Unveiling our Award-winning brushes

We are thrilled to discover the winners of the 2023 Clean + Conscious Awards and are proud to say that not for the first time […]

Soft, Fluffy, and Efficient: How to Make the Most of Wool Dryer Balls

Our fun new dryer balls add a touch of whimsy to washing day while also saving you time and money. Now that’s good for the […]

Colour my world

There are two types of people in the world, those that enjoy the muted tranquillity and calmness of neutral tones and those that just want […]

How to make a Dish Brush

Tea with friends   How do you redesign a product that is just about as perfect as they come?   We have been wanting to […]

Meet the Makers – ECOMAX Metal Bathroom Accessories

*FULL VIDEO COMING SOON* Ethically handmade in India.  

Meet the Makers – ECOMAX Copper Bathroom Accessories

*FULL VIDEO COMING SOON – sneak peek below * Ethically handmade in India.  

Meet the Makers – ECOMAX Metal Dustpans

*FULL VIDEO COMING SOON – sneak peek below * Ethically handmade in India.

Meet the Makers – ECOMAX Wire Caddy

*FULL VIDEO COMING SOON * Ethically handmade in India.

Meet the Makers – ECOMAX Hemp

Watch the deft hands of our crafts people as they hand crochet our wonderfully soft ECOMAX Hemp Soap Savers. Ethically handmade in India.

6 Reasons to use a Rubber Wood Hair Brush

Did you know that Rubber Wood is not actually bouncy timber but comes from the tree that produces rubber? So rubber wood actually gives twice […]

Where’s MY ORDER? Why is overseas freight so damn slow?

You might have noticed that many of your favourite products have become harder to get. Some why is this happening now? Overseas freight is an interconnected spaghetti loop of containers, ships, planes, trucks and people. When one part of this loop is disrupted it has a knock on effect that sets up a chain reaction further disrupting the spaghetti bowl. We all knew that COVID was a disruptor but world freight has been one of its hidden casualties.

5 tips for a Valentine’s Day love story

Nothing speaks love more than red roses. But does our love for Valentine’s Day have to be at the expense of our love for the planet. With a little bit of thought I think we can spread that love to encompass all. Here are my top 5 tips.

Herberry Bananas – a true story

Herberry Bananas, sounds like a new superfood? Well maybe that’s what they should be called. And then you have Raspfruits. A fun but true little story to put a smile on your face at we come to the end of 2020.

Meet the Makers Paper Pottery

Meet the Makers of our Waterproof Paper Pottery. By combining precision laser printing and handmade skills with sustainable practices and ethical applications they have created a very unique product.

Is recycling the answer?

The ever growing problem of plastics requires a solution greater than recycling alone. Is recycling the answer or should we be changing the question? Perhaps the answer lies closer than we think and the question might be what SHOULD we use plastic for, rather than what we shouldn’t?

We all lose without small business

Small businesses punch way above their weight and do far more for our economy than you might think, locally and nationally. Without them we would lose more than just a shop, our suburbs and towns would be a far different place. COVID19 has been been tough on our local small businesses, so isn’t it time we showed them how much we appreciate all that they do and support them in return. Let’s “Give big – Buy small” for our small business.

Fair Trade a Job Keeper

Fair Trade meant that the producers of our Eco Max Brushes weren’t alone during the COVID19 crises. Just like the Job Keeper benefits provided by the Australian government, our Fair Trade principles provided wages and security to take some of the stress out of the pandemic.

Smiles at the ECOMAX Creche

The creche at our Eco Max Brushes producers factory is 6 months old now and visiting it is always a fabulous experience. See what changes have happened since we last visited as well as some DIY recipes for children’s play activities we tested while we were there.

DIY Healthy Cleaning Toilet Gel

The best No Tox DIY Toilet Gel recipe that we have made, costed, tested and totally love. With all the stickability of a store brought one and none of the hidden environmental downsides to commercial cleaners. Plus you can use it to clean the whole bathroom. We look at why this works and also found out some interesting facts about what’s in toilet cleaners and why you might think twice about buying them.

The Ultimate guide to Cleaning Water Bottles?

Why do some natural cleaning methods work and other don’t and what is best method for my water bottle? Learn why in this Ultimate Guide for cleaning your BYO Bottle.

ECOMAX Premium Bottle Brush in action

See how easily the Eco Max Premium Bottle Brush fits into the narrow neck reusable water bottles.

Grab and Go Gift Options for Christmas

The crazy season is almost upon us, cue the unrelenting Christmas carols and the rush to stock your shelves ready and waiting for the inevitable […]

Water bottles – A breeding ground for germs?

Do I need to clean my reusable water bottle? You would be surprised at what germs lurk at the bottom of your bottle. But fear not we have made a new Premium Eco Max Bottle Brush especially to fit narrow neck water bottle and in this story of ImportAnts we show you how you can live green without drinking green.

ECOMAX Brushes supports a Crèche

Fair Trade provides many benefits to producers. For the Sri Lankan women who make our Eco Max Brushes a primary concern is the care of their children while they are working. Funding a well-resourced creche for these women was a matter of ImportAnts and something we are very proud to announce.

