For your Soul Archives | TOM OrganicTOM Organic

Wednesday April 10, 2013

Here at TOM we’re all about making our eco-footprint lighter, from the food we buy to the cosmetics we put on our skin all the way down to the clothes we wear. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start, so this week we’re looking at our wardrobes!

1. THINKING ABOUT FARIC. Find fabrics that respect the environment, from organic cotton, linen, silk, wool, or recycling old fabrics and turning them into something new again. It’s about knowing the processes involved in making the clothes, are the factories recycling their water, do they have access to alternative energy sources? Then there’s the ethical motivation, where are your clothes made? If not in Australia then what are the conditions in the factories? If the brand doesn’t advertise this information, ask them!

2. MAKE A CHOICE. There are brands who choose to have their wares made by fairly paid workers using the least amount of water and energy possible, without toxic or polluting treatments, dyeing processes or runoff. The never-ending list of organic and ethical accreditation standards across the world make it confusing to know what’s what, but standards such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and Ethical Clothing Australia generally considered reliable.

3. BUY GOOD-QUALITY. It may seem obvious, but well-tailored ”classic” designs will last much longer than cheap bad quality items – you may even be able to pass them down to your children!

4. WASH LESS. Some items of clothing don’t need to be washed every time you wear them (jeans for example!) and when you do wash, do it at lower temperatures using environmentally friendly, biodegradable detergents. We live in a sunny country – take the time to hang your clothes in the sun and let them dry naturally.

5. TAKE A SEWING CLASS. Places like Thread Den in Melbourne and The Stitchery in Brisbane not only offer sewing classes, they host fashion swaps and discussions on how to “make do and mend”.

6. RECYCLE. Buy vintage clothes (not just because they’re awesome) it’s a great way to recycle, and when you have your wardrobe cleanout, give them to charity so they can be sold on too.

7. HAVE A PARTY. A glass of wine, some dinner and a clothes swap, get all your friends together throw your clothes in the middle of the room and rummage – this way you know they’ll end up in happy hands.

Some of our favourite ethical and environmentally friendly clothing brands include:

For more info on sustainable and ethical fashion check out:

Meet Your Maker

Moral Fairground

Have you got a favourite eco/ethical label? Or any tips of your own to share? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!

On the road to conversion: What it means to be organic…

Monday February 11, 2013

Posted by Georgina in

According to the former-me, organic was only ever a buzz word, one which held no real explanation or significance. At school, I took a subject on ‘Organic Chemistry’ and found it to be, well, sciency. These feelings of scepticism took place well before I stepped foot into the offices here at TOM.

Yes of course I had heard of this buzzword before, and seen it attached to expensive price tags on fruit and veggie items in ‘exclusive’ supermarkets but to me it was only ever an embellishment. Until recently, I had never bothered to understand what the term ‘organic’ really meant. It was a bit of an eye opener to discover that organic produce has been grown without the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides and is never genetically modified – that not only do these chemicals not end of up my body but they don’t end up in the waterways, or the air we breathe either. So really, it makes sense to switch over, in any way you can, right? I know I want to live for as long as possible.

So without sounding cliché or like a dewy-eyed intern, I can confidently state that I have been converted. TOM Organic has brought me over from the dark side of life to the refreshingly light and bright side. I was given some tampon samples, and like any girl would, trialled them, and shared them among all my nearest and dearest lady friends. While the benefits of using a certified organic tampon are enough to sweep you off your feet and into the nearest Supermarket to stock up (both for you and all the women you consider dearest), there is something else that inspires me about organics: the lifestyle.

For the first time in a very long time, I find myself exercising for at least one hour every day and I watch my eating habits and nutritional values… and I’ve gotta tell you, it feels great!

It is important to look after your body. You’re only given one body in your lifetime and there’s no exchanges, refunds or lay-bys on that body. If you want to get the most out of your life, it’s definitely worth considering the purest options for your body in making a positive change toward organics. I am yet to move across to entirely organic foods, but simply from using organic tampons I now endeavour to better my lifestyle. TOM’s mantra focuses on positive change for the body, soul and the planet. After a short time at TOM HQ, I see the effects of change to my body, soul, and the planet.

