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How To Make Your Bathroom More Sustainable

published on March 26, 2021 by Katie Ford-Thomas
updated on November 2, 2021

Once upon a time, asking ‘how green is your bathroom?’ would have led to some beautiful descriptions of avocado suites. But as the room we go to for cleanliness, you would think we humans would have started getting rid of the toxic chemicals and wasteful products that fill our bathroom cupboards up a long time ago. The truth is, we take our bathrooms for granted, and it’s not that we don’t know many products we use in our bathroom routines are unsustainable, it’s that some of them are so convenient we’re avoiding the conversation (looking at you, period products).

While some eco bathroom options—such as solid deodorant, shampoo bars, and menstrual cups—are slowly becoming mainstream staples, there are other surprising and simple ways that you can create a sustainable bathroom.

check your timings

It seems obvious that showers are greener than baths, but that comes with some caveats. While a short shower is the best option, the average shower still pumps out nearly 20 litres of water every minute. With the average household bathtub holding just under 140 litres, it only takes 7 minutes in the shower before the bath becomes the less wasteful option.

If you’re getting ready for work—or back home for the day—a short five-minute shower is your best choice. Just don’t put the shower on before you get in! But when you’re looking to pamper yourself, don’t feel guilty about using the tub.

swap your toilet paper

The average American goes through 141 rolls of toilet paper a year. Not only does toilet paper production lead to mass deforestation —with most toilet paper still made from virgin wood pulp rather than recycled materials—it also goes through an intensive chemical process that requires 37 litres of water to manufacture just ONE roll.

Switch to recycled toilet paper, or go one better and find a sustainably produced bamboo alternative like eco club member Reel. They not only create their toilet paper from verified sustainable bamboo crop but also help to provide access to clean toilets for those without. Most toilet paper subscription services have also eradicated plastic packaging, meaning that the parts you can’t use, can be recycled.

switch your sunscreen

No one would deny that SPF is one of the most crucial skincare steps. However, every year an average of 14,000 tonnes is believed to end up in the ocean, adding chemicals to already troubled waters. Coral reefs are particularly at harm from these toxins, but luckily there are easy ways to be reef-safe with your sunblock. The HEL List lists all the known pollutants used in sunscreen so that you can check your own before purchase.

As a general rule, opt for organic or vegan sunscreens that don’t contain parabens, petrochemicals or oxybenzone. Bonus points if you opt for blocks or creams over aerosols and choose products that come in non-plastic or recyclable packaging.

simplify your makeup routine

An already thriving industry, the makeup and beauty world has exploded with the support of influencers using YouTube and Instagram to tell us about the latest wonder product. ‘Hauls’ of products gifted to the influencers convinced many of us to start stocking up on every must-have mascara, nail polish or hot cloth cleanser.

But you can only wear one mascara at a time, and all cosmetics have a shelf life, leading to many half-full bottles and tubes of product ending up in the trash. Instead, we should be prioritising quality over quantity. Save your money for your favourite items, choosing the best foundation, mascara, shadows and lipsticks for you. There is nothing more classic than having a signature look.

Unfortunately, ‘organic’ makeup is still unregulated, but checking the ingredients lists (Palm Oil is still found in over 70% of cosmetics and toiletries) and choosing vegan products is a good starting point.

change your towels

Traditionally towels, face cloths and bathrobes are made from cotton, one of the most chemically-intensive, water-fuelled, unsustainable materials we use. Don’t throw away any perfectly good towels; instead, look after them by avoiding fabric conditioner, adding vinegar to the wash occasionally, and using a dryer ball while laundering. But when it does come time to get some new ones in, choose towels made from that eco bathroom favourite— bamboo!

How have you created a more sustainable bathroom? Share your tips in the comments!

Love Anthropologie Home Décor? Try These Ethical & Sustainable Alternatives

published on March 22, 2021 by Angela Hamilton
updated on May 11, 2023

If you’ve come across this post while searching for sustainable alternatives to Anthropologie, you probably already know why they are a problematic company (as well as Urban Outfitters, which owns Anthro, Free People, BHLDN, and Terrain. Ugh.). From their abysmal rating on Goodonyou to claims of racial profiling in stores (and racism in the workplace) to lack of transparency in production and their CEO’s disconcerting political donations, to finally straight up ripping off independent artists for years (this latest instance involves indigenous owned Orenda Tribe), there are many reasons one might feel just a little icky about supporting Anthro.

