great news in Canada - we recently passed bill C-59 that requires companies to provide evidence backing up their environmental claims (ie greenwashing) its not perfect, but a start. led to a bunch of oil company websites and socials being scrubbed 😬
as someone who works for a company that is b corp certified, i have heard that they are making their regulations for b corp certification even stricter, which is going to remove a lot of companies from that certification
Might be a local thing, but I've noticed that small local business tend to use cheaper or more accessible products to make theirs (like packaging, labeling, lets say it's a cookies business, the ingredients or process of baking) might be very rudimentary. Which means that the may not be using environmentally friendly technics. I don't know if that makes sense, but I always feel like by buying to small local stores I might me doing more harm than good xD
Yes!! Strong agree. It eliminates at least one step in the shipping process, at the bare minimum. It’s also way easier to have transparency and feedback with smaller brands, since the people making the decisions are usually excited and happy to talk to customers.
This was really helpful! I'm the only person I know in my family who will sit through a whole video though, is there any chance you could release like an infographic with a tiered list of certifications to look for? For more visual, less auditory people?
Sustainable isn't enough for me, it has to be fairtrade or direct trade, where the workers aren't exploited, abused, neglected etc. Without them, we'd have nothing to buy.
I find that interesting. Coming from a country which embrasures unionised work, mandated minimum wages & entitlements & a robust checks & balances system of arbitration i see most workers from the US as exploited. The employment conditions such as a $3 minimise wage just seems like systemic abuse to me. & all those kids hurt/killed in workplaces we're seeing in the media- isn't that neglect? I guess what I'm trying to say is to so much of the world the United States cannot produce non-explotative content/services/products because the problems are systemic.
Honestly for me, I've found the best thing I can do as an individual is to buy no more than I need. Fix if I can, make it if I can, buy if I can't do the above. If i CAN buy it second hand, I will, it is usually cheaper too. OH and sticking to buying ingredients only means that I am not supporting as many big food corporations, and none of the major evil ones as they mainly focus on ultra processed food.
I very much believe this principle. But what about buying merch from a creator or a show on RUclips for example that you want to support in order for them to continue doing what they do?
I like that you mention multiple ways to be sustainable. As a plus size mama on a budget, things like maternity clothing don’t often come from brands that tick all the boxes but if I can get a few of the criteria combined I feel that’s got to be better than polyester fast fashion with heaps of air miles
@@hynnow18 I’m in Aus 🇦🇺 and found some local small shops that do nursing friendly tops etc. some of them do have some synthetic fibres for stretch though Kablooie, Rex and Isla, Jericho Road and NotTooShabbyMarkets are a few brands to try
One thing I look for that wasn't mentioned here is if the product is made in my country and not elsewhere. I just like to give my funds to products that are made in my home turf it's less emissions too. Bonus if it's made in my surrounding area like in the state I live in or a state boarding my state. Wonderful video, I shared it with my Discord group.
I swear it's like she is reading my mind. I have been thinking about what certification to look for when buying tea/coffee bc I know there is a specific website for slavery free chocolate but not coffee/tea. Thank you!
You need to run this video quarterly or something! I started following you before Covid and most I learned about certifications was from you….the three you highlighted first were the only three I could remember after I got sick but they’re the biggies! I reach out and comment on brands now…always telling who ignores and who answers…I’m excited to try the Taiwanese brand you showed today….i try to frequent companies that support with DEI initiatives and programs…..but I also will drop a brand in a hot minute if I don’t like company changes( hey target and tractor supply)…even if I was previously a shopper. You had a video recently that listed brands that had been bought out by bigger companies I’m not personally ok with. I’ve already found replacement products for some and I’ll email the companies to tell them why. We have one Mother Earth and we have to save her. Your content rocks! Thank you Shelbi
Thank you so much for this guide! I was recently greenwashed on some cleaning supplies and other personal things I bought recently, and felt SO bad when I found out another brand would have been better. It was embarrassing to feel duped, etc. And as an autistic person, I then felt even worse naturally to the overwhelm of trying to sincerely help the planet when thinking something was vegan, plant-based ingredients, etc. However, because the products were already bought, they will be used to not waste- but I took notes on this video and now what to look for moving forward. And thank you for not shaming us for making greenwashing mistakes! I can’t tell you how many times that has happened being new to the movement.
