Eco luxury or extravagant greenwash

A tree-saving tale 

I typically don't 'call out' brands on this blog for doing the wrong thing, but I had to share with you the most extreme case of greenwashing I'd seen in awhile (a discussion on greenwash follows this tale).

I was contacted by a wooden watch company asking me to write an article about their latest product in exchange for a watch valued between $1000 and $5000 (this price point was the first red flag). The key selling point? They were going to, and I quote, "Take down the world's oldest tree", Old Tjikko, who resides on Fulufjället Mountain in Sweden.

Yes, you read that correctly - they wanted me to write about a watch made from killing the world's oldest tree - currently aged 9,558 years.

Between you and me - I don't know that this tree could
even make 500 watches! Old Tjikko is part of a clonal
system, meaning that even if the trunk dies, the roots
are still alive and a new trunk can grow. He is also playing
an important role in some climate change research.

Look, I get it, wooden things are made of trees. But no conservationist in her right mind would propose using an old growth tree for making consumer goods. And why in the world would a company contact an environmentalist to spruik a product made from a tree that is over 9,500 years old?!

After I made sure the media release was not dated April Fool's Day, I wrote back to the company asking for more details on why Old Tjikko was coming down, admitting that I was quite shocked to read that this was their plan. I suppose I was hoping that perhaps Old Tjikko was dying and being cut down anyway, and that the company wasn't just trying to make some cash off of what they perceived to be a lucrative opportunity (because whether I like it or not, there is definitely a market who wants products with this type of notoriety).

The response I received from the company was another head scratcher - without telling me anything about why Old Tjikko was coming down, they wrote of the substantial "regulatory hurdles" and that they planned on going to environmental court the next month. Also telling me "I hope to have some good news for you over the coming weeks".

Good news for me would mean the tree was not being cut down . . .

I gave them one more chance and asked again what the reason was to 'take down' Old Tjikko. In response I received more of the same, with the added bonus of being told how much they've already paid in legal fees ($100,000USD), that they expect to go to court at the end of the month, and how much they expect to spend in legal fees altogether ($670,000USD). All of this to produce 500 custom watches.

But don't worry, they plan on planting 100 new trees for each watch sold.

BUT WHY ARE YOU KILLING THE WORLD'S OLDEST TREE?!

At this point I was incredibly irritated and took to the internet to find out what I could about the tree.

Thanks to the magic of Google, a good Swedish friend, and a kind Swedish artist who has spent time with Old Tjikko, I got in touch with a representative at the forest. He was as shocked and appalled as I was - well, probably a great deal more, to be honest - and over the course of the day I received three emails from him assuring me that Old Tjikko is well protected and not coming down, that his boss agreed the tree was well protected, and that his boss checked with her boss at the Swedish EPA who also confirmed there was no way Old Tjikko was coming down (particularly not to make watches).

"As the tree is within the national park, it is protected for all foreseeable future."

I cannot even express the relief I felt at learning this news. I think with all the troubles in the world right now (with greedy companies taking advantage of people who want to save the planet just a tiny part of the problem), I really needed to hear some good news and to know that there are true environmentalists doing the hard work of protecting nature from the likes of this watch company.

Feeling like a tree-saving sleuth, I eventually emailed the wooden watch company and told them that my environmentalist values had led me to contact the forest representatives and what I had learned about the protected nature of Old Tjikko.

I also told them that, "At any rate, I cannot in good conscience support the cutting down of this tree to make any product unless there is a sound reason to do so, which there does not appear to be."

Within a day, the media release announcing this product was off their wesbite and the Wikipedia page of Old Tjikko was returned to normal (some 'marketing genius' from the company had added a sentence to the page stating that the company was going to make watches from the tree).

So . . . the moral of the story? I guess there are a few.

• Beware of greenwashing, it's everywhere (and usually not as blatant as this example)
• If something doesn't seem right to you, ask about it. And ask about it again. And if you're still not satisfied, don't buy the product. For every decent, well-intentioned brand, unfortunately there are many more willing to scam you, and the good brands have no trouble being transparent.
• Love old growth trees - and perhaps plan a trip to Sweden. You may not get to see Old Tjikko, he's very well protected, but it's nice to know he has some serious guardians protecting him from the likes of this watch company.