Greening the Florist

That beautiful display of flowers often comes with a hidden cost. Plastic. Isn’t is time you joined the #nofloralfoam movement and sort out more sustainable options.

perfect imperfection

“We don’t need a handful of people doing Zero Waste perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly” We so agree. Look at what we have achieved so far and how we can a go one step further.

10 Tips for Displays

One hidden side of Retail is Visual Merchandising. Studies have shown that customers are quick at deciding if they will stay in your store and browse or leave. In fact this decision can take as little as 10 seconds. So creating displays that grab their attention is a real matter of ImportAnts.

To Compost or not to compost?

Thought about composting but not sure if it’s right for you? It doesn’t matter if you live in flat or in a house, learn how easy composting really can be.

Most Frequently Asked Questions? – Body

What Eco Max Brush is right for my skin type? How do I care for my brush? What are the benefits of Dry Body Brushing? These questions and more are answered in this easy Q & A for our Body Brushes.

Most Frequently Asked Questions? – Kitchen

Can I put my Eco Max Brush straight in the compost bin with the wire still in it? Is coconut fibre naturally anti-bacterial? Can my brush go in the dishwasher? These questions and so many more are answer here in our Q & A Kitchen.

Tips for Organising a Corporate Event

Getting the right feel for your corporate event can be tricky. And with sustainability high in everyone’s priorities including corporations, living plants and flowers may be the perfect decoration.

Paper Pottery – transforming florists & events

Once waterproof containers for meant expensive, heavy glass or ceramic. For anything light weight and inexpensive, options where limited to plastic-lined cardboard boxes or unattractive, plastic vases. Now there’s eco-friendly Waterproof Paper Pottery!

Paper Pottery Look Book

Waterproof Paper Pottery Look Book 2019
New Waterproof Paper Pottery set to revolutionise the floristry industry.

Our Sinamay Story – a plastic alternative

Finding a plastic free alternative to package our hand-rolled Cook’s and Gardener’s soap was a difficult task. But then we discovered Sinamay and it ticked all our boxes.

A New Year’s Resolution for the Planet

Often our New Year’s Eve resolutions are a wish list for making improvements in our own life. But isn’t it time we made a New Year’s resolution for the planet!

“Vegan” – more than just food

When you think of the word “Vegan” most people automatically think of a type of diet that excludes animal products or anything derived from an animal. But Vegan means so much more than just food, it’s a lifestyle choice.

Flaky Fur Friends

Just like people, our fur friends can suffer from dandruff too. Regular grooming is recommended to combat dandruff in pets, but using the right brush is ImportAnt.

In Support of WOMEN

“When you want to invest and create GDP, there is no better or more effective investment –than investing in women.” This is why we employ women in the making of our Fair Trade products.

RECYCLED V SUSTAINABLE

Which is better for the planet, recycling plastics or replacing them with more sustainable natural solutions? We look at the positives and negatives of recycling plastics.

Fish, Fibres & Food

When fish eat fibres, the fish and the fibres end up on our dinner plate. But there is more to the story!

Breaking News – Breaking Habits

Now that supermarkets have stopped using single use plastic bags it’s time to learn a new habit. In this story of ImportAnts we see how habits are formed and how easy it is to learn the new BYO Bag Habit.

Let’s Face It

When you want to feel pampered and look your best it’s easy to be tempted by the latest plastic packaged moisturiser, face scrub, or exfoliant. But there are simpler solutions that are better for the planet.

Good Wood

Protecting our Forests is a matter of ImportAnts, because they are more than just a collection of trees… So what is Good Wood and why should you care?

So what’s a super-freegan?

No, it’s not a Superhero dumpster diver…but it could be. It’s a little less heroic but there are many reasons why it pays to become one.

Broom, Broom, Rake…

When is a broom also a rake? When it’s an Eco Max Coconut Palm Broom! It sweeps as well as it rakes. The secret to it incredible abilities is in the natural palm fronds it is made of.

Earth Hour

Earth Hour 2018 is about conversations on the loss of nature around you. To get the conversation started ImportAnts have given you some ideas of things you can do locally. Ideas to connect with others in your community to drive global awareness and action on biodiversity.

Greed V Good

Trust in our institutions is at an all-time low. Thanks to the growth of social media, it is easier than ever to know when businesses ethical claims do not match our expectations. So what do we expect from businesses today?

5 minute Detox

Partied too hard? Desperate to get into a healthy routine? Don’t stress! Cleaning up your act does not have to be a punishment for your sins. All it takes is 5 minutes to set yourself up for success, with the wholesome and easy routine… of dry body brushing.

See the Eco Max Kitchen Scrubber in ACTION!

Nylon scourers wear out quickly and release micro-plastics into our waterways, replace yours with a natural fibre, earth friendly, plastic free Pot Scourer. Want to see how easily the Eco Max Pot Scourer cuts through grease?

A – Z of Produce Use

Getting the most from your produce is good for the planet and your purse. Whether it’s storing them or eating them, these EcoMaxHacks will make sure you get the best value and longest life out of the produce you buy.

