Top to bottom, left to right:

You’ve probably seen Pela’s zero waste iPhone cases, but they now have compostable Apple watch bands in a few cute colors!

Taste Plant’s breath mints harness the power of plant extracts not only for not only fresh breath, but good oral health too. Fun fact, they’re made locally in Tacoma, WA!

Still so intrigued by the idea of a stone deodorant, which is made with mineral salt and will actually last years. WHAT?! (I don’t need deodorant at the moment, or I would have tried it already!)

Swedish dishcloths are 100% biodegradable and compostable, and these flower printed versions from Sister Collective are the cutest.

The beauty world is full of single use products, but you can cut down on your impact with these reusable beauty swabs, which are tucked away in a biodegradable case.

Love these bottle cleaning brushes from Public–they’re made of natural fiber bristles and have wool tips!

Everist is a brand new waterless haircare company who produces shampoo concentrates in zero waste packaging. So cool!

Furoshiki wrap is one of the prettiest ways to ensure your gift packaging is not only sustainable but beautiful. These linen kitchen towel wraps from Ardent Goods are designed to act as gift wrap that can be reused by the recipient in the kitchen afterward!

These Sprout plantable pencils would make a fun gift for eco-friendly mamas or teachers! They’re customizable and when they’re all outta juice, you can plant them!

Truthbrush beautiful bamboo toothbrushes and toothpaste tablets are gorgeously designed and ship carbon neutral.

Goldrick Natural Living has many beautiful products to support your conscious living journey but their pocket soaps are especially clever.

Another amazing find from Eco Collective is their stain removal laundry stick! It’s plastic, fragrance, and palm oil free too.

Blue Heron Botanicals lip balm comes in the prettiest eco friendly, plastic-free packaging.

Axiology’s zero waste balmies come in such innovative packaging for a beauty product in an industry known for waste (and toxins). I also love that these products are multi-functional, they literally do the work of your blush, highlighter, eye shadow, and lip color!

We found Bio Scents on Instagram and have been eyeing their essential oils that come in thoughtful eco friendly packaging ever since. They’ve replaced the traditionally chunky plastic caps most essential oils come in with a super pretty wood design and colorful labels, and the only bit of plastic on them is recycled. They’re also starting a refill process!

Which zero waste goods are you most inspired by? I love when good design is applied to an essential, like low-waste household and personal care!

The post 15 Unique Zero Waste Goods For Design Lovers appeared first on Eco Club.

Easy Ziploc Swap

I know we all really love the convenience of those small plastic baggies, but Ziploc has some serious competition nowadays. With reusable alternatives like the woman-owned (re)zip, which is leak-proof and BPA free, the benefits of a single-use bag starts to lose its shine.

Likewise, Stasher bags are dishwasher-safe, with a cult following on Instagram, and Bumpkins sandwich bags are made from a waterproof and stain-resistant fabric that comes in a multitude of patterns—perfect for visually-picky kiddos. 

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

I know most of us don’t really think of something as basic as dish soap when we think of easy eco-friendly swaps. After all, you wash the soap away, right? But all those plastic containers, wrappers, boxes… they add up. Which is where zero-waste alternatives like No Tox Life’s Vegan Dish Block come in. The packaging is biodegradable, and consumers located in Los Angeles can actually get no-waste refills from their flagship store.

Alternatively, Bestowed Essentials Zero Waste Dish Soap Bar is produced by an all-female team in Rapid City, South Dakota that actively promotes other female-run businesses in their zero-waste shop.

And for those looking to support small businesses, Sea Witch Botanicals on Etsy produces a plant-based, chemical-free “Canary Clean” Zero Waste Dish Soap Bar.

How To Keep Your Produce Fresh

Nothing, nothing, makes me sadder than a box of berries that starts to mold the day after I buy them. So imagine how ecstatic I was to discover that produce-extenders were a thing!

The FRESHGROW Co. Freshpaper food saver sheets are 100% organic and chemical-free. You just slip a sheet in with your produce, and voila! Produce that lasts two to four times longer than you’re used to.

Debbi Meyer’s GreenBags operate on the same concept, but come as bags you place your produce in. Unlike Freshpaper, the GreenBags are good for up to 10 uses and can be used on flowers too.

Last, but not least, Farberware Food Huggers work by creating a seal on cut produce. Top off that half-avocado with a snug new hat, and forget you ever worried about browning or mushiness.

