Tag: environmentally friendly

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Bathrooms Kitchens Laundry Shopping

Home cleaning products that are good for the earth & look stylish too

Dirt starter pack

The home cleaning scene has rapidly expanded of late with a range of cleaning products that are not only eco-conscious but look fabulous too. From ranges designed to eliminate single-use plastic to plant-based cleaning solutions made from Australian native oils, these are our top picks.

Compagnie de Provence Fig of Provence liquid soap: Made from vegetables oils from Provence, this liquid soap comes in a chic glass pump bottle that can be refilled with the corresponding refill bottle. There’s a variety of scents to choose including fig, black tea, cotton flower and patchouli. We love the bold typography on the front. $39.95.

Zero-Co: Designed to make it easy for you to cut out single-use plastic, this range not only looks great (such fun colours!) but it’s soft on the environment too. Each starter kit comes with a a set of dispensers (made from ocean waste plastic), a set of refill pouches (made from recycled plastic) and a reply-paid postage satchel. When you’ve emptied the refill pouches into their dispensers just pop them in the post and Zero-Co will refill them and return them to you. Genius!

Tangent GC Clover sportswear detergent: Made in Sweden this product is specially made for synthetics or blended fabrics making it ideal for for the sports-enthusiasts among us (activewear anyone?). It’s also organic, cruelty and fossil fuel free. $35.



Koala Eco: Packaged in 100 percent post-consumer-recycled plastic bottles, this product line-up is free of synthetic fragrance and colouring, allergens and irritants and draws on the medicinal and therapeutic properties of Australian native plants. “Species such as eucalyptus, lemon myrtle and peppermint have natural antiseptic and astringent qualities and have been harvested for millennia by Australia’s Indigenous people,” says The Koala Eco co-founder Jess Bragdon. Available in many supermarkets across Australia we love the smell of this range.

The Dirt Company complete Laundry starter kit: Another eco-friendly, refillable option this company produces laundry cleaning products that good for your clothes, skin and planet – all while remaining affordable too. This kit comes with reusable and dose specific dispenser bottles (all full) and refill packs (made from a minimum of 30 per cent post industrial recycled waste) that can be returned (for free!) to be refilled. The brand will also throw in a 30 pack of their rust-proof stainless steel pegs. $91.25.

Dirt starter pack

Wash Wild: The sister company of Bondi Wash, this range is made from Australian native oils which are recognised for their anti-bacterial properties. Designed to be accessible to as many households as possible, while being free of nasty chemicals, this affordable starter pack is $35 and you can purchase refills too.

Quartz Clean: Designed to sanitise quartz surfaces while looking after them, this duo is perfect for the kitchen bench top. The Everyday Surface Cleaner is designed for everyday use (but of course!) and the Deep Clean Surface Cream for stubborn stains. The products contain nine pure and organic essential oils and fragrances include citrus, mint and eucalyptus. $34.50

Quartz Clean

Single Use Ain’t Sexy hand soap starter pack: Combining Australia’s first dissolvable hand soap tablet with a simple reusable glass bottle, we love this hand washing concept. All you do is fill the reusable bottle with water, add a tablet, pump the foam and wash your hands. Tablet refill packs are available when you run out. $29.70.

Plant-based cleaning brand Koala Eco breaks into the US

“We were constantly on the hunt for safe, affordable, toxic-free cleaning products that would not only make our home smell naturally fabulous but would actually work. We felt our sons, and…
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Shopping

These rugs are are ethical, eco friendly, and look incredible!

Adelaide family business, Natural Flooring, have launched a new online arm, Natural Rugs Australia. “Our rugs are designed to counteract today’s throwaway culture and stand the test of time,” says co owner Catriona Morgan. “In a world of fast fashion, product quality and durability can be low. The natural fibres we use for our rugs are incredibly tough and perfect for high transit areas of your house. Some of our Natural Floors customers have had our rugs for 15 years and they still look great.” 

Natural Rugs uses fibres sourced from sustainable village industries throughout India and China. Jute, seagrass, sisal, coir and wool fibres are derived from naturally occurring, recyclable sources such as coconut husks, vegetable fibres, plants, and animal textiles.

