Transitioning towards a lifestyle that is guided by sustainability is not only about shifting difficult-to-change habits. You can begin to reduce your carbon footprint through small changes in your purchasing habits, your transportation choices, the food you choose to consume and the clothing you wear. We’ve put together a list of companies that are putting both ease and class into sustainable living.
RAYVOLT MOBILE E-BIKES
Rayvolt premium e-bikes, now available in South Africa, combines vintage design with innovative green technology, resulting in a timeless lifestyle accessory.
The original Rayvolt model, The Cruzer, was influenced by the first era of motorcycles during the early 1900s, the counter rock culture of the 1960’s Cafe Racer, with a twist of California Beach Cruzer. This unique design, combined with Electronic Intelligent Vehicle Assistant (EIVA) and state of the art BLDC motor, stands out from the crowd. A timeless piece of transportation.
Rayvolt has subsequently introduced three additional models: The Ambassador, The Torino and The Beachin’. The Cruzer and Torino can either be fitted with a Smart Hub, which can travel a maximum speed of 30-40k/h for 30-60km, or the Power Hub, which allows for speeds of up to 35-45km/h for 25-50km. These figures are based on single batteries. With a dual battery configuration, you are able to double these distances – 60-120km for the Smart Hub and 50-100 km for the Power Hub.
Visit Rayvolt’s very first concept store in South Africa and enjoy good coffee or a Fibs non-alcoholic drink, whilst you experience their range of premium e-bikes.
Where: 16 Jarvis St, Green Point, Cape Town
Contact: info@RayvoltBike.co.za | 087 012 5352 | Website: rayvoltbike.co.za
Facebook: ridetherayvolution | Instagram: @ridetherayvolution
NUDE FOODS
NUDE FOODS is Cape Town’s original plastic-free grocery store, supplying Capetonians with non-GMO, locally-supplied and affordable whole foods as well as earth-friendly body and home products. Customers can purchase everything from beetroots and nut butter to aluminum-free bicarb and grey-water-safe body wash. They have also recently introduced their new range of vegan ready meals!
Their high-quality, sustainable and delicious foods and products are all sold by weight, making it easy to buy in bulk or just enough for one recipe. Customers may choose to bring their own containers from home, make use of the free brown paper bags or purchase glass jars or reusable cotton and mesh dry-goods bags. The process is simple: fill, weigh, pay.
This ‘old-school grocery store with a modern twist’ offers an eco-friendly shopping experience as well as inspiration to reconnect with our food and consume with greater mindfulness.
To find out more about their Clothes Swop, Monthly Vegan Food Market and Dance Flash Mob events, visit their Facebook page.
Where: 5 Constitution St, Zonnebloem, Cape Town | Shop 22, Montebello Design Centre, 31 Newlands Ave, Newlands
Contact: Cape Town 021 437 3003 | Newlands 063 694 0896 | shop@nudefoods.co.za | Website: nudefoods.co.za
Facebook: plasticfreegrocery | Instagram: @nudefoods.co.za
SITTING PRETTY
Founded in 2009, Sitting Pretty creates simple and relaxed pieces, characterised by soft tones and light, loose cuts, offering understated chic and controlled nonchalance with a touch of sensuality. Their range includes tops, dresses, jumpsuits, bottoms, knitwear, footwear and various accessories.
A combination of bohemian chic and urban sophistication, the label playfully juggles together ethnic silhouettes, masculine tailoring and sportswear codes, with a hint of romantic aesthetics.
With environmental awareness, ethical trading and integrity underpinning the label’s philosophy, Sitting Pretty is particular about sourcing natural and environmentally friendly fibres such as organic cottons and hemps. Not only do they prioritise sustainability, but they ensure that care and respect is given to those producing and creating the Sitting Pretty collections.
Visit their brick and mortar store on the upper level at The Gardens Centre, alternatively view their lookbook and browse their online store on their website. Shipping in South Africa is free when you spend more than R650. For any orders under this amount, there is a flat fee of R100.
