At EarthHero, we know that the switch to an eco-friendly lifestyle is a journey, and that everyone is on different points along that journey. That’s okay! That means that there are new people joining the sustainability movement every day, and there are also people who have kept up with sustainable living for years.
We have the information, tips & tricks, and the products you need in order to make this transition as smooth as possible! We’ve put together three blogs that will help map out a path to bump your sustainability to the next level. Don’t know where you’d fit? Take our super simple “How Zero Waste Are you?” quiz to get an idea of where you might be!
Level 1: “Room to Grow“
Level 2: “Getting Greener”
Level 3: “Eco Expert“
This blog is all for those of you who have already taken some steps to reduce plastic in your life, are recycling like a pro, and want to do a little bit more! You have been aware of climate change for a while now and have successfully implemented lifestyle changes that are lowering your negative impact on the environment. We are proud of you, and you should be proud of yourself! Nevertheless, you are always looking for ways to improve & become an even better conscious consumer.
While reading, keep in mind that this blog is a tool for you. Make it yours! Already know something we’re sharing, or do something we’re recommending? Skip to the next section! We recommend using this to find ways to improve that fit with your journey. Feel free to read all 3 Eco-Journey blogs, and just take away bits from any of them that you can implement in your life. Then, a few months later, reread, and see what else you can try next!
Level 2: Getting Greener
In this section, we’re going to talk about some of the “stuff” you use everyday. After reading, you will know more about what to look out for to make sure that your purchases align with your already green lifestyle!
Books to read:
The Story of Stuff
It’s Easy Being Green
Part 1: Become a Conscious Consumer
You might already be a conscious consumer without even knowing it! Do you look for organic produce at the grocery store? Do you seek out companies that are giving back to their communities and that treat their workers fairly? Do you make every purchase mindfully and avoid cheap products that you don’t truly need? Let’s break down what it takes to be a conscious consumer, so you can seek out areas that you can do even better!
Remember, when learning how to shop consciously, you might want to change everything in your life over to more sustainable options, all at once. Don’t fall into that trap! Instead, use what you have, and swap to sustainable options whenever you need something new!
Blogs to read:
What is a Conscious Consumer
4 Questions to Ask When Shopping Sustainably
Part 2: Materials Matter
Let’s start in the closet. Do you know what your clothes are made of? The textile industry is one of the most polluting industries on the planet, due to the rise of fast fashion. Being a conscious consumer means keeping away from seasonal trends, and seeking out materials and brands that protect our planet.
Look for natural materials like hemp, organic cotton, and linen, and avoid those that require pesticides or intensive chemical processes. You can also shop clothing made with upcycled or recycled materials, like rePETe (recycled plastic) to reduce your impact!
Blogs to read:
How to Start Making Your Closet More Sustainable
Ethical Clothing: All About Eco-Textiles
Fair Trade vs Made in America
Hemp vs Organic Cotton vs rePET
Products to discover:
tentree Clothing
United by Blue Clothing
Girlfriend Collective Athleisure
Threads 4 Thought Men’s Clothing
Part 3: ‘Cleaner’ Cleaning
When cleaning your home, don’t you want it to be actually…well…cleaner? Learning about the ingredients in your detergents, soaps, and sprays is a great step towards greener living. Not only do better ingredients protect your home and family from harmful chemicals, but they’re also better on our planet. We also recommend looking for cleaners that are in eco-friendly packaging! Look for glass over plastic, and try to find refillable options when possible.
Blogs to read:
Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
7 Toxic Chemicals to Avoid
13 Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products for a Sustainable Home
Zero Waste Laundry Hacks
Products to discover:
Meliora Cleaning Products
Eco-Nuts Laundry Products
Dropps Laundry and Dishwasher Pods
Full Circle Home Cleaning Tools
Part 4: Safe Skincare
Natural skincare is becoming the new norm thanks to its ethical ingredients and ability to truly transform even the toughest skincare cases. Made without sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and other nasty additives, natural skincare products utilize the power of nature to get the job done. By learning about ingredients to look for (and which ones to avoid), you can transform your skincare routine to be better for your skin, and better for our planet!
Just like with cleaners, we recommend taking this to the next step with sustainable packaging. Shampoo bars, toothpaste tablets, and refillable options are all available to make sustainable self care easy!
Blogs to read:
7 Natural Skincare Ingredients to Look Out For
What does Cruelty-Free Mean?
What is Reef-Safe Sunscreen
What are Phthalates?
What are Parabens?
Sustainable Palm Oil: Does it Exist?
Products to discover:
Plaine Products Vegan, Plastic Free Products
Elate Vegan Cosmetics
Georganics Toothpaste
Meow Meow Tweet
Fat and the Moon
It is important to remember that sustainability looks different for everyone. We all don’t have access to the same resources and can’t do EVERYTHING that is suggested for sustainable living. This is okay! Every action from every individual matter, so just keep looking for solutions that work for your life and don’t be discouraged if you aren’t able to do everything. Now that you have some more sustainable living ideas, which ones do you want to try? Let us know below!
This blog was originally published on February 3, 2020 and was most recently updated on October 27, 2022.