The rugs are cut from reams of these natural fibre materials and stitched to shape. All rugs are proudly assembled in their Adelaide warehouse. “All of our rugs are handcrafted, so you know they’ll stand the test of time, as we’ve given them attention to detail, care and precision that a machine couldn’t.”

Though Natural Rugs is a new brand, the team behind it have over 30 years’ experience in handcrafted flooring.

Their handcrafted, beautiful and sustainable rugs are available for delivery nationwide. Investing in a rug can be a big decision, so they provide free rug samples and free 30-day returns for change of mind.

What’s more, our readers can get 10% off using the code NRIA10%OFF

For more information & to shop online.

A look inside this stunning eco friendly modern home

By Jade Diamond-Haggert Tucked away in a cul-de-sac in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Northcote, Maxwell House is a high-tech eco-friendly home built for a young family of five, plus their…

Australian made sofas: Bespoke, fast and better for the local economy

The COVID-19 ripple effect continues to be felt across many industries and while it has been devastating in many ways, it’s not been without silver linings – especially when it…
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Design Furniture Interviews Kids Rooms

Stylish children’s furniture made from recycled toys!

ecoBirdy

Like many parents, before I had kids I envisioned a toy area filled with lovely looking wooden toys but sadly, the reality is somewhat different! In fact, sometimes I feel like I’m literally wading in plastic which is why I was rather captivated by the story of the newish children’s furniture brand ecoBirdy whose stylish speckled wares are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic toys sourced from Italian kindergartens and schools. What a fabulous idea!

The ecoBirdy collection
The lovely ecoBirdy collection

“We found ecoBirdy last year at the Milan fair because they stood out – they had something to say about sustainability but the narrative was so fun and creative,” says Erna Walsh of KFive, the Australian distributor for the Italian brand.

“The ecoBirdy founders Vanessa and Joris told us that the range is the result of two years of very intense research and studying on plastic, plastic toys and their recycling and upcycling. They found out that plastic toys are among the most intensive users of plastic of all consumer goods. Children grow fast and their abilities and interests shift even faster, therefore toys are abandoned,” says Erna of the collection that, while made from recycled plastic waste, can easily be recycled again too.

ecoBirdy Charlie chair
The gorgeous Charlie chair. Thanks to a speckled look, the pieces are both eye-catching as well as being recognisable products of recycling.

Comprised of four designs, the collection includes a chair, table, unique kiwi bird-shaped storage container and rhino shaped lamp. Taking inspiration from rhinos, the latter piece aims to raise awareness, not only of sustainability, but also of this species’ endangered status.

ecoBirdy

The manufacturing process includes sorting, cleaning and grinding of old toys to ensure that the end result is clean, safe and free from harmful chemicals. Rounded edges and a smooth surface make the pieces pleasant to touch and easy to clean too which is important for a kids’ brand.

Extending its eco-consciousness even further, the brand also produces an accompanying storybook and school programme that has been designed to introduce youngsters to the circular economy and sustainability.

Italian children recycling their toys for the brand
Italian children recycling their toys for the brand

And unsurprisingly, the brand has collected a swag of awards since its inception. “It’s really made an impact on the international scene winning the Good Design Award, Australian German Design Award and the Henry van de Velde Award which is Belgium’s most important design prize. Its also been exhibited at incredible venues like the V&A Childhood Museum in London, who loved the pieces so much they kept them permanently,” says Erna.

Shop online | Eight good-looking children’s play kitchens

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Furniture

IKEA wants to buy back your old furniture in Sydney

If you’re looking to part ways with the MALM bed frame you bought for your first apartment or update the wall of BILLY bookcases in your living room, IKEA has found a way to help out with the launch of their furniture take-back program.

In a new initiative to help reduce waste, encourage upcycling and create a more sustainable future, the Swedish furniture giant is allowing Sydneysiders to give their old IKEA furniture a second life by returning it in exchange for a voucher. The returned furniture will then be sold on to new customers at the IKEA Tempe store.

The announcement follows new findings from IKEA Australia’s annual People & Planet Positive Report 2018, which reveals that it’s possible Australians have thrown away 13.5 million pieces of furniture that could have been recycled, reused and repaired. In a first for Australia, the new scheme aims to reduce the amount of furniture ending up in landfill and is part of IKEA’s goal to be 100% circular and climate positive by 2030.

