Well Here We Are

Category: Sustainable Living

A More Sustainable Valentine’s Day

By

On February 6, 2022

In Sustainable Living

It’s February, LOVE is in the air (along 9,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the growing and transporting of roses just for Valentine’s Day….)

You know what is NOT romantic, sexy or an act of love? A holiday that encourages consumerism to show others how much we “care” about them, at the expense of the planet (and its’ people)

When it comes to holidays, this is one that truly has been commercialised to the max and produces so much waste, from the cards, to the flowers, to the candy wrapper waste, to the icky little plastic toys that are often traded between children.

So let’s get to some ways to celebrate more sustainably:

  1. Ditch the balloons- honestly, it shocks me that this is still a thing. Balloon’s novelty is incredibly ephemeral yet they take over 450 years to biodegrade. Nothing, says I love you like birds choking on a discarded balloon.
  2. Trade out flowers/roses– snag a houseplant, succulent, or grab them a herb that they can grow inside that they will use! I also think dried floral arrangements are SO beautiful and are made to last- (Kalia the owner of Tumbleweed Floral Truck is so kind and talented!)
  3. Make your own cards– cut up hearts from book pages, paper bags, newspaper, magazines etc. to make your own personalized cards. You could even include sentimental items like pictures of you and your sweetie, a takeout menu of your favorite restaurant or old cards they may have given you!
  4. Just say no to glitter – As a former elementary school teacher, I can confirm that glitter is “the lice of the art room”- (Maid) meaning it’s incredibly difficult to get rid of…in fact it is truly just tiny pieces of plastic that then breakdown into microplastics (which are sadly ubiquitous in our environment now and are even found in the placenta of unborn babies…)
  5. Rethink your treats- chocolates have troublesome supply chains, with wage theft, child labor and deforestation among some of the issues. In America, 58 million pounds of chocolate each year is consumed during the week of Valentine’s Day, and most of it comes wrapped in single-use plastic and/or packaging that is not recyclable. You can opt for fair trade certified chocolates or make something tasty yourself!
  6. Don’t overdo decor– BACK AWAY FROM THE DOLLAR SPOT! You certainly do NOT need that heart wreath, or that glittery metallic garland. Instead, handmake your decor and feature sentimental items you already own.
  7. Gift experiences– research shows that gifting experiences fosters stronger relationships. Schedule a massage, a trip to a museum, a dance/crafting/cooking class, a ticket to a play or musical or some other thoughtful experience.
  8. Support small business/B Corps– if you are the physical gifting type, choose to support small businesses or companies that are B Corp Certified. ( think Patagonia, Allbirds, Beautycounter, Cotopaxi, Athleta, among others)

“When you realize what the supply chain looks like and the number of hands that touch these flowers, and then they’re only appreciated for a couple of hours, it’s kind of disgusting when you think about the amount of resources that go into it,”

Jennifer Grove, founder of New York City-based flower service Repeat Roses.

This year let’s extend the act of love to our planet and all of it’s inhabitants by choosing to celebrate sustainability!

xoxo

Allie

Current Links and Discount Codes

By

On January 21, 2022

In Beautycounter, Non Toxic Lifestyle, Secondhand Fashion, Sustainable Living, Uncategorized

I take a great amount of pride and care in choosing the products and brands I recommend on my blog and on instagram. It is really important to me that I do my due diligence to make sure that the brand I am sharing is ethical and sustainable.

With that said, I wanted to have one place where all of my links and codes are in one spot for you to access.

These are affiliate links, which means I am able to earn a SMALL commission if you shop through them, at no extra cost to you! Please know that I truly appreciate you support when you choose to shop through my links!

By doing so you are helping to support my blog and it allows me to continue sharing what I love!

BEAUTYCOUNTER

Beautycounter is my go to for clean makeup, skincare and body care. They are a B corporation with a focus on advocating for safer, more sustainable beauty for ALL. They are known as the leader in clean beauty for a reason- they provide high performing and award winning products that are also free of over 1800 harmful or questionable ingredients. To boot, they are also aiming for all products to be refillable, compostable, or recyclable by 2025 and for carbon neutrality by 2030. Use the code CLEANFORALL20 for 20% off your first purchase! Shop my link here!

