It’s hard to avoid plastic. It is in everything we use and while many understand the impact plastic has on the environment, our oceans, and marine life, its not always easy to find an alternative.
However, there are businesses striving to make living a sustainable life a viable choice for consumers. One company leading the way is GoodFor, a packaging free grocery store based in Auckland. While there are a plethora of health and organic food stores, GoodFor takes it one step further.
Founder and Director James Denton was inspired to open GoodFor after realising the multitude of waste created by each person. He is supported by his brother Paul Denton, the General Manager.
They are both passionate about campaigning for a better environment, and educating consumers along the way.
Many supermarkets have now made the move to BYO-bag, container or box, which is a great start, but James believes the responsibility to reduce waste shouldn’t stop there. “I thought – hold on. When I go to the supermarket, I’m filling my bag up with plastic.”
And so he created GoodFor, which, in their own words, “exists for the sole purpose to help aid in the clean up of our beautiful planet we call Earth.” Essentially, it is a simple way to shop in a sustainable manner that doesn’t break the bank.
“It’s so easy to get people behind a concept like this,” adds James.
“It’s something a consumer can immediately act on – they don’t have to buy an electric car, they don’t have to fit their house out with solar panels. It’s really easy.”
The plastic-free shopping experience allows consumers to fill their pantries without all the wasteful packaging that comes with it. Moreover, GoodFor have also teamed up with “Trees For The Future” who not only grow carbon dioxide eating trees but also help impoverished communities all over the world to learn how to grow and manage their own food sources.
Living 100% plastic-free is near to impossible. With initiatives like GoodFor, we can start to take a step in the right direction. And as more consumers take this path, it’s likely we’ll see more industries offering sustainable products and services.
For more information, or to shop head to goodfor.co.nz
Words: Vanessa Bennett Images: GoodFor