Author

Megan Kioulafofski

Megan is a writer, business owner, and a passionate eco-enthusiast. Wanting to share her passion and enthusiasm for eco-friendly living, she writes about topics that can help others live more sustainably in their daily lives. Currently living in Puerto Rico, she spends her spare time at farmers’ markets, cooking delicious meals, and practicing beach yoga.

12 Great Ideas To Help You Transform Your House Into A Bastion Of Eco-Friendliness

by Megan Kioulafofski August 16, 2021

6 minutes read

How To Make Your Home Environmentally Friendly

Looking for some easy, yet effective, ideas to make your house eco-friendly? You’re not alone!

Maintaining an environmentally friendly home is a goal many of us share in the modern world. There is a lot of pressure on normal people to reduce their impact on the environment, and just about everyone needs to do their best to ensure that the planet retains its life for the future.

Turning your house eco-friendly can be much easier than you might expect, and there are loads of ideas and tools on the modern market you can make use of. So if you are looking for how to make your home environmentally friendly, read on! In this article, we will be exploring some of the best ways to turn your home into a bastion of environmentally friendliness.

Heating & Cooling

HVAC systems are some of the most resource hungry machines found in the majority of households. Designed to regulate the temperature within your building, they will often use huge amounts of power compared to the other electrical devices. This makes them a good place to start if you are looking for ideas on how to go green and make your house eco-friendly.

You can find some good ways to reduce the impact of your HVAC system below.

Insulation: Insulation is designed to stop your home from letting hot air out or in. You can have insulation installed in your walls, ceilings, and even areas like your windows. Finding a good window replacement company can be a good first step to take when approaching this.

HVAC Servicing: HVAC systems need to be serviced regularly to maintain their performance. In some cases, this will need to be done each year, but modern systems can be serviced less often.

Thermostat Use: It can be tempting to ignore the thermostat that is in your home, choosing to turn your heating and air con on and off when you feel like you need to. You can regulate this automatically, though, and this will often use less energy than doing it by hand.

Electricity Consumption

Alongside your HVAC system, most homes are packed to the brim with many other electrical devices that use electricity constantly. Lowering your electricity consumption can be a great way to make your house eco-friendly and reduce your environmental impact – and there are loads of great ideas to help you achieve this goal. Of course, this will become less of an issue as the world slowly switches to renewable energy sources.

Smart Meters: Many countries have started to introduce smart meters as a way to reduce electrical usage over the last few years. Devices like this can help you l ower the amount of energy you use by giving you a clear idea of what you’re using, while also showing you how much it costs.

Better Appliances: The appliances in your home can end up using huge amounts of power when they aren’t built to be efficient. Most products like this come with energy ratings, and you should take this seriously when you’re buying them.

Good Habits: Your lifestyle and habits can have a significant impact on the electricity you use. For example turning off lights and unplugging appliances can be a good way to reduce your energy use without having to compromise on your lifestyle.

Water Consumption

Many people don’t view water as a finite resource. In reality, the world is running out of usable water, and this could become a serious issue in the future. Engineers are working on ways to solve this problem on a wide scale, but you can also do your part at home by reducing the amount of water that you consume. And here’s how:

Low-Flow Flushes: Flushing the toilet can use several liters of water each time you use it. This can be lowered dramatically with a low-flow flush, and this type of device can be installed in the vast majority of toilets.

Shower Timers: It can be all too easy to spend more time than you need in the shower. Many people find themselves getting lost in thought under the water, but a simple timer can be all you need to solve this issue. You just need to make sure that it is loud and waterproof.

Good Habits: Much like your electricity consumption, you can lower the amount of water you use by maintaining good habits. For example, you can turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth or while shaving.

Offsetting Your Impact

Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to think about how you can offset your environmental impact without having to change aspects of your home in the process. Offsetting your impact on the planet is a great way to tackle the issue of the environment while also improving your lifestyle, and this is something that just about anyone can achieve.

Using The Right Energy Company: Many of the world’s energy companies are looking to renewable sources to power homes around the world. You can switch to companies like this for your own home, ensuring that you are getting power that comes from the right place.

Growing Plants: Everyone knows that plants are great for the environment. So if you are looking for ideas on how to make your house eco-friendly, growing plants in your garden will have a long-term impact that can end up being quite sizable, with large plants like trees being fantastic good carbon stores.

Transport: Choosing the right transport method is another good way to lower your environmental impact. It has never been easier to use electric vehicles, but you could also think about walking or riding a bike for journeys that are short enough. This is something that just about anyone can do to make a difference.

As you can see, there are lots of great ideas that can help you make your house eco-friendly. Don’t forget that this process can take some time, but it will always be good if you are working towards creating a more sustainable life for yourself. More and more people are understanding the benefits of going green and are trying to reduce carbon footprint, and this is sure to make an impact in the future.

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August 16, 2021 0 comment

Four Sustainable Beauty Brands That Leave The Planet A Little More Beautiful

by Megan Kioulafofski July 30, 2021

5 minutes read

Ready for some pampering? Here are four sustainable beauty brands that are great for both self, and environmental care.

After the hard year we’ve had, it could benefit all of us to indulge in some self care. But although the pandemic seems to have eased, we are now faced with another challenge: the ongoing climate crisis.

While self care has become somewhat of a buzzword, and certainly encompasses far more than cosmetics and relaxation, there is no denying that indulgence can be a way to destress and relax. However, using products with a negative environmental impact can turn self care into selfish care.

Fortunately for beauty addicts with a conscience, there is no need to compromise morals and ethics when it comes to beauty products, as many beauty brands are increasingly investing in more eco-friendly and climate conscious practices. These include reducing plastic usage, minimizing the use of harmful ingredients, but also investing, campaigning and developing initiatives that push for change.

While there are huge numbers of brands that are increasingly committed to these measures, the following four sustainable beauty brands are our favorites, and will leave both you and the planet feeling good.

Lush

sustainable beauty brands include lush cosmetics

When most people think of Lush, they think of their bright, candy-colored products and whimsical stores that combine the wonder of Willy Wonka with the unpretentious atmosphere of a farmers market.

