Zero Waste, Toxin Free, Ethical Choices

THE WHOLE STORYETHICAL READS | DIY BEAUTY | MINDFUL LIVING

MAGAZINE TEAMEditor and writing: Mia Keating

Graphic design: Natalie Taylor

Writing and photography: Michele Mayhew

Writing: Emily Conn, Leah Musch

DIY recipes: Nancy George

Photography: Kate Edwards, Jamie Ogden, Lauren Biggs

Passion: All the Biome team

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

Biome is different because we delve into the whole story of a product and its impacts. We don’t just assess ingredients, we dig deeper to review all aspects of a product from production to disposal. Each product is assessed against our strict criteria and is verified for truth in labelling, safe ingredients and zero harm to people, animals and the planet.

PRINTED ON 100% RECYCLED PAPER. FIND PRODUCTS IN-STORE AND ONLINE, PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

SOLVING THIS IS UP TO ALL OF USAbout 12 years is all we have to avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change, including extreme heat and drought, fires, floods, water scarcity and poverty, the eradication of coral reefs, and loss of insects that pollinate our food.

The newly released landmark report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says urgent and unprecedented changes are needed. This is no longer about saving the planet for future generations, the threat is real for most of us alive now.

IPCC scientists called for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5°C, whereas at the current level of global commitments we are on course for a disastrous 3°C of warming. This will require a shift in energy systems and transport, reducing deforestation that turns natural carbon sinks into emissions, carbon capture technology, and political will.

Australia in particular has a lot of work to do. We are the 13th highest polluter in the world despite having the 52nd largest population. Yet we are a wealthy nation with a high level of capacity to reduce emissions.

Yes, climate change is a complicated problem, but we can’t wait for other people to solve it for us. We can’t expect a revolution if we are not prepared to make radical changes in our own lives.

These kinds of actions have been talked about for so long I fear they have become ‘old hat’. It’s time to reinvigorate our commitment as they are more important now than ever.

• Turn off lights when you leave a room. • Buy green power.• Dry clothes on the line instead of using a dryer.• Live car free, ride a bike or electric scooter, or public transport.• Reduce the amount of meat and dairy in your diet.• Refuse plastic bags, disposable plastic, plastic toys, cheap plastic tat.• Avoid palm oil and anything that contributes to deforestation.• Buy local-grown food and reduce food waste.• Compost at home.• Fly less often.• Install solar panels.• Take part in collective political action.• Call your local MP and tell them you care deeply.• Talk about your values with friends and family.

Please visit biome.com.au/icommit and tell us the action you will commit to. There’s a bonus for everyone who does!

I will be cycling to work twice a week instead of driving. See you on the bike path!

Tracey Bailey

(left to right) Miessence Organic Deodorant ($10.95)Earths Purities Deodorant Paste ($14.95)Black Chicken Remedies Axilla Deodorant ($18.50)Earths Purities Roll-On Deodorant ($12.95)Honestly pHresh Men’s Deodorant Stick ($17.95)Biome Make Your Own Plastic Free Deodorant

NATURAL DEODORANTSweating may feel uncomfortable for some people, but it is a natural bodily function that helps to regulate the body's temperature and release toxins. It is a common misconception that sweat is odorous, but it is merely a combination of salt and water. Odours are a result of a natural reaction that occurs when sweat comes into contact with the natural bacteria on the skin. Antiperspirant deodorants are formulated to prevent perspiration, usually with aluminium and other synthetic chemicals and fragrances, whereas natural deodorants made from plants and minerals allow your underarms to perspire but inhibit the bacteria that cause odour. Ours are free from petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, and aluminium chlorohydrate. Instead of opting for an antiperspirant deodorant this summer, try a toxin-free alternative.

THE WORLD'S FIRST PLASTIC FREE CRYSTAL DEODORANT STICK

Reduce unwanted odours caused by sweat this summer with Biork, the world's first plastic free crystal deodorant stick.

The trend towards mineral or crystal deodorants without aluminium is increasing as more people experience skin irritations when they use deodorant with aluminium chlorides and other artificial ingredients. The anti-bacterial agent of Biork is a potassium crystal, also called alum which has been used as an antibacterial and deodorant since ancient times, especially in Asia. Biork’s deodorant contains a natural aluminium sulphate compound that does not have the harmful side effects of aluminium chlorides commonly found in commercial antiperspirant deodorants. Potassium alum remains on the surface of the skin and fights the bacteria to reduce odours, whereas aluminium chlorides penetrate the pores, constricts and deforms them. When the pores are blocked, the skin cannot breathe, and this causes skin irritations and stains.

The crystal used in Biork is encased in a container made of cork sustainably sourced from Portugal. Cork is a no

waste material that is obtained from the bark of cork oaks. It’s a renewable raw material recommended by nature conservation organisations as cork oaks contribute in a highly valuable manner to mitigating climate change. Cork oaks store up to 30 per cent more CO2 than other trees, and a cork oak that has its bark harvested regularly binds more than three times as much CO2 as an unused tree. With an area of around 2.3 million hectares, the Mediterranean cork oak forests absorb around 13 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

Biork has no scent and is free from aluminum chlorohydrate, alcohol, perfumes, parabens, preservatives and dyes. To use Biork, you simply moisten the crystal with water, glide it over the skin where needed and pat the crystal dry for storage. Biork will provide up to 24 hours of protection against sweat odour, and one stick will last for over 12 months.

Biork Crystal Deodorant Stick ($24.95)

Reference: APCOR (Portuguese Cork Association)

HOW TO ATTRACT NATIVE BEES TO YOUR GARDENAustralian native bees play an important role in the ongoing development of our native ecosystem.

Over the years, they have co-evolved with Australia’s native flora resulting in many species relying solely on native bees for cross-pollination. There are over 1500 varieties of native bees

which are more fragile than the introduced European honeybees and have suffered greatly from urban deforestation.

European honeybees are essential for the earth’s ecosystem, but they pose a threat to Australia’s native fauna and flora as they rival other animals for tree hollows and floral resources. Australia’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee has highlighted the species at risk of being displaced from hollows by rival honeybees. These include the brush-tailed phascogale, squirrel glider, yellow-bellied glider, major mitchell’s cockatoo, regent parrot, brushtail possum, greater glider and sugar glider. Other native animals honeybees threaten include honeyeaters and native bees due to their ability to remove more than 80 per cent of the floral resources produced from their frequent visits. Certain plant species are also vulnerable to honeybees as their process of pollen removal affects their seed set preventing correct cross-pollination.

We can help protect Australia’s future ecosystem by providing safe places for native bees to live and by planting specific plants to attract them to our gardens. Most native bees are solitary bees that nest and raise their young in hollows and tiny nooks in trees and timber.

Native bee houses provide a perfect place for native bees to nest and be protected from the harsh elements or predators. Planting a variety of flowering plants will also help to attract many species of bees and other good bugs to your garden.

Bee-friendly plants Australian native plants: banksia, bottlebrush, prostanthera, brachyscome, bursaria, pultenaea, wahlenbergia, scaevola, tea tree, chocolate lily, correa, dianella, dillwynia, eremophila, fringe lily, grevillea, gum trees, hakea, hardenbergia, eucalypt, hibiscus, lilly pilly, persoonia, tetratheca, westringia, olearia, and xerochrysum.

