Did you know that there are over 4.5 trillion individual CBs on our planet? Another fact: over 750,000 metric tonnes of CBs find their way into our environment every year, ending up in waterways and causing soil pollution.

With such disturbing figures, one would think that there’d be more of a spotlight shone on the environmental impact of CBs. But probably because of their size, people don’t even regard CBs as waste and often dispose of them carelessly – simply flicking them onto the pavement when they’re finished smoking.

There’s also a common misconception that CBs are made of paper and cotton. While there is some paper, cigarette filters are made of man-made cellulose acetate that takes at least ten years to fully degrade. Moreover, the chemicals released by CBs (including arsenic, lead and nicotine) are enough to actually classify CBs as hazardous waste.

Tackling CBs One Butt At A Time

Fortunately, someone is taking action to reverse this trend. Enter Code Effort, an India-based start-up that collects CBs and uses them as raw materials to create sustainable products like cushions, mattresses, accessories and even mosquito repellent.

Their story follows the tried-and-tested origin of a start-up: brothers Naman and Vipul Gupta saw a problem and put their efforts into solving that problem to make a better world. In their case, it was the unhealthy number of CBs in the city of Noida, Uttar Pradesh in India. They hunkered down and thus Code Effort – which stands for ‘Conserve Our Depleting Environment’ – was born in 2015.

Naman shares, “A common saying is that smoking is bad for our health, but I believe that this saying is incomplete. In the process of building a cigarette waste management and recycling industry, I can confidently say that smoking is not only bad for our health, but also lethal to the planet!”

The idea behind Code Effort is simple – collect CBs from around the city, drop them off at their factory and transform that waste into usable products. Initially, Code Effort placed special bins around the city to collect CBs. But to build the volume necessary for their recycling operations, they soon scaled up collection by partnering with various government units and institutions, incentivising people by exchanging CBs for cash.

But is Code Effort putting those who collect the CBs in harm’s way? It’s important to note that the company has taken several steps to educate CB collectors about the harmful effects of cigarette toxins. In addition to implementing practical hygiene and safety protocols, Naman insists that those dealing with the waste use N95 masks and gloves. This extends to their own factory, which is ISO 45001:2018-compliant and regularly audited.

Turning Waste To Gold

What happens next is the critical part of this programme – transforming these toxic materials into a safe and sustainable product. Naman shares, “Our closed-loop recycling process ensures 100 percent utilisation of the materials, has a net-zero carbon footprint and fosters a circular economy.”

Collected CBs are first separated into tobacco, paper and polymer. The tobacco undergoes a month-long process to break it down to powder, turning it into organic compost used in plantations.

The paper is ground to pulp, with binders, colours and fragrances added to turn the paper into mosquito repellent. Code Effort is also in the process of producing stationery and packaging material from this recycled paper. Naman says that they are even able to customise the thickness of the paper according to their customers’ needs – and that these papers are sustainable and sturdy enough to be recycled up to eight times!

As for the polymer, Code Effort treats the material with biodegradable and organic chemicals to remove its toxicity before using its recycled fibres to stuff cushions, pillows, mattress and even toys. To date, these cushions have been the bestsellers among Code Efforts end products!

Not A Social Enterprise

Since its launch, Code Effort has recycled over 1.2 billion CBs across India, thereby preventing toxins from seeping into 30 billion litres of water and offsetting 48 billion grams of carbon dioxide. It has been able to scale up its operations from Noida to now include the entirety of India, as well as partnerships in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Naman is also open to more partnerships beyond South Asia, either through the import-export of CBs or a technology licensing agreement. After all, CBs are a problem for the whole planet.

In addition to uplifting the environment, Code Effort has also uplifted the lives of countless people in its network including over 2,000 rag-pickers who collect the CBs and hundreds of local artisans who use the recycled materials to make the final products.

In this way, Code Effort has been able to go beyond its tech start-up roots to become a sustainable business, something Naman wants to underline: “Code Effort is a sustainable, rather than social enterprise!”

Find out more about Code Effort

See also: What Happens To All That Plastic We Try So Hard To Recycle

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We chat to Bailey about what sparked her sustainability journey, get the lowdown on her newest business venture EcoGo and find out what advice she’d give to others who want to make a difference.

See also: Neighbourhood Guide – Eco Retail Shops in Central

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

I’m a high-school senior, book lover and youth changemaker. I’m also the founder of a social enterprise called ReBooked, a platform that promotes the reuse of pre-loved children’s books. I guess you can say that I’m surrounded by books most of the day, whether for work or for play!

