Summer is over and the children are back to school. Here are some of our favorite sustainable gifts any child would be happy to receive.
But before we dive in, let’s highlight how to identify a sustainable gift.
The popular metrics are;
1- What is the gift made of?
Biodegradable materials or products that have no carbon footprint are considered eco friendly.
2- Who made the gift?
Does the brand implement sustainability within its entire business? In other words, brands who genuinely care about sustainability and enforce it throughout their business falls under this category. E.g GIVOAfrica, PreciousPlastic, Ecobarter, Ecobiz just to mention a few.
Now over to our favorite for sustainable gifts for your teen;
GIVO Africa and Arteri Africa are pleased to announce a new partnership to provide increased access to health insurance services for GIVO users in the waste management and recycling sector.
This partnership lies at the intersection of health and the environment, to reward GIVO users with access to health insurance and encourage sustainable recycling across communities in Africa.
In this recent move, by partnering with healthcare financing company, Arteri, GIVO now allows its users to subscribe to health insurance on its platform (web and mobile app) using the alternative mode of payment that is; waste for health. In previous times, when users deposit their recyclables with GIVO, they are awarded points for every kilogram of recyclables deposited. These points are recorded on the GIVO platform and users can redeem the points at any time by converting to cash. With this new partnership, users are now able to convert the points to health insurance.
Commenting on the new feature, the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of GIVO, Victor Boyle Komolafe, mentioned that, “This partnership is the next step to promote recycling and encourage sustainable waste management among households and is integral to GIVO’s mission to make recycling convenient, sustainable and rewarding for everyone. Providing access to affordable health insurance is yet another value-added benefit that our users can enjoy as a reward for depositing their recyclables with us and contributing to a waste-free environment for all.”
Also speaking on the partnership, the Co-Founder and Chief Health Officer of Arteri, Daniel Irowa-Omoregie stated, “This partnership is in line with our promise of an Africa where everyone has access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. As we all know, the demographic of our population most susceptible to catastrophic health spending, does not have access to health insurance, and part of our mission is to increase the usage of health insurance in Nigeria and across Africa. Partnering with the foremost recycling and waste management company to launch this is a good step forward for our ecosystem.”
GIVO Africa is a circular economy company, leveraging the use of technology to collect, process and upcycle plastic waste into valuable goods. Our vision is to be the leading enabler of circular economies in Africa, through tech-enabled upcycling solutions. To date, GIVO has processed over 20 tons of recyclables and produced over 40,000 units of consumer and industrial goods. To learn more, kindly visit: www.givo.africa
Arteri is a healthcare financing company that is making it easier for Nigerians to pay for their healthcare needs and out-of-pocket costs without hassles and delay. Arteri through their website (www.arteri.africa) offers zero to single digit lines of credit to individuals and healthcare SMEs. Arteri has been built to help you find the most suitable health coverage plan, simplify the technical details, and do all the paperwork for you. We will also support you in ensuring that you can pay for your health coverage without any stress or financial risk.
Easter is just around the corner. Yay. And while it’s a time to, first of all, celebrate the reason for the season, it’s also a time to show love to those closest to us. This usually involves gift-giving, pot lucks (read: love feast), and family or friend hangouts.
Studies have shown that the holiday season is one of the highest times of waste generation, as there is larger consumption of goods and impulse buying. In fact, as much as a 30% increase in waste is produced during these times.
As a person practicing sustainability, how can you purchase thoughtful gift items and celebrate the season, while still staying true to your eco-friendly lifestyle? We’re here to help!
Here are a few things you can do as a sustainable gift-giver
1. Purchase thoughtful gifts: The number one rule of law when practicing sustainability is intentional purchases. You should make sure that the gift you’re buying is one the recipient would like and actually use, thereby reducing the risk that they stuff it at the back of their closet, or even worse, throw it away.
2. Invest in experiences: What’s one thing your gift recipient would like to do? Something they can’t stop talking about? This could be a visit to a new spa, a movie date, a hiking experience, or even a dance class? Instead of buying yet another gift that they probably already have, why not purchase an experience instead? Sign them up for that class or massage. We promise they’ll thank you for it.
3. Reduce the clutter: As eco-friendly individuals, one of our biggest pet peeves when shopping is the amount of wrapping that comes with a new product. Do we really need all of that paper and foam and nylon? When purchasing a gift, ask for less gift wrapping if possible, or better yet, buy from a store that has incorporated sustainable packaging into its processes.
And here’s what not to do
4. Don’t buy the same gift twice: We sometimes do, out of a lack of gift ideas. You bought them a white mug last year, so how about a blue one this year, to add to their collection? Don’t do it. They probably don’t want it and you’ll be contributing to more waste.
Wondering what gift items to get? Here are a few ideas from us
Transitioning to an environment-friendly lifestyle can seem daunting and a lot of people ask; Where do I start from?
Does this mean I have to overhaul everything that I currently have?
The answer is no.
To be consistent, it’s best to start with small steps and we’ll be sharing sustainable, eco-friendly swaps you can make for items in your home. Are you ready? Let’s do it!