Georgina Robinson started her internship at TOM in mid 2012, she very quickly became a passionate advocate for organics and social business! Earlier this year Georgie moved to London, but we’re super happy that she’s still part of the extended TOM network of bloggers sharing their stories across the globe.

TOM Joins The B Corp Movement!

Tuesday January 22, 2013

Posted by TOM Organic in

For your Soul

TOM’s philosophy is simple. It’s about keeping chemicals out of the water, air, soil and our bodies. We are so very proud to have been accredited with the B Corporation Certification demonstrating that ethical business values are deeply ingrained into our DNA! B Corps are a new type of corporation that use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems for the greater good. B Corp Certification is to sustainable business what Fair Trade Certification is to coffee. Business is the most powerful man-made force on the planet, and so it must create value for society, not just its shareholders!

The B Corp community encourages companies to compete to be

the best for the world, not just the best in the world!

We are aligned in every way with the values for which B Corp stands: We endeavour to redefine success within our company, community and industry. We believe that business can be a vehicle for positive change and impact and that business should be non-toxic (just like our products!).

TOM seeks a world where the responsibilities of business extend beyond profit maximisation and encompass responsibilities to stakeholders and the environment. We are helping to shape the world we want to live in; a world where we can thrive on every front; and a world where unconscious consumerism is not the norm, but instead essential products are directly linked to positive social and environmental impact.

At the moment, there are a total of 650 B Corporations across 21 countries, 60 industries and 1 unifying goal: to redefine success in business. TOM was proud to be the 3rd B Corp registered in Australia (our partners and friends at Small Giants were number 1!), we are now standing alongside some pretty incredible B Corp businesses globally including: Etsy, Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia and The Honest Company.

What does the B stand for? Benefit! Benefit Corporations are required to create general benefit for society as well as their shareholders.

Morning tea, Meditation & Magnificence with Miranda Kerr

Friday October 26, 2012

Posted by Georgina in

I, like most others, don’t like setting an alarm for a really, really early start to my day. I much prefer to let the natural body clock lift me out of my sleep in a soothing and relaxing manner.

However, I was definitely able to make an exception on Saturday 25^thAugust, as this was no ordinary day, this was Miranda Kerr day. Along with the TOM team I boarded a flight – requiring a 4:30am wake-up, and arrived in the Sydney sunshine just in time for Miranda’s Earth Hour Challenge Yoga event at David Jones.

A whole bunch of super excited Yogis (one was crying in anticipation!) queued up outside the doors to David Jones, eagerly awaiting a sighting of our favourite Australian supermodel and earth mother. The feelings mounted as we literally mounted David Jones to the top level on the lifts, and arrived in the sunlit Bridal room. We then received a whole bundle of goodies, including a KORA Organics vitamin enhanced lip balm, a Samantha Wills bracelet, and a bottle of Fiji artesian water. We even got to keep our yoga mats! Not to mention the deliciously organic morning tea prepared by Chef Kate after the workout.

Miranda is one of the few people I have ever seen that truly glows in person (but not like the vampires in Twilight!). It must have been a match made in heaven, as the gifted turquoise bracelet sits beautifully on my wrist among all other things turquoise – she knows my taste so well!

I have never played part in such an uplifting experience as that of 300 women taking a yoga class, lead by Miranda in the most tranquil surrounds. It is a story that I proudly retell to all my friends and family and a Saturday morning that has introduced the joys of yoga into my life. Ever since, most of my Saturday mornings are spent on the yoga mat – whether it be attempting a DIY class via Youtube, or physically attending a class at the local gym.

Now, the terms ‘downward facing dog’, ‘tree’, ‘warrior’, and ‘half moon’ have a completely different association, and my Yogi attitude has taken a turn for the best. I see yoga as an enriching, enlightening activity that strengthens both the physical and mental body. These findings were evidenced by my aching limbs in the days that followed!

Georgie is a Marketing Intern at TOM Organic – she’s also our new in-house yoga guru