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NEW PRODUCTS |
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| Women at the Forefront of Sustainability. |
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Catherine Morris started Green Home in 2007 from her garage in Cape Town. The following year she invited an old friend of hers, Phindi Dlamini, to run the Gauteng branch. With a predominantly female staff, Green Home is a 100% woman owned and managed business.
The growth of women taking leadership roles in sustainability globally is testament to the turning point we find ourselves at. No longer can we continue with unsustainable |
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traditionally masculine business practices. To regain balance, feminine values of holistic thinking, social sensitivity and empathy are required in positions in leadership now more than ever.
In recognition of women’s day Green Home would like to say thank you to all women, everywhere, working tirelessly to create a sustainable future. |
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| Plastic’s News: The Great Recycling Swindle; The Truth About Plastic and more. |
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Plastic and the Great Recycling Swindle is an excellent article written by Lisa Kaas Boyle of the Huffington Post that discusses the problems with plastics and how the plastics industry lobby uses tactics of aggression and distraction in an attempt to hide these problems. She dispels some of the "myths perpetuated by the plastics industry to defend their products and refute responsibility." Please do read this article, it's a good one!
The Truth about Plastic is a detailed and interesting info graphic that takes a look at the impact of plastic on both the environment and human health, as well as providing tips on how to reduce plastic consumption.
BPA Leaching in Reusable Water Bottles: A recent study checked BPA leaching in reusable water bottles made from various materials. BPA leached into both polycarbonate bottles and aluminium bottles lined with epoxy resin.
Plastic Bags in South Africa: The shocking truth is that the vast majority of the 8 billion plastics bags used in South Africa per year ends up in landfill, despite the collection of over R350 million in plastic bag levies.
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| VIDEO OF THE MONTH: Addicted to Growth- Who killed Economic Growth? |
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Who Killed Economic Growth? is a persuasive short video from the Post Carbon Institute that argues that contrary to what many governments and economists are saying, mankind has reached a major turning point in its economic history. We have reached the limits of economic growth, due to the non-negotiable restrictions of the natural environment.
For anyone who hasn't already seen it, the thought provoking documentary Zeitgeist Addendum is excellent for explaining how the current global economic system works. Also Check out US Debt Visualised, an info graphic that puts the extent of US Debt into perspective by showing how it literally stacks up.
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| Nuclear Delusions |
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Greenpeace Africa columnist, Rex Wheeler’s, informative article, Nuclear Delusions, argues that nuclear power is not a solution to the global energy crisis. He points out that despite industry claims that that nuclear energy is a low carbon alternative, the evidence is to the contrary. He continues that the health risks involved are very real, and discusses the costs, subsidies, collusion and corruption of the nuclear industry.
"Every dollar, every piece of land, and every resource spent on nuclear energy is an opportunity lost, consuming financial, human and natural resources required by real solutions."
Read the full article here.
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| To Love, to be loved and never, never to forget” ~ Arundhati Roy |
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One doesn’t have to look far for stories and images of the tragedy that is currently unfolding in the Horn of Africa. It is so easy to look the other way when faced with the disturbing images of starvation, but this inspiring quote from writer and activist Arundhati Roy serves as a poignant reminder why it is so important to look, to try to understand, to act and ultimately to love.
"To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget."
- Arundhati Roy
The quote is from a speech she gave in 2003 entitled Come September, which was made into the documentary ‘We’, which we strongly recommend watching for free here.
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| HIGHLIGHTS: Planting veggies for Madiba’s Birthday! |
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Green Home staff, friends and the wonderful ladies of the Yiza Ekhaya Soup Kitchen and Sewing Project in Khayelitsha planted a veggie garden for Madiba's Birthday. The veggies will be used for making nutritious and delicious meals in the soup kitchen. Green Home sponsors the Yiza Ekhaya Soup Kitchen with a regular monthly donation. More pictures here.
Green Home gave a well received presentation at the International Women’s Club Cape Town last Thursday 4th August.
We recently did a survey at the Clock Tower, in the Waterfront and asked people if they were prepared to spend an extra rand or two per meal on biodegradable food packaging in order to move away from the polystyrene they are currently using. Good news is 91% of people who responded said YES. Pictures and more info here.
Green Home’s vertical and hanging gardens were recently featured in the Life in Balance newsletter ‘The Week’.
Pick 'n Pay used Green Home’s 100% biodegradable and compostable food packaging for their stand at the 702 'Walk the Talk' event in Joburg on Sunday 24th July.
Green Home supplied 100% biodegradable and compostable food packaging to both the Gaia Food Market in Cape Town, and the The Green Market this past weekend.
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