Arguably, they are best known for their bath bombs, a packaging-free product that manages to appeal to a range of people through being indulgent enough for clean beauty addicts and cool enough for Gen-Z TikToks. But Lush have far more to offer than these effervescent delights.

Since their founding in 1995, Lush has introduced a number of products that have revolutionized the market of sustainable beauty brands. How did they do that? By cutting down on the use of preservatives and packaging through introducing a range of solid products, including shampoo and massage bars.

In addition to minimising the use of packaging with these products, the packaging in the rest of their products are 90% recycled. Their CEO Mark Constantine has spoken about the need to be a campaigning company, one that is as interested in external issues (including fox hunting and femicide), and it is exciting to consider what they may do next.

Beauty Kubes

Another solid shampoo that minimizes the use of plastic packaging, Beauty Kubes were founded in 2017 in the UK.

Aiming to provide an alternative to solid shampoo and conditioner bars, these cubes form a rich lather that smells rich and feels luxurious. Why did we add Beauty Kubes on our sustainable beauty brands’ list? Because these solid cubes are silicone free, sulphate free and palm oil free, and, unlike conventional shampoo bars, are single use.

This means that some of the issues with shampoo bars (like the residue they leave behind on the bathtub, and their tendency to disintegrate) are non-existent. Even better, they are ideal for the gym and international travel.

Jo Loves

Jo Malone has spoken extensively on how her eponymous brand was a game changer in the cosmetics industry. So it should come as no surprise that her latest venture Jo Loves is just as innovative and deserves to occupy a proud, third place in our best sustainable beauty brands list.

Not content with making all the products in the range eco friendly, vegan, and cruelty-free, Jo’s drive towards innovation has led her to create the fragrance paintbrush. This product allows you to paint her sensuous scents directly onto the skin, making them more portable than standard fragrances.

Even better than this, it is a refillable product. While many skincare brands are exploring refillable packaging (such as Ouai and Tata Harper), this is something that is brand new in the world of perfumery. More than this, the products themselves – including Pink Vetiver, Green Orange and Coriander and White Rose and Lemon Leaves – smell divine and unexpected.

Davines

eco friendly brands include davines

Italian beauty brand Davines was founded on principles placing sustainability and beauty on equal footing. They publish an annual sustainability report, and are committed to using ingredients that are sustainable, while still being luxurious.

They have recently partnered with Rodale Institute, pioneers of regenerative organic agriculture. This partnership will involve the development of a new 10 acre site that will have a focus on developing research into managing organic farming in a Mediterrainian climate, with a particular focus on the links between personal care ingredients and farming.

While you can relax in the assurance that Davines are committed to sustainability issues, there is nothing more relaxing than the heady fragrance of their products. Their Oi Oil harnesses the nourishing power of roucou oil to leave hair gleaming and nourished, and their Momo shampoo hydrates dry hair through the power of yellow melon seed.

Found these sustainable beauty brands worth trying? We bet you did! So then why not have a look at our eco friendly, reusable produce bags too, and add some extra boost to your environmental efforts.

And if you want to be up to date on the latest zero waste trends, follow our sustainable living blog. You’ll find many interesting articles such as:

July 30, 2021 0 comment

Energy Efficiency Home Sustainability

Home Energy Conservation Tips & Techniques for Each Room

by Megan Kioulafofski June 29, 2021

5 minutes read

Best Ways To Save Energy At Home

In 2021, learning some efficient energy conservation techniques should be a priority, especially when it comes to your home. Luckily, saving energy in your household is a lot easier than it seems! Not only will energy efficiency have a positive impact on the environment, but lowering your home’s energy intake can lower your utility costs and help you identify and correct wasteful habits.

From the kitchen to the living room, there are many ways to save energy in your home. And, for the most part, these tips are inexpensive and easy to complete. Once you start applying them, they can even become a part of your daily routine. With that being said, here are our best home energy-saving tips for each room in your house.

Kitchen

The kitchen may be one of the most-used rooms in your home: between cooking meals, entertaining guests, and eating snacks, the kitchen is a great place to relax and experiment with food.

However, the kitchen is also full of energy-eating items like refrigerators, lights, stovetops, and other appliances. That’s why it’s extremely important to be mindful of your energy consumption in the kitchen. With that being said, here are some conservation techniques to limit your energy usage in the kitchen:

Stock up your refrigerator to limit overworking the motor: refrigerators run best when they are full, since cooling an empty fridge is a waste of energy.
Be mindful about leaving appliance doors open, especially your oven and fridge. This will cause your appliances to work overtime since the air is escaping.
Reevaluate your kitchen supplies to see if they’re energy-efficient. An electric tea kettle will use less energy than a stovetop, while copper pots get hot quicker and require less energy from your stove.
Use a dishwasher instead of handwashing, since dishwashers use less water on average than hand washing.

Home office

After the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home is more common than ever. And with the added energy in your home, it’s so important to monitor your energy usage. Luckily, conservation of energy in your office is a quick and easy fix if you follow these techniques:

Use power strips to easily power off your electronics when they’re not in use.
Avoid charging your electronics overnight since most mobile devices and tablets require only a few hours to fully charge.
Use a laptop instead of a desktop computer to avoid energy usage from monitors and large desktop setups.
Avoid overhead lighting and use smaller lighting like lamps to lessen your lighting bill.

Bathroom

Between showers, beauty routines, other steps in your day, the bathroom can be a real energy eater. However, you don’t have to give up hot water if you are looking to improve the conservation of energy. By utilizing these techniques, the bathroom can still have all the luxuries you love while also being eco-friendly and energy-efficient:

Limit water usage by turning off your sink after you wet your toothbrush, as you scrub your face, or for any short period of non-usage. This will add up in the long run!
Upgrade your water fixtures by installing a low-flow showerhead and checking your sink for drips.
Air dry your hair instead of using a blow dryer.
Install motion sensors to regulate your energy bill with ease.