In a win-win situation, this initiative will benefit those who are looking to score some affordable IKEA products for their homes. And, unlike the unpredictability of quality when it comes to buying secondhand from Facebook or Gumtree, this service will ensure that all items are in good knick before being resold again.

If the news has got your inner eco-warrior itching, you’ll be pleased to hear the process is pretty simple!

First, fill out an online form and email photos of your old IKEA furniture which will then be assessed by the IKEA team. If your furniture qualifies for the service you’ll have 14 days to bring your furniture to IKEA Temple where you will also receive your voucher. The furniture will then be put up for sale at the same value as the voucher given to you.

Although this take-back service is only being piloted at the IKEA Sydney Tempe store, if the program proves to be successful the company will look to roll out the service nationally.

To celebrate the launch of the take-back service, IKEA Tempe is unveiling its first ever Circular Living Pop-up Store, which will be open for eight weeks. The pop-up store will give consumers an in-depth look at the recyclable and renewable materials that make up their favourite IKEA products.

From turning plastic PET Bottles into KUNGSBACKA kitchen cabinetry, to left over glass into the IKEA PS 2017 Vase, the pop-up will showcase the stories behind the products while educating customers on the importance and value of the circular economy through sustainability workshops.

“IKEA is focused on ensuring all our products are designed from the very beginning with the intention to be repaired, reused, resold and eventually recycled, ” says Kate Ringvall, Sustainability Manager at IKEA Australia. “60% of our range is currently based on renewable materials.  Our utmost priority is to generate as little waste as possible.”

“With the launch of our Circular Living Pop-up Store and IKEA Tempe Take-Back Service, we want to make it easier than ever for Australians to live the sustainable life they desire.”

More about the IKEA Tempe take-back service

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Design Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

6 great upgrades to make your home more energy-efficient

Upgrading your home to be more energy-efficient is in your best interest. By adding solutions geared at conserving energy, you’ll not only be protecting the environment, you’ll be saving lots of money in the long run. In contrast to conventional homes, energy-efficient ones limit unnecessary energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy and reduce the demand for non-renewable resources. All in all, it’s worth making your home energy-efficient! Here are six smart tips to help you do it.

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  1. Replace your windows

If your windows are old, consider replacing them with energy-efficient alternatives or improve their efficiency with weather-stripping and storm windows. In general, replacing windows just to save energy isn’t that cost-effective – one source claims that it saves you 7-to-24% off your heating or air-conditioning bills. That is, unless your windows are large and single-glazed. Otherwise, it’s good to consider energy-efficient options once you’re replacing your windows for other reasons as well – that’s when the change becomes cost-effective.

  1. Insulate your home

insulation

Proper insulation is key to saving energy. Without it, you risk letting out a lot of your heat during the cold winter months – and we all know that heating bills are high. Make sure to have good insulation – blown-in insulation for your walls or weather-stripping. Remember that the expertise of the contractor is more important than the insulating material you use – it’s the installation that matters most here.

  1. Think about solar panels

Solar panels are costly, but they’re a great investment. You can easily have them installed on your rooftop and enjoy reduced electricity bills by producing your own electricity. Even if the initial price seems quite high, solar panels are cost-effective. Still, they’re not such a popular solution in many regions of the world – but it’s very likely that this will change in the near future.

  1. Choose your appliances wisely

If you’re about to get some new appliances for your home, look for those with the HE logo. Certified appliances use less energy, and while they will cost you a bit more, they’re simply a smart investment. You’ll be running them very often, if not all day long, so expect to save on your electricity bills over time. Even when choosing energy-efficient appliances, it’s a good idea to limit their use. Avoid overusing your heater during winter, keep your thermostat at a certain level instead of changing it all the time and turn some appliances off when you’re not using them.

  1. Use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)

lightbulb

Instead of incandescence light bulbs, go for the energy-efficient alternatives. If you settle for the old style of light bulbs expect to use much more energy than you have to. Sure, the CFLs are more expensive, but in the end they’ll help you save money on your electricity bill. Also, they last 12 times longer than regular light bulbs.

  1. Revamp your garden

Smart landscaping can be of great help in making your home more energy-efficient. By planting trees, you’ll protect your home from intense sun during the summer and during winter, your trees will act as a smart remedy against cold winds, helping you to conserve all the heat generated in your home.