The Bee Friendly Garden Book ($39.99)

(top) Biome Bee House ($65). Biome Bee Houses are made by the Indooroopilly Men's Shed from reused pallet boxes and weed bamboo cleared from around Brisbane.

SUPPORTING REEF AID’S RESTORATION WORKBiome helps offset the environmental impact of shipping our online parcels by donating to Greening Australia's Reef Aid program. Being a Queensland business, the precious Great Barrier Reef is close to our hearts. As is the health of our oceans to our customers who take action to reduce plastic pollution.

Through its land restoration projects, Reef Aid has already proven incredibly effective at reducing sediment run off to improve ocean water quality and strengthen the resilience of the coral.

After climate change, poor water quality is the greatest local threat to the future of the Great Barrier Reef. Every year, millions of tonnes of fine sediment flow from eroding land, choking fish and coral, creating algal blooms, feeding crown-of-thorns starfish and reducing the reef’s ability to recover from the impacts of climate change. Exacerbating the problem is the loss of over 50 per cent of our coastal wetlands which act like giant kidneys helping to filter the water before it enters the reef.

To help stop sediment at its source and improve water quality, Greening Australia works with local landholders and communities along the Queensland coast to rebuild eroding gullies and restore vital coastal wetlands.

SAVING OUR KOALASSince Biome opened our first store in 2005, we have asked our customers to make a small donation to an environmental cause when we provide our gift wrapping service. Those donations have been given on many occasions to the Ipswich Koala Protection Society (IKPS).

IKPS runs two ambulances, a rehabilitation clinic and a volunteer carer service that rescues in excess of 180 koalas per year and countless other native wildlife such as possums, wallabies and fruit bats.

They maintain extensive records and mapping of koalas and koala habitats, as well as community education such as displays, forums, and working closely with the government on the protection of koala habitat.

Efforts by the IKPS and the Australian Koala Foundation, who we have also supported over time, are vital with koalas in serious continuing decline despite being listed as a “vulnerable” species in 2012. Koalas are in peril due to habitat destruction caused by urban development, agriculture, timber and even carbon offset schemes, drought, fires, dog attacks, vehicle strikes and disease.

Please check out www.savethekoala.com to learn how you can support the fight for a Koala Protection Act.

HOW WE PUT SUSTAINABILITY INTO ACTION

Proudly Supporting

Sediment plume from land run off.

Incredible change in water quality after gully restoration works.

NOURISH YOUR BODY WITH HEMP SEED OILHemp Seed Oil is a nourishing and antioxidant-rich oil that can be applied topically and taken internally. This multi-tasking oil contains all 10 essential amino acids plus 14 fatty acids including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid and anti-inflammatory that encourages skin and hair growth and cell generation while moisturising the skin.

HAIRHemp seed oil contains many beneficial nutrients that help stimulate hair growth, nourish and moisturise the scalp, improve elasticity, and strengthen strands. The ceramides in hemp seed oil help to form a protective barrier that assists in retaining protein and moisture in the hair and scalp while the omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids promote new hair growth.

To use: There are many ways you can apply hemp seed oil to your hair. For a serum, rub a small amount of oil into your scalp and hair, leave for 10 minutes before shampooing. For a treatment, add a few drops to your hair conditioner, or make a hair mask with hemp seed oil, apply the oil to your hair, leave for 30 minutes and rinse.

SKINHemp seed oil is particularly beneficial for those with acne, eczema, psoriasis, and inflammatory skin conditions. It dissolves stale sebum and drives out dirt, and pollution from deep within the pores while its moisturising properties create a protective barrier over the skin to prevent moisture loss. It also moderates oil production and is non-comedogenic which means it does not clog pores.

To use: For general face and body, either use alone or add a few drops to your usual moisturiser for extra benefits. To nourish cracked heels, dry hands and elbows, or reduce the appearance of scars, massage a small amount into the affected area daily until healed. For a complete body treatment, combine hemp seed oil with an exfoliant like raw sugar to make a scrub, and apply all over your body.

BODYHemp seed oil is one of the best plant-based proteins and contains high-quality nutrients that offer many health benefits. The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in hemp seed oil help to lower cholesterol levels and support weight loss by accelerating the body’s metabolic process. These essential fatty acids also improve immunity and regulate intestinal flora.

To use: Hemp seed oil is not suitable for cooking with heat as it has a low smoke point. Instead, use cold for salad dressings and smoothies. Alternatively, consume 1 to 2 tablespoons of hemp seed oil daily or as recommended by your health professional. Larger doses can be toxic.

Here are three ways to incorporate hemp seed oil into your daily routine.

Biome Hemp Seed Oil 100ml ($22.95)Hemp Foods Hemp Oil Organic Cold Pressed 250ml ($16.95)

MANGO CHILLI CURRY CHUTNEYIngredients• 2 clean 300 – 400ml sized jars for decanting

• 2 tbsp coconut oil or ghee

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1 tbsp maple/honey/rice malt syrup of your choice.

• 1 medium brown onion, thinly sliced

• 1/2 medium purple onion, thinly sliced

• 4 mangos, roughly chopped into 1cm sized dice

• 1 inch squared of fresh ginger chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, squished and chopped fine

• 1 heaped tsp curry powder/masala blend (or 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp turmeric and 1/4 tsp ground fenugreek)

• 1/2 small green chilli or two pinches chilli flakes (optional but the kick is lovely!)

• Pinch sea salt

• Optional mineral boost – 1 heaped teaspoon dulse flakes

ZESTY LIME BODY SCRUBIngredients• 1/2 cup melted coconut oil (stir speed, 2 minutes,

100°C for thermomix). In winter use sweet almond oil if you prefer.

• 3/4 cup coconut sugar or organic brown sugar

• 1/4 cup coarse sea salt (fine sea salt if you want to use on your face)

• 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice

• 1 teaspoon lime zest

• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean extract (optional)

• 10 drops rosemary essential oil (optional, brilliant muscle relaxant and grounding oil)

Method- Mix in a bowl. Put into a jar. That’s it. Takes less than

a minute!

BEAUTIFUL HOME-MADE GIFTSHome-made gifts are a great way to reduce plastic packaging and give something truly special. Whether it be Christmas or any other occasion, these recipes created

by Alexx Stuart of Low Tox Life are sure to inspire.

Method- Sautée onions for 5 minutes in oil or ghee until soft

and golden, then add everything but the mangoes.

- After 15 minutes on a low/med simmer, add mangoes for 5 minutes at the end. Mix well.

- Cool and decant into jars and pop in fridge up to a month, or freeze half up to 6 months so you have some for the mango off season too!

Low Tox Life book ($35)

BREAK UP WITH PLASTIC CLING WRAP

Biome offers a large range of environmentally friendly reusable food wraps, covers and containers.

Introduced to the market in the 1950s, plastic food wrap, commonly known as cling wrap quickly became a symbol of kitchen convenience. It’s now widely used in kitchens world-wide to cover and protect food, but sometimes the convenient option comes with terrible environmental consequences. Often made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) it can’t be recycled through kerb side recycling. It is accepted through specialised recycling services but due to its nature of use this single use plastic is usually soiled with food and discarded in landfill after use. Break up with plastic wrap this summer with these simple zero waste alternatives!

