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Issue 5 - Imagine a Zero-Waste World

Explore a waste-free world with Joost Bakker's Melbourne house. Waste-free cooking, Bhutan's digital disconnect, and Founder's Spotlight included!

Aug 18, 2023

Hint: This topographically diverse country is home to more than 30 volcanoes and the deepest lake in Central America.

Read on for the answer . . .

Quote of the Week

Enough is a feast.

Buddhist Proverb

Dear Mindful Travellers,

Imagine a world with zero waste, where houses produce their own food and generate energy. That’s the vision of Aussie Zero-Waste activist, Joost Bakker. This week, we’ll meet Joost and explore the zero-waste house he designed and built in Melbourne, Australia. We love the rooftop garden and ‘mush-room’!

Continuing the idea of reducing waste, we’ll share some tips on waste-free cooking, including some mouthwatering recipes, plus we’ll head out into the garden and discover how you can transform scarcity into abundance through permaculture.

We also disconnect from the digital world deep in the Himalayas in Bhutan, one of the happiest places on the planet, and we’ll meet Chris and Olia Kinoti from African Oasis Safaris in this week’s Founder’s Spotlight.

Enjoy!

Karen Hastings

Editor, Postcard Travel Club

This Week’s Featured Postcard Travel Partner

Himalayan Kingdom Expedition: Bhutan

The Himalayas are calling!

Join the enchanting Dagala 1000 Lakes Kora expedition with Himalayan Kingdom Expedition. This Himalayan odyssey unveils captivating alpine meadows, ancient myths and the grandeur of Bhutan's landscapes. The trek goes beyond visuals, inviting you to disconnect from the digital world, chat by the campfire and experience the purity of minimalist living.

Find inspiration by collecting your favourite postcards from Bhutan with Himalayan Kingdom Expedition. Witness the rare flora and fauna of the Himalayas, enjoy the healing properties of a hot stone bath, fly fish in the shimmering lakes of Dagala or meet the happy nomads.

Chris & Olia Kinoti, owners of African Oasis Safaris — Chris & Olia Kinoti, African Oasis Safaris

Meet Chris Kinoti & Olia Kinoti from African Oasis Safaris.

Chris’s childhood safaris with his father ignited an enduring love for Africa's wilderness. Paired with Olia's passion for wellness and travel, they curate extraordinary journeys at African Oasis Safaris, recently honored as Best Luxury Wellness Safari Operator 2023.

Find out why they are our Champions of Change, and learn about their unique insights and heartfelt commitment to mindful, holistic, and sustainable travel.

Zero-waste activist Joost Bakker — Photo Copyright: Dean Bradley

Australian designer and eco-visionary, Joost Bakker, is on a mission to reimagine homes as zero-waste ecosystems.

“Nature doesn’t have waste,” says Joost. “It’s the perfect example of a closed-loop system. And I don’t see why a house should be any different...”

His ambitious vision of waste-free cities and self-sustaining urban farms might appear radical, yet he remains steadfast that this transformative future is within reach. His ongoing project, the Future Food System, a zero-waste dwelling in Melbourne, demonstrates this concept by growing food and generating its own energy. He even made a film about it: Greenhouse.

Ellie Cobb from the BBC chats with Joost to find out more about his grand vision for a waste-free world.

Imagine creating your own garden paradise that not only thrives but also gives back to nature. That's the magic of permaculture—a method of growing food that mirrors natural ecosystems. Whether you're a gardening guru or just getting started, permaculture is your ticket to a greener, healthier world.

Want to learn more? You can take a free course at freepermaculture.com.

Did you know that you can cook without waste, too? Learn how to reduce waste not only in your food choices but also in your cooking methods by using sustainable utensils and storage techniques for a greener kitchen. By embracing the challenge of cooking with zero waste, you can make a significant positive impact on the environment, one meal at a time. These tips from MindsetEco will help you.

This week, we’re in Guatemala! This diverse country is home to more than 30 volcanoes, as well as Lago de Atitlán, Central America’s deepest lake. At more than 340 meters deep, the lake is actually a volcanic caldera, surrounded by three towering volcanoes.

Explore Guatemala with Mayacosmos Travel Group and collect your favourite Postcard stories at Postcard Travel.

Explore with Mayacosmos Travel Group