Making your home energy-efficient is simply worth it – you’ll protect the environment, reduce your carbon footprint and enjoy innovative energy solutions that will only add value to your property.

— Lori Gardner is an experienced property advisor at Performance Property where she helps customers find and purchase the home of their dreams. 

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Appliances

Murchison-Hume now on Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop.com

It’s the cleaning product that not only looks good but is good for the environment as well (Jen’s a big fan), and now the Sydney born brand Murchison-Hume is making global waves, with its products being selected for a featured sale on Gwyneth Paltrow’s trend-setting goop site.

Set

The popular lifestyle blog and e-commerce site has long been seen as the go-to-guide for people who want to be informed and inspired on everything from beauty to interiors to health. Now, this September, goop readers will be able to purchase exclusively two Murchison-Hume’s sets: the Personal Stylist Trio (which includes a stain remover, leather cleaner and suede cleaner) and the Heirloom Kitchen Set (which includes dishwashing liquid, hand cream and soap).

“Everything featured on goop is the best of its kind so of course, we’re thrilled to have been selected for a featured sale there,” says creative director and founder, Max Kater. “It’s a huge deal for us and we’re positively delighted to be working with them.”

Set

After launching her brand in 2008, Max recently relocated to Los Angeles to expand Murchison-Hume into the American market. “We’re pretty well established in Australia, but still very niche in the States, especially online,” she explains. “I can’t think of a better digital debut than to collaborate with goop. This could be a game-changer for Murchison-Hume.”

goop ships to Australia. Shop online here.

Look out for a special Murchison-Hume discount offer for Interiors Addict newsletter subscribers soon.

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Appliances

Electrolux’s green solution for steam irons

Ironing’s not fun; I think we can all agree on that. But what is fun, are clothes. And a well-designed iron can be pivotal to keeping your clothes looking good. Therefore the great thing about Electrolux’s latest offering is it not only promises to do that, but to be environmentally friendly as well.

Mayotte_ELUX_product_green_light

The new UltraSteam Precision Green, is the eco solution in steam irons, from the product packaging and production process right through to the product itself and the energy consumption. Set to launch in June, the UltraSteam Precision Green utilises 99% recycled paper in packaging, along with 15% recycled plastic in the iron itself. The model also boasts a 30% saving in water and energy consumption during the production process.

Some of its key features include: working as a vertical steamer for delicate garments, automatic steam adjustment, precision tip on soleplate to navigate tricky areas and a three way safety auto-off.

Recommended retail price $99. For stockists visit Electrolux here.

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Interiors Addict

How to choose paint which is healthier for you and the environment

By Emma Lloyd

There’s a huge amount of options available when it comes to selecting paint. Narrowing down the exact shade and colour is just the tip of the iceberg: you also need to decide between different levels of gloss and sheen, formulations for indoor or outdoor applications, and a stack of other criteria. But how can you know which paint is best for the environment, and for your health?

Paints image

It helps to know what actually goes into a can of paint. It’s made from three basic ingredients: the pigment, the binder and the solvent. It can also contain additives such as biocides (which prevent bacteria or fungal growth, either in the can or on the painted surface). Each ingredient can have an impact on the environment and on human health during the lifecycle of the paint, from where the base ingredients are sourced, right down to the disposal of the end product.

If you’ve browsed the paint collection at your local hardware store lately, you may have noticed some varieties with ‘no VOC’ or ‘low VOC’ claims splashed across the tin. This refers to the solvent in the paint and whether it’s water-based or organic. Water-based paint solvent is always preferable because it’s harmless when it evaporates. Organic solvents, however, will release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the surrounding air.

VOCs are detrimental to indoor air quality. They can trigger allergies, asthma, headaches and other irritating symptoms as they readily vaporise into the surrounding air. Some VOCs can include formaldehyde and potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances – definitely not something you want to expose your family to! VOC levels in indoor environments rise dramatically immediately after you finish painting, and can continue seeping out of the walls for several years to come. That’s why it’s best to opt for a no-VOC paint whenever possible.

Wattyl Interior Design Paints and Aqua Trims
Image courtesy of Wattyl

Pigment gives a paint its colour, opacity and provides a protective barrier in the paint. Titanium dioxide is widely used in the paint industry for this purpose and its manufacturing process can be environmentally harmful: it requires a lot of energy to produce, is a limited resource and results in unwanted air and water emissions.

