Celebrating Earth Day Every Day

Photo: tristan frank

April 22 is Earth Day, a great reminder to pause and think about how important it is to work on reducing our impact on the planet. We of course all have to look after our Earth every day, not just one day. And while it can for sure sometimes feel overwhelming, one of the great parts about committing to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle is experiencing how good it can be for us, too—both in terms of our basic health, and in being able to really enjoy the great quality of the foods we consume and the products we use and surround ourselves with. Here are some of the basic ways you can make sure every day is Earth Day. 

Green Beauty

From cleansers to moisturizers, make-up to sunscreen, we put a lot stuff on our skin most days, and it’s no secret that the larger beauty industry relies heavily on substances that are not so good for either you or the planet. It’s worth researching the ingredients of your everyday products and seeking out new ones if your favs don’t measure up. There are so many gorgeous new all-natural products becoming available all the time! We’ve also been really happy to see lots of progress as far as packaging, including zero-waste bulk options (we can’t wait to get these in full swing again post-covid) and plastic-free products like bar shampoos, and bamboo make up palettes.  And you can’t really get more natural than DIY beauty products made in your own kitchen with awesome, so healthy you can very literally eat them ingredients—you can exfoliate, hydrate and repair your skin with this blueberry, yogurt and honey face mask!

Green Cleaning

We of course have to keep our homes and our stuff clean too! And as with green beauty, there are more and more options available all the time for us to choose from, as far as products that are natural, biodegradable, and super effective. Concentrates and bulk refills (which we’ll also be able to ramp up again after covid restrictions are lifted) are a great way to reduce the amount of waste that your household produces, and you can even create your own cleaning products with simple ingredients you might already have in your own kitchen, like vinegar and baking soda. There are lots of ‘recipes’ available for DIY cleaners online, and here’s an All-Purpose one that we really love:

Green Adventures

Spending time outside has been so important for so many people this past year, and we can show our appreciation for green spaces by leaving them exactly as, or better than we found them. (Why not bring a bag for collecting any garbage you find for some bonus karma points?) Whether you’re planning on a quick snack for one on the trail, or an elaborate family picnic in a perfectly chosen spot, you can make sure everything used to transport and consume your drinks and food is reusable. From copper straws to bamboo cutlery there are loads of cool products that will elevate your al fresco experience while being gentler on the planet than plastic. If you’re going to be swimming at all on your adventures it’s extra important to use a natural sunscreen, and we’ve shared this DIY Bug-Spray that can keep tiny pests at bay without releasing aggressive chemicals into the world. Bugs may not like it, but your skin will love it!

Green Eating

And last, but certainly for us not least, we believe that Good Food Changes Everything! We try to make figuring out how to eat with less impact on the planet as easy as possible for you, by researching all of the companies we work with and represent on our shelves to make sure they create their products with natural ingredients and really high ethical and environmental standards. And we think looking after soil with organic farming methods is incredibly important, which is why we only carry certified organic or local spray free produce. Like with green beauty and cleaning, we’re always on the lookout for developments in environmentally friendly packaging and we can’t wait to get all our zero-waste and bulk options fully going again when pandemic restrictions are lifted. One of the most important things we can all do at home is try to reduce food waste as much as possible. Remember to not only save but actually eat those leftovers! And make sure you’re storing food well to keep it fresh for as long as possible. Beeswax wraps are a great alternative to plastic for covering bowls and wrapping up half-used produce etc., so it’s always great to have some on hand—and you can even make them yourself!