Earth Hero

EarthHero is the one-stop-shop for everything sustainable, making it easy to find trusted eco-friendly products from over 250+ ethical brands. Through our 5-step sourcing methodology, we ensure every brand and product on our site meets our strict standards for sustainable materials, manufacturing, packaging, give-back, and of course, can be used to help you live a mindful lifestyle. Every order is shipped carbon neutral through our partnership with Climate Neutral and comes packaged and shipped plastic-free – or with minimal plastic packaging. We donate 1% of sales towards environmental nonprofits worldwide through 1% for the Planet, and we’re a Certified B Corp joining a network of companies using business as a force for good. When you shop on EarthHero, you’re supporting a future where products are made better – for people, and for the planet. From zero-waste living products to sustainable clothing, to tech and home products and beyond, EarthHero aims to have an eco-friendly alternative to anything and everything you need to purchase.

That’s sustainable shopping made simple. Click here

ABLE

ABLE // Local + Global. Beautiful products by women who have overcome.

ABLE is an ethical fashion brand that employs and empowers women as a solution to end poverty. They deeply devoted to quality – both in the products they make and the quality of life they aim to provide. They invest in, train, and educate women so they can earn a living, break the cycle of poverty, and thrive. They are also doing the work in the sustainability aspects of their business. If you’re needing to buy new quality pieces (jewelry, clothing, bags etc.) This is a great choice. Shop here.

Pela Case

The phone industry has a HUGE problem. Greedy companies use cheap, polluting plastics for their phone cases. Pela decided that you and our planet deserve better so they created the world’s first compostable phone case. They also have many other accessories that are compostable. Pela Cases are COMPOSTABLE and free of lead, cadmium, BPA and phthalates. Our cases are made of a proprietary blend of biopolymers and Canadian Prairie flax shive. Pela Case is designed to protect your phone and formulated to reduce waste on our planet. Shop here.

Zero Waste Store

“Everything on our planet is intricately interconnected, and the environment that we depend on to survive is impacted by each one of us, and every action (and inaction) we take. Conventional consumer products are creating an unsustainable amount of waste, and exacerbate the environmental problems that potentially threaten life on the planet as we know it. We can’t afford to ignore the bigger problem at hand with consumerism any longer. “

We must rethink the way we consume.

Shop Now at Zero Waste Store

DYPER

Responsible, Eco-Friendly, Unscented & Unprinted Diapers. Better For You & The Planet. Subscription Guarantees You Will Never Have Too Many Diapers And You Will Never Run Out. CO2 Offset Each Delivery. Clinically-Tested & Safe ingredients…not to mention has a corresponding composting program called REDYPER. I have a whole post reviewing DYPER here.

Use this link to shop DYPER

DROPPS

Dropps® Are Pre-Measured Laundry And Dishwasher Detergent Pods That You Just Toss And Go! Eco-Friendly Laundry Pods Made With Plant-Based Ingredients. Compostable Cardboard Package. Free Shipping. Safer Ingredients. High-Efficiency. Shop here!

BANDITS BANDANAS

WHY I LOVEEEE THIS BRAND: They support artists : BANDITS BANDANAS FEATURE DESIGNS CREATED BY ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
They support charities: FOR EVERY BANDANA SOLD, THEY DONATE 10% OF PROCEEDS TO CHARITIES CHOSEN BY THE ARTISTS THEY WORK WITH (they’ve given $85,000 and counting already and on their website you can choose to shop by cause!)They support the planet: BANDITS BANDANAS ARE HAND MADE, FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED, AND BUILT FROM SUSTAINABLY-SOURCED, 100% ORGANIC COTTON
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Not to mention the founders are RAD humans. SHOP HERE AND Use the code: ALLISONZ15 for 15% off your order!

