(If you’re not familiar with the devastating effects the palm oil industry is having on our environment and the people and organisms within it, we’ve posted the basics here, how to quit it here, an AP investigation here.This very dated article is also a good start if you’re new to the issue and its effects on threatened and endangered animals.)

I know that a lot of other common body care ingredients can have detrimental effects on our planet, but I think avoiding palm oil is really the best place you could start, especially if you’re new to natural beauty. And it just so happened that the biodegradable soap brands I’ve listed below are all women-owned, making soaps in small batches that are free of lots of other questionable ingredients you’ll find in more conventional products. And the packaging on these beauties? Yup, 10000% eco club approved:

TERRA-TORY is an NY based all-natural soap company touting 100% Natural 0% Bullsh*t Skincare. This is a very rare company that is both palm and coconut oil free… Learn more on their website.

Vegan + eco friendly soap from Smithmade Essentials are fun & fragrant artisan soaps handmade in small batches in New Haven, CT. On their site you can find the full details about each ingredient used.

No Tox Life has their own line of body cleansing bars wrapped in recycled paper for shipping. Be sure to grab their famous dish wash block and deodorant while you’re there!

BHAVANANYC makes all-natural, vegan sea salt soap bars using luxe natural ingredients like activated charcoal and Rose Kaolin Clay.

Bell Mountain Naturals are makers of natural small batch soaps that are super cute, and always palm free. You might be familiar with their gem design!

UK vegan soap-on-a-rope brand KLEEN cures their all-natural soaps for a minimum of 6 weeks and uses only skin-friendly, eco-friendly ingredients that are free of palm oil, parabens, and toxins. Not to mention, their packaging and branding is totally gift-worthy.

Another handmade soap brand, Unearth Malee specializes in palm oil free Thai-inspired soaps, lotions, lip balms, and even solid dish soap! To further raise awareness of the devastating effects of palm oil, the brand donates a portion of sales to help save the endangered orangutan. Learn more in founder Marie’s Etsy shop!

Naked & Thriving is a sister and brother founded skincare brand that offers products free of over 2500 potentially harmful ingredients, environmentally-friendly (free of palm oil of course), and with many organic ingredients for a truly natural clean. They have a full line of skincare, from cleansing bars to oils to

Founded in 2019, Rustic Glory Soap Co offers both scented and unscented palm oil free soap bars infused with nourishing essential oils and botanicals. And they are just the prettiest bars to place on your bathroom counters!

Latina woman owned soap brand Nopalera harnesses the power of Native Mexican Prickly pear cactus along with healing plant oils for nourishing soaps, moisturizers and creams.

The brands above also feature sustainable packaging, making truly biodegradable soap for us all to enjoy… sans palm oil.

On the hunt for more zero waste body and skincare products? Check out these brands!

We are always looking for beautiful, natural, quality skincare and body brands to add to our lists. If you know of another palm oil free bar soap brand, let us know below!

The post Back to Basics: 10 Natural, Women Owned, Palm-Oil Free Bar Soap Brands appeared first on Eco Club.

Now chances are, unless you have something against Halloween, you like to dress up, decorate and/or entertain for October 31^st. And whether you’re planning on trick-or-treating, decorating for trick-or-treaters, or hosting a costume party, you know how overwhelming it can be to prepare. It’s a lot of moving parts for one night of the year. Which is why it’s understandable that most people buy expendable goodies for the holiday and then toss them November 1^st.

But we’re in our sustainable girl eras, and we know we can do better. So I’ve compiled a list of different Halloween elements you can replace this year with eco-friendly alternatives!

Eco Friendly Candy Swaps

Unreal

You can find Unreal snacks at most major grocery stores nowadays. They sell candy with simple ingredients, significantly less sugar, and sustainably sourced palm oil. And while they do still package in plastic, you can take the extra step to recycle through TerraCycle or a disposal service like Ridwell!

Alter Eco

Alter Eco is a certified B-Corp that has worked to create a carbon-neutral product and close the loop on their manufacturing process. They sell fair-trade, organic chocolates packaged in recyclable or compostable wrappers. If you love Lindt, you can grab a box of 60 truffles in 9 flavors for passing out (or stashing away).

Seattle Chocolate

Seattle Chocolate’s truffles come in nearly endless flavors, from classic milk chocolate to espresso and even a pop-in-your-mouth pink bubbly. These individually packed chocolates come in a rainbow of colors, making them fun to hand out to trick-or-treaters or just display in your Halloween party candy bowl. Their chocolate is ethically and sustainably sourced (Rainforest Alliance certified), their wrapping is home compostable, and the whole company is carbon neutral! They ship nationwide and can be found in stores across the US.

