Alex Rose-Innes
With climate change and its negative environment effects becoming more of a reality for most people, forward-thinking South Africans had stepped up to the challenge to grow the economy while at the same time, caring for the environment.
With disposable diapers clogging up rivers in especially rural areas, a business in KwaZulu-Natal came up with an eco-friendly option – reusable nappies. With a variety of stylish options to choose from, Bam+Boo offers stylish nappies in microfiber, bamboo and hemp options to keep babies dry without any allergic reaction.
The re-usable cloth nappies are cheap and affordable and even the liners in fleece or disposable had been designed from materials to ensure waste is kept to a minimum. These can also be used as wipes and are made from coral fleece and bamboo viscose leaving as little footprint on the environment as possible.
Because of Bam & Boo’s one-size-fits-all nappies, (with Rise Snips), to change to size from small to medium to large and extra-large, savings are not only from a diminished waste point of few, but with many parents feeling the pinch as a result of COVID-19’s decimation of jobs and finances, it makes perfect sense to go for a greener option.
The designers of these ultra-stylish nappies had done their homework and no fabric softener is needed as the more it is washed, the softer the material becomes. Also, as most creams for sore baby bums contain petroleum and zinc, the high absorbency rate makes the need for additional creams and potions, obsolete.
The health benefits of these eco-friendly nappies are legion. Containing no chemicals and perfumes as disposable nappies, it allows the baby’s skin to breathe, thereby reducing any rash. Disposable nappies also dry out the skin of babies with its scented, soapy wipes.
Various large retailers had started stocking these environmentally friendly nappies as companies are beginning to realise that consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that how they spend their money could change the future of the planet. The modern buyer is now looking for products that would not harm the environment and rather pay towards such a product, knowing their money can make a difference.
It is 100 percent biodegradable. Bamboo crops generate up to 30% more oxygen than other crops and even more than trees do. Bamboo helps to reduce carbon dioxide in the environment which is blamed for the destruction of the ozone layer.
When assessing the environmental impact of cloth versus disposable nappies, it is important to look at the entire life cycle of the nappy. This includes raw materials, manufacturing, transport and waste effects. Studies had shown that it takes as much energy to produce one disposable nappy as it does to wash a cloth nappy 200 times.
The current disposable nappy landfill problem is alarming. An estimated more than 3.5 billion soiled nappies, or close to 1.1 million tonnes per year. Landfills pollute the local environment as harmful methane gases generated by decomposing organic waste are released into the atmosphere. It is estimated that disposable nappies would take between 250 – 500 years to totally decompose.
Remade Recycling
Remade Recycling is a waste management company that assists with reducing waste products in landfills and waste management solutions for companies of all sizes.
Not only does the company finds solutions for respective companies on how to best deal with waste management but all reusable material is guaranteed to find a home in the sustainable market.
Akina Label
Whether you have your summer body ready or not, Akina is a sustainable brand that is based in Cape Town that offers luxury swimwear and sleepwear pieces with a conscious twist. Founded in 2016, Alkina fabrics are only made from organic or reused materials.
Hemp Love
A company run on the back of sisterhood, Hemp Love not only assists sustainable creation of fashion but is also socially aware through ensuring that the communities that it provides work opportunities for are uplifted through social awareness programs.
Kindred Kitchen
Based in the windy city of Port Elizabeth, Kindred Kitchen is a restaurant that offers a vegan menu for its patrons.
If salads are not your go-to the plant based restaurant also offers fried goodies including burgers for the more laid back patron.
Kindred Kitchen also offers catering services and deliveries to keep up with the demands of a world on the go all while sourcing its menu as organically as possible.
Greentower
Eco-v or as it is more popularly known, Greentower provides electricity in an affordable and accessible manner. Each solar grid can store solar power energy for up to 16 homes with the aim of changing the effect that greenhouse gasses at a million annually.
