Written by: Jessica Solomons
May 15th: Socially Responsible Coffee Makers
The team at Bean There Coffee is joining the Fairtrade fight by making sure producers of the beans they source receive fair payment regardless of market fluctuations. The company prides itself on hand roasting some of the world’s best beans to produce a cup of coffee that puts most other blends to shame. For the caffeine queens out there, Bean There is really worth visit.
May 16th: A Guest House That’s Giving Back
If you’ve got friends from overseas looking for a place to stay for next month’s World Cup, we recommend the environmentally friendly, oriental inspired DimSum Guest House located in the heart of Bedfordview Village. With two private en-suite rooms and a gorgeous garden DimSum is east Jozi’s hidden gem. The charming Guest House is currently installing solar geysers and heaters to improve its green status, but with an existing earthworm farm and vegetable based soaps and toiletries sourced from suppliers that use low carbon methods of manufacture, DimSum is already an impressive eco-friendly destination in our books.
May 17th: Eco-Car Wash
Winter always leaves our cars a little worse for wear so if you want to get your baby looking brand new, visit Perfectcar which boasts the most environmentally friendly waterless car wash and valet service in SA. With its green business venture, Perfectcar is saving millions of litres of water and with branches in KZN, Gauteng and the Garden Route you can keep your car, and your conscience, clean wherever you are in South Africa.
May 18th: Play Golf for Conservation
If you’re in the PE area this month, get a team together and sign up for the 5th annual Honorary Rangers Golf Day in support of the Addo Elephant Park. The tournament is happening on May 20th and all funds raised go to improving facilities and conservation at the National Park which is the biggest tourist destination in the Eastern Cape. Tee-off time is 8:16am at the Port Elizabeth Golf Club. Contact Nikky Bosman for details on (041) 504 4235 or nbosman@nmmu.co.za
May 19th: 5FM wants your radio!
One of the nation’s best loved radio stations, 5FM, is not only supporting local music talent, but is now showing its support for recycling too. The 5FM team is asking listeners to send in their old or unused radios in an effort to bring coverage of the World Cup to the poorer communities. Instead of throwing away your broken boom box, donate it to 5FM and help out your fellow South Africans, and the planet too.
May 20th: Eco-Friendly Wheels
South Africa’s public transport is better than ever but it’s not only the arrival of the Gautrain that’s got us excited. With the opening of Green Planet Cabs in 2008, Jo’burg now boasts the world’s first ever eco-friendly taxi cab service. With a fleet of luxury hybrid cars Green Planet Cabs is forging the way for luxury eco-friendly travel here in SA. So next time you need a ride home make the green choice and call them on 011 397 3697 or book online at www.greenplanetcabs.com
May 21st: Become a Green Domestic Goddess
For Durbanites looking to give their homes a green makeover, the recently opened Energywise store in Glenwood is a one-stop shop for all your domestic eco needs. Not only are their shelves stocked with energy-saving gadgets, but they have a range of demonstration systems on show that’ll help you find the best product for your budget.