It’s ironic of course that Anthropologie, Free People, and Urban all cater to more progressive minded shoppers, who love their globally “influenced” style and easygoing vibe. In the midst of various greenwashing techniques, they do partner with independent artists–just, I suppose, the ones they’re not stealing from. (And no, I’m not asserting that the exposure this provides for an artist is something one could even consider turning down.)

Many of my peers know at least some of this to be true, but if it’s not Anthro’s captivating branding drawing them in, it’s this thought that there is definitively no other option for those who desire this so extremely coveted look. But given the fact that these brands succeed by ripping off other artists’ designs, I do know there indeed are options.

So, if you love Anthropologie home decor, but not their ethics, this post is for you. The caveat is that there currently isn’t one single marketplace to get all of the dreamy home decor AND fashion Anthro fans love. But there are some that offer one or the other (decor or fashion, and we’ll get to fashion in another post soon!), and other indie designers to fill in the gaps. So yeah, it’s definitely harder to curate, but it IS a worthy option, to choose three or four of these shops rather than the URBN empire.

Let’s begin with 10 home decor alternatives for Anthropologie… Edited October 2022 with new shops… Enjoy!

Archive New York, who we’ve mentioned before as a great spot for conscious maximalist decor and ethically made rugs, is a beautiful stop for handwoven artisan home goods as well as vintage & market finds.

Antigua Pillow

White and Orange Kitchen Towel

wallflower is a brand created by eco club founders Jennifer and Angela (me!). It’s a small online boutique dedicated to objects, makers, and spaces that inspire. Perhaps not everything (we’re a bit quirky and we love it!), but many of our home decor selections follow a similar aesthetic. (If you choose to visit our shop, thank you in advance!!!)

We have a collection of design-inspired coffee table books

As well as a selection of handmade and ethically sourced decor and tabletop goods such as these porcelain plates, woven table runner, and candle holders. Shop all here!

Our next sustainable alternative to Anthropologie, Canada-based Baba Souk is a beautifully curated online store for Moroccan made decor and rugs, kids decor, art, and lots of lifestyle goodies that make great gifts. They’re totally the refined boho look that Anthro offers, except you know, authentic.

Terracotta Sabra Silk Cactus Pillow

Turquoise Sabra Silk Pillows – Handmade from Morocco

Goodee is an inclusive global marketplace where good design and good purpose intersect. They have such a large selection that not all of it vibes with Anthro… but the fact that they do carry pretty much every category Anthro has when it comes to lifestyle & décor, makes it a great alternative.

Eperara Siapidara Set of Twelve PET Lamps

Pakurigo Basket – Natural

New York based Pillowpia is a mecca of gorgeous, sustainable pillows and soft goods. With cozy neutrals accented by pinks, blues, and orange hues, you can achieve the Anthro look with a conscience.

Look at these gorgeous pastel pillows!

Besides the pillows, I’m also obsessed with these gorgeous placemats.

Australia based Koskela is a quality homeware and furniture shop. Everything in their design-forward catalog is made in Australia. (Note, only the decor is available for international shipping, the larger items are available Australia-wide.)

Minna Cartographer Pillow from Koskela

Better World Arts Cushion – Mitjili Napurrula from Koskela

Social enterprise Minzuu offers a gorgeous, extensive variety of globally inspired homewares from baskets and vases to bedding, bath, and entertaining. Their overall brand has a sophisticated, somewhat minimal look to it, so it doesn’t scream Anthropologie at first glance. But as you look through their selection, you find so many colors and textures to curate that sustainable, yet maximalist home. Learn all about their process on the Minzuu blog.

Minzuu Sunny Day Coasters

Side note: I wanted to mention that Minzuu and a handful of the other sustainable decor shops featured here carry baskets, pendants, and accessories like the coasters above from social enterprise Kazi Goods. They offer many accents that fit the Anthropologie look, and I love how the different shops curate from their selection.