2. Why are you an 8Shader?

I started becoming more sustainability-conscious around four years ago when I was confronted with a personal – although admittedly first-world! – dilemma of what to do with books that I’d outgrown. I didn’t want to contribute to Hong Kong’s monumental waste problem by throwing them away or even recycling them; instead, I was eager to pass them onto other young readers who would enjoy them as much as I did. I launched ReBooked to make ‘disposing’ of books in a green way more convenient, sharing my love of reading and making second-hand books more accessible.

Starting ReBooked was the first time I became truly aware of the impact of my lifestyle choices. Since launching, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in local eco-friendly fairs and meet the teams behind many local sustainable businesses. With this came an increased consciousness of looking for eco-friendly options. Since then, I’ve become more purposeful about looking for eco-friendly options and supporting sustainability-focused brands.

That being said, actively making the shift to greener brands and products was not necessarily easy! I knew I wanted to live a greener lifestyle, but I didn’t know where to start… and found that my friends felt the same way! This inspired me to begin my next business venture, EcoGo – an app and website that serves as a directory for sustainable stores in Hong Kong. I’m working with a team of other young people based all over Asia to test, develop and launch EcoGo. We all hope that through EcoGo, living a sustainable life will be more attractive, accessible and convenient!

I think sustainable consumption is important because when we buy goods, we vote with our dollar. Although a small change in your shopping habits may not make a huge difference to you, these acts add up. Supporting eco-friendly brands helps them thrive and shows that their green practices and beliefs are valued.

3. What’s your best eco habit – and your guilty not-so green one?

I always bring a refillable water bottle and a reusable tote bag with me. My not-so-green guilty indulgence is taking taxis around the city when I’m running late or in a rush… which is often! I could definitely utilise Hong Kong’s MTR, tram and bus networks more often.

4. Fave eco store?

One of my favourite pastimes wherever I am is thrift shopping for clothes. Here in Hong Kong, I always check the clothes selection at Mee & Gee. I’ve found some amazing treasures there!

5. Fave veggie dishes in Hong Kong?

My favourite vegan dish might just be the Zeus Gyros at Big Dill – a ‘lamb’ wrap filled with veggies, fries and sauces. Another restaurant I love is Veggie4Love, a 50s-themed restaurant in Central that serves vegetarian dishes from around the world.

Also, a quick shoutout to my friend Chandni Sacheti, the founder of Lives Without Knives. She’s the one who introduced me to all my favorite vegan restaurants!

6. What have been your biggest challenges and proudest achievements since starting ReBooked?

Launching ReBooked at the start of Covid meant we had to adjust our business processes as the pandemic situation evolved. While there were some challenges for new businesses like ours, Covid also presented meaningful opportunities to serve our customers by providing reasonably priced book options for families, alongside an online bookstore where parents could shop in the safety of their home.

Last year, we opened our own retail store in Central to complement our online shop; I’m really pleased that ReBooked is now Hong Kong’s biggest platform for second-hand books. I’m also excited that ReBooked has branched out to expand in Brazil and Turkey, and our literacy outreach programmes are in the Philippines too. I’m looking forward to seeing ReBooked’s social impact and presence grow in the years to come.

7. What advice would you give to other young people wanting to make a difference?

Just do it! There’s no such thing as a perfect time, perfect plan or perfect team to start making a difference. A lot of the journey is having passion, being open to trial-and-error and learning along the way.

Another big tip – and something I wish I did more when I started ReBooked – is to ask for help. With help from teammates, mentors, family and friends, you’ll have a much greater impact than you would have just by yourself. Whether you need expert advice from a specialist in the field or just someone to chat and take a break with, support from others is essential not only for the success of your project, but also for your own sense of wellbeing.

8. What shade of green are you?

Being a newbie in this area, I would be a pale mint green. My goal is to progressively work towards being a bright, cheerful lime green or maybe even a deep, sophisticated royal green in the next few years!

Find out more about ReBooked on their website and Instagram

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As well as shopping for pre-owned designer fashion on their website, HULA has a Wong Chuk Hang warehouse and a Central boutique where you can browse hundreds of fabulous pieces in-person – meaning there’s no excuse not to get in on the pre-loved action!

We chat to Sarah about what inspired her to start HULA, whether there’s a stigma around second-hand clothing and her top tips on making our wardrobes more sustainable.

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

I’m the founder and CEO of HULA – a highly curated, authenticated consignment business selling the best luxury womenswear, bags, shoes and accessories. HULA helps customers monetise their wardrobe while offering consumers the best authentic, pre-owned, designer womenswear at up to 95 percent off retail price. In short, I turn people’s waste into other people’s treasures!

2. Why are you an 8Shader?

The rise of fast fashion and consumerism has made textiles waste one of the biggest polluters worldwide – which became a massive reason for starting HULA.