Kitchen
Washcloths for paper towels
Kitchen paper towels can be classified as single-use products and are a big contributor to household waste. When disposed of in landfills, paper towels break down and generate toxic gases. In addition, they are not recyclable because they are made from fibers that are too small to be useful during the recycling process.
By replacing paper towels with washcloths, you are reducing the negative effects on the environment and also saving costs as washcloths can be reused multiple times.
Water dispenser for bottled water
Buying water is among the highest household grocery costs, especially in Nigeria, where portable tap water is considered unsafe for drinking. By switching to using a water dispenser you are saving costs over the long term while also contributing to a safer and cleaner environment rid of plastic waste.
Other sustainable swaps you can make include:
To-go coffee cups or water bottles instead of disposable cups
Reusable tote shopping bags instead of single-use plastic bags
Wooden/iron cutlery instead of disposable cutlery
Bathroom
Recyclable packaging for single-use packaging
This could include switching to a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush, instead of a plastic toothbrush. Or purchasing bathroom essentials (such as deodorants, shampoos, soaps, conditioners, etc) that are made with recyclable packaging (paper or aluminum)
In addition, some brands offer refills for certain products such as shampoos or skincare. As such, you don’t need to dispose of the original containers, you can just top up with additional product.
Why do sustainable, eco-friendly swaps matter?
By developing the habit of making eco-friendly swaps for items in your home, you are creating a shift in mindset that helps you evaluate what you buy, and bring into your home and the effect of this on the environment.
The end result of this is a waste-free environment and improved quality of life.
What other eco-friendly swaps can you make in your home?
If you’ve been on social media lately, you will have come across a few buzzwords on the timeline especially in the environmental and recycling sectors and you’re probably wondering what they mean?
The key to any lasting change is first of all, understanding and in a adopting a sustainable lifestyle, it’s important that we explore the most commonly used terms and how they affect us:
1. Sustainability
In a nutshell, sustainability means meeting your present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Sustainability presumes that resources are finite, and should be used conservatively and wisely with a focus on the long-term and consequences of the ways we use these resources. We can practice sustainability in our everyday lives by purchasing products with recyclable packaging or switching to reusable products because we know that for example, manufacturing single use plastics causes environmental pollution.
2. Eco-friendly
Eco-friendly is an abbreviated term for environment-friendly which means favorable to the environment. Being eco-friendly could include choosing to walk or ride a bicycle to close destinations to reduce fossil fuel emissions from cars or switching to solar energy to reduce heavy reliance on generators and its toxic carbon emissions.
Eco-friendly household items
3. Recycling
Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling is a key aspect of sustainability because it reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, conserves natural resources and prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials.
One way you could practice recycling is by depositing your plastic bottles and cans with GIVO where we process these materials into new goods. And the best part is that, with GIVO you get paid when you deposit your plastics!
4. Upcycling
This is the process of transforming waste or old materials into new products perceived to be of greater quality (such as artistic value or environmental value) than the original materials. An example could be converting old jeans into a bag or book cover, or used up candle jars into flower vases.
Upcycling of old tyres into furniture
5. Recyclables
Recyclables simply means material or objects that can be reused, reprocessed, remanufactured, reclaimed, or recycled. This term covers a wide range of materials such as glass, paper, cardboard, metal, plastic, tires, textiles, batteries, and electronics etc.
Recyclable materials
6. Circular economy
The circular economy is a model which involves the sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling of existing materials and products as long as possible. Goods are manufactured and used by individuals. However, instead of throwing away these goods after use, we can reuse it, or give it to someone else or recycle it into a new product, thereby continuing that cycle of use.
Within a circular economy, goods are only discarded when there is no more possible use for that product. A way to incorporate circularity into your lifestyle is by finding new uses for old items in your home or by dropping off your recyclable materials for recycling.
So there you have it! When next you are on the TL and you come across these words, you now know what they mean and how you can apply it to live a healthier, fuller and more sustainable life.
The fun doesn’t end here. Join the party on our social media pages!
Every year, Louis Vuitton throws away thousands of its unsold merchandise not because there’s anything wrong with the products, but because it needs to keep its image as a luxury brand.
I’m sure like me, you’re probably thinking. What? Why doesn’t the company just sell the items at a discount or better yet, donate it to charity?
This is because exclusivity is the lifeline of the brand and owning a Louis Vuitton item is seen as a high status symbol. Thus, the company would rather operate at a loss than reduce its perceived brand value by selling at a discount.
And at its core, this is the underlying premise for the wear it once culture.
Wear It Once culture is how we describe the effect of only wearing an outfit once before either getting rid of it, stuffing it to the back of your wardrobe or giving it away.
You can see it everywhere, on social media and news websites, with headlines screaming about the fact that a public figure has worn a clothing item or accessory more than once.
Never mind that this practice should be the exception not the norm, it has filtered its way into our everyday habits, with us creating mental calendars of when last a clothing item was worn and when next, it would be considered acceptable to wear it again.