Plant Dyed Linen Table Runner

Australian home decor brand Pampa is known for their textiles, rugs, and other sustainable goods. Their pieces are made by artisans in Argentina, and they ship worldwide. While they do carry some luxury pieces, a lot of their prices are comparable to Anthro, and even better if you consider how long each item will last.

Pampa Monte Pom Pom Cushion

Monte Bolster Pom Pom Pillow

We came across Tribe by Sonal on Instagram right before writing our conscious maximalism home decor piece, and I think we just have to include them in every guide we write from here on out! Tribe by Sonal is a curated collection of both US and internationally crafted goods made from sustainable and recycled materials in mesmerizing patterns, cozy textures, and playful colorways. New collections launch monthly so be sure to sign up for Sonal’s email list for updates!

Coral Pink Moroccan Floor Poufs

Faded Pink Moroccan Cactus Silk Pillow

Macrame Planter Set Black + Blush + Green

St Frank is a design-driven luxury home goods brand featuring only artisan and ethically made goods. They’re on the pricier end of the companies featured here, but offer custom made decor and textiles, a vintage collection, one-of-a-kind objects, and a virtual styling service. Did I mention they offer wallpaper?!

St Frank Wallpaper

Blush Daisy Suzani Throw Pillow

Pink Diamond Huipil Lumbar Pillow

Where do you shop for ethically made home decor? I know there are plenty of bloggers with their own lists of sustainable alternatives to Anthropologie, but I felt many of them struggled a bit to match up the actual style of their products. Super important to the Anthro shopper, I know! I hope these provided a few new-to-you options.

15 Eco Club Approved Size Inclusive Ethical Fashion Brands

published on March 17, 2021 by Angela Hamilton

I know we’re coming in hot with the roundups as of late, but let’s just blame the changing of the seasons, okay? Spring makes me want to refresh my wardrobe, my decor, my routine, and make allll the plans. We’ve had a post about size inclusive ethical fashion brands on the calendar for a while because thankfully we’re seeing more and more conscious companies offer more sizing options (thanks to so many womxn advocating for it over the years).

Ethical fashion brands are the perfect ones to provide more options too, because many of them are made-to-order or produced in very small batches. It helps everyone shop more sustainably as we don’t have to buy things pretty much assuming they won’t fit right in some way or another, and will either need to be exchanged/returned or at least altered (or worse, sit in our closets unworn).

Here are 15 eco club approved size inclusive ethical fashion brands to put on your radar, if not already! We’ve linked to a few size charts below and general sizing information about each brand, but keep in mind they are not all US based (many are in Canada) and sizing differs so, so greatly across the industry… even one determined to do better! So don’t forget to check out each individual site and please let us know if have others to add to this list!

How we adore the patterns and prints over at Big Bud Press. This butterfly jumpsuit is shown on models sized S, M, and 3XL (unisex sizing).

Smart Glamour, handmade in NYC, is committed to designing clothing for every body type, which is represented in their models (thanks to their inclusive model casting process!). Their line is super extensive too, with so many styles and colors to make the perfect custom piece.

Tuesday of California is such a fun brand, offering colorful fashion in XXS-6X from sustainable fabrics like hemp and linen.

Revelle offers not only inclusive sizing (you submit your measurements before ordering—YES!) but a variety of fabrics and colors within each piece as well. They’re also super transparent about what goes into making each piece!

Vestige is a slow fashion brand that offers organic pieces Made in Canada, in sizes XS – 4XL.

San Francisco’s Nettle Studios designs small batch, handmade clothing with flattering fits and dreamy colorways. (This spring’s made to order lilac linen is so pretty!) See size chart here.

Decade offers 100% cotton denim designed for all different body shapes, in sizes up to 38.

Eco Club member Oge Ajibe offers handcrafted, made-to-order clothing XS-XL.

Vancouver based Nettle’s Tale offers inclusive swimwear and clothing.

Alice Alexander is sustainable, ethical and size-inclusive, relaunching in spring 2021 with new styles.

