We have never talked so much about sustainability like now, right? It is not a trend – it is a matter that we should all care about it, from the big companies to the individuals. As I have already mentioned on other occasions, our choices do make a difference, and we need to be more active and less passive. As consumers, we cannot underestimate the power in our hands, correctly choosing where to put our money and reflecting on our choices’ impact. I am far from being the minimalist or sustainability queen, but in recent years we have made some changes here at home, and it was not so difficult. So, I thought it was worth sharing – maybe it can inspire you!
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Reusable pads -I have a skincare routine with a lot of steps (and I love it!), and one of them includes applying a facial tonic. You have to use a pad to apply it, and the number of cotton pads I was using started to bother me. It’s not even for the price; it’s because of the waste. Then I exchanged them for reusable fabric pads! And they come in a bag that can be used in the washer. Click and buy.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Fabric exfoliators – I was already using been using reusable fabric pads for a while when I found out about Oura exfoliators. These dual-textured smart fiber pads infused with copper oxide work naturally to improve skin texture with a luminous glow. Plus, copper is all-natural and antimicrobial and keeps the exfoliator cleaner for a much longer period of time! So easy to use it! And a great option for travel! Click and buy it.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Period underwear – A woman has about 450 menstrual cycles during her life and uses around 20 pads per cycle. It means that a woman will use it around 10,000 tampons throughout her life. Today, there are many alternatives to replace the use of disposable tampons. One of them is the period underwear. I have been using Thinx panties for over a year, which are washable and reusable. Depending on its flow (light, medium, heavy), THINX can replace conventional tampons. I’m using and loving it! Get $10 off on your first purchase.
PS: Every time I talk about these panties, I get some questions. Remember that the brand has different panties for different flows. I recommend going shopping little by little until you have your collection. Ah, I wash them in the shower to remove the excess and then put it in the washer. They never let me down – they’ve NEVER leaked. Also, there are menstrual cups as well. I never used it – but my sister has used it for years and is a super fan.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Soda Stream – I love sparkling water, and it’s a fact: if we have sparkling water at home, I will drink more water! Some friends in love with sparkling water bought Soda Stream, a machine for making sparkling water at home. After a visit, I decided to buy one for us too. It’s wonderful because, in addition to saving money, we reduce the waste of plastic and glass generated with the purchase of sparkling water. It is practically a wasteless alternative because you always use the same bottles, and the gas cylinder is returnable. There are several cylinder exchange locations in NY and all over the country. Besides that, you can also make the exchange online.Click here and get 20% off your purchase!Mine is the One Touch, but Fizzi Classic is the cheapest version.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker and Tea Infuser – Thiago loves Iced coffee! And after he started working from home, we began to buy Iced coffee at the grocery store every week. And that generated more trash every week. Then, on his birthday, I purchased this infuser so he could make his own Iced Coffee. Not to mention that the same jar can also be used as a tea infuser. Click and buy it.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag – Zip Loc is an addiction, right? I still have a box that I purchased long ago, and I don’t intend to buy more when it’s over. I saw a friend showing this option, and I loved it: they are reusable silicone bags, which can even be placed in the dishwasher. At first, they seem expensive, but I recommend thinking about a long-term investment! Click and buy it.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop – If you live here in the USA, you probably know Swiffer, right? When I found out, I was amazed. It is so easy to use, with dry or wet cloths. But the cloths are disposable, and then… waste. Then, a friend introduced me to Bona, with a reusable and washable cloth and a container to put water and a cleaning product. Click and buy it.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Bar shampoo – I’ve always been intrigued by this bar formula – Lush, for example, has been offering shampoos like this for a long time, however, recently we’ve been seeing more brands in the market, largely because of this ecological appeal, since there is no plastic involved. Think of shampoo and hair conditioner as soaps to use on your hair. I saw a friend talking about HiBar brand and I was super interested. I bought the Maintain shampoo and conditioner and I was very happy with the results! I felt that the shampoo cleans the scalp very well (I have oily roots) and it is very easy to apply. The conditioner looks strange at first, but just slide it along the length of the hair and that’s it. I really loved it! Clean, soft, and hydrated hair. There are other lines too! Click and buy.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Ecobags – This tip is not new, but I think it is worth to mention: we have several eco-bags for grocery shopping. It took some time to get used to because we didn’t have the habit, and sometimes we forgot them and ended up having to use the plastic bags. Since March, the state of NY has banned plastic bags, and now the stores only offer paper ones – and charge for it. So, another reason to carry your bag. It costs nothing and avoids waste. We leave ours close to the front door, always at hand.
