Sustainable Shopping 101: The Brands Helping Me Live More Sustainably

I want to start out by saying I am not a sustainability guru. I became interested in pursuing a more sustainable lifestyle after my sister Sam inspired me by taking steps in her life to reduce her impact on the earth. My sustainable journey has been slow and not always perfect but over the years I’ve been able to significantly reduce use of plastic, repurpose and upcycle more often, and buy with a more conscious lens. What I think is most important about sustainability is that it’s inclusive. You do not need to be a vegan hippie who lives in a tiny house and grows food on a biodynamic farm to be sustainable. Every step each of us takes helps; so start slow and it’ll soon become a part of your routine (and consciousness for that matter).

So what qualifies as ‘sustainable’? Unfortunately, there’s no regulation for labeling something sustainable in the market but there are certifications and impact reports that can help point you in the right direction. Here are a few and if you want more Treehugger also has a great list:

• FSC Certification: The Forest Stewardship Council provides a certification that demonstrated a company has ensured their products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environment, social and economic benefits.

• Eco-Cert: Eco-Cert has made certifications including the standard USDA Organic, Fair Trade, Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture, and more. If a company says it’s eco-cert certified its best to see in which category.

• B Corp: B Corp companies exist in 74 countries and much score high on the company’s impact on environment, workers, community and customers assessment.

Finding companies who uphold sustainability is tough; though these certifications can help. However, those that also uphold ethical working conditions, commitment to organic practices, don’t test on animals, and have mission-based products can be a tall ask and you really need to dig into the specifics of the company to understand their commitment to each of these areas. I have spent hours upon hours looking for brands that fit these values and though they don’t always check off every single box, we’re striving for progress here not perfection. I have been able to find some great brands along the way that take the sustainable mission to heart and wanted to share these with you in the event you’re looking for some good brands along your own sustainability journey.

*I will keep adding to this list as I find new brands and please drop in the comments or message me if you have any brands you’re loving for this to be a continuous source of discovery for those looking to live more sustainably!

Credit: @BeyondYoga

FASHION

Sustainable Fashion Tip: Before you go filling your closet with sustainable clothes- try to upcycle or donate the ones you already have. Then, if you have the money, invest in better pieces that will last longer. It took me awhile to get my head around the fact that buying a sweater from Urban every season added up to as much as it costs me to buy a great sweater that will last me a lifetime (or at least longer than 3 seasons).

• Underwear:

  • Pact is made with fair trade organic cotton and their underwear is the most comfortable (though they offer a full comfy clothing range. They also offer a donation box for used clothes, carbon offset shipping and minimal conscious packaging. Message me through IG for a 20% off code.

  • Boody is made with bamboo and frequently spotted on celebs like Jenna Dewan - ecocert, FCS, Peta, and Oeko-tex approved means your purchase is good for you, Boody’s worker’s and the planet.

• Chic Dress Up:

  • Emerson Fry: Emerson Fry is made to order with limited production runs. They work with conscious materials in fair conditions and they have the most beautiful summer prints.

  • Sézane: Sézane is similar to Emerson Fry with made to order limited production runs. The majority of their materials are eco-friendly, they have a recycling program, 100% of shipping boxes are made from recycled cardboard from sustainably-managed forests, all locations are powered by renewable energy and they’re continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

• Cozy Dress Down:

  • Beyond Yoga: Beyond Yoga how I love thee, let me count the ways. The spacedye yoga pant is hands down the best workout pant I’ve ever had, it literally feels like you’re wearing pajamas and has been a staple of my WFH style. Beyond Yoga uses 100% recycled shipping bags, sustainable fabrics with water-free printing and carries a blue sign certification.

  • Patagonia: Patagonia was one of the OG sustainability brands and they have continued their commitment through programs like Patagonia Action Works connecting individuals to grantees in their program focused on solving the climate crisis, Patagonia Provisions for responsibly sourced foods, and Worn Wear where you can trade in your old pieces and get credit for something new.

