Article Archives

Preparing rice is one of those things passed down through generations. You never really need to read the instructions on the packet, it’s just in-grained (excuse the pun). Now we have so many different types of rice available to us, we don’t necessarily know the ins and outs of cooking every different grain.  If you […]

Do you love those new wet look leggings you just bought? Or can’t get enough of your shiny, waterproof trench? I’m sorry to break it to ya but it’s probably made of PVC.  Polyvinyl chloride, aka “PVC”, aka “the poison plastic”, is the world’s third most common type of plastic. Unfortunately of all the plastics, […]

There is a growing demand for eco-friendly clothing, but most people don’t want to pay more for it. Fair enough, as fast fashion has taught us to expect that a t-shirt should cost HKD$70, when a sustainable brand sells one for $200, it’s easy to dismiss them as catering exclusively to the wealthy. However, there […]

Adopting plastic-free alternatives that are practical and sustainable doesn’t have to be difficult. Changing a few key items in your life will go a long way to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are eight plastic-free products that look, and do good.  1. Bamboo Toothbrushes Globally, about 23 billion plastic toothbrushes are trashed each year, each […]

There was a time during the nineties and early noughties, that advertisements and announcements condemning the very notion of animal testing seemed to be everywhere. So why don’t we see it as much anymore? The truth is, animal testing is still more common than you’d think. The silver lining is that brands have been making […]

As fast fashion begins to slow down, old and new brands are starting to see that not only are sustainable fabrics the best choice for the environment, they are also in higher demand than ever. We all know consumer demand is the key to creating lasting change and at 8Shades we are all about making […]

Plastics have been dominating the headlines in recent years, but for all the wrong reasons. It’s an epidemic we are facing as a global population, with certain countries making strides in recent years to combat; either through elimination altogether or recycling programmes. What we have on offer in Hong Kong is, frankly, dismal, with options […]

Investors take note: the global vegan leather industry is forecasted to be worth nearly USD $90 billion by 2025! To put that in perspective, the global sports footwear market is currently valued at USD $90.4 billion. Wait a second, what exactly is vegan leather? Some of you may have heard of or even own faux […]

8Shaders, welcome to the first ever episode of 8ShadesTV!  Since this is our very first episode, of course my inaugural guest is someone paramount in my own life but more importantly making footprints, not the carbon kind, in the sustainable fashion world. Let’s be realistic here for a second, are we ever going to stop […]

1. Use the 30 wears test to guide your shopping decisions; ask yourself “will I wear it a minimum of thirty times?”  You’ll be surprised with how many times you might say no. Check out the #30Wears campaign to see why and how.  2. Invest in high-quality, timeless, well-made pieces, or just borrow! If you […]

With little access to gyms and studios these days, we have had to take it upon ourselves to work out our own fitness plans and whether you’re a keen runner, a lover of hiking trails or simply a weekend stroller, it’s still vital to nail down a supportive, reliable pair of trainers to see you […]

We are all well-acquainted with fast fashion and its various problems, but what on earth is slow fashion? Firstly, there is no solid definition, but we need to deviate from the common belief that these two names have anything to do with time to begin with.  Slow fashion finds much inspiration in the Slow Food […]

February; the shortest month of the year made even more hectic by Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day. Check out our top 3 things to get you through this month: 1 No doubt we will be consuming meals on a more decadent scale this month, so it’s worth dedicating your education towards the world of […]

Chinese New Year is a joyful time rife with festivities, frivolities, family time and some incredibly full bellies, but as we dive into celebrations this year, it’s worthwhile to identify and solve certain problems that have grown over time, intertwined with traditions and sheer habit. There are customs you’d be hard pressed to battle with, […]

The Year of the Ox is upon us, and we have a rare opportunity to reflect upon something timely: steak. Who doesn’t love a million juicy steaks? Regrettably, the environment.  The cattle industry is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gases worldwide. Each year, a single cow can also belch 220 pounds of methane. […]

You know that famous saying “stop and smell the flowers”? It’s a particularly good reminder right now especially to stop and appreciate what 2020 has bought us. While I sit back and practise being present, I’m reminded of those who have brought me joy last year in such a tough time.  Flowers are definitely a […]

A new lunar year, while traditionally bringing with it a whirlwind of promises and glowing opportunity, can often unwittingly put us under a ton of pressure at the best of times. In a funny way the Year of the Rat has been a welcome comedown from the high-speed, expectation-fuelled existence, stripping us bare of our […]

When it comes to hanging out at bars, no one is immune to trash talk; since the first cocktail was mixed, bar goers have been getting lippy. However, it’s 2021 and trash talk is taking a sharp turn towards Sustainability Town. It’s easy to forget how much waste can be created at our favourite watering […]

The Care-Free Some of us believe that living sustainably means depriving yourself of life’s joys. Being passionate about building a greener future and indulging in life’s pleasures are not mutually exclusive. Sustainability doesn’t require upending your lifestyle and going vegan overnight. Yes, you can still take a hot bubble bath at the end of a long […]

“Sustainability”, “Green”, “ESG”, “Eco”.... you may have been hearing these buzzwords being thrown around lately, but what do they all really mean? Interestingly, even the best environmental experts in the world would disagree with what these terms mean or should mean.