Glee Gum 

I would never want to deprive any child of the rite of passage that is Dubble Bubble gum. But if you want to switch it up for an alternative that’s all-natural and sustainably packaged, Glee gum sells 12-packs of regular and sugar free gums in 10 flavors!

Palm Free Chocolate

If you’re looking to go the extra mile this Halloween, opt for palm-free chocolate in your candy bowl. See why you may want to skip the traditional palm-oil laden candy brands here, and find a whole list of our favorite palm-free chocolate companies in this guide too!

Halloween Décor Swaps

Pumpkins

What’s really spooky is how much plastic goes into achieving those fall vibes this time of year. Where are my Trader Joe’s girlies at?? This is your Bat Signal—TJ’s mini gourds are the perfect, eco-friendly and affordable way to decorate your home and porch this season. They, along with the traditional pumpkin, can be disposed of sustainably in a number of ways.

Bonus points if you make it to a local pumpkin patch or farmers market for your “living” decor. Just remember… if it was outside on Halloween, it’s NOT good to eat.

Lights

I know that we love creating an immaculate ambiénce, and lights are an integral part of setting the mood! LED and solar-powered lights are an easy swap for the traditional plug-in this Halloween. You can get smart solar string-lights and change the color to match different holidays (i.e. Halloween and Christmas), or opt for rechargeable or recyclable batteries for LED lights.

Candy Pails

Ditch the plastic candy pail this year! Besides the obvious at-home alternatives like a pillowcase or reusable tote, there are adorable felt buckets you can use instead (or make if you’re feeling crafty).

Eco Friendly Halloween Costumes

Face Paint

Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! If you’d rather spend time perfecting your face than wearing a costume this Halloween, Natural Earth Paint sells jars of face paint that are free of heavy metals, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and petroleum-based dyes. All paints come in recycled packaging, home compostable paint pouches, or glass you can reuse after emptying the jar.

Face Glitter

With Barbie likely being a Halloween favorite this year, it’s a good time to remind everyone that regular craft glitter is NOT meant to be used on your face. It can contain toxic chemicals and be made from harmful plastic or metal particles. Always look for glitter that is marked as “cosmetic-grade” and ideally biodegradable like BioGlitter®. While you can find BioGlitter® at a number of retailers, Moon Shatter makes a point of packaging their products in reusable glass jars. 

Costume Tips

There’s a reason Spirit Halloween makes over a billion dollars annually. People love dressing up, and popular costumes change year to year. But you can opt for a low-waste holiday this season by thrifting, reusing an old costume, or swapping with friends and family. Most of us have at least one old costume collecting dust in our closets anyway… why not organize a swap among friends? Get creative! There’s no reason anyone should have to justify spending $50+ on an outfit they wear for less than 12 hours.

Which eco friendly Halloween tips would you add to this list? Let us know below!

The post From Candy to Costumes, These Are The Easiest Eco Friendly Halloween Swaps appeared first on Eco Club.

(And I know the “zero-waste jar” was a cutesy way to visualize your trash as you reduce single-use consumption, but the trend is kind of dead—and decorating with literal wrappers is giving major seagull vibes.)

It can be hard to feel like you’re making a difference when basically all consumer goods generate some level of waste. But that’s why it’s important to find the companies working to make sustainability more accessible and start transitioning how you shop, one staple at a time. So whether you’re looking to make a few changes in your kitchen, bathroom, or even your living room, we’ve got you covered.

10 companies making it easier to reduce waste

HoldOn

If you’re a hobby chef, or just seem to create a lot of trash, HoldOn makes heavy-duty, plant-based compostable bags that are a great alternative to the usual plastic ones. They’re also  TUV Home Compostable Certified, which means you can compost them commercially, or in your home compost, making it accessible to both those with local compost options and those who take it into their own hands at home.

Speaking from personal experience, I prefer HoldOn to BioBag because they have a drawstring closure. I have noticed, however, that any liquids tend to make the bags leak (which probably proves how compostable they are). I also love HoldOn’s compostable freezer bags. Makes saving food so much easier for those of us opting out of Zip-loc.

Matter

Another great plastic bag alternative, Matter is a bit more durable than HoldOn and so takes months, instead of weeks, to compost. I’ve only used the baggies from Matter because the trash bags are almost double the price of HoldOn’s, and have no complaints so far!

Both brands can be found at Target, making them incredibly accessible, and kind of eliminate any qualms about switching.

Ridwell

We all love the idea of recycling, but don’t always love the actual effort it takes to find a center or sort your recyclables. That’s why Ridwell offers a subscription service that picks up hard-to-recycle goods like plastic film, batteries and corks from your front porch, and does all the work for you.

Their tiered pricing plans are shockingly affordable, with the lowest one being $14/month and pick up every 2 weeks!