8 Tips To Build a More Sustainable Wardrobe This Year

By

On January 18, 2022

In Secondhand Fashion, Sustainable Living

Welcome to 2022, a Brave New World where Kim Kardashian is supposedly dating Pete Davidson, and we have already had both the warmest and coldest weather on the books. What better year to tackle reconfiguring your wardrobe so that it helps the weather stay normal, and doesn’t imitate the latest Kardashian trends? 

I am guessing you are here because you already have that tingle at the base of your neck. You know–the one telling you that while you love fashion, it’s time to start looking at how fashion can make you look good, and also be good for the world.

But, just in case you need that last little nudge before jumping headfirst into the world of holistic sustainability I would love to remind you of a few things: click here.

This is Why Sustainable Fashion Matters

It takes over 10,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of cotton, and 20% of wastewater worldwide is attributed to clothing production, much of which winds up in our oceans. Fast fashion often results in poor working conditions for laborers, and millions of tons of clothing are trashed every year (57% of our clothing winds up in landfills). The marginalized communities who are being exploited for their labor also are the ones who will feel the effects of climate change first, and also are already dealing with pollution due to the manufacturing AND end of life for these garments. Not only that, but the synthetic clothing that often makes up fast fashion is contributing to 35% of the microplastics we are finding polluting our ecosystem, and higher carbon emissions from production.

Friends. I know. But, listen. I believe this can be the year where we can all take small steps toward making our wardrobe more sustainable, and help fend off the impending climate crises. 

So, without further ado, here are a few simple tricks to make YOUR wardrobe clean and environmentally friendly.

Eight Simple Tricks to Make Your Wardrobe More Sustainable

1.       Wear What you Have. Always start with your own closet, and don’t be afraid to wear that sweater you love four times in one week.

2.       Accessorize. You will be surprised what a good accessory can do for clothes you have worn a million times. Grab those statement earrings, or that bright scarf that was hidden in the box on your closet shelf. Try layering clothes you haven’t layered before and suddenly you have a whole new VIBE.

3.       Shop Secondhand First. See what I did there? At some point, all of us will need to grab a new item or five. But, whenever you can, look to shop second hand. Toss your old clothes in a Thred Up bag, and then use your credit to grab a gently worn jacket or jeans. (link). Even better? Make it an outing and hit up that local thrift store.

4.       Host a Clothing Swap. Never underestimate the power of someone else’s closet. Every year a few friends and I host a girl’s night where we all bring 2-3 clothing items that we no longer want in our closet. We pour a few drinks, and then we take turns choosing one “new to us” item from the rack to take home. I have found a few favorite pieces from this exchange, and it is always fun to see my old clothes on someone I love.

5.       Find Sustainable brands. When you know you need a staple piece to last the ages, make the investment to shop with (insert links). They will cost you more than something H&M, but they will last longer, and their items were made by hands receiving fair wages, and using methods that won’t break planet Earth.

6.       Take the time to figure out what your closet needs, and then buy what you need, not just what you want. Listen, I feel you. Walking down the aisles of Target, it takes a boatload of will power to walk past that cute sweater with the darling buttons down the neck. But, I know what I need, and I know I have seven sweaters already hanging in my closet, and I live in California, so I don’t need them the same way the New Yorkers do. When I am clear on what I need, I am less likely to make impulsive buys.

7.       Consider a Rental Service. Big Trip? Three weddings in one weekend? Hit up a shop like Rent the Runway to grab the items you need for that one occasion and let your wallet and the fashion industry take a break.

8.       Wear What you Have. Did I repeat myself? Yes. Maybe I did, but this is something that I don’t mind climbing up on a soapbox for so everyone can hear. There is power in less. There is power in finding creative ways to wear what you own. And, there is power in taking control of your own fashion and not letting other people tell you what you are supposed to be buying and what is on trend.

2022 is the year to break our fast fashion habits…

And build the kind of closet you feel really good about. In so doing, you can focus on your own personal style over quick trends. Wear what makes you feel good and stick with that. Plus, you can give yourself a little extra hug for making the planet feel good, too.

