Green Living

Armed with a hand blender, a bucket, some wild plants and various kitchen cupboard ingredients you can give old clothes a new lease of life

Drawing from 40 years of composting experience, Nicky Scott's latest book will inspire confidence in beginners and give new techniques to veteran composters

There is a greater variety of bikes available now than ever before, ranging from as little as £100 up to over £1000. Here is some basic information on the six main varieties

The tale of the homemade wormery in a second-floor-flat continues... The worms are thriving, multiplying in numbers. Just don't ask about the flies...

They're becoming more and more common - wrapped around everything from milk to chickpeas. But just how environmentally friendly are composite cartons compared to the good, old-fashioned tin or jar?

The iconic, compact fluorescent lightbulb is dead: meet its next generation replacements that are brighter, more efficient, longer-lasting, and mercury-free

Self-builders are no longer a niche segment of society: they are industrious, skilled, innovative individuals who should be helped to create vital, sustainable communities

Cambridge University's expansion plans could change the face of sustainable building in the UK. In 2012, construction begins on the greenest development of its size and scope in the UK

It's easy to dismiss 'detox' as a fad, as some product claims are exaggerated. But detoxing, as a practice, has been around for centuries

It's easy to dismiss 'detox' as a fad, as some product claims are exaggerated. But detoxing, as a practice, has been around for centuries.

Fixing a tap could help save tens of thousands of litres of clean water in a year, and save yourself money in the process. In her new book, Mend It!, Siân Berry explains how

A house built with straw could cost as little as £70,000 to build - and some are still standing after 140 years. Barbara Jones' fantastic book Building with Straw Bales reveals all you need to know

Wholesome, seasonal, frugal, simple, fresh, homegrown and hardy...The Soil Association Soup Book's recipes are sure to delight all. Read on for some tasty recipes

We've inherited an unhealthy, puritan attitude to food and sensory pleasure, says Tom Hodgkinson. Taking a leaf out of the books of our medieval ancestors would do us all good...

Naturally reared, free range turkeys are more flavoursome, says Irish chef Darina Allen. Here is her guide to cooking old-fashioned roast turkey with chestnut stuffing and bread sauce

No hairshirt or sandals for Molly this year - she's bellowing carols and splashing the cash (in her local currency, of course)

Though it was slow, choppy, wet and tiring, Ewan looks back on his wind-powered crossing to Australia as an experience worth every minute

Former Ecologist editor Jeremy Smith and Richard Hammond reveal new ways to experience the ski season in an extract from their book Clean Breaks

Clean, green beauty products for the holiday season

Christmas needn't be an orgy of consumerism: the more thought, and the less money, that goes into a gift, the more gratefully it is likely to be received. Here are some great ideas...

Ewan discovers that 'overland traveller' has become something of a category, but one into which he's happy to fit

It may look pretty, but the unmistakable odour of nail polish betrays a cocktail of toxic ingredients

Former lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs and now solo musician, Natalie Merchant, talks about campaigning against cement plants and leafletting her gigs

One of Ireland's best-known chefs, Darina Allen takes the fear out of buying fresh, whole fish with her simple preparation guide