1. Place a plate on top of another plate

4. Use beeswax or vegan wax wraps

2. Store food in glass containers and jars

5. Cover bowls with silicone or organic cotton food covers

3. Wrap fresh produce in tea towels

6. Store sandwiches and snacks in reusable food pouches

Wrappa Vegan Reusable Wraps

COCONUT HAIR TREATMENTIngredients• 3/4 cup coconut oil

• 1/4 cup apricot kernel oil

• 1 tbsp jojoba oil

• 1 tbsp shea butter

• 3 tbsp palm free glycerine

• 12 drops of essential oils of your choice

Method- Place a saucepan with about 6cm of water in it on the

stove. In a separate glass jug or mason jar, add the coconut oil and shea butter. Place the jug or mason jar into the saucepan and turn heat to low-medium.

- Once the coconut oil and shea butter are just melted remove from heat and let it cool. Add the apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil and glycerine. Stir to combine.

- Mix in your essentials oils. Cover loosely and leave overnight at room temperature to set.

- Once set, it’s time to whip it. Whip until the consistency is lovely and smooth like creamy custard.

- Pour or scoop into your desired container and seal.

UseAfter washing your hair, wring out as much excess water from your hair as possible. This will help the conditioner absorb more deeply into the hair. Apply a small amount of cream using your fingers and massage into your hair. Comb through. Leave in for 5 minutes then rinse out well with very warm water. Repeat the rinse if needed. For best results towel dry your hair and then leave your hair to dry naturally.

Store at room temperature out of direct sunlight and use within 4 months.

DIY BEAUTY

Experience the beauty of making your own body care products at home using natural ingredients. Reduce your exposure to synthetic chemicals while learning the benefits of pure ingredients

with our easy, affordable and waste free DIY body care recipes. Find a large range of natural ingredients and reusable jars at Biome.

CHAMOMILE & COCONUT SUGAR DIY LIP SCRUBIngredients• 1 tbsp apricot kernel oil (infuse about 1/4 cup

and use 1 tbsp of the infused oil for this recipe)

• 1 tbsp dried chamomile flowers

• 1 tbsp raw sugar

• 1 tsp coconut sugar

• 1 tsp raw local honey (optional)

• 1 drop of pure essential oil of choice

Method- Infuse the dried chamomile flowers in 1/4 cup

of apricot kernel oil for 24 – 48 hours. Ensure the flowers are fully submerged. Shake occasionally.

- Once the flowers have finished infusing, strain using a fine sieve or hemp coffee filter. Set the oil aside.

- In a small bowl, add the raw sugar and the coconut sugar and stir. Add 1 tbsp of the infused apricot oil, honey and essential oil if using. Stir to just combine. Add a little more apricot oil if needed.

UseUsing your fingers, gently rub a small amount all over your lips. Massage in circular motions for a minute or two. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Follow with a natural moisturising lip balm, such as our nourishing peppermint lavender lip balm.

This recipe makes enough for one application. This is best used once freshly made.

NATURAL MASCARA & EYELINERIngredients• 1 tbsp activated charcoal

• 1/2 tsp shea butter

• 1 tsp bentonite clay

• 2 – 3 drops light oil such as shea or apricot oil

• 1 drop rosemary or lavender essential oil (optional)

Method- Mix all the ingredients together with a bowl and spoon.

Work the oil and shea butter into the powder to create a smooth paste.

- Add an extra drop of light oil if needed to make the mixture smooth and even. There should be no clumps.

- Scoop the paste into your chosen container and smooth down using the back of a spoon.

- Let settle for an hour before use. The natural mascara should be pliable and firm, but not hard.

UseEyeliner: Dust your eyelids with a little mineral foundation powder before beginning. This will help the eyeliner to stay on. Then lightly dampen the eyeliner brush, wipe off any excess water. Take an angled brush and slide it across the product to pick up some colour. Apply as normal. If you have never used this method before, it may take some practice. Clean your brush after each use.

Mascara: Dust your eyelids with a little mineral foundation, include your lashes. This will help the natural mascara to stay on. Then lightly dampen a clean mascara brush, gently wipe the bristles across the natural mascara to pick up some colour and apply to lashes as normal. Let dry on lashes and apply another coat if desired. Clean the brush after each use.

Note: The bentonite clay is for binding purposes only, so no avoidance of metal is necessary.

ROSE WHIPPED BODY BUTTERThis recipe makes enough to fill approximately 2 x 125ml glass jars.

Ingredients• 1/2 cup shea butter

• 1/4 cup coconut oil

• 3 tbsp rose infused apricot oil

• 15 drops rose geranium essential oil

• 6 drops lavender essential oil

• 1 tsp arrowroot

• 1 tsp pink clay

Method- To make the rose infused apricot oil place a generous

handful of dried rose petals into a medium size glass mason jar. Top with apricot oil. Push down the petals so they are fully submerged. Leave to infuse for a minimum of 48 hours, shaking occasionally. Strain the oil into another glass jar using a muslin cloth. It is now ready for use.

- Place the shea butter and coconut oil into a glass mixing bowl. Mix with a hand-held mixer until it becomes light and fluffy. Scape down the sides as you go.

HEAVENLY PETALS SOOTHING BATH TEAIngredients• 1/2 cup Tasmanian sea salt

• 1/2 cup Epsom salt

• 1/4 cup dried lavender

• 1/4 cup dried rose petals

• 1/4 cup dried chamomile flowers

• 1/4 cup dried calendula flowers

• 1/4 cup green tea

• 1/4 cup dried rosemary

• 12 drops essential oils of your choice

Method- Add all the ingredients into a glass bowl and gently toss

together like you’re making a salad.

- Scoop the mixture into your chosen jar and seal.

- The mixture will keep up to 6 months whilst sealed and kept from sunlight.

UsePop a few tablespoons of the bath tea mixture into the centre of your muslin cloth and tie up with twine to close.

Fill your bath with very warm water and place the tea bag into it. Soak and enjoy. When finished, empty your herbs into your compost or garden. Reuse your muslin bag.

- Add the infused apricot oil, arrowroot, pink clay and essential oils. Mix again, starting on low speed and slowly increasing to high speed. Keep mixing until the pink clay is well combined into the butters and oils and the mixture is light and fluffy.

- Spoon into your glass jars and seal.

UseThis is a rich, luscious body butter. Use liberally or as sparingly as desired. This cream is particularly beneficial after a shower and just before bed.

Keep out of sunlight in a cool dry place away from water. Use within 6 months.

WHITENING TOOTH POWDERThis recipe makes enough to fill approximately 1 x 80ml glass jar.

Ingredients• 2 tbsp bentonite clay

• 1 tsp bicarb soda

• 1 tsp pure, unrefined sea salt

• 1 tsp turmeric

• 1/2 tsp activated charcoal

• 10 drops peppermint essential oil

Method- Add the ingredients to a glass bowl and mix, until well

combined, with a non-metal spoon.

- Stir in essential oil – if you don’t have any peppermint oil, grind up some peppermint tea leaves.

- Sieve the mixture before bottling to combine ingredients and achieve a fine texture.

- Store in a small glass jar and seal. As this recipe includes bentonite clay and activated charcoal, please do not store it in a metal container or a container with a metal lid.

UseUsing a non-metallic spoon, scoop a small amount of powder and place it under your tongue. Wet your toothbrush and use it to distribute the powder around the teeth and gums. Brush as normal and rinse well.

If you don’t add water to this powder by dipping in your wet toothbrush, the powder will have a shelf life up to 12 months.

