Simple Steps to Help the Planet
So you have the pants…now what? Don’t let your activism stop with your purchase…
How do you continue to help the planet? Looking for ideas on where to get started? Here are some more things we do:
1) Switch to clean energy
We changed our house electrical to Clean Energy sources (100% wind and solar).
2) Go Plastic-Free:
Really become aware of how much plastic you’re buying and using, and cut back wherever possible.
Check out our sister store, Ecological Market, for zero-waste, fair-trade, eco-friendly, plastic-free options for common household items.
Check out this guide and other resources on going plastic free from the Plastic Pollution Coalition
Consider signing up for Loop if it’s available in your area. This is a great global circular shopping platform designed to eliminate the idea of waste by transforming the products and packaging of everyday items from single-use to durable, multi-use, feature-packed designs.
See if your local recycling center has additional drop off recycling for miscellaneous plastics that aren’t accepted at curbside recycling (see example). Set up a recycling center at home for the extra recyclables and drive it to drop off stations when it fills up.
3) Bring your own bag:
I always carry a small rolled up reusable bag in my purse.
Keep a stash of reusable bags in the car.
Use reusable bags, even for produce instead of plastic bags.
Save mesh bags that that produce sometimes comes in (e.g., onions, lemons, avocados) and use them to bag more produce next time.
4) When eating out…
Get a reusable coffee mug and bring it to coffee shops to refill.
Bring your own water bottle.
Request “no straw” at restaurants.
Request “no plastic silverware” when ordering food to go.
5) Recycle
Recycle what you can with curbside recycling.
See if your local recycling center has additional drop off recycling for miscellaneous plastics that aren’t accepted at curbside recycling (see example). Set up a recycling center at home for the extra recyclables and drive it to drop off stations when it fills up.
6) Clothing
Try really appreciating your possessions – Marie Kondo style --rather than always buying more.
Hold a clothing swap with friends.
Recycle clothes, towels, linens etc. that are not in reusuable condition at H&M.
Buy clothes that you love that are unique, created only when ordered (no bulk waste from leftover stock), and built to last, like Sunny Get Up pants! Go for quality over quantity.
7) Laundry
Prevent microfiber pollution by using a Guppyfriend washing bag and a Coraball when washing clothes.
Consider installing a Lint LUV-R on your washing machine to prevent microfiber pollution (my sister has one of these and loves it).
Hang dry your clothes.
8) Wipe Right
Buy recycled toilet paper. Seriously. Old-growth forests are being cut down to wipe butts, which is ridiculous. Take the pledge to wipe right and learn more about which brands to buy and which to avoid.
My favorite toilet paper brand is Who Gives A Crap - in addition to offering 100% recycled and 100% bamboo toilet paper, they also donate 50% of profits to build toilets to provide proper sanitation for people in need.
9) Buy local and eat more plants
Shop at the farmer’s market.
Eat local whenever possible.
Try introducing more vegetarian or vegan meals into your diet.
10) Choose companies that care
Check out our sister store, Ecological Market, a plastic-free eco store with fair trade zero-waste products that make sense for you and the planet!
1% for the Planet: Businesses that join 1% for the Planet commit to giving 1% of gross sales each year back to environmental causes. Check out their member directory to explore and learn more about businesses already committed to help protect our planet.
Rainforest Alliance: Look for Rainforest Alliance certified products to choose farm and forest products with good environmental, social, and economic sustainability practices.
The Conservation Alliance: The Conservation Alliance’s mission is “to engage businesses to fund and partner with organizations to protect wild places for their habitat and recreation values.” Check out their member directory to learn more about businesses committed to conservation.
Certified B Corporations: “Certified B Corporations are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using business as a force for good.” Check out their member directory.
11) Vacations
Get to know your own local treasures. Check out your the hiking trails and state parks near you. Get a pair of binoculars and learn about the birds and other wildlife in your area. You might be surprised by the rejuvenation that comes from this kind of staycation.
When traveling on vacation, I research the hotel’s environmental and sustainability policies, and try to pick eco-friendly hotels. If a hotel doesn’t have a policy on their website, I email them to inquire. Even just asking helps to show that sustainability policies are important to customers. We try to stay in rainforest alliance hotels when we can.
12) Go Electric
If you have the means, consider getting an electric car. We traded in both our cars for electric cars (Chevy Bolt, Tesla Model 3), and have been very happy with them.
Check out this article from the Union of Concerned Scientists on the top 5 reasons to get an electric car.
I know this is not a feasible financial option for everyone. But if it is, if you have the resources and you’re looking for a new car, going electric is one way to use that privilege responsibly.
13) Forest Bathing
Spend time in nature. Get out in it. Appreciate it. Realize that you’re a part of it.
Practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.
14) Raise awareness
Share ideas with family and friends. Maybe share this post with them.
Consider how you can raise more awareness through your work or business.
Sunny Get Up donates 50% of net profits to environmental charities. Sustainability is also a core value of our yoga studio, Yoga Lab. My yoga teaching is interested in mindfulness, recognizing interconnectivity, sustainability, compassion, capacity building, and strength for action, on and off the mat.
15) Join organizations to get involved and learn more
Sign up to receive email newsletters and/or become members of organizations that are making a difference. Here are some of my favorites: We Act for Environmental Justice, One Tree Planted, and Wild Earth Allies, NRDC, Union of Concerned Scientists.
16) Donate
Donate to organizations that are making a difference. This is a primary mission of Sunny Get Up—to raise money for environmental charities, including We Act for Environmental Justice, One Tree Planted, and Wild Earth Allies—50% of net profits will be donated.
Instead of Christmas and birthday presents for each other, my family makes donations to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in each other’s names.
Every year I adopt a rhino and elephant for my sister’s birthday through the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
17) Vote
Individual actions are important, but political & systemic action is essential. Use your vote wisely. Check out the resources provided by WE ACT for Environmental Justice to make sure you Vote in every election. No excuses.