Ready to join the sustainability club? Sign up for my newsletter which will cheer you on, give you simple swaps, and link arms with you on your journey. 

Ethically and Sustainably Made Holiday Gift Guides

By

On November 6, 2021

In Beautycounter, Non Toxic Lifestyle, Sustainable Living

Last year I did a blog post about how we need to normalize regifting and secondhand shopping for the holidays, so I encourage you to do that first.

If you cannot find what you’re looking for or you’re in a pinch, I hope these guides can help you find some good stuff! Almost all of the items are sustainably and ethically made (minus the ice roller….) and maybe the Usborne books. I will add to this guide as I make more guides.

Make sure to use my codes to get a discount when you can! For anything EarthHero use ALLISONZ10 to get 10% off

For Beautycounter, use CLEANBEAUTY20 for 20% off your first order and make sure you’re shopping with me

Thanks for using my links so I get compensated somewhat for my research and time.

Allie

For Mom

  1. Clean Dreams Set $75
  2. Plum Brilliance Natural Herbal Tea, loose leaf
  3. Do Good Sweatshirt- $65
  4. P.F Candle CO. Diffuser $22
  5. Best In Clean Heroes $99
  6. Fat and the Moon Mineral Soak $17.99
  7. Ice Roller $14.99
  8. Weighted Blanket $159
  9. Heart Talk $17.99 (support your local bookstore)
  10. Yeti Rambler $29.99

For your Dad or Dude

  1. Bumi Organic Cotton Duffle Bag $65
  2. Combo Wooden iPhone Charging Dock $78.99
  3. Outerknown Blanket Shirt $148
  4. Bandits Bandana $30 (ALLISONZ15 for 15% off)
  5. Counterman clean skincare
  6. Yeti Rambler $29.99

For the 3-4 year old

  1. Yoto Player $100
  2. Tortuga Kids Recycled Sunglasses $45
  3. Pickled Oak Wobble Board $79
  4. Green Recycling Truck Toy $30
  5. Long Beeswax Crayons 6pk $16.95
  6. Organic Cotton Plush Baby Doll $38.99
  7. Eco-bricks Wooden Toy Blocks $19.99
  8. Playhard Heroes Wooden Action Figure $15.99
  9. Water Wonders Reusable Painting books $12.99
  10. Sticker Activity Books $8.99

Eco/Sustainable Swaps For your Home

By

On July 26, 2021

In Sustainable Living

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A quick post about the clean and eco friendly swaps we’ve made in our house.  Maybe my IGTV video led you here, so thanks for coming!  
DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT A ZERO WASTE HOUSE! We just try to reduce our waste and how much plastic we use in our home.  The great thing is, you can find these at most places now- even Target and Walmart have some great eco-friendly and sustainable swaps! 

It can be helpful to have the mindset of either going by room or going by your most frequently used products. That is totally up to you! Zero waste doesn’t need to be done perfectly! 

Eco-Friendly Kitchen Swaps

Kitchen Swaps:

  1. Stasher bags– used to replace ziplocks. These are SO many uses. 
  2. Bees Wax Wraps– used to replace plastic wrap etc.
  3. Bamboo and silicone dishes and cutlery for the kids
  4. Glass Baby Bottles
  5. Silicone sippy tops 
  6. Stainless steel cups
  7. refillable dishsoap and dishwasher pods ( i also love DROPPS)
  8. “unpaper” towels-used to in place of paper towels
  9. Papertowels that come with no plastic and are made of recycled paper
  10. Glass bulk containers
  11. Cloth produce bags
  12. Glass food storage 
  13. Reusable to go mugs
  14. Reusable water bottles
  15.  Reusable to go utensils 
  16. Reusable straws and straw cleaner
  17. Stainless Steel Food Storage

Eco Friendly Bathroom Swaps

Some of these are zero waste bathroom swaps and some reduce plastic and waste usage.
Bathroom:

  1. Bamboo toothbrushes
  2. Floss with zero plastic
  3. Bite toothpaste
  4. Zero plastic razor
  5. Refillable haircare
  6. Bar haircare and soaps
  7. Make up eraser – swear by this product
  8. Reusable Q tip
  9. Plastic free Toilet paper
  10.  Face pads- I use these with my toner
  11. Feminine Care products – underwear and menstrual cup

