Easy Swaps to Love the Earth and Jump-Start a Sustainable Lifestyle

Updated April 15, 2021.

Now more than ever, we are on the hunt for simple ways to live more sustainably. Our team is committed to making small changes to decrease our environmental impact, encouraging others to do the same, and supporting brands and organizations that help us seamlessly make changes for a better future. 

Here are our top tips for having a healthy, happy, and sustainable life from the comfort of your own home. 

• Utilize food scraps. Save carrot leaves, wilting celery and other veggies by making a quick soup stock that can be frozen and enjoyed later! We also Imperfect Foods, a grocery delivery service with a mission to eliminate food waste at the manufacturing and production level. ACME Farms + Kitchen recently launched a meal kit delivery service that makes eating locally and sustainably incredibly easy!
• Transition storage and kitchen items to reusables, including metal straws and Stasher Bags. And, as old plastic containers wear out, replace them with glass counterparts which will last years vs. months.
• Strive to buy more in bulk! We refill our commonly used items at stores like Public and Scoop and grocers like Central Co-op and PCC. It's better for the planet, and will save you money!
• Reduce plastic consumption by switching to shampoo bars from Ethique or HiBAR, bamboo toothbrushes and laundry strips from Well Earth Goods.
• Support local small businesses with strong sustainability practices, like Renee Erickson’s restaurants, Frankie & Jo's, and Eve Fremont. 
• Replace fast fashion shopping sprees with more thoughtful, long-lasting purchases, as well as first looking for items second-hand. Sites like The Real Real and ThredUp are a great place to start if you're new to thrifting!
• If you’re looking for sustainable home products, The Modern Dane has incredibly high-quality, sustainably made linen bedding that we’re obsessed with! The Modern Dane’s choice of linen over cotton intentionally places an emphasis on sustainably harvested materials, reduced waste, fair labor practices and enduring craftsmanship.
• Make your own cleaning supplies – especially for things like wood surfaces and floors. Alternatively, support brands with a focus on nontoxic and sustainable missions. We love Branch Basics, a women-founded cleaning products company with a mission to “Toss the Toxins.” Everything is reusable, biodegradable, plant-based, and so much more!
• Drive less! Choose to walk, bike or take public transportation.
• Ditch disposables. We all love the convenience of Keurigs and coffee pods, but switching to French Press eliminates daily plastic tossing and tastes better! If you want to stick to your fancy and advanced coffee machines, we recommend investing in reusable K-cups or Nespresso pods. Nespresso also has a pod recycling program that we urge you to participate in instead of throwing them in the trash every day. It’s free!  

What small changes have you made to reduce your environmental impact? We’d love to hear from you on Instagram and Twitter!