Mother Nature needs a little TLC right now. Sometimes it seems like there’s nothing to do about it: the planet isn’t going to be saved by recycling alone, and it isn’t going to be saved by one person. We need change on a much larger scale (this is the part where I encourage you to vote for people who care about these issues!). At the same time, there are things you can do in your everyday life that do matter and will make a difference. One person making changes isn’t much, but 7 billion people making changes would make a huge difference. Here are 5 brands doing their part to create products that protect our beautiful earth.
“Everything touches everything else” is the motto of the Canadian company Etee. They make reusable food wraps, food bags, totes, and lunchboxes. The wraps and bags are their most popular products; they can be used roughly 120-150 times and are biodegradable. The wraps are made out of natural ingredients like beeswax and organic cotton. All you have to do is warm it up in your hands and they seal and stick to themselves!
A hint: they have semi-frequent sales for holidays and back to school, so if they’re out of your budget you can wait and get money off!
(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/558376053785674714/)
This company makes leggings, bras, and shirts using recycled plastics and ethical business practices (both for the environment and for their workers). The plastics they use are BPA free and safe to wear. Not to mention they come in amazing colors that don’t hurt the planet. The company is transparent in their practices and committed to slow fashion.
Periods aren’t something anyone who gets them likes to think about very often. Single-use period products, however, have an incredible strain on the environment. If you’re comfortable using them, menstrual cups are a fantastic reusable option. If you’d prefer something a bit less hands-on, though, Thinx period underwear is a stress-free option. If they sound gross or messy, I can assure you they aren’t, they’re made of natural materials and last for around two years.
(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/271271577532774284/)
Ethical fashion is a topic that’s becoming more and more mainstream, but a lot of times it can be overwhelming to sort through what’s ethical and what isn’t. Good On You is a website and app that rates brands for their environmental, human, and animal ethicality. The blog on their website also talks about the current state of the slow fashion movement and highlights brands that are doing their part.
Ecosia
Believe it or not, there’s a way to help the earth just by searching for things online. The search engine Ecosia uses the money made from the searches you make to fund projects that plant trees. You’re already looking things up all the time, why not make a difference at the same time?
(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/408349891205027045/)
Changing your habits can be daunting at first. There’s an important aspect to consider when you’re making these switches to more environmentally friendly products, and that is cost. When something is made consciously, it’s going to cost more because the company isn’t cutting costs with harmful practices. It’s daunting to look at the initial cost of a piece of clothing when you can go to a fast fashion store and buy something for ten dollars. But, it’s going to last you ten times longer than the cheaper option. You’re paying more upfront, but you won’t have to replace it in a couple months. It’s better to use something for years than to use it once and throw it out.
It’s hard to think about all of the ways we should be helping Mother Nature right now. It can get overwhelming, and sometimes you get lost before you know where to start. All you have to do is start small. Switch your search engine, or hold off on your next purchase from a fast fashion company to save money for something more ethically made. You in no way need to do all of these at once. In fact, most of the environmental blame is on corporations; it doesn’t negate the fact that we need to do better, but just remember that the weight of the world is not on your shoulders.
If you can make the initial investment, I encourage you to do so. If you can’t make all of these changes, do what you can. At the very least, Ecosia is free. Every small thing helps, and your changes do make a difference!
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