Sun & Swell

As much as I love the Welch’s fruit snacks, the individual packaging kills me inside… as do the artificial ingredients. So if you’re looking for a healthier, planet-friendly snack alternative, Sun & Swell has a range of clean, organic, plant-based snacks that come in compostable packaging!

While you can compost the packaging yourself, if you’re feeling lazy you can also get a prepaid mailer from Sun & Swell to have them compost it for you with their send-back program.

Everist

If you’re a fan of bar shampoos or package-less bath products, you’re going to love everist. They make waterless shampoo, conditioner, and body wash concentrates that eliminate the need to ship water, like conventional personal care brands do (since most of what’s in the bottle is simply h2o!). Plus, products are packaged in 100% recycled paper and aluminum containers, and they offer a program for you to ship your plastic caps back to them for upcycling.

Their whole business and website are dedicated to the message of reducing and recycling waste as a way to disrupt the beauty industry. They’re carbon-neutral, give back to the community, and promote transparency with a clear ingredient guide for all consumers. Oh, and it actually works (but more on that next week).

Farmacy

Who says you can’t look like a million bucks while reducing your carbon footprint? Farmacy has continually worked to go green since switching to 100% recyclable caps and jars 2019.

They pledged to go carbon-neutral with their shipping and transition to waste-free packaging in 2022, and continue to improve their supply chain and operation to be a truly sustainable beauty company. They’re also Leaping Bunny Certified, and partner with ClearForMe to implement ingredient transparency. (Be still, my heart!)

Glow Recipe

Glow Recipe reached carbon-neutral status in April 2022, and all their packaging is 100% recyclable. They also launched their first refillable product in 2021; you pop out the pod and replace it with a refill in their glass jar!

They’ve also made their sustainability efforts more accessible with diagrams of how to insert refills on their website, as well as offering to recycle their containers for consumers in partnership with TerraCycle.

Ruggable

Anyone with a pet knows the pain of having them mess up a rug at some point. Whether it’s fur, pee, or throw-up, our love for our furry friends comes at a cost. That’s why Ruggable is such a game changer, they’re the first company of their kind to offer rugs that are washable. Their rugs come in 2 parts, with the top Rug Covers being interchangeably attached to the bottom Rug Pad. They also use recycled materials when possible, and donate usable returns to individuals who are aging out of the foster care system.

Another, smaller company that champions washable rugs, ethical practices, and sustainable materials is Australian brand Ohh Happy Home (seen here).

Fernish

We all talk about fast fashion, but not about fast furniture. And we all know that, as affordable as it is, IKEA is not made for longevity. Enter, Fernish—a furniture rental company that lets you decorate your home with high-quality items for as long (or as little) as you like! While they refurbish all their furniture before each rental, when their items inevitably get worn down, they donate them to a list of charitable organizations or recycle when possible.

What brands would you add to this list? Give them a shout out below! And if you’re looking for even more support in cutting down on waste, check out our big roundup of where to shop zero waste online.

The post 10 Everyday Companies Making it Easier to Reduce Waste  appeared first on Eco Club.

Fighting textile waste on a global scale does require a collaborative effort. This is why online thrifting is a great opportunity to broaden the viewership for your clothing and/or make wardrobe revisions without hurting the planet. Below, find a handful of thrift apps to help you buy secondhand clothing online, and sell it again when you no longer need it:

6 thrift shop apps helping you + the planet

Poshmark

If you are looking for a true second-hand eco system, Poshmark is the destination for everything from womenswear to menswear, kids, pets, electronics, and even makeup. The best part is that you can check out various Posh Parties that include the best in outdoor gear, bags, and maternity without having to scroll for hours. Brands range from Lululemon to luxurious items like Chanel. All high-end goods run through Poshmark’s complimentary authentication system to ensure shopping is worry-free.

Additionally, Poshmark also makes it incredibly easy to market your goods. Sellers can upload their product within 60 seconds, share the post with their social network, and ship with Poshmark’s prepaid label, which allows you to have cash in your pocket when the item is delivered. You can even host or participate in live streams as if you were at an auction and build a community of like-minded style enthusiasts.

Double Take

Have you ever had a piece that made your head turn? Double Take’s selection of affordable apparel and homewares will surely do just that.

Since 1999, Double Take has been a Yonge-Street Mission employment initiative based in Toronto. Their cause is intertwined in a variety of ways, such as offering work placements for the YSM’s Employment Services programme, sending packages of winter clothes to their food bank, or providing gift cards.

Double Take has incredible donors who specifically come to them, knowing their items are in good hands. All clothing is steam-pressed, and linens are laundered.

On top of that, Double Take has an Artist in Residence opportunity where you can exclusively browse sustainable, ethical, and upcycled goods from Toronto artists. It is a true must-see.