Laundry room

Doing your laundry is important. However, it may come at a price, especially for your energy bill. Making your laundry room an eco-friendly place will not only help the environment, but can also save you up to $50 in annual utility costs. So, here are some energy saving tips to change your laundry routine and stay clean without breaking the bank:

Only wash full loads of clothing: while this means more folding, it also means fewer loads to complete along with less overall energy usage.
Air dry your clothing to not only keep the quality of your clothes, but to also save money on your energy bill.
Use cold water to wash clothes. This is not only great for your fabric, but is also a great way to save some extra cash on utilities.

Living room

Finally, the living room is one of the most family/friend-centric places in your home. Whether it’s family movie night, playing video games with your friends, or simply binging your favorite show once the work-day is over, the living room is an entertainment mecca. However, with this usage of electronics, it’s very important to monitor energy efficiency to help the environment and your bank account, With these being said, here are some energy conservation techniques for the living room:

Buy a Smart Home Assistant to monitor energy usage at any time during the day, even when you’re away from home. Through an app on your phone, you’ll be able to control living room systems with ease.
Unplug entertainment devices when they aren’t in use, just be sure to save your progress in your game!
Opt for LED lighting as opposed to incandescent bulbs, which use more energy.

Energy Saving – Final Thoughts

By improving your home’s energy efficiency, you’re making a serious positive difference in the environment. After some time, these quick energy saving tips will become a habitual part of your routine and, in turn, will make your home an ecocentric, green friendly place. The earth (and your bank account) will thank you!

To help you on your energy-saving journey, here’s an easy-to-follow infographic with eco-friendly tips and techniques for energy conservation in each room in your home:

Source: HomeAdvisor.com

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June 29, 2021 0 comment

Finance Sustainability

Retirement Investing Can Be Green, Too!

by Megan Kioulafofski April 27, 2021

3 minutes read

When considering ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle, investments aren’t usually the top-of-mind answers for most. But as it turns out, how you invest can have a significant impact on cultivating a greener economy. This is especially true as more and more companies begin to understand the importance of sustainable business.

Retirement investment firms have recognized this need too, with a group of eight pension funds recently coming together to call on corporations to standardize disclosure of environmental, social, and government (ESG) factors that affect investment decisions. In this way, not only would companies show how they manage issues such as human capital, climate change, and social governance to big-time investors, but individuals can also make better decisions on how to contribute while seeing returns. ESG investments have been shown to have similar returns compared to more traditional investments — without harm to the environment.

So if you’ve considered putting your investment dollars to work in a more sustainable way, then here are ways to make retirement investing green, too.

How to Build Wealth with Sustainable Investments

ESG investments can be done in several ways, from mutual funds that hold green stocks to buying shares of individual companies. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you get started.

Set Your Priorities

What is ethical to you may not fit with even the best company’s definition of being socially responsible, so take the time to really define what your values are in terms of sustainability to help you in choosing where to place your investment.

Do Your Research

Switching from traditional investments to go green may not be for everyone, especially with greenwashing — or when companies make false or misleading claims about their sustainable efforts — being a real concern. When doing your research, focus on the trajectory of a company’s investments and whether they’re doing so without any environmentally harmful practices. It’s easy for companies to provide lip service, but it’s worth going the extra mile as a responsible investor. Look for documentation on their business model, financial health, the ways ESG is embedded in their operations, and the kind of impact the firm creates in communities.

Invest in a Retirement Account

When choosing green investments, try to keep an eye out for those that you can put directly into a retirement account. A great option for Canadians with a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) is to invest in Solar Bonds, which are RRSP-eligible. Solar Bonds provide a 5% fixed rate semi-annually as it helps fund community-based solar electricity, and your RRSP will let your money grow tax-free. Just be sure to avoid RRSP withdrawals until your actual retirement, as the tax penalties for doing so can just cancel out the benefits!

Meanwhile, Americans hoping to invest in ESG funds can also look to do so in their 401(k) retirement plans. The majority of these plans have included ESG metrics in recent years, and while not purely ESG funds, there are many funds with high sustainability ratings in one aspect or another. You can also consider conventional funds with higher ratings, such as Fidelity’s Contrafund, which has a large-cap growth and low-carbon ratings. Another option worth considering is the T. Rowe Price Diversified Mid-Cap Growth fund, which also has a low-carbon rating and a return of 11.2% over a 15-year basis.

Try a Robo-Advisor

If you’re still feeling a bit lost with your options even after conducting some research, a robo-advisor is a great tool you can use to start investing in socially responsible portfolios and access ESG investments. These digital advisors allow you to build and manage portfolios based on your goals and risk tolerance. When choosing one, check the methodology they use to ensure that they have filters that will help narrow down your options. Whether you end up choosing an individual stock to invest in or decide to go with a mutual fund to diversify your portfolio from the get-go, a robo-advisor can help you reach a decision fairly easily.

The Bottom Line

When making green investments, it’s essential to look towards the long term. Look for opportunities to include low-carbon or renewable energy investments in your portfolio. By putting in the work to find a company that makes its daily effort clear day in and day out, you can be sure to contribute to one that makes the biggest impact — both on the world and in your golden years — in the long run.

April 27, 2021 0 comment

Fashion Sustainability

Choosing Organic Textiles and Caring for Fabrics in Eco-Friendly Ways

by Megan Kioulafofski April 19, 2021

7 minutes read

Changing how we care for others, the Earth, and ourselves, starts with the things we do every day, and with the products we shop and consume. Making these changes means taking a closer look at the clothes on our backs, the sheets on our beds, the grocery bags we use at the supermarket, and even the hygiene products in our bathroom closet.

The dangers associated with common chemicals used in conventional textile manufacturing pose a threat to many cultures and ecosystems. Supporting the use of organic fabrics and eco-friendly product manufacturing is one big step toward investing in a better future for all.

And since consumers who choose natural fibres discover many benefits to wearing them, and quickly learn how easy it is to care for them sustainably, in this post we’ll discuss the advantages of using eco-friendly fabrics in our daily lives. We’ll also show you how to care for them, and explain which are the dangers of fast manufacturing, and why we need to bring these practices to an end.

Dangers of Toxic Textile Manufacturing

Unlike organic practices which are natural and safe, conventional textile manufacturing often uses chemical compounds to turn raw materials into clothing or bedding. In fact, 20% of industrial water pollution comes from this process. The chemicals and dyes enter waterways around factories, putting ecosystems and local towns at risk of associated illnesses.

