Eco Manifesto: what are you leaving the next generation?

Chrissy Fuda

If you want to know who you are buying your products from, then it is hard to go past a family run eco store such as Eco Manifesto. Chrissy and Simon’s interest in natural products and sustainable living increased after their first child suffered from sensory and allergic sensitivities, including eczema. They found that they could manage their daughter’s condition by reducing the chemical load in their daily lives. This was the catalyst for starting Eco Manifesto, an online store that features everything you need to live a non-toxic and sustainable lifestyle at an affordable price. We caught up with Chrissy to find out a little bit about the ideals behind their company and her ideas on what each individual can do to reduce their environmental impact.


Gina: Part of your inspiration for Eco Manifesto was your daughter’s sensitivities, but you seem to have gone much further than that by providing a real focus on environmental living; what else inspired you?

Chrissy: In my late 20’s I started to question what seemed to be our reliance on materialistic objects as a measure of our success, security and even happiness. I became interested in living more simply and this naturally progressed to living more sustainably. A book that stood out for me was “Affluenza” by Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss. This book said a lot about what I’d been thinking for some time about our unsustainable lifestyles and the impact it has on our health and the environment. Watching Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” also validated what I’d been thinking for years. My children’s future is my biggest inspiration – in what state will we leave the environment for future generations? I fear that our generation may be remembered for not acting when it could have. We have the opportunity to act now, and that is also my inspiration.

I’m certainly learning all the time and this has motivated me to not only make changes to my lifestyle and be more comfortable in the ethical choices I make (these can be different for everyone – and that’s ok!) but also to be pro-actively involved in showing that anyone can make a difference by just making some small changes! Just getting people to question their actions on how they can live and shop more sustainably is a great start. As consumers start making more ethical choices, they increase their purchasing power to make businesses take on more ethical practices and really make a positive impact to the environment – and that is inspiring!


Your Eco Manifesto online store offers everything from organic toys, beeswax candles, cleaning and personal care products to clothing and pet and gardening supplies, is your aim to be a one stop green shop so to speak?

Our aim is to provide everyday products that are better choices for consumers and the environment. Whether that remains as a broad range of eco-friendly products or evolves into a more specific product range will depend on our customers needs. We also want to attract “mainstream” consumers who may not be “sustainable living” converts yet!!! I feel that all the information we receive about “ethical living” (ie non-toxic products, ethical shopping, greenhouse emissions, fair trade, composting, solar power and water saving options) – just to name a few!!! – is making it more complex and time consuming for consumers who may already be time-poor. I think changing the “convenience” habit we have developed is very difficult – we tend to opt for the less time consuming option in our already busy lifestyles and don’t take the time to research this information when buying a particular product.

So, as well as providing eco-friendly products, we try to provide simple, but relevant information to encourage people to take the time to think about the impact their purchases have on their health and the environment.

It can be difficult for consumers to see that some simple practical, affordable, everyday steps CAN make a difference to the environment. Spending thousands of dollars installing solar panels is great, but not an affordable option for everybody. We want our customers to see that going “green” does not have to be expensive or difficult. We want to raise the profile of eco-friendly everyday items with information on how their small changes make a difference to the environment.


There are so many eco-friendly, natural and organic products coming onto the market now, how to you choose the products you are going to stock at Eco Manifesto (and which products you are not going to stock)?

Primarily we try to stock Australian made products that are also manufactured ethically. We look at affordable and quality eco-friendly alternatives for everyday living. Being a small business we generally try the products ourselves to sample the quality. We don’t want to become just a huge one-stop shop, we want to retain the personal connection with our customers and to help people become more informed regarding their product choices.

It has been a struggle at times, because being a mum with a young family; I know how difficult it can be trying to spend your money wisely, and wanting to do your bit for the environment!

We want to get people interested in and personally care about their impact on the environment. We want to make it convenient for consumers by providing products that are healthier alternatives to the toxic-chemical options. We are always keen to listen and encourage suggestions from people about what they want - whether it’s a particular product or just information.


What are your three favourite items currently in store at Eco Manifesto, and why?

Uniquely Organic shampoos & conditioners – they smell fantastic, the whole family can use them, they are chemical free and offer great value for money.

Ecosilk bags – I love that they are practical, last for ages and have great colours! They are really convenient as they are so compact. I leave a few in the car and a few in my handbag, so they are always handy when I shop.


Our range of natural soaps – we have some new soaps that are truly divine! You can really feel and smell the difference of these natural soaps (the only problem is the temptation to stay in the shower longer :-))


If people are just getting started on converting to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, what would you recommend they start with and why?

Start gradually with things that you can do in your everyday routine. These small changes will hardly be noticed, yet make a huge difference! Here are a few ideas to get started:

- ask yourself if something can be used again before you throw it away!
- replace chemical cleaning products and skincare with natural alternatives as they run out
- take “reusable” shopping bags whenever you can
- before buying, ask questions like “Where’s it from? What’s it made of? Do I REALLY need this?”
- when buying a gift for someone, look at eco-friendly options
- try walking or cycling somewhere instead of driving, even just once a week!
- have a shorter shower
- donate old magazines to hospitals and waiting rooms
- take your old clothes to charity shops
- turn the heater down just 1°C and put a jumper on instead


The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?

I would have to say, it would be waking up on a warm sunny day on an Australian tropical island - knowing there are no routines, no cooking, no cleaning…just fun stuff with my family all day!


Check out www.ecomanifesto.com.au for more information and to shop online.