  • Allbirds: The hype is real for this certified B Corp sneaker brand. In addition to insanely comfortable and stylish shoes, they’re working toward a net zero carbon impact by 2030 and are already 100% carbon neutral using renewable materials, responsible energy and regenerative agriculture to fuel their business.

Credit: @Buffy

HOME

Sustainable Home Tip: Standby electricity loss, or power that occurs when you have a wire connected to the plug but it doesn’t turn on can be a significant energy drain. Unplug what you’re not using, it’s a simple trick that will help the environment and your energy bill.

• Bedding: Buffy makes the comfiest most light weight duvets- we have one in each bedroom and they offer a eucalyptus option which is cooling as well. Buffy published their first impact report this year showing how their use of recycled plastic, eucalyptus, and soft hemp has supported a better carbon footprint. Plus, if you don’t like your Buffy they ask you to donate it instead of return it.

• Baskets: I went on a total basket bender in decorating our apartment in LA and now our home in Philadelphia. We use these West Elm baskets made with eco-friendly water hyacinth to hold blankets around the house and these seagrass belly baskets to hold toilet paper and towels in the bathroom.

• Lights: We love these Bedtime Bulbs which cast a warm light to help the production of melatonin in our bedroom, they’re LED and come with a 5-year warranty so you’re not using nearly as many light bulbs as you usually would. We recently also got these dimmable shatterproof LED lights for our backyard.

• Laundry: We just discovered Branch Basics which uses water and a concentrate to make a variety of cleaning products including laundry detergent, reducing their manufacturing footprint and creating a product that doesn’t harm the environment. We also tossed our dryer sheets a long time ago and use wool dryer balls which are just as effective.

• Decor:

  • Little Market: Lauren Conrad’s company Little Market is a nonprofit organization helping women find self sufficiency through dignified income opportunities in addition to sourcing sustainably and prioritizing marginalized individuals. They have great baskets, blankets and more all that come with stories you can share of a group of women you supported through your purchase.

  • MINNA: MINNA has stunning one-of-a-kind pieces and seeks to uplift artisans in South and Central America. They small batch design of their products ensures minimal environmental impact and their products are made locally rather than in a factory preserving tradition as well as the environment.

• Crystals: Your former-LA girl has got to put crystals on this list! If you want to talk about something that’s actually high vibration it has to be giving back to the planet. I love the company Nick found and purchased my latest crystal from Beyond Bohemian. Packaging is from reused paper, crystals are ethically sourced and never treated. They also support other small businesses which is a win.

Credit: @Bailideodorant

BEAUTY & SELF CARE

Sustainable Beauty & Self Care Tip: A good DIY is a wonderful way to contribute to the environment and your best self. Reuse coffee grounds as a scrub, drop some essential oil into unused cooking oil like olive or coconut for a moisturizer and save the water you boil eggs in to water your plants (okay this is more of a home beautiful tip but still a great one!).

• Toothbrush: The average person uses 300 toothbrush heads in their lifetime. Sustainable Tomorrow’s Bamboo Electric Toothbrush offers a way for that not to contribute to plastic waste. If you already have a sonicare (like I do) they have an option to just replace the head. Doop is another brand that has been on my radar.

• Lips & Cheeks: Kjaer Weis offers beautiful clean makeup in refillable tins that reduce impact on the environment while helping you looks amazing.

• Shampoo & Conditioner: I don’t use bars yet (sustainability mongers don’t come after me) but I am loving Zatik Naturals with organic ingredients and mostly biodegradable options. Their deep moisturizing line smells like a day at the beach.

• Lip Balm/Chapstick: I was horrified to discover my chapstick had tallow in it - I am not a vegetarians but it seems unnecessary that I need to use animal products for chapped lips. I’m still testing on more sustainable vegan options but currently liking Meow Meow Tweet which comes in cardboard for easy recycling.

