Apr 30, 2024

We are a finalist in the Wellington Export Awards

Exciting times.

We are a finalist in the Wellington Export Awards 2024. We are finalist in two categories being Best Emerging Business and Best in Sustainability.

Winners will be told at the black tie dinner first week of June.

Wish us luck!

Mar 17, 2024

Why are we not penalising the polluters? - Monthly ramble by Anna

Why aren't we penalising the polluters?

I'm tired of hearing all the complaints about greenwashing.

Our focus should be on penalising the polluters, but big businesses have distracted consumers from this issue.

Did you know that when plastic was invented in the 50s, many US states required plastic manufacturers to take responsibility for their waste? However, savvy lobbyists ensured this rule disappeared. How many plastic products do you see on the shelf that will end up as waste on our planet for millions of years? Think about brands like Pink pegs, Chux, Colgate to call out a few brands. Do they care about the spewing rubbish they leave on the planet. Of course not. Yes I know, quite direct today, but we just need people to really focus on the key issue and not be distracted.

We manufacture eco-friendly, innovative products that leave no waste on our planet. I take this very seriously and every decision we make has this at the heart of it. We don't always get it right and sometimes there is no technology available that is eco friendly. But we try are hardest.

I've realized that the increasing bureaucratic red tape surrounding risk that a product might be greenwashing the public is becoming questionable. Who's really in control, and why? For instance, one of our larger retailers wouldn't allow us to label our sustainable dishcloths as compostable. Despite holding an international certificate validating the compostability of our product, they demanded a costly NZ certificate. This is absurd and unfair. Do all those mircrofesh dishcloth brands made from plastic have to provide expensive certificates saying 'YES WE ARE POLLUTING THE WORLD'. Joking. But there is simply no cost to them for putting a product in the market. Shouldn't we be charging the polluters instead? Let's refocus our efforts on penalising plastic product producers. Come on people lets put the right lens on the issue. That should be our first step, rather than excessively regulating eco-businesses. It's easy to identify the culprits—just look at the plastic products on the shelves.

I have been thinking about being a supermarket CEO and implementing a rule that requires suppliers using plastic to contribute 10% per unit to a charity dedicated to helping our planet. The 10% would be collected by the supermarket to ensure it is collected. By hitting the polluters in their pockets, we would then see a real change in the product offerings on retail shelves. Focusing attention on the polluters might even allow greater shelf space for innovative smaller brands and better prices for true eco lines.

What can you do right now? Well make your money talk. What you spend your money on at the supermarkets or anywhere that you spend your dollars makes a stand for what you believe in..

Thanks for listening to my ramble again. A little direct today. LOL

Anna Bordignon

Feb 28, 2024

Goals. Do we ever meet them and does it really matter? - Monthly ramble by Anna

Goals - do we ever meet them or is it the way we assess them?

I have committed to doing more mentoring this year and I have this week asked my wonderful peeps to set out their goals for the year. I am also doing this for myself again this year but I never seem to meet them!

I have been thinking lately whether it matters if we meet them. But of course it matters but is it the only thing to consider? I do think goal setting is useful but not if they sit in your top draw or if you never meet them. So maybe it is about how we assess our goals? As maybe goals should only be aspirational and far reaching? Is it not the journey of life rather than the end goal that sustains us? Maybe we should be asking the following 'well being' questions against our goals when we are measuring our progress. These questions could sit beside the quantitative measurables. Along with keeping in mind how we may wish our overall life to be?

What am I grateful for?
What is my most important task this week?
What story worthy moment happened this week?
How am I feeling today?
What is working right now. What could I do better?

At the end of life is it not these questions we should ask:

Have we lived wisely?
Have you loved richly?
Have you served the world greatly?

I think living a life wisely is learning that we will never know everything and everything comes with so much grey. So learning and flexing about the world and the people who reside in our world is something wise people do. I think also it is about knowing that you may not always be right but rather hope people will consider our views. So much in this word 'wise' as there is also something about contentment verse progress. I could go on and on.

Loving richly is such as wonderful overall goal and is easily misplaced. I am personally loving more richly lately and absolutely love it!

As for serving the world greatly as everyone knows one of my personal and business goals is to continue being a sustainable warrior. Lol not necessarily a warrior as this word is not really in my nature but you get the gist. So some of the simple broad goals are as follows:

Try to buy fresh and local
Recycle, reuse and repurpose
Sustainable investing
Coaching others through stories to find ways to be more sustainable
Connecting more with the community

And like anything, if we are not fit and healthy things can get hard. However as I have written before, I am totally against all the individual retort that is all over our modern world ie work on self to make you happy. Sure but connecting with others and serving the community brings so much more contentment and joy. Connect connect and connect deeply. We are not designed to live alone. We are designed to be with the people who love us (not the stranger that you meet to discuss your fragmented woes but those that are your tribe!)