Free Label’s ethical fashion is XS-4X. They also have a marketplace highlighting BIPOC brands!

Loud Bodies is your go-to for accessible plus size fashion ranging from XXS to 10XL (see size chart here). Tons of gorgeous prints here!

Sotela is known for their gorgeous size-inclusive jumpsuits that also come in petite, regular, and tall lengths. They offer lots of beautiful shades and can even accommodate half sizes. Shop all to find pants, dresses, and tops as well.

WRAY NYC has the coolest colorful and print happy fair trade fashion from XS to 5XL, and some pant styles up to 24.

Tamara Malas has everything from shiny jackets to printed undies to wide leg pants in sizes 10-32.

Where do you shop for sustainable and ethical size inclusive and plus sized fashion?

Top Rated Clean Beauty Products for 2021

published on March 12, 2021 by Angela Hamilton
updated on November 2, 2021

Few things are more satisfying than finding your new go-to beauty or skincare product. It can take a lot of trial and error (AKA wasted dollars) to find the right fit for your needs and coveted look. Choosing clean beauty adds a layer of complexity because 1) products are usually made with less conventional ingredients, so you aren’t quite sure about effectiveness, impact, etc., and 2) if you are searching for clean beauty, chances are you simply want to ensure your products aren’t made from potential toxins. But what are those toxins, anyway? And do we trust the people saying they are toxic? What do we know?! Acccck. Lastly, there’s the added concern that the term green beauty attempts to address, which is whether the making of your beauty products are harmful to animals or the environment.

And unfortunately, yes, the criticisms that green beauty faces are correct–it’s still part of a largely unregulated industry that allows any company to label their product in any way they’d like, which means of course that they can claim something is or isn’t toxic or environmentally friendly or whatever, as long as it’s in accordance with their own self-made standards. I’ve taken this into account when choosing products to link to on our site, but I certainly don’t know all the answers! I just know the companies I’m personally comfortable buying from.

All that to say, take the term ‘clean beauty’ with a gain of salt. There isn’t currently a perfect umbrella term for beauty that respects nature, animals, people, and stays clear of harmful chemicals, and has a proper certification system. The list below is a compilation of the top rated clean beauty products in 2021 across many sources, but uh huh, being green as well is a big deal to us too, so that’s definitely a factor in what we’ve chosen here too.

Tower 28 Shine On Lip Jelly is high shine and super moisturizing. It’s non-comedogenic, non-irritating, gluten and fragrance-free, since it’s designed for sensitive skin. See their no-no list right here. It’s also vegan and made in USA.

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser is top rated because it’s super effective on many skin types and smells great. Another Credo Beauty (who has the most extensive clean beauty standards) approved product, Indie Lee is pretty focused on empowering the consumer… Check out their blog and podcast for more education on specific ingredients and industry knowledge. They’re always made with ethically sourced ingredients and eco friendly packaging. They also have a recycling program.

Glow Elixir CBD Beauty Oil from Undefined Beauty is hydrating, lightweight, and CBD infused. Their “free-from” list is pretty extensive and includes artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances. It’s vegan and made in USA.

Eu’Genia Shea Butter only contains one ingredient, 100% pure shea butter harvested with a cooperative in Northern Ghana. Loved because it’s super moisturizing, dermatological strength, and good for sensitive skin and skin issues.

Saie Dew Balm is touted as a effective, dewy buildable highlighter that includes a unique ingredient: marshmallow root extract. They are committed to nontoxic, ethically sourced ingredients.

Clean beauty coveted ILIA’s Limitless Lash Mascara has some of the best ratings of any mascara for its non-clumping, non-smudge formula. It was named best in green beauty by Allure, Glamour, and The Detox Market. It is made from 99% naturally derived ingredients. Ilia is also part of Terracycle.

Exa High Fidelity Foundation comes in 45 shades, no wonder it’s top rated! It’s also plant based, cruelty free, vegan, dermatologist tested, and safe for sensitive skin. When it comes to packaging, they have yet to ditch plastic completely (because of the pump and cap, like most beauty brands), but they say they’re looking for solutions.

