JHB West - July 2020

zero
Aiming
waste
for a
lifestyle
to a second-hand bookstore, the library or a local
school.
Sam and Dom Moleta, owners of one of SA’s first
zero-waste grocers, The Refillery, spent six years
working in the yacht industry, and saw first-hand
the impact plastic waste has on the oceans. Vowing
to make a difference, they share their tips for a
zero-waste lifestyle.
First and foremost, be realistic. ‘As the inspiring Bea
Johnson says, we may never reach the zero in Zero
Waste but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.’
Be a conscious consumer. By simply being aware
that what you buy adds to the world’s consumerism
problem, you can have a positive effect.
Ban single-use. Choose to reuse what you have,
reinvent it, repurpose it, refill it and recycle it when
it finally comes to the end of its life. Buy unpackaged
fruit and veg. Only ever use reusable shopping
bags.
Support small businesses that empower people
and grow our economy.
Shop local. Or second-hand. Every single item we
own has a carbon footprint. Reduce that by not
adding shipping. It’s even better if it’s been used
before and is now finding new life instead of going
to a landfill. Mend things and donate or sell what
you no longer use. You don’t have to search far to
find charities looking for donations. Sell stuff on
Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or at Cash Crusaders
and give someone the opportunity to buy
second-hand. Donate old books and textbooks
KURO-Bo (meaning ‘black stick’ in Japanese) is the
first 100 per cent plastic-free, scientifically-proven,
natural and biodegradable water filter in Africa. Usable
in any jug or water dispenser you already have,
the activated charcoal attracts positively-charged
toxins and heavy metals, drawing them out of the
water, and depositing beneficial minerals into the
water. It also balances the pH of acidic water. A stick
gives you three-plus months of cleaner, healthier,
better-tasting water with zero waste! R195 for the
sticks, R165 for the coins. Details: kuro-bo.com
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16 Get It Joburg
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Watch what you eat. The commercial food industry
is not environmentally friendly so go Flexitarian.
Take part in Meat-Free Mondays, add one
vegan day into your week, or simply cut out beef.
Another eco-tip is to make enough food for leftovers,
which means you don’t have to cook a new
meal from scratch every day – hooray to that!
Zero-tox. Chemicals make things expensive, are
packaged in plastic and negatively affect our
health, water supply and the planet. They’re also
not necessary. Opt for chemical-free cosmetics
and cleaning products, or make your own out of
common, non-toxic household ingredients.
Be water-wise. Share baths, take shorter showers,
invest in a water-saving showerhead and flush like
a Capetonian. Use a dishwasher instead of handwashing
– but only run it when it’s fully packed.
Rinse vegetables in a bowl of water, then use it to
water the garden.
Switch off your lights and unplug all your unused
appliances. The substantial reduction in your
monthly electricity bill will be an added bonus.
Compost. This significantly cuts waste while also
creating a positive product for your garden.
For further inspiration, tips and advice in living a
low-impact life, and to order from the store, click
on therefillery.co.za