I used to work at Lane Crawford’s head office and realised how much waste there was in the fashion industry – not only on the retail side, where a product would have an 8-12 week shelf-life before going to the sales bin, but also among friends who would often ask where to get rid of items they no longer wanted. I knew there would be an opportunity for this type of business… plus loads of amazing products to unlock in my friends’ wardrobes!

Having previously founded my own lingerie and swimwear label, I also really appreciated the effort that goes into designing, producing and marketing a collection – so I wanted to make it HULA’s mission to extend the lifespan of well-crafted fashion pieces too.

3. What’s your best eco habit – and your guilty not-so green one?

Of course, its shopping mostly second-hand fashion! I’m also almost vegetarian throughout the work week. My guilty pleasure is that I love jumping on a plane to travel.

4. Fave eco brands?

For fashion, I love Gabriela Hearst and Cult Gaia. For lifestyle, I can’t live without Oatly oat milk for my go-to daily latte fix! I also love ECOS household products – they work really well and smell so good!

5. Fave veggie dishes in Hong Kong?

Treehouse’s veggie bibimbap, Dandy’s Organic Café’s veggie curry with brown rice and Maison Libanaise’s mixed rice, Lebanese salad and roasted cauliflower with tahini sauce.

6. Do you think there is still a stigma when it comes to buying second-hand?

Shopping second-hand is still not broadly accepted amongst local Chinese. Superstition has partly held this market back from developing over the past decades, because second-hand clothing was known to come from someone who had passed away or was sold due to lack of money – so buying pre-owned was deemed ‘unlucky’.

Luckily, times have shifted and the pre-owned market is now widely more accepted… So much so that the second-hand market is projected to double over the next five years, growing eleven times faster than the broader retail clothing sector; it’s also set to become twice the size of fast fashion by 2030!

We’ve seen a surge in shoppers shifting their mindset about buying pre-owned, from it being something they were ashamed of to something they’re now proud of. Pre-Covid, we did lots of events and discussions, tackling issues about fashion sustainability and really bringing the community together. The new generation are popularising pre-owned in a big way – and I’m glad we stuck through the hard times to see this market grow and finally break some barriers.

7. What are some simple tips for a more sustainable wardrobe?

If you’re looking for key capsule wardrobe pieces, make sure they will last! Buy better quality pieces from better brands so items are easier to resell should you tire of them afterwards. If you can’t afford high-end brands, shop from luxury consignment stores like HULA, where pieces are a fraction of the price. Shopping pre-owned opens up a world of styles and brands you might never have considered or could afford previously.

Look for fabrics that are easier to maintain or can be cleaned regularly such as silk, cotton, linen-mixes and bamboo rayon or viscose and make sure you don’t over-wash your pieces. To be more sustainable, some pieces can be worn at least 3-7 times before being washed – this will ensure your pieces don’t look old and over-washed too soon.

If you want a more unique look without wearing what everyone is wearing this season, shop vintage items that are unique and not so recognisable. These pieces will become your wardrobe treasures and will help define your look.

And of course, please buy pre-owned fashion! Extending the average lifespan of clothing by just three months of active use per item would lead to a 5-10 percent reduction in its carbon, water and waste footprints. Buying pre-owned really is the quickest way right now – aside from buying nothing – to help solve fashion sustainability.

8. What shade of green are you?

A vintage olive green – it’s such a classic colour and I love vintage style!

Find out more about HULA on their website and Instagram

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Founded back in 2011, Bathe to Basics’ gorgeous skin, hair and body-care products are handmade locally in small batches in Hong Kong, using all-natural, cruelty-free ingredients; in fact, they were one of the first beauty brands here to offer eco-friendly refill stations for many of their products.

We talk to Edmund about how Hong Kong’s sustainability scene has changed over the years, his top green beauty tips and why he’s all about embracing the basics.

See also: Neighbourhood Guide – Eco Retail Shops in Central

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

We locally create products derived from nature for the benefit of both ourselves and the environment.

2. Why are you an 8Shader?

It feels good to be sustainable! It’s the same feeling you get when you help others – it’s just that you’re helping the environment and Earth instead. I believe that if all of us do a little to help the environment, our collective efforts will be big enough to change the future.

3. Fave eco brand?

Hyginova – they focus on making disinfectant that easily decomposes and their products are made locally in Hong Kong too.

4. Fave veggie dish in Hong Kong?

The spicy cauliflower hummus bowl from Chickpea. Their pickles are so fresh and tasty – you really feel the joy of veggies with their colourful selection!

5. Bathe To Basics started back in 2011; how has Hong Kong’s sustainability scene changed since then? And what improvements would you like to see in the future?

We started our refill stations when bulk shopping was not really a thing yet in Hong Kong. We provided more than just the body soap or shampoo that you’d normally expect, with refills for other products like toothpaste, cleansing oil and deodorant too. I’m happy to see more bulk shops opening around different districts these days, with even more product options!