Practices like fast fashion come with many modern-day societal issues as well. Some people experience health problems or allergic reactions to specific synthetic materials, dyes, and preservative finishes used in fabric processing. Although these chemicals can improve fabric durability and appearance, they often prove a threat to you and the environment.

The most common compound s include:

Formaldehyde – This volatile organic compound, when used in large quantities, can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation.
Azo dyes – Responsible for vivid coloration, these dyes come off fabrics easily and release chemicals when they break down.
Heavy metals – If absorbed by the body, heavy metals can accumulate in the liver and kidneys and may lead to serious health complications. Lead and mercury are restricted metals in textile manufacturing.
Organotin compounds – Mostly tin, these compounds are antimicrobial but can also accumulate in the body. The EU has banned certain levels in textiles.
Chlorobenzenes – Used in dyeing polyester, these chemicals are toxic when inhaled or touched by bare skin and can prove detrimental to different organs and the nervous system. The EU has also restricted certain levels of these chemicals.

Many factory workers don’t have the required protection while working with these chemicals. Other than that, when toxins drain into the creeks, rivers, and lakes of surrounding cities, the water becomes heavily polluted. Most of this wastewater goes untreated.

Substances such as formaldehyde and heavy metals enter the water we use for daily activities, causing us to consume them unknowingly. Marine life on or near the coast cannot survive the chemical toxicity either. The pollutants released into the air are not healthy for us to breathe, nor are they good for our atmosphere.

The dangers associated with common compounds used in textile manufacturing are far-reaching and affect public health and the environment. But when you opt for organic textiles, you’re choosing fabrics that don’t require these chemical processes.

What Are Organic Textiles?

organic cotton for fabrics

GOTS-certified products follow the Global Organic Textile Standard. This standard is a straightforward way to define sustainable and ethical production in the textile industry so consumers can choose truly organic products, sourced from green supply chains. When you select a GOTS-certified item, you’re supporting sustainable textile products throughout the entire supply chain, from seed to stitch.

Organic fibers are natural and grown according to national standards without using toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetic engineering. The following are some of the more popular natural fibers you find in organically produced and manufactured clothing, fabrics, and upholstery:

Cotton
Wool
Hemp
Flax (linen)

Benefits of Choosing GOTS Organic Textiles

When you select clothes, towels, bedsheets, mattresses, and other GOTS-certified or organic textiles, you invest in a world-changing kind of eco-friendly farming and manufacturing.

Going green with your fabrics is not only better for the environment, but it’s also better for your fellow human beings. Choosing organic fabrics has many all-encompassing benefits:

No farmers, factory workers, or ecosystems are at risk since natural fibers do not require toxic chemical processing.
Customers don’t have potentially harmful substances in the end product
Unlike regular cotton production, growing organic cotton uses less energy, thus releasing fewer greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.
Organic cotton farmers use crop rotation and track their crops, using far less water and no persistent pesticides, which drastically reduces water pollution and the amount of farmland created.
Workers hired under GOTS-certified workplaces receive fair pay and work in safe conditions with respect to their human rights.
GOTS-certified manufacturers place a high value on the quality of their worker’s lives and their goods. These groups also employ a quality assurance system that gives consumers better products.

How to Care for Fabrics Sustainably

Clothes, upholstery, and other fabrics can sometimes come with complicated care instructions. Caring for them often requires water overuse, which puts cleaning them at odds with trying to save water in your daily life.

Since natural and organic fibers like cotton and hemp help us simplify our lives and reduce our carbon footprint, why not keep the cleaning process easy, too?

Whether you have GOTS-certified products or are looking for ways to care for all of your fabrics sustainably, green cleaning methods and products have many advantages. Not only do they include natural, non-toxic ingredients, but they are also less harsh on the skin, have a better scent, and prolong the use of items like upholstered or leather furniture.

Sustainable fabrics don’t require special care. Laundering organically produced clothes or sheets is simple and takes very few steps. Use cold water and a natural detergent. Lay your laundry flat to dry or hang items on a clothesline. You can even iron them if you want. Meanwhile, there are other steps you can take to be more eco-friendly with the clothing items you own. Below are some helpful tips.

Taking Care

Taking good care of what matters to us is something we all do, whether we’re tending to our favorite pieces of clothing or just enjoying the beautiful world that surrounds us. Eco-friendly consumers are educated consumers who practice sustainability in their daily routines. By choosing organic, GOTS-certified textiles, you support an industry that cares, just like you.

And don’t forget, every choice we make matters. Fast fashion is cheap and everywhere around us. But if you decide to spend your money on organic fabrics you will not only help protect the environment, but also your health.

We hope that by reading this blog you are already more informed regarding the textiles you should choose, and the practices you need to encourage. For more interesting posts similar to this one follow our sustainable living blog.

April 19, 2021 0 comment

Backyard Sustainability

5 Ways To Create A Sustainable Backyard

by Megan Kioulafofski April 12, 2021

6 minutes read

Taking better care of the environment is something we all need to focus a little more on. But whereas we often think about creating a sustainable home, the backyard garden ends up being oftentimes neglected. That happens mostly because some people consider their gardens to be already eco-friendly, while others simply don’t know what to do when it comes to incorporating green practices into landscape design and practices.

The truth is that the backyard might be, naturally, more environmentally friendly than our homes’ interior. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement. Read on to find out some of the best landscape and gardening tips you can use to transform your outdoor space into a beautiful, eco-friendly oasis.

1. Don’t Use Chemicals

It’s easy to purchase weed killer or bug spray to use in the backyard. But this is not a sustainable practice since the chemicals these items contain can be highly detrimental to your eco-friendly efforts.

Spraying chemicals all over your vegetable garden can cause the excess to be washed into the drains, and then into watercourses from where it gets absorbed into the soil. In either case, this will negatively affect the environment.

Instead of using chemicals, look for natural ways to remove weeds and reduce the number of pests in your backyard. One idea that is becoming more popular is to use ‘companion planting’. This means planting two different plant species together so that even if one is plagued with pests, the other will ward them off.

