The call to go green, become eco-friendly and to live sustainably has been echoing through society for a while now. Along with it comes the doubtful voice that says this is unrealistic and unattainable. MatieMedia explored this topic and found that living sustainably isn’t as impossible as some people might think.
“I do believe there’s hope for a sustainable, eco-friendly future. However more and more of the people are going to have to step up,” says Guy Dalamakis, a Stellenbosch University (SU) student, who is passionate about saving the environment.
In order to step up in this manner individuals can make changes to their lifestyle in ways that are leaned towards sustainability and being more environmentally friendly. This is according to Emily Jessica Upton, marketing coordinator of Natural Holdings.
These changes can include switching to renewable energy, natural or eco-friendly products, recycling or simply making environmentally conscious decisions. These options can seem overwhelming and even expensive, but they don’t have to be.
“Being conscious of our choices helps us make small changes and lessen our impact on the earth one small decision at a time,” explains Upton. The company she works for, Natural Holdings, promotes eco-conscious brands and products.
According to Upton the company seeks to bring about a change in consumer behaviour and to decrease the impact people have on the environment. They stock products like the Boody clothing line, a bamboo clothing range, and the Woobamboo bamboo toothbrushes.
To find out more about these, and more eco-friendly products, visit their online store Loved By Nature
“The thing is, living an eco-friendly life doesn’t necessarily take money but it does take thought and mindfulness,” explains Upton.
This mindfulness of the impact humans are having on the environment is already present in students across the globe, as was evident during the worldwide climate strike on 15 of March.
Several students from SU took part, including Dalamakis. They hoped that the strike would cause the government to take more decisive actions when it comes to environmental issues.
EcoMaties painting banners on the Rooiplein before the climate strike on 15 March. PHOTO: Elri Voigt
One of these students, Courtney Fagg, a member of EcoMaties, mentions renewable energy as one of the points they wanted the government to take note of.
“We hope that they will change to renewable sources of energy,” she says.
The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at SU is involved in South Africa’s renewable energy journey.
According to Prof. Samson Mamphweli, the Centre’s director, it is among other things a national hub for renewable energy.
“At national level, we are involved in policy formulation,” adds Mamphweli. The Centre studies the IRP (Integrated Resource Plan) and critically analyses it, as well as assisting the government with the formulation of policy.
The Centre is also involved in research regarding three sources of renewable energy.
“On the research side we are looking at wind, solar and biomass energy,” says Mamphweli.
According to Mamphweli, if an individual wants to switch to renewable energy, they should consider where they are located. For example, for rural areas, a biodigester, which converts organic material into a gas, would be a good fit. Pairing this with a solar geyser can significantly cut down on the electricity bill.
Prof. Samson Mamphweli, director for the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, stands proudly next to a picture of a wind turbine in his office. PHOTO: Elri Voigt
“You are looking at sustainability and saving the environment,” he replies when asked what is driving the research into renewable energy.
For those who aren’t able to switch to a renewable energy source, or want to do more for the environment, there are many other options available.
“You don’t have to start big and change your life in one go. Start with the everyday things that you use all the time,” Upton reveals.
She advises starting with things like taking a Tupperware container with you to store takeaways in or simply choosing to buy glass containers instead of plastic. Not using a plastic straw for your drink and recycling was also on her list.
She also recommends using beeswax wraps as an alternative to cling wrap, bamboo toothbrushes as opposed to plastic ones and using homemade grocery bags instead of plastic ones.
Upton further reveals an intriguing alternative to using laundry detergent, in the form of soap nuts.
“Soap nuts are the dried, de-seeded shells of the fruit of the soapberry tree (Sapindus Mukorossi),” she explains. “The shells have high concentrations of saponin or soap, making them work the same way as any detergent.”
Emily Upton holds up a soap nut shell, otherwise known as a soap nut berry, that can be used as an alternative to laundry detergent. Supplied: Emily Upton
Consumers can buy a detergent made from the soapnut berries or make it themselves. The process of preparing the berries is relatively simple and economical. Upton uses a pot of water to boil the berries in a cotton bag until they start foaming. Then the liquid from the berries is squeezed out of the bag into a container and stored in the fridge. The liquid is then used as normal laundry detergent.
A student cradling a plant to show that living in a sustainable way starts with small steps. PHOTO: Elri Voigt.
Upton’s final advice is to be creative. “You know, eco-living can be as expensive as you make it,” she says.