When it comes to sustainability, I think most people are currently concerned about disposable containers and single-use plastics; however, I think it’s about more than just that. We should put more emphasis on ingredients too. Besides being vegan and cruelty-free, it would be even better if products didn’t use artificial fragrances and colours, as well as other ingredients that impact our environment, such as oxybenzone in chemical sunscreens which harms the sea and coral.

6. What are some of the biggest challenges in making your all-natural beauty products? How long does the development process take?

I think one of the biggest challenges is keeping ourselves up-to-date with the latest trends and standards. Going eco and natural is now a global trend, so we’re constantly checking to see if there are any better ingredients for our formulas. But of course, we’ll always embrace the basics, like our brand name! That’s why we use a lot of natural plant oils – they’re the most basic ingredient and still the best.

Indeed, the development process never stops! I think that is one of the benefits of being a smaller brand; we can keep our production batches smaller and keep our ears open to feedback from our customers, so we can make minor adjustments to our formulas and make our products even better. We also have so many ideas for new products – like shampoo bars, mouth wash and other customisable products. It’s an endless process as I think there is always room for perfection!

7. What are your favourite Bathe to Basics products? And what are your top green beauty tips?

My personal favourite combo is our Basic Facial Oil and Porcelain Face Scraping Plate. I love using oil in my skincare routine; the scraping plate helps the product get absorbed while boosting blood circulation and working its magic to keep my skin in good shape!

My top green beauty tip is to pay attention to ingredients and read the labels! Many of us aren’t used to reading labels and understanding ingredients; I think it’s essential for brands to provide their full ingredient lists for clarity, like Bathe to Basics does. As customers, we should also start learning how to read labels properly instead of just believing marketing jargon, so you know exactly what you and your family are using.

8. What shade of green are you?

A dark greyish green. It’s subtle and calming – I even dedicated one of the walls in my room to this colour! 

Find out more about Bathe to Basics on their website and Instagram

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In addition to sharing tips for leading an eco-lifestyle on Earthero Project’s Instagram, Bertha also advises businesses on how they can be more sustainable and has created a sister line of amazing upcycled fashion, Wear Earthero.

We chat with Bertha about how to tell if a company is greenwashing, the importance of a conscious mindset and why raiding your cupboards is a good start to living more sustainably.

See also: Asia’s First Sustainable Wearable Art Exhibition

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

I’m a passionate sustainability blogger, curator of creative eco-solutions and artist and designer focused on sustainable wearable art.

2. Why are you an 8Shader?

I’ve always been interested in sustainability since college, but never really acted on it. As I left university and started my full-time job, I noticed how many disposable items were always lying around the office. I decided I should start doing something about it – and that’s when I started Earthero Project.

I believe small strides lead to big changes. My blog continues to advocate and celebrate important first steps that everyone can take to make the essential shift towards sustainability.  

3. Fave eco products and brands?

– My favourite eco coffee-to-go: Clean

– My favourite eco packaging partner: Invisible Company

– My favourite kombucha: Taboocha

– My favourite food waste rescue app: Chomp

4. Fave veggie dishes in Hong Kong?

I love veggie ramen, so I’m a regular at Soulmate Ramen in Central. If I’m looking for something a little more creative, I’ll go to Miss Lee.

5. What is something about sustainable living that you think more people in Hong Kong should be aware of?

“Consciousness” is something that I always talk about and wish people thought about more. I believe with our current societal setting, it’s difficult to change our lifestyles immediately. However, we can start with being more conscious, giving second thoughts to what consequences our actions bring. It’s those single small actions that can change many things!

6. What are some simple steps towards sustainability that more Hong Kong companies can implement? And what are signs of greenwashing in businesses?

I believe education about sustainability is the first step. For people to change their lifestyles, they should first learn why they should even make those changes. Companies can then pick specific topics, especially those that are relevant to their businesses.

Some companies that are looking to “tick the boxes” mostly just do “green workshops” once or twice a year. However, there are no real changes in the company. I would look for companies that are more transparent about the eco-policies they have – for example, companies that are actively reducing their carbon footprint by sourcing locally or redesigning their packaging to be plastic free.

7. What are some simple tips for those looking to live more sustainably in Hong Kong? And what are some common misconceptions about a sustainable lifestyle?

Don’t be shy to ask to use your own containers anywhere! Many friends told me that they thought it wasn’t allowed or that they’d be embarrassed to ask in Chinese fast-food chains or even McDonald’s, but places are usually happy to comply.

A common misconception is that a sustainable lifestyle is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! You don’t need to buy new things that are branded as eco-friendly, especially because sometimes it can be difficult to verify. In fact, look in your cabinets and see what items you have already, and use them! By doing that, you’re getting a head start.

