With approximately 685 million people worldwide still living without access to electricity and billions relying on polluting fuels like wood and charcoal for cooking, the twin challenges of energy poverty and climate change continue to threaten global progress. In the face of these daunting issues, the Wonderbag—a groundbreaking heat-retention cooking device—has emerged as a powerful tool for change.
Since its launch, Wonderbag has sold over 6 million units across the world, playing a pivotal role in the fight against carbon emissions and deforestation. “The Wonderbag was born out of necessity and the belief that simple, accessible solutions can transform lives while protecting the planet,” says Sarah Collins, Founder of Wonderbag. “It’s about empowering people, especially women, with a sustainable way to cook that reduces their dependence on polluting fuels and frees up time to focus on other aspects of their lives.”
The Wonderbag uses heat-retention technology to complete the cooking process without the need for continuous fuel. Once food is brought to a boil on a conventional stove or fire, it is placed in the insulated Wonderbag, where it continues to cook slowly for hours. This simple yet ingenious design significantly reduces energy consumption and indoor air pollution, one of the leading causes of respiratory diseases worldwide.
The World Health Organisation estimates that as of 2024, over 2 billion people still rely on solid fuels for cooking, leading to 4 million premature deaths annually from indoor air pollution. By eliminating the need for prolonged cooking over open fires, the Wonderbag improves air quality and reduces health risks, particularly for women and children who spend hours gathering firewood and cooking.
“The health impact alone is transformative,” adds Collins. “We’ve seen entire communities adopt the Wonderbag, and the ripple effects from improved health to better educational opportunities for children are truly inspiring.”
Another critical driver of climate change is deforestation, much of which is fueled by the demand for firewood in cooking. With deforestation contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions, reducing wood consumption for cooking is a crucial step toward climate action. A single Wonderbag saves up to 1 tonne of carbon emissions by cutting down on fuel use and curbing deforestation.
The Wonderbag also aligns with international climate goals. In households across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and has been lauded as a practical, scalable solution to reduce carbon footprints while addressing immediate human needs.
Beyond its environmental and health benefits, the Wonderbag serves as a tool for empowerment. By shortening cooking times, it frees up hours each day for women and children, enabling them to pursue education, employment, or community activities. Additionally, local production and distribution of Wonderbags create job opportunities and stimulate regional economies.
“With the Wonderbag, we’re not just tackling climate change and energy poverty,” says Collins. “We’re creating a movement that uplifts communities, restores dignity, and builds resilience in the face of global challenges.”
As the world looks for scalable solutions to combat climate change and energy poverty, the Wonderbag stands out as an innovation that marries simplicity with profound impact. It exemplifies how thoughtful design and determination can transform lives while safeguarding the environment.
“Over the past month, we’ve seen prolonged power and water outages across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape—sometimes lasting days or even weeks. This isn’t just about loadshedding; it’s the consequence of ageing infrastructure that has not been maintained. With the very real threat of further loadshedding announced on Saturday, 30 January 2025, our power supply remains critically inadequate,” says Collins.
“Whether due to infrastructure failures or loadshedding, South Africans must be as self-reliant as possible. We know this reality all too well—torches by our beds, buckets filled with water, and every kitchen stocked with a Wonderbag. In these challenging times, preparedness is key. By anticipating disruptions and taking proactive steps, we can ease the stress of instability and navigate these uncertain times with resilience. With this in mind, February is the perfect time to share the gift of preparedness—our Large African Green and Grey Batik Wonderbags are available at a 20% discount, making it easier to help a friend or loved one stay ready for whatever comes next.”
For more information about Wonderbag or to order yours today, visit https://www.wonderbagworld.com/.
Connect with Wonderbag on:
Instagram: @TheWonderbag
Facebook: Facebook.com/TheWonderbag
Twitter: @WonderbagO
LinkedIn: Wonderbag