This is very niche for a video, but I'd love your take on sustainable packaging. I run a small business and struggle with packaging. I reuse as much as I can, but still have to buy a lot. I've heard compostable packaging can be bad because many people just throw it out. Would paper be better than recyclable plastic polymailers? What has your brand decided is best?❤
Yes to paper > plastic! unless you sell something that would get very damaged by water if in paper. If I cannot find info on a brand’s packaging or if it’s single-use plastic, then I’ll keep looking or do without. I’m not sure what you mean and the concern on compostable packaging being “thrown out” - you mean it gets sent to landfill instead of composted? Why is that worse than plastic mailers?
@@hynnow18 When doing packaging research it seemed like most people send compostable packaging to the landfill and that's worse than single use plastic because it admits CO2 while decomposing in a landfill, just like food waste. I'm not saying it's actually worse, that's just the conclusion I walked away with.
@@dcowan4705 right?! I was thinking she could have a rating for each (ethical, fair trade, sustainable). you would search by company name and it would have a grade or symbol to show its ranking…any certifications would pop up or any problematic red flags (maybe offer suggestions to alternatives) Good on you has a website for clothing, it’s user interface isn’t the yummiest, but it’s helped me a lot. I’d love to have an app that is less wordy than good on you and more comprehensive than just clothing.
There have been a few other long format videos about lawns, like from Vox, that have popped up in my feed. Immediately thought of your video and how you did it first!! This is a great topic, deeper dive into brands, to explain to people!
I'm a Interior Designer who just brushed up on the new building trends towards environmentalism. LEED is a very hard certification to get , there are about 8-10 different categories that every one is rated 1-10 . LEED Just means it ticked all the boxes when it was built to :make the area more walkable , that the materials used were "greener", that the heating and cooling is more efficient. It does not cover Cradle to grave of the products used in the build necessarily . Also some buildings owners will claim to be LEED without actually being LEED and there is no laws against it . WELL is the new certification for the health of the occupants in the spaces of the buildings and I'm excited for it ! One brand I love love I love ,is Badger Balm Brand because they are: B corp , have a fabulous maternity leave policy and let mamas bring their babies to work until 1 year old and their products don't have toxic chemicals.
Not sure if anyone's mentioned this in the comments already, but the Good On You app is a good resource for information on fashion companies sustainability, labor, and animal rights information. Not perfect, but I've found it to be a pretty good starting point.
I think there was an app similar to this that rated the companies overall "good" but I don't remember what it was anyways thanks for sharing this resource!!
i have pretty much given up on finding sustainable beauty/hygiene products. I have checked out every local brand i could find and none of them suit my needs. they're all full of essential oils (and i honestly question the sustainability of them because i know they're incredibly resource intensive to produce), the pH of their soaps/shampoos is waaaay too basic and they strip and irritate my skin, etc. not to mention the absolute misinformation and fear mongering that many of them promote about certain ingredients. it all has honestly made me very jaded and tired towards the beauty side of sustainability in general. your sponsor sounds interesting though, i might check them out (i loved the disclosure of pH level). I'm also annoyed by how many in the sustainable movement don't take disabilities into account and shame people that literally have no choice but to go for less environmentally friendly products (for example, pre-cut fruits and veggies in plastic in the stores. is it sustainable? no. do some people need it because they don't have the hand dexterity to peel and cut stuff? yes. and yet, there is so much shaming going on without sparing a thought for disabled ppl). there's a huge accessibility issue in the environmental movement as a whole imo. like, i have to get an electric wheelchair soon and I've tried researching the sustainability of the choices that are available to me and the information is just... nonexistent. in general, there is this big hole of disability focused products that are sustainable. sorry, i know this wasn't the point of this video, i guess i needed to rant 😅 your video was genuinely helpful. i knew about most 3rd party certifications, but a couple of them were new to me. I'll definitely keep an eye out for those!