8. What shade of green are you?

I would say all shades. Like everyone else, living in a city where the sustainability movement is still progressing, I’m not a “perfectly green” person – but I’m moving along the scale!

Find out more about Earthero Project on their website and Instagram

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Throughout her career, the renowned English primatologist and anthropologist has published books, attended international conferences and talked to global leaders on this subject. Most importantly, she has inspired millions of people worldwide to take action and make our planet a better place.

To mark World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, here are ten powerful Jane Goodall quotes to inspire us all!

On Destroying our Planet

1. “Someday we shall look back on this dark era of agriculture and shake our heads. How could we have ever believed that it was a good idea to grow our food with poisons?” 

– From the book Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating (2005)

2. “I’m 300 days a year on the road. I’m talking about what we’re doing to our planet, how we’re destroying the forests, we’re polluting the ocean and the air and the rivers, we are spraying poisonous chemicals on our food, with our pesticides and herbicides. I have to work with young people today so that we try and raise new generations to look after this poor old planet better than we have, before it’s too late.”

–  Dr. Goodall reflects on the documentary Jane (2017)

On Endangered Animal Species 

3. “The least I can do is speak out for the hundreds of chimpanzees who, right now, sit hunched, miserable and without hope, staring out with dead eyes from their metal prisons. They cannot speak for themselves.” 

– From the book Jane Goodall: 40 Years at Gombe (1999)

“If we do not do something to help these creatures, we make a mockery of the whole concept of justice.”

Jane Goodall

5. “Surely we do not want to live in a world without the great apes, our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom? A world where we can no longer marvel at the magnificent flight of bald eagles or hear the howl of wolves under the moon? A world not enhanced by the sight of a grizzly bear and her cubs hunting for berries in the wilderness? What would our grandchildren think if these magical images were only to be found in books?”

– Dr. Goodall’s statement in defense of the Endangered Species Act

6. “I’ve spent my life speaking out on behalf of animals. And there is one issue that stands out uniquely as one of the worst threats to their survival. The illegal wildlife trade… Without doing something today, we could face a world in which thousands and thousands of species go silent. Never to return. But there is something we can do today, and it will take all of us working together to make it possible.”

– Jane Goodall introduces #4EverWild wildlife trafficking campaign

On Changing the World

7. “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Jane Goodall

8. “Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.”

Jane Goodall

“Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”

Jane Goodall

10. “We can have a world of peace. We can move toward a world where we live in harmony with nature. Where we live in harmony with each other. No matter what nation we come from. No matter what our religion. No matter what our culture. This is where we’re moving towards.” 

–  Dr. Goodall’s Message for Peace Day 2018

See also: 7 Best Books by Jane Goodall on Nature and Primatology

This article was originally written and published by Earth.Org and is republished here as part of an editorial partnership.

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Serving hundreds of dishes from dozens of the region’s best chefs, KIN is just about as sustainable as a restaurant can get – their furniture uses upcycled materials, their ingredients are sourced ethically and locally, their kitchens have eliminated single-use plastics, their waste is recycled or composted wherever possible, their delivery system is carbon-free… oh, and their food is pretty delicious too!

We talk to Matt about his best and worst eco habits, why current food delivery platforms are flawed and what inspired his Eureka moment.

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

I’m a purpose-driven serial entrepreneur, documentary producer and most recently, a father.

2. Why are you an 8Shader?

I really didn’t like the idea of getting a meal that had just been sitting on the back of a moped, with little or no information about where the ingredients had come from. As a restaurant operator myself, I knew from first-hand experience that the food industry is in crisis. The Eureka moment was seeing that we had to change the system, not simply participate in it.

Today’s increased demand for food for convenience is hurting the world we live in. Single-use plastic packaging, monoculture farming and a whole bunch of other issues are things that we must address. We need to be replenishing what we take from the Earth, so we leave a world behind that’s suitable for our kids to live in.

3. What’s your best eco habit – and your guilty not-so green one?

Growing and harvesting my own vegetables in my home garden. On the flip side, getting coffee in takeaway cups.

4. Fave eco product?

HoldOn, a US-launched product that is taking on single-use Ziploc bags and bin liners with their heavy-duty, plant-based, 100 percent home compostable trash and storage bags.

5. Fave veggie dishes in Hong Kong?

The plant-based smoked “cod” and Peking duck from Mott 32. They retain the tradition and authenticity of their original dishes and are just as delicious.

6. In terms of sustainability, what sets KIN apart from other dining destinations in Hong Kong?

Due to our Maximal restaurants, we’ve had a pretty global viewpoint on the impact of Covid – and KIN is our innovation response. We saw a huge jump in consumers ordering food via apps, but the current delivery platforms are a necessary evil that offer marginal financial impact and zero emotional connection. KIN addresses the flaws we saw in existing food delivery models, enabling a profitable relationship for all parties without the environmental impact.