Kari Gran Lip Whip is loved by those who prefer a natural looking lip color that doesn’t dry you out. Kari Gran uses organic ingredients and sustainable practices such as their ‘plastic neutral’ promise, which is kind of an interesting way to approach the plastic in beauty issue.

Kosas The Sun Show Moisturizing Baked Bronzer is a top rated fragrance-free, talc-free bronzer made with shea butter. They’re also leaping bunny certified. See more here.

More of a skincare product, Kinships’s Self Reflect Sunscreen is making waves as an effective mineral sunscreen with plant-based probiotics. It’s super lightweight and easy to use as a base below your makeup.

Mischo Beauty Worthy Nail Polish is known for their luxe vegan nail polishes and this is rated best of the best. Everyone loves that they’re glossy, durable, and chip-resistant.

Axiology Vegan Lipstick is top rated as a non-drying formula with many gorgeous hues! They’re PETA certified, and between their natural ingredients and amazing packaging (including their zero waste balmies that you know we are obsessed with), I think they’re one of the greenest beauty brands out there.

Another Ilia product made the list of top rated clean beauty. ILIA Multi Stick is an award-winning multi-use product. Personally I love multi-sticks like this. It’s definitely sustainable not to have to buy multiple products!

54 Thrones Beauty Butter is having a moment due to its nourishing shea butter formula (not to mention, beautiful branding and feature in Oprah’s favorite things!) that’s also Paraben-Free, Cruelty-Free, GMO-free, and Sulfate-Free.

When it comes to eye makeup, Aether Beauty Amethyst Crystal Gemstone Palette mixes pretty hues with moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil to keep things smooth and glowy. The only fragrance included comes from essential oils. Also Credo Beauty approved.

Have you tried any of these top rated clean beauty products? Any of your favorite brands on the list? Stay tuned because we’ll be sharing reviews for a few of these trendy options!

12 Sustainable Period Products You Can Switch to Today

published on March 10, 2021 by Mindy Chung
updated on November 2, 2021

RIP to the countless panties I’ve lost in my lifetime to my period. Some were old, some were new, and some were so comfy that it physically pained me to part with them. And while they all had their differences, they all fell victim to the same culprit—my menstrual cycle.

Now, while Aunt Flo has become a more predictable visitor over the years, the products I use have not. You hear horror stories about chemical-laden tampons, and environmentally unfriendly pads but in a market saturated with “pick me!” products, sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s-what when it comes to taking care of the lady garden.

So here’s a list of eco-friendly, organic, and sustainable period products broken into sub-categories of panties, pads, tampons, and cups to maximize inclusivity!

Bleed away ladies, because I gotchu.

PANTY PARTY

I refuse to believe there is anything more annoying than waking up to that time of the month, only to realize you never stocked up from the last. Cue period panties, which effectively cut out the middle-(wo)man and let you go about your day.

While Thinx may have pioneered the period-panty movement and expanded into a whole slew of options, companies like Knix has built on that foundation to further emphasize sustainable products. Same with New Zealand-based AWWA, who’s company focuses on size-inclusivity, as well as creating a negative carbon footprint with their business.

PADDED FOR SECURITY

I KNOW for a fact we hate the weird diaper vibes of pads, but sometimes you’re just too lazy to pop a tampon in there (no judgement). With Viv’s biodegradable bamboo liners, you can go about your day knowing your pads are not only earth friendly, but also more absorbent than a traditional cotton pad! LOLA pads differ from Viv in that they follow the traditional cotton-based formula, whilst incorporating wings to their products for added security. And for those of your *really* dedicated to making a sustainable switch, Aisle makes reusable cotton pads that snap on to your underwear.

TICKLED BY TAMPONS

Okay, hear me out—reusable tampon applicators are a thing. I know, I was a little mind-blown too, but after a wildly successful Kickstarter, Dame has become the first of its kind to boast that feat. You have to purchase the applicator separately from the tampons, but with one reusable applicator you inevitably avoid all the plastic waste of regular tampons.

