As a species, humans have the power to influence change multiple times each day. Every time we stock up on groceries, get lost in the world of online shopping, have lunch with a friend, bring a round of coffee and treats to our coworkers, purchase a birthday gift, or spend money in any capacity, we are making a choice about what companies we support and continue to fund with our money.
As a consumer, you don’t have to wait for political elections to make a difference. You have the power to vote with your dollars every day. Taking a few extra minutes to research a company’s values and production practices may feel time-consuming, but being aware of where your financial energy flows can be incredibly empowering. Gathering knowledge and making informed decisions is an opportunity to feel helpful, rather than helpless, and allows us to shift the culture of the planet.
There are many companies who are fiercely focused on healing and protecting our Earth, all of which deserve to be discovered and supported. The companies listed below uphold their values with every business decision they make, and will hopefully spark inspiration and excitement in your soul to live gently on our planet.
Package Free Shop
Lauren Singer, founder of the Package Free Shop and the blog Trash is for Tossers, is an extraordinary woman, and a reliable go-to resource for adopting a zero-waste lifestyle. Her online shop features products that are:
- Eco-responsible
- Ethically produced
- Supportive of a zero-waste lifestyle
- Tested and approved by Lauren herself
Not only do the products promote a waste-free lifestyle, the business as a whole creates no waste, uses packaging that can be reused, and offers customers a place to bring their hard-to-recycle items to take the burden off of the consumer. The business Lauren has created is uplifting and worth the time to explore, so check it out the next time you find yourself shopping online.
Miyabi Bamboo Charcoal
Looking for a plastic-free, sustainable, compostable water filtration system to swap with your current plastic water filter? Miyabi Bamboo Charcoal is the answer. The bamboo charcoal filters:
- Remove chemicals through absorption
- Add healthy minerals back into drinking water
- Use sustainably grown bamboo
- Only take one hour to filter water
Each bamboo charcoal piece is effective for approximately three months, and can be tossed in the compost bin after use. Interested? Be sure to check out the website for more information about the sustainability practices and FAQs.
LOLIWARE
With the slogan “Designed to Disappear,” LOLIWARE is the single-use product company of the future. Chelsea Briganti, CEO, is dedicated to the war on plastic. She has created edible, seaweed-based, hyper-compostable, marine degradable straws. LOLIWARE straws come in various unique flavors, like Sparkling Ocean and Rose Quartz, and unlike paper straws that break within an hour, they can withstand up to 18 hours of use (and don’t cut down trees for production). Keep an eye out for LOLIWARE – they’re making huge strides and are actively changing the world.
Wholesome Culture
Fast fashion is an unethical use of resources and has a detrimental impact on our planet, but finding affordable, responsible, ethically-produced clothing can feel daunting. That’s where Wholesome Culture comes in. They ethically produce their clothing in WRAP certified factories, use water-based inks, donate part of their profits to environmental and animal organizations, and use recycled packaging during shipping.
Good On You App
Not sure if the bargain jeans you found are ethically produced? There’s an app for that. The Good On You app was created to help you make informed decisions immediately while shopping for ethical clothing. The app is essentially a brand rating system that allows you to scan an item of clothing and know how it stacks up against other brands. The rating system takes into consideration the brand’s production practices and relationships with people, animals, and the planet. It currently has thousands of brands in its database. Looking for something entertaining to do today? Download the app and see how clothes in your closet stack up. You might be surprised by what you find.
Related: Worldwide Sustainability
Protecting the planet takes energy and informed decision making. Knowledge is power, but what you decide to do with that knowledge is what will impact the world today and every day. Let’s use our financial energy to create change, together, one decision at a time.