• Deodorant: I’ve just swapped my plastic deodorant for the Bai-li cardboard one which comes in Eucalyptus + Rosemary, Peppermint + Lavender, Lemon + Bergamot and Unscented.

• Brush: Tek. I was formerly a wet brush girl until I found out not only how much breakage those plastic bristles cause but also how much plastic I was wasting. I’ve had this Tek brush made of FSC wood for 4 years and the company ensures every part of their process is sustainable. When a bristle falls out, instead of buying a new brush, Tek will ship you new bristles to insert.

Credit: @OonaGoods

KITCHEN

Sustainable Kitchen Tip: Soak your dishes for a few minutes in hot water and soap before cleaning them. It will reduce your time spent cleaning dishes and preserve water.

• Ziploc Swap: We’ve tested a lot of different brands. We really like Stasher which is probably the most well known, reusbe is also good.

• Seran Wrap Swap: Nick got targeted with these silicone wraps on Instagram from The Earthling Co. a few years ago and they’re amazing, dishwasher safe, come in multiple sizes and stretch to fit almost any container and we’ve saved so much unnecessary plastic.

• Plastic Tupperware Swap: Our tops still have plastic on them but we’ve had our glass containers for years now and stopped a long time ago hoarding the takeout plastic containers. Not only is it better for the environment but plastics can leach into your food causing a host of issues so this helps you and the planet. If we were to do it again, I’d get these ones with bamboo tops which are even better for the environment. Also been lusting after these Porter ones by W&P design.

• Small Container Swap: Tavva containers. Another Nick find, we love these stainless steel containers with silicone lids for sauces, a small amount of leftovers, or even bacon grease saved for later cooking.

• Reusable Napkins: We are most reliant on paper towels in our kitchen and are continuing to adjust to reusable napkins for meals and to wipe up spills. Two brands I’m really liking:

  • To Set The Table: Nick surprised me on my birthday this year with these beautiful West Elm napkins (and a whole restaurant he made where I could eat everything). They’re sustainably sourced and 100% cotton. I would not say we’ve kicked our paper towel habit but we’re trying to use them!

  • To Clean Up Spills: Oona goods makes beautiful dish towels which are sourced sustainably, empower female designers and give back to the community. The towels help mitigate the 3,000 tons of paper towels produced PER DAY in the U.S. and can be cleaned easily in the dishwasher and used again and again.

Credit: @MisfitsMarket

FOOD

Sustainable Food Tip: Take your food scraps from fruits and veggies like onion skins, zucchini ends, and carrot tops and store in a freezer bag. When the bag is full, pop all of it in a pot with some water, apple cider vinegar, and salt and pepper and simmer for an hour, veggie stock! (Just double check you can boil everything you put in there before you do, some pits from food and ends should not be used!)

• Fresh Food Delivery: While heading to the farmer’s market might be the best of all options, in quarantine times there are certain delivery options that have been great additions.

  • Misfits Market: On the east coast, this sustainably sourced online grocery delivery service fights food waste by giving you the less perfect (but perfectly edible) produce at up to 40% less than your standard stores. Packaging is sustainable and they even provide a guide of what to eat when and how to store it to support food consumption instead of waste.

  • Imperfect Foods: When I lived in LA, we used to get this delivery weekly to our office (they’re west coast based). Same concept as Misfits Market and strong commitment to sustainable practices.

• Pantry Delivery:

  • Hive Brands: A new one on my list to try, this sustainable grocer wants to be for sustainability what Whole Foods did for organic food. Every brand on the site has to meet 5 standards: ingredient integrity, low carbon footprint, recyclable packaging, commitment to social good, and ‘rave worthy’.

  • Zero Grocery: They’re not nationwide yet but all goods are plastic-free at discounted cost. They also collect, clean and reuse jars and are committed to giving back to their communities.

What are your favorite sustainable swaps? Let’s all share in the comments so we can learn from each other.