5 Ways To Live Sustainably

I don’t know about you, but this Earth Day feels like a different, more critical one. It’s never been more important to acknowledge this planet we live on and treat it with kindness wherever we can. 

Let’s face it, there’s been a lot of scary news about climate change in the last few years. Sometimes it’s so overwhelming that it can be hard not to feel pessimistic about the future, and lately, it has felt like there isn’t much to feel hopeful about! As a mom, I want to do my best to make sure that the world I leave behind for my children is one filled with the promise of a thriving planet. But frankly—I’m beyond worried. The direction we’re headed fills me with so much eco-anxiety that sometimes it’s hard to sleep at night. 

Here’s the thing: sitting back and giving up has never been my style, so I am committed to taking small (but mighty!) steps to invest in our planet, and I want to share 5 of those with you here today to inspire you to do the same in your life!

Plant For The Bees

Bees are our friends, not our foes! And not only that—we actually need them to survive. Bees are the most important wild pollinators, which is important because most of the plants on the earth need pollinators in order to reproduce, including most food crops. In fact, bees are responsible for about 30% of the planet’s total food supply and over half of the natural raw materials needed to make clothing, like cotton. 

Unfortunately many species of bees have become endangered, and most others are threatened because of factors like pesticides and loss of habitat. Without bees, we’d lose a significant portion of crops, which means that much of the world would go hungry. Think of a world without things like apples or blueberries. That’s not a world I ever want to see! 

Knowing their importance, I want to do what’s within my control to help bees: provide them with a habitat! This means getting my hands in some dirt and planting some plants that encourage bees like Mojave Lupine, Moonflower, and Parry’s Beardtongue. Since I live in California, these plants are great for attracting pollinators in this climate, but if you live elsewhere, it’s worth a quick Google to see what would thrive well in your area.

Grocery Shop Locally

I’m lucky to live in Los Angeles, where there’s a farmer’s market almost every day. I love getting the opportunity to form a connection with the people producing my food, but it also has an eco advantage.

The average meal in America travels 1,500 miles just to get to your plate, so shopping locally greatly reduces the pollution produced from transport. What I love about shopping at a farmer’s market is that since the food doesn’t have to travel very far, it’s often much fresher than what’s in the produce section of my grocery store so it lasts longer throughout the week, and there’s little to no plastic packaging—plus I bring my reusable cotton produce bags with me to eliminate plastic bags on my end entirely. 

On that note, if you follow me on Instagram, you might remember that I made a resolution for 2022 to stop purchasing so many day-to-day items on Amazon. Nearly four months in and I can confidently say this was one of the best decisions I could possibly make! Not only has it saved me and my family so much money, but it also allows me to shop more consciously for things and support small businesses instead of unethical labor. If you can, I highly recommend setting up goals for yourself in regards to reducing your Amazon purchases. A little goes a long way!

Swap Polyethylene And Polyester Reusable Bags For Cotton 

I was surprised to learn that a lot of reusable grocery bags that are marketed to be eco-friendly are not necessarily better for the environment than single-use plastic bags. Many of these reusable grocery bags are made with man-made materials like high-density polyethylene (plastic) and polyester which take hundreds of years to break down. When Los Angeles first banned single-use plastic bags, it was hard to get into the habit of bringing a reusable bag each time, which led to a collection of them in the trunk of my car. In the end, it felt like I was using more plastic than before, so I knew I had to make a change. 

I’ve been using these organic cotton market bags instead of plastic or polyester bags when I shop anywhere. I love that they fold up small so that I can fit them into my purse—I have no excuse not to have one on me all the time! These bags expand so much that even the grocery clerks are often surprised by how much they fit, and I’ve found that the cotton is even stronger than other reusable bags. I have been using these for years and I’ve yet to replace one! 

Extend The Life Of Your Clothing 

I’ve always been of the mind that it’s better to invest in a few good-quality pieces of clothing rather than spend the same amount of money or more on fast-fashion brands. The fashion industry has contributed to roughly 10% of global carbon emissions every year, and much of this is thanks to the endless trend cycles of fast-fashion retailers. Don’t get me wrong—I don’t totally deprive myself of these brands. I mean, Zara has some really cute clothing for kids that doesn’t cost a fortune, and I could never fault anyone shopping with those brands because they’re within budget. But if you can, it’s a great idea to buy something that is sure to last several years rather than just a season. 

Because of the never-ending trend cycles, we’ve also become used to the idea of throwing away a garment that becomes damaged. Instead of this, try extending the life of your clothing by taking some time to repair it rather than disposing of it. 

Some of my favorite sustainable brands include Seaesta Surf Kids and Gray Label, both of which offer cute and eco-friendly pieces for little ones that stand the test of time. Of course, I have to mention my go-to, MATE, as well. As a #DressCleanAdvocate, I have been a firm believer in their sustainable values for over a year now and can not say enough good things about their pieces. For your very own, use code 15BRANDYS at checkout for a little discount! 

Swap Your Laundry Detergent

We’re in the age of convenience, which is exactly why laundry detergent pods are so popular. But did you know that these pods are made with PVA film, which is a water-soluble plastic? While they do dissolve in water, it breaks down into microplastics and enters our water supply. In fact, about 75% of the film in detergent pods goes untreated, meaning that thousands of tons of microplastic enter groundwater and cycle back into our food systems. Yes, that means we’re eating plastic. 

There are so many great eco-friendly laundry brands out there that I have used and loved for years. Dirty Labs is a go-to if you are looking for a non-toxic detergent while the Celsious’ essential laundry trio is a tried and true combo bundle. If you live in Brooklyn, I highly recommend going to this laundromat if you’re in need of one as it is run by a fantastic mother and woman of color.

I’ve switched to Tru Earth detergent sheets because they have all of the convenience of pods without plastic. These detergent sheets dissolve in the water of any temperature within seconds, are great for high-efficiency machines or even hand-washing, and come in a slim cardboard box for easy storage. 

I hope these tips have inspired you to make some small changes in your daily habits. If we all work together, we can take care of the planet and secure a happy future for our children. If you have other habits or ways to help the environment in your life, please share them in the comments!  

Xx BJS