Depop

As you may already know, curated festival edits to cozy movie marathon fits, Depop is home to over 30 million stylists, designers, artists, sneakerheads, and much more. You can easily be inspired by your favorite creatives and up-and-coming influencers in design, fashion, art, and music all in one place.

In June 2023, Depop announced an invitation to all members of their community to partake in Depop Amplified, a unique mission to create engaging content across all social media platforms to amplify the message of sustainable fashion to a wider audience. When participating, creators will be given the opportunity to waive selling fees, unlock shopping vouchers, and even collaborate with Depop on partnerships.

Now that’s what we like to call working in harmony with Mother Earth.

Thred Up

Education and transparency are two qualities that are difficult to come by in any sector, let alone a sustainable one.

One of the original online thrift apps, Thred Up allows consumers to browse and purchase mindfully by providing fruitful and environmentally sound resources throughout their platform. This includes impact reports, a fashion footprint calculator, and annual resale reports. They also commissioned Green Story, an independent research firm that analyzes the environmental impact of buying garments that are used instead of new. Thredup takes pride in adopting a 12-point inspection system to achieve their high quality standards and an evaluation sliding scale for their consumers that ranges from excellent, very good, good, and even flawed gems for a possible DIY.

Outside of that, ThredUp allows customers to shop their favorite influencers or celebrities’ closets. Previous collaborations have included The Real Housewives of New York cast members and 90210 actress Shenae Grimes-Beech.

Goodwill Finds

With brand items like Levis, Patagonia, and Free People that can be found for under $10, it makes sense why influencers on YouTube gush about their Goodwill finds. You can now score such pieces without heading to your local store via Goodwill’s online thrift store. This also includes discovering rare gems like Stella McCartney, The Row, and Acne Studios.

As a non-profit, Goodwill is not only making a difference in your closet, but they are also a network of 155 local organizations across North America that sell used goods to generate job opportunities and guidance. For instance, donating living room furniture provides 3 hours of training services to someone in your community while potentially providing you with $200 in tax deductions.

Additionally, Goodwill organizations are aiming to be LEED certified by using renewable solar energy.

Thrift Plus

Finding a good deal is a plus, but finding a marketplace with over 500K of affordable high street and designer brands is a plus plus.

Thrift Plus is an online thrift store dedicated to providing well-kept and stylish clothing for its consumers. Their crew handles all the photography, listing, packaging, and shipping of every item. This means there are no unexpected stains!

Sellers have the option to earn credit that can be used right at Thrift Plus, donate to charity, or redeem vouchers with their partners like ASOS, Farfetch, GymShark, Browns, and many more.

What other thrift apps would you add to this list? Click here to see 5 more sustainable shopping apps you should know about, helping with everything from secondhand clothing to food waste to creating a green skincare routine.

The post Best Thrift Apps To Buy And Sell Secondhand Clothes Online appeared first on Eco Club.

What is Plastic Free July?

Plastic Free July is a charity dedicated to reducing single-use plastic (SUP) waste; they offer resources, ideas, and a fun sign-up challenge to get consumers motivated and mobilized. Although the foundation is based in Australia, their campaign is open to all, and they share a variety of ways for individuals and organizations to get involved. For those that need a little dopamine kick to stay on-task, Plastic Free July is the perfect way to create attainable goals and set yourself up for some instant gratification.

And for the commitment-phobes (I know you’re out there) here’s a few steps you can take on your own without the hullabaloo:

Shop loose or bulk groceries

While the convenience of pre-packaged salads and bagged grapes is undeniable, choosing to bring your own bags and/or buying loose produce and bulk grains can help you reduce the amount of SUPs you consume.

If you want to take it a step further, you can research local small-batch and sustainable shops in your area, supporting your community while saving money and trying out a new way of shopping!

Opt to combine packages

I know we all love Amazon.

I also know we feel terrible about loving Amazon.

But unless you’re willing to avoid online shopping like the plague in July, one way to cut your SUPs is by choosing to have your deliveries bundles into fewer boxes. It might take an extra day or two to arrive, but it’s an easy, zero-effort way to be a little more sustainable.

Of course, you can always take it a step further and opt-out of Amazon shopping for the month—it’s all about what feels doable to you.

Join a community clean-up

This is for the extroverts, or people of action. If you want to make a tangible difference that you can see, try joining a local beach or park clean-up! You get to meet new, like-minded people, and flex on your Insta while beautifying your community.

If you want to be involved without being *involved,* you can also organize, donate to, or share the event to spread awareness. There are a variety of reasons someone may not be able to physically contribute to a clean-up, but there’s many equally impactful alternatives to support the cause!

Contact your local government

For those who are passionate about making a difference and unafraid to speak up, calling your local representative can be a great way to initiate change in your community. Share how you feel about new laws or mandates that are up for voting on, or demand change for specific situations in your area.

