The price of doing nada...

Mark Staniforth • December 15, 2025

Talk is cheap and so is air...

Tree trunk with small green leaves; blurred forest background.

I guess we all have good intentions, or at least i would like to think so, but life doesn't always support our intentions and many just never materialise. I'm guilty, recycling bins are at the top of my list but i just don't get to it, its not an immediate pressing must do issue so it sadly remains a well intentioned "to do". Microplastics scare me so I'm drinking from metal bottles but then articles around mouth bacteria if not washed and scrubbed daily have me second guessing. I drive around with a car full of money bags (Woolworths reusable bags) remnants of better days but sadly the next time i remember to take one into the shop will probably be the first time so i either end up offloading the contents of the trolly into the boot of my gas guzzler or saying a silent prayer for the turtles and buying a plastic one.


I'm a well intentioned environmental warrior trapped in an exhausted entrepreneurial, busy parents body. So what can we do to make a difference?


For me the clean shop is a way to make a living (well eventually) and to tick a box in terms of doing something positive, not only for the environment but for my family and for other well intentioned, exhausted eco conscious human beings. Our products are eco friendly, biodegradable, affordable and effective. We have possibly the largest range of eco cleaning and care products and the logic is that no matter how busy you are you can still make a small difference by simply using these products. The products are rated sceptic tank safe so its a must for eco lodges, small holdings, farms just anywhere using French drains.


But Its more than eco awareness, the products are paraben, phthalate and ammonia free. Harsh chemicals not only damage the environment and the waterways but are also harmful to humans. These chemicals get absorbed through the skin and into our blood streams so from a health perspective its has to be the way to go.


The prices are fantastic so there is absolutely NO reason why you wouldn't use them, you're either currently buying the harsh alternatives already or over paying for eco friendly product because Retailers realise its an emotive purchase and price the products accordingly.


At the clean shop Gauteng, it doesn't cost the Earth


Cant wait to see you instore


Mark

By mark July 23, 2026
As a small business owner, everyday is a balancing act between managing cash flow, serving customers and keeping the lights on. For many, the idea of "going green" can sometimes feel like just another item on an already impossible to-do list. We often think of sustainability as a massive, expensive corporate overhaul. Solar farms, zero-emission supply chains or complex recycling plants. In reality true sustainability isn't about perfection it’s about daily intention. Just like living a healthy life isn't about a single intense workout, but rather the small, consistent choices we make every day. The Power of the Everyday Shift When you run a local shop, cafe, or service, your business is deeply tied to your community. That means your choices ripple outward, influencing your customers, your neighbors, and your local environment. You don't need a limitless budget to make a meaningful difference. Here are a few practical, low-barrier choices you can weave into your daily routines: Audit Your Consumables: Take a close look at what you throw away every single day. Can you swap single-use plastics for compostable alternatives? Embrace Energy Mindfulness: Simple habits like setting thermostats to efficient temperatures, switching to LED lighting, and ensuring appliances are switched off at night add up to significant energy and cost savings over time. Reduce, Re-use, Rethink: Look at your waste stream. Is there packaging or scrap material that can be repurposed, upcycled, or given a second life instead of heading straight to the bin? Cultivate Conscious Collaborations: Partner with other community members. Whether it’s sourcing ingredients locally, utilizing neighborhood delivery services, or sharing recycling resources, community cooperation lightens the load for everyone. Healthy Choices for Business and Body There’s a powerful parallel between how we run our businesses and how we care for ourselves. Burnout is real, both for entrepreneurs and for the planet. When we slow down enough to make deliberate, healthy choices in our personal lives like opting for whole foods, moving our bodies in the fresh air or taking a moment to breathe, we build the resilience needed to lead effectively. That same mindful mindset, when brought into the workplace, transforms a business from a constant grind into a sustainable, thriving ecosystem. Start Small, Start Today You don’t have to change everything overnight. Pick one small change this week. Switch your cleaning products to eco-friendly alternatives, start recycling or simply take a moment to evaluate where your energy, both electrical and personal, is being wasted. Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. By making better choices each day, we protect our neighborhoods, support our communities, and build businesses that are built to last. What is one small green habit you will be adopting this week?
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Hand holding a green sprig in a forest setting. A pathway leads toward blurred trees in the background.
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