Going Green: Seed & Sprout

How a lunchbox inspired this Byron Bay company to develop eco-friendly, reusable products.

With a growing awareness of both waste and recycling issues around Australia (and the world), more people are searching for options that allow us to "reduce and reuse". But, with so many everyday items designed to be disposed of quickly, where do you find alternatives? That's a question Seed & Sprout is passionate about answering.

The company offers a range of plastic-free eco products, primarily for the kitchen and home – with other options also in the works. Alongside these sustainable products, Seed & Sprout has nurtured an online community of like-minded people who want to make greener decisions.

With our curiosity piqued, we chatted to operations manager Saci Campbell to learn more about the origins of the company and her journey with it.

Seed & Sprout operations manager Saci Campbell. Image: Seed & Sprout

What does your company do and how is it green?

We make eco products to reduce the amount of single-use plastics in the home. So it all started when Sophie, who is the founder of Seed & Sprout, was trying to find a plastic-free lunch box that met her needs and would work for her son. No products fit the bill and so – being the entrepreneur that she is – she decided to create one.

It's grown from there into drink bottles, kitchenware, food storage. Now we're going into bathroom and beauty products, which is really exciting because, I don't know about you, but there are a lot of plastics in my bathroom.

Our aim is to create easy-to-use products so that anyone can make a switch.

We are also really thorough with all our manufacturers to make sure we're getting the right certification and [are offering] products that will last a lifetime.

We also try to educate customers to consume less and, when they do need to buy something, to consume products that last a lifetime so that we create less waste. [Sophie has] really opened up her entire life on social media and has created a beautiful community.

What inspires you and your business to be green?

Sophie and I were actually high school best friends and we were lucky enough to be brought up in the Byron Shire, so a natural awareness of the environment was really important [to us] growing up.

As we went travelling into the world and to other cities, it really highlighted [to us] that something needs to be done to support the planet.

Saci Campbell (right) with Seed & Sprout founder Sophie Kovic (left). Image: Seed & Sprout

We are both big believers that politicians and people in government aren't going to be the ones that make a change.

The power is in where people spend their money. So we really want to empower everyday people to make a change.

It's so easy to put the blame on bigger corporations – to get overwhelmed, give up, put your head in the sand and continue to consume the way you always have – and that's okay, that's human.

But if we can inspire small steps, those things can accumulate over time, and once you start, it's really hard to go back. Unless you feel shame, and we really try to make sure that no one feels shame.

We're trying to bring it back to individuals so that people feel like they can make a difference through the purchases they make every day.

It's about celebrating the little things you're doing and remembering that we're all on a different journey. Some people go plastic-free, some people decide not to consume meat – if we're all doing something, that's what's important.

Why is being green personally important to you?

We only have one planet and the rate [at which] we're consuming means that resources are going to run out sooner than we can comprehend. So it's important to me to leave the planet in a state of hope rather than despair – and individuals have power.

What's important for us with Seed & Sprout is to lead by example, creating hope rather than doom and gloom. Small steps create little habits and habits are where change comes from.

And could you describe one small step people could take towards being greener?

I struggle with this question because there are a few things people can do. I think the single biggest impact an individual can have is becoming vegan, but that can be a massive leap.

So I would say to start slow with small, manageable steps. If that means cutting down on a little meat each day, you could do that.

The other thing is to invest in reusables and remember [to use] them. The biggest tip I have is to keep two of everything and have one in each place that you're likely to use it. That might mean keeping reusable bags by the door and in the car, or having a reusable coffee cup at home and in the office.

What is one resource that you think people should read/watch/consume to understand more about sustainability and going green?

I'm really inspired by the documentary 2040 by Damon Gameau. I watched it with the team and it's so inspiring. It's a really feel-good film and it shows that there are already things that we're doing [to help the planet], and if we as a population adopted these things, we could reverse some of the impact [that we've already had].

I also really love Before The Flood with Leonardo DiCaprio, because it's Leo and it's very scientific. It does have moments of Hollywood doom and gloom but [Leo] does leave you with some great, easy tips you can use to help leave the planet better off.

Going Green is an interview series that sheds light on companies, organisations and initiatives that have a focus on sustainability and ethics. We ask a representative from each company the same five questions so you can get a snapshot of the work they are doing to help protect the planet.

Want more info and tips for making greener choices? Check out the Finder Green homepage.

Image credits: Getty Images, Supplied (Seed & Sprout)