You can also spread awareness by involving your friends and family, and even write a script for them to follow if lack of knowledge is keeping them from getting involved.

It’s important to remember that reducing SUP consumption doesn’t just have to be buying less plastics. Building awareness is an equally important way to increase your impact, and grow the movement.

It’s also important to remember you’re just one person. Sometimes avoiding single use plastics isn’t an option, and it’s okay if you don’t adhere to a plastic-free life 100% of the time. Becoming more sustainable is a lifelong journey that modern consumerism doesn’t always cater to. And getting caught up in an all-in mindset can lead to discouragement, and then defeat.

Take going green day-by-day and understand that your best effort is important and valid. Celebrate your wins, and remember to give yourself grace—changing the world takes more than one Plastic Free July.

The post 4 Simple Ways To Celebrate Plastic Free July appeared first on Eco Club.

It was large, bulky, and heavy, but most importantly, it required *gulp* effort. 

But after some, okay a lot, of research into safety razors vs. cartridge razors, I quickly found the benefits of a safety razor largely outweighed the convenience of a (plastic) cartridge razor. And after making the switch, my days of plastic ‘refills’ and plastic disposable razors are behind me. My skin and my conscience are happy and I’m convinced everyone should make the switch. 

photo by Oui The People

Safety razors vs cartridge razors: what’s the difference?

Safety razors may look new and shiny, but they’re kind of the OG way to shave. Waaaay back in the early 1900s, King Camp Gillette—yep, that Gillette—patented the first safety razor. With some help, he invented a blade so thin you could throw it away instead of sharpening it. How convenient! 

By the early 1970s, everyone was using a partially disposable razor, and by the end of the decade, the fully disposable razor was living its best life. 

Benefits of safety razors over cartridge (disposable) razors

After 100+ years, safety razors are recapturing our attention as they embody a perfect blend of convenience and sustainability with the added bonus of being great for your skin.  

Safety Razor Benefits For Your Skin

• A silky smooth close shave – It’s the angle of the razor against your skin that gives you a close shave, not necessarily the number of blades. 
• Reduced razor burn and irritation – Having the touchpoint of only one blade is a huge benefit for anyone with sensitive skin or prone to shaving irritation. 
• Reduced acne, bumps, and ingrown hairs – Multiple blades pull, tug, and repeat, whereas the single blade reduces that pull leading to less razor burn, bumps, and ingrown hairs.
• Safety razors also easily come apart for cleaning. You can’t really clean a cartridge razor so soap, skin, and other stuff remain in between the blades and on the strip and contributes to acne and irritation.

The razor industry generated a staggering amount of revenue and pollution in 2021 ($17,405,000 to be exact). With recyclable metal handles and infinitely recyclable stainless steel blades, safety razors significantly reduce plastic waste. 

safety razor benefits for the environment

• No plastic is manufactured or sent to the landfill
• Refills are affordable, universal (and plastic-free) – The universal design of the blades allows for affordable replacements from various retailers or local eco-shops—meaning long-term convenience and cost savings for you.
• Blades and handles are recyclable – Many take-back programs are available which ensure blade recycling.
• Extremely long lifespans – A safety razor will last you for years but it’s great to know that if/when you need to dispose of your razor, the entire razor can be recycled.
  • Return your blades to the original manufacturer.
  • Contact your recycling center for local recycling instructions.
  • Check out local eco-stores for blade return programs.

How long does a safety razor last?

With good care and maintenance, a safety razor handle will last for years, potentially even a lifetime. The duration of each blade will vary depending on how often you use it, and your preference, but the general consensus is that each blade will last around 6 shaves. 

Keeping your razor clean and ‘dry’ will help the razor and the blades last longer and keep it from rusting.

To clean your safety razor

• Rinse off the hair and soap
• Open the razor
• Shake off the water/pat dry
• Close it back up tightly
• Keep it stored out of the water. 

How to use a safety razor

Safety razors are known for higher quality shaves mostly because of their purposeful design and the materials used to make them.

Tips for using a safety razor

• Select an assistant (soap, oil, shaving cream)
• Place the razor against your skin at a 30-45 degree angle
• Lightly pull, working with the shape and weight of the razor. 

Because the head doesn’t pivot (on most), you’ll want to pay closer attention to the shape of your skin and adjust as you go. If you have thick or coarse hair, try shaving with the direction of hair growth first and then repeat against the direction of hair growth. 

How to choose & change a safety razor

There are a few varieties of safety razors to fit different preferences and needs. Look for a style that makes the most sense to you!

*When changing and handling your blade, grab the blade by the short outer ends.

the two-piece

On a two-piece safety razor, the top piece screws on and off from the bottom piece which is attached to the handle.