I decided not to tell you the name of the company here, though if you tried hard enough I'm sure  you'd find it (the media release is still on other news pages). They claim to plant a tree for each of their current range of wooden watches, but those watches aren't made of sustainably sourced wood, either. So if you're truly in the market for an eco-friendly wooden watch, stick with the original WeWood, and feel good about your decision. And don't reward blatant greenwashing and attempts to make a quick buck off your environmental values.

* * * *

I never heard from the watch company again, so I can only assume their motives were purely financial whether they actually used Old Tjikko or just wanted to create hype with a media release talking about it in this way. I feel very confident this company is not about the environment but about their bank accounts and an attempt to take advantage of the so-called 'cashed up green consumer'.

It's reported that 'green' consumers will pay 10-20% more for products that have an environmental benefit, as those who endeavour to live a green lifestyle know all too well. There are multiple conferences dedicated to promoting products to this group of shoppers, 'sustainability' experts who are really just green marketing experts, and as a dedicated environmentalist, I often feel I'm fending off greenwashing attacks at every turn. Becoming a writer and a blogger has made this all the more apparent.

Sometimes it's worth it - I'm happy to pay more so the person sewing my clothes is paid a fair wage and works in a safe factory, or that my produce is organic and free of toxins. Other times it can feel like a scam, as in the case of this 'eco luxury' wooden watch and other goods painted with a similar 'green' hue but not created with environmental values at their core.

But at the end of the day, I know that living a green lifestyle is less expensive than my previous mode of existence mostly because I don't buy what I don't need or love - so these greenwashers can't touch me

* * * *

What is greenwashing?

In short, it's when companies claim to be more environmentally-friendly than they really are - and it's everywhere. There are some great articles about the '7 sins of Greenwashing', including one by my friend Robin Mellon at Better Sydney, which describe the varying degrees of greenwashing:

• The hidden trade off
• No proof
• Vagueness
• Worshipping false labels
• Irrelevance
• Lesser of two evils
• Fibbing

This watch company was using a mixture - the hidden trade off (planting new trees though cutting down an old growth tree), vagueness (no information about the wood used in their current range of watches), worshipping false labels (planting trees with a certified company though not using certified wood to create watches), fibbing (probably . . .)

Have you been greenwashed lately? I'd love to hear about it . . . we can vent with each other.
xxLisa

Also, a special thanks to Robin, who was an excellent support and sounding board during this stressful time of Old Tjikko - thank you!

natural DIY manicure

I love to take a long lunch break on the days I'm working from home, and try and squeeze in a yoga class or walk along the beach. Today, I'm feeling sore from last night's handstand-filled yoga session and the rain came in just in time for lunch, so I decided a DIY manicure was the next best option!

Do you follow me on Instagram? I post more pictures there about
natural beauty products and sustainable fashion pieces that I come across.
@lisa_heinze

I had the pleasure of meeting with Weleda Australia this week and got the inside scoop that the best way to use their deliciously-hydrating Skin Food moisturiser was to warm it in your hands before rubbing into your skin - it helps soften the natural beeswax contained within so that it soaks in evenly. I've used Weleda facial moisturisers and body deodorants in the past as well - I love their commitment to remaining in balance with nature and seeking to go 'beyond organic' and using biodynamic and other methods.

I've also recently been gifted a bottle Sienna Byron Bay nail lacquer - it's completely toxin-free and vegan, and the 'Harmony' colour is the perfect shade of peach to complement my olive skin tone. (I also love how it looks with my turquoise ring!) It's so great to be able to use an Australian-made nail polish that is free from the usual nasties. I can see from the photo I have to tidy up my edges, but I just love this new nail polish colour and texture.

Now . . . back to work for me! Hope you've had an equally delightful lunch break and have a brilliant weekend ahead.

xLisa

surrender apparel

I recently came across a new range of sustainable yoga apparel - Surrender. Two of my passions, yoga and sustainability, already feel closely aligned, and it's wonderful when I can wear things to yoga that are environmentally sustainable.

photo c/o Surrender Apparel

One of the first things I noticed about the range were the large swing tags printed with lots of text. . .