Biome Bamboo Adult Toothbrush ($4.95)Biome Bamboo Toothbrush Travel Holder ($6.95)

HERBAL FABRIC SOFTENERIngredients• 1 litre white vinegar

• Large handful of fresh rosemary, thyme and sage leaves

• Large glass jar with a non-metallic lid

• Glass bottle with a non-metallic lid for storing

• Strainer or sieve

Method- Put the herbs into the large glass jar and pour in the

vinegar until almost full. Ensure the herbs are fully submerged. Place the lid on and let the herbs infuse for at least 24 hours. For a stronger infusion leave for 48 hours. Shake occasionally.

- When the infusion is complete, strain well using a fine sieve. Ensure there is no remaining residue.

- Pour your fabric softener into your choice of container. It’s now ready to use.

UseAdd 1/4 cup of infused vinegar to the washing machine fabric softener dispenser. The vinegar will be dispensed during the rinse cycle.

DIY CLEANINGGo back to basics by making your own cleaning products at home from naturally occurring ingredients.

Many commercial cleaning products are loaded with toxic ingredients and when used expose our bodies to harmful toxins and pollute our oceans and waterways.

LAVENDER & ROSEMARY VINEGAR KITCHEN CLEANERIngredients• White vinegar (enough to fill a 440ml jar)

• Distilled water

• 1/4 cup dried lavender

• 1/4 cup dried rosemary

• 1 tsp lavender essential oil

• 1 tsp rosemary essential oil

• 1 x 500ml spray bottle

• 1 x 440ml pint size jar

Method- Add the dry ingredients to the infusion jar. Pour in the

white vinegar to near the top of the jar. Close the lid tightly and give it a bit of a shake. Let the dry ingredients infuse in the vinegar for 7 to 14 days, in a sunny area.

- After this infusion period, strain out the dry ingredients using a fine sieve, and collect the infused vinegar. Dilute infused vinegar in a 1:4 ratio. For a light disinfectant spray, combine 1/2 cup of infused vinegar with two cups of distilled water in a separate bowl or jar. Pour this diluted mixture into 500ml spray bottle. Add the lavender and rosemary essential oils to the mixture, and give a quick shake to combine.

Recipe and infusion method adapted from the book 'Hello Glow'.

UseSpray and wipe surfaces with the vinegar kitchen cleaner as normal. This spray works well on counter tops, floors, windows, tiles, and sinks. It’s also good for getting marks off walls.

Note: Don’t use this spray on marble as it will erode the stone. This recipe is also not suitable to clean raw chicken from food prepping surfaces.

Store spray in a cool area out of sunlight.

Hemp Dish Scrubber ($14.95)

EcoCoconut Round Scourers 2pk ($6)

Redecker Plant Fibre Dish Brush with Replaceable Head ($6.95)

Redecker Beechwood Toilet Brush and Stand ($75)

Kilner Vintage Clip Top Bottle 1L ($17.95)

Photo by Jamie Ogden

Soapberries are the fruit of the Sapindus Mukorossi tree which grows in several different regions of the world but are most prevalent in the Himalayas. Soapberries contain a substance called saponin, in the pericarp (flesh) of the fruit, which acts as a natural soap. They work to reduce the surface tension in water to remove dirt, and once used, the shells can be added to compost bins or gardens.

HOW TO USE SOAPBERRIES

1. Soapberry Mother BrothMaking mother broth from soapberries is simple, cost-effective, and the resulting liquid can be used as a multi-purpose cleaner. To make the broth, add five berries per 500ml of water and boil the shells for 15 to 20 minutes. Let the liquid cool and strain it to remove any soapberry bits. Transfer it to a jar or spray bottle and use for cleaning the bathroom, kitchen, as a glass cleaner, pre-wash stain remover, or mould remover.

Shelf life: the mother broth will only last for a few weeks unless you keep it refridgerated.

2. Soapberry Shampoo or SoapTo make a soapberry shampoo or body soap, add some guar gum to the mother broth. Mix and add more gum until you get your desired consistency. Mechanically blend the ingredients together to fully combine and use as needed.

3. Soapberry Laundry DetergentPlace the equivalent of five whole soapberry shells in the small cotton bag provided. Add the bag to the wash load and remove when finished. Use warmer water for heavily soiled loads (40 to 60 degrees).

4. Soapberry Laundry SoakerAdd the soapberries into a tub or bucket of warm water, agitate the water to promote saponin release, and submerge your clothes. Use the same method to prepare water for hand washing.

5. Soapberry Washing Up LiquidPlace the equivalent of four whole soapberry shells in the small cotton bag provided. Fill the sink with warm water and agitate to promote saponin release. Wash your dishes as normal. Alternatively, use the mother broth as a liquid detergent.

6. Soapberry Shaving CreamCombine mother broth, a drizzle of olive oil, and some essential oils of choice. Mechanically blend together until thick, and pop in an airtight jar. Apply to skin and shave as normal.

You will need to re-blend each time before use to achieve the creamy consistency.

7. Soapberry Stainless Steel and Glass Cleaner

Mix 2/3 of mother broth with 1/3 of vinegar, and add a few drops of antiseptic essential oil. Add this mixture to a spray bottle and apply as needed.

7 WAYS TO USE SOAPBERRIES TO CLEAN AROUND THE HOME

Soapberries are a straight from nature, zero waste and multipurpose cleaning solution. Not only are they fantastic as a natural laundry detergent, you can use them as an all-purpose cleaner,

shampoo, body soap, dish detergent and more.

(left) That Red House Soapberries 250g ($16.50)

WHOLESOME RECIPES

Whole food recipes created by our health and wellness community.

STRAWBERRY & MINT SMOOTHIEPrep time: 5 minutes Serves 2

Ingredients• 2 cup frozen strawberries

• 1 frozen banana, chopped

• 1/2 cup firmly packed mint leaves

• 2 1/2 cups plant based milk (e.g. coconut milk)

Method- Add all ingredients into a high-

powered blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy.

- Divide between two glasses and drink immediately.

JOCO Hardware Lane Insulated Glass 16oz 2 pack ($39.95)

Recipes and images created by Sarah Bell from Sarah Bell Nutrition – sarahbellnutrition.com

COCONUT AND STRAWBERRY ICY POLESPrep time: 10 minutes Makes 6

Ingredients• 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries

• 2 cups coconut yoghurt

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Method- Add strawberries to a small saucepan and bring to a low

heat. Gently cook, stirring frequently until strawberries begin to break down and become juicy. Continue to cook until juices begin to thicken slightly.

- Spoon the strawberries evenly between 6 icy pole moulds.

- In a small bowl mix together the maple syrup and coconut yoghurt.

- Spoon coconut yoghurt evenly between moulds, tapping each mould gently on the bench to release any air bubbles.

- Place sticks and covers on top of icy pole moulds and place in the freezer.

- Once frozen, eat as desired. Onyx stainless steel ice block mould

– paddle pop ($74.95)

@sarahbellnutrition

@sarahbellnutrition

QUINOA AND CRISPY CHICKPEA SALADPrep time: 20 minutesCook time: 25 minutesServes 4 – 6 (4 as a main meal or 6 as a side dish)

Ingredients• 2 tins organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1/2 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp cumin

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp turmeric

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• Pinch sea salt

Dressing• 1/4 cup lemon juice

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tsp hulled tahini

• 1 tsp raw honey (or maple syrup)

Salad• 1 cup quinoa

• 2 Lebanese cucumbers, spiralled

• 1 cup mint, roughly chopped

• 2 cups sunflower sprouts

Method- Preheat the oven to 200°C.

