The Great Green Illusion

Picture this: you’re browsing the supermarket aisle, feeling like Captain Planet because you’ve swapped plastic for a “biodegradable” water bottle. But wait—does it biodegrade in your backyard compost… or just in a fancy industrial facility that doesn’t exist within 100 miles of your postcode?

Welcome to greenwashing: the art of making products sound eco-friendly while doing the bare minimum. It’s like putting a reusable tote bag over a landfill and calling it “sustainable”.

Green Flags vs. Green Fluff

Vague Buzzwords

“Eco-friendly”: Means absolutely nothing unless backed by certifications.

“Natural”: Newsflash—arsenic is natural. Doesn’t mean you should rub it on your face.

“Green”: Often just a colour, not a commitment.

Trusty Certifications

Look for labels with teeth (metaphorically, of course):

If a brand’s sustainability page reads like a poetry slam (“we care for Mother Earth’s gentle whispers”), but lacks these badges? Side-eye.

The Bottom Line

True eco-friendliness isn’t a label—it’s a lifestyle. Brands that care prove it with:

• Transparent supply chains

• Third-party certifications

• Actual carbon reduction (not just “offsetting” via dodgy tree-planting schemes).

So next time you see “planet-friendly” on a packet of crisps, remember: the planet doesn’t need buzzwords. It needs action—and maybe fewer crisps wrapped in “recyclable” plastic.

TL;DR:

Greenwashing is the mullet of marketing: business in the front, landfill in the back. Stay sharp, friends. 🌍✨

Read more

April arrives, and with it that unmistakable shift in the air, the light slants lower, the mornings carry a crispness, and the world seems to pause just long enough to remind us to take better care of it.

But sustainability can feel like one more item on an endless to-do list. Must you really install solar panels? Convert your backyard into a permaculture farm? Brew your own cleaning solutions from foraged herbs?

Not necessarily.

This Earth Month, we're focusing on five changes so manageable you could adopt them between loads of laundry. And we'll help you spot the difference between what's truly better and what's simply packaged to look that way - because some 'green' solutions create more problems than they solve.

1. Swap Single-Use Plastics for Reusables (Start Small!)

The Swap: Trade one disposable item for a reusable version. Think: a water bottle, coffee cup, or that one shopping bag you keep forgetting in your boot.

Why It Matters: NZ’s coastlines are too stunning to drown in plastic. (Fun fact: 11 million tonnes of plastic enter oceans yearly. Let’s not add to the party, eh?)

Tip: Skip “eco” products made from new plastic. Opt for stainless steel, glass, or secondhand gems. (Pro tip: Your grandma’s thermos is still cooler than a “sustainable” bottle shipped from Mars.) 

2. Meal Planning: Because Your Lettuce Shouldn’t Die Lonely in the Fridge

The Swap: Plan three meals a week. Freeze leftovers. Store kale like it’s a precious artefact.

Why It Matters: Food waste = methane emissions, and nobody wants to fuel a fart cloud.

3. Wash Clothes in Cold Water (Your Jumpers Will Thank You)

The Swap: Switch your laundry settings to “cold.” Congrats, you’ve just saved 90% of the energy usually wasted on heating water.

Why It Matters: Cold water = happier clothes + happier planet. (Hot tip: It also prevents your favourite band tee from shrinking into a crop top.)

Tip: Don’t fall for “eco” detergents in plastic bottles. Try plastic-free strips or DIY recipes. (Bonus: Try the nil laundry detergent sheets!)

4. Secondhand First: Channel Your Inner Op-Shop Diva

The Swap: Before buying new, check op-shops, Trade Me, or host a clothing swap. (Pro move: Call it a “fashion renaissance” for extra pizzazz.)

Why It Matters: Fast fashion’s carbon footprint is bigger than the All Blacks’ fan base. (Yikes.)

