when appropriate) and get out of the sun when you start feeling the heat and/or get pink. Garden or do yard work early or late in the day when the sun’s rays are less intense, always wear a healthful sun protection product and… George Hamilton… don’t be so darn vain.

related: here are some additional skincare, sunscreen and health and beauty reviews from The Alternative Consumer

We’re very happy to announce a new giveaway of two natural latex pillows courtesy of SleepOnLatex.com. If you’re looking for a comfy, natural latex pillow this is for you. For the purposes of our Tried and True Green Product Review SleepOnLatex.com gave us 2 free, natural latex foam pillows to test. Tough assignment. Well, we slept on it and here’s what we think.

These lightweight and puffy pillows are great. They easily conform to the contours of an individual’s head. Made from 100% Natural Talalay Latex Foam (basically rubber tree sap), they cushion and provide a lot of support, so you’re really comfortable. My husband used to sleep with two stacked pillows, but these are so high he only needs one.

The pinhole design of the foam allows air to flow through the pillow – it’s more breathable than memory foam – so now my darling hot-headed hub doesn’t sweat at night. And it’s perfect for anyone, like me, who suffers from allergies – it’s hypoallergenic and dust-mite resistant – as well as mold & mildew-proof. To top it off, they come encased in a cool zippered bamboo cover.

Rest easy knowing they’re made from a renewable, toxic-free material.

Giveaway: So here’s your chance to win 2 beautiful new Queen Size 100% Natural Talalay Latex Pillows from SleepOnLatex.com. (Full retail value: $198 plus free shipping to anywhere in the USA & Canada).

To Enter – simply do one or both of the following:

• Like SleepOnLatex on Facebook.
• Post this contest to your favorite social media site, ie Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, Blog… & leave a comment on this post (with a link).

Want more ways to enter?

Optional ways to enter – receive an additional entry for each comment you leave:

• Follow SleepOnLatex on Twitter, & tweet about the giveaway (no more than once per day), be sure to include @SleepOnLatex
• Follow us on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway (no more than once per day), be sure to refer to @altCon
• Like Alternative Consumer on Facebook

For prize notification be sure to add the following to your email address book: m at AlternativeConsumer.com.

Giveaway is open to residents in USA and Canada. Contest ends Monday June 3, 2013 at 11:59pm PT. Winner will be selected in our Random Drawing, and notified by email on Wednesday, June 5. Winner has 24 hours to claim their prize, or the offer is null and void. Winner’s first name will be included in this post.

As always, we will not share your email or contact info with anyone. Good luck!

more about SleepOnLatex.com

Prior to launching Chicago-based, SleepOnLatex.com, the company founders were selling natural latex foam online for 5 years through ebay. Knowledgeable and focused on providing a superior product and excellent customer service, they offer a wide array of natural latex-based items such as: mattresses, pillows, toppers, cores and covers.

For more giveaways, check out CashNetSweepstakes.com

If your bedroom is currently looking a bit stale and dreary, leaving you feeling flat and uninspired, it’s time to banish those bedroom blues and go eco with an economically upcycled room makeover! It’s a fantastic opportunity to let your imagination run wild and easily add some vitality and natural character to your sleeping environment, whilst helping you do your bit for the environment. Read on for a few ideas to get you started re-crafting your exciting, eco and purse-friendly bedroom:

Vintage advantage:
Just think of how much valuable Rainforest is lost every day due to trees being chopped down for new furniture (240 square miles!). So re-use any old furniture you own for the bedroom before you head to the shops. A quick coat of non-toxic paint or wood oils, and it’ll be as good as new!

Material world:
Spring has sprung and we can finally banish those bulky jumpers for another year. If you have any you no longer like, chop off the sleeves and separate the front and backs. Stitch several square pieces together to create a snug patchwork floor rug, which can help warm up your room and toes.

Blooming marvelous:
A fresh bunch of flowers will not only make a bedroom look nice, but smell nice too. Put old glass bottles and jars to good use, instead of chucking them out, to contain your fancy floral arrangements. Old waste paper bins also make good flower holders, as long as they’re water tight!

Beddy buys:
However, some things can be beyond salvaging, so if your mattress has lost its’ spring, and is sagging and uncomfortable, it’s time to invest in a new eco bed. Mattress Online provides a wide range of brand new mattresses, with several made from organic cotton and wool. Natural mattress materials last much longer than processed, synthetic mattresses, without the need for harmful chemicals in their production. With Mattress Online offering up to 70% off usual prices, you can save money whilst still being eco in your mattress style choice.

Don’t worry about how to get rid of your old mattress. Instead of sending it to landfill, consider getting it recycled, or donating it to worthy causes, such as Homeless shelters or pet charities. It can continue to be used, even though it no longer has any benefit for you. So you can feel good whilst helping others and the planet, whilst ensuring you always get a good night’s sleep!