- Remove skins from chickpeas by gently pinching one end up pushing the chickpea out of the skin. This step is optional, however it does result in more crispy chickpeas.

- Spread chickpeas out over a baking tray and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Add a few pinches of sea salt and toss to coat evenly.

- Place in oven and roast for 25 minutes.

- Meanwhile, cook the quinoa by first placing quinoa into a sieve and rinsing under cold water. This helps to remove the saponins. Rinse under water until the water runs clear. Place rinsed quinoa into a small saucepan and add enough water so that it reaches the first knuckle when finger is placed gently atop the quinoa. Place lid on saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer until quinoa is cooked and tender. Remove from the heat and set aside.

- Once chickpeas have roasted for 25 minutes, remove from the oven and set aside while making spice mix.

- Make spice mix by adding cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric and paprika into a small bowl, mixing to combine.

- Place roasted chickpeas into a bowl and pour in spice mix, stirring to combine.

- Make salad by adding quinoa, chickpeas, sunflower sprouts, cucumber, mint and dressing into a bowl and tossing to combine, so that dressing coats salad evenly.

Solidteknics Skillet/Frying Pan 30cm ($189.95)

EVOHE SKIN CAREIn her early 20s, Meghan Forrester dabbled in the luxury skin care market and discovered some ugly truths

about the industry which made her question her whole philosophy on life. She decided to give away all of her possessions and live a simple life in the hills of Northern New South Wales – a complete contrast

to the bleached hair, red lipstick and high heels that once made up Meghan’s costume.

Fast forward 20 years and you will find Meghan in clothes that can be napped in, shoes that can be danced in, and she’s grateful for messy buns being on-trend. With her warm and engaging presence, Meghan inspires real and uplifting conversations. She believes that life is too short to muck around with faking it, comparing, or being hard on ourselves. “It’s all about relationships, being an authentic participant in life and celebrating every moment,” says Meghan.

Meghan infuses this passion into her natural, palm oil free skin care company, Evohe, which she started over 10 years ago with her late husband, Barry Forrester. Evohe epitomises the groundbreaking feats that are possible when two or more people of like mind join together. “When we began Evohe, we didn’t want to conform to what every other skin care brand was doing,” says Meghan. “We observed practices that weren’t ethical. Tricks of the trade that meant you could avoid declaring preservatives, and underhanded methods that consumers would never know about,” she said. Meghan believes the world now wants powerful, innovative natural skin care – not empty promises. “Consumers are tired of airbrushed marketing campaigns and endless lists of unpronounceable chemical ingredients.”

Evohe skin care joins a new generation of independent businesses that are serious about an evolution in ethical and sustainable business practices, and quality, natural products that have minimal impact on the environment.

Each product is handmade in Australia using the best available Australian extracts. All ingredients are carefully selected to ensure they are high quality and potent.

“Mother Nature is an incredible treasure chest of natural ingredients – in fact, she really has done all the hard work for us,” says Meghan. The ingredients used in Evohe skin care are formulated with minimal processing to remain bioactive. This ensures each formulation has an active and potent effect on skin tissue and cells, and works to plump, nourish and hydrate. “It’s our mission to formulate the purest skin care and cosmetics so you can nourish your skin in the safest and healthiest way possible. We do this by vehemently avoiding cheap, harmful ingredients that should never be found on the skin,” she said.

It’s important for Meghan that customers trust everything about Evohe. For every extract, raw material and essence that goes into an Evohe product, Meghan and her team conduct an extensive supplier audit, ensuring their ethics, sourcing methods and actions in business are aligned with the Evohe Conscious Living Checklist. “We have abandoned many opportunities that made good business sense on paper, for collaborators and suppliers whose main concern was the bigger picture not just the bottom line,” she said.

Producing the range without any palm oil derived ingredients is an example of the lengths Meghan went to.

“Many times, it would have been easier to go with a cheaper, easier ingredient,” says Meghan. In the process, Meghan has discovered groundbreaking ways to create more efficacious, kinder skin care. “When you use Evohe, you know unequivocally, that the true cost of your beautiful, glowing skin, really does begin and end with the price tag.”

(left to right)Evohe Cleanse ($41.95) Evohe Mineral Powder ($54.95)Evohe Silica Mask ($51.95)

TOXIN FREE BEAUTY

Give clean gifts with these toxin free and

environmentally friendly beauty products. Create a toxin free beauty pack

or pamper your loved one with a new lippy. These fun

and cruelty free gifts are sure to delight.

One Thousand Lines Flat Gathered Pouch ($39.95)

Kooshoo Organic Plastic Free Hair Ties ($19.95)

Rasasara Tridoshic Dust Dry Shampoo 20g ($34.95)

Biome Sensitive Skin Pack ($90)

Sienna Nail Polish ($25)

Noyah Palm Oil Free Lipstick ($34.95)

EcoMax Sisal Dry Body Brush ($26.95)

Biome Scrub + Soak ($29.95)

WINNERNatural Beauty Awards 2019

BACK TO SCHOOL AND WORK

Start the new year on a good note by reducing your impact on the

environment with waste free lunches. Whether it’s for school or work,

these durable and environmentally friendly lunch gear will save you time and money, and help you eliminate unnecessary single use packaging.

Stasher Silicone Food Bag ($22.95)

Biome Wooden Spork ($8.95)SoYoung Insulated Lunch Box ($36.95)Yumbox (from $26.95)

Cheeki Stainless Steel Water Bottle (from $24.95)

BeetBox Glass Lunch Box ($49.95)

Planetbox Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box (from $80)

GO NAKED WITH YOUR BINThe recent plastic bag ban has raised questions about bin liner alternatives. What’s the solution? Go naked without any bin liner at all. This will not only save the waste and cost of plastic liners,

but will create a healthier environment.

Look at what rubbish you currently bag

Most people find that the majority of waste that requires bagging is wet food, cooking fat, sanitary items, and soiled packaging. The rest of your

rubbish is generally plastic or paper packaging.

Separate your waste straight awaySetting up specific places to put each type of waste will greatly increase the amount you allocate. You will need

various receptacles for:

Compost: food scraps and compostable items

Kerbside recyclables: paper, metal, glass food packaging, and hard plastic containers.

Special recyclables: skin and hair care packaging, toothbrushes, batteries, light bulbs, e-waste, etc. You will need to find venues that will accept these for recycling.

Soft plastics: if you live within reach of a major supermarket, most now accept soft plastics. Alternatively, you can send

them to RedCycle.

Landfill scraps: this is the remnants of food that cannot be composted, unrecyclable packaging and other tricky items.

Minimise food waste and re-useTry to reduce food waste and re-use where

you can. Only buy what you need at the grocery stores and farmers markets, store food properly and shop zero waste at bulk

food stores to reduce packaging. Think about everything you discard and try to find an

alternative way to use it. For example, a great way to stop throwing away the ends and

peelings of vegetables is to keep them in the freezer then use to make a vegetable stock.

How to store anything remaining without plastic bags

After separating all the above waste, the only issue you have left is what to do with the potentially smelly, wet waste

and some special items until bin collection day. Here are some great solutions:

Firstly, drain off any excess liquid down the sink, as bacteria that causes smells breeds in a wet environment.

Freeze scraps in a container and only tip them in to your wheelie bin the night before rubbish collection.