Currently, delivery companies – who aren’t profitable anyway – charge restaurants sometimes more than 25 percent commission; Hong Kong restaurants don’t run on margins that high, so costs need to be cut somewhere and often that’s in ingredients. We franchise individual recipes from creators, following our ingredients charter to guarantee the quality and sustainability of ingredients – ensuring our margins by saving time in costs through technology, rather than ingredient quality.

On the environmental front, single orders wrapped in plastic and styrofoam are currently transported across the city on mopeds; the waste and carbon produced by this is not sustainable. This is why KIN focuses on dense vertical communities, where we use walkers to provide carbon-free delivery. They deliver the food in reusable packaging that can be collected later, much like how hotels deliver room service to guests. This offers a better dining experience with less impact on the environment. 

7. What is something about sustainable eating that you think people in Hong Kong should be more aware of?

Awareness of where their food comes from. As a restaurant operator myself, I saw that we need to create systemic change to drive real meaningful impact – which is why we created KIN. Our biggest impact is with our supply chain. We source locally as much as possible and regionally only when absolutely necessary. We’re committed to procuring ingredients from responsible, traceable suppliers and farms, enabling us to tell our guests where ingredients are from.

8. What shade of green are you?

Pantone 7734U. It’s an earthy shade of green that represents growth and balance, things I strive to achieve.

Find out more about KIN

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From using zero-waste plating and recycled materials to planting 30 trees for every watch purchased, these are quite simply some of the most eco-friendly watches around – but without stinting on the style stakes either.

We chat to Sally about going down the rabbit-hole of sustainable watchmaking, the importance of looking beyond environmental certifications and why she’s obsessed with Stasher bags.

See also: 8 Lifestyle Brands That Support Rainforest Relief

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

We make quality, everyday watches that don’t cost the earth.

2. Why are you an 8Shader?

The level of consumption we’ve become used to is terrifying, especially in the fashion space. In 2018, I started a dedicated effort to reduce my household plastic consumption. Some things were easy, like ditching shampoo bottles for bars and carrying reusable bottles and bags – but then my watch broke. I wanted a simple, nice-looking, good-quality but not ridiculously expensive replacement. All the reasonably priced options I found were packed with plastic and foam-lined boxes or had polyester or low-quality leather straps.

While I could see sustainable options in other fields becoming increasingly popular, I couldn’t find much information on sustainable watch brands, or what would even go into making a watch sustainable. So here we are! Now I have a watch that meets my “no plastic” criteria and I know an awful lot more than I did about what goes into making a product sustainable.  

3. What’s your best eco habit – and your guilty not-so green one?

I’m very aware of reducing waste at the point of purchase – buying fewer and better things, avoiding excess packaging and swapping disposables for reusable items… But I just can’t break up with Ziploc bags! They’re still the best option I’ve found for bulk preparing meal portions in our miniscule freezer compartment. None of the replacements I’ve found can quite live up to the task.

4. Fave eco brands?

Retykle, a Hong Kong-based childrenswear resale platform. I sell my daughter’s clothes and toys there and use the credit to buy new-to-us clothes that I’ll send back later. It really is a gamechanger, offering the convenience of online shopping with zero guilt.

Stasher silicone bags do everything – storing everything from snacks to headphones, keeping my e-reader dry near the pool, stashing away unfinished pastries from breakfast buffets… even making popcorn! They’re so good.

5. Fave veggie dishes in Hong Kong?

I love that there are so many really good options for vegetarian food in Hong Kong now. Veda’s aloo gobi and any of Beef & Liberty’s vegetarian burgers with sweet potato fries are among my favourites.

6. What are the most challenging aspects of developing a sustainable, ethical watch line?

There are just so many components that go into a watch. It’s far more complex than I’d imagined – and in trying to make our brand as transparent, sustainable and ethical as possible, I realised what a rabbit-hole it was. We’re so removed from what goes into the things we use, we don’t think about what went into making them.

I was surprised when I first visited the factory. Rather than the machines of my imagination spitting out watches, there were people assembling watches by hand. All the parts they were assembling weren’t just magically appearing from big machines either but were made at tiny specialist suppliers nearby.

The more I looked, the further it went… Where did the gold used to plate components come from? Was it ethically mined? How much toxic run-off was there from its application? We use conflict-free gold and zero-waste plating processes, but I didn’t know these things even needed to be considered when I first started out. There’s a seemingly never-ending spiral of suppliers, and another seemingly endless list of components to research, understand and select.

Sometimes complete ignorance helps, as I might have found the process too overwhelming had I known from the beginning what we were in for!

