The Bulli mother's purewipes were one of several novel products to cause a stir at yesterday's inaugural Smart Living Community Expo in Wollongong.

Dozens of Illawarra businesses took the chance to spruik their sustainable products, proving there is much more to sustainable living than just growing your own vegetables.

Ms Harrison-Shaw's biodegradable wipes, which she imports into Australia, start as a "tablet" of compressed cotton and expand with a few drops of water.

She said the product had proven popular since she launched the brand about three years ago and had even been trialled by the United States military in Afghanistan.

Port Kembla couple Brad and Sharon Hurst were among many Illawarra residents to visit the expo in search of ways to make their home more sustainable.

Mr Hurst said the family already had solar hot water and were looking for other options to "save a few dollars".

The expo was also a chance to educate their children about sustainability, Mrs Hurst said.

Products on show ranged from mud-brick home designs and energy-efficient lighting systems.

Miles Lochhead and Barbara Giannella represented their recycling company Renewable Recyclers, a "social enterprise" which employs 15 people and recycles electronic waste.

"There's up to 30 different items we can get out of a PC, and up to 95 per cent is recoverable, so it's recycled or re-used," Mr Lochhead said.

The expo was held in conjunction with this week's Transforming Australia conference.