 "In order to create clothing with a lighter footprint, this garment is dyed with natural dyes derived from leaves and roots. The natural pigment will fade over time. Please wash on a cool, gentle setting and dry in the shade to get the longest life out of your garment."

I love it - natural dyes, and perhaps more importantly, the label encourages cool washing and drying in the shade. There are varying figures depending on the material and how long you own a garment, but there is wide consensus that the 'use' phase of our clothing makes up the largest environmental impact of its life. For example, washing and drying a pair of Levi's 501s makes up almost 2/3 of the energy consumed throughout the life of the jeans and uses 1,600 litres of water - half of its water usage*.

I always turn my clothes inside out before making a purchase to see the care label, where something was made, and out of what fabrics. It's the first thing I do after spotting something I like. Again I was impressed by the size of the care label (though I may cut it out once I start wearing the clothing) encouraging cold washing, line drying, and the use of eco-friendly detergents.

The fabric of this soft and supple yoga apparel is made of Tencel and Modal, two environmentally sustainable fabrics known for their comfort and environmental credentials, plus 5-10% Spandex for stretch. Below Surrender explain why they made this choice:

photo c/o Surrender Apparel

Surrender Apparel designer Julie Belic has trained in sustainable fashion and international development, and it's no surprise that she hopes to pair with an NGO and have a social enterprise element to her business in the near future.

photo c/o Surrender Apparel

Until then, I'm thankful she created this beautiful, comfortable and sustainable line of yoga wear, and reminds us all to 'wash responsibly'.

"I don't think a design is fully resolved unless you have considered the the impact of both the manufacturing process and the user lifecycle." - Julie Belic

photo c/o Surrender Apparel

Well - better book myself into my next yoga session to try out my new gear in action!
xxLisa

Those of you living around Melbourne, there is currently a Surrender pop-up shop at Sea Yoga in Torquay where you can try on the pieces for yourself!

* * * *

*Statistics from Kate Fletcher's Sustainable Fashion and Textiles: Design Journeys Levi's CEO has also recently acknowledged the impact of washing denim and encourages people not to wash their jeans until it's absolutely necessary, primarily from the standpoint of how much water is used per wash. Read more here.

accessories review : oxfam

Did you know that Oxfam recently released its new Accessories Catalogue?

Oxfam asked me to review the catalogue (what a fun request!) and here I have pulled out some of my favourite pieces:

Layered Paper Geode Pendant

This incredible 'Geode' is actually made of layers
of waste magazine paper and crushed glass at a
fair trade workshop in Swaziland -
my absolute favourite piece of the collection.

Layered Paper Stone Ring

Made in the same workshop as the 'Geode'
pendant above.

Cana Flecha Bracelet

Made from cane that has been dyed with fruits,
vegetables and plants, and braided by Zenu
Indian artisans in Colombia.

Ceramic Shard Silver Necklace

Made with salvaged shards from a

Vietnamese ceramic factory.

Golden Brass Cuff

Created using traditional techniques in India,
and featuring a soft hammered detail.

Mosaic Bangle in Turquoise

Handcrafted, wooden bangle covered in traditional
Indian lac - tiny beads and mirror shards.

Scarf with Triangle Motif

This scarf is handwoven 100% linen,

and screenprinted using AZO-free dyes.

Triangle Design Clutch

Natural leather clutch that will gain patina and
age with grace, enhancing this bold pattern.

* * * *

All the accessories sold by Oxfam Australia are sourced to help Fair Trade producers reach new international markets, and help the artisans emerge out of poverty. Oxfam Australia is a Fair Trade organisation and works rigorously to ensure the artisans and products adhere to the principles put forth by the World Fair Trade Organization and the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation. You can read all the details on their website (I love transparency!), and you can also learn about the artisans who made all of the products on each product page.

The catalogue also marked Oxfam Australia's first ever photoshoot, and the catalogue features stunning models that celebrate the rich diversity of Australians - two of the models below are young Indigenous women from Darwin who are now studying in Melbourne, and the silver-haired maven is a fierce advocate for animal rights and works at Oxfam Australia.

 

 

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed flipping through this new catalogue, seeing the beautiful ethically-produced pieces, and daydreaming about my next accessories purchase.