Birds are also excellent at removing insects from your backyard. That’s why, a great sustainable method is to install boxes and places where birds can eat and nest. Like this, you’ll encourage more of them to land in your little backyard farm and help you in your eco-friendly efforts.

bee on flower

2. Encourage Wildlife

It’s clear that having some wildlife in your backyard is a good thing. Think of the birds we mentioned above. So why not make a goal to encourage even more creatures to enjoy your garden?

Since each one of them has its own unique way of improving the environment, it’s important for us to maintain animal habitats where possible. Not to mention this is the ideal way to turn your backyard into an eco-friendly space.

There are dozens of different animals and insects you can encourage into your backyard. But if you want to start with something small that will make a big, sustainable impact, think of bees.

Scientists have been warning us for quite some time now that bees are in danger. But bees are an integral part of the ecosystem, and play an important role in providing high-quality food and products used in healthcare, thus taking care of them should be a top priority for all of us.

To attract bees, plant bright, open flowers so they will want to come to your backyard, and install ‘bee hotels’ so that solitary bees (bees that don’t live in a hive) have somewhere to rest.

3. Conserve Water

If you envision a carbon-neutral future for our planet, something that can be read about in more detail at https://geoffhirson.com/, then we need to do all we can when it comes to living sustainable and eco-friendly. Saving the water we waste when looking after our home and garden is one of the best ways we can do this.

And since you came to this page looking for ways to make your backyard a more environmentally friendly place to be, saving water in your yard is one of the simplest things to do.

Wondering from where to start? Just install a water butt at the end of every downpipe so that you can collect the water in it when it rains. You can then use this water to keep your backyard healthy, and ensure your plants and your homegrown fruits and vegetables are well watered, without using the hose.

And if you want to go a step further, you can use this saved rainwater inside your home too. It’s perfect for use in a toilet to flush it with, for example.

kids playing in a sustainable backyard

4. Plant Native Flowers And Trees

If you own a house with a garden, you probably heard this advice from other gardeners. But why are native plants so important for your sustainable backyard?

There are several compelling reasons why you should have native flowers and trees in your garden:

Native plants preserve biodiversity ( think happy birds and bees )
They are not invasive
They are easy to grow and maintain
Last but not least, they are beautiful

By using native plants in your garden, you are not only preserving biodiversity and enhancing the sustainability of your backyard, but you are also ensuring a legacy for future generations.

5. Decorate With Sustainable Materials

Did you ever think of decorating your garden with recycled objects and eco-friendly materials? Let us tell you that this too will make a great method to turn your backyard sustainable.

If you need a bit of inspiration, here are some ideas to help you get started:

Don’t throw away broken furniture. Use it instead to plant flowers in it.
Use bamboo or recycled wood for decks, patios and fences.
Incorporate recycled metal and natural stone.
Go to thrift stores and search for antique patio furniture to add a bit of old time charm to your backyard space.

We hope these 5 easy tips will help you turn your backyard into a sustainable, natural paradise, you will never want to leave. For more great suggestions on how to live eco-friendly, have a look at both our site, and our sustainable living blog.

We are sure you will also love,

April 12, 2021 0 comment

Food Home

How To Store Lettuce Without Going Wilty (For Up to 2-3 Weeks!)

by Megan Kioulafofski April 8, 2021

8 minutes read

No one likes to waste food, but everyone does it. In fact, according to the US Department of Agriculture, over one-third of available food is wasted in America.

Not only is food waste bad for the economy and your wallet, but it’s bad for the planet too. It’s also just downright frustrating. You tell yourself you’ll buy less next time, or prioritize eating at home to avoid waste, but then life gets in the way and those tactics never work.

So what actually works to reduce how much fresh food you waste at home? Storing your food properly.

Taking just a few extra minutes to store your food properly while you unload your groceries can prolong the life of your food for weeks. We’re going to breakdown why food waste is so bad, tips to avoid it, and how to store fresh food so that it never gets wasted again.

Why Food Waste Is the Worst

First, lets breakdown food waste a little more. Unfortunately, the US leads in countries that waste the most food. In fact, between 30-40% of the US food supply is wasted. That equals 80 billion pounds of food that are thrown away, which is the equivalent of 1,000 Empire State Buildings.

It also equals $161 billion in profit loss, which translates to $1600 per family every year. Wouldn’t it be nice to take a trip with that money instead of wasting it on food that gets thrown out?

When farm-fresh foods are thrown out, it doesn’t just waste your money. It also wastes the farmer’s money, labor, and resources. It’s also hard on the planet. Thrown-out food goes to landfills, where it emits methane. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

We couldn’t spell it out any clearer: food waste is bad. But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are some easy solutions you can try so that you and your family can become food waste warriors.

Let’s breakdown the top solution to food waste: storing your food properly so it doesn’t go bad as quickly.

How to Store Fresh Food So It Lasts Longer

The good news: you can combat food waste right from your own kitchen. It all starts with how you store your fresh food. Never deal with wilting lettuce or soft carrots again.

Let’s breakdown why food goes bad so quickly and how to keep lettuce fresh and other produce so you can enjoy it longer.

The reason food goes bad in the fridge or on your counter is because of too much exposure to air. Specifically, when fruits and veggies are stored in the plastic produce bags you get at the grocery stores, they go bad quicker.

Taking your own reusable produce bags is the way to go if you want to avoid plastic, but if you do need to use a plastic produce bag at the store, you should take your food out of it as soon as you get home. The trapped air in the plastic bag produces ethylene gas, which suffocates the produce. This causes it to ripen more quickly and go bad prematurely.

Instead of air, your produce needs moisture to last longer. The best way to give your food moisture is to store it in a Freshie Food Saver Bag.

The Freshie Food Saver Bag

The Freshie Food Saver Bag will save you money and conquer food waste at the same time. It works by trapping moisture in with your food, which keeps it hydrated and prolongs its life.

The Freshie works will all types of produce, but it’s especially miraculous with leafy greens like lettuce and spinach. It even works with herbs like cilantro and parsley.