Place scraps in a bench top container that “breathes” and then tip into your wheelie bin every few days. Wet food scraps left in an air-tight container start to putrify quickly.

Every few weeks, hose out your wheelie bin on the lawn or garden, and rinse with a vinegar solution to eliminate

any insects.

Set up a home compost or other systems for compostable scraps

Food scraps are the biggest contributor to rubbish. Therefore,

composting your food waste is the most important step you can take. This could be one, or a combination of a worm farm, compost heap, or Bokashi bin.

HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT PLASTIC BIN LINERS

GIFTS WITH GREATER IMPACT Give presents that keep on giving with these sustainable gifts suitable for everyone and all occasions.

1. Podsta Reusable Stainless Steel Coffee Pod ($39.95) 2. Joco Glass Reusable Espresso Cup 4oz ($23.95) 3. Kilner Traditional Coffee Grinder ($67.95)4. The Little Veggie Patch Co. Seed Kit ($30) 5. Parker Women's Rose Gold Safety Razor ($45.95) 6. The Linen Press Organic Cotton Tea Towel ($16.95)

1.

6.

2.

4.3. 5.

7. UrbanGreens Microgreens Windowsill Kit ($49.95) 8. Biome Shampoo and Body Bar ($9.95) 9. Biome Organic Cotton Produce Bag Set of 5 ($18.95)10. Biome Mini String Market Bag ($7.95) 11. Stainless Steel Bubble Tea Straw ($5) & EcoJarz Glass Jar & PopTop Drinking Lid 700ml ($29.95)12. Biome Reusable Cutlery Set with Straw ($17.95) 13. Appetito Steel Compost Bin 5L ($44.95) 14. Sustomi DIY Beeswax Wrap Mix 150g ($27.95)

9. 10.

13. 14.

11. 12.

8.7.

COOK TOXIN FREE FOR A LIFETIME WITH SOLIDTEKNICS

Would you knowingly cook with something that exposes you to a harmful chemical? All for the convenience of food sliding off the surface more easily?

Unfortunately, this is the hidden cost of using some non-stick coated cookware.

Most non-stick cookware, such as Teflon, is made with poly and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFA’s) that release perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) when heated. Studies have shown exposure to PFOA may have adverse health effects such as thyroid disease, endocrine disruption, organ damage, reproductive and developmental problems, cancer and arthritis.

In addition to the health issues presented by non-stick cookware, a lot of non-stick pans available today are made cheaply and quickly from poor quality materials in overseas factories. In many cases, a Teflon coated fry pan will last just a few months to a year before the coating starts to scratch and flake, often being discarded in landfill. This is a waste of money, resources and is bad news for our environment.

Fortunately, there is a solution. Solidteknics offer a toxin-free and sustainable cookware alternative with a non-stick coating that you build yourself using natural oils. The Australian owned company is committed to creating durable, multi-century cookware that contains no harmful synthetic substances, making cooking better for you and the planet.

When naturally seasoned with oil, Solidteknics cookware becomes non-stick without resorting to synthetic coatings.

Each pan is made from one solid piece of seamless and rivetless Australian wrought iron which cooks like cast iron but is half the weight for easy manoeuvrability and handling. The pans are highly conductive on any heat source including induction, gas, ceramic, halogen, electric, oven and open fire. Seasoning can be reapplied at home, so the pan will never lose its stick-free surface, and with regular maintenance, one purchase will last a lifetime, saving money and waste in the long term.

Solidteknics pans are made for multi-generational use with each pan engraved with the date of manufacture for collectability and come with a multi-century warranty. Enjoy less scrubbing at washing up time without the health hazards with truly made-to-last cookware that you can hand down to your kids.

Solidteknics range from $99.95

Dr. Bronner’s Toothpaste ($12.95)

My Magic Mud Whitening Toothpaste ($19.95)

Urthly Organics Toothpaste Powder ($21.95)

Pure & Green Organics Toothpaste Concentrate ($14.95)

My Magic Mud Whitening Tooth Powder ($29.95)

Riddells Creek Organic Fluoride Free Toothpaste ($10.95)

PALM OIL FREE, TOXIN FREE TOOTHPASTEThe toothpaste you use can impact your health, the health of your family and the health of the planet. Many types of commercial toothpastes contain a range of synthetic ingredients including triclosan, sodium lauryl sulphate and synthetic colours. Natural toothpastes are effective in providing oral care without synthetic chemicals. They are made with natural ingredients and are available in both liquid and powder forms. Try toxin free toothpaste today!

Black Chicken Remedies Copper Tongue Cleaner ($12.00)

@unmaterialgirl

CLOTHES YOU CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUTIt’s no secret that fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world.

Issues span from textile waste to human rights violation, the use of toxic materials and dyes to big brands burning excess stock. Slowly but surely, consumer awareness, education, and passion have helped harbour a new attitude towards the consumption of fashion,

and it’s being referred to as the ‘slow fashion movement’.

The slow fashion movement is the antithesis of fast fashion. It champions transparency, sustainable fabrics, fair treatment of those who make your clothes, environmentally-responsible production, and innovation. Slow fashion is about respecting a slower process, loving a garment for longer, knowing the maker, appreciating fabric, building a wardrobe of beautiful staples and banishing the idea that outfit repeating is a sin. As passionate advocates for people and planet, Biome felt it was time to join the movement and champion the fashion labels that are at the forefront of this revolution.

Biome’s Slow Fashion Department offers customers an avenue to support and purchase ethically made fashion that aligns with their values. All featured labels have been carefully researched and curated to ensure they meet Biome’s ethical and sustainable standards, are vegan and are made using natural fibres. Biome’s Slow Fashion Department is spearheaded by sustainable and ethical fashion blogger, Leah Musch. Leah has been documenting her experiences in the world of slow fashion on her blog and Instagram, The Un-Material Girl, for more than three years, and is an avid speaker, workshop host, and educator.

Good Studios Drawstring Dress ($275) Woven Seagrass Pom Pom Shopper Bag ($52.95)

Farn Wide Leg Pant in Daintree Print ($249)

HOW TO BREW 1 GALLON OF KOMBUCHAIngredients• 1 gallon (4 litres) cool,

chlorine-free water

• 4 – 6 tea bags or 1– 2 tablespoons loose-leaf tea

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 full-size kombucha SCOBY (4 – 5 ounces)

• 1– 2 cups mature kombucha for starter liquid

For tips on flavouring, filtering, bottle-aging (to further develop the flavour and carbonation), and other advanced techniques, pick up a copy of The Big Book of Kombucha from Biome.

Big Book of Kombucha ($34.99)

Excerpted from The Big Book of Kombucha © by Hannah Crum and Alex LaGory. Used with permission from Storey Publishing. Photo © by Matt Armendariz.

2. Add the sugar to the hot tea, and stir until completely dissolved.

5. Cover the vessel with breathable cloth, secured with a rubber band if necessary. Set it in a warm location (ideally 24 – 29°C), out of direct sunlight, unless brewing in an opaque vessel.

8. The rest of the kombucha is now available for drinking, either straight from the vessel or, more commonly, after bottling with or without flavours.

3. Pour the remaining 3 litres of cool water into the brewing vessel. Dip a clean finger into the mixture to gauge its temperature. If warmer than body temperature (about 38°C), cover with a clean cloth and set aside until lukewarm.