The entire catalogue is now available online - happy shopping!

review : wewood watch

Check out my gorgeous new watch!

Ooooohhhhhh, so pretty! And sustainable packaging!

Thanks to the lovely folks at WeWOOD I am trying out one of the watches in the new range - mine is made from Indian Rosewood and has the delightfully decadent name of 'Mimosa Chocolate'.  It's so pretty, I don't feel the photos do it justice. The wooden face has a delicate shine, and the metal beneath the glass gleams - for a watch made of wood, this little darling has a lot of class.

I've been an admirer of WeWOOD since I first spotted them, not just for their Italian designer look but for the company's sustainability credentials. In addition to being created from sustainably-sourced wood (recycled and reclaimed timber, much of it offcuts from the furniture industry), for each watch purchased one tree will be planted through Carbon Neutral in Australia; American Forests and Trees for the Future are used in other countries.

There are a range of shades and wood types available, and a wide range of styles - from my delicate watch to those with larger bands and faces in different shapes. I'll admit I was afraid this colour wouldn't go with enough of my clothes, but I've been pleasantly surprised at the versatility of this rich chocolate brown.

So, what does one wear with a wooden watch? Here are just a few looks I rocked this week and my WeWOOD was a fabulous addition to each.

Writing and studying

American Apparel circle scarf
Carlie Ballard traveler pants
Vintage denim top

Off to yoga

Sosume long sleeve tee
Teeki Deer Medicine hot pants

Night out with friends

Sosume tuxedo jacket
Veronika Maine tuxedo pants
Bassike striped tee

Other pluses?

The watch is incredibly lightweight. I'm not a regular watch-wearer, but it is so light that I frequently forgot I was wearing it (then was super-pleased to see it on my wrist!). And the sustainability initiatives continue to the care for your watch, with recommendations to owners to polish watches with olive oil and lemon juice, and the occasional treatment with beeswax or walnut oil, to keep your watch nicely (naturally) nourished. 

Cons?

It's not waterproof for you water babies out there. And if you're really keen on shiny gold or silver watches, this will take some getting used to. Perhaps the inner glow that comes with knowing your watch was created responsibly and beautifully will help.

All in all, I'm really enjoying my new accessory - thank you WeWOOD, and keep up the great eco-work!

xxLisa

*Disclaimer - I was asked to provide a product review of this watch. All opinions above are true and my own.

sustainable shopping : oz fair trade

I recently had the opportunity to interview Qinnie, founder of Oz Fair Trade.

 
Qinnie founded this charity online shop following a life-changing trip around Southeast Asia a few years ago. After learning her inspirational story I wanted to share it with you and show you some of the most stylish pieces from the shop. (When you click through scroll to the bottom of the product pages to read descriptions of the people who made the products.)

L : Tell me about your trip to Southeast Asia - did you go there with an intent to investigate fair trade issues, or as a tourist?

Q : I took an Intrepid Tour to Southeast Asia in late 2012, which was intended as a relaxing holiday. It was the first time that I visited these countries (Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam), and I certainly did not expect it to change my life. Having grown up in Shanghai and then Sydney, I never witnessed extreme poverty firsthand. . . when we visited a village on the bank of Mekong River in Laos, I was still shocked to see how tough life was for these people. Houses were made with bamboo and mud; children were drinking from a dirty river; and there was no school. I left with a heavy heart, and looking back, that was the moment that my life was changed. [After learning about undetonated bombs from the Vietnam War and Cambodia's landmine problems] I returned to Australia with a burning desire to make an impact. I learnt that traditional aid was failing to break the poverty cycle, and that new thinking is required.

Recycled Bombshell range - $44.95

L : What were the first products you decided to sell?

Q : The first products I had online were handmade jewellery from Yunnan, China and handwoven silk scarves from Thailand and Laos. I fell in love with colourful ethnic culture and I wanted to sell products that were unique and outstanding. Since then, I have learned a lot more about fair trade and I have learnt to choose my suppliers more carefully. I have also learnt that the future of fair trade is mainstream, so I have been sourcing products that are ethical alternatives to everyday living.

