Why Ellie Degraeve launched Sunshine Coast business, Go for Zero

A Queensland mum has launched her own toxin-free and sustainable business after a desperate bid to find products that were good for her daughter’s health after a major scare.

Ellie Degraeve with her daughters Grace and Harper. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A beautiful Sunshine Coast mother launched her own toxin-free and ethically sustainable business in a desperate bid to find everyday products that were good for her daughter’s health and the environment.

Ellie Degraeve began Go For Zero— a business delivering 100 per cent toxin-free beauty, baby and household products from Australia and New Zealand which are also recyclable, with a focus on environmental sustainability.

The 39-year-old lives on the Sunshine Coast with her daughters Grace, 11, Harper, 9, and her husband Murray Richards, 47.

The pair met when Mr Richards, a professional hockey player, was overseas coaching the Belgium team.

A whirlwind romance followed and eventually the newlyweds were welcoming their first daughter into the world.

Being a new mother, Mrs Degraeve said she was naive and unaware of the toxic ingredients in their household’s everyday products.

It all started when Grace reacted to toxins in everyday baby products and was bursting out in red rashes.

Ellie Degraeve with her family Grace, Harper and husband Murray Richards. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“As a new mum you blame yourself but then I started looking into the products and doing some research,” Mrs Degraeve said.

“I found most contained petroleum and a lot of other toxic products.

“Eleven years ago it wasn’t spoken about. But now I think as a society we are more aware.”

As she researched more, Mrs Degraeve said she was left astonished by the ingredients.

“For me it was a big shock,” she said.

“I grew up in a family business and then worked in retail and marketing … I assumed retailers did good and cared.

“I saw a high amount of vendors still producing top quality products in plastic containers. ”

Eventually the family moved to Australia, nine years ago, and Mrs Degraeve took a leap of faith and pursued her new dream.

“I couldn’t find a company that ticked all of the boxes. I just wanted our everyday products to be healthy and sustainable,” she said.

“When starting my own company I wanted to be super transparent and for it to be a good experience for customers.

“I leased a really tiny pop-up store in Caloundra. It was so ugly just plain tables and products. But it did incredibly well and people were interested in toxic-free products.”

Ellie Degraeve with her family Grace, Harper and husband Murray Richards. Picture: Patrick Woods.

From that her business took off and they are now in their second warehouse and offer more than 2000 different toxin-free products along with recycling, product refills, charity donations and other sustainability services.

“We make all everyday products but without toxins, chemicals and waste,” Mrs Degraeve said.

“Go For Zero is more than a low-waste and toxin-free store. We are a community of like-minded people that are not willing to compromise their health nor their planet.

“It is our mission is to educate and motivate people to make positive changes.”

Now the Sunshine Coast family lives at Bokarina, the girls go to school locally and they take their dog Sox on daily walks along the picturesque beaches they’re working to save.

“We love it here and want to be able to leave this beautiful environment for our children,” Mrs Degraeve said.

“Everything is linked to our health and our environment’s health. We still don’t know the true impact of plastics and chemicals.

“Plastic is made out of more than 13000 chemicals and most of them have never been researched.

“For me it stems from my daughters and will always be about that.”

Ellie Degraeve with her family Grace, Harper and husband Murray Richards. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mrs Degraeve said her best advice for new mothers was that while it’s not easy, it’s more important than ever.

“I know it's not easy but look up the companies and the ingredients in products that you’re using on your kids and in your home,” she said.

“You have to take it into your own hands. With companies its all about profit.

“As a mum be critical about what you use.

“While it may seem more expensive natural products are often made to last. A shampoo bar will replace three to six bottles of shampoo.

“And better ingredients are more expensive. But it’s worth it for your health and the environment.”

Mrs Degraeve said she truly believes through the power of community we can all make a difference.

“People get really overwhelmed and feel like there’s nothing they can do to help the environment. There are some things you can't do but there’s so much you can do,” she said.

“Just start with a bin audit and looking at your waste. There’s so much you can do at a family and home level.

“You’ve just got to try. Start with one product and reducing your waste in one way at a time.

“We can all make little changes and if we do that together it can make a huge impact as a community.”