Tip: Beware of brands flaunting a “sustainable” line while churning out 52 micro-trends a year. If it feels off, it probably is.

5. Support Brands That Walk the Talk (Not Just Talk the Walk)

The Swap: Choose companies with legit creds.

Why It Matters: Voting with your wallet > passive-aggressive Facebook rants.

Avoid Greenwashing: Look for specifics (e.g., “100% recycled materials”) vs. vague fluff like “green” or “eco-conscious.” (Side-eye to companies using leaf logos as a distraction tactic.)

Sustainability isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Maybe you’ll forget your reusable cup sometimes (we’ve all been there). Maybe your “meal plan” is just cheese toasties. That’s okay. Start with one swap, laugh at the greenwashing nonsense, and remember: small steps > no steps.

Your Challenge: Try one swap this week. Tag us with #nilharmnilwaste so we can cheer you on (or admire your op-shop finds). 🌿

Read more

Shame - what is it? What a shame it even exists.

I have been thinking lately about shame verse guilt. As I have been coaching some struggling entrepreneurs, I wonder if shame is a big part of inaction, blame, and lack of courage. As Brené Brown states in her famous podcast (see below her interview clip), 'I believe that guilt is adaptive and helpful - it's holding something we've done or failed to do up against our values and feeling psychological discomfort, unlike shame which is unhelpful.' Shame can affect how we feel about ourselves. It's not just about a single act but about feeling fundamentally flawed or inadequate. I wonder if people moved their sense of shame to guilt, they might be able to make better decisions and take the necessary actions to make their business and life thrive.

I have been coaching several businesses over the last 12 months, which I have thoroughly loved as I believe I can truly add value. These days I don't want to contribute in a professional sense unless I can add value to another. Some of my businesses owners show a deep sense of shame as it is tough out there at the moment. Mentally, they fall into a deep sadness and often blame or enact rather than change their mindset to see the opportunities. A good mindset is important to propel forward with change, integrity, and courage. I work with my entrepreneurs to help them with their mindset and ensure their business fundamentals are intact, like margins and cash flow etc.

I believe my view has been created because I am connected with so many businesses over the years, and I see many of them struggle, succeed, plateau, etc. It is always changing and that is okay. That is why there are so few entrepreneurs, as it is a rollercoaster ride. I am part of an amazing Entrepreneurial Organisation where many of the businesses are well beyond mine, and most of the owners are seasoned entrepreneurs. In EO, no one sees shame in difficult times; they see opportunity and learnings. That comes about when you are deeply connected with like-minded people rather than covering up or being scared to be honest about the state of things. One must inspect at the micro and macro levels of all parts of a business, including how one leads. Networks are important; there are far too many lonely business owners out there who could be excelling rather than feeling shame. Connect with a partner, a business coach, a business group so you can share stories and more.  This musing was not meant to be a sales pitch but I do have one more place left in my business coaching work so email me if you are interested - businesscoachingnz@gmail.com, first in first served.

On the flipside, I believe entrepreneurialism is alive and well in our young ones. This week I was a mentor for The Young Enterprise Organisation. I was a 'motherly' shark to 200 students, and I loved hearing about their ideas.  From apps about our Southern lights, to products that help prevent sunburn to fragrances to help with smelly school bags! And I love all the sustainable focus, of course.  I suggested many of them to come and see us at our showroom at www.nilproducts.com.  Bring it on, kids! The only way New Zealand will become productive is through innovation and entrepreneurialism, not selling houses to each other. I want my kids to live in a country that is productive and innovative while caring for the most vulnerable.  Lets make this happen.

Till April's monthly musing.
Anna xx

PS so over the last month I have been running my emails and written work through numerous different AI's and interestingly for this mailer the AI had no suggestions. I take that as a compliment as I am assuming not too many people have written on the topic of shame/guilt in relation to business mindset!  But my assumption could be totally off. LOL

Read more

Does Your Skincare Routine Have a Secret Garden—or a Weed Problem?