Batik Animal Cushion with eco-pillow insert - $49.95

L : Are all the products Fair Trade certified?

Q : I think it's important that shoppers know where products come from, so I'm totally transparent about supplier information. Currently more than 90% of Oz Fair Trade products are from certified Fair Trade producers. While food can be labelled ''Fair Trade", handicrafts cannot. They can only be certified at the producer level. The other 10% [of products on the site] come from small villages where women work from home to supplement income. I think it's important to know that not all groups have the capacity to go through the certification process. This is one area I will discuss with the Fair Trader of Australia as part of my application. I was to be a certified Fair Trader so that shoppers can have complete confidence in the 'fairness' of the products that Oz Fair Trade sells.

Tablet sleeve made in Nepal - $24.95

L : Do you have a favourite product on your site right now?

Q : My current favourite product range is alpaca winter scarves from a certified Fair Trade producer group in Bolivia. They are very soft and warm. I helped them to design the current range, and I wanted to help them to earn an income in their summer months (i.e. Australia's winter).

Alpaca Scarf - $45 (sale price)

My all time favourite is the recycled bombshell range, which helps to spread the message of peace and shows the resilience of Lao and Cambodian people. Many customers have commented on how amazing it is that something so terrible can be turned into something so beautiful.

Recycled bombshell earrings - $44.95

L : I see you have an interest in microfinance - tell me why this is a passion of yours, and how it can make a difference?

Q : My profession as an actuary led me to learn a bit about microfinance. I am a huge fan in collective power and innovative ways to link those who are willing to help and those who are desperate for help. I have been lending through Kiva since January 2013, and only just thought of linking my lending activities on Kiva with Oz Fair Trade. I have also been helping the Actuaries Institute to build a microfinance website to foster greater discussion and understanding of microfinance within the actuary profession, because I believe that we have a great skill set to contribute to the cause.

I see fair trade and microfinance as two long-term strategies for poverty reduction. Many people don't have access to basic financial products like a saving account or a mortgage loan, which Australians take for granted. For example, a shop needs inventory, and without initial investment it is impossible to open a shop. Another example is farming, which requires crops and fertilisers. Microfinance allows these people to gain access to small loans to start a new business, plant new crops, build a house, etc.

Cross-stitched cushion with eco-pillow insert - $64.95

For every $100 spent on Oz Fair Trade, a $25 loan will be provided to the world's poorest through Kiva.

Well! What an inspiring and dedicated woman you are, Qinnie! I loved hearing your story and seeing your passion put to work to give people around the world a hand up.

If you know of any other inspiring people out there that you think I should know (or maybe you are one yourself!), please get in touch,

xxLisa

a green iPad fling

Okay, I admit it: I'm an Apple fangirl.

I'm writing this on my iMac,  and around my home is a collection of iPhones, iPods and a MacBook. And after showing much restraint, I finally got my first iPad. Actually, Santa left it for me under the tree this Christmas, knowing it would come in handy as I balance work, study and a start-up this year.

This isn't just any iPad, though, it's a green one - Santa knew I'd prefer something used, so he let the elves off the hook and bought it on Gumtree.

 To keep this a green iPad, I've just ordered a used keyboard from eBay . . .

. . . as well as a handmade cover from Etsy.

E-Waste is a growing concern across the globe.

Did you know that Australians buy more than 4 million computers per year? And less than 10% of discarded computers get recycled. This is a problem in terms of wasting energy-intensive resources that go into computers, and the potential leaking of mercury, lead and other toxic chemicals from discarded e-waste.

Apple frequently gets a large portion of the e-waste blame as each iteration of the iPhone and iPad seems to come out quicker than the last. And personally I'm not impressed that the batteries of the devices can't currently be replaced (I haven't faced this problem myself, but this seems to me to be a major design flaw).

But we need to take personal responsibility for how many new devices we buy, as well. So, if you're in the market, I suggest you consider secondhand for your next computer, phone or tablet. You'll probably be surprised at the condition, and the quality of Apple products mean they should last for years to come. (The iMac I'm working on is now 6 and a half years old and still going strong

And when it comes time to farewell your next piece of technology, make sure to dispose of it properly. Donate it, sell it, or recycle it.  It's easy enough to recycle if you know when your local council e-waste collection is, or you can take it to various recycling centres or organise your own pick up. Check out the sites below for assistance in responsibly disposing of your old computers, devices, televisions and other bits of e-waste.