Eco Friendly Products for Cleaning Your Home

House Cleaning 

  1. Compostable and machine washable sponge cloths
  2. Blueland Cleaning supplies refillable and nontoxic
  3. Branches Cleaning Supplies
  4. Dish washing brush
  5. Laundry detergent – refillable and non toxic
  6. Handsoap- refillable and non toxic
  7. Compostable Sponges

I will continue to add to this list.  I want to make sure that you know to celebrate your swaps! Don’t get discouraged if one swap isn’t the right fit for you or your family- there are so many solutions that create less waste.  

I’ll leave some links below to guide you! 
100 Tips for a zero waste home
Why choose Silicone
Eco Friendly Life Hacks 

A Guide to Buying Online Secondhand Fashion

By

On July 26, 2021

In Secondhand Fashion, Sustainable Living, Uncategorized




 One of my main goals for this year is to be much more mindful of my clothing consumption.  The more I dig into the detrimental effects of the fashion industry (particularly fast fashion…) the more horrified I am! From human rights violations, garments shedding microplastics  into our environment, water consumption and pollution, the filling of the landfills with clothing, exposure of toxic chemicals found in synthetic materials…( I could go on…) but the fashion industry MUST do better. And you know what? We CAN do better.  Shop less, repair more, buy secondhand, use natural fibers, and be a conscious consumer. 
As I have said before, I am always reticent to put the responsibility on the consumer, as I believe we need institutional change at a large level to hold the fashion industry accountable.  But…I am so ashamed of some of my past shopping habits, but to reference a famous quote, “When you know better, do better!”  So in order to share my journey into a more sustainable wardrobe, I will be sharing a second hand look every Sunday via my instagram.  This was inspired by the blogger Sequins and Sales.  

Why Buy Second Hand?

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Where To Shop For Quality Second Hand or Vintage Clothing Online:

 I know that there are some people that love the hunt of thrifting, but right now (during covid) it is much more difficult to get to thrift stores. There are many options out there to purchase second hand or vintage clothing and other items online.  Several of my frequented sites/apps are Mercari, Poshmark, Depop, The Real Real, Vestiaire Collective.  They are all online marketplaces for second hand, thrifted and vintage items.  FYI: The difference between second hand and vintage- second hand are previously owned items and vintage is a subcategory of that in which clothes are between 20-100 years old.  You can also use Facebook Marketplace, Letgo, Kidizen, Nextdoor, Ebay and Facebook Groups like The Buy Nothing Project and your local swap groups to purchase second hand items.  

You can sell your second hand or used items on many of these platforms as well!

Tips For Purchasing Second Hand Clothing Online:

  • Know your measurements : often people will list the exact measurements for the item you are looking at online, if they do not have it listed it is totally fine to ask!
  • Look at the materials: will they wash/age well? Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, rayon, acrylic, spandex, or faux fur naturally shed tiny plastic particles when you wear and wash them.  When thrown in a landfill, polyester takes more than 200 years to decompose. (more on this in a later post!)  Natural fibers come with their own human rights issues but they do tend to be better for the environment and wash/age better.
  • It can be helpful to shop brands that you already know and love.  That way you already know your fit.  I like the fit of Everlane clothing, so I often shop second hand for that brand.
  • Invest in pieces you think will also last you! You can find all sorts of quality pieces second hand. I scored 2 cashmere sweaters and a pair of amazing leather flats! 
  • Don’t be afraid to “reposh” or resell when you are done.  If you take care of your items, there is no reason that you cannot pass it on to someone else when you feel done with it. Let’s normalize re-gifting to friends too!
  • Take it to the tailor if you want to get it just right.  Make it a piece you will LOVE

Final Thoughts

I want to remind you that the most sustainable wardrobe you have is the one in your closet right now.  Wear what you have when you can (I need to take my own advice on this one more often.)