Second-hand shopping
Another way to be a more conscious consumer is to bet on second-hand shopping. This thrift store movement – online or offline – has grown more and more in the last few years, and I think we need to break paradigms and put prejudice aside with second-hand items. Remember that the textile industry causes enormous waste of fabrics and high carbon emissions. Also, buying second-hand clothes is a guarantee of savings, as they cost less. If you are from the team that likes to dig, you can find unique items! And remember: everything is a matter of evaluating brands and conditions of the piece – when we are in a physical thrift store – and paying attention to the return policies – in the case of online thrift stores. When buying online, ask the seller, check the reputation, analyze the photos.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Here in the USA, my favorite online second-hand website is Poshmark. I already bought a lot there, including the jacket in the photo above. I saved about 30% compared to the price of a new one, and the jacket came in excellent condition. This year, I looked for some denim shorts, and I couldn’t find any on my favorite brand”s websites. So, I checked Poshmark and ended up buying two Madewell shorts that were practically new, paying about 40% less! My tip is to know your size for each brand for a successful purchase. Not to mention that you can always ask the seller for the measurements.
Besides clothes, we should also think about buying other second-hand items – from toys to furniture, from decorative items to appliances. There’s a lot that we can buy second-hand! If you live in the USA, I recommend the following websites and apps:
- Next Door – it is a social network where communities come together to greet newcomers, exchange recommendations, and read the latest local news. You can connect yo your neighbors, support local businesses, and get updates from public agencies. And you can also borrow tools and sell stuff. Check the “for free” category for lots of free stuff.
- Let Go – and app to help make secondhanding second nature by making it quicker, simpler, and more fun. With over 100 million downloads and hundreds of millions of listings, letgo makes it simple to buy and sell locally. And you can also find free stuff.
- Facebook MarketPlace –another great place to buy and sell second hand. And, like the previous options, it also features a category of items that are being donated.
- Buy Nothing – Facebook groups to connect neighbors – so you can donate stuff and also get stuff for free. Find you group here. I got a baby bouncer for my friend another day in excellent condition!
- @stoopingnyc – One person’s trash is another person’s treasure – that’s the main thing about this profile. They let you know about great stuff available around the streets of the city.
Brands with conscious footprint
Last but not least, remember: shopping can also involve causes. It is important to know the processes behind and the values behind a brand. I love getting to know New York brands, women’s brands, immigrant brands, brands that have a sustainable footprint. Here are some of the brands I’m a huge fan!
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Pact – this brand sells organic cotton clothing and home goods, sustainably & ethically made. I love the underwear – made of cotton and very comfortable – but Pact also features basic clothing like t-shirts, dresses, and sheets 100% cotton.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Rothy’s – in addition to super charming sneakers, flats slippers, it has a whole sustainable concept involved. Rothy’s recycles plastic to make the products. The brand has used over 30 million plastic bottles destined for landfills and transformed them into durable and timeless shoes. Click here to see the manufacturing process. And do you know who is a fan? Meghan Markle.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Everlane – I love Everlane. They have t-shirts, jeans, shirts, sweaters, and even underwear. The idea is to offer clothes that you will use for years, even decades. Everlane partners with the best, ethical factories around the world, sourcing only the finest materials. The brand spends months finding the best factories around the world and visit them often, building strong personal relationships with the owners. Everlane also has stores in New York, Soho and Williamsburg.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
PANGAIA – I discovered this brand recently, and although I haven’t bought anything from them yet, I decided to include it here because I found the concept was amazing! PANGAIA is a global collective with one heart and many hands – scientists, technologists, designers – creating essential products from innovative technology and bioengineering materials. The products are made with smart technology using as many sustainable and recyclable elements as possible. For example, sweatshirts and pants over 45% recycled cotton mixed with 55% organic cotton — one of the highest grades of recycled cotton available on the market today.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
But, in my opinion, the most amazing product is the PANGAIA Sneaker. Each year, the global wine industry produces 26 billion liters of wine. Usually, this produces 6.5 billion liters of waste. But – it could produce 2.6 billion square meters of grape leather, just by using stalks, skins and seeds. So, PANGAIA just launched a minimalist, zero-waste Grape Leather Sneaker with our classic text print. Made from grape leather repurposed from the Italian wine industry’s waste, and a recycled rubber sole created from industrial waste (samples, prototypes, rejected products), avoiding virgin resources.
- Tell me what habits, tips, and brands you suggest for a more sustainable life?
- This post has affiliate links – and the blog gets a commission when you use them 🙂
Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!
No Comments