The reusable bag is made with soft organic cotton and prolongs the life of your food up to three times. Each bag is 12″ by 15″ inches, so you can store several types of produce together in one bag. It can also be reused over and over again, so you save even more money over time.

How does it work? Save your food in just a few easy steps:

Step 1: Simply wet the bag and ring out the excess water

Step 2: Wash your produce

Step 3: Store your produce in the bag, zip it up, and put it in the fridge

Step 4: As the bag dries out over time, spray with water to keep it moist

The moisture and humidity will keep your produce fresh and happy so you can enjoy it for weeks and not worry about food waste ever again.

Why Choose the Freshie Food Saver Bag

Freshie is committed to saving you money on your grocery bill. They are also committed to sustainability from start to finish. Every Freshie bag is manufactured sustainably with solar-powered clean energy and using 70% rainfall.

The terry cotton is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard, which makes it the cleanest cotton option out there. It’s BPA-free, chemical-free, and does not contain toxins or pesticides.

The Freshie Food Saver Bag is extremely durable and designed to last for ten years. It’s machine washable on a delicate cycle, which makes it even more convenient.

Using the Freshie will not only save you money, but it will also save you time. Since your food lasts longer, you can make fewer trips to the grocery store. Imagine how you could use your time and money now that you do not have to worry about food waste! For a limited time, get The Freshie for an additional 10% off with the code FRESH10.

Other Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Using a Freshie Food Saver Bag will cut your household’s food waste down significantly, so you are already a food waste warrior just with that simple step. But if you want to take it a step further, here are some other tips and tricks you can use to make sure you use all of your food.

Create a Meal Plan

Before you grocery shop, try creating a meal plan for the week. Leave room for adjustments and leftovers, which will help you waste less food. Once you have a plan in place, make a list of the grocery items you need to make those meals.

Having a meal plan instead of randomly shopping means everything you buy already has a destination. This will help you utilize more of your fresh food and save money by not buying too much. That leads us to the next tip.

Shop With a Purpose

Never go to the grocery store without a list. If you do, you’ll be guessing about everything you need, which will lead you to throw random things in your cart that won’t get used. Having a list and knowing exactly how many onions, heads of broccoli, and avocados you need will save you money and prevent food waste.

It may sound rigid to meal plan and make a grocery list every week, but it will actually lead to more freedom. You’ll save time wandering around the grocery store, and you’ll save tons of money on your grocery bill.

Eat Your Leftovers

Leftovers have a short shelf life and it’s easy to move on to something else and let them go to waste. If you have leftovers from the dinner you made the night before, or from a night out at a restaurant, prioritize eating them before you make something new.

Put Fresh Food Where You’ll See It

If you have fresh food that you want your family to eat first before reaching for the chips, put it somewhere everyone will see it. Move it to the front of the fridge or place it in a fruit bowl on the counter.

You can even more the other non-perishable snacks, like crackers and chips, to the back of the pantry. When fresh food is the easiest thing to grab, it will get eaten first.

Freeze Fresh Food That Is About to Go Bad

When it doubt, freeze it. Just about any fresh produce can be frozen, so it’s a great way to save food just before it is about to go bad. Frozen fruits are veggies are great to use in smoothies and soups, or you can defrost them and roast them for dinner.

If you have a lot of leftovers from a big dinner, like half of a casserole for example, and you know you won’t finish it before it goes bad, freezing it is a great solution.

You can also freeze any extra food before you go on vacation so it doesn’t rot while you are gone. You’ll thank yourself when you get home to a freezer full of food and don’t have to hit the grocery store as soon as you are back in town.

When freezing produce with peels like bananas and avocados, remember to remove the peels first since they are really hard to remove once the produce is frozen.

Juice It

Are your carrots going soft? Do you have some celery in your Freshie bag that you need to use up? If you have a juicer, an easy way to use up excess veggies is to turn them into a nutritious juice.

If you don’t have a juicer, you can still make your own juice with a blender. Simply blend the veggies with some water and then strain the juice through a fine strainer or milk bag to remove the pulp.

Can It

Canning your fruits in veggies is a great way to preserve them and make them shelf-stable. Plus, you’ll have ready-to-eat food available in emergency situations like a storm. Learn how to get started with canning at home here.

Compost Your Food Scraps

As mentioned above, food that gets thrown into a landfill is a major problem for the environment. Unfortunately, food items are the number one component taking up space in the US landfills.

You can save food from going to landfills by composting it instead. Even if you become a food waste warrior and use all of your produce, you will still have scraps like banana peels, potato ends, and carrot tops that you don’t consume.

Plus, sometimes life happens, and despite your best efforts, some food may go bad in your fridge. When that happens, composting it is a much more eco-friendly way to dispose of unused food.

Composting is the process of converting organic matter back to a nutrient-rich soil called compost. Almost all organic matter, from fruits and veggies, to eggshells and fingernails, can be composted.

There are a few ways to set up an at-home composting system, and it will depend on the type of home you have and where you live. You can build your own backyard compost, utilize a municipal compost service, or take part in a drop-off program in your area. Learn more about composting options here.

Becoming a Food Waste Warrior

Congratulations on taking the first steps to reduce your food waste! Your efforts are not in vain. Each time you prevent food from going into the trash, you are making a difference for the planet, the economy, the people who made or grew your food, and your wallet.

Put simply: your small actions make a big difference. Give yourself a pat on the back every time you use your Freshie bag, freeze your leftovers, or make a meal plan before you grocery shop.

If you want to take your efforts a step further and eliminate more food waste, don’t stop at your own groceries. When you eat out, always take home your leftovers so they don’t get thrown away. To avoid single-use plastic to-go containers, take your own reusable container to pack your food in.

Never Waste Food Again

Hopefully, you feel inspired to preserve your fresh food and make it last as long as possible in a Freshie Food Saver Bag. The Freshie bag will save you time, money, and it’s good for the planet.

Utilizing all of these tips will ensure that you never waste food again, which is a major win. Grab your Freshie bag and other sustainable essentials on our website today, and check out our blog for more eco-friendly tips and resources.