To insert the blade, unscrew the top piece, place the blade on the mounting posts, put the top piece back on, and tightly secure it. 

the butterfly

The butterfly razor feels both modern and ancient at the same time. Twist the lower part of the handle which will open the top piece in two flaps from the center outward. Put the blade in the middle and twist the handle again to close it tightly. 

the three piece

In the three-piece safety razor, the handle detaches from the two top components. 

To change the blade, unscrew the handle from the top two pieces, separate them, insert the blade, reform the sandwich, and screw the handle back on.

6 plastic-free safety razors outperforming their cartridge counterparts

Oui The People. Oui The People, previously recommended by Eco Club, makes the list again. With a focus on creating a beautiful and functional product for sensitive skin, their carefully crafted two-piece razors ensure a smooth shave anytime, anywhere. *No blade return program offered.

Albatross. Inspired by majestic ocean-flying birds, the Albatross razor company was born from a sailor’s firsthand experience of ocean pollution, trash, and wildlife destruction. Albatross offers three razor options and a unique return program that upcycles old blades into reusable silverware!

UpCircle Beauty. UpCircle Beauty, a certified B-Corp, started when two siblings noticed the wasted potential of coffee grounds, tea leaves, and fruit stones. They began repurposing coffee grounds into skincare products and have quickly expanded into a full line of skincare including a plastic-free two-piece safety razor! A blade return program is available for UK-based residents.

Leaf Shave. Leaf Shave is revolutionizing shaving with razors that offer a superior shave, reduce single-use plastic waste, save CO2 emissions, and eliminate tons of packaging. Create a personalized shaving experience with three customizable safety razors and a blade return program for proper recycling. 

Eco Roots. Eco Roots is a female-owned brand empowering everyone to shop zero waste. Their stainless steel three-piece safety razor is crafted with precision and elegance and fits every shaving need, preference, and aesthetic while remaining 100% recyclable. *No blade return program offered.

Gillette. Gillette safety razor and blade refills, inspired by the original centuries-old design, are available at Target for a low-waste shave. Gillette currently partners with TerraCycle to provide a blade recycling program near you. 

It’s pretty obvious I’m a safety razor fan, and I hope you are too now! In the great razor debate, these 6 brands are not only a ~cut~ above the rest, but they’re also delivering superior environmental and skin benefits that only a safety razor can provide.

The post 6 Safety Razors Doing Better For The Planet & Your Skin  appeared first on Eco Club.

Japan

A family-friendly celebration takes place over the span of 2 days in Yoyogi Park every year. More than 100,000 people attend annually and enjoy a variety of activities and opportunities to learn about sustainability and sustainable companies. 

Taking inspiration from Japan may mean hosting or attending a small get-together with friends to learn and share ways to be more eco-friendly in 2023 (who doesn’t love a reason for a hot girl picnic??). 

Denmark

If you happen to find yourself in Copenhagen when they’re celebrating Earth Day, you get to experience a unique performance with drummers facing each corner of the earth. Afterwards, participants continue on to the March for Science which aims to hold elected officials accountable for greener initiatives. 

Inspiration from Denmark may mean finding a local march to join or supporting a local charity event that is raising funds for eco-friendly movements in your community!

India

Earth Day in India encompasses a larger movement to raise awareness about ways environmental damage is affecting the country. And while conservation is a spectrum, they put on a host of events specifically centered around the protection of the endangered Asian elephant which is native to the country. 

Some people wear green to celebrate Earth Day in India which is an easy way for you to show solidarity. But if you want to do more without having to leave the comfort of your home, consider donating to animal conservation groups or local shelters!

South Africa

The South African government considers climate change to be one of the greatest threats to the future of humanity. They host an Earth Expo each year that presents an educational forum for discussions centered around technology, entrepreneurship, sustainable nutrition, and more.

Want to celebrate Earth Day like South Africa? Consider watching a TED Talk on our current and changing ecosystems, or on new discoveries in the green tech space! 

Spain

The Global Unity and Regeneration Gathering is a 24-hour event held in Lanjarón, Granada, Spain each year. Participants can attend workshops and presentations on environmentalism, and the spirituality of their connection to the earth. 

Past workshops have included ways to cultivate spirulina pools, or how to build a self-regeneration water system which you can emulate by putting out a rain catcher barrel to water your plants, or finding easy ways to repurpose kitchen scraps.

It’s easy to get caught up in this idea of “doing enough” as an eco-conscious person, and that can lead to executive dysfunction when it’s time to actually try and do something good for the environment. These ideas inspired by other countries aren’t meant to intimidate you; they’re meant to show that meaningful action can happen at any scale. Don’t let the fear of judgment from others keep you from celebrating this Earth Day! Enjoy yourself, and do something good for you and the planet at whatever magnitude you’re comfortable and capable of.

photo by Karolina Grabowska

The post How To Celebrate Earth Day Like Communities Around The World appeared first on Eco Club.

