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Thanks to all of those who have sent in their favourite eco-tip for a chance to win an Electrolux Ergorapido Green vac. There’s been some really innovative and inspiring ones that we’d like to share with you. Here are just a few of our favourites to date. It’s quite a big list but worth a read.

#1
Use recycle coffee sacks in the vege garden, as biodegradable weedmats or dog beds. They are available from cafes, often for free, but there’s one on Ponsonby Road, Allpress Espresso, that wants a gold coin donation, that then goes on to help local schools – so it’s a double win.
Thanks Janice Adamson.

#2
Put a bowl of water in the microwave. Add a few slices of lemon. Run for a minute or two. The steam will loosen stains and splatters while the lemon will deodorize it. Wipe clean.
Thanks Kathleen Allison

#3
Choose sustainable or recycled material to wrap your presents in. Here are a few ideas:
– recycled gift wrapping paper from the children’s various parties
– adorable fabric remnants (including old woolies)
– gorgeous tea-towels – cheap as chips at discount stores and emporiums
– brown recycled paper from a big roll, just like Nana used to use.
Sustainability needn’t stop at the wrapping, the garnish can be an eco-delight to:
– bows can be string, wool, old ribbons
– old buttons
– plastic flowers rescued from the 10 cent bin at St Vincent de Paul.
Thanks Megan Smith

#4
Mini ‘trench composting’. Dig a 25cm hole in your garden, tip in your bowl of food scraps, cover with dirt and tramp down firmly. Dig the hole in a slightly different spot each time. Within a few months you will notice that the health of your soil is greatly improved and that there are lots of worms.  The soil will be great for any plants.
Thanks Anna.

#5
Use vinegar for almost all cleaning and various other tasks. Just a few of the things I use it for are:
Its a mild bleach, is antiseptic and antibacterial.
In the washing machine: I use it as a fabric softener in the final rinse, it also removes detergent residue, it whitens and brightens clothing, using it with sheets minimises fluffing, it removes deodorant stains and other stains when rubbed on them before washing.
I use it with water in a spray bottle to clean bathroom and kitchen surfaces, windows, mirrors and everything else … and the list goes on.
Thanks Jeanette and also Erin Krebs.

#6
Babywipes are a complete have! A damp cloth with water works just as well! You can even travel with them – just pop a few in separate little zip-loc plastic bags…but no need to buy them – re-use the ones you get from the stupidmarket bulk-bins. Actually, these bags can be used for heaps of purposes, rinse and use again and again. I take carrot sticks to work in them every day – don’t worry no one in my house in nappies anymore so no risk of mixing up carrot holding bags and babywipe bags…cos that would be gross.
Thanks Jo Gascoigne.

#7
Use facebook to shout out to friends and family for the items you need to use, but don’t necessarily need to own.  When my grandmother died I inherited a collection of crystal vases, plates, platters and a cake dome !! I’ve lent this collection to a number of friends for birthday and anniversary parties – the crystal makes a wonderful addition to a “high tea”. Thanks Ana Gilling

#8
My best eco tip is for Xmas card tags for presents. I hate all the wastage that goes along with paper and cards for Xmas so I keep all my cards and tags and then next Xmas cut out the nicest part of the card or tag, put a single hole punch through the corner and thread some coloured ribbon and then write my message on the back of it and cellotape to the present! People hardly look at tags but they look pretty and it saves money and helps the environment too.
Thanks Amy.

#9
The children in my class cut up the banana peels into small bite size pieces and we layer them up in a bin with our very own school made compost. We then use this banana fertilizer in the garden. It has done marvelous things in our school orchard and gardens!!
Thanks Keren Rego and all of the Year 1’s at Point Chevalier School.

#10
Lemon oil – it is the best most effective way of keeping spiders and their webs away, never to be seen again as long as you put it where it wont get rained on, useful all around inside and outside your home. simply use lemon oil from the shop or make your own,by getting the zest of the lemons and put in a bit of cloth and nuke it so the oil goes into the cloth, tie it onto your broom and start dabbing in the corners and along the ceiling, or verandah roof, under the carport etc its the best ever.
Thanks Amy Stephens

#11
For cleaning the grout around the shower – don’t use nasty chemical cleaners use a paste (made from white vinegar & baking soda) – brush on with toothbrush and leave. The mould dies. Then wash off with water.
Thanks Craig Balme.

We’re excited to be taking part in the Sustainable City Showcase – this coming Wednesday (November 9). Come and see for yourselves the kiwi businesses, government, community and non-profits that are out blazing the trail towards a sustainable future. It’s all part of the Sustainable Business Network’s Sustainable City Showcase 2011, sponsored by ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development).

The event represents a huge collaborative effort and practical demonstration of what a sustainable city will look and feel like, given the creative solutions already provided by New Zealanders today.

Visitors will follow a journey through various zones — from the home to the shop, the workplace to outside space. There’s over 120 exhibitors signed up o the event, so it’s going to be a biggie. And the exhibitors are diverse, showcasing everything from electric vehicles to eco-tourism, ethical fashion to natural burials.

November 9th kicks off with a Conscious Commuter Challenge on the Waterfront, featuring an array of sustainable and ethically minded breakfast foods and a chance to network with like-minded business people. A range of demonstrations highlighting sustainability – including composting, healthy living, sustainable food and cooking, green transport and more – will be happening throughout the day.

Rounding off the showcase will be a Green Drinks networking evening.

When: Free public open day on 9th November

Where: Shed 10, Queens Wharf, Auckland

The Project Crimson Trust, who are dedicated to the protection and enhancement of New Zealand’s pohutakawa and rata trees have teamed up with designer and eco-advocate, Laurie Foon to give you the chance to win tickets to Starfish’s much anticipated, first ever, eco-show at New Zealand Fashion week 2010.

By purchasing a Project Crimson Bloomer tee between now and Sunday 12th Sept, you’ll automatically go into the draw to win two tickets to Fashion Week. The tees are on sale for $30 (down from $55) and are available at the Wellington Starfish store by cash transaction or online at www.projectcrimson.org.nz.

As Laurie says – “Now, more than ever, people are keen to help make a difference to our environment. Partnering with Project Crimson allows us to help our customers do exactly that.” On that note, all of the proceeds from the Bloomer tees go directly back to the Project Crimson Trust.

For terms and conditions go to www.projectcrimson.org.nz

NEW ZEALAND – Somewhere beneath that long white cloud lies a positively fertile field of sustainable fashion talent. Favourite of New Zealand born actress Anna Paquin, STARFISH is one of the country’s leading forces in green fashion with several boutiques across New Zealand stocking the best in local and international eco-designers as well as the label’s own striking collections of classic styles with dramatic and feminine twists.

Made 100% on shore in New Zealand from the best in sustainable fabrics, Starfish is also the first fashion label to present a completely eco collection at New Zealand Fashion Week – right down to the girl’s knickers!

Peppermint, The Global Issue, Issue 6

If you’re interested in leading a greener, cheaper and more sustainable life in New Zealand then check out this positive guide by journalist and TV presenter Francesca Price – $39.99.

In it Francesca covers the ethical issues in a wide range of everyday subjects including shopping, parenting, food, building and renovating, holidays and community life.

Each chapter includes interviews with well known Kiwis who are looking for greener options in life including: David Trubridge who talks about his approach to furniture design; Kay Baxter who shares her wisdom on gardening and self-sufficient living; and Starfish’s very own Laurie Foon who tells of her determination to make fashion more sustainable.

A great feature of this book is the inclusion of websites and details for recommended suppliers, enabling instant access to more information. There are also full-colour photographs throughout making this an attractive and inspirational guide.