November 21, 2017

ZERO WASTE IN SOUTH AFRICA


Zero Waste Store Cape Town
As you might recall, I went on tour in South Africa this past May. I never know for sure if my talks will have an impact where I speak, but I can proudly report that zero waste has since taken off there! And bulk stores are sprouting. To tell you more about it, I give the pen to the wonderful Colleen Black at A life Lived simply, without whom this tour wouldn’t have been possible in the first place!

Thanks for your generosity and work spreading waste-free living, Colleen!
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“Near on 6 months ago, Bea Johnson came to South Africa.  It took a lot of crowdfunding, sponsors and networking of contacts between Rhian of Eco Atlas, Noleen of Food & Trees for Africa, Hayley of Rethink the Bag / Two Oceans Aquarium and myself.  But we pulled it off with a very successful Zero Waste Home South Africa Tour, with talks in Cape Town, Plett, Durban and Joburg.
I would never have dreamed how much the zero waste lifestyle would then spread throughout our country.  Between the talks, newspaper and magazine articles, and a feature on Carte Blanche, our country was inspired by Bea and her zero waste lifestyle.
We now have a growing Facebook group,  Zero Waste Journey in South Africa, where people are encouraged to share information and ask for advice.  It nears on 2500 members and is so wonderful to see such a large group of people helping each other along their journeys.

Zero Waste Store Cape Town
Barry was inspired to create Zero Waste Store Cape Town; a travelling store which visits the Earth Fair, and Lourensford and Blaauwkippen markets each week.  He stocks a variety of package free products, from dry goods to oils, vinegars, coffee, and even cleaning products and toiletries. He is an inspiring man who is keen to spread the message about the zero waste lifestyle.
Wild & Waste Free Food & Lifestyle Co-Op
Jade is the founder of Wild & Waste Free Food & Lifestyle Co-Op which is currently in its pilot phase and operates on a Saturday from Glencairn Hotel.  Here, you can find everything from fresh vegetables, pasta, oils, dry goods, flowers, eggs, to toiletries, cleaning products and more!  She also offers a range of products such as reusable takeaway cups, bamboo toothbrushes and produce bags, and runs a variety of workshops to educate her community about Bea’s 5R’s.
Nude Foods
Paul Rubin and Sherene Kingma are on the brink of opening their Nude Foods store in the East City Precinct of Cape Town’s CBD. Before opening, they have already gained a huge social media following as they educate and inspire us about the need to reduce waste. They will be stocking non-GMO wholefoods, and earth-friendly home and body products – all sold plastic free and by weight. They are due to open early December – so watch that space!

Shop Zero
Janneke crowdfunded to open her store, Shop Zero in Cape Town.  She plans on stocking a variety of foods, and cleaning products for the body and home as well as products and tools that you help to live a low-waste lifestyle.  She is eager to run workshops and create a space where people can grow together and be educated and inspired about the benefits of a zero waste lifestyle.

In addition to this, individuals and groups across the country have been encouraging restaurants to quit single use straws, and there has been much success, which includes big chains, such as Afro’s, going straw-free. Breathe Ocean Conservation is currently running a straw-free campaign too.
Many shops have quit the single use plastic bags, and not just small independent ones, but also stores like Spar in Hilton and Kloof amongst many others.  Haley of Rethink the Bag has been working hard at spreading this message.
Talks are also taking place in all sorts of settings from small informal gatherings in hobby clubs and community groups to large schools.
South African’s are good at pulling together and pushing forward, and it is wonderful to see so much change happening in our country.  South Africa is such a beautiful, diverse land, we have so much to protect and care for.”