According to a study conducted in the United Kingdom with 1000 participants; 12% of respondents indicated that they only wear an outfit once, the major reason because they don’t want people to see it twice on social media; 10% said their reason is to avoid judgment from their friends and come across as fashionable; while a surprising 27% of respondents said that they judge others who repeat outfits.
This is a global phenomenon that we can all relate to but one thing that we haven’t stopped to consider is the impact of this on the environment. The wear it once culture isn’t only harming us socially by breeding an ever increasing inferiority complex and social divide among individuals, it is also contributing to our waste problem.
According to a MacArthur Foundation study, the fashion industry produces 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 each year globally, consuming 93 billion metric tons of clean water. Less than 1% of clothing is recycled to make new clothes, with 53 million metric tons of discarded clothing incinerated or disposed of in landfills each year.
This is big.
But what can we do to minimize the negative impact of the ‘wear it once culture’ on us and the environment?
The first is to embrace sustainability. We can achieve this by purchasing from brands with ethical practices and those who have incorporated environment-friendly processes in their packaging, design and production. When in doubt, the more natural and recyclable, the better.
The second is to buy what you need. An overflowing closet is never a true sense of worth and by buying only what you need, you ensure that the items in your closet are ones that you really like, look great on you and make you feel confident while reducing clutter.
The third is to choose quality over quantity and invest in higher-quality clothing items.
The fourth is to take better care of your clothing: wash items less often and according to manufacturer specifications and repair them so they last longer.
The last tip is to buy secondhand or vintage instead of a new outfit every time and instead of throwing away a good outfit, pass the clothing on to someone who will wear it, or to a thrift shop.
The journey to a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle is filled with many little steps and we can commit to a positive action today.
You’ve deposited your recyclables with GIVO and can see your points when you login into your account. What next?
At GIVO Africa, we are not only providing convenient waste management and upcycling solutions, but we are also ensuring that you are rewarded for it.
Follow these easy steps when redeeming your points on the GIVO depositor app:
Download and sign up on the Paga app. When signing up on the PAGA app, you will be asked your name, phone number, email address, home address, and would also need to create a username.
Note: Make sure the phone number you used in registering is accessible because you will be sent an OTP to complete the process.
Paga app login page
Log in. After successfully registering on the PAGA app, the next thing you should do is log in on the GIVO web app using the link (https://bit.ly/3APacCz) and it should bring you to this homepage.
After that is done, click on redeem point right under the homepage, type in the amount you want to withdraw and you will immediately receive an SMS of how much you have been credited.
Now you need to go to the Paga app, click on send money, choose your account number and viola, you’ve been credited directly to your bank account.
For more enquiries, kindly send us a DM on our social media pages or send an email to enquiries@mygivo.com
Asides saving the earth, one of the major problems GIVO Africa is trying to solve is the high unemployment rate among women and youth in Nigeria. We are providing more job opportunities and creating wealth for communities through our modular recycling centers.
Looking for a way to earn, while still contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment within your community? Then this is for you.
Here are three easy steps to follow to start depositing with GIVO Africa:
STEP 1: The first thing you would want to do is to sign up on the GIVO depositor app. We’ve created a detailed guide for you here.
STEP 2: Our registered GIVO collectors will come on scheduled days to pick up your recyclables. The quantity of recyclables you deposit is automatically logged on your account and you get to see how much you are depositing on your GIVO depositor app.
STEP 3: Get paid. Once you deposit your recyclables, you are automatically given points on your account. You can convert these points to cash at any time via your depositor app.
For further enquiries, kindly send us a dm on any of our social media pages or visit our website (www.givo.africa)
Have you been searching for an easy and convenient way to dispose of your recyclables? Well, GIVO Africa has got you.
Our GIVO collection centers are now in your neighborhood ( Maryland, Lagos and Wuse 2, Abuja) to collect and upcycle your recyclable materials into useful products.
Now, you have your recyclables and are ready to deposit. What next?
The next step is to create an account on the GIVO web app.
The GIVO web app helps you to conveniently deposit your recyclables, right from the comfort of your mobile phone and the process has been streamlined to three simple steps;
1. Register with GIVO Collectors
Firstly you have to register as a depositor with our recognized GIVO collectors. This can be done by placing a call to the contact on our website or by clicking on this link. Instantly you will receive an email or SMS from GIVO. Follow the link provided in the email or SMS sent to continue with your account opening process.
1. Create an account
At this point you can either decide to either sign up with your phone number or your email address
Note that when signing up with your email address, you will need to fill in your email address, input a username and create a password then click on next to receive an OTP likewise when signing up with your phone number. So make sure you have all this information at this stage.
3. Log in
Once that is done, you will receive a notification that your registration is successfull.You will then be directed to the login page. All you need to do at this point is to input the same username and password you inputted when you were creating your account and viola! You now have your depositor account.
The GIVO web app is very easy to use, allows you to monitor your deposit and points, and amongst all redeem your incentives either as cash or shopping vouchers.
That is all there is to it. Pretty simple right?
Once you’ve successfully registered, you should see an homepage like this:
Contact us via our social media pages or via the contact details on our website for more enquiries.
