The Fair Cottage

Neoprene, due to it being an oil derivative, is undoubtedly one of the most polluting materials in the practice of surfing. In this post, The Fair Cottage explores sustainable alternatives to traditional wetsuits, which leave a trail of pollution in the wake of their useful lives....

In this post, we return to surfing's roots by reviewing some of the best FSC certified wooden surfboards around. With their natural tones, spectacular patterns and uniquely scattered knots wooden surfboards can be simply jaw dropping, and that's before you hop on and experience them on the waves.

Enjoy snowboarding? Love nature? In this post The Fair Cottage reviews the top eco-friendly snowboard accessories for nurturing both passions. We only promote brands that are ethical, have values aligned with our own and help you to reduce your impact on the environment.

Can you name any European sustainable snowboard brands? Do you know which ones make boards from bamboo or biological resin? If not, fear not! Our job at the Fair Cottage is to be a hub of information, letting you know about alternative products that are kind to nature, of which we are all a part.

Rock climbing, when compared to other outdoor activities, has far fewer options when it comes to sustainable gear. This is despite the sport being well rooted in nature, the playground on which it relies. In this post, TFC shows you the the ropes in terms of what's out there and where to find it.

You may have noticed brands from far away lands, filling the shelves of European surf shops with imported boards and the Earth's atmosphere with Co2. But what are your options closer to home? In this post TFC introduces the top green surfboard materials and shapers from across the continent.

Although the clothing industry is often linked with unsustainable practices, outdoor clothing producers are known for being stubborn advocates of environmental rights. In this post, The Fair Cottage lists some of our favorite bluesign certified sustainable outdoor clothing brands from around Europe.

For that long-awaited adventure in nature, you want to be properly equipped for your favourite activities. Choosing the right tent, sleeping bag, flashlight, utensils, stove or alternative power source are all valuable things to consider, as is a product's origin and life cycle.

It is an often discussed topic, but what really is an eco-surfboard and what are the standards it should meet in order to be considered a truly eco-friendly or sustainable surfboard? Do the eco-options out there actually respond to the performance demands of the market?

Day two’s conference at Ethical Fashion Show Berlin is led by Fashion Sustain Berlin, part of the Messe Frankfurt group. The first talk asks the question, why exploit when you can explore?