If your office seems to run on caffeine, do away with the normal plastic cups, and opt for an EcoCup. EcoCups are produced using paper board that is sourced from managed plantations that comply with FSC and SFI standards. The paper board is then coated with a thin layer of PLA bioplastic, which prevents the paper from absorbing liquid. Bioplastic is made from plant-based starch, rather than oil or petroleum-based plastics. These cups are easily biodegradable and perform the same or even better than regular paper cups. Make the eco-friendly switch today and find out more about EcoCups.

Many suppliers of office stationery and equipment offer ranges of sustainable packaging and other consumables. Have a chat with your stationery supplier and enquire about environmentally friendly products for your office.

Your rubbish is a key focus area in greening your office. Not only should you look towards making recycling a corporate policy, but you can also replace your traditional trash bags. The normal trash bags can take hundreds of years to decompose but biodegradable trash bags usually biodegrade completely within three years.

Scrap the paper towels in the bathroom, and replace them with lovely towels (you can each take a turn to clean and launder the towels at home over the weekend) and source some biodegradable cleaning wipes.

Go green in your office and make a positive impact on the environment.

Whilst it may be tempting to splash out on an exotic or expensive gift for your mum, remember nothing means more than a gift from the heart. A hand-made photo collage, backed with recycled paper and displayed in an environmentally friendly picture frame will mean more to her than a trip to the Seychelles! We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite, alternative but environmentally friendly gifts for Mother’s Day.

Instead of opting for a great big bunch of flowers, why not get mum a little herb garden beginner pack? You could make it up yourself, or ask your local nursery for assistance in choosing the correct plants and seedlings.

Instead of taking mum out for an expensive dinner, why not cook up a super spread at home? Mum will love not having to cook for a change, and don’t forget to do the dishes! You can even make sure you buy fresh produce from your local market, and source organic ingredients for your feast!

You can easily avoid maxing out your credit card at a jewelry store by scouring through nearby fleamarkets and vintage shops, and finding some precious antique jewellery for your mum. Not only will you save money but you’ll also find some lovely unique pieces that will definitely bring a sparkle to your mum’s eye.

Those are just some of our handy hints to not only save a little money, but also be environmentally friendly on Mother’s Day!

Duties would include:

* Creating and updating of product catalogues, information manuals and price lists
* Updating of website
* Implementing online marketing campaigns and newsletters
* Monitoring SEO
* Creating an informative, industry related blog
* Writing of articles for use on website and blog
* Researching current ‘green’ trends within packaging and other environments
* Assist with compilation of a marketing and advertising strategy
* Liaising with web/IT companies re web development or updates
* Write press releases and compile media packs
* General administration tasks and filing
* Assisting, if and when required, in setup and/or running of sister companies within the Earthly Directions Group

Whilst preference will be given to applicants with marketing and online experience, this is not essential, and the successful applicant will follow the in-house induction programme.

Key requirements will be:

• Matric (Grade 12) or higher degree/diploma
• At least 3 years post education experience
• Sound computer literacy
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Superior writing and grammatical skills
• Good attention to detail
• Creative and Innovative
• Dynamic and Driven
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Punctual and Presentable
• Flexible approach
• Honest and ethical
• Be able to operate under pressure and meet deadlines
• Valid driver’s license and own reliable transport

We offer a market related salary that is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Interested parties are requested to forward a Cover Letter and comprehensive CV to Lauren Clack on lauren@ecopack.co.za.

The closing date for applications is 21 May 2012. The position commences on 1 July 2012.

EcoPack biodegradable Tableware and Cutlery uses paper board that is sourced from managed forests, which comply with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) standards.

The paper board is then coated with a thin layer of PLA bioplastic (polyactic acid) which prevents the paper from absorbing liquid. The great thing about PLA is that it can be disposed of in an industrial compost facility, and when sufficient quantities of PLA are collected, it becomes viable to convert the material back into its base component of lactic acid. Bioplastics are made from renewable resources, such as plant oils or starches.

You can learn more about our range of Biodegradable Tableware and cutlery here.

