Beginner guide to sustainability
Happy Earth Day!! In the last few years I’ve been more conscious of my personal carbon footprint and waste. This is not to say I have it figured it out and am living a zero-waste life. It’s hard to live sustainably because it can be expensive, inaccessible, and overwhelming. On this Earth Day, I’ve made you the beginner’s guide to sustainability because there are some simple things we all could do. And when we all do little things, they add up to a big impact. Imagine that!
It needs to be noted that it’s important to be conscious of your “personal carbon footprint,” but at the end of the day corporations are the root of the problem and the source of the solution. Yeah, we can all switch our toothbrushes, but there are companies producing unimaginable amounts of pollution and waste everyday. I don’t say that to minimize the importance of personal sustainable switches, but for us to realize we need to advocate harder for change at bigger levels. Holding companies accountable for their impacts is important in ensuring we make progress. It’s okay to start small though. (Everything is linked! I worked really hard on this, you’re welcome.)
Good on you is also a website that makes it easy to see how your favorite companies rank in their ethical and sustainable efforts.
Clothing brands
Seriously some of my favorite shoes. Super cute and ethically made! They use a lot of eco-friendly materials and have vegan options.
There aren’t enough words in the world for me to emphasize how much I love this swimsuit. It’s a one-size-fits-all swimsuit that I was HIGHLY skeptical to try. A little on the pricier side for a swimsuit, but it will fit your body every summer. Classic swimsuits that won’t go out of style and are ethically made in the UK.
This service allows you to customize plans to get (really nice and high-end) clothes shipped to you. Wear it a few times and then return it, simple as that. This service is super customizable and perfect for reducing your firsthand consumption.
This is the online thrift store of your dreams. They have so many brands and such a variety of clothes. They also make it easy to sell your stuff to them! I got a pair of brand new Lululemon shorts from this site for less than $30.
In the bathroom
Bamboo is biodegradable, meaning less waste in landfills. It decomposes in 3-4 months, while a plastic toothbrush will take 1000 years. Big difference and dentist approved.
Dove created a stainless steel container that you can buy refills for instead of getting a plastic container every time. They have every scent available and no aluminum.
I use this rag to take my makeup off before I wash my face and like it even better than using a normal makeup wipe. Super soft and non-irritating. These can be used multiple times before you put it in the washing machine and start over.
In the kitchen
These are the best. They come in so many colors and sizes and free you from Ziploc forever. This set seems a little pricier, but think about how many times you’ve bought boxes of disposable bags. They’re easy to clean and dishwasher safe! Cheaper set linked here.
This is an alternative to using plastic wrap/foil to cover and store food. Each wrap is meant to last a year! Also they are so cute.
We all know about reusable bags at the grocery store. These are bags for your produce to organize and store it without getting the mini plastic bags. Also! Bring your bags to the grocery store. Leave them in your car.
These are so cute, come with an easy keychain case, and a cleaner! No downsides.
