You are here: Home / Archives for HOW THEY KEEP GREEN

Kelli Keeps Green! (Pure Pod)

grey dots
August 11, 2010 By 1 Comment

Kelli Donovan is the founder and head designer of Pure Pod, an Australian fashion label that is dedicated to ethical fashion:

“We run our small Eco Luxury Fashion Label from our house near Byron Bay in Australia. In the day-to-day running of our office and production studio, we recycle all paper products, plastic & glass.

Most importantly, we re-use whatever we can – we recycle packaging boxes from the local supermarket, all our material scraps are saved and made into “One Off” designs, used for mattress stuffing or given to local schools for craft projects.”

kelli

“We use a combination of 100% post-consumer recycled paper and partially post-consumer recycled paper for our office printing and we use a combination of soy-based ink with waterless printing and just-in-time digital printing for our swing tags. We are conscious to use minimal packing supplies and whenever possible we will reuse supplier boxes for freight. In terms of general consumables, we use recycled toilet paper, compact fluorescent light bulbs, re-manufactured printer cartridges (when appropriate to our needs) and eco-friendly cleaning products.

We also use human powered transportation to and from the studio as much as possible – walking or riding our bikes. We run our studio on “Green Energy”, supplied by Country Energy which is generated from solar, wind and hydro sources. We have 3 chickens that eat the majority of our scraps and we have a lovely Vegetable Garden, that supplies us almost year round.

We try to buy locally wherever possible to limit the emissions given out by travel and freight. We also use, where feasible, local business’s for all our needs, such as screen printing, pattern making, pattern cutting, sample making, admin services and mentoring, thus supporting the local economy.

Pure Pod is not registered with any Carbon Neutral business. At Pure Pod, we believe that it is up to each individual business to understand, change, and put in place effective measures to minimise one’s “Carbon Footprint”. We believe that the first step toward a sustainable business is sustainable business practice. Paying for carbon credits should be the last resort for minimizing the environmental footprint.”

After 15 years working in the “Fast Fashion”, Kelli saw first hand the immense waste created by the industry and decided that she had to do something about changing not only the industry, but the way people purchase clothing.

Beautiful natural fabrics were becoming available, and Kelli saw the need for a stylish and contemporary label within the Eco-Fashion market, that was not only sustainable, but was Transeasonal and Timeless, to compete against the Fast Turnaround and Quick Change Fast Fashion that appears and disappears every couple of months, only to end up as land fill. Thus Pure Pod was born in 2007.

To find out more visit: Pure Pod

Filed Under: HOW THEY KEEP GREEN Tagged With: ,

Briony Keeps Green! (Adorn Mineral Cosmetics)

grey dots
August 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Briony Kennedy is an advocate of women living better and looking after themselves and as the Director and Founder of Adorn Mineral Cosmetics she is also a fan of the environment:

“I don’t think there isn’t a mum on the planet that doesn’t reassess how they live once their kids come along and that was certainly the case for us once our twins Jackson and Bentley arrived (now 2 ½ ).

Despite being a makeup artist and salon owner for over 10 years and being one for all things natural, I found that having kids really did make me look more closely at how we impact the environment. As I started working on the cosmetic range at the same time the boys were born, it helped me really shape what I wanted the brand to represent.”

BrionyMattandboy

“I had been having difficulty finding a cosmetic range that took a real sustainable approach to how it manufactured, packaged and disposed of its products in addition to helping women who suffered from skin sensitivities while delivering great beauty results. There was no one solution that ticked all the boxes for me.

I knew that other brands claimed they were natural or organic but didn’t really take a stand on sustainability or take responsibility for the impacts of their products on the environment. Fortunately a wonderful friend, who is also an environmental consultant, brought me to the attention of a commercial recycler just outside Melbourne. As a result we have now instituted a return and recycle program for all our packaging. We encourage our customers to return their empty cosmetic containers to us and we forward them on to be recycled into fence posts used in agriculture. We love this, as it is not only helping our farmers become more environmentally sound but we are also saving trees by using a recycled product.”

adorn mineral cosmetics

“Our customers love the idea too. It gives them an end result for their efforts, something we think more manufacturers should be doing. Rather than leave it up to the disparate recycling processes of different states and territories, we are taking action and giving our customers a clear outcome.

At home our efforts are simple and achievable for anyone living in suburbia. Again the moment you make it hard then the less likely you are of success. Then once you have established new habits, you can look to integrate more changes at home. You can begin with this simple list:

* energy saving light bulbs
* recycling food scraps – composting
* purchase food listed in The Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping and where possible buy Australian made
* recycle all plastics, paper etc
* use only wheat pulp paperless paper for printing if you must
* walk where possible
* buy fair trade, organic, vegan and choose cruelty free products
* use wash powders, dish liquids and cleaning agents that are non-toxic, phosphate, bleach and petrochemical free
* send all unwanted clothing to charity

A great book that I often refer to and is also a great read is Green is Good by Rebecca Blackburn. Lots of fabulous tips, advice and plenty to think about in terms of how you choose to leave the planet!”

