Conscious consumers, beware: green energy isn’t as straightforward as you think

Think you know an energy provider who delivers 100% renewable power to its customers? Think again.  From the clothes we wear to the food we eat, much of what we consume we take for granted. Part of that is because, as consumers, we only ever see the final product, and electricity – the thing that … Read more

Why industrial anaerobic digestion is not the answer to food waste

New Zealand’s first commercial bioenergy facility has been lauded as a sustainable way to deal with the nation’s food waste. It’s anything but, says community composter Kate Walmsley. A couple of weeks ago, it was announced that construction was starting on Aotearoa’s first commercial bioenergy facility, owned by Ecogas.  Many people might see this as … Read more

‘Natural’, ‘sustainable’, ‘Made in New Zealand’: How greenwashing became big business

Companies in New Zealand make a lot of claims about their environmental values and support of local communities – but is it all a greenwashed dream? Jenny Keown lifts the lid on ethical consumerism. Picture this: you’re a mum rushing through the supermarket, wailing child in tow, headache forming and needing to make a split … Read more