That's a very good point you make. I don't personally have experience with that but can definitely imagine that being a thing. It's odd how movements that are known for being progressive still can be so judgemental. Same with certain LGBTQIA+ people too *sigh*
@@the_Pons oh definitely. I'm a fellow ace (assuming you are too bc of the flag) and nonbinary, so I have definitely encountered the pockets within the lgbtqia+ community that are various shades of -phobic. but I feel like those are relatively small pockets, even if some of them are very loud, they aren't the main line of thought. except perhaps acespecs, we're always an afterthought. the ableism within the environmentally conscious/eco friendly community feels way more built-in. similarly to asexuality and aromanticism, we're always an afterthought. but that is if we happen to be a thought at all.
I’ve been watching more content here on RUclips about deinfluencing folks who consume content that glorifies overconsumption; this video is a great companion to those. I’ve been watching you for years, but this is one of my favorites! Also love your videos where you talk about what products you should consider purchasing to be more zero waste friendly versus using what you have and not buying more. Awesome work!
Appreciate the info! Kind of a longish term lurker admittedly, I'm curious if there are any recommendations for those of us with pets (or a heads up if thats been covered before)? I have two senior dogs, and was able to stumble upon some options by dumb luck for things like reusable male bands, and some treat brands that look to have decent certifications, but even simple things like options for collars/brushes would be handy (human hair brush options are a headache, I'm not sure I've even seen anything for animals which isn't largely plastic).
This video is so important and really appreciated, even after so many years of sustainable living it still is so hard sometimes to figure out if something is or not sustainable exactly because there's so much behind Thank you for all your work
I also look for Oeko-Tex on products especially bedding/towels because I have sensitive skin (eczema) so it helps to know they’re not using harmful chemicals that will make me break out in a rash.
Love this! How do I read sustainability reports and how do I know whether I can trust them? How do I know they're not lying or just telling the good things and leaving out the bad?
This was so helpful! I feel like the more I learn, the more strict my criteria become and the harder it is to buy clothes, but that's the point! Tiffany Phlanx's Marketing Specialist
I know we don't like Blueland's ethics in marketing, but their laundry detergent is the only low waste one I can get my mom on board with. I haven't done a lot of looking into their production, but I like the detergent and it's far better imo than laundry sheets.
I think you should look at Tony's chocolate they are actively working to help bring awareness and end child labor in chocolate industry and are lower waste than other chocolate companies
I look and see what brands my local zero waste shops, or eco friendly online stores carry, like EarthHero or LifeWithoutPlastic, and what brands sustainability experts like you approve of! I try to do my own research, but it's nice to have someone double check my work.
I've also been going to school for Climate Change, and it has been such an eye opener for me! School is the reason why I started this channel to communicate about sustainability to the public! I hope we can do more to combat climate change together ❤🎉
i'm also taking environmental science now (going into my second year) and am wondering which university you went to? i would love to learn about certifications on a course level through m school's exchange programme bc i dont think i've seen such modules in my school
And not only knowing which companies are environmentally certified, it would be nice to know how that can be done if you get by on government assistance and going to multiple sites for that certification, along with fair trade, etc. if you’re on a budget.
I would like to hear your opinion of Nespresso, a subsidiary of Nestle, having a B Corp certification. Considering that their business revolves around single-use coffee pods etc.
Have you read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. She’s an indigenous environmentalist and would love your thoughts on the book and based on other videos I’ve watched from you I think you’d love it.
Hi Shelby, I am currently 4 months pregnant and trying to put together a registry. I am having a really hard time finding sustainable options for baby. I have done a significant amount of thrifting/facebook market place. I know it may feel weird to since you’re not yet a parent to my knowledge l, but would you possibly make a video about sustainability and babies? I know in past videos you have mentioned wanting to become a parent.