Saran Wrap Swaps

Much like the Ziploc, where would most of us be without plastic wrap in our lives? If you’ve ever felt that creeping guilt as you tear off sheet after sheet, here are a few eco-friendly swaps that are just one online cart away:

Bee’s Wrap creates beeswax-coated sheets that are reusable, washable, multi-functional, and compostable.

Operating off of a similar concept as Faberware, Modfamily Silicone Stretch Lids create a vacuum seal with silicone covers that fit snuggly over bowls of varying sizes.

And for those that are actively looking to patron small businesses, Marley’s Monsters makes fabric bowl covers that are corded to create a custom fit!

K-Cup Alternatives

Raise your hand if you’re guilty of feeding into the K-cup craze from the early 2000s. Thankfully, since their popularization, Keurig has come out with the My K-cup as a re-usable alternative for their original single-use pods. If you’re trying to step away from Keurig however, and are too lazy to wash the cup after each use (c’est moi), try alternatives like the Maxware reusable 4-pack.

And for those who want an even more eco-friendly swap, San Francisco Bay Gourmet Coffee’s OneCUP is a compostable, biodegradable pod that comes in packs of 12 to 120.

Still Sucked In

Ah, at last, my favorite category—reusable straws! The FinalStraw first launched in 2018 and created a market for a portable, long-lasting alternative to single-use plastic. Since then, a whole market of alternatives has bloomed, but FinalStraw’s tacky-ad mermaid will always hold a special place in my heart.

For those who prefer bendy straws, the silicone Koffie Straw comes pre-bent and can be trimmed to fit shorter cups.

You can also find plenty of clever alternatives like reusable glass straws and straws made of bamboo, by shopping some of the zero waste shops mentioned here.

Have another easy eco-friendly swap we didn’t talk about? Let us know in the comments! 

*photo by @charityvictoria

The post 6 Easy Eco-Friendly Kitchen Swaps You Didn’t Know You Needed appeared first on Eco Club.

But before you read, make sure you’ve scrolled through our tips for shopping more sustainably online, as this absolutely applies to everything you buy… even at a zero waste shop. Btw, we’re super proud to say, three of these shops are actually based here in Seattle! (Though they all offer shipping.) Hopefully it’ll inspire you to look up some local businesses that can meet your needs as well.

where to buy zero waste online

Plastic Free Pursuit | plasticfreepursuit.com
Everyday essentials to promote a waste free lifestyle.

Eco Roots | ecoroots.us
Zero waste products, plastic free shipping, and 1% for the planet.

Eco Collective | ecocollective.com
Skincare, hair care, journaling and wellness for the zero waster.

Package Free Shop | packagefreeshop.com
Zero Waste Products that reduce waste in your daily routine! Carbon Neutral & Plastic Free shipping!

Mindful Goods | mindfulgoods.com
Intentionally designed products for a sustainable lifestyle and a healthy home.

The Waste Less Shop | thewastelessshop.com
High quality, sustainable home and body products in environmentally conscious packaging!

A Public Shop | apublicshop.com
Thoughtfully considered reusable and refillable options that result in less waste.

Goldrick Natural Living | goldricknaturalliving.com
Goldrick inspires people to see the beauty and purpose in nature.

No Tox Life | notoxlife.com
Mother & daughter team making vegan body + home products since 2014.

Protea | proteazerowaste.com
Hawaii’s first zero waste refill store! Inviting people to take care of our Earth through a zero-waste lifestyle.

Zerovana | zerovana.com
Get inspired to reduce your waste with sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to plastics and simple everyday swaps that add up to a huge impact.

Tare Market | thetaremarket.com
Eco-friendly products and educational resources that will help you live a more sustainable, zero waste lifestyle!

Way of Being | wayofbeing.co 
Low waste swaps that actually work.

ZeroWasteStore | zerowastestore.com
Shop 1,000+ plastic-free essentials to create a sustainable routine.

Etsy | etsy.com

I love searching Etsy stores for zero waste goodies from independent makers. Be sure to read each shop’s descriptions and policies, and DM them for any questions you have. I know there are plenty of misleading businesses operating on Etsy (it’s such a large marketplace), but if you are a discerning buyer, you can find incredible small brands to support in your sustainable living journey. If you shop there, make sure the brand describes the item thoroughly, discusses how it will be shipped (no one wants a zero waste kit shipped in plastic, ahem, Amazon), and that the price point makes sense for what you’re purchasing!