7. What is something about sustainable watchmaking that you think more people should know?

I initially thought I’d work only with suppliers that had all the right environmental certifications – but I quickly realised there are masses of certifications and they’re expensive to maintain. It would be far too costly for tiny suppliers to maintain them and as a brand starting out, the cost of getting each supplier certified was way beyond my budget.

Your best bet for learning more about a brand’s sustainability credentials is to email them or ask publicly on their social media. Sustainable brands will love the opportunity to talk about every hoop they’ve jumped through and every difficult decision they’ve made! There’s so much information that goes into sustainability that’s just a bit boring for the website – so give them an excuse to share it.

Difficult questions are also an opportunity for brands to consider things they may not have thought of – and a truly sustainable brand will be happy to add it to their list of things to work on.

8. What shade of green are you?

The deep green of a houseplant, with pale green tinges because it’s a bit underwatered… or overwatered? Or a bit cold? Or maybe it needs repotting? That’s the relatable shade of green I see most often at home – it’s happy, it’s doing its best but it’s not perfect.

Find out more about 2°EAST

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The post 8Shades Of… Sally Lim of 2°EAST Watches appeared first on 8Shades.

We chat to Naman about other upcycling start-ups that inspire him, what we can do about the food waste problem in Hong Kong and why sourdough loaves don’t necessarily brew tasty beer!

See also: 6 Companies That Are Tackling Food Waste

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

Breer is a food upcycling start-up that aims to save the world by spearheading an industry revolution, using surplus bread to make premium quality craft beer.

2. Why are you an 8Shader?

Living in New Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, made me deeply sensitive to climate change. Seeing the city’s air pollution, rising temperatures and mounting landfills led to my developing interest in sustainability.

I remember reading a definition of sustainable development in school, which perfectly summed up to me why sustainability is important: “Development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” For so long, the world has engaged in unsustainable development and exploited its natural resources to an irreversible state, so now every action should be directed towards minimising our impact on the planet.

With a family history of entrepreneurship, problem solving also comes naturally to me – and with climate change being the most critical issue faced by the planet, I’ve made it my personal mission to promote conscious capitalism, solving the problem of sustainability through business and innovation!

3. What’s your best eco habit – and your not-so green one?

My best eco habits are food-related. Given the negative impact that meat consumption has, being a vegetarian ensures that my food consumption is less of a burden on the planet. I also take great care not to waste food.

My not-so-green habit is buying fast fashion – but I try to maximise my clothes’ longevity by wearing them for as long as possible and donating once I’ve outgrown them.

4. Fave eco brands?

Code Effort is one of my favourite brands as they upcycle a resource that most people believed couldn’t be repurposed. They recycle cigarette butts, extracting cotton from them to turn into soft toys – a real sin-to-win journey!

Phool is also a brilliant example of this; they collect old flowers from temples and mosques, using them to make charcoal-free incense sticks. Their model of upcycling a wasted resource and creating a circular economy is truly inspiring.

5. Fave veggie dishes in Hong Kong?

My all-time favourite veggie dishes are the truffle pasta and kimchi noodles from Green Common – I visit frequently to support them, as I love their mission and find their founder David Yeung inspiring! I also love the falafel bowl at Chickpea, vegetarian pizzas from The Pizza Project, and spring rolls and fried rice at Din Tai Fung, Kung Tak Lam and Chilli Fagara.

See also: 8Shades Of… Chan Kai Ying of Chilli Fagara

6. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in starting Breer?

Starting the business amidst the pandemic was one of the biggest challenges – with all breweries shut, we had no avenue to initiate production of our test batches. We ended up learning brewing through YouTube and using home brewing kits.

Another challenge was identifying and locking down a consistent source of surplus bread. We didn’t receive replies from larger bakery chains, so pivoted to working with smaller bakeries for our pilot beer batches – which eventually led to us forming long-term partnerships with bigger companies like Maxim’s and La Rose Noire by Gerald Dubois.

Then there was the challenge of figuring out a tasty recipe! We realised how every bread type contributed to the beer’s taste; for instance, using sourdough made the beer extremely salty and not drinkable. We brewed 20 unsuccessful batches before arriving at the final product.

7. What is something about food waste that you think people in Hong Kong should be more aware of? What other food waste initiatives would you like to see here?

People should be aware just how much food waste is generated in Hong Kong – the equivalent of 3,600 tonnes daily. It would be great if people could contribute to initiatives like Chomp and Phenix by On The List, where restaurants sell discounted surplus food, to help mitigate food waste.

See also: Chomp – Taking A Bite Out Of Food Waste

I also think Hong Kong should do away with the stigma of best before dates, as products close to and even beyond these dates are usually still fit for consumption. People should be aware of shops like GreenPrice, where you can buy these products and engage in food waste preservation.