There actually is a sustainability business that makes videos on this as she had a baby recently I believe the account and business name is: loveofearthco or something let me double check
So personally, sustainability means to me ‘in what ways are we not living in harmony with the biosphere and harming ourselves and other living things in physical ways.’ To me, sustainability means we are, on a physical level, not harming ourselves, ecosystems, animals, etc. I believe that supporting small businesses and ensuring fair wages are more social, human-to-human issues. We already tend to put ourselves at the center of things all the time. Bottom line: I'm supporting whatever brand has the least carbon footprint, the least plastic, and the most biodegradable products, whether big or small. And sorry, but even if they pay their workers poorly. I genuinely believe people should be paid a fair wage-100%. I’m just trying to say that fair wages are not a physical detriment to the larger earth ecosystem; it’s an intangible social issue. Also, I know you mentioned everyone’s ideas of sustainability are different, and I just felt inspired to share my opinion on what you said. Again, I definitely support fair wages for people, and harm reduction should be done at every point possible.
I have looked for B Corp certified brands for years now. I had never heard of Cradle to Cradle before this video and I just looked it up - on a very brief search on their site I found a ton of L'Oreal brands listed as certified. I also feel as you do - that huge corporations don't get huge without massive exploitation, so I'm not sure I trust this certification?
It's nice to have it all summarized in one place - thank you 😃 Side note: I found a Tushy Bidet still in it' box at the thrift store for $8! And I just added a 2nd bathroom to my house too! The perks of sustainability 🥬
i didnt watch the video yet but the easiest way to find out if a brand is sustainable or not is if they make money from it, there is no ethical consumption under capitalism
You think ethical = working for free..? No. We live under the system we do. And ethics exist on a spectrum. That catch phrase is silly unless you have an alternative path
I know youve mentioned it before but where do you buy second hand/ referbished tech. I know some brands have a referb section, but i thought youve mentioned a specific site before. My laptop and phone are almost on their last leg and i want to be proactive in my search. All help would be welcome!
great news in Canada - we recently passed bill C-59 that requires companies to provide evidence backing up their environmental claims (ie greenwashing) its not perfect, but a start. led to a bunch of oil company websites and socials being scrubbed 😬
That’s so funny the Oil companies started scrubbing! They know 100% what they’re doing isn’t legal (or moral)
Love how Canada is leading!! ❤
as someone who works for a company that is b corp certified, i have heard that they are making their regulations for b corp certification even stricter, which is going to remove a lot of companies from that certification
That would be great because in the last few years they seem to have slipped up. Even Nespresso is B Corp certified now... that makes no sense.
Seems needed. My corporate landlord in the Bay Area is B Corp certified 🤷🏻♀️
😵💫
@@lauravanimpe3173 wow !
I look for small local businesses. Your dollar can have the most amount of impact on the community you’re in. Love your content!
Might be a local thing, but I've noticed that small local business tend to use cheaper or more accessible products to make theirs (like packaging, labeling, lets say it's a cookies business, the ingredients or process of baking) might be very rudimentary. Which means that the may not be using environmentally friendly technics.
I don't know if that makes sense, but I always feel like by buying to small local stores I might me doing more harm than good xD
@@whfh178 oh girl, where do you live? That’s bad
Yes!! Strong agree. It eliminates at least one step in the shipping process, at the bare minimum. It’s also way easier to have transparency and feedback with smaller brands, since the people making the decisions are usually excited and happy to talk to customers.
This was really helpful! I'm the only person I know in my family who will sit through a whole video though, is there any chance you could release like an infographic with a tiered list of certifications to look for? For more visual, less auditory people?
Not sure if this helps but I took a screenshot of 11:47 where Shelby goes over extra things to look out for
Sustainable isn't enough for me, it has to be fairtrade or direct trade, where the workers aren't exploited, abused, neglected etc. Without them, we'd have nothing to buy.
I find that interesting. Coming from a country which embrasures unionised work, mandated minimum wages & entitlements & a robust checks & balances system of arbitration i see most workers from the US as exploited. The employment conditions such as a $3 minimise wage just seems like systemic abuse to me. & all those kids hurt/killed in workplaces we're seeing in the media- isn't that neglect?
