Glowing Sky is a clothing retail business that started life on Stewart Island, where resources are precious and in limited supply. This means that minimising waste, using eco-friendly products and being efficient with their resources comes naturally and has been an integral part of their business. 

Some of the practices that Glowing Sky undertakes in their everyday operations include:

-                Reusing printer paper on both sides to conserve resources and reduce waste

-                Recycling any recyclable materials, such as plastic bottles, glass, cardboard, paper and cans

-                Heating their shop using heaters that are designed to be energy efficient and run on thermostats, and ensuring that the ceiling is well insulated to retain the heat

-                Recycled materials have been used within the building interior

-                In the Summer, doors and ceiling vents are used for cooling, rather than air conditioning

-                Environmentally friendly, water-based fabric dyes are used to reduce water pollution and harmful substances in the environment 

-                The business operates under a general philosophy of being resource efficient.

Glowing Sky have been part of Environment Southland’s Quick Steps business sustainability pilot programme. Director, Dil Bellworthy, says that he was surprised at the lack of recycling facilities for businesses when he first opened the shop in Invercargill. However, since taking part in the First Steps programme, he has realised that there are options for business recycling in Invercargill, which the business can now tap into.

For information on the Quick Steps programme, contact Environment Southland, ph. 0800 76 88 45.

Thanks to WasteNet Southland and Southland Community Wastebusters Trust for providing this information.