Northcote resident James Denton founded GoodFor wholefoods refillery, which has a store in Takapuna, in early 2017.

Channel Magazine: What is the latest change you made to benefit the environment? 

James Denton: I was in the dark about how destructive the clothing/fashion industry was to the environment until I began to understand its impact. I now put in serious thought with any new clothing purchases I make. I simply ask: Can I get this second hand? What material is it made out of? Who made it? What will happen to it at the end of its life? The answers all need the sustainability tick or I just say no. This limits your options but it feels really good because you end up with super high quality products!

CM: Name three things people can do to have a positive environmental impact in their daily lives. 

JD: 1. Choose not to accept plastic products like food packed in plastic, plastic bottles, straws, toys, clothing etc.  2. Buy organic! Find a local farmers’ market or a great organic online delivery service; the benefits to you and the planet are huge. 3. Consider the fuel you consume and how you can decrease that. Can you grab a ride with someone; can you take the bus, walk or bike?

CM: Can you share a favourite local environmental initiative you know about? 

JD: Electric transport, tree planting, plastic reduction, sustainable architecture are all crucial initiatives right now, so hats off to everyone working in these spaces. 

CM: Who is your eco hero? 

JD: Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia. He's spent his whole life continually improving his company, with sustainability and giving back as the company’s core values. If all companies held these same values, the world would be in dramatically different shape to what it is right now.