Fairlings interview with Kim Good, Founder of Import Ants

Elephant poop. It’s not the kind of thing one often pauses to ponder. Yet for Import Ants Founder, Kim Good, elephant dung – and, more specifically, paper ingeniously made from the stuff – was the unlikely source of a major career change.

11 reasons why coconut is the new black

Renewable, sustainable, carbon neutral and 100 % natural, coconut can replace so many products that are harmful to the environment, read on to discover what you can replace with coconut.

How often should I clean that?

When it comes to cleaning your household items, we can all be a little slack. Here are the products in your house that you should be replacing or cleaning regularly.

Eff off flakey skin

Been hibernating all winter, is your skin is all flaky and not ready for the summer sun? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. So here are 6 simple steps for silky smooth skin, just in time for summer and all year round.

4 Eco-Friendly Habits To Pass Onto Your Kids

Here’s 4 things you can do to make a personal impact on a global issue. Our environment is our responsibility and failing to take care of it is putting your children’s future at risk. It’s time to take matters into your own hands and teach your kids good environmental habits while you’re at it.

Beauty Trends & Skin Care for Every Skin Type

Ally Feiam from My Deal interviews some leading specialists for some great on trend tips for 2018 for healthy beautiful skin, including myself.

Turmeric – Nature’s Healing Herb

The healing properties of Turmeric go beyond simply adding it to your diet, to see how else this amazing spice can be used read on.

scrub-a-dub-scrub

Cleaning does not have to be complicated. Go back to basics with these chemical free cleaning recipes and our natural household brushes. Some great tips to start your Zero Waste journey.

Spring into Summer with Fab Feet!

Four simple tricks to have your feet looking & feeling fabulous. Spring is almost here and Summer ain’t far off, so it’s a smart time […]

The quiet art of meditation

Meditation has been proven to boost physical and mental health, improve cognitive function, alleviate depression, reduce stress and even slow the ageing process. All you […]

OMG! What will I use to line my bin?

How will I line my bin now that there are no more free shopping bags at supermarkets? Try this clever Eco Max Hack, a plastic free way to line your bin.

Tips for blooming skin this Spring

We’re inching closer and closer to spring, which means it’s time to start saying goodbye to dry, flaky skin and hello to soft, luscious skin.  […]

microbeads – they’re still out there…

Smaller than a grain of sand and designed to be disposed of down the drain. Microbeads are impossible to filter, so they easily make their way into our waterways and BILLIONS of them do so EVERY. DAY.

pretty, practical and plastic free

Plastic free household items you won’t want to hide away. When we talk about the environmental impacts of plastic, we tend to focus on the […]

Not the sexiest of discussions, but an important one none the less, because we all own a toilet and have had to clean it at […]

3 Deadlies – synthetic V natural

We ask Corinne Sparks from Handmade Naturals what her top three deadly synthetics to avoid are and what natural alternatives she uses instead. Corinne was […]

is your kitchen scourer killing you?

How do the scourers we use everyday impact on our health and the health of our environment ? The simple objects that we use all […]

How our Kitchen Scrubber scrubs up…  

As all good cooks know the proof will always be in the pudding. So Import Ants asked one of our customers, avid Thermomix user Brian […]

3 healthy reasons to be a scrubber!

Did you know you could be throwing away many health benefits by peeling your fruit and vegetables? Maybe it’s time to become a scrubber and […]

5 reasons to switch to natural fibres

Natural vegetable fibres have been used for centuries, way before plastic was even invented. They are longer lasting and have no built in obsolescence, making […]

6 tips to stop itchy dry legs!!!

Winter dryness is so not fun and it happens to all of us at some point in time. Here are some great tips to stop the scratching and bring back that healthy silky summer feel again.

How to be Chemical Free

Do you worry about the amount of chemicals in your life? Want to know how to find toxic free alternatives to everyday products? It’s important […]

  5 ways to make every hour Earth Hour   What started as a symbolic moment in Sydney, when 2.2million people turned off their lights […]

The Natural Fibres in our Eco Max Brushes

With so many synthetic products in our homes, isn’t it time to go natural? Here is a list of 7 natural organic vegetable fibres that […]

Fair’s Fair

A beginner’s guide: the 3 ideals that are the basis of Fair Trade. The idea of “Trade not Aid” began way back in the early […]

See How! Dry Body Brush Video

A simple video that shows you the 5 key benefits of Dry Body Brushing and how to do it

What is a Fair Trader

A Fair Trader is a business endorsed by the Fair Trade Association of Australia as having Fair Trade at the core of everything they do. […]

5 Benefits of Dry Body Brushing

Dry body brushing is a natural yet effective way to promote soft and healthy skin, but that is not the only benefit… Here are the […]

10 Principles to Buy By

How you can truly measure if a company is acting ethically or just spinning you Fair Trade wash. Here is a list of the 10 principles […]

Meet the Makers – ECOMAX Brushes

  Our ECOMAX Brushes are handmade in Sri Lanka by a small family run business that prides itself on crafting beautiful, sustainable, handmade brushes whilst […]