6. Allow the sweet tea to ferment for 7 to 21 days. After 5 days (or sooner, if you’re curious), it’s okay to begin tasting once a day. To taste, remove the cloth cover, gently insert a straw beneath the SCOBY, and take a sip.

9. To start the next batch, use one or both of the SCOBYs, either the original and/or the new one from the previous batch, with the starter liquid. The extra culture may be used to start another batch or placed in a SCOBY Hotel. Enjoy the first batch while the second brew is in progress!

1. Heat 1 litre of the water to just below boiling. Combine the tea and hot water in the pot, or in the brewing vessel. Let steep for 5 to 15 minutes, then remove the tea leaves.

4. With clean hands, place the SCOBY in the sweet tea solution. Pour the starter liquid on top of the SCOBY; this acidifies the pH of the tea near the top of the vessel, where the culture is most vulnerable, offering a layer of protection from potential pathogens.

7. Once the brew reaches the flavor you prefer, it is ready to harvest. Before bottling or flavoring, collect at least 1 cup of starter liquid for the next batch from the top of the brew (2 cups if you can spare it or if the brew is young) and pour it into a clean bowl. Then remove the SCOBYs to the bowl, cover with a clean towel, and set aside. (We take the liquid first because removing the cultures can kick the yeast off the bottom, which is fine for drinking but not for starter liquid.)

Method

CARVING A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION WITH COCONUTSWhen Jake McKeon stumbled across painted coconut bowl souvenirs while travelling around Bali,

he thought the bowls in their natural state would be great to sell in his health food business. Jake filled his bags with coconut bowls and returned to Australia.

Little did he know that his idea would flourish into a thriving, sustainable business.

Jake began selling the coconut bowls in his health food business and within six weeks sold out. Jake imported stock to keep up with demand and within three months the sales of the bowls surpassed the sales of his health food products. “At this point, I decided to create a new business and in January 2016 I launched Coconut Bowls,” says Jake.

Jake began to realise the significant environmental and ethical impacts of his new venture. “Of the billions of coconuts harvested each year for the coconut oil, water and flesh industries, 99 per cent of their shells are discarded and burned as waste,” says Jake. “This contributes significantly to CO2 and methane emissions, and the smoke is a hazard to humans and animals.” Coconut Bowls is now part of the solution to this environmental issue. Jake's craftspeople cut, clean and sand the coconut shells, turning them into beautiful coconut bowls that you can eat from. Each coconut bowl is then finished with an organic virgin coconut oil polish. “Every coconut bowl is unique with its own shape, size, marking and imperfections – they're one in a billion,” says Jake.

Jake strives to build a company that supports all three pillars of planet, people and profits.

Jake is regularly asked about the Fairtrade status of the coconut bowls, and although this is a certification he would ideally like to obtain, it’s currently unachievable due to the current operations of the only three Fairtrade coconut farms in Vietnam. “We have investigated working with these farms, but due to the large scale that they operate, the way they open coconut shells prevents us from being able to upcycle them,” says Jake.

Instead, Jake chooses to adhere to his own ethical values, by working with a number of smaller family farms where he pays farmers to sort and package the coconut shells into the sizes he requires. “This ensures they receive an income from products that they otherwise would have to pay to dispose of or burn themselves,” says Jake. This income makes a difference for the farmers, who are considered some of the poorest in the country, often earning the equivalent of $1 to $2 per day, whereas a single collection from Coconut Bowls can total hundreds of dollars. “With regular collections across the year, the income from discarded coconuts can be more than what they earn for the coconuts themselves,” says Jake.

The craftspeople who sand and polish the shells are paid more than double Fairtrade standards which is 30 per cent more than regular incomes and receive food, drinks and breaks throughout the day. “One of the wonderful things about our workshop is that many of the artisans are family. This is desirable within the Vietnamese culture as many workers must travel hours every day to get to their workplace, meaning less time is spent with family,” says Jake.

Coconut Bowls has grown from strength to strength over the years. Jake has fostered a hub focused on plant-based eating and mindful living, and is currently is working towards achieving B Corporation certification.

Coconut Bowl ($12.95)

IT’S TIME TO ESCAPE INTO NATURESo many of us are drawn to camping in the outdoors to be surrounded by the simplicity, calm and freedom of nature. We go camping to get away from the materialistic and encumbered parts of our everyday life. Yet, often we end up trying to lug substitutes for many of the comforts of home, turning the event into a stressful, cluttered experience. Taking less stuff and being more prepared to make do, not only helps you feel more connected with the nature around you, but it makes it a whole lot easier to go in the first place. Escape into nature with these minimalist, low waste camping essentials.

(left to right)Light My Fire Firesteel Scout 2.0 ($19.95) Biome Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle 750ml ($34.95)Nil Organic Fire Starters ($19.99)Enamel Mug ($12.95) Biome Stainless Steel Folding Spork with Pouch ($11.95) Biome Natural Outdoor Mozzie Mist ($19.95)Biome Shampoo and Body Bar ($9.95)

THE ACCIDENTAL ENVIRONMENTALISTAnita Vandyke didn’t grow up with a hippie mother or a passion for the environment; she was just a person trying to find happiness in all the usual places – money, power, and status. But this idea of success didn’t provide her with the happiness that she expected.

At age 26 Anita was a qualified rocket scientist and a manager in a large engineering firm, earning more money than her Chinese migrant parents ever had. On paper, her life was the epitome of success. “I was the one my parents didn’t have to worry about; the daughter who graduated high school with a near perfect UAI, had a well-paying corporate job and the latest Givenchy boots in my closet,” she said. It was supposedly a picture-perfect life for Anita, but it all changed in an instant when in 2015 Anita had an epiphany.

“I remember sitting in a board meeting on level 6, looking at my boss, my boss’ boss and the big boss, thinking is this who I will become in five, 10, 15 years’ time,” she recalls. Anita realised then that if she kept going down this path, all her hopes of living a life that was truly hers, one that wasn’t

bound by golden handcuffs, would be lost forever. These questions haunted Anita, and the doubt started to make her miserable. “My husband looked me in the eyes and said, ‘You have to quit your job – it’s killing you.’” Anita knew that if she didn’t do something about her everyday misery, she risked losing him. Anita quit her job the next day and since then has transformed her life.

By embracing a zero waste life, Anita has been able to go back to university to study full-time to become a doctor, move out of her in-law’s house into a 59-square metre apartment, and has dedicated her life to something greater. “Working in corporate Australia didn’t reflect who I was, but that doesn’t mean it’s not right for everyone. You certainly don’t have to quit your corporate job to live a more eco-friendly life. But you do have to find what works for you,” Anita said.

The zero waste living movement is centred on reducing the waste you send to landfill and reducing the amount of plastic used in your life. But Anita wants to show people that living a truly zero waste life also means not wasting your

life away. “Quite simply, plastic is Mother Nature’s non-renewable resource, and time is ours. We shouldn’t waste either one,” she says.

In her book, A Zero Waste Life in Thirty Days, Anita provides simple ways to live an eco-luxe life, one in which everyone can be zero waste activists without depriving themselves of modern luxuries. “You actually gain more – more time, more money and more life,” says Anita. “Isn’t that what we all want in the end: a life of happiness, a life of luxury, a life that isn’t wasted?”