Still skeptical about any real changes being made? Here’s a round up of positive environmental news to prove that not everything that’s happening in the world has to be doom and gloom… as of this writing, anyway!

Positive environmental news stories 2023

We May have a Microplastics Solution

After writing a few blogs on why microplastics are so bad for us and the environment, it looks like scientists are making way on finding a solution to combat this type of pollution. Craig Arnold, vice dean of innovation at Princeton, has found a way to utilize egg whites(!) to create an aerogel that is roughly 99% effective in capturing and removing microplastics from seawater. (via Science Daily)

EPA rallies to protect Alaska aquatic ecosystem

In an unusually bold move the EPA blocked the creations of a proposed copper and gold mine in Alaska. Their reasoning was the necessary preservation of the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery. The final verdict for this situation is still up in the air, but the EPA has made it clear they will continue to advocate for the protection of Bristol Bay’s ecosystem; where about half of the world’s sockeye salmon originate from. Positive environmental news from the EPA in this day and age? We’ll take it! (via PBS News Hour)

Finland makes Breakthrough in Vegan Solution to Meat

The Finnish government’s state-owned research institute center, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, has found a way to turn overlooked crops like fava beans and sorghum into a sustainable and scalable alternative to meat! Focused on addressing the issue of creating an appealing meat alternative, they’ve invented a technique that uses a combination of cellular agriculture and food design to take plant-based ingredients and create alternatives that mimic the texture and juiciness of real meat. (via VegNews)

St. Louis Stadium Pledges to Host a Zero-Waste Season

The CITYPARK stadium in St. Louis, MO will be eliminating single-use plastic products and replacing them with compostable utensils and reusable aluminum cups this sports season! Dedicated to creating a zero-waste stadium, they’ve partnered with multiple diverse organizations and initiatives. CITYPARK aims to donate and reduce food waste, implement renewable energy sources for power, and encourage fans to choose environmentally friendly transportation options like bikes and e-cars. (via SLC SC)

Boldy to Launch Vegan Seafood

In the wake of the success of companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Burgers, Boldy is the new kid on the block with a lofty mission: to launch a 100% vegan seafood line. Slated to start distribution this summer, their products will include plant-based salmon and tuna sashimi, calamari, shrimp, crab sticks, and white fish filets featuring konjac root. (via Vegconomist)

(And if you’re in Los Angeles and too impatient to wait for Boldy’s launch, check out Fysh Foods in WeHo!)

Looking for more positive environmental news? Check out our guide to where to find good news!

The post 5 Recent Stories with Good News For The Environment appeared first on Eco Club.

where to find positive news about the environment

future earth

Future Earth (@futureearth), a nonprofit “climate club”has a good news Tuesday series which is a weekly roundup of positive news stories from reputable sources. While they’re not solely dedicated to good news (their other posts contain all the other news, history, and education we should be tuned into as well) feature 10 good news stories every single week.

intersectional environmentalist

Intersectional Environmentalist (@intersectionalenvironmentalist), a climate justice platform founded by environmental activist Leah Thomas in 2020, not only educates their community, but provides inspiration for incorporating it into your own lifestyles. There you’ll not only learn about how + why racial justice is climate justice, but how you can be part of the change and how you can better respect people + planet in the process (they’ve shared things like guided meditations, talks, coping with eco anxiety, performances, readings and more). To support IE further, you can learn more and donate to their organization here.

circularity community

Circularity Community (@circularitycommunity) is an Instagram community by the co-director of Intersectional Environmentalist Kiana Kazemi. The community produces thoughtful content on eco anxiety, mindfulness, wellness and how it is all deeply intertwined with environmental justice. It’s kind of like self care meets environmental activism! Many of their posts in collab with IE.

good good good co

Good Good Good (@goodgoodgoodco) reports on not just positive news about the environment, but everything else that contributes to progress in our society. They are an online community and print newspaper (!) spreading hope and inspiration. They are not just news stories, but often ways for you to get involved and advocate for the issues you care about.

womens earth alliance

Women’s Earth Alliance (@womensearthalliance) is a womens leadership group founded back in 2006 by women worldwide. They now offer programs in all areas of environmental justice and provide resources for local WEA groups to create change in their local communities. Unlike many other positive news communities that circulate stories from multiple news outlets, the news they share is mostly related to the work WEA communities do around the globe. (With roundups like this occasionally mixed in.) Check out their 2022 impact report for highlights, such as over 12K women leaders trained to help with relief efforts ranging from COVID response teams, increasing community access to wellness resources, forest restoration, food security, and so much more!

The post Where To Find Positive News About The Environment appeared first on Eco Club.

how to live more sustainably this year

To live more sustainably this year, all you have to start with is questioning some of the things you’ve always been doing. You can’t change your actions if you don’t change your thinking. Like any new habit or skill you want to learn, being open minded and willing to question everything is key to growth. As you evolve in your sustainable living journey, you’ll wander into more nuanced and complex territory. But for now, focus on things that are so engrained in your routine that your brain has on autopilot. Here are a few simple things over the years that I began to question that have had an impact on my actions. Remember, you can do this with any habit you currently have!

Driving short trips

So many people drive to places within walking distance, even if the weather is nice or they aren’t hauling anything back home. Later they’ll drive to the gym and walk the treadmill. It’s all just part of the routine. Consider some of your errands, and whether you can combine them with getting a little exercise and fresh air, rather than driving from place to place and keeping your movement separate. I like this simple tip because while it might not make the biggest environmental impact right away, it can contribute to a healthy lifestyle change and a happier you!

Palm oil

Unsustainable palm oil is in 80% of the products on the shelves in our grocery stores. And that is a major problem. Read through this quick guide to quitting palm oil, and commit to questioning this ingredient when it shows up in the foods and products you enjoy.  (Click here for more resources.)

Air travel

Transportation in general is a big contributor to climate change, and like cars, we often see air travel as non-negotiables in our lives. Apparently, aviation contributes to more carbon emissions than most countries do. What makes it different than other forms of transportation is that you burn a lot of fossil fuels, FAST, every time you fly. Further, there’s no easy solution to the problem. I’m not going to suggest we all stop flying (I truly believe experiences gained through travel can be a catalyst for positive change in countless ways) and yeah, I know like so much of everything else it’s the wealthy that does the most damage here, but it’s certainly something to question and consider solutions for, such as:

• • Choose nonstop flights over layovers, if you can afford it. The take off and landing process can account for about a fourth of a flight’s total emissions, so direct is generally better.
  • If you’re traveling with others, driving is generally more eco-friendly than flying. That’s not always practical of course, but interesting to think about if you’re considering flying somewhere you could drive to in a handful of hours (which is something I know a lot of people here on the west coast do.)
  • Consider your purchases. Everything you purchase went through a journey to get to you. The flowers in your grocery store may come from Colombia (and had to travel in temperature-controlled vehicles); those one-click buys from Amazon travel from all over the globe. If cutting down on your own travel isn’t reasonable, cutting down on the travel your things experience certainly is! Btw, if you’re looking for an easy guide to start shopping more sustainably, we’ve got one right here!

Waste disposal in your area

If you’ve been even a little bit interested in living more sustainably the past few years, you’ve undoubtedly heard the universal advice to reuse, recycle, and more recently compost. You’ve probably also heard about recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable packaging on your goods, all of which are different ways of going about cutting down what gets tossed into the landfill. But literally none of this matters if you don’t know what waste disposal resources are available in your area. This varies from country to country, state to state, county to count, even at the city level resources can differ widely. You and your friend could live twenty minutes away from each other and have different experiences getting rid of waste. It’s totally frustrating, but you can make it a little less-so if you check out your own area’s resources (.gov sites are a good place to start, how2recycle is good too).

Is mindful Amazon shopping a thing?

Let’s talk about the big ol’ digital elephant in the room. Can you really live more sustainably if you shop on Amazon–one of the largest drivers behind excessive consumerism to ever exist? Here’s the thing. Even if you’re not ready to give it up completely (I’m not either), whether it’s because there are things that are more affordable, accessible, or convenient to you, there are still things you can do to lessen the negative impact.

• See above–try not too be too trigger happy with that Prime button and consider that everything goes on a journey to get to you.
• Avoid buying what you could easily pick up on your weekly grocery runs… You’re doing them anyway.
• When it gives you the option, choose to ship in fewer packages.
• Use AmazonSmile. Choose your organization of choice and add the link smile.amazon.com to your bookmarks to get in the habit of using it every time you go to shop. When purchasing through this link, which you can also set up in the app, Amazon donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases to that charity. Sure, it’s small, but it doesn’t cost you a thing, and it’s quite literally the least they can do… Might as well make them do it!

When you come across an amazing sustainable solution to a problem you’re having, let people know! This is not to say go preaching to all your friends (unless they like when you do that kinda thing), but so many of us love learning new tricks to be more eco friendly, and when you find something simple and effective, it’s worth sharing.

What will you do to live more sustainably this year and into the future? Let us know which topics (above or otherwise) you’d like to see us expand on!

photo by Charity (@charityvictoria)

The post How to Live More Sustainably in 2023 (For The Absolute Beginner) appeared first on Eco Club.