Interest in ethical and environmental issues has never been greater. Our reviews need to change. Here’s why we can’t ignore product sustainability.
Why we can't ignore product sustainability
51
in Health, Home & Energy, Shopping
Do eco-friendly cleaning products matter?
16
The organic food sector is booming. But is it just as important to consider green cleaning products as well as eco-friendly food?
in Technology
Your view: would an ink tariff make you think before you print?
16
Last week we asked you for your thoughts on having a monthly tariff for your printing. While most of you were against it, could it help us be more eco-friendly?
Customers let down by cancelled insulation installations
4
Thousands of energy customers had their free insulation installations cancelled at the last minute after the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target scheme came to an end. Were you affected by the cancellations?
The energy-saving LED bulb that switched off the radio
1006
We get sent some weird and wonderful tales of products going wrong, but one story piqued our interest so much that we just had to send it to the lab to test it out. Can you help us shed more light on the mystery?
An off switch is not an energy-saving ‘eco mode’
13
Saving energy is becoming more important for many of us. One way to do this is by buying more energy efficient products. But are the eco claims made by a growing number of products really helping us achieve this?
10 eco gadgets you don’t need
33
With rising energy bills, there’s never been a better time to save energy. There’s a plethora of eco products that promise to slash your power, heating or water bills, but our tests reveal that not all of them deliver.
Energy saving light bulbs – turned off by slow light-up times?
110
Are you turned off by the sluggish light-up times of energy saving light bulbs? Our latest lab test results suggest that this problem may be fading, but it all depends on how good the bulb is.
How can we become smarter at saving energy?
6
Will government plans to make new homes zero-carbon by 2016 help us reduce our carbon footprint? A new report says it’s what’s going on inside the homes that matters – and that means the people who live in them.
Will new anti-‘greenwash’ guidelines make any difference?
3
New guidelines to help prevent advertisers making fluffy, meaningless or plain misleading environmental claims sound good. So will they help shoppers pick the right eco products – or is this a missed opportunity?
Should water meters be compulsory?
42
Water companies have been set targets to introduce water meters to around half of UK homes by 2015. But is this really the best solution for everyone – and can it actually help to reduce water waste?
in Home & Energy, Money, Shopping
Will an eco loyalty card make us shop more sustainably?
4
A new reward scheme for farm shops and eco-friendly retailers aims to play the supermarkets at their own loyalty card game, giving shoppers points for sustainable choices. But will it take off?
Are energy-saving light bulbs too cheap?
35
Light bulbs are in the news again and it looks like their cost is about to rise. So should we all be rushing to snap up those ‘three for a pound’ deals while we still can – or does it pay to be more discerning?
Does brand new always beat second-hand?
8
Apparently, brand new furniture sales are going out of fashion in UK homes, with more of us turning to second-hand sources. So is the reclaimed, retro look your thing or do you prefer to buy new?