​In a later post I will include some recommendations for some great sustainable clothing companies- as there are things that we still want first hand (hello underwear) and also, there are times we just want something new to us.  It is important to keep companies like this in business too! Vote with your dollar and support businesses that are pushing the fashion industry to be more ethical and sustainable!
​
I am going to wrap this up now as this is getting LONG.  If you made it this far, you deserve a cookie.  Good for you! And thanks for reading!

Tips For “Greening” Your Wardrobe

By

On July 26, 2021

In Non Toxic Lifestyle, Secondhand Fashion, Sustainable Living

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Looking to simplify and clean up your wardrobe?

Well here is my quick and dirty (clean?) tips for a cleaner closet:

  1. Marie Kondo that closet.  I mean it- go and touch every single piece of clothing and see if it sparks joy.  If not, donate, sell, or if it is in poor shape grab yourself a For Days (a sustainable clothing brand) Take Back bag and recycle your clothing for product credit!
  1. When you’ve landed on some of your favorite pieces, sit with them for a while.  Don’t rush out and fill in the gaps just yet.  Try and wear what you have and take note of what you really need. I literally mean write that ish down!
  2. When you’ve determined what you need in your wardrobe-first look second hand (ha).  Check poshmark, depop, the real real, in person thrifting, mercari, or find your favorite thrift resellers on insta.
  3. If you cannot buy from there, you can always try to find a sustainable clothing brand option: Patagonia, Outerknown, For Days, Everlane, Pact, Eileen Fisher, Able, Tradlands and many more are good options. Yes- they can be spendy, but remember these pieces are going to be with you as an INVESTMENT. 
  4. When investing in new items, natural fibers are best. They often wash and wear better and you are looking for pieces that will last! 
  5. Never underestimate the power of accessories! Find some statement earrings, a purse or scarf and it changes the WHOLE vibe.
  6. Don’t be ashamed to be an outfit repeater! Wear that label loud and proud.  If you need something for an event use Rent the Runway to wear something fresh- sustainable and affordable! 
  7. Break your fast fashion habit.  Are you just buying what is trendy? Or is it really part of your STYLE.  Hone what makes you feel good, and stick with those pieces.  REAAAAALLLY love a trend? I bet you can find it secondhand! Start the hunt! 
  8. PUT ON BLINDERS AT TARGET. I mean dang, their clothing is SO cute but I promise- you very likely DO NOT NEED IT like you think you do!
  9. Wear what you have- this is the most sustainable choice you can make.  Better for your wallet and the Earth! 


    I promise you, less is more.  It is freeing to have less options.  You will surprise yourself with how many fun outfits you can come up with! Also, its less laundry and less time getting ready in the morning! Yahoo!

Hope you find this helpful!

The Trouble With Synthetic Fabrics

By

On July 3, 2021

In Non Toxic Lifestyle, Secondhand Fashion, Sustainable Living

Would you be surprised if I told you your leggings were made from nonrenewable fossil fuels? Your shirt? Your sweater? Your dress? EEK, the list goes on.

Today I am talking synthetic fabrics.  

MANY fabrics used today are made from petroleum and petrochemicals.  These fabrics are used because they are easier and less expensive to make in large quantities.  

This includes fabrics such as Polyester, Acrylic, Nylon, Spandex and Acetate.  

Pretty much every step in the extraction process, production, use and end of life of these fabrics is detrimental to our environment and it’s inhabitants. 

The production of these synthetic fabrics is environmentally degrading- just the extraction requires fracking, off shore drilling, pipelines…etc. 

Every year 70 million barrels of oil are used in the manufacturing of polyester alone.

James Conca, Forbes

The oil industry is responsible for an incredible amount of pollution in our air, soil and water.  On top of polluting the land, air and water of fence line communities and communities at large, the extraction also often displaces communities of already marginalized groups and degreates cultural heritage sites.

Ok, so now the garment has been made and the consumer has purchased it.  The environmental nightmare doesn’t stop there! 