April 8, 2021 0 comment

Home Sustainability

Urban Composting Tips: Apartment Composting 101

by Megan Kioulafofski March 27, 2021

5 minutes read

Composting isn’t what you might think. Yes, it can involve worms, dirt and bacteria but that doesn’t mean it is gross or smelly. In fact, there are methods you can try that won’t require any mess and will keep your space clean and tidy. Also, many of these methods are small enough to be done in an apartment!

If you’ve been interested in learning how to compost in the past but thought that your space was too small or that you needed outdoor space to try then this guide is for you! We’ve sourced 5 different methods for composting that are easy enough for beginners and small enough to be stored under your sink. Plus we offer alternative methods like donation and collection that can help lower your carbon footprint without the need for worms!

Let’s get started by discussing the composting materials you will need.

Ingredients for Composting

There are four integral materials needed in order to compost. While each method does differ a bit, these materials are needed for natural decomposition.

ingredients for composting

Oxygen is necessary when using a worm bin. The organisms in your pile that break down the food scraps need air to breathe in order to survive.
Water is also a staple ingredient as it helps with decomposition and regulates the pile’s temperature. You won’t need water when using the Bokashi method.
Brown materials like shredded paper and dead leaves are also essential as they add carbon to your pile.
Green materials like vegetables and fruit scraps add nitrogen to your pile.

What To Compost

What you can add to your compost pile are any brown or green materials that can naturally decompose. Jot down or print the following list of materials to stick on your fridge for easy reference!

Browns:

Cardboard
Nut shells
Food soiled paper goods
Dead leaves
Eggshells
Shredded newspaper
Twigs and branches

Greens:

Coffee grounds
Grass and leaves
Loose leave tea and tea bags
Dead flowers
Vegetables
Fruits

What To Do With Compost

Check out the infographic below to see all the uses for compost.

Next, we can dig into the different methods for composting in an apartment. We’ll move from most work required to least to provide a broad range of ideas to try.

1. Use a Worm Bin

The first method doesn’t necessarily take the most work but does require the most upkeep and monitoring. Vermicomposting or creating a worm bin is just like it sounds and is a great composting method for smaller spaces. The most important part of having a worm bin is providing proper living conditions for them. Explore the visual below to learn how to create your own DIY worm bin.

2. Use the Bokashi Method

The second method for apartment composting is using the Bokashi method. The Bokashi method is a Japanese technique that relies on inoculated bran to ferment organic materials into nutrient-rich soil and tea for plants. It was originally created by Teruo Higa, professor at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa in 1982 after he developed the microbial starter later marketed as “EM-1” or Essential Microorganisms.

To start you’ll need a sealed container that has a spout for draining Bokashi tea. You’ll want to avoid opening the sealed container throughout the process to limit air and moisture getting in. Next you’ll need a bag of Bokashi starter. Bokashi bran is made from EM-1, molasses, water and an organic carrier that has a high carbon content. You can purchase ready-made Bokashi bran or find recipes online to make your own.

To start, just add a layer of about 3 inches of food scraps to your Bokashi bucket. Chop up any large pieces into small ones. Add in the starter Bokashi layer next and cover the food scraps fully. If you are composting tough foods then be generous with the starter. Use ⅓ of a bag for each full bucket. Put a plate over the fermenting scraps to lock out air and place the lid tightly on top of the bucket

Every few days, open the spout and drain off Bokashi tea. Dilute the tea to a ratio of 1 tablespoon to 1 gallon of water to use in house pants or in your garden. Repeat this process until your bucket is full, and then set it aside out of the sun for 2 weeks to further ferment. Avoid adding water as excessive moisture can make the mix rot.

3. Use a Compost Tumbler

For anyone who has a larger balcony or accessible outside area such as a communal area, a compost tumbler is another option for composting in an apartment. Compost tumblers are larger than worm bins and are the most efficient enclosed bin method. They are fully sealed to preserve the heat generated by your compost — increasing the speed of decomposition. They come with a handle to help aerate and mix the contents, and some work so quickly they can process household waste in as little as 13 days.

4. Use a Food Digester

Another method for composting in an apartment is using a food digester. Food digesters are small enough to fit on your counter and use electricity to quickly break down food scraps. They can be discreetly hidden and don’t require worms!

5. Collect and Donate Food Scraps

One of the easiest ways to limit food waste is to donate food scraps to a local farmer’s market or community garden. They will take care of the composting for you and all you have to do is collect and save food scraps. In order to prevent your scraps from smelling, we recommend storing them in a plastic container inside of your freezer.

There are so many different ways to compost that can be easily incorporated into apartment living. For more inspiration and ideas, check out Zolo’s visual guide below. Their composting guide offers urban composting tips and easy, no mess methods for lowering your contribution to food waste.

March 27, 2021 0 comment

Health Sustainability

Little Ways To Develop an Eco-Friendly Mindset

by Megan Kioulafofski March 5, 2021

2 minutes read

While we are all more than aware of what climate change is doing to the environment, it’s not just about investing in renewable energy sources, but it’s about ensuring that we achieve a sustainability mindset. But what does it take to get into this frame of mind? Partly it’s to do with our attitude, but it’s also about being aware of the effects of our actions.

Spreading the Word Locally

We have to adopt the “charity begins at home” mindset. Working to benefit your community is invaluable, not just because you will see the benefits on your front doorstep, but it will be more manageable as far as spreading the word is concerned. Initiatives like on https://www.choosesolar.com can help with regards to solar panels on a local level, which benefits the community. But another thing to promote is that the costs are more sustainable. After all, everybody likes to save money. And when you are looking at spreading the word locally, this gives you a constant reminder of what you are doing it for.

The Importance of Starting a Garden

If you are looking to get involved in helping out, you can always volunteer your services locally. But if you really want to start practicing what you preach, setting up a garden, and growing your own organic produce is the best way to go. Bear in mind, it can take some time to truly get into the swing of things. Setting up an organic garden is about time and effort. But there are plenty of people who have managed to do it in the space of a couple of years and are truly reaping the benefits. It’s not just a great way to save money, but it helps you to consolidate the idea in your mind. Much like spreading the word locally, every time you look at your garden, you are reminding yourself of what you are doing this for.