It’s easy to avoid purchasing party invitations by simply making your own. There are many online resources and websites that let you print and create your own invitations, which will save you a lot of money and you can even print them on recycled paper. Take it a step further, and let your child make them by providing them with recycled paper, glue and anything they desire for decorations. That will let each invited child receive their own unique invitation for your child’s birthday party.

Party packs are an essential element for every birthday party. Don’t let your budget run away with you on this one! Purchase bulk size packets of sweets or other treats and simply decant them into the party packs. You can also create your own party packs, by reusing newspaper, recycled paper or even fabric.

Make use of take away packaging for cooldrink, or plastic cups. Buying one set of plastic cups should see you through many years of birthday parties!

Decorations can easily be created by recycling cardboard, paper, fabric and plastic ware. Don’t be afraid to get creative with what you might think is rubbish. You’ll be surprised by just how much joy your children will get out of creating their own environmentally friendly party decorations with you! You can also create unique party favours like masks using recycled materials.

Lastly, re-use your wrapping paper. Birthday parties are synonymous with piles of discarded wrapping paper but these can often be re-used. If you’re only able to salvage small scraps, those can also be used to decorate your family scrapbook or photo albums. Gift bags are also very useful and can used numerous times. Create a stockpile and re-use them, so you’ll never have to purchase any more.

When it comes to setting the birthday table, rather use a fabric tablecloth, as this will wash easily and can be used time and time again, for any event. Avoid using a white tablecloth as stains show more easily on these. A multi-coloured tablecloth can hide all manner of stains and is far more fun for kids.

These are just a few of our favourite tips for throwing an unforgettable but eco-friendly birthday party.

It’s simple to make your own compost at home, using your kitchen waste and other household trash. Composting is a wonderful way to recycle and you’ll save a pocketful on your gardening expenses!

There some guidelines to follow that enable you to make excellent compost at home. You will need green material, brown material and water. You’ll also need to ensure that you turn the compost on a regular basis, which lets the bacteria that break down the matter thrive.

Brown material can be made up of your old leaves and branches. Instead of packing them into plastic bags and taking them to your local dump, use them in your compost heap as they will serve as an excellent base. Paper can also be used as well as some packaging materials. EcoPack’s packaging solutions are compostable and this means that they are made of solid biodegradable materials that decay into a nutrient-rich, natural material under controlled conditions. Remember too, that the smaller you are able to chop your brown materials down into, the faster they are able to degrade.

Green material is generally made up of your kitchen waste, and this includes egg shells, vegetable peels, pieces of fruit and even tea bags.

Pick a shady spot in your garden, and bed down a layer of your branches and twigs. Then take your other materials and layer it on top, alternating between dry and wet material. Lastly, sprinkle some compost activator – available at your local gardening or hardware store – and water your compost heap for the first time. Be sure to turn your compost heap once a week and keep it damp but not soaking. Rainfall usually gives your compost heap all the water it needs. If it does get too dry, throw a bucket of water on it.

Making your own compost can be fun for the whole family. Getting the kids involved not only gets them involved in household chores but also teaches them a little more about the importance of caring for our environment.

We bet you probably have a pile of faulty CDs or DVDs that don’t work anymore or failed when you were burning data to them. Well, we’ve found a use for them! Set the CDs shiny side up and set small candles on them. Not only will this create a lovely ambience when entertaining but it’ll also stop wax from dripping onto your table. You can also use them to protect your carpet, by sliding old CDs under the feet of your furniture.

Using old wine bottles as vases or candle holders is common-place in the home. Had you thought about letting the kids paint them and decorate them, though? Let them have fun, and you can even string fairy lights into the bottles and make beautiful lamps.

Old clothes are another source of recyclable material. Cut up old t-shirts and use them as cloths for the kitchen, or you can even sew pieces of different clothing items together to make a unique and environmentally friendly outfit!

Your old toilet roll inners can be a source of entertainment too! Don’t buy expensive toys for the family hamster, just put a toilet roll into their cage and they can burrow and scratch to their heart’s content. Paint the cardboard tubes with the kids, and stick plastic eyes on them – they make great puppets!

Ignore your domestic desire for plastic ware and use old ice cream tubs. Not only are they durable but they can also be customized, painted and decorated to create unique and personal lunch boxes for the whole family.