 When you wash these synthetic fibers, microplastics are released as the fibers break down, which pollutes our water system and plastic ends up in our oceans and permeates the food chain.  According to ecologist Mike Browne, each time we wash synthetic garments they shed 1,900 individual plastic microfibers. 

Microplastics are now found pretty much everywhere and in everything from arctic ice to honey, from beer to sea salt.

So now you’re done with the garment, and you donated it but it never got purchased secondhand…(a large percentage of clothing ends up thrown away from donation sites) THE SHIT STORM CONTINUES…

At the end of their consumer life cycle these fabrics end up in our landfill…where it takes hundreds of years for them to begin to degrade due to plastic polymers… which THEN release toxic chemicals such as heavy metals into surrounding soil and water systems. BLECH

How are we feeling? A bit overwhelmed and deeply depressed? Yep…however the beauty in all of this mess is we CAN do something about it.

Here is a list of things we can do:

  • First of all, BUY LESS STUFF
  • Choose clothes made from eco-friendly materials like cotton, linen, wool, hemp, viscose, modal, and Tencel ( of course lets acknowledge that there are issues with these too, especially conventionally farmed cotton)
  • Change how you wash- GUPPYFRIEND is a is an effective, scientifically proven, and patented solution to stop microplastic pollution.
  • Wash less often (yeah I know people going to say EWWW about this one.. But lets wash when we really NEED to)
  • Choose recycled synthetics- More and more sustainable brands are using fabrics like ECONYL and Repreve made from recycled plastics from PET bottles or fishing nets rescued from the ocean

What makes this problem vexing as well is that these materials are less expensive to buy.  We must go beyond just buying eco-friendly materials and continue to make sustainability a luxury for those affluent enough to afford things like guppybags etc. 

We must have systemic change.

Let’s demand change at a larger level.  

“Washing machines need to be designed to reduce emissions of fibers to the environment; at the moment they are not,” says Mark Browne, an environmental scientist. As writer Brian Resnick from Vox says “Textile manufactures could also design fabrics that shed less, clothing companies could utilize them, and consumers could be more mindful.”

So, we all have a part to play. And as always, the mantra to repeat is BUY LESS.

Sources:

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/08/20/636845604/beer-drinking-water-and-fish-tiny-plastic-is-everywhere

https://www.surfrider.org/campaigns/addressing-microplastic-pollution-in-california?gclid=CjwKCAjwlYCHBhAQEiwA4K21m6vXSZ9ClhtSImwrcO2_K1JyaZNJWIbtETWPAHaG7g5AYY8ip3ReZhoCRPIQAvD_BwE

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2015/12/03/making-climate-change-fashionable-the-garment-industry-takes-on-global-warming/?sh=36686d379e41

What to Do About Microfibres in Clothing

COME AS YOU ARE

By

On July 2, 2021

In Non Toxic Lifestyle, Secondhand Fashion, Sustainable Living

This is one of my mantras for the environmental movement (and life honestly).

Many people think that to be an environmentalist you must be zero waste, “crunchy”, vegan, minimalist etc.

But really, in my opinion, it is all about making progress towards sustainability and climate action.

We are all in a different place in our sustainability journey, and how we show up for the planet and its inhabitants may look wildly different depending on background, life and financial situation, etc.

Before going “public” about my imperfect environmentalism and sharing my small victories, I felt like I had no place in the movement because I was not “perfect”. Here we are, years later in my journey and I am still far from perfect…and that’s ok.

I am here to tell you that our collective actions, small as they may seem can make a difference. We need your voice, your actions, and your own brand of environmentalism. Your unique actions CAN make a change.

Drives to work everyday but calls representatives and votes for climate and racial justice?
ENVIRONMENTALIST.

Eats meat but shops in season at the farmers market and chooses local?
ENVIRONMENTALIST.

Shops at Trader Joes (plastic galore) but chooses to shop #secondhandfirst for clothing/items?
ENVIRONMENTALIST.

Ok you get the idea….as long as you are striving to lead a more sustainable and intentional life…you’re showing up for our future.

Come as you are to this movement. You’re welcome (and needed) here.

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