The binder is what forms the film in a paint, helping it to adhere to the surface and influencing the resulting shine or flexibility. They can consist of synthetic or natural resins such as acrylics, polyurethanes, vinyl acrylics, melamine resins, epoxies or oils. Some binders cause a greater environmental impact than others. In particular, linoleic acid production (linseed oil) causes significantly more environmental damage to an ecosystem due to crop growth and agriculture.

The other components of paints can contain ingredients that are toxic to those producing the paint and those applying it. Many chemicals are used as biocides, and these are necessary. However, some can be carcinogens or cause mutations, so it’s important to avoid these. Some biocides can also release VOCs, even when you purchase a water-based paint, which is why no-VOC formulations are best.

Rockcote
Image courtesy of Rockcote

How can you know the best paint to purchase to ensure better indoor air quality in your home? One simple step is to look out for any third party labels or accreditation on the product (one example is the ecolabel scheme run by Good Environmental Choice Australia), which shows that the manufacturer’s claims are genuine. There are many brands on the market to choose from that make environmentally-preferable and healthier paint products, and several which have taken the extra step of getting third party certification. Often they cost the same as their standard formulation alternatives and achieve the same level of quality for the end result.

For your next paint project, consider choosing a healthier and more environmentally-preferable product to coat your walls, ceilings and furniture. Your body (and your family) will thank you for it and it’s better for the planet as well.

Emma Lloyd is the communications officer for Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), which runs Australia’s only independent, not-for-profit ecolabelling program. GECA helps people choose products and services that are better for the environment.

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Bedrooms

3 top tips for a non-toxic, eco-friendly bedroom

By Sonya Pala

Given that we spend a third of our lives in bed, sleeping in a non-toxic environment can have wonderful health benefits. But let’s face it, eco, sustainable, fair trade and organic aren’t always synonymous with stylish.

Here are some tips to get a unique, stylish and affordable eco luxury look for your bedroom:

1. Invest wisely Start off with a budget. This will help in the decision-making process! Invest in a primary piece that will last you for years and then update the room over time using accessories, smaller furniture items and fabric. During our renovation, I invested most of our budget into an amazing eco-bed and re-covering an old occasional chair with eco-velvet fabric. Many of the smaller accessories and mother of pearl inlay chest of drawers were bought over the years.

ecoluxe 1

2. Non-toxic bedding Given the rise of allergies over the last few decades, it’s really important to look at the toxicity in everyday items in our home. Conventional foam in mattresses, pillows and furniture, contains a plethora of chemicals which emit VOC gases for the life of the product. Many of these are known carcinogens and combined with conventional cotton bedding (cotton being the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crop in the world), can create a hazardous sleeping environment.

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Interiors Addict

‘Faux texture’ wallpaper from shelf/life

Wallpaper: it’s everywhere right now and whatever pattern you choose, covering a wall, or all your walls, makes a great statement; any kind of statement you like! If you’ve ever dreamed of an industrial chic warehouse conversion but have no such architectural features in reality, online store shelf/life have started stocking some wallpapers which could help!

shelf-life-whitewash-Bricks-Situ

“One of the more recent trends we’ve seen in interiors is that of faux texture wallpaper,” says owner Jess Ibbett. “The main reason for this is probably due to new technology allowing companies to print photorealistic images onto paper, opening up a huge amount of options when it comes to decorating your home.

“All these options can sometimes create rather scary outcomes as companies go crazy thinking of unusual things to slap onto their wallpaper. For instance, I’m not sure I could live in a house covered head to toe with giant realistic bugs. But done well, I think these digitally printed wallpapers definitely have a place in modern interiors and can easily add a point of interest to your home.”

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Bathrooms Furniture

Sustainable and stylish bathroom furniture

I love it when something is both environmentally friendly and  looks great. I think bamboo can add some much needed texture and warmth to a bathroom.

The new addition to the Cibo bathroom furniture range offers chic, contemporary design with an eco friendly conscience. The Cibo Eco Wall Hung Vanity Unit offers a stunning minimalistic look and is a perfect eco-friendly solution. It will bring a breath of fresh air to any bathroom – literally – as bamboo absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, replacing it with oxygen. Among its sustainable attributes, bamboo grows 25% faster than timber.

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