Firmly committed to eco principles, Brisbane's Biome is a chic retail outlet with a conscience.

WORDS CYBELE MASTERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN DOWNS



Tucked in among the hustle and bustle of Adelaide Street in Brisbane's CBD is a breath of fresh air – Australia's greenest retail outlet, Biome. Step inside and say hello to the latest in eco-conscious style. We love the swish fabric panels in the window, sleek floor and chic fit-out – all environmentally friendly. The store is bursting with integrity, from the use of hemp fabrics and a poured recycled resin floor to a vintage WWII mess table. That's before we start on the delightful wares for sale, such as hardy palm leaf plates that can be composted when you're finished and cute-as-a-button organic baby products.

Biome is the love child of Tracey Bailey, a mum and ex-corporate communications consultant, who "just wanted to do her bit". Tracey has certainly done that and, amazingly, manages to do even more. "We have a little competition here to see how little we can send to landfill," she says with a smile. "Our ultimate aim is for an empty wheelie bin."