How green is your LIFE?

How green is your life?

MOVING TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINABLE WAY OF LIVING IS NOT AS DIFFICULT AS YOU MAY THINK, WRITES KATRINE ANKER-NILSSON

Going green is all about pursuing knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.

A green lifestyle focuses on reducing, reusing and recycling whenever possible, and includes the initiatives and products you choose to support, buy and use. There are many ways you, as a consumer, can go greener at home and in your personal life – doing your bit to reduce the carbon footprint. Be conscious of what you buy and how much you buy. Ask yourself: Is it eco-friendly? Is it locally made? Do I really need it?

We have rounded up a few fabulous local and Proudly South African options for you – because every little bit you do counts.

�Made from 100% South African post-consumer waste, these bags remain entirely local throughout their manufacturing process. Low cost, versatility, durability, high strength weight ratio and limitless and immediate designs, make Virobag a highly feasible alternative packaging option for both big retailers and smaller independent brands. www.virobag.co.za

�Green Office, wanting to “close the loop” on their waste, has designed a unique portable laptop stand made from cartridge plastic waste. The Eezigo is not only sustainable, eco-friendly and manufactured locally, but also ergonomic, portable, convenient and compact. It’s the ideal corporate Christmas gift, with bespoke branding available. www.valfyproducts.com

�A pioneering, clean and conscious range make-up, Lula Fox is eco lux – eco because it is not tested on animals and is made from natural, organic and non-toxic ingredients; lux because it is on a par with professional and mainstream make-up ranges with regards to performance and colour payoff. The proudly South African brand offers an inclusive shade spectrum covering all skin tones, and are at the forefront of international trends. www.lulafox.life

�The South African designed and-manufactured YOLO Compost Tumblers are ideal for organic kitchen waste as they are rat, dog, monkey and pest proof. Free-standing or wall-mounted, they come in three sizes, take little space and are odour-free. By composting, less volume is produced for trash collection, and rich compost dug directly into the garden puts valuable nutrients back into the soil. www.yolocolours.co.za

�Moontree's Facefood is 100% organic and suitable for all skin types. It is cellular regenerative, collagen supporting, reduces wrinkles, improves skin tone and deeply hydrates and nourishes. Boasting the most incredible ingredients to feed your face – such as mafura butter, shea butter, sweet orange oil and lemongrass oil – it’s also rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A and E. Understanding that your skin is the largest organ in your body and absorbs what you apply to it, you will want to try this out. www.moontree.co.za

�Did you know that the fashion industry is the world’s second-biggest polluter? Excess production mismanaged waste and fast fashion can be avoided by opting for preloved. Chic Mamas Do Care Durban raises funds to support early childhood development projects in our neighbouring communities – promoting conscious, sustainable thrift shopping through the sale of donated quality clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories. Pop into their Westville retail store, where it’s easy to go green without compromising on fabulous fashion or skimping on style. www.chicmamasdocaredurban.co.za

�The Nu-Eco range of cleaning products has plant-derived ingredients that work to clean your home through the inclusion of powerful botanical extracts that are not only highly effective but burst with the delicious fragrance of essential oils.

Creating awareness about the importance of using products that are watercourse safe and biodegradable, Nu- Eco’s 100% natural products are lovingly manufactured in a small local factory in Hillcrest. www.nu-eco.co-za

�The importance of books from a fundraising perspective, as well as a cultural perspective, cannot be over-emphasised. Receiving a huge number of ongoing donations, the Kloof and Highway SPCA's Village Green book shop has a vast range of books to choose from. Staff take tremendous time and care to display and arrange all the books, ensuring customers can browse and select their favourite topics. All income generated from sales goes directly into financing the SPCA’s fight against animal cruelty.