Rael tampons follow a similar eco-friendly route, but do so by offering tampons that come with either a BPA-free applicator, a plant-based applicator, or a cardboard applicator. And Cora’s organic cotton tampons come with, or without, a BPA-free applicator, with a percentage of each purchase going towards providing products to end period poverty in India, Kenya, and the US.

HOLD MY CUP

At this point I think it’s safe to say that we all know what the DivaCup is. They may have been met with some skepticism when they first launched in 2003, but 10+ years later menstrual cups are as common as pads and tampons. DivaCup is by far the most accessible brand, available at pretty much any Target, or pharmacy store, and consequently the easiest choice for someone looking to transition to a more earth friendly period.

Saalt offers regular and soft cups with no BPAs, latex, or chemicals, and a portion of each purchase goes to donate period goods and fund menstrual health initiatives. OrganiCups come in three size options to accommodate a range of women from teens, to women who have given birth vaginally. Their cups are made of AllergyCertified silicone, and come in eco-friendly packaging.

Tell us which alternative seems like the best fit for your lifestyle!

Why Your Ethical Brand Needs A Blog

published on March 8, 2021 by Angela Hamilton

If you asked me a couple years ago whether ecommerce shops needed blogs to support their businesses, I honestly would have said no. I can’t begin to estimate the amount of blogs I’ve seen over the last ten years, and it’s always bothered me when brands throw one up, only to post a welcome entry and never touch it again. I get it! Blogging is hard work (why do you think I’ve been able to make it as a freelance writer all this time?!) and when running your business solo or as a small team, there often just isn’t time. In that case, I’m like, just skip it. Don’t leave it hanging there like a forgotten project.

Now that I’ve had more experience freelancing for ethical brands and ecommerce shops (mostly on Shopify—more on that later!), I’m passionate about helping them harness the power of a blog to find more success with their businesses. Below, I’ll share the biggest reasons your ethical brand needs a blog:

SEO

Maybe you’ve heard this before, but let me break it down for you because it truly took years for the importance of SEO to sink in for me. If you are operating your shop independently (say via Shopify or Squarespace versus Etsy), you’re truly starting from scratch. This means you need to bring in 100% of your own traffic. And unless you have thousands of people coming over from social media on the daily, you probably need SEO to help you bring in the views.

Shops, especially ethical brands who perhaps don’t have a ton of individual product listings (because, small batch!), totally need that extra text, links, and opportunity for shares that come with a blog, in order to come up on Google. Without it, it’s very likely that your shop doesn’t even have enough text to really make a dent! Now, this this is only part of the whole SEO puzzle, but it can make such a huge difference in organic search for your shop.

BRAND STORYTELLING

If you are positioning yourself as an ethical brand, it’s probably because you are working really hard to “do things right” – focusing on people and planet over profit, growing slowly or staying small, basically spending a lot more $$$ to provide goods ethically.

For the most part, your target audience is probably at least somewhat a discerning customer. Otherwise, they don’t understand why your goods cost more or are made of this or that and why it’s better. You have to show them what makes you so special. And buyers aren’t going to fall for anything. They want to see the proof. A blog is such an awesome tool for storytelling, for sharing all of those parts of your WHY that don’t make it onto the homepage tagline or product description.

CONTENT CREATION

The biggest issue I see with sustainable and ethical brands is that in making things slowly and in small batches, they feel they run out of content too easily to share on social media or in their newsletters. Well guess what? A blog will provide you with so much to share. You can distill each blog post down into several pieces of “micro content” that you share with your audience (which you can often post more than once, too!). A blog keeps you on top of your content game.

Of course, it’s an investment (whether in time or work or money) that isn’t going to reward right away. That’s why so many ethical brands skip it to begin with—there are so many other “must dos” in a business. You’re not necessarily starting a blog to go viral, though you never have a chance if you don’t start one! You’re building SEO, brand trust, and a library of quality content that lives on the internets in its infinite forms (social media, Pinterest, Google, newsletters).

Do you have any ethical brand blogs you love to read? A few of my favorites are Christy Dawn, MINNA, and Zuahaza.

PS: Click here for more resources for sustainable brands!