Greenstuff for Everyone

We are realising that “green living” is not a choice, it crucial.  We are consuming 150% of the planet’s resources.  To continue as we are, we will need two planets within the next 50 years.  We take, and give nothing back.  So, the correct phrase for “green living” is “sustainable living”.  Before we buy anything, we need to stop and consider its impact on the environment throughout its lifespan:  Wood from managed forests, crops grown as God intended, no toxic pollution, less global transporting and, in a perfect world, zero waste.

Enter Greenstuff.co.za.  Greenstuff is an online directory of eco and “greener” products and services.  It is the little sister of Hotelstuff.co.za (which started in hotels and now encompasses everyone).

After working with environmentalists in California in the 70s and upon returning home, Lorraine found herself working for a major hotel chain for 15 years, where she managing the contracts and the group’s purchasing manual.  During this time she launched the Hotelstuff.co.za directory (when the Internet was an infant) to create a platform for suppliers and buyers to find each other.  The Hotelstuff directory is now used by home owners, office managers, government, hospitals, architects, designers and is now the first choice for many procurement managers when sourcing their suppliers.  It has evolved way beyond its original intent.

With her background in environmental concerns, Lorraine tried to instil greener practices in the hospitality industry and to challenge the green credentials of the manufacturers and products used.  But her crusade was premature.  However her activism never waned and when Al Gore's now infamous movie, 'An Inconvenient Truth' aired, everything that she had been fighting for became mainstream thinking.

Subsequently, and to add further credibility to her work, Lorraine and her physicist son completed training in cleaner production (NCPC: National Cleaner Production Centre) and eco labelling (The EU Flower) under the auspices of the UN Environmental Programme.

It can be an arduous process to find the greenest products, research the ever-evolving standards for green credentials and to learn the tricks of Greenwashing.  There was a definite gap “so we created a virtual meeting place from which to make these valuable introductions".  Greenstuff has done the work for you.

"Because buyers appreciate being able to see, touch, smell and feel what they're ordering, the next step was to facilitate a more tangible interaction between brands and buyers. And what better gatherings than shows like Decorex and Hostex?

Realising the need to educate, the Greenstuff team built and furnished a 100 square metre home at Decorex and a hotel at Hostex in the Sandton and Cape Town Convention Centres. These were furnished throughout with only ego or greener products: furniture, appliances, lighting, food and beverage, chemicals, toiletries, energy, water and waste solutions, decor... from the entrance mat to the worm farm out back, just to prove it could be done and to dispel the myths, demystify the jargon to show how easy going green can be.

Greenstuff won the Best Overall Stand at Decorex Jo’burg over 700 other exhibitors for their “Green Living Home”, the Excellence Award at Decorex CT and recently, the FEDHASA Chairman’s Award under Imvelo Responsible Tourism.

Lorraine is now a highly respected, sought after motivational speaker in South Africa's greening and sustainability arenas, as well as responsible tourism and hospitality where she educates and distils her vast knowledge on global sustainability and eco procurement. She regularly speaks at events, runs workshops and consults on the why, what and how of sustainable living.