Most of the time we get ideas about everything, even on the environmental commitment of some companies. Some handle it better than the others, whereas, in fact, performance is not always there. To overcome this bad faith, Interbrand, a brand consultancy publishes the annual Best Global Green Brands. A ranking which highlights companies combining good environmental image among consumers with real environmental performance. This year, the big winner is Toyota, followed closely by Siemens and 3M. Unfortunately for some, good performance is not enough to get a good ecological image among the public, we think particularly of L’Oreal or HSBC. On the other hand, we also notice that “greenwashing” still popular, McDonalds and Coca-Cola for example, have a good reputation among consumers while their policies are not so much green… It is time for us, consumers, to learn to put things in perspective!

More : Greenwashing is a form of spin in which green marketing is deceptively used to promote the perception that a company’s policies or products are environmentally friendly.

See the complete report on the Interbrand website.

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Can we ever cook a vegetarian menu healthy and appetizing? Garance Leureux answers yes in her book : Ma cuisine végétarienne pour tous les jours. Eating vegetarian food is no longer a nightmare, simple recipes but sophisticated come to enrich your life. This book helps you combine the right food according to diet rules. It explains to you the characteristics of specific ingredients, such as pulses or grains and gives you 500 recipes, which, for some, are photographed step by step. How to make cereal pancakes, vegetable pies, unique dishes made of tofu and flavored sauces? All answers and more are in this culinary bible, many times reprinted. A real stimulus of creativity.

Ma cuisine végétarienne pour tous les jours, by Garance Leureux, Editions La Plage, € 19,50.

See other gourmet books recommended by the Gavarni Hotel.

Has the Fête des Jardins left its mark on you ? If so, this good deed has been made for you. The Palace of Versailles offers to adopt a tree for €1000. After the great storm of 1999, gardens have been seriously damaged. The heart of the central axis of the park, the Etoile Royale, was reduced to a vast stretch of lawn punctuated very sparsely by a few Italian poplars. A redevelopment program of the area has been set up and 446 lime trees were planted, according to the historical pattern, thought by Le Nôtre. Adopting a tree is a symbolic and historical act, including the purchase, transportation, planting and a year’s maintenance. A certificate of adoption will be made out in your name or the name of the person to whom you wish to offer it as a gift. Of course, any donation as a private individual gives entitlement to tax cuts. Thus you can have a clear conscience.

Photo credit : The big view – © EPV

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Everyone knows that: to travel green in Paris, nothing is better than using public transports or vélib instead of our car. The Paris City Hall has set up an application via its website, to make life easier for bicycle users! Géovélo suggests three route choices: the shortest, the safest and the proper balance. Easy to use, the site calculates your route according to your preferences and especially the way you go cycling. Cycle tracks and pedestrian streets are selected first to guarantee safety and calm. Géovélo also thinks about your legs saving you the coasts and other slopes too steep!

A big extra: Géovélo is also available on Smartphone, with real time Geolocation!

vgps.paris.fr

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46664. Behind this mysterious number, one of the suffering bore by the President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, is hidden. During 18 years, it was the Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island prison number. He has finally decided to create a solidarity clothing brand for men and women, exclusively sells, for the moment, in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. However, an on-line sales site, is expected to be launched about November 2011. A part of benefits reaped, will be transfer to the Mandela Foundation, wich is fighting against HIV AIDS. Another nice enterprise from Nelson Mandela wich shows his amazing generosity of spirit.

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August is right around the corner and holidays are approaching. No worries, going on vacation in a heavenly setting without polluting or ruining your health is possible. The secrets for green holidays are still well kept, but here’s what you should know…
First of all, don’t go too far! We keep repeating it, but long commute is extremely polluting, especially by plane. You can use the Ademe comparator to compare the weight of your travel in CO2 depending on different means of transportation. For accommodation, rather settle for eco-friendly housing. You can find such accommodation by looking at the Guide du Routard du tourisme durable or the Petit Futé du tourisme solidaire. Prevent your skin from sunburn with organic sunscreen, always take eco-friendly bags with you and go on expeditions in isolated places. Be careful not to leave any waste behind you. Everybody knows that every gesture counts!

Want to discover preserved countries? Here are the 10 less polluted countries of the world:

1. Iceland
2. Switzerland
3. Costa Rica
4. Sweden
5. Norway
6. Mauritius Island
7. France
8. Austria
9. Cuba
10. Colombia

Now all you have to do is choose!

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Rewarded at the Green Fashion Awards on March 3rd 2011, the new Dutch brand OAT commits to preserving the environment with the designing of biodegradable sneakers. The OAT Shoes have style, nice lines but are essentially entirely made out of raw materials and therefore present no danger to the environment. Once your sneakers are worn out, you can even bury them in your garden with a clear conscience and see nature at work!

OAT Shoes are available online at www.oatshoes.com

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Green alert! We found the perfect shoes for all the eco-friendly shoppers. All materials used by Coclico are natural (leather, wood, cork) and chemical-free, even the buckles are made out of recycled materials. The designer of these marvels, Sandra Canselier launched her brand in 2000 in the United States, with a combination of environmental commitment and fashion. Besides, the wedges and open-toes are to die for. Perfect to go crazy with our credit card without feeling guilty… After all, it is for a good cause: summer’s here!

The brand Coclico is available at the Galeries Lafayette.

Open every day from 10 am to 8 pm, on Thursdays until 9 pm.

Coclico
Galeries Lafayette
40, Boulevard Haussmann
75009 Paris
France
T . : +33.(0)1.42.82.34.56

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Legendary in Spain where they come from, the Victoria shoes have already won over the European market. With their fresh casual and unisex style and a wide variety of colors available, the sneakers contribute to the success of the brand. And since pleasant surprises often come in twos, the soles of Victoria sneakers are made out of natural rubber and their dye present no danger for the environment whatsoever. What great environmentally responsible news!

A little extra: With their simple silhouette, these sneakers are ideal to customize. The brand even encourages their most faithful customers to send pictures of their most original designs. Go for it!

The brand Victoria is available at the Galeries Lafayette.
Open every day from 10 am to 8 pm, on Thursdays until 9 pm.

Victoria available at the Galeries Lafayette
40, Boulevard Haussmann
75009 Paris
France
T . : +33.(0)1.42.82.34.56

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Hair salons are one of the polluting activities of our modern world. Between the use of chemical products (parabens, ammonia, synthetic perfumes) and the important water consumption, these salons are dangerous for our health and especially for the environment. Fortunately, the first French Hair Concept with low carbon footprint has just opened a 300 square meter boutique next to the Saint-Eustache church. Imagined by Stéphane Amaru and Alexandre Cruzel, the Didact Hair Building houses private space dedicated to hair: a long hair counter, a natural hair tinting salon and a shop in shop where all products are sold for wholesale prices! A small revolution in the services dedicated to hair beauty.

Open on Tuesdays from 1 to 7 pm, on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays until 8.30 pm.

Didact Hair Building
2, rue du Jour
75001 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.82.28.30.10

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