You’ve probably heard of the infamous four taboo topics that shouldn’t be spoken about: money, religion, politics and bedroom behaviour. While it’s difficult to say exactly who came up with this idea, it’s often traced back to Victorian-era Western culture.

Now, I’m not here to unpack South Africa’s economic climate or pry into your private life, but I do want to touch on something worth mentioning – money.

‘Your products are great, and we’d love to make more eco-friendly choices … but it’s just a bit too expensive.’

We’ve heard you. We get it.

So, grab a coffee (or something stronger) and let’s dive into the taboo topic concerning your money. Because savings shouldn’t be kept a secret.

The illusion of ‘cheap now’ vs ‘cheap later’

The South African economy has been tough. 

With inflation, VAT hikes and rising petrol prices, we all need to be more cost-conscious. If money weren’t an issue, eco-friendly choices would be a no-brainer. But when your wallet feels thin and your bank keeps reminding you of your available – or unavailable – balance, every purchase counts.

As we all know, shopping lists are shaped by our budgets. How many times have you walked into a grocery store, grabbed a small packet of your everyday laundry detergent because the price jump from the smaller pack to the larger pack felt like just too much? At the time, it might seem like a convenient saving. 

But here’s the thing: that’s a classic case of false economy – a decision driven by immediate savings that ends up costing more in the long run. 

Is your purchase really adding up?

This is where I get down and dirty and answer the question on everybody’s minds: are Evolve Biodegradable products actually more expensive and is buying bigger, better? 

I am not going to try to convince you with words but rather by using mathematics. 

For starters, let’s take two laundry detergents that are both able to do 20 loads and calculate the cost per load:

• Evolve Citrus Laundry Gel 1L (R95) 

• An everyday 2kg laundry detergent with a traditional formula (R109.99) 

At first glance, there is a 75c difference per load, or R15 as a whole. What if we took a look at those bulk options that scare us with their large price tags? 

Compare the Evolve 5L Citrus Laundry Gel with a 9kg detergent.

By comparing the Evolve 5L Citrus Laundry Gel and the 9kg detergent, a notable difference of R1.33 per load is present, but that’s not all. 

• There is a R1.80 difference per load between the Evolve 1L Citrus Gel and the Evolve 5L Citrus Gel. 

• The everyday 2kg and 9kg detergents differ by R1.33 per load.

Evolve Biodegradable Citrus Laundry Gel offers greater value and becomes more cost-effective when purchased in larger quantities. Opting for the Evolve 5L Citrus Laundry Gel gives you a savings of around 37.9%! 

According to science, we should compare like with like …

No arguments there. So, let’s compare the Evolve 1L Citrus Laundry Gel to a liquid detergent that can also do 20 loads.

Now it all becomes clear: the initial assumption is that buying eco-friendly and buying bulk is more expensive. But what if Evolve Biodegradable can kill two birds with one stone? (figuratively, of course – protect our wildlife always!) 

Well, when it comes to certain products, we can! Not only does buying in bulk provide a good discount, you might also save money depending on the detergent you currently use.

And it’s not just the detergent ...

Consider the Evolve All Purpose Finisher. The standard 750ml spray bottle is R65, but the 50ml concentrate refill is only R30. Other all-purpose finishers typically cost around R50. That’s yet another saving on an everyday essential!

These are just two products where you have already saved by a simple switch. Imagine the difference when you factor in the rest of the cleaning products used in your home. 

I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy certain products based solely on price difference – each product has its own strengths. Think of it like milk chocolate: many people enjoy it, but brands make unique variants and price it in their own way. It is up to you, as the consumer, to make a choice that feels like the right fit.

So, what am I saying?

Well, even though eco-friendly products – including Evolve Biodegradable’s – might not always be the most affordable option, I believe an eco-friendly label on a product shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Sometimes eco-friendly will be pricier, yes, but opportunity cost isn’t just about money – it’s about the long-term impact of our choices. What is the cost of our decisions to the environment?

And, at the end of the day, Evolve Biodegradable wants you to want to go green and encourages that by keeping the price as low as possible – even if the savings are just enough for a well-deserved mani-pedi😉.