The network of community groups committed to the care of the environment, greener living and development of the local economy in Berkshire

Green Living

Advice and Ideas

www.greenchoices.org has lots of ideas on how to make ecologically sound lifestyle choices from cars to food, holidays to washing. Another website is www.bynature.co.uk which offers a wide selection of organic and ethical products and brings inspiration for a green lifestyle in the 21st Century.

To receive daily tips on greening your lifestyle sign up at Friends of the Earth website - www.foe.co.uk/living/tips/
See the online shoppers guide at The Ethical Consumer. Read about the RSPCA freedom foods standard.

For sourcing reclaimed timber and recycled materials try www.salvo.co.uk

Allotments

A local iniative at Winkfield is www.carrot-patch.co.uk which is seeking people interested in growing their own veg on a plot "half the size of a tennis court".
More on allotment growing at www.allotment.org.uk

Dry Cleaning

Byrons of Windsor, 33 St Leonard's Road, Windsor is an ethical dry cleaning company with a delivery service. Tel: 01753 858275 for information.

Global Action Plan
Global Action Plan was established in the UK in 1993 and has helped thousands of people throughout the country to take practical environmental action at home, at work and in schools. You receive five packs over five months - each contains a step-by-step guide with money-saving ideas and special offers, children's activities and campaign postcards. Learn more at: www.globalactionplan.org.uk/

Local Currencies
Successful Local Exchange Trading Schemes (LETS) are running in Bracknell, Maidenhead (Marlow) and Reading.
People who join a scheme, a sophisticated barter network, can trade with each other, swapping skills, goods, services and hire of equipment, using a local 'unit of exchange'. For more information visit the national website at www.letslinkuk.net

Nappies

Miranda Stamp provides a free information service for washable nappies, and has lots of samples, information and so on, so that mums & mum-to-be can see and feel nappies with no obligation to buy. Available to talk to antenatal groups, NCT groups etc. Independent supplier of several brands of cloth nappies. www.twinkleontheweb.co.uk has advice and information about choosing and using cloth nappies, plus online shop for all major brands.