KEY POINTS:
What are you doing personally to make a difference?
I have recently launched the Trelise Cooper Eco Bag with Progressive Enterprises and each bag sold reduces the number of plastic bags used by 100. By creating a bag that is fashionable as well as functional, more people will be motivated to use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic. At home I recycle all paper, bottles and plastic. I have designed an organic cotton babywear range and produced a range of cashmere garments for adults and children, which come from organic Mongolian cashmere.
What more could you do?
We are prototyping reusable bags for our retail stores, to be in store by the end of the year. We have been using a lot less packaging in our freight and are looking this week at further ways of reducing the use of plastic in the packaging and smaller boxes.
What is your biggest environmental sin?
I fly a lot for business, so have committed to donate, each time I buy flight, to the Air NZ Environmental Charitable Trust, which supports projects that enhance New Zealand's clean, green reputation around the world. Their first project is native reforestation in Hawkes Bay.
Global Warming - Man or Nature?
Man. Carbon footprint, global warming, clean, green. These terms can feel like an overwhelming problem that is too big to affect. I believe we can all contribute to the turnaround by the small things we do every day. Utilising reusable shopping bags, recycling in our homes and at work, turning off the lights and walking sometimes instead of driving the car. Sustainability is an ongoing journey.