I guess what I'm trying to say is to so much of the world the United States cannot produce non-explotative content/services/products because the problems are systemic.
Honestly for me, I've found the best thing I can do as an individual is to buy no more than I need. Fix if I can, make it if I can, buy if I can't do the above. If i CAN buy it second hand, I will, it is usually cheaper too.
OH and sticking to buying ingredients only means that I am not supporting as many big food corporations, and none of the major evil ones as they mainly focus on ultra processed food.
I very much believe this principle. But what about buying merch from a creator or a show on RUclips for example that you want to support in order for them to continue doing what they do?
I like that you mention multiple ways to be sustainable. As a plus size mama on a budget, things like maternity clothing don’t often come from brands that tick all the boxes but if I can get a few of the criteria combined I feel that’s got to be better than polyester fast fashion with heaps of air miles
If you have time, could you please share any maternity brands/items you found that were fair wage/trade and 0% polyester?
@@hynnow18 I’m in Aus 🇦🇺 and found some local small shops that do nursing friendly tops etc. some of them do have some synthetic fibres for stretch though
Kablooie, Rex and Isla, Jericho Road and NotTooShabbyMarkets are a few brands to try
@@redrover2370 Thank you!
Commenting because this channel is still very underrated (also, RUclips algorithm tings ✨️)
How am I able to learn something new every time you post?!? Thank you for always keeping me educated on the stuff that matters.
One thing I look for that wasn't mentioned here is if the product is made in my country and not elsewhere. I just like to give my funds to products that are made in my home turf it's less emissions too. Bonus if it's made in my surrounding area like in the state I live in or a state boarding my state. Wonderful video, I shared it with my Discord group.
this is what is struggle with ! the only thing my state produces is : cattle ,corn, wheat and soy.
I swear it's like she is reading my mind. I have been thinking about what certification to look for when buying tea/coffee bc I know there is a specific website for slavery free chocolate but not coffee/tea. Thank you!
i dont know where you are from but if you are from the UK id suggest birdandblend for tea!
i suggest equal exchange if you have that anywhere nearby!
You need to run this video quarterly or something! I started following you before Covid and most I learned about certifications was from you….the three you highlighted first were the only three I could remember after I got sick but they’re the biggies! I reach out and comment on brands now…always telling who ignores and who answers…I’m excited to try the Taiwanese brand you showed today….i try to frequent companies that support with DEI initiatives and programs…..but I also will drop a brand in a hot minute if I don’t like company changes( hey target and tractor supply)…even if I was previously a shopper. You had a video recently that listed brands that had been bought out by bigger companies I’m not personally ok with. I’ve already found replacement products for some and I’ll email the companies to tell them why. We have one Mother Earth and we have to save her. Your content rocks! Thank you Shelbi
Yessss! We need this! Everyone is green washing now
Makes it so difficult
Thank you so much for this guide! I was recently greenwashed on some cleaning supplies and other personal things I bought recently, and felt SO bad when I found out another brand would have been better. It was embarrassing to feel duped, etc. And as an autistic person, I then felt even worse naturally to the overwhelm of trying to sincerely help the planet when thinking something was vegan, plant-based ingredients, etc.
However, because the products were already bought, they will be used to not waste- but I took notes on this video and now what to look for moving forward. And thank you for not shaming us for making greenwashing mistakes! I can’t tell you how many times that has happened being new to the movement.
This is very niche for a video, but I'd love your take on sustainable packaging. I run a small business and struggle with packaging. I reuse as much as I can, but still have to buy a lot. I've heard compostable packaging can be bad because many people just throw it out. Would paper be better than recyclable plastic polymailers? What has your brand decided is best?❤
Have you heard of water activated tape? It's a paper based tape and the glue becomes sticky when in contact with water.
@@Lilgoat.1 I have! I actually don't use much tape because my mailers are self adhesive, but I'll have to keep it in mind for a tape replacement.
Yes to paper > plastic! unless you sell something that would get very damaged by water if in paper. If I cannot find info on a brand’s packaging or if it’s single-use plastic, then I’ll keep looking or do without.