Recycling what you would normally throw away needn’t be a chore. Have fun with the process and you’ll reap not only the economic benefit, but also rest assured that you’re making a positive contribution to the environment as a family.

Firstly, avoid using paper or plastic coffee cups. Take along your own mug or travel mug to your local coffee shop and they’ll gladly serve you your morning cup on the go, using your own crockery. If you can’t take your own cup, ask your local cafe to invest in biodegradable take away coffee cups, like the EcoCup that we at EcoPack are so proud of. Be conscious too when you’re grabbing a quick bite to eat, about the packaging used for your lunch. Biodegradable food packaging is preferred and easily recycled.

In this digital age, it’s easy and more convenient to save paper. Store your files digitally and backup regularly to an external source. This will enable you to easily search for an important document, without having to wade through a massive filing cabinet. You can also take this one step further and sign up for a fax to email service, which enables you to receive facsimiles straight to your email, thereby getting rid of that bulky fax machine and reducing your paper costs.

When you must print, try not to throw paper away. It’s easy to make a pile of paper that is printed on one side and take it home for the kids to draw or paint on. Alternatively, donate it to your nearest school – they always need paper for the kids to scribble on!

Video-conferencing and the advent of communicating over the internet means that you can easily cut down on your travel time, thereby saving not only money but petrol too. By moving to online conferencing and video chat mechanisms, you’ll find that it’s easier to meet clients and team members, without having to worry about travel time or costs eating into your day.

Lastly, air-conditioners are a blessing on hot days, both in the office and in the car. Be conscientious about using them though, as in the car they increase your petrol usage. In the office, avoid using the coldest setting. Let the air-conditioner warm up for a while before lowering the temperature, and your office will cool just as quickly.

Don’t let your environmentally conscious nature slip while you’re busy at work – these are just some of the easy ways we’ve found to make a difference while you’re making money.

As a business owner, one of your primary objectives is to increase revenue whilst saving on costs. An innovative way to reduce cost is to be environmentally conscious in the office. You’ll also be able to boast to your clients and consumers that you genuinely care about the world we live in, and everybody wants to do business with a conscientious person!

An easy way to do this is to institute a policy of recycling all your paper waste. Whenever possible, print on both sides of a sheet of paper, and try keep your printing a minimum. In this digital age, keeping a digital record of your important files enables you to save space, eliminate pesky filing cabinets and streamline your internal processes. It’s far easier to do a simple search on your computer than it is to wade through piles of files.

Using fluorescent bulbs in your office space will help to keep your electricity bill down. In the current financial environment, keeping your utility costs down will mean great savings for your company.

Take those bulky telephone directories and recycle them. Make use of the many telephone directories available online and you’ll find it’s easier to find a number this way, rather than wading through those big books. Don’t use paper diaries or calendars – take it all online and you’ll find it’s easier and more effective. Online diaries enable you to easily share your agenda for the day with colleagues and you’ll never have to answer that “so, are you busy today?” question ever again.

Everybody needs a business card but you don’t need to use paper or cardboard ones. Get creative and think of a useful object to have your details printed or stamped on. That way you’ll make a unique impression on a new client, and they’ll never forget your innovative ways.

Show the world that your company is unique, innovative and forward-thinking by going green in the office!

Once you have created a system in your home or office for recycling, it becomes an easy habit – and a healthy one too! It can be difficult to motivate your family or colleagues to get into the spirit of it though. So, here’s a little information for you to pass on, about why recycling is important.

The production of recycled paper uses eighty percent less water, sixty-five percent less energy and produces ninety-five percent less air pollution, in comparison to creating new paper. Think about it this way – for every metre stack of paper you recycle, you save a tree.

More than seventy percent of all the garbage in our landfills could be composted or landfilled. If we all recycled what we could, our landfills would last longer. There’d be less demand on space for them, and more space for beautiful trees.

Recycling glass helps to save energy. The energy saved by recycling one glass bottle is enough to power a 100 watt glass bulb for one hour.

By simply recycling, we can all take a positive step towards helping our environment and leading healthier lives.