Ethical homewares

With all the excesses of the Christmas period, there's a lot more waste than usual - think of the empty wine and beer bottles, food packaging and gift wrappings; the central heating that's going full-blast and the lights that are on in the house all day. Here are some great eco-friendly ideas to help you enjoy Christmas all the more, happy in the knowledge that you are doing your bit Never has being eco-conscious been so in-fashion - this is one band-wagon that we can all be proud to jump on.

Now even your drying up can be eco-friendly thanks to this pack of three Fairtrade cotton tea towels. They are made from Fairtrade certified cotton, which helps local farmers to invest in their own communities. Fairtrade Cotton Tea Towels, £7.50.

Whether we have a white Christmas or just a wet Christmas, you can make the most of any winter downpours with this water butt and stand. The barrel is strong and robust, perfect for collecting and storing rainwater all year round. It has a 136 litre capacity with a lid and twist flow tap. It can also be raised off the ground to gain easy access to the tap if you wish to place a watering can underneath. Water Butt, Stand and Drain Pipe Diverter, £29.50.

Reduce the amount of plastic bottles sent to landfill by giving up bottled water and buying a filter jug instead. This slim jug fits inside the fridge door to keep your water cold, and it has a handy electronic cartridge exchange indicator, which reminds you to change the cartridge every four weeks. Brita Elemaris Cool Chrome Water Filter, £33.

This three-bin composter makes it easy to convert kitchen and garden waste into compost - so your Christmas dinner could be fertilising your garden by spring! Dramatically reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by moving the contents from chamber to chamber once a month. It takes just a few minutes and guarantees a regular supply of compost. Deluxe Composter, £129.

These high-quality cloths clean glass and hard surfaces without the need for any chemicals or cleaning products. You need to use only water to get great results, which means you will be reducing the amount of harsh chemicals that pollute the environment and starting the New Year with a clean conscience. Twin Pack of E Cloths, £9.50.

Leaving electrical products on standby wastes vast amounts of energy. This is not only bad for the environment, but it also increases your electricity bills. But this ingenious power-saving device will reduce your energy consumption and electricity costs by up to twenty percent when fitted to your television. There's no need for any installation, just plug in and once your TV has been in standby mode for a few minutes it will separate the system from the power supply. As soon as you turn the TV back on, the power supply is automatically reconnected. Power Saver TV Standby Monitor, £19.50.

Eco Balls are a money saving and environmentally friendly alternative to laundry detergents. They clean your clothes while caring for your washing machine and the environment, and can also reduce the risk of skin allergies and irritations caused by conventional washing powder. Just place the three eco balls in your washing machine instead of powder. Together they produce ionized oxygen that activates the water molecules naturally and allows them to penetrate deep into clothing fibres to lift dirt away. They are reusable for over 1,000 washes and cost on average 3p per wash. Refill pellets and a stain remover are included. Eco Balls, £29.95.

These attractive blue Hi-Ball glasses are hand made in Mexico from recycled fizzy drinks bottles. They are Fairtrade certified, so you can enjoy some Christmas spirits and look after the environment too. Recycled glasses £4.95.