When I attended the event organised by Fit Farm Girl recently, I met the wonderful ladies from Silicone Depot. When I saw their stand, I immediately went over as their name is one that has been on the lips of many! They have the most gorgeous silicone straws in convenient carry cases (believe me, this is something we all need to think of as you don’t want them simply rolling around in your handbag & collecting all those goggas!); as well as silicone containers for food & liquid (these are able to go in the freezer & microwave without releasing harmful chemicals & will not leak all over the place). I even got a silicone cleaning brush & gloves for washing my dishes & so on – when you read up more about what those green scourer sponges have & the germs they hold on to; you will want to chuck yours far away immediately!
What struck me most was the passion that they have for their business. They know the importance of zero waste, & the effect that our lifestyles are having on our health & the health of our planet. We need to be making a change. We need to be conscious about what we are doing & not simply stand back & accept the way things are going.
Your name: Evanza Meintjes
Business name: Silicone Depot
Sub divisions: Silicone Straws SA & What Babies Want & Eco Choice
Social media handles: Instagram & Website
Tell me a bit more about what you do:
I have operated my own beauty salon for 12 years now. 6 Months after my son was born, I started What Babies Want. Now just over 3 years old, What Babies Want offers silicone bead dummy clips and other silicone baby items.
Nov 1st 2018, I started Silicone Straws SA. After research I realized the urgency and need to go further in trying to eliminate single use plastics from our lives, and that’s when Silicone Depot was born. Offering a much wider range of Silicone goods.
You are well known for your silicone straws, but I see you have expanded your range. What else do you sell now:
BPA free, Food grade Silicone items for;
Home
Kitchen
Baby
Daily use like water bottles; and coffee cups.
Where can people purchase your products from:
Customers: www.siliconedepot.co.za
Stockists: www.siliconestrawssa.co.za
What products do you think every household should own?
Food storage containers made from food grade silicone; since plastic, styrofoam, and cling wrap negatively impacts our hormone levels and therefore in the long term affects our quality of life.
Why do you think it is so important that people try to live a waste-free life?
Not just about waste-free living and protecting our oceans and eco systems, but also to benefit human health and living by cutting down and eliminating plastic from your lives.
We also have a responsibility towards our children’s future as well as the future of their health.
What are some of the scary facts you have discovered about plastic?
Through my exposure and research of Silicone I have found that there are many “fake” silicone/silicon in our market.
Also that BPA containing plastics is one of the leading causes of endochronic illnesses that leads to chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and also infertility.
Why do you have such a passion for what you do:
It is in my core to learn everyday and educate and spread info as far as I possibly can. Since I’m also a polycystic ovarian sufferer, which there is currently still no cure for. I feel it is my duty to inform others of the estrogen mimicking effects that BPA has on our bodies – creating turmoil and getting stuck on endless meds to try and correct.
Starting with a straw, affecting users of all ages, questions arise and awareness begins. This is how we are going to help shape our younger generation to more Eco-Friendly humans.
Quote you live by:
It started with a straw…
Work smarter, not harder.
Anything else you want to add:
If it doesn’t say BPA free or Food-Grade Silicone, then chances are good, it’s not.
I absolutely adore this company, & have really enjoyed my time of getting to know them & their products better. They have such big hearts, & I would definitely recommend them to everyone that I possibly can.
Plus, for all you wonderful readers that have supported me throughout this journey, you can get 20% discount off any of your orders – simply use the coupon code “nomorebpa” when placing your order! This will be valid until the end of June 2019, so make sure that you don’t miss out.
If you would like to see these products for yourself, they will be exhibiting at the Momee & Babee Expo happening 5 – 7 July at Gallagher Estate.
We are slowly making the switch of everything possible from plastic to silicone & glass, & I couldn’t be happier! Let me know what changes you are making in this regard too.
