About Us

Welcome to the Guardianecostore, managed on behalf of Guardian Unlimited by EthicalSuperstore.com Ltd.

EthicalSuperstore.com Ltd selects products for inclusion based on a wide range of ecologically considered criteria formulated with expert independent environmental advice which helps guide us through the myriad of complex issues involved. We assess all products against the formulated criteria covering five key areas: Eco, Organic, Fair and Sustainable Trade, Natural Living and Well Being.

Background to our Selection Criteria

We base our considerations on the assumption that in an ideal and sustainable society all the products produced would be in complete harmony with the rest of nature. We would hope that they would be:

• Made out of durable, non toxic, grown or recycled materials.
• Recycled, or composted, or sent back to the manufacturer for re-use or recycling at the end of their life.
• Powered by renewable energy in manufacture and delivery and use.
• Free of releases of hazardous or persistent compounds during manufacture or in use.
• Generating income that would support all participants fairly throughout the supply chain.
• Good value for money. This is not always the same as 'cheap'. A longer product life, cheaper running costs, craft produced in fair conditions, less forest damage, better quality, and so on would all be considered added value.
• Able to be transported from anywhere in the world in vehicles that were powered by renewable energy with zero emissions.
• Made using materials, water or energy efficiently. This is either during manufacture and when the product is in use or both.
• Manufactured whilst not exploiting the environment, animals or people involved in its production and supply.
• Made using renewable energy.
• Durable, so less of them need to be made.
• Produced from sustainable resources or organic agriculture if they are made of natural materials.
• Manufactured without requiring testing on animals.
• Manufactured without any negative impact on wild habitats or their species.
• Encouraging the production of certain commodities such as ecologically grown bamboo and hemp for example, which can have sustainability benefits.

Whilst we recognise that this is an ideal vision and few products available today meet all these criteria, we do have to start somewhere. Consequently, we seek out products that are in some way moving in a positive direction towards these ideals.

With the help of our independent environmental advisor we research, assess and weigh up sustainability issues and try to ascertain the extent to which a product is moving along the path towards ideal sustainability. We wish to encourage all efforts to make better products but it is important to explain that our assessment is based within the confines of our own research, opinion and consideration and of course a product’s commercial viability.

As society learns about and debates our impact on the world, issues will change and new criteria will come into focus. Our wish is to participate in this endeavour and support suppliers and manufacturers who are making strides towards our vision for a better world.