What kind of a world will we leave behind?

It’s estimated that we use about 40% more resources in a year than what nature produces in modern life. In other words, if we continue at the rate we’re going; eventually, the world will run out of natural resources.

That’s where the idea of sustainability comes in. Let’s dive in and learn all about this critical concept and what you can do to contribute to a more sustainable way of life.

What Is Sustainability?
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Sustainability, particularly how to achieve it, is a complex subject. At its most basic, however, the idea of sustainability is to use fewer resources than the planet can produce. This will ensure a gorgeous, healthy, and green place for our future generations to enjoy in the future. It is finding ways to accelerate the production of materials, such as using fast-growing bamboo for wood products instead of slow-growing trees. In addition to looking for rapidly renewable resources, it can also mean looking for ways to reduce our consumption, for example, buying locally grown or made products to cut down on transportation emissions (not to mention supporting your local economy).

Finally, we can also replace our consumption with something sustainable. As a larger-scale example, instead of burning fossil fuels for energy, we can use wind or solar energy to power our homes and businesses. But, what can we do day-to-day on an individual basis?

How to Live More Sustainably

As consumers, we can contribute to a more sustainable world by where we choose to spend our money. Research brands to understand where their products come from and how they are made.

Would you buy from a company whose manufacturing practices release tons of toxins into the local water supply? You might already be contributing to this and don’t know it.

Instead, seek out companies who talk about their commitment to a more sustainable way of life. They may source materials sustainably, look to reduce water consumption or pollution in their manufacturing processes, or power their factories with sustainable energy sources like solar or wind.
When shipping out products, they will often use sustainable packaging made from recycled and recyclable materials or repurposed packaging.

Among the best choices in sustainable products made from wood will be those marked “FSC-Certified” to indicate that the wood came from a forest that has been responsibly and sustainably managed. This simple choice goes a long way in combating deforestation due to illegal logging operations around the world. FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council, which holds companies accountable for tracking the origins of the virgin lumber used in manufacturing.

Watch Out for Deceptive Packaging/Advertising

Be wary as you choose products in the store. Some companies deceptively use nature scenes on their packaging or unregulated terms like “natural” to make consumers think they are buying sustainable products. This is called “Greenwashing” because the company is not disclosing the full truth about the product materials or ingredients. Don’t fall for these tricks and buy from trusted sources or companies that are very transparent about their sustainability practices.

Living a More Sustainable Life

The good news is that living sustainably doesn’t mean we have to give up on our modern way of life. It merely means that we need to look for a different way of doing things. Here are some great ideas to get you  started:

• Instead of buying another plastic toothbrush, buy a bamboo toothbrush and take another step towards a zero-waste life as bamboo is compostable.
• Opt for a bamboo fiber dental floss. This is far more sustainable than the commercial plastic floss you see in most stores. Avoid “sustainable” silk floss, though. Silk floss is not a cruelty-free option. 
• Another small and simple way to contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle is to use stainless steel straws rather than reaching for the plastic or paper straw. Stainless steel straws are easy to use on-the-go, easy to clean, and will last you for many years. 
• You can replace single-use plastic cutlery with reusable stainless steel cutlery kept in easy to carry pouches. 
• Swap out your plastic grocery bags for reusable bags like these large jute totes. People love it when they receive the small jute tote as a sustainable gift bag they can use over and over again. 
• Trade-in, your plastic bottles of body wash for naturally made bar soap. 
• Forget the plastic foot files and pumice wands to remove rough, calloused skin from your feet. For your pedicure night, check out these zero waste, real volcanic pumice stones that are rounded so they easily fit in the palm of your hand.
• Stop buying plastic bottle after plastic bottle of cleaning solutions to clean your home. Instead, use glass spray bottles that are refillable to create DIY cleaning solutions. Effective cleaning recipes are printed right on the bottle. 

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Remember to choose brands that are eco-friendly as mush as possible. If you're looking for more sustainable products, feel free to browse the digital shelves at our sister store! We have a wide selection of home decor, zero waste, jewelry, accessories, gifts, and personal care products manufactured or made by hand in ways that keep environmental impact in mind.