Thanks for listening to my ramble again
Anna Mills-Bordignon xx

PS picture above is me at my desk working on our signage and my goal setting book.
Below are some cool local ladies doing some cool stuff. We now have the NZ made natural toothpaste and tooth tabs in our Showroom and online. Along with the Sunsick natural sunscreen and natural deodorant from Raw. And of course our local legend Elizabeth Barbalich from Antipodes. Supporting local women doing cool things!

Feb 28, 2024

Top second hand clothing stores - better variety and budget- friendly

Second hand clothing stores (or opshops) offer a sustainable and budget-friendly alternative to fast fashion. Here are some top locations in New Zealand and Australia:

New Zealand:

Recycle Boutique - With thirteen locations across the country, Recycle Boutique offers a huge variety from vintage pieces to modern clothing, as well as a range of accessories including jewellery, sunglasses and bags. The store works in a way where customers hand in their pre-loved clothes that are then priced and sold. You'll also get 50% of the sale price back! Because each item is carefully sorted through on arrival, you'll find yourself trying on high quality pieces of clothing that have been looked after. Perfect for events as well as day to day wear. As it is a boutique, some items can be a little pricey, but you can also grab a great bargain!

Online second hand - A great way to shop sustainably without leaving the house. My recommendations for online second hand clothing would be Trade Me, as well as Depop. You'll have to do a bit of searching, but the great news is that once you've found something you like, tons of alike items will be recommended to you!

Local opshops - The best way to grab a bargain while caring for the planet is always through your local opshops. While you may have to do a little digging, majority of my favourite items are from places you'd never expect to find them! It's also a great way to find furniture and décor for good value. There's nothing that matches the feeling of finding a hidden gem that soon becomes a wardrobe staple. Not to mention that the proceeds from all your purchases go towards a charity, so what's not to love?!

Australia:

UTurn vintage - UTurn has multiple locations across Australia, selling vintage hand-picked clothing. High quality stock for low prices! Perfect place to get your hands on some sustainable, true vintage gems.

Savers - Savers offers a wide variety of second-hand clothing, accessories, and household goods. They have over 300 stores across the country! Head down to you local Savers and grab a great deal.

Local markets - Keep an eye out on facebook or for posters put up around your suburb, as the occasional pop up or local market may be selling some real finds! Support lots of small businesses while shopping through their hand picked range of second hand items.

When shopping at second-hand clothing stores, it is always a good idea to check for any signs of wear and tear before making a purchase, and to keep in mind that sizing may vary from modern standards. Happy shopping!

Dec 20, 2023

Subsconscious and the silly season - things to think about for Christmas - Monthly ramble by Anna

Subconscious and the silly season

I have been thinking lately about the subconscious and how many philosophers focus on the need for us to bring forward the subconscious to the conscious. As Carl Jung states,

'Until you make the subconscious conscious it will direct your life and you will call it fate'.

So in my simple mind this means being insightful about who we are and how we act within the world. Some philosophers and potentially religious scholars will say we already exist as perfect vessels for the whole consciousness. I believe it is about being conscious of our actions and feelings at a present moment. Why do we feel that way, why have we acted that way? It is those little steps of insights that allow us to become wiser humans. In my mind it is ensuring we have time for reflection and looking for those blind spots. The blind spot theory is one that has intrigued me this year. I think it is a similar to the subconscious as neither are obvious, right? Although I think to really understand a blind spot you need others to spot them for you. Engaging with people and collaborating is a way to become aware of blind spots. That is why we often ask our customers for feedback so we keep abreast of potential blind spots in our business. So thanks for being part of that.

I see that bringing the subconscious forward into everyday life is no different than bringing forward the 'whys' in a business. Why are we in business? Why do we sell products that are good for the environment? Our mantra has been about considering what things are made of, who makes them and will they leave any waste on the planet. Our 'why' for our business is for others and the planet. It is not driven by the ego or a profit but simply a desire to be innovative and help the planet.

Considering how our subconscious works maybe useful over this silly season as it is so easy to get carried away with consumerism and the busyness of it all. Maybe it is a good time for reflection to draw out insights from the subconscious and consider our 'why' in our working life. Some things to think about for Christmas might be the following:

Remember what Christmas is about and not just busyness and material gifts
Find time for reflection
Less excess, more gratitude
Wrap presents in old material or scarves
Sing and dance as it is so good for the sole
If you don't like singing, play or listen to music
Buy quality not quantity
Make things with people you love
Ring that person who you think about often and tell them how you feel
And don't forget all the cool special Christmas Munch products we have bought in for Christmas. Shop here :).

I know a lot of concepts in this mailer but I have tried to keep it simple and not too muddled. You may have read between the lines that I am actually getting too busy in this crazy silly season as well!! Feel free to email me if you want to discuss more.

'Those people who are least aware of their unconscious side are the most influenced by it'.
Carl Jung

Thanks for listening to my ramble again
Anna Mills-Bordignon xx
PS picture above is me in my new EV car - living my values as discussed in my November newsletter.

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