A Zero Waste Life in Thirty Days Book ($21.99)

HOW TO LIVE A TRULY ZERO WASTE LIFEExtract from A Zero Waste Life in Thirty Days

Tip 1:Replace your disposables with reusables – replace items such as plastic bottles, paper napkins, plastic grocery bags, disposable coffee cups with reusable options. Make yourself a zero waste kit to take everywhere. A zero waste kit can include; a reusable water bottle, reusable coffee cup, cotton bag, stainless steel drinking straw and a spork.

Tip 4: Make second-hand your first choice – whenever you need to buy something, try to see if you can buy it second-hand first. Look at local thrift stores, ask neighbours and friends, try online forums. Make a good effort to try to buy second-hand before buying new.

Tip 2: Set up a composting system that works for you – food sits in our landfills and emits greenhouse emissions. It’s time to compost food scraps instead of sending them to landfill. This might be as simple as sharing a compost bin with a community garden or setting up your own. Shareapp is a free community app that allows you to see what compost bins are in your local area.

Tip 5: Be mindful of your time and money – put yourself on a spending ban, eliminate unnecessary engagements from your calendar. Money is a renewable resource that we should not waste; time can never be gained back. We should be mindful of how we use both these resources.

Tip 3: Shop the outer aisles of the supermarket or at bulk stores – shopping the outer aisles of the supermarket means that you are buying package-free food. Not only is this better for the planet, it’s also a healthier option for you and your family.

Tip 6: Head outside – by enjoying the outdoors and seeing how amazing Mother Nature is, we can learn to appreciate that every step, no matter how small, is important in helping our planet.

“ If we are serious about solving plastic pollution we have to stop the problem at the source.“

Photo by Nick Pumphrey

ECO CHAMPION

TIM SILVERWOODA passionate advocate for protecting our oceans.

Growing up in an environmentally friendly household, Tim Silverwood developed a keen interest in sustainability, furthering his environmental pursuits at university and through a career in conservation. It was a trip around Asia that awakened him to the true impact of plastic pollution and waste. “I was shocked and devastated to witness rivers choking on trash, beaches covered in pollution and waste being dumped directly into mountain streams. I realised that waste and pollution were serious issues and only getting worse. I wanted to do something to turn things around,” says Tim.

An avid surfer, Tim felt compelled to help the ocean he loves so dearly. In 2009, Tim’s desire to change the state of plastic pollution coincidentally led him to two like-minded people, Amanda Marechal, and Roberta Dixon-Valk. Amanda, a keen surfer, initially came up with the idea of collecting rubbish after each surf and, after consulting with her friend Roberta, a marine ecologist, together they formed the concept of Take 3. After Tim was introduced to the pair, they decided to officially register and launch the organisation in 2010.

Witnessing pollution and littering made Tim more aware of the disconnect that exists between humankind and the biosphere that sustains us. “Humans have quickly forgotten, or conveniently ignored, the fact that we are living, breathing animals that share a remarkable biome with millions of other living creatures. We are not separate from the natural world; we are part of it. The pollution from single-use plastic and other complex human-made materials marks a key moment when a species, us, is sacrificing life for future generations and countless innocent creatures. I simply can’t justify the price we are currently paying in the pursuit of a convenient lifestyle,” says Tim.

Amanda, Roberta, and Tim have always known there was something special about the #take3forthesea action.

“It is so simple, catchy and gives anyone, anywhere the opportunity to give back to our spectacular planet,” says Tim. They have seen huge growth in public awareness of the Take 3 message without the need for expensive advertising campaigns or media promotions. While they have directly visited over 150,000 school students and delivered hundreds of community activities, their major impact has been through social media with the Take 3 hashtag (#take3forthesea).

In 2011, Tim joined a three-week expedition to study the accumulation of plastic in the North Pacific Sub-Tropical Gyre, commonly referred to as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. “It was an incredible experience that opened my eyes to the vastness of the ocean and the scale of the plastic pollution pandemic,” Tim recalls. Seeing the problem firsthand motivated Tim and he began building his network of colleagues globally who were similarly committed to addressing the problem. This gave Tim the platform to stand up and demand changes with confidence. “I knew more than ever that change was critical and entirely possible.”

Tim points out that there is no ‘floating island of plastic’ in the North Pacific nor in any of the five major oceanic gyres. “Yes, there are higher levels of plastic gathering in these naturally occurring ocean vortices, but the plastic is still highly dispersed, mostly small, microplastics, and not always on the surface, it descends deep into the water column,” he said. Tim believes the media has largely contributed to the misunderstanding of the ‘garbage patch’ which has resulted in lots of attention to bold plans to clean it up, but Tim says this is not the ‘silver bullet’ answer to the problem. “If we are serious about solving plastic pollution we have to stop the problem at the source.

That means addressing our consumption, our waste production, our waste management and the leakage of our waste into the environment and waterways,” he says.

“I have always loved the expression that, we are the people we have been waiting for,” says Tim. “As someone who has been working on this issue for over 10 years, I can proudly say that we have come an incredibly long way.” Waste and plastic pollution are now key issues discussed in all sectors of society. Tim believes the only reason people are discussing plastic pollution solutions is because people have taken action themselves by liking photos on Instagram, signing petitions, sharing viral videos, watching documentaries, purchasing reusable products and picking up rubbish.

"As Dr. Seuss writes in The Lorax, ‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.‘ So, whatever you are doing, keep it up, and do a little bit more.”

Choose to Reuse Bamboo Cutlery Set ($12.95)

Biomestores Biome Eco Stores

BRISBANE CBD | BALMORAL | INDOOROOPILLY | PADDINGTONFind our stores at:

www.biome.com.au

$4.9

5

@bewellwithkaycee

“Almonds soaked and ready to be milked with the help of the very handy

(and plastic free) Queen B beeswax wraps. So good for all of the things that I’d usually use cling wrap for

(including wrapping lunch wraps).”

@the.green.bug

“Doing the dishes isn’t so bad when your scrubbers are this pretty! I was a huge fan of the refillable scrubby

brushes for convenience reasons but this switch was easy – just use a pure

castile soap bar, wet the brush, soap it up & scrub the dishes in hot water.”

@one.less.plastic.straw

@hanadisuby

@better_human_project

"I can understand why some people think it’s ‘not my job’ to pick up

other human’s litter. I can also see how some think that picking up one bag of rubbish a day ‘won’t make a difference’... My reply is always

something like ‘every little bit counts’ or ‘I want to show my children that I genuinely cared and tried’. Like a

ripple effect, I hope people join me in what I’m doing, and that they’ll inspire their family and friends...That’s part of how this problem is going to change."

“I usually keep a few straws & cups in my bags, for occasions like these!

Our little straws from Biome Stores fit perfectly in the small smoothie cups for the kids. I didn’t manage to go completely zero waste here (didn’t have smoothie cups) but we still try

our best & that’s what matters.”

“Did you know that you could recycle pens? Biome Stores have a Terracycle station in store to drop of things typically tricky to recycle, like toothpaste tubes, pens, and

even markers. We’ve been working through the drawers and cupboards

in our apartment on a mission to declutter our home and replace any single use plastic we once used with more sustainable options... Glad we could free our drawers of them in a

responsible way.”

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY OF CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS

“Today’s #tuesdaytip is to cut all plastic rings you come across! In

case they escape and end up in the environment, this is to prevent them

from strangling, gagging, or encircling wildlife who won’t be able to escape...

We’ve seen the horrific pictures and don’t wish to see any more! So please cut these rings when you take them

off milk cartons, six packs of beer and jars like Vegemite jars. And cut out all

plastic that you can!”

@reusablenation