Collecting Rainwater

Reducing your water usage is a fantastic way to help the planet. It’s quite a headache trying to be cognizant of how much water you are using on a daily basis. But collecting rainwater is a perfect way to put it back into your garden. Rainwater tanks are sold pretty much everywhere these days. A supplier like https://www.plastic-mart.com provides rainwater tanks at a decent price. And it’s important to remember that you don’t have to purchase a rainwater tank. We can very easily scatter buckets around our garden. The point is that you start to make the most of what the planet gives you.

Calculating Your General Carbon Footprint

There are numerous carbon footprint calculators out there, and much like when we’re trying to lose weight, it’s about being aware of what we consume. When you start to address the energy

You consume, not just through the electricity you use, but also the diet you have, this all adds up. To get an eco-friendly mindset, you’ve got to make sure it is in every aspect of your life. It’s so easy to talk about saving the planet, but it’s another thing to practice it completely and wholeheartedly.

March 5, 2021 0 comment

Food Home

How to Store Vegetables (While Keeping Them Fresh)

by Megan Kioulafofski March 2, 2021

4 minutes read

You’ve loaded up your fridge with a colorful variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, but when you get ready to eat them, all that once-vibrant produce is limp and sad. Heartbroken, you toss it out.

Consumers in America waste an estimated 90 billion pounds of food every year, which is only about 21 percent of total food waste in the U.S. Food waste is draining for the food supply chain, the economy, and your wallet!

Properly storing your produce is a smart way to cut down on food waste. But it can be challenging to know how to store vegetables and fruits the right way.

How to Store Vegetables: The Basics

“Vegetable” is a broad term that covers a lot of foods with very different storage needs. A thick-skinned squash is going to need a different environment from a delicate leafy green lettuce.

The first thing to remember is that because produce comes from plants, the biggest factors to consider are the things that help them grow: moisture, light, and temperature. The goal of produce storage is to keep your fruits and veggies frozen in time–without having to freeze them!

For some veggies, this means keeping them away from light, and for others it means keeping them moist. Selecting the freshest produce possible and then storing it according to its unique needs will go a long way towards keeping your produce happy.

Ethylene

Beyond water, air, and light, the biggest factor in produce decay is a substance called ethylene. Ethylene is a combination of gasses that ripen fruit. Fruits produce more and more ethylene as they ripen.

Ethylene is the reason you can buy a green banana and watch it turn yellow on your counter. It’s also the reason that the same banana will eventually turn black.

Some fruits have more ethylene than others, particularly stone fruits and certain kinds of apples, such as the McIntosh. The ethylene production in one fruit can also impact the freshness of nearby produce, which is why you should store fruits and vegetables separately.

To Fridge…

The fridge is a great place to start when storing your fresh produce. The fridge is a cool, dark place and you can generally control the airflow to your fruits and vegetables using crisper drawers or reusable storage bags like The Freshie.

The best fridge temperature for storing fruit and vegetables is between 33° and 44° F (.5° and 6.5° C). This will keep the produce chilled without accidentally freezing it.

Berries, stone fruits (like apricots, nectarines, and peaches), apples, pears, and grapes should all be stored in the fridge. They will last longer in shallow containers that let in good airflow.

Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, corn, cabbage, zucchini, and eggplants can all go straight into the fridge, too. Leafy greens, mushrooms, and asparagus also go in the fridge but fare better with a little additional prep work.

Asparagus and other stalked vegetables, like celery or scallions, last longer if you place them upright in a glass container with a little water. These veggies don’t usually last that long, so plan on eating them first!

Storage Bags & Crisper Drawers

The two easiest ways to extend the life of your refrigerated produce is to store your fruits and vegetables with the right humidity. If your fridge has crisper drawers, you can usually adjust the amount of humidity in the drawer.

It’s best to keep fruits and vegetables in separate drawers in the fridge to avoid problems with the fruits’ ethylene production. Vegetables that need additional moisture will also benefit from storage bags.

Plastic storage bags can quickly spoil food because they trap air in, including ethylene. A breathable bag is best.

…Or Not to Fridge

For root vegetables, tubers, hard-skinned squashes, a dark cool place is best, such as a pantry or a cabinet. Garlic and onions should be kept at a distance from potatoes and yams, as the moisture in onions can trick potatoes into sprouting.

A few fruits can live on the counter instead of the fridge. Thick-peeled fruits like bananas, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and other citrus do well at room temperature. Uncut melons should also stay on the counter while they wait for their turn on your plate.

Tomatoes should live on the counter, whether you consider them to be a fruit or a vegetable!

If your stone fruit isn’t ripe yet when you buy it, you can leave it on the counter to ripen for a few days before refrigerating it. When you pop them in the fridge, remember to keep these fruits away from the ethylene-sensitive veggies!

Cut and Peeled

Once you’ve cut into your produce, anything you don’t eat should go into the fridge. The same principles apply for cut and peeled produce as for whole. Controlling the moisture, temperature, and light is still important!

Cut-up fruit should be stored in air-tight containers to keep the ethylene contained. The same goes for cut-up vegetables, though their containers work to keep the ethylene out instead of in.

Onions and avocados do well in sealed containers but can also last a while with the cut end covered by beeswax wrap.

Even with all these precautions, some of your fruits and vegetables may still spoil. While it’s disappointing to lose out on awesome produce, you can always give this food a second chance by composting it.

The Leafy Green Exception

Lettuces and leafy greens are among the most delicate and easily spoiled vegetables. While lettuces that have wilted aren’t necessarily rotten or inedible, it is disappointing when they lose their crunch.

To stay fresh and crispy, the best storage method is to wash your greens and spin them in a salad spinner to dry. Then keep the leaves in a reusable bag for a few days as you use them.

How to store leafy greens may seem tricky, but you’ll have the best results if you start with the delicate foods and save the heartier produce for last.

Keeping Things Fresh

Learning how to store vegetables properly might take a little extra time, but it will save you money and heartache in the long run. When you shop sustainably and store your produce right, it helps the planet, too! That’s something we can all feel good about.

March 2, 2021 0 comment