Visit Adorn Mineral Cosmetics: www.adornmineralcosmetics.com.au

Filed Under: HOW THEY KEEP GREEN Tagged With: ,

Annissa and Sam Keep Green! (Lily Loves Pearl)

grey dots
July 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Anissa and Sam are from organic skincare brand Lily Loves Pearl and their passion for environmentally friendly alternatives translates into their everyday lives:

“Both of us moved to the country two years ago for a change of lifestyle and to escape the pollution of a major city and the rat race that we can all get caught in but not truly enjoy. We both have children and wanted them to grow up in an environment that could teach them about growing their own food and looking after farm animals.

We have our own vegetable gardens and chickens that produce the most amazing eggs, this is a result of all the scraps they eat from left over food, one way of recycling unwanted scraps. Annissa is in the process of building a house and in every aspect we have sourced environmentally sound products, for example we have a Biolytix water sewerage system that uses worms to break down household waste and cut electricity use by around 95% – reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 1 tonne per annum.”

nisandsam

“Annissa is installing a North facing rammed earth wall that will act as thermal mass, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night to heat the house. The house when completed will be 6 star energy rated. Sam has 3 and a half acres, filled with different vegetable gardens, a fruit orchard of over 55 fruit tree, a berry patch and sheep. Sam and her family use rain water as the only water source and use Solar energy and gas to power the house.

Lily Loves Pearl was started because there was a clear need for products that were natural and certified organic thereby grown without the use of pesticides and insecticides. We produce skincare without petrochemicals, petrochemicals are chemical products derived form petroleum that come form fossil fuels such as coal. (crude Oil).

We were aware that your skin absorbs 60% more than you stomach dose so it makes sense to put the purest ingredients on your body. We use soy and vegetable inks for our printing and use recyclable materials. Where possible we seek out and use products that are sustainable, and are in the process of finding a carbon neutral manufacturer to process our products. Our packaging can be recycled including the glass bottles and boxes. We take every effort to put as minute footprint on the earth as possible.”

Visit their website: Lily Loves Pearl

Filed Under: HOW THEY KEEP GREEN Tagged With: , ,

Justine Keeps Green! (Eco Peko)

grey dots
July 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Justine Davis is passionate about the environment and owns Eco Peko, a brand of organic clothing for babies and children. We decided to find out more and asked her how she keeps green and why she decided to start an eco friendly business:

justine
“My journey with Eco Peko started when my family and I wanted to make a tree change and moved to the Perth Hills. We were already living a healthy lifestyle eating organic food, wearing eco friendly clothing and using chemical free toiletries but… I wanted to move to somewhere where we had a little piece of land to breathe, relax, grow veggies and have fresh eggs every day from our free range hens.

After living in Roleystone for a few months, I started a stall at the Kalamunda markets selling t-shirts that I had screen printed (with baby Loli in a cot at the back of the stall, a great sales assistant!) After a few markets, I realised that I wanted to use organic cotton for my shirts and Eco Peko was born.

By approaching organic cotton manufacturers all over the world and leaning information on fabric samples, workmanship and prices, I finally found an Indian manufacturing company that suited me and so my organic line became a reality.

Our home has a compost heap, a worm farm, 8 hens, 2 rabbits and a dog. We have absolutely no green waste and we actually have neighbors who give us theirs! We use grey water on our garden and recycle as much as possible.

We have a Mulberry tree, 2 peach trees, an apricot tree, 2 orange trees and a magnificent lime tree. We grow as many veggies as I remember to water! Because we live in Roleystone, there are many orchids who sell fruit and veggies, cutting right back on food miles.

We were until recently (it had to stop due to funds) involved in an organic farm school for kids. I am also a member of the Organic Growers Association of WA. The bubs and I have attended quite a few rallies, including the Say No To GMO rally in Perth where we had a goat in our pram and chickens in the kids laps. Eco Peko has such synergy with my life, of course, and so this is the reason that I am so passionate about it.”

hybrid tshirt

“My beautiful children, who have changed my life and the way I look at the world, have also made me want to protect it for them and their children. Anyway you look at it, conventionally grown cotton is pretty ugly. Not just the amount of pesticides and insecticides that are sprayed (7 times that of food crops), but the debit and death that is a result of those chemicals.

Also to the way formaldehyde and other chemicals are laden into the fabric whilst being produced. It is so far from natural, it’s not funny. I also believe that the way forward for our planet is to embrace a permaculture way of growing our crops. This is why my label started with little sayings on shirts, I thought it would be a fun way for parents to show their support with organics and a green lifestyle.

The cotton in my clothes has Control Union certification and the manufacturing process has GOTS certification (for organic manufacturing and fair working conditions). The prints are water based, the dyes are low impact, AZO and heavy metal free.

My jeans are organic denim, which has been dyed using natural indigo and the zip and button are chrome and nickel free. My bamboodies are made from bamboo (it’s like super eco fabric), and every piece in my range is of high quality, to be passed on to family and friends – reduce, reuse, recycle!”

Visit Eco Peko at: www.ecopeko.com

Filed Under: HOW THEY KEEP GREEN, LITTLE ONES Tagged With: , ,

Sofia Keeps Green! (Unico)

grey dots
May 19, 2010 By 1 Comment

Sofia Basile is the woman behind Unico, a brand of high quality hair products that are derived from pure plant ingredients and enriched with vitamins and essential oils. She had a chat with us about how she keeps green, and why she decided to start an eco friendly business.

“My husband and I recently went through a renovation and extension of our home and chose to start being more environmentally friendly by choosing natural materials where ever possible. We also installed a 35,000 litre rain water tank underground, and a solar hot water system. I regularly walk to work, or use public transport at least two days per week.

When grocery shopping I will always buy Australian products, and I also choose products that have less packaging. Additionally, buying biodegradable cleaning products and taking along green shopping bags is a priority.”

sofia unico

“I wanted to start an eco-friendly brand for a few reasons. Firstly, when I first started in my career I suffered badly from dermatitis on my hands, which almost made me consider giving up hairdressing. The plant was seeded in my mind, it grew steadily and eventually, as the wave of support for a greener world took shape over the past decade, I was inspired to produce an eco-friendly hair range.

There was definitely a hole in the market for an eco-friendly professional hair range that actually works, so I was encouraged to start my own brand.

Imagine if everyone used natural products in their hair; they would have healthy, amazing hair and the world we live in would be a better place.”

Find out more: Unico

Filed Under: HOW THEY KEEP GREEN Tagged With: ,

Renee Keeps Green! (Renee Blackwell Design)

grey dots
May 12, 2010 By 5 Comments

When she’s not travelling the globe to source rare vintage treasures and semi-precious stones for her signature jewellery collection, Renee Blackwell is living the green dream in Queensland’s lush Sunshine Coast hinterland. Situated outside Maleny, Renee’s charming rural property ‘Hazelwild Retreat’ is self sufficient in terms of energy and water and proudly constructed from eco-friendly materials.

Renee

“We can all do something to improve our green credentials. It can be as simple as changing household products to chemical free or buying and supporting locally grown food, rather than cheaper imported food. For us it was about creating a richer and deeper connection to where our food and water and power come from.”

Renee's house exterior

“My husband Chris and I both designed and built the house. Our dream was to establish an organic retreat. Now, 11 years down the path and lots of hard work later, all of our domestic power requirements including computers and refrigeration run off our extensive solar system.”

“This is my studio ‘Harmony House’. It’s where I work every day and design my jewellery collections. It’s about a three-minute walk from the house, and also 100 per cent solar-powered. We built the jewellery studio on our property so I wouldn’t have to drive or commute to work.”

Renee's chooks

“These are our chooks. We get about a dozen eggs a day which we eat ourselves and either sell or trade with friends. All of the food we eat and plant is 100 per cent organic, as we do not use sprays or pesticides anywhere on the property.”

“We have several gardens which we plant on a rotating basis to have garden fresh food all year round. With tropical apple, orange, lemon, grapefruit, plum, guava and banana trees there’s always plenty of fruit. We also grow macadamias.”

RBD Renee in garden smaller

“I’m proud that we have actually made an eco-aware lifestyle for ourselves rather than just talk about doing it. It’s naturally much more work than we imagined, but the end results are very satisfying.”

“Siam Red” Vintage French cut glass, Cubic Zirconia, Amethyst, “Celadon” Vintage French cut glass and Ruitilated Quartz Crystal, all set in sterling silver Prices from $245 to $325

To find out more about Renee Blackwell Design please visit: www.reneeblackwelldesign.com

Filed Under: HOW THEY KEEP GREEN Tagged With:

Alex Keeps Green! (Eco Fashionista)

grey dots
April 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Alex Hume is the Director and Creator of Eco Fashionista. She spoke to us about how she stays green and why she decided to turn her love for eco friendly fashion into a business.

alex hume from eco fashionista

(Alex Hume)

“I think that keeping green should be a way of life – not something that you do once in a while or something that should be hard. It’s all about making those small changes which make a big difference. I keep paper to a minimum in the office, use jute shopping bags, ride my bike whenever I can and use eco friendly light bulbs. These things all add up when you look at how much of an impact they can have in your street, in your city and in your state.”

Maria Vintage Dress

(Minna Maria Vintage Dress)

“When it comes to fashion I always look out for organic, natural and recycled materials, locally produced pieces and things that are handmade – real eco credentials, not green wash. I also like to buy investment pieces which will last the test of time and can be updated with funky and quirky accessories.

I had made lots of changes to my lifestyle in order to be green, the environment is something I’m passionate about and it’s not something we can ignore. I wanted to bring that philosophy to my wardrobe but found it really hard to source stylish pieces that were kind to the earth and so Eco Fashionista was born – an online boutique of all my favourite brands who share my passion for style and the earth. We have lots of coveted local and international labels on the site including Minna, Ciel and Apple and Bee.”

(Jude Jet Rosette Necklace)

“I encourage all of my customers to refer to our eco reference guide to find out exactly what it is that makes each piece eco friendly – it’s important we all make it our business to find out this information so that our appetite for the latest looks doesn’t undo the rest of the hard work we all do to be green.”

Visit the store: Eco Fashionista

Filed Under: FASHION, HOW THEY KEEP GREEN Tagged With: ,