I’d love to see new initiatives for collecting food waste from major events and donating them to Hong Kong’s underprivileged, and for more upcycling companies that deal with a variety of food waste through re-commercialisation. We’re hoping to expand Breer into several verticals, such as juices and seltzers from surplus fruit and vegetables, bread from spent grain (residue from the beer brewing process), clothing from spoilt milk and much more!

8. What shade of green are you?

Dark green to represent ambition. For me, ambition is the most important factor – it gives you the courage to take on the world’s most pressing issues and make people embark on the journey of going green!

Find out more about Breer

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The post 8Shades Of… Naman Tekriwal Of Breer appeared first on 8Shades.

Invisible Company create amazing alternatives to traditional single-use plastic packaging, including their water-soluble, biodegradable #INVISIBLEBAG – and they’ve even made an #INVISIBLEPOOBAG especially for cleaning up after your furry friends too!

We talk to Devana and Flavien about their favourite eco-friendly products, why hiking inspired Invisible Company and how the government can tackle plastic waste in Hong Kong.

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

Flavien and I are partners-in-crime! We’re the co-founders of Invisible Company and our mission is to raise eco-awareness with responsible packaging while connecting a sustainable community together.

2. Why are you 8Shaders?

Back in 2018, we fell in love with hiking; however, among Hong Kong’s beautiful nature, we found so much food packaging, plastic bottles, tissue papers and other trash. Naturally, we started collecting the rubbish we found, but soon realised that we needed to do more and find an alternative to replace conventional plastic packaging – which is how Invisible Company began!

We launched in February 2020 with our water-soluble, biodegradable #INVISIBLEBAG and are currently working on R&D to develop other compostable, biodegradable materials to cover more applications in more industries – with the same DNA of becoming invisible over time.

3. What’s your best eco habit – and your guilty not-so green one?
I think there are no best or worst eco habits; rather, we should embrace every change and take small eco-actions that make us more conscious about reducing the negative impact on our environment. For instance, when it comes to clothes, we look for durable materials and shop second-hand; for food, we buy from wet markets to avoid packaging and process food waste with our home composting machine.

Doing these things consistently makes them into habits – and once they’ve become habits, being eco becomes the norm!

See also: 8 Simple Swaps For Single-Use Plastics

4. Fave eco products?
We look at products we use daily, then search for plastic-free, non-single use alternatives – and there are so many great conscious, ethical Hong Kong brands making a positive impact to our environment. I love Green Bitch’s toothpaste tablets, laundry pods and recycled tissues from Mil Mill and bulk-bought groceries from Toneedshed.

I also love local second-hand clothing shops like the social enterprise Retrovert, which empowers young mums and youngsters in Hong Kong. Hyginova, a certified-B Corp company that manufactures vegan cleaning products in Hong Kong, is another of my favourites.

5. Fave veggie dishes in Hong Kong?
Both Flavien and I are vegan; most of the time we cook at home and love exploring new vegan dishes. When we go out, we love Years as they are passionate about promoting vegan food to everyone. When it comes to traditional local food, dim sum is a must – we highly recommend Veggie Kingdom!

6. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced at Invisible Company?

Awareness is one of the biggest challenges – making people understand the product, see sustainability as an investment, support innovation and adopt new products and ways of doing things. It’s still a long journey and lots of time and effort is required to educate both brands and consumers but we believe that when the community joins together, we can inspire and make change!

Other challenges that many sustainable brands face are logistics-based costs and pandemic restrictions; like most people, we’ve suffered instability due to these issues over recent years. Often, being eco-friendly means doing good for the environment but at a premium – and it’s not always an easy path when we, our clients and our customers are challenged by these out-of-control factors.

7. What initiatives towards reducing plastic waste and consumption would you like to see in Hong Kong?

If we want to change the general public’s mindset towards reducing plastic consumption and waste, this should be pushed by government policy. This also has to come with a better understanding of the solutions available, with clear information so consumers can understand, make their own choices and avoid being misled into “greenwashing”.

If we want brands and manufacturers to reduce plastic packaging and switch to naked packaging or plastic-free alternatives, the government needs to help and support innovation. For instance, if they regulated or increased plastic prices, making it the same price as alternatives, then people would start considering more eco-friendly alternatives or looking for ways to reduce their consumption. Another way would be to ban plastic in some easily replaceable applications.

8. What shade of green are you?

Actually, one of our interns recently commented, “You must really like orange” – because for a green company, our website is so colourful!

We believe being green is about mindset and attitude – but we have to make it an everyday normal habit for everyone, and influence people to become green through colourful actions. Sustainability is only achieved when all communities join forces, rather than working alone!

Find out more about Invisible Company on their website and Instagram

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The post 8Shades Of… Devana Ng & Flavien Chaussegros of Invisible Company appeared first on 8Shades.