It’s Plastic Free July – let’s talk #sustainable local brands!

One of the main reasons that I started KURO-Bō was that, as a mother, I was worried about my children’s future. What kind of earth would they inherit? Would they remember their mom as someone who was part of the problem or part of the solution? KURO-Bō is my small way of making sure that they get the future and the planet that they deserve.

I am always so excited and inspired by all the great Plastic Free July initiatives at this time and this Plastic Free July, I really want to encourage us all to take a moment and think: What could a world without single-use plastic look like? Can you imagine? My family and I decided a long time ago to adopt a plastic-free lifestyle – or as far as we reasonably can. In my mind, knowing the effects of plastic pollution, it’s the only logical thing to do, and it’s much easier than you think….I’ll give you a few of my personal favourite waste-free swaps further down!

Well, before I get carried away (as always) on this vitally important topic, here is a blog post we wrote a while back, please have a look – I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. I’m so excited for this new month, and I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart (you know who you are) for supporting KURO-Bō and allowing me to live out my dream and my passion in this way.

And now for some REALLY exciting news….

NEW PRODUCTS

NEW* 2L Glass/Bamboo Water Filter Jug

Perfect for the fridge or counter, our beautiful and light new 2L Filter Jug is hand-made from borosilicate glass (pyrex) and features a leak-proof steel/bamboo lid, an ergonomically designed handle and includes a KURO-Bō charcoal water filter stick.

* NEW * 8L Glass/Bamboo Water Filter Dispenser

Hand-made from super light and durable borosilicate glass, this eye-catching and unique 8L dispenser boasts a slow flow (child-friendly) brass tap, a bamboo lid, and a convenient raised bamboo stand. It also includes 3 KURO-Bō charcoal water filter sticks.

As part of celebrating Plastic Free July, I wanted to give a shout-out to some of the South African sustainability superheroes of our time – some of my favourite brands who really walk the talk.

More and more brands are coming together to solve the issues that are right in front of us, although we often choose to ignore them. They are out there changing minds and behaviours, while building great brands and empowering local people. The term, “sustainable” has emerged as the new “no carbs” and I’m here for it! I personally feel these brands pride themselves on eco-sustainability in categories such as clothing, homeware, food, body and beauty and we must support them every step of the way:

CLOTHING

Hemporium

Hemporium is committed to showcasing all that hemp has to offer by providing quality and affordable products made from this eco-friendly and versatile plant.

Spiritgirl

Spiritgirl was created to allow women to feel free, wild and powerful in what they wear. They use recycled PET plastic bottles and regenerated fishing nets to craft their designer fabric range, and also strongly support ocean conservation, women’s health and well-being.

The Joinery

The Joinery is a premium sustainable and ethical product design brand. Their lifestyle products are made from recycled plastic bottles and their focus is on finding solutions to environmental and community issues through design.

HOMEWARE

KURO-Bō Natural Water Filters

KURO-Bō Natural Water Filters (of course!) is Africa’s leading plastic-free, sustainable and natural water purification solution. Versatile, convenient, affordable and with all the science behind it, KURO-Bō really is the ultimate alternative to single-use plastic bottles… if you didn’t already know 😊

Ecoffee Cup SA

Ecoffee Cup SA is a new generation of reusable takeaway cups. Created with the world’s fastest growing, most sustainable crop – bamboo fibre – you can choose from lots of beautiful designs and colours. Ecoffee Cups are BPA and phthalate free.

Fresh Bag

Fresh Bag offers a range of environmentally-friendly fresh produce bags – the ideal alternative to single-use plastic bags from the grocery store.

Spaza

Spaza provides beautiful and functional dish and bowl covers, hand-made by women in home industries, empowering caregivers to earn an income while also remaining available at home and present in their communities.

Güdco

Güdco offers sustainably manufactured toilet roll made from Sugarcane, and for every roll of Güdsheet Toilet Paper you buy, a portion of the proceeds goes towards improving water & sanitation in South Africa.

SOiL

SOiL is an organic essential oil farming operation known for having an eco-ethical range certified by ECO-Cert. They are also the first company in South Africa to sell a complete range of 100% certified organic essential oils, many of which they grow themselves.

SoyLites

SoyLites is the original soy candle brand in SA, marrying a passion for nature-friendly products with an innovative flair.

FOOD

ButtaNutt

ButtaNutt crafts a series of authentic nut butters and milks using natural and organic ingredients. Their products are simple and totally delicious.

Soaring Free Superfoods

Soaring Free Superfoods provides exceptional quality, nutrient-dense superfoods to fuel and nourish your body from the inside out, so that you too can soar free.

The Harvest Table

The Harvest Table is a family-run local business providing a wide range of good quality Collagen products, packaged where possible in glass.

Theonista

Theonista is a small, independent, female-owned craft beverage company most well known for their excellent kombuchas and craft sodas.

Macromixes

Macromixes offers banting, sugar-free, gluten free, high in protein macro mixes, delicious and healthy baking premixes and porridges.

BODY & BEAUTY

Back 2 Nature

Back 2 Nature is a lifestyle brand created to encourage conscious consumerism. Their mission is to make it possible for consumers to have access to natural, plant based, eco-friendly and locally made beauty products.

BeBare

BeBare offers a great range of plastic-free, eco-friendly natural haircare bars.

SKOON.

SKOON. offers beauty products that use potent natural ingredients that are non-toxic, effective and clinically proven. Ingredients are both ancient and incredibly modern – and boosted by science-led thinking in formulating.

Skin Creamery

Skin Creamery exists to simplify skincare, stripping bare your daily routine to the essentials that naturally nourish and nurture the skin and help it to flourish. The Skin Creamery ethos is to be kind to the earth, and kind to your skin.

PATCH Plasters

PATCH Plasters offer strips that contain no plastics and no latex. Just 100% natural bamboo fibre.

The Apothecary

The Apothecary offers a range of exceptional hand-crafted, wholesome and natural products that care for you, your home and your wider environment.

Lastly, Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics? Click here to take part in this challenge.