I’m not sure what you mean and the concern on compostable packaging being “thrown out” - you mean it gets sent to landfill instead of composted? Why is that worse than plastic mailers?
@@hynnow18 When doing packaging research it seemed like most people send compostable packaging to the landfill and that's worse than single use plastic because it admits CO2 while decomposing in a landfill, just like food waste.
I'm not saying it's actually worse, that's just the conclusion I walked away with.
I love how you always talk about interseccionality.
Such an informative video!! Would love to see a comeback of the videos where you look into specific brands and rate them!
Yessss!!! I want to see those again too. I took so many notes from those past videos
OoOoh, it would be so nice to make this guide into an app!
Yes! I was thinking that too, or at least a pdf!
@@dcowan4705 right?! I was thinking she could have a rating for each (ethical, fair trade, sustainable). you would search by company name and it would have a grade or symbol to show its ranking…any certifications would pop up or any problematic red flags (maybe offer suggestions to alternatives) Good on you has a website for clothing, it’s user interface isn’t the yummiest, but it’s helped me a lot. I’d love to have an app that is less wordy than good on you and more comprehensive than just clothing.
Great video! I had no idea about the cradle to cradle certification before this.
love this !! i've been really trying to rethink my choices before making my purchases
There have been a few other long format videos about lawns, like from Vox, that have popped up in my feed. Immediately thought of your video and how you did it first!! This is a great topic, deeper dive into brands, to explain to people!
I just had a birthday and I got another Pela case. After having my old one for almost four years, it was time to get a new one.
I'm a Interior Designer who just brushed up on the new building trends towards environmentalism. LEED is a very hard certification to get , there are about 8-10 different categories that every one is rated 1-10 . LEED Just means it ticked all the boxes when it was built to :make the area more walkable , that the materials used were "greener", that the heating and cooling is more efficient. It does not cover Cradle to grave of the products used in the build necessarily . Also some buildings owners will claim to be LEED without actually being LEED and there is no laws against it . WELL is the new certification for the health of the occupants in the spaces of the buildings and I'm excited for it !
One brand I love love I love ,is Badger Balm Brand because they are: B corp , have a fabulous maternity leave policy and let mamas bring their babies to work until 1 year old and their products don't have toxic chemicals.
Not sure if anyone's mentioned this in the comments already, but the Good On You app is a good resource for information on fashion companies sustainability, labor, and animal rights information. Not perfect, but I've found it to be a pretty good starting point.
I think there was an app similar to this that rated the companies overall "good" but I don't remember what it was anyways thanks for sharing this resource!!
Thank you! This is just the video I needed.
Thank you so much for this guide! I'm always wondering if I make good purchasing decisions.
I need more of your content 💚 Thank you for your effort, Shelby 💚
i have pretty much given up on finding sustainable beauty/hygiene products. I have checked out every local brand i could find and none of them suit my needs. they're all full of essential oils (and i honestly question the sustainability of them because i know they're incredibly resource intensive to produce), the pH of their soaps/shampoos is waaaay too basic and they strip and irritate my skin, etc. not to mention the absolute misinformation and fear mongering that many of them promote about certain ingredients. it all has honestly made me very jaded and tired towards the beauty side of sustainability in general. your sponsor sounds interesting though, i might check them out (i loved the disclosure of pH level). I'm also annoyed by how many in the sustainable movement don't take disabilities into account and shame people that literally have no choice but to go for less environmentally friendly products (for example, pre-cut fruits and veggies in plastic in the stores. is it sustainable? no. do some people need it because they don't have the hand dexterity to peel and cut stuff? yes. and yet, there is so much shaming going on without sparing a thought for disabled ppl). there's a huge accessibility issue in the environmental movement as a whole imo. like, i have to get an electric wheelchair soon and I've tried researching the sustainability of the choices that are available to me and the information is just... nonexistent. in general, there is this big hole of disability focused products that are sustainable. sorry, i know this wasn't the point of this video, i guess i needed to rant 😅 your video was genuinely helpful. i knew about most 3rd party certifications, but a couple of them were new to me. I'll definitely keep an eye out for those!
That's a very good point you make. I don't personally have experience with that but can definitely imagine that being a thing. It's odd how movements that are known for being progressive still can be so judgemental. Same with certain LGBTQIA+ people too *sigh*
@@the_Pons oh definitely. I'm a fellow ace (assuming you are too bc of the flag) and nonbinary, so I have definitely encountered the pockets within the lgbtqia+ community that are various shades of -phobic. but I feel like those are relatively small pockets, even if some of them are very loud, they aren't the main line of thought. except perhaps acespecs, we're always an afterthought. the ableism within the environmentally conscious/eco friendly community feels way more built-in. similarly to asexuality and aromanticism, we're always an afterthought. but that is if we happen to be a thought at all.
I’ve been watching more content here on RUclips about deinfluencing folks who consume content that glorifies overconsumption; this video is a great companion to those. I’ve been watching you for years, but this is one of my favorites! Also love your videos where you talk about what products you should consider purchasing to be more zero waste friendly versus using what you have and not buying more. Awesome work!
Thank you for sharing all your knowledge with us!
Commenting for the algorithm 🥰 you go Shelby!
Thanks for putting the time to gather all this info and share with us!
Appreciate the info!
Kind of a longish term lurker admittedly, I'm curious if there are any recommendations for those of us with pets (or a heads up if thats been covered before)? I have two senior dogs, and was able to stumble upon some options by dumb luck for things like reusable male bands, and some treat brands that look to have decent certifications, but even simple things like options for collars/brushes would be handy (human hair brush options are a headache, I'm not sure I've even seen anything for animals which isn't largely plastic).
second hand is always the best option! I would see if you have a local Buy Nothing group or thrift stores often have pet supplies.
This video is so important and really appreciated, even after so many years of sustainable living it still is so hard sometimes to figure out if something is or not sustainable exactly because there's so much behind
Thank you for all your work
Thank you for always keeping us informed.
UGH LOVE YOU FOR THIS!!
I also look for Oeko-Tex on products especially bedding/towels because I have sensitive skin (eczema) so it helps to know they’re not using harmful chemicals that will make me break out in a rash.
Love this! How do I read sustainability reports and how do I know whether I can trust them? How do I know they're not lying or just telling the good things and leaving out the bad?
thank you this video was so informative❤
This was so helpful! I feel like the more I learn, the more strict my criteria become and the harder it is to buy clothes, but that's the point!
Tiffany
Phlanx's Marketing Specialist
I know we don't like Blueland's ethics in marketing, but their laundry detergent is the only low waste one I can get my mom on board with. I haven't done a lot of looking into their production, but I like the detergent and it's far better imo than laundry sheets.
What happened with Blueland? I remember hearing something awhile back but I don't think I ever heard the details. I liked their stuff a lot.
I think you should look at Tony's chocolate they are actively working to help bring awareness and end child labor in chocolate industry and are lower waste than other chocolate companies
Will definitely be looking more for third party certifications!!
I look and see what brands my local zero waste shops, or eco friendly online stores carry, like EarthHero or LifeWithoutPlastic, and what brands sustainability experts like you approve of! I try to do my own research, but it's nice to have someone double check my work.
I've also been going to school for Climate Change, and it has been such an eye opener for me! School is the reason why I started this channel to communicate about sustainability to the public! I hope we can do more to combat climate change together ❤🎉
i'm also taking environmental science now (going into my second year) and am wondering which university you went to? i would love to learn about certifications on a course level through m school's exchange programme bc i dont think i've seen such modules in my school
Pretty sure she mentioned before that she went to Texas A&M university ❤
And not only knowing which companies are environmentally certified, it would be nice to know how that can be done if you get by on government assistance and going to multiple sites for that certification, along with fair trade, etc. if you’re on a budget.
I would like to hear your opinion of Nespresso, a subsidiary of Nestle, having a B Corp certification. Considering that their business revolves around single-use coffee pods etