Climate change is the most widespread & complex problem humanity has ever faced! There is no time to waste and we need to turn green talk into profound green action. This is the intention of the GREEN TIMES.
This festive season is likely to be another 'big spender' for South African consumers – how you spend that money can make a positive impact on the country and its people. You can walk into any shop at the moment and get the message: this is the season when we spend it. In fact, South Africans spend almost twice as much money in December than during any other month of the … [Read more...]
It seems as if the 'world of difference' slogan of a popular retailer increases sales, but does not stand up to scrutiny. The consumer action group, Grass, has Woolworths in its sights again for ‘misleading marketing claims and labeling’ on organic, free-range and GMO-free food products. Woolworths esd criticised before for sale of GMO ‘Frankenfoods’. Grass says … [Read more...]
Diamonds are supposed to be forever, however it’s the human love affair with gold that has been truly lasting. For thousands of years, since even before the time of King Tut, gold has been prized for its beauty and value. It’s no wonder, then, that so much gold is sitting in jewelry boxes and central bank vaults. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that 171,300 tons of gold … [Read more...]
Viva to the Capetownians who consider where their food comes from, who shop local, organic and seasonal, who support community empowering farming initiatives and who benefit themselves and the planet in the process. Watch this video made by UCT students and see some bright young faces who think, care and act … [Read more...]
From the 3rd of July 2014 (International plastic bag free day), Greyton aims to become South Africa’s first town to phase out single use plastic shopping bags. This is a drive initiated by Greyton Transition Town (GTT) and supported and assisted by Hayley McLellan from Rethink the Bag. This is just one of the many creative waste reduction programmes run in Greyton. Green … [Read more...]
Woolworths customers have helped raise close to R5 million to date by purchasing the cause related reusable bags sold in Woolworths stores. This includes over R2.2 million for rhinos, R2.1 million for other endangered species, almost R400 000 for marine life, and R200 000 for breast cancer awareness. Woolworths launched their first cause related bag in September 2010 - the … [Read more...]
In South Africa, there are so many recycling labels which are confusing for customers, designers and developers. That’s why Woolworths has designed and adopted new labelling on packaging to tell you exactly what materials each of their packs contain and how you can dispose of them. The new labelling started appearing on food packaging this month. The intention is for the … [Read more...]
Civil society organisations have warned the nuclear industry to back off radioactive metal imports for smelting and its deregulated sale in South Africa, or face a legal battle. Hot on the heels of the Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (NECSA) claiming to have minimised the impact of the release of deadly radiation through negligence from the Pelindaba nuclear facility early in … [Read more...]
Gillian O’Shea started Terra Madre SA in October 2012 because she was frustrated with not being able to purchase clean food. “As a Specialised Kinesiologist, I was also learning more and more the about the impact of our bad diet on our health, never mind the impact of our farming methods on the planet.” It’s my opinion that consumers and large retailers are also at fault … [Read more...]
This year’s Green Faire will take place on Saturday November 2nd 2013. A wide range of green products and services will be on offer, as well as a great line up of informative talks, new innovations and inventions. Explore ways to make your home and lives more healthy, happy and sustainable. Get stuck in to some natural building techniques and tuck in to a selection of … [Read more...]
Ethical fashion's movers and shakers met at the Ethical Fashion Forum's SOURCE Summit last Friday. Calling itself "the most important event for fashion and sustainability", this was a one-day industry convention held at The Crystal in London. It was a day where people working in the ever-growing ethical fashion ghetto could network and discuss the issues that colour the … [Read more...]
The concept of greenwashing is one that I have long refrained from discussing, preferring rather to encourage the developing green market and not to fuel fires of mistrust. Not because it’s not important, on the contrary. South Africans need to understand what constitutes a responsible consumer and how they can contribute towards a better world. But it is also a term that may … [Read more...]
Over the weekend South Africans joined the global call for Levi's to Detox. Over 700 activists in over 80 cities around the world made their voices heard and demanded that Levi's eliminate all hazardous chemicals from its clothing and supply chains. Through street art and creative confrontation Greenpeace demanded Levi's, the world's biggest jeans producer, to "go forth" and … [Read more...]