We slather on creams, spritz toners, and pat in serums hoping to nourish our skin like a prized rosebush. But what if, hidden among the petals, a few sneaky weeds are quietly causing chaos—for you and the garden we all share?

Let’s talk about the not-so-pretty side of "pretty."

The Ingredient Shelf: Heroes, Villains, and the In-Between

Talc’s reputation isn’t exactly blooming anymore. Once the star of baby-soft skin routines, it’s now tangled in concerns that made even giants like Johnson & Johnson rethink their formulas. But talc isn’t the lone troublemaker. Ever seen “fragrance” on a label? That’s often code for phthalates, hormonal party-crashers. Parabens? They’re the overprotective friends who stick around too long. And PFAS—the clingy exes of cosmetics—linger in waterways long after your waterproof mascara calls it quits.

The kicker? These ingredients don’t just fade into the background. They hitchhike into ecosystems, turning up in soil, rivers, and even the fish you’d rather eat than accidentally toxify.

Clean Beauty: Smarter Choices, No Greenwashing

The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice your glow to make smarter choices. It’s not about going completely natural, but about being more informed. Focus on swapping out questionable ingredients for safer, eco-friendly alternatives that nourish your skin without harming the planet.

But watch out—some brands love to look eco-friendly without actually making real changes. A bottle covered in leaves and the word "natural" doesn’t mean much if the ingredient list tells a different story. True sustainability isn’t just about the label—it’s about brands being honest about what’s inside.

How to Curate a Routine That’s Kind—Without the Lecture

1. Become a Label Detective (No Magnifying Glass Needed)
   Flip the bottle. Skip the catchy marketing on the front and go straight to the ingredient list. Look out for harmful ingredients like “parabens,” “phthalates,” or “sodium lauryl sulfate.” These are red flags that could irritate your skin or harm the environment.
   
   

2. Fall in Love with “Less, But Better”
   Think of your skincare shelf like a capsule wardrobe. A gentle cleanser, a multitasking moisturiser, and a mineral sunscreen can do the work of 10 products—minus the chemical cocktail.
   
   

3. Cheer for the Underdog Brands
   Smaller brands often pour heart (and transparency) into their formulas. Plus, their reusable containers  and sustainable packaging make you feel like you’re part of a cool, low-waste club.
   
   

Your Skin Isn’t a Solo Act—It’s Part of an Ecosystem

Every time you wash your face or toss an empty bottle, you’re affecting the environment. Choose products without microbeads? That’s fewer plastic particles in our oceans. Opt for paraben-free skincare? Your choice helps protect aquatic life. It’s not about perfection—it’s about making small changes that contribute to a healthier planet.

The Bottom Line

Living sustainably isn’t about stark choices or smug vibes. It’s about knowing that the lotion you smooth on at dawn and the ocean at sunset are connected by more than poetry. So next time you restock, ask: Does this product care as much about the earth as I do?

Because true beauty doesn’t hide in an ingredients list—it blooms when what’s good for you and the planet finally gets the same spotlight.

What’s one swap you’ll make this week? 🌱

Read more

Good bye Munch. Hello nil.

What do you  think?

They are here. All our new packaging has arrived. Thanks to our new amazing designer who has linked our Munch branded baby lines to the new nil harm nil waste brand. Remember we are the same people just a more simple modern look for you all. It was definitely time to improve. Improvement is the name of the game. In a competitive landscape improvement has to always happen.

As many of you know we have been around for over 10 years. Yes 10 years! Almost longer than when I practised law. Cannot believe where the time has gone. I suppose birthing 3 boys, writing two books, completing an MBA and raising my 4th child - this business.  I wonder what the next 10 years will bring?

We will showcasing our new packaging over the next few weeks and we have something very cool to tell you about (we hope) next month.

This post is very short as we are super busy with an event we will tell you more about soon.  

Anna

Read more