THE SWAG BLOG

Pesto is one of the easiest (and tastiest!) sauces to make, and as basil is in season (and our garden in providing a plentiful yield) we thought it no better time to share our simple, vegan pesto recipe (which, if we’re honest, we’ve NAILED).

Earlier this month it was #InternationalCoffeeDay and as one of the world’s most-loved beverages, with an estimated 3 billion cups enjoyed every day, we thought it no steamer time to look at the impact our daily cup o' jo has on the planet and those living on it.

Have you ever researched what impact you as a consumer has on the world and our food supply chains?

Written by Chloe & Jess @health_performance_collective The shift towards more sustainable food shopping and storage practices has been steadily gaining momentum, especially in the last few years following reports that food is the largest single source of waste in the U.S*, and global data revealing**:🍐 Approx. 1 billion tonnes of food produced for human consumption is wasted each year.  🍐 This wastage costs the global economy around US$940 billion each year 🍐 And consumes nearly a quarter of all the water used in agricultureBut while it feels great to do our bit for the environment, did you know that the way we store food could also have a potential impact on the nutrients...

Here at The Swag, we’re all about natural living, zero waste and taking care of the environment. One fantastic way to do this is to use a compost bin, which is an enclosed version of a compost heap or compost pile, in your home or business. There are numerous benefits of starting your own compost bin including sending less waste to landfill, reducing pollution and promoting the growth of fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants and trees. Below we have compiled a list of tips and tricks, so you can quickly and easily start your very own compost pile today:  Build or Buy...

With single Australians spending an average of $300 per week on food and takeaways, a little attention to your food budget can lead to huge savings.

This post has been contributed by Tammy Logan of Gippsland Unwrapped.  Based in Gippsland, Tammy combines 20 years of qualifications and work experience in conservation biology, natural resource management, science communication and community engagement with her dairy farming roots to deliver practical sustainable living solutions. The plastic free and zero waste movements have become very popular! And rightly so, I’ve found the benefits to be far reaching both environmentally and personally. As the primary meal planner, shopper and cook in our household, I have noticed five significant ways that reducing food packaging has led to reduced food waste. Buying plastic free food means I can...

Over 5 million tonnes of food waste ends up in landfill every year, at a cost of $20 billion to the Australian economy. Zero waste cooking is not only great for the environment, but it can also save you a huge amount of money.

There is nothing quite like warm summer days and fresh fruit cobbler to make everything in the world seem just right. Winter works too, snuggled under the covers on the couch with a generous helping! But how do you make an American classic without the starchy, sugary unhealthy ingredients? Enjoy on a patio with a nice glass of red wine or your favorite evening brew. Serves 4-5. Ingredients: Blueberry filling 3 x cups of cleaned blueberries 3 x tablespoons pure maple syrup 1 ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract 2 x teaspoons of corn or tapioca starch ½ teaspoon of cinnamon...

It's everywhere right? So why should we hate plastic so much?   1. The Great Pacific "Garbage Patch" Discarded cheap plastic 'stuff' has contributed to the creation of a million-square-mile garbage vortex in the Pacific Ocean called the 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch'. Some estimates say this plastic pollution as big as 5,000,000 square miles, 8% of the Pacific Ocean’s surface. Carried by the currents. Slowly breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces, washing up by the ton on nearby islands. The fish and marine life are eating these particles and this toxic waste is moving it's way up the food...

In Australia, more than 5 million tonnes of food ends up in landfills every year, which is why we created The Swag range of reusable, plastic free, fully compostable, vegetable storage bags. There are lots of great ways to reduce your food wastage using our Swag bags. Here are three strategies that are simple and easy to use at home. 1. Only buy what you need If you plan your meals a week ahead, you will reduce food waste as you won't need to buy food that ends up in the bin, because it was unused, expired or became inedible. A good...

During the Aussie summer, storing fruit and veggies isn’t always easy, as they can deteriorate very quickly in the heat and humidity. The solution is to use The Swag fruit & vegetable bags, which are ideal for keeping your produce healthy and fresher for longer in the crisper of the fridge or pantry. Let’s take a look at some of these options. Using The Swag fruit & vegetable bags in the fridge Made from  multi-layers of 100% biodegradable, unseeded and unbleached cotton, The Swag bags are perfect for keeping your produce fresh for two weeks or more. Simply dampen down...