A lot of hard work and research goes into this web resource. Since it's inception, we've strived to bring together nothing but the best and most useful information to help eco-consumers make informed and educated green living decisions.

We also thought long and hard about the name.

Yes, we're assembling an eco-shopping resource with the best stores and deals on green, organic, recycled, ethically produced and fair trade products, but we're also creating a library and interface for some of the best articles, guides and reviews on green products, services and issues.

What name sums up best what we're trying to do? Hmmm. And then it came to us...

"to check out" !

Some dictionary definitions for you:

to verify or become verified; examine or investigate

We want to help you evaluate all the best green products and guides on the market before you make your decision.

to fulfill requirements, as by passing a test

We've included nothing but long-standing, reputable, tried-and-tested sites for each of our categories.

to have the cost added up and pay for merchandise

We do not sell any products nor have any bias towards any company featured on our site. The choice to go to their checkout is entirely yours.

to borrow an item by having it listed as one's temporary responsibility and to vacate and pay for hotel accommodation

Sound familiar? That's how we feel about the environment. It's only ours on loan and we'll all be checking out of it one day.

By encouraging people to make clever, eco-friendly purchases and decisions we hope we are doing our bit to make sure future borrowers of the earth find it in a good condition and that we don't leave an unpaid bill for the next inhabitants.

(informal) to depart quickly or abruptly; leave in a hurry

(slang) to die

Despite what the sceptics say, there is stark evidence to suggest we really are killing off our planet as a hospitable environment.

If we don't want it to 'check out' in a hurry, we've got some work on our hands, starting with educating ourselves, educating others and making intelligent, sustainable, forward-thinking choices as consumers.