Now Closed: Scoop Marketplace | scoopmarketplace.com
Zero Waste Grocery Store with Bulk Goods & Reusable Products.
*If you’re looking for a local zero waste shop in Seattle, try The Naked Grocer.

Now Closed: Wild Minimalist | wildminimalist.com
Sustainable, zero waste alternatives for home and on-the-go.

Of course, if you have a zero waste or bulk/refill store in your city, it’s most sustainable to buy local! However, if restrictions due to the pandemic or lack of options in your area have brought you to shopping online, it’s nice to know that these shops are also committed to low waste and plastic-free packaging!

Where do you buy zero waste goods and supplies online?

The post Zero Waste Shopping: Where To Buy Zero Waste Online appeared first on Eco Club.

The Etsy shop inOILS, out of Portland, OR, offers zero waste bars of soap in small and travel sizes, and you can even just order the “shreds” (which are surprisingly beautiful!).

As a lover of glitter I was pretty bummed to find out that it is NOT a sustainable product… but then I learned about eco friendly glitter, YAY! Problem solved. This biodegradable glitter is from Package Free Shop.

Eco Collective has these breath mints made from plants that would make a cute addition to any zero waste care package.

Sustainable AND colorful is always a win in our books. How about some eco-friendly bath bombs by Earths Thanks?

IMO, all scrunchies should be of the zero waste variety. They’re so small and the world has fabric scraps aplenty! Love the print on this oversized scrunchie from LunAndMo, who uses secondhand fabric.

If your recipient is already well into the zero waste lifestyle, surprise them with an Alum stone, which is a deodorant CRYSTAL made of mineral salt. It’s a pretty neat (and very unique) idea. Learn more here.

Hate that we gotta stuff protective masks into our loved ones’ stocking, but love that we can support small biz in the process. These are Ikat Linen Face Masks by LEIF.

If your zero waste living friends are super committed, they probably don’t buy a lot of formal tabletop or entertaining wares. But if they love artisan textiles, they’ll appreciate having a well-crafted set of hand-dyed placemats from Arles Studios, or other goodies for those special occasions, at the ready.

Bestseller starter set from Humankind including deodorant, mouth wash, floss, and hand sanitizer containers that they’ll compost, and order refills when needed.

These zero waste face masks from Lykke Wullf come in a 6 pack so you can spread the protective joy.

Am I recommending eco friendly toilet paper as a holiday gift this year? Why yes, yes I am. If you have a pal who is just getting into a low waste / zero waste lifestyle, I’m certain that they’d love to have this subscription! You can order the first couple months as a test or as big a supply as you’d like! They also sell bamboo paper towels.

This copper scrub pad from Housework would make a cute lil’ stocking stuffer too, yeah?

100% believe that reusable bags can be like, really fun. No plain canvas here! This is a leopardo Tote Bag from Korissa.

Love these Found Paper Mache Bowls from LEIF for the seasoned zero waster. They’d look lovely in a minimalist home, and will be an absolute surprise!

Paper lovers rejoice because Package Free Shop offers cards made from 100% recycled paper and plastic free packaging!

Every low waste newbie needs a No Tox Life dishwashing block for their zero waste kitchen!

Help them stock up on colorful bamboo toothbrushes from Good Intent… These are more durable than other bamboo toothbrushes because their non-toxic paint tips prevent decay (since the bamboo interacts with water so often). Also, each color represents a different cause, with 5% of the purchase donated to whichever you choose!

Another gorgeous take on the sustainable market bag from Mano Made.

Haven’t purchased dryer sheets since I ordered these Wool dryer balls by coliandme from Etsy–a great zero waste swap for those just starting out!

Produce bags, but make it fun… colorful drawstring reusable bags from DarlingSavage.

Zero waste shampoo bars from Eco Roots are good gifts for those already living a pretty low-waste lifestyle, that might want to up their commitment in 2021.

So I’m obsessed with Axiology’s Lip to Lid Balmies, which come in singles or trios, in lots of shades, all in an amazing zero waste package. There are very few beauty products I’ll shell out the big bucks for and this is truly one of them! It’s an all-over highlighter that I personally use for lips, eyes, and cheeks. Because they’re not in the lipstick tube, the crayons appear super small, but that’s actually what a “full size” stick looks like, just without all that plastic wrapped around it! I keep it in the little paper box and smile inside every time I slide the lid off. If you’re looking for a beauty gift for a sustainable-living friend (or not, still good!) this one is 100% #ecoclubapproved.

