Welcome to Eco-Bini!
At Eco-Bini, we are dedicated to revolutionizing urban farming and promoting sustainable living. Our mission is to provide innovative, rigorously tested solutions that empower individuals and communities to grow their own food and live more sustainably.
🌍 About the Sustainability Testing Station (STS)
At Eco Bini, we don’t just talk sustainability—we live it. Our Sustainability Testing Station (STS) is a hands-on innovation hub where we test, refine, and share real-world solutions for urban farming and sustainable living.
🔬 What is the STS?
The STS is divided into four core sectors, each designed to explore and demonstrate practical, scalable systems for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA):
🌾 Vermiponics (40m²) – A closed-loop system combining worm-based nutrients with hydroponic growing.
🪱 Vermicomposting CFTs (10,000+ liters) – Turning organic waste into nutrient-rich compost and liquid fertilizer.
🌿 Hydroponic Greenhouse (40m²) – Testing nutrient delivery, various hydroponic systems, and crop varieties in a soil-free environment.
🍄 Mushroom Grow Room (30m³) – Cultivating gourmet and medicinal mushrooms using low-tech and high-tech methods.
These systems are continuously tested and improved, making STS a living lab for sustainable innovation.
🧭 Our Mission
Our mission is to make sustainable living accessible, practical, and inspiring. We believe in the power of urban farming to transform cities into greener, healthier spaces. Our goal is to inspire and support you in your journey towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle. We believe in empowering individuals and communities to grow their own food, reduce waste, and live more harmoniously with nature.
👨🔧 Our Story
Founded by Jason Blunden, a mechanical engineer with decades of experience in the conventional energy sector, Eco Bini was born from a personal and professional transformation. After the cancellation of the Koeberg II nuclear plant in 2008, Jason shifted focus to renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
Travel Far enough…
And will find yourself!David Mitchell
Settling in Gansbaai in 2019, he began experimenting with hydroponics, vermiculture, and mushroom cultivation—eventually developing the STS as a model for circular, resilient food systems.
🧪 Some of our Innovations, straight from the STS
- Alpha & Omega Nutrient Solution – A binary hydroponic formula optimized for soilless cultivation.
- Low-Energy Dutch Bucket Systems – Integrated with Arduino tech to minimize water and power use.
- Vermiponics – A unique blend of vermiculture and hydroponics, closing the loop on nutrient cycling.
- Bundu Tek – A simple Low Tek Cultivation method, without hi-tech labs or autoclaves.
🎓 Our Learning Channel
Eco Bini is evolving into a learning platform. We offer:
- A fREe 10-part course on renewable energy implementation
- A mushroom cultivation course using the pressure-cooker-free Bundu Tek method
- Blogs, tutorials, and hands-on guides via our SouthPoint eShop (we are still in process of converting them to educational courses)
🌍 Our Reach
Through our eCommerce portal and international dropshipping, we serve both the South African market (SouthPoint eShop) and a growing global audience (DropShop). Our goal is to make sustainable solutions available across Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
🤝 Get Involved
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grower, Eco Bini welcomes you. Join our community (Forums), explore our resources, and be part of the movement toward a greener, more resilient future.
Never grow roots…
In 2014, I ‘retired’ from the relentless travel and met my significant other, finally deciding to ‘settle down.’ Then, in 2017, with the closing of “Owl’s Pub,” I truly retired to Kraaifontein. However, this period of rest wasn’t long, as I soon embarked on the active implementation of Controlled Engineering Agriculture. In 2019, a profound personal loss prompted a substantial change in my life, leading me to relocate my hydroponic venture to the picturesque town of Gansbaai.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated my focus on self-sufficiency, revealing a gap in the local mushroom market. Driven by a passion for sustainable practices, I embarked on a journey to master mushroom cultivation, from spawn production to harvesting.
This practical expertise, combined with my engineering background, has enabled Eco-Bini to develop innovative solutions for home gardeners and urban farmers alike.
Jason Blunden
B.Sc Mech Eng (Hons)
“I have not failed 10,000 times—I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.”
Thomas Alva Edison