All of their pieces are designed and manufactured in Cape Town.
Where: Garden Centre, Mill St, Oranjezicht | Various stockists nationwide and online
Contact: info@sittingpretty.co.za | 021 447 1567 | Website: sittingpretty.co.za
Facebook: sittingprettyapparel | Instagram: @sittingprettysa
HEMPLOVE
HempLove is a proudly South African, female-founded hemp clothing brand. It was birthed from a sisterhood based on honesty, transparency and a shared passion for nature.
They have a true dynamic passion for sustainability, with all garments being made from 100% organic hemp and cotton blends. HempLove mostly uses natural plant-derived dyes and plastic-free, recyclable packaging. The HempLove SLOW Collection is a 100% sustainable clothing range, using organic hemp fabric, natural plant-derived dyes and river shell buttons, whilst avoiding nylon zips. The collection includes tops, bottoms, a button-down shirt dress and a reversible, natural-dyed bucket hat.
With transparency as the foundation on which they have built their brand, they are confident to share the stories behind the sourcing of their raw materials, the designing and manufacturing of their pieces as well as their environmental footprint and involvement in local communities.
As a part of the sustainable movement in Africa, they aim to lead by example and set standards for other like-minded individuals to join the sustainable revolution.
HempLove has a set country-wide shipping fee of R110 for up to three items purchased. Get in contact with them for information regarding their international shipping.
Where: Online | The Strangers Club in Greenpoint | Made In Tulbagh in Tulbagh.
Contact: lore@hemplove.co.za | 083 611 3070 | Website: hemplove.co.za
Facebook: hemploveza/ | Instagram: @hemploveza
PHOTOGANIC
PhotoGanic is a GOTS Certified Organic Fabrics Trader sourcing and supplying a collection of certified organic and sustainable fabrics in a multitude of weights and grades, including certified CMIA (Cotton Made in Africa) cotton. They also offer Eco Digital Printing and CMT services to their global clients, using their range of sustainable fabrics.
PhotoGanic also manufactures an ever-evolving range of fashion designed, showcasing a perfect balance between style, bravery and sophistication. The pieces work with pattern, texture and colour in order to create a collection with a subtle twist. Throughout the manufacturing process, PhotoGanic adheres to the Slow Product Movement and has a zero-waste policy. Their fashion collection is accompanied by a lifestyle collection of sustainably manufactured cushions and fabric sun chairs.
PhotoGanic invites and thrives on collaborations with sustainably-orientated brands, designers and artists. Not only does this help to spread awareness about Organic Fabrics and eco-printing, but it is ever-inspiring for all involved and PhotoGanic believes anything you put your mind and heart to, is possible.
Where: Online
Contact: info@photoganic.co.za | Website: organicfabrics.co.za
Facebook: photoganic | Instagram: @photoganic_sustainable_fabric
IF YOU CARE
If You Care kitchen and household products are carefully and deliberately crafted to have the least environmental impact and the lightest carbon footprint possible, whilst at the same time, delivering to the consumer, the highest quality and most effective results.
The If You Care brand was created in 1990 and started with the first and only unbleached coffee filters in North America at that time. Since then, their mission has always been to create the most sustainable kitchen and household products possible, making them a leader in the pushing of limits of environmental and social responsibility.
Their impact has since grown, with If You Care distributing their products in more than 20 countries. Their product range has also developed and increased to include baking products, 100% recycled aluminium foil, tea and coffee filters, compostable food-waste bags, sandwich bags and 100% biomass carbon-neutral firelighters.
If You Care analyses the entire life cycle chain in developing products, from raw materials sourcing, to production process, to packaging, to disposal. Every step is considered in assessing environmental and social impacts.
Where: Nude Foods | Sans Community | Wellness Warehouse
Contact: info@ifyoucare.co.za | 021 828 9268 | Website: ifyoucare.co.za
Facebook: IfYouCareProducts | Instagram: @ifyoucareafrica