Do you dry brush? It’s another skincare/beauty ritual you can maintain while going zero waste. These are Japanese Body Scrub Brushes from member Territory.

For a similar effect to the scrub brushes, there’s this gently exfoliating Sisal Wash Cloth from LEIF, made from one of the strongest natural renewable materials (kind of like jute!).

Do you have any zero waste gift ideas to add to this collection? If you’re not so sure about the practicality of zero waste gifting during a pandemic (I get it), read our take here!

The post 25 Sustainable Gift Ideas for Zero Waste Enthusiasts appeared first on Eco Club.

Confession: I live a “low waste” lifestyle, not a zero waste one. Oh and about that label… I made it up. There is no actual standard for low waste. I’m conscious of how much waste I create, tend to go pretty far out of my way to avoid creating it, and when I do I am very thoughtful about how I dispose of it. I think of zero waste as more of an ideal than a short-term goal, green living is not all-or-nothing, waste not or waste all, but that’s just me. That said, I love to share zero waste tips because I’ve learned a lot and I get a lot of questions from people about it. There are many inspiring guides on going zero waste for you to Google too. But I think it’s important to first consider what zero waste actually means for you. Here’s a few thoughts to help you figure it out.

You decide how zero waste works for you

There are some pretty big resources out there when it comes to the whole concept of zero waste living. It’s smart to do your research, but remember that like any ‘lifestyle’, the important thing is what it does for YOU. It’s like eating healthy. It can be a pain in the ass, but you know it’s good for you. And when you get really into it, it’s fulfilling and even kind of fun. There you are, perfecting recipes, getting excited about cauliflower rice… You know how it goes. But still, it’s not about instant gratification. It’s about doing something because it’s important to you. And when that’s the motivation you have to tailor the lifestyle to your own unique situation because otherwise it just won’t stick. So don’t worry about all of the ‘rules’. Take what works for you and build off of that.

Going zero waste is a privilege

It’s not very surprising that the zero waste movement has gotten criticism for being somewhat of an elitist lifestyle as far as sustainable living goes. (Wanna know what else can lead to a minimalist lifestyle? Being broke.) It’s important to recognize this, especially when you’re sharing your zero waste lifestyle with others. Not everyone can afford to shop in expensive natural stores where they have bulk bins (ahem, when we weren’t afraid of catching Coronavirus during our refill trips). Not everyone has access to compost or even recycle. In fact, most people actually don’t. Each of the cities I’ve lived in have had vastly different resources when it comes to living sustainably. You cannot and should not push some one-size-fits-all approach to living with less, or criticize others for not following suit. What you can do is share what you’ve learned and hope it’ll inspire those who value your opinion/experience to tune into the opportunities they have in their own lives for change.

It’s not about you

With that said, remember that this isn’t about you. It’s natural for us to center ourselves when we’re part of a movement like zero waste. We are only capable of living our own experience so it’s easy to get caught up in that perspective. At the end of the day, I do it because I want to do it, you know? At the same time, the entire concept of living with less is rooted in the desire to contribute to the greater good. It’s good to remind yourself of that!

Be prepared to do the work

Once you set out on the journey to a zero waste or sustainable lifestyle, you’ll soon realize just how many conveniences  you’ve literally never even noticed you had. It’s very eye opening and kind of embarrassing. Little by little you’ll uncover habits that can be changed for the better, and habits are much easier to break than make. It totally takes work and failing and being willing to fail to get in your new rhythm but it’s also rewarding and inspiring. But it all adds up and one day you just might find yourself wondering why you ever felt you NEEDED paper towels to accompany every meal in the first place. (Btw, need’s quite the strong word, isn’t it?)

What are your thoughts on going zero waste? 

The post What You Should Know Before Going Zero Waste appeared first on Eco Club.

I’ve seen a few freelancers who have branded themselves in a way similar to what I do in my business—targeting small brands and organizations that are committed to environmental and social responsibility in their work. I get a little spark of hope with every new website I see that makes it loud and clear that they’re here to support positive change.

When I saw Natalie’s website, I noticed how different it was. It was gorgeous. It had personality. Scrolling to the bottom, I saw this headline: Book your project with us and we plant 12 trees.

