Monday, 14 March 2011

February was the month in which many SEED Award winners received their awards and prizes at ceremonies in their home countries. The SEED Initiative is a global partnership that supports innovative grass-roots entrepreneurships demonstrating a strong integration of social and environmental benefits into their business model.

SEED’s role is to empower small-scale businesses that show potential, and enable them to increase their contribution to their local communities, whilst promoting sustainable management of resources and alleviating poverty.

We were very proud to see that six out of the 30 international winners were South African! Here are the fantastic small businesses that embody the dontbeapassenger ethos by making a significant difference to our communities and the environment:

• Amatola Wild Trout Fishery: based in East London. This is South Africa’s first recreational fly-fishery that’s owned and managed by a local community, bringing high-end tourism into a rural area and contributing to local job creation and skills development.

• Claire Reid Reel Gardening: this small business supplies pre-fertilised seed strips that encase seeds at the optimal depth and distance apart, with planting instructions in seven different languages. This makes subsistence gardening easy and accessible to anyone.

• Food & Trees for Africa: this organisation has thrived since its inception in 1990, and now facilitates a number of projects to do with climate change adaptation; food security, forestry and non-timers forest products.

• IziWasha: two social enterprises and a private company developed a handheld device that facilitates washing without the need for electricity or a home water supply. This makes the washing process remarkably easier for low-income communities and significantly reduces water and electricity wastage.

• Reclaiming Livelihoods – Mooi River Waste Reclaiming: this Pietermaritzburg-based project employs local people to recycle waste, creating a formalised workforce and providing shelter, protective clothing and technical equipment. This is an attractive opportunity to people in the area and it’s been very impactful in terms of job creation.

• Resentse Sinqobile Trust Trading as Zondi BuyBack Initiative aka Collect a Can: this buyback centre recycles and reshapes household waste, particularly tin cans and plastic. Over the years the initiative has impressed with its contributions to natural resource protection, litter reduction, job creation and education.

If you’re looking to help out this year, why not contact one of these great ventures and get involved or make or a donation?

SEED was founded by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at the 2002 Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Friday, 11 March 2011

[Photo from Die Beeld.]

This is a remarkable story of two South Africans who are all about doing rather than talking. Dan Skinstad and Riaan Manser are soon to become the first South Africans to kayak around Iceland – a risky and difficult journey that will take them 4 months.

Dan, brother of rugby personality and all-round good guy, Bob Skinstad, will undertake the journey to celebrate the completion of his studies. Having just wrapped up his articles in law, he was looking for a physical fitness-related challenge. He has a mild form of cerebral palsy which he finds difficult rather than debilitating.

Riaan is the veteran adventurer who circumnavigated the African continent on his bicycle in 2003 – a journey which took just over 2 years; and followed that up with a loop around Madagascar on a kayak.

The two have planned meticulously for the trip, which commences on 16 March. A camera crew will tag along to film the voyage but will not interfere in any way, leaving the two to fend for themselves in the icy conditions.

Read the full story by Mandy De Waal on the Daily Maverick here. Inspiring stuff guys, we’ll be following your progress!

Wednesday, 9 March 2011

National Geographic has produced a wonderful short video to promote their upcoming series on world population. Using statistics from population research the video reveals a picture of the most typical human being.

Was it what you expected?

Over-population is a major problem which has had a devestating effect on biodiversity and significantly contributed to the dwindling of our resources. Looking forward to National Geographic’s important series – you can read more about it here.

Wednesday, 2 March 2011

The people at Africology recently got in touch and asked if they could send us some samples of their organic skin care products. We happily agreed, in keeping with our goal of creating awareness for green brands and products and promoting a culture of eco-conscious consumption.

The Africology range is naturally and ethically formulated and is completely free from chemicals. They also contain essential oils which are said to align skin, body and mind and enhance overall wellbeing.

We tested the body scrub (R212), body lotion (R225) and anti-oxidant serum (R460).

The body scrub is made from sunflower oil, walnut and marula shell and is fantastic as a body exfoliator. It doesn’t lather much, but the combination of rough grains and nourishing oil leaves your skin feeling plump and polished.

The body lotion is a silky application formulated with natural oils such as apricot kernel, and is designed to boost the production of collagen. Unlike most commercially sold moisturisers, this one deeply nourishes your skin without leaving it too oily.

The anti-oxidant serum is my favourite of the three products. You apply drops of it to your face and neck just before you moisturise in order to improve elasticity and texture. I have no idea what exactly it does or how it works, but my skin felt incredible for the entire day after I used it. Highly recommend.

Africology won three categories at the Fairlady Best of Beauty Awards last year, one for the wonderful anti-oxidant serum. The products have a wonderfully earthy smell which lingers as a pleasant reminder that the essential oils are working on your skin throughout the day. Read on to find out more about this fantastic brand and it’s founder.

Monday, 14 February 2011

Monday greetings, lovebirds!

Hope you are all having a fantastic Valentine’s Day filled with recycled paper love notes and organic chocolate.

Here’s a snippet of eco fashion news to make your day even brighter:

H&M, the fashion label that South Africans pine for every day,will launch the Conscious Collection, a range of sustainable apparel for men, women and children.

The line, a follow-up to the previous Garden collection, will be available at H&M stores from 14 April 2011, and will feature fashionable garments made from recycled polyester, organic cotton and linen and Tencel.

Each item in the collection is trendy and stylish (we’d expect nothing less from H&M) and comes in a different shade of white – just perfect for the upcoming European summer.

Here are some of the official pictures from H&M for you to enjoy:

View the complete Conscious Collection here.

Lovely, yes?

Be sure to put H&M on your ‘Must visit’ list if you’re travelling overseas any time soon!