How we living? Being "Green" means being healthy - Pt. 1 Green Business Feature
- Ariana Marshall
- Feb 11, 2016
- 5 min read
All featured certified green businesses are based in Barbados. Each business represents a Better Caribbean culturally relevant example of what it means to be -
IBIS Wellness Inc. (also known as IBIS Bath and Body)
Personal Care and Cosmetics
Photo caption - IBIS Wellness soaps packaged in sustainable and biodegradable paper.
Photo credit - IBIS Bath and Body
IBIS Wellness Inc.
Before completing their green business certification, IBIS Wellness (formerly known as IBIS Bath and Body) was a;ready on the cutting edge of wellness product development. This business uses sustainable packaging for their products. This business conducts product experiments with using abundant local plants (in the sea and on the land). The business owner practices permaculture in order to grow some of the plants used in her products. You can find her at almost any fair or event with a sustainable slant.
Facebook Page - click here.
The Good Life Restaurant and Lounge (Eco-Cafe)
Food and Art
Photo caption - Organic Cotton and Bamboo Shirts, LED Track ligting and the "Satisfy My Soul" Hemp Shake
The Good Life Restaurant and Lounge (Eco-Cafe)
Have you heard about how much more water is required to yield a pound of beef versus a pound of plants? Maybe you’ve heard that eating vegan is better for your health and all that jazz. The good news is that although all of that is true, you don’t have to be a strict vegan to make the choice to eat vegan food every now and then. You can reduce your environmental footprint, give your digestive system a break and support a business reducing their impact locally as well.
Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/thegoodlifebarbados
Light Body Wholistic Clinic (formerly known as Organic Earth Juice Bar)
Food and Health
Photo caption - Healthy Chocolates (Tumeric/Spirulina); Compost Bins and Sunbox of 1 week live food package.
Light Body Wholistic Clinic
This business has providing holistic care, products and raw/live food for 9 years. This business owner offers diagnosis through iridology, provides internal cleanse plans, products and herbal medicine for just about any ailment. For both her cleanse clients and anyone else, she provides food which is colorful, full of life and energizing…also known as live food. She creates healthier options for many typical Caribbean dishes – Sun Souse with mushrooms and coconut jelly, Cou-Cou and Black (great/fruit) cake.
Facebook Page - click here.
Lion's Share Cafe
Food
Photo caption - Reclaimed wood seating and flooring; Kale and lettuce grown on site and produce baskets for meal preparation.
Lion's Share Cafe
This business has developed a self-sufficient operation which is solar powered and off-grid.By converting an old food truck, this business strives to be sustainable by growing greens including Kale, Moringa, Basil and Rocket lettuce on site, using mulch and gravel for landscaping and creating their own flooring from reclaimed mahogany wood. All of this is done while serving alkaline vegetarian and healthier fish options.
Facebook Page - click here.
Mocha Hair Designs
Personal Care and Health
Photo caption - Business cards printed with soy-based ink; Use of low VOC paint and use of indoor plants inside salon.
Mocha Hair Designs
This business has developed their brand to appeal to both the health conscious naturalistas and anyone who just needs some extra care for their locks. This business' owner educates all of her clients about the key role of nutrition, water intake and healthy relationships for their natural hair care regiment. This business also composts everything they can and networks with business cards printed with soy-based ink.
Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/mochaharidesigns
Naniki/Lush Life Resort
Entertainment and Food
Photo caption - Naniki/Lush Life Resort Accommodation with solar water heaters; Naniki Jazz Festival poster and Naniki restaurant view
Photo credit - Naniki/Lush Life TripAdvisor
Naniki/Lush Life Resort
This restaurant and accommodation site, sits in an ecological haven in the “country-side” of St. Joseph, Barbados. They have hosted international jazz events, nature walks and educational events aside from the provision of their food/accommodation services. By location this is a green business, in the greenest and most lush part of the island. However, they minimize their waste, water consumption and energy use wherever possible.
Website - www.lushlife.bb
Orgnic Growers and Consumers Association
Food and Health
Photo Caption - Baobab seedlings; Variety of Kale and Chard and Dandelion/Italian Chicory
Photo Credit - OGCA and Sheila Hope-Harewood
Organic Growers and Consumers Association
The Organic Growers and Consumers Association has recently partnered with the UNDP to have 5 of their members trained as organic inspectors under international standards. These standards require farms to submit at least 3 years of records which include evidence of committing to water conservation, waste reduction and reduced pollution practices. Farms certified as organic have not applied pesticides or synthetic fertilizers to their soil or crops.
Facebook Page - click here.
Quimby’s Youth Explosion Band
Cultural Industry and Education
Photo Caption: Chick V, Crab, Fish and Flamingo Costumes from "Mystical Mangrove" theme.
Quimby's Youth Explosion Band
This youth Crop Over band has reinforced environmental awareness and practices through the theme of their band and educational sessions held each year before Kiddies Kadooment. Their 2015 “Mystical Mangrove” presentation won 1st Place in the Environmental Category, 2nd Place in the Topical Category, 3rd Place Best Junior Band and their Chick-V mosquito costume won 3rd place in the couples costume category!
Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/QuimbysExplosion
Shorelinez (also known as Shorelinez and Stuffers)
Food
Photo caption - Shorelinez business location; Water Tanks Used and Logo
Photo credit - Shorelinez
Shorelinez
This business adheres to local and international sustainable seafood practices in addition to being certified as a green business in June 2015. Shorelinez also captures rain water, has installed a solar p/v system and recycles wherever possible.
Website - www.shorelinez.com
Studio Blue Architects
Design and Construction
Photo caption - Design work for Bajan Blue Project; The Eco House and Interior design work of certified green business (Lynch Insurance Brokers)
Photo credit - Studio Blue Architects
Studio Blue Architects
This business was one of the pioneers of the Green Business Barbados program before the re-launch in 2014. As architects focused on improving our health and well-being through their designs, this is another inherently green business based on the expertise they provide. Their designs create more naturally lit interior spaces and exterior green spaces designed to optimize space and reduce resource use. Recently, they helped one of their clients save 38 trees and $1.2 Million BDS as a result. Their work exemplifies the value of considering our triple bottom line.
Website - www.studiobluearchitects.com
Each of these businesses has achieved more than what was mentioned in this article. However I know that most people will not read super-long articles (yes I know I'm pushing it with the word count of this article). Consider this a snapshot of all of the good, green and sustainable work happening in Barbados. See below for more information on how you can learn more about each business.
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For further information on the Green Business Barbados Program which has certified these businesses and the achievements of each business - please contact The Future Centre Trust.
Websites - www.greenbusinessbarbados.com and www.futurecentretrust.org
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Why I am writing this? I am an environmental scientist by training and a solution artist in practice. By trade, my currency is facilitating active learning in anyway possible.....
~ Ariana Marshall Ph.D.
Better Caribbean Program Director
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