Australia
1800 EWaste
SITA
Kimbriki

America
EPA

a green lip balm fling

If you're like me, you like to keep your lips smooth and soft - and ready for kissing at any moment!

As a good Aussie-gal I have a healthy stock of paw paw ointment stashed around the house (and in every handbag), but I'm always open to new products.

Enter eos (evolution of smooth).

My gorgeous mother sent me this delicious lip balm as a gift. And because of its fantastic packaging, it sits nice and pretty on my desk while I'm working everyday. Thanks Mom!

eos is USDA certified 95% organic, 100% natural, with key ingredients shea butter, vitamin E and jojoba oil. It's very hydrating and long-lasting, and the perfect accessory for any sustainable fashionista.

eos also make body lotion, hand lotion and shave cream.

Widely available in the US through Walmart, CVS, Costco, Rite Aid, Target and others. Australians can purchase online for a flat shipping rate of $15, a great opportunity to buy some for yourself and your girlfriends.

Pucker up!

sustainability with *african* style

Jambo!

I'm writing this from Tanzania, where I've been for nearly 6 weeks, partly on holiday, partly volunteering, and mostly absorbing all the African culture I can before I leave next week.

It's been hard to decide what to blog about in Africa.  There are some very serious environmental, social and economic sustainability topics I could write about - animal welfare in safari parks, unreliable residential waste removal, the lack of education options for young people. I will write a little bit about these in due time, but first I want to share with you a beautiful and inspirational organisation called Shanga, a group succeeding in making a positive impact on many lives.

 

How fabulous is their tagline?!

Shanga translates to 'bead' in Swahili, and was so named because the founder Saskia Rechsteiner started by selling beaded necklaces at a Christmas fair in Arusha in 2007. The necklaces were a runaway success, and today Shanga employs 42 disabled Tanzanian people, has the Riverhouse restaurant and multiple Shanga shops around Tanzania.

I spent a blissful afternoon at Riverhouse and Shanga last weekend. About a 30 minute bus ride (known as a dalla dalla) from Arusha, it was a pleasant respite from the bustling town. After a delicious lunch I took a tour of the factory and kept getting goosebumps as I heard the Shanga story.

In the necklace-making room of the factory - the workers behind me are deaf.

When Rechsteiner realised her jewelry company was taking off she needed to hire staff. She was taking a walk around the Burka Coffee Estate and met a deaf plantation worker; Rechsteiner decided to hire the plantation worker and trained her to make glass beads from recycled bottles.  Soon enough more staff were required to fill the demands for Shanga's pieces, and she hired another disabled individual to work at Shanga, and so the story continues to this day.  All warehouse workers have a disability of some kind, but you would never know it from the quality of pieces coming out of the factory and the demand for Shanga's pieces.  Proceeds from sales pay the salaries of the artisans as well as make a contribution toward Pink Balloon, and organisation supporting deaf and mentally disabled children. Oh, and no hard feelings from Burka, either, in fact, they give Shanga space for the warehouse, restaurant, shop and lovely gardens rent free.

Do you have goosebumps yet?

Making glass beads one by one - glass bottles are collected around Arusha, crushed and melted
on-site to make the many beads and other glass pieces Shanga uses in its creations.

As I walked among the bead makers, glass blowers, loom workers, sewers and others craftsmen and women, I felt as though I was walking through a beautiful artists' factory, made even more beautiful by the sign language alphabet hanging on the wall. My excitement doubled because the pieces are made of reclaimed and recycled glass and aluminium, and quadrupled because of the hiring policy of Shanga.  In my opinion Shanga is ticking all the right boxes in terms of equality, environmentalism and style (my three favourite topics!).

A more recent addition of a loom means they can make their own fabrics for use in
neckalces and furniture coverings.

As we left we walked a few blocks with one of the workers, William.  He travels about an hour each way to work so that he doesn't have to live in the noisy city - he's Maasai and lives in his family village. He enjoys making jewelry, has learned excellent English through working at Shanga, and speaks a little sign language now, too. He told us how happy he was to work at Shanga because it provides stable income in a difficult economic climate, disability or not (apparently there is quite a long wait list for those wanting to work for Shanga).

I have great news for you, too - Shanga has an online store! So get shopping - jewelry, glassware, lanterns, children's clothing and more await you at the Shanga Shop. (Oh, and let me know what you buy! I've purchased a few things, but will buy more online when I get home.)

Relaxing in the lovely gardens after my lunch and tour.

Taking public transport! The 30 minute dalla dalla (bus) ride cost about 25 cents.
The dalla dallas are usually crammed! We took this photo to commemorate
the one time we had a dalla dalla to ourselves (for about 5 minutes).

a green travel wardrobe fling

As many of you know, I'm getting ready to depart on a six-month adventure around the globe. I know, I know, flying around the world is not the most sustainable activity, which means I'll have to work extra hard to make this trip as eco as possible (and yes, you can count on blog posts from my adventures, perhaps just not with the same regularity).

Some aspects of eco-travel are quite obvious - offset my flights, use public ground transportation as much as possible, be respectful and inquiring of the cultures I'll be exposing myself to - and others are not quite as obvious, like greening my travel wardrobe.

I'm only taking one medium-sized piece of luggage, which will certainly help limit my 'luggage footprint', but it's also much easier than lugging huge suitcases onto buses and trains.  It would be hard enough to pack for such a long trip even without eco-restrictions, but I had plenty of time to prepare, and I feel it's the least I can do since my flights will be spluttering huge amounts of emissions into the atmosphere.

Here's a glimpse of my green travel wardrobe - so friends and family, get used to seeing me wearing these same items over and over again in my holiday snaps!

 
So, what's so sustainable about it?  Here are some highlights:

• 2 vintage sundresses
• 3 skirts c/o eBay (rescuing fast fashion from an early death!)
• 3 Bassike organic cotton tees, made in Australia
• 1David Atwell organic cotton tee from Manly Markets
• 1 denim long sleeve button up c/o eBay (more rescued fast fashion!)
• 2 pair of flip flops (1 ancient pair of Havainas, 1 pair of Breo natural rubber thongs, currently unavailable, but check out Fashioning Change for Ethletic thongs)
• 1 pair running/hiking shoes, Brooks Green Silence
• 1 pair flat espadrilles from Fashioning Change
• 1 pair Good Society organic cotton denim jeans
• 1 cotton/bamboo hoodie from Braintree Hemp
• 1 vintage poncho picked up in Melbourne last year
• 1 cardigan I've been loving for nearly a decade
• 1 American Apparel circle scarf
• 1 pair organic Lululemon leggins (no longer available)
• 1 vintage backpack from Dear Gladys
• 1 bikini and wrap, as seen in my green beach fling

I didn't buy all of this new, but everything I did buy new was either eBay, vintage or sustainable fashion.  All in all I'm quite pleased with my stylish, sustainable travel wardrobe. We'll see how it all performs!

I'm also leaving some space for bringing some supplies to projects we'll be working on in Tanzania (and for local market shopping, of course!). Thanks to Indigo Bazaar for sharing the organisation Pack For a Purpose - if you have overseas travel planned, hop on this website and see if you can bring any needed supplies to communities in the area.


I still have a couple of weeks before I depart, so this isn't my last post before I go - any packing tips are greatly welcomed!

a green shaving fling : one for the fellas

Not to brag or anything, but I have the most handsome husband on the planet.

Even on my dodgy iPhone camera he looks this good . . .

Even  better, he cares about the environment as much as I do, and has recently taken steps to green his shaving routine (not that I encourage him to shave that often, I love a bit of stubble!).  For the past month he has been trying out the Vanessa Megan line of shaving supplies with excellent results.

This cream-based shaving cream looks a bit different to the foamy 'creams' that come out of a canister, but works a treat.  The natural oils in this cream are meant to keep shaving rash at bay, which makes it perfect for those of you with sensitive skin, and it's even claimed to help razors last longer.  And I just love a short ingredients list!

Purified H2O, grapeseed oil, coconut oil*,  Jojoba Oil*, Vegetable Emulsifying Wax*, Vitamin E (Natural), Grapefruit Seed Extract, Essential Oils of Bergamot* and Vetiver*.

*Certified Organic Ingredients

The Wild Chamomile face cream is the perfect aftershave cream as it's designed to heal sensitive and irritated skin.  It smells really fresh and clean - just lovely (in a masculine way, of course). And check out these natural, and heavily organic, ingredients:

Purified H2O, Jojoba oil*, Hemp seed oil*, Vegetable emulsifying wax,  Grapefruit seed extract, Vitamin E (Natural), Calendula extract* and Chamomile extract *, Essential oils of Absolute rose, Wild Maroc Chamomile, German Blue Chamomile* 

* Certified organic ingredients

My hubby is definitely a convert to natural shaving supplies now, and he loves the scent of both these Vanessa Megan products.

Vanessa Megan do a full range of products for men, women and baby, a number of products specifically marketed as pregnancy-friendly. And of course I love their simplistic, sustainable packaging.  All packaging is recyclable, and they use only glass (not plastic) jars.  As I've recently learned, glass is infinitely recyclable, meaning it doesn't get weaker or lose anything when recycled.

I've been brushing up on my sustainable packaging knowledge lately to get ready for the Sustainable Packaging 101 workshop I'll be running with my friends at Boxer & Co on Thursday 19 July.  I'd love to see you there!

a green expo fling

Last weekend I braved the blustery winds (made quite easy thanks to my military sweater I picked up at Vinnies the other week) and made my way to EcoXpo.

The first thing I noticed as I stepped through the doors were the fabulous feedback trees from Green Cities being reused!

Bonjour Baby, InterfaceFLOR and Paper Couture all sponsored the trees, and we were
invited to write our 'wishes for the planet' on the leaves - so beautiful!.

I enjoyed reminiscing as I read over some of the Green Cities comments, and one in particular struck a chord, because it's one I continue to come across when talking with folks about the environment:

I want to be 'green' but I don't have to have to think too hard about it . . . 

Luckily for all of us, the EcoXpo had plenty of solutions that make green living easy.  Here are my top picks from the EcoXpo that can help us all achieve sustainability simply, and even stylishly!

• Rosnay Organic sparkling wine
  I was feeling under the weather but I still enjoyed a cheeky little wine tasting, and I'll be ordering some of Rosnay's Vintage Sparkling Chardonnay after I finish this blog - delish!
• Lentilicious lentil meals
  We know how good lentils are for us - high in protein, folate, iron, Vitamin B and fibre, and low GI - and now there is a company zhooshing them up for us with tasty flavour combinations like Coconut Fusion, Mediterranean and Turmeric Magic.
• Hemp Gallery home decor
  I will be the first to admit that 'hemp' and 'style' don't typically go hand in hand, but the Hemp Gallery stand at the expo was by far the most beautiful.  It was all I could do not to purchase all the pillow covers and baby toys on display.
• Lunchbox Mania tiffins
  Adorable and functional stainless steel tiered tiffins, great for storing lunches and other food products safely and stylishly.
• Bounty Burgers
  Finally, delicious soy burgers have made it Down Under!  I hate comparing, but I have really missed veggie burgers since moving to Oz, but thanks to Bounty Burgers I can be (almost) veggo and eat a yummy burger, too.
• Jayride & GoGet
  There is nothing stylish about a monthly payment for a machine that sits unused most of it's life - that's why ride- and car-sharing is the future. Jayride is an innovative ride-sharing program, connecting riders and drivers all across the country. Heading to a music festival? Moving cross-country and want some company? Post your ad and share your ride. And GoGet, the most popular car share program in Australia, now has some electric cars powered by Origin Energy in their fleet - how much greener can you get?

While I was at the EcoXpo I also saw the Trashion Fashion show, a performance where the models wore trash couture, made entirely of litter found on beaches - beautiful and disgusting at the same time.

Thanks EcoXpo! I hope there are a few more eco-fashion labels on display next year, maybe that would have attracted some of the hundreds of fashionistas lining up outside the other expo hall for Fashion Weekend, but overall a great display of the many eco-products and services already on the market.

Did you go to the EcoXpo? What were your favourite booths?