Go for Green.

Doing your bit for the environment is as easy as making good choices

MAN POWER
Protecting the environment is a breeze when you can zip around dodging traffic and parking meters on a 5.6kg foldable bike. The A-Bike is “half the size of any other folding bike”, not to mention “half the weight and half the price” – and it fits into a gym bag so you can take it with you anywhere. Perfect for commuters. Order online at www.roullierwhite.com or call +44 (20) 8693 5150. RRP £150 (AU$376).

TODAE FOR TOMORROW
For four years, savvy shoppers have been going to www.todae.com.au for organic, healthy and renewable products and ideas – to create a “lifestyle for a sustainable future”, as Todae’s motto says. Now you can browse offline as well: it has opened its first physical store at 83 Glebe Point Road in Sydney. Pick up a shower timer for AU$3.90 or a Bokashi Bin (an indoor composter) for AU$99. Call 1300 138 483, within Australia, for more information.

PAYING IT FORWARD
According to Greenfleet, every car emits a staggering 4.3 tonnes of CO² a year – a toxic cocktail for our air. The latest to join Greenfleet’s action-oriented programme is Saab Australia, which will pay for 17 native trees to be planted for every car it puts on the road. Car rental companies have also organised themselves onto the bandwagon. An estimated 800,000 trees will be planted this year on their behalf. Private car owners can do their bit too – it’s only AU$40 a year, tax-deductible to offset your car’s emissions. Find out more on www.greenfleet.com.au

WAGON WHEELS
It might look like old-school accommodation, but once inside your Early Settler-style wagon you’ll appreciate its ingenious eco-friendly mod-cons – solar-generated power, low-wattage energy-efficient halogen lighting, and even a high-tech flush toilet that converts waste to CO² and water vapour! Add gorgeous views of the Southern Alps and a continental breakfast and it’s a pleasure to get back to nature. Wagon Stays wagons are available for NZ$250 (AU$221) per night. 700 Cashmere Road, Christchurch, New Zealand, tel: +64 (3) 322 8277.

AN APPLE A DAY
We’ve always been hot for Apple products because of their cool quotient, good looks and functionality, but did you know that its products are also energy efficient and environmentally friendly? In fact, Apple’s desktops and notebook computers recently scored top of the class on the American EPA’s environmental assessment tool (www..epeat.net). Just one more reason to get a scorchingly fast new MacBook with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Double Layer Super Drive – so what’ll it be, the crisp white, or the sexy black? From AU$1,749. www.apple.com.au

WHEN IN DROUGHT
With water restrictions a fact of life in Australia now, Ecowash Mobile – a waterless mobile car-wash and polish service – is your best bet for keeping your beloved car clean. The company is serious about helping the environment: every wash saves 180 litres of water and uses biodegradable products. Zipping around most metropolitan areas (Darwin was being confirmed at press time), Ecowash is only a phone call away (1800 ECOWASH). Or book a wash online at www.ecowash.com.au; these guys will definitely clean up your act.

CALL OF THE WILD
Here’s a heads-up. Phillip Island, home of Australia’s famous fairy penguins, will be getting the first-ever eco-resort with the opening of the All Seasons Eco Resort Phillip Island next month. All 211 villas have energy efficiency built in, wetland areas will be established for storm management, 75,000 native trees will be planted and a water-recycling system will be put into place. Parent company Accor is not new to the building of ‘green hotels’; they pioneered the concept with Novotel Sydney Olympic Park in 2000. Opening rates start from AU$130 for a spa studio. Go to jetstar.com for your travel choices.

WRITE UP A STORM
“Be green,” urges Pilot – its new environmentally friendly BeGreen range of pens, highlighters, markers and erasers are made from at least 67% recycled material. Available from Woolworths, Officeworks and newsagents, even phone doodling can help the planet! For the full range go to www.pilotpen.com.au or call 1300 325 866 within Australia.

BABY LOVE
Pamper your baby with green products from the new Baby Starter Kit by Gaia Skin Naturals. Organic, vegan and not tested on animals, the Natural Baby range was formulated by founder Michelle Vogrinec after ordinary products reacted with her newborn son’s super-sensitive skin. Featuring 50ml bottles of luxurious bath and body wash, shampoo, moisturiser, skin soothing lotion and massage oil in a handy zip lock bag, the kit is the perfect gift for new mums. RRP AU$22.95. Find it on www.gaiaskinnaturals.com or call +61 (3) 9753 2871.