It wasn’t long before I connected with Natalie, asking her what it means to be a designer focused on a zero waste lifestyle. As I got to know her, I learned that she lives in Portland, OR, working toward zero waste in her personal life and in her studio, and is gearing up for a minimalist, mobile lifestyle spent traveling the continent with her husband, beginning this July.

As we chatted, I could sense that many things in her life was done by design. This idea of intentionally designing your life so that your personal and professional sides align, and so that you align with the needs of your environment hits on that burning question.

Tell us a little about your personal commitment to low impact living and how that came to be:
So, my low impact living journey actually began about 4 years ago. I was super broke and looking for ways to achieve these beautiful looks I had conjured up for my first apartment on a tight budget. That’s when I stumbled upon zero-waste living online. I had always been a DIY type of woman, but I immediately became enamored with the zero waste lifestyle and knowing that it had such a positive impact! From there, I dove headfirst into doing everything I could to minimize my waste, reduce plastics in my life, and reduce my impact. I’ve been working over the years to further reduce my impact, and my excess as a whole, in ways that work best for my life. My next step in that is going vegan!

Was there a time when your professional life didn’t mesh with your commitment to green living? Was there a turning point or more of a gradual shift to running a “green” business?
Absolutely. I was the Art Director for a wholesale candy company in Kansas City, MO for a while. While working there, I was overseeing all product development and packaging needs. I realized how much waste was happening in my department and for some reason that had never clicked with me as a designer. All those candy wrappers from product photo shoots, baggies from mockups, hardly used paper, etc. It really clicked one day, and I ended up developing a recycling program for the company and implementing more eco-friendly methods of product development. Soon after, the company was bought, and the entire staff was let go. This was when I jumped into the full-time independent creative life and brought those methods over to my own business.

In what ways has your eco-friendly lifestyle influenced the ways you run your design studio?
It’s really affected my business in many ways, but some of the main ones are how I work in general. I’m just overall more conscious of my decisions and their impact. I do 99% of things digitally, I rarely ever print, and I skip the coffee shop waste and make my own cold brew and nut milk. Every decision I make in my business always comes with the question “But, what’s the impact of this?” For example, I love the current trend of laying out your work all beautifully and getting great shots of it, but what do I do with that paper I printed out for that one photo shoot afterward? What do I do with the product my client sent me for portfolio photos after the shoot? Instead, I just avoid all of that and make mock-ups in Photoshop. Another thing that really crossed over was how I utilize tools. Everything in my workspace has multiple purposes and will last me a very long time.

You plant trees with every project you book. Tell us about your partnership with OneTreePlanted, and how that came to be an integral part of your business:
Yes! Every time a client books a project with me, I donate to OneTreePlanted to plant 12 trees in areas affected by forest fires. It was something I was doing for quite some time, without talking about it. Once I began letting clients know it was happening, they were intrigued and happy knowing their dollars went somewhere great. Now, it’s just something I put out there in hopes of other independent creatives seeing it and doing something similar in a realm that they’re passionate about.

As a business owner in a creative industry, what advice do you have for others about finding work or clients that align with your passion for sustainability?
When a client doesn’t directly align with your passion for sustainability—which is often—it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work together. It’s an opportunity to educate and help them align a bit more. You have the chance to chat with your clients about these things and to help implement them into their business. Everything from merely talking about why you provide digital mock-ups instead of traditional or sourcing local-to-client, sustainable goods all add up and leave an impact! Also, just put it out there. People love knowing you’re doing something good and aren’t just another independent creative trying to get that money and go.

Love this perspective. Find Natalie nataliehands.com.

(First three graphics by Natalie Hands Studio)

The post What it Means to be a Creative Designer with a Zero Waste Lifestyle appeared first on Eco Club.

At least that’s what came to my mind when I spotted Abacá’s oversized two-toned market bag from sustainable modern goods shop MAAARI. Obviously, if you can thrift yourself a good bag, by all means. But if you choose new, this one is truly sustainable in all ways: the makers, the material, the social impact, the quality, and the versatility.

MAAARI was a happy Insta-discovery which led me to connect with one of their co-founders, Ivy, who shared with me that she and two of her friends (all based in different US cities) created their online marketplace as a space for shoppers to discover and fall in love with sustainable goods that elevate and preserve traditional Filipino craft. Each of the artists they stock design and craft modern goods inspired by indigenous art, and you can learn all about the makers behind the goods right on site.

As its name implies, this market bag is handwoven using abaca, an incredibly strong natural fiber that retains its flexibility, even while resisting salt water damage (hello beach day!). Purchases of this bag in particular contribute to a sustainable livelihood for weavers in Southern Luzon, Philippines.

More about the brand, from MAAARI: Abaca tells age-old stories with a modern aesthetic. Based in Manila, Estela de Jesus and her two daughters, Beatriz and Ina, design quality handmade items and curate thoughtfully found objects. With a belief that every place has a story to tell and every culture has something to offer, Abaca aims to support culturally rich communities and preserve traditional craft. A portion of all their proceeds goes to Right Start Foundation, a non-profit for underprivileged Filipino children. The traditional methods they seek follow a long process—natural materials are hand-picked, washed, sun-dried, naturally dyed, and woven by hand. Due to the labor and scarcity of workers, each piece has limited availability.

Shop the tote.

PS: Zero wasters, MAAARI now has a zero waste section on their website. Take a look!

First photo by Geric Cruz via Abacá. All others by MAAARI. 

The post The Only Market Bag You’ll Ever Need Is Also The Most Sustainable Option appeared first on Eco Club.

For now, the journey continues, and while it is far from reaching its endpoint, it continues to enrich. I am a vastly different human five months into this project than I was at its start, and the construction process has been nothing short of humbling.

It’s also been deeply instructive, especially in terms of what it means to be an eco-conscious, sustainably minded citizen. Here’s what I mean.

1. We’ve grown addicted to more than we need.

The idea of living tiny first drew me to compact space. Building tiny, however, has meant fresh intimacy with what it actually means to live minimally.

I’ve become deeply familiar with what some might call cramped quarters. (I know how wide most dishwashers are, for example, how much space we typically allocate to showers, how high most windows are up from the ground).

Every possession and necessity must have its own, earned space in this tiny house. I already live fairly minimally, but I’ve had to assess and reassess my belongings, letting many of them find better uses. The design of the tiny house itself has required utmost precision.

There’s nothing wrong with this. I’ve always enjoyed a challenge, and I never wish to be burdened by Stuff. But it has drawn my attention to how much our society has nursed an addiction to having more—more than what we actually need.

Space is a luxury, and not all of us have it. Creating more living space for the sake of space—well, I’m having a hard time really getting behind that. The earth can’t always accommodate that, especially when having more is often paired with other wasteful habits.

I’ve trimmed down what “necessity” truly means, and I think even Marie Kondo would be proud!

2. Fear really can stop you in your tracks.

If you let it, fear will keep you from doing something you don’t want to do, and so easily. I’ve given into the fear impulse all too easily, and building this house has been revelatory in this regard.

For example, I’ve always been a bit anxious around open flames of any kind. When I had to do a bit of welding on our rafter beam, it would have been much more comfortable to pass the torch (literally).

In fact, I almost did. But I sat there with that metal rod, turning it into a molten seam—heart pounding—and felt something: that sensation of expanding outside of yourself. Hesitation is natural, my friends, but fear is not. Fear keeps us from that delicious, revealing exhilaration that makes us growing, powerful humans.

3. It’s not all pretty Insta-stories.

Our instagram feeds never present the entire story. Mine certainly does not. It doesn’t show the late nights at the shop, the floorboard placing in negative temperatures, the mud-tromping, the screws that refuse to sink into wood.

It certainly doesn’t show the couch-hopping I’ve done while building, the receipt counting, the need-for-a-shower.

We need to remember this, and, more importantly, love all parts of our stories. I am more than social media, and so are you.

And: tiny house building is not easy. It may even be the most challenging—and also the most rewarding—thing I’ve done.

4. Nor is it about the end result (not really).

I naively assumed I would have a crude structure in place by February. Here I am, writing this in said crude structure, pausing periodically to check for leaks in the roof (spring rain!).

And this is okay. I’ve spent too long valuing end products and destinations, success stories and taglines. Life grows beyond these things, and there is much more to see—much more to learn—in the meantime. Plus, it means that I get to witness every growth stage of my future home. I wouldn’t miss that for anything.

5. There’s grace in admitting you don’t know how to do something.

The times that I have admitted ignorance—namely, every time a power tool walked onto the scene—I’ve been surprised. I expect disappointment or frustration but, instead, I’ve received compassion and an eagerness to instruct. Lucky, perhaps, but even luckier is the perspective that this is how we learn: by simply saying, “I don’t know.”

6. What it actually means to be eco-friendly.

This is one of the most important takeaways from my humble home build. I’ve wanted so desperately to check all of the eco-friendly boxes at every single stage of this construction.

I want to be zero-waste and plastic-free (meaning that I generate zero landfill waste or “garbage” and rely on materials other than plastic). I also want to be water-efficient and plant-friendly (namely by using biodegradable materials, paints, and soaps). Did I also mention I want to use alternative energy sources—like solar—whenever possible?

These are all noble and impactful desires. But I must say, it is nearly impossible to meet all of these desires at all times. I’ve chosen some building materials that contain chemicals, for example, as a means of prioritizing energy efficiency and independence; I’ve had to bring plastic into the equation for lack of alternatives.

This is okay. I’m developing a new, more forgiving definition of eco-consciousness: as long as I am choosing one aim (i.e., zero-waste), that itself is enough. It’s about the whole rather than the part in so many cases, and we aren’t superhuman.

That being said, I’m fairly proud of the decisions I’ve made throughout this project. It will ultimately be 100% zero-waste, plant-friendly, and plastic-free—at least in the lifestyle it enables!

7. Community is everything.

Creating with one’s hands is an ancient, urgent art. We need more of it in this screen-dependent society!

True creation, I believe, rides the wave of beloved community. I have had incredible support from so many loving, local hearts, and that reminds me of what this effort ultimately is about: cultivating a lifestyle that gives, to the earth and to others. That’s what it means to step into the light.

Thanks for listening, friends. I can’t wait to share more with you soon, once I’m fully living under this sweet peaked roof.

The post 7 Things I’ve Learned from Building a Tiny House appeared first on Eco Club.

Shit. In the few seconds I considered whether I should bring my belongings with me on the chase, the napkin was off—eluding its landfill destiny, bound for the mansions lining the bike path, surely there must be better days ahead.

Moments later, I was panting. Kicking up and tripping over imported sand on LA’s most cared-for beach. All thanks to a breeze brought in over the same coastal waters I’d seen my first dolphins glide through. The glossiest, most beautifully joyful dolphins—real life versions of those I’d done reports on in second grade, written stories on in fourth, spent my first Christmas in Los Angeles fawning over at 23—nearly in tears at the sight of them chasing our boat. I wasn’t about to let something happen to those waters, let alone be a source of it.

Now, I don’t know who might’ve seen me tripping across Manhattan Beach’s otherwise pristine shores that morning, and it could have been no one. Not only was I far from my own neighborhood on a slow morning, but a lot less people are paying attention than we tend to think. But my anxious, self-conscious brain knew that I’d never be shielded from judgment. I could give up, as if I were some jerk tossing a soda bottle out the window on the freeway, or I’d finally tackle this wispy thing floating in the summer breeze, and look like an idiot—though at least, an idiot who succeeded. No matter how I looked to people, I’d feel the same: foolish.

Off I went. Trudging through the sand, until I finally captured the damned thing, crumpled it, and tossed it in the nearest trash can—looking behind me as I made the trek back to my belongings, just in case.

***

I later told this story to a rare true ally—the one friend I’d made in LA that completely understood my inability to litter, if even by accident—to which she smiled and said, “I totally understand you not wanting trash to end up in the ocean.” She paused, then with a wince continued, “Not to crush you, buuut… Had you not chased down that napkin, it might’ve ended up in the ocean and dissolved in the water, rather than the landfill where it will have a much harder time breaking down.”

And that’s when I learned that landfills are actually so much worse than I thought—as they are not designed for biodegradation.

***

Thinking back, I didn’t know then, but that was exactly the kind of teaching moment I needed, the kind that we all need to experience constantly in order to grow in our commitment to the things we care about. An embarrassing 30 seconds on the beach led to a conversation which led to a lesson which led to research which led to a strengthened (yet ever evolving) understanding of waste and my connection to it, which led to a commitment to decreasing my waste, and therefore my consumption, which led to more conversations, which led to other people I’ve talked to questioning their own consumption, which led to more conversations and yeah, some more embarrassing moments, and more mistakes and more lessons learned and ultimately some pretty big change on my own part, and maybe even the parts of some of the people involved in those conversations along the way. It also led to a larger sense of urgency in sharing the things I do learn along the way—which I think is ultimately why I’m writing today.

It’s fascinating, I think, to reflect back on things we’ve learned and held on to, and how we came to learn those things, even if our understanding remains murky at times. And how, just by sharing the tiniest experiences, which seem so inconsequential, we arrive at new lessons, and so on. What I know now about the environment and human impact and climate change and, well, trash—is so minute—perhaps even more so than most people with such a strong attachment to the issues (I never did well in science class, ask anyone). It is so small. I am so small.

Yet the effect continues to ripple.

And everything else I experience and learn and share will too. And everything you do and learn and share. And on and on.

It’s easy to stay put inside our own heads and start to think we’ve done or tried or thought of everything, or that one way is right or there’s nowhere left to go. All we can really do is hope to be humbled again and again, by the enormity of what we don’t know.

It builds character, at the very least. In keeping with my newfound gratitude for every object, thank you, napkin.

(Technical note: The experience described in this piece would’ve gone differently at any other beach—here in Seattle, I would’ve chased it down and kept it until I found a compost bin. At others still, I may not have ever even found at trash can. How does anyone write a story involving the environment? The complexities are endless.)

Photo by Tamara Henzen

The post What Chasing a Napkin Down a California Beach Taught Me About The Landfill, Storytelling, and Lifelong Learning appeared first on Eco Club.

Why activated charcoal toothpaste + biodegradable floss?

Tell us a bit about you and Amra…
Amra and I always wanted to start a business that pays it forward. Growing up during the war in Bosnia, we had so many people and organizations help us during those terrible years. Postwar we moved to the US, got an education and both worked in the beauty business for over a decade. We never thought that oral care would be something we’d get into. A few years ago, while Amra was pregnant, she used only natural products and limited products filled with chemicals. That’s how she found activated charcoal powder and saw her teeth whiten, but it was a super messy process. She thought about how there should be toothpaste that contains activated charcoal but has no fluoride and fillers. Just simple organic ingredients like coconut oils and peppermint essential oils. She called me and we started looking for manufacturing here in the USA.

We were not sure how people would react to black toothpaste, but almost three years later, we have a brand that is sitting on shelves at Anthropologie, Saks, Free People, and eco-friendly hotels.

Now that we have created a successful brand and have the power to help others, each month we donate oral products to the Downtown Women’s Shelter in Los Angeles to help low income and homeless women. Amra and I have been personally visiting the center and working with them. One of the wishlist items in almost every shelter is toothpaste. We hope as our business grow to help out more shelters in our communities. Terra & Co plans to start a fund where the percentage of each sale will go towards helping low income and homeless women.

How did your combined experience in the cosmetics industry help set you up for a business in natural oral care?
I’ve lived and worked in NYC as a makeup artist and beauty creative for over a decade. Amra managed few beauty startups in LA so her business side and my creative side were proven to be a good fit to get a business idea to a working business.

What was your biggest challenge in creating all-natural, zero waste oral care products?
We both believe that the future of consumer products have to be created with the least impact on mother earth. The biggest challenge is finding biodegradable packaging and lowering our carbon footprint. After attending a few packaging trade shows I find a limited number of suppliers who focus on eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging, to my surprise. Especially because we want all of our products to be made in USA.

Can you talk about the differences between conventional dental floss and Brilliant Black?
Conventional dental floss is usually made out of strands of nylon or Teflon with added wax and flavors. Neither of these polymers is biodegradable, and not to even talk about plastic packaging that flosses come in. Brilliant Black floss is made with bamboo fiber, activated charcoal (why not whiten between teeth?) coconut oil, candelilla wax (vegan wax) and peppermint and spearmint essential oils. All of these ingredients are biodegradable including our carton box that floss comes in.

Tell us more about the packaging you use for your products.
From day one we have focused to not only make chemical-free products that work but to minimize packaging as much as we can as a small business. Our bamboo toothbrush used to come in a plastic travel case and now we have switched to box made out of the biodegradable carton and printed with eco-friendly ink in California. We have been working and testing new tubes made out of sugar canes that will be a great replacement for recycled plastic.

What are a few of you and Amra’s fave sustainable beauty/skincare brands? 
There are so many brands that we both love. Few of the favorites are: Dr. Hauschka, ILIA Beauty, Immunocologie, Noniko Natural Skincare, Jane Iredale…

Thanks to Azra of Terra & Co for sharing their story. Purchase eco friendly dental floss and other oral care products on their website.

Photos by Taylor Lewis

The post Eco Friendly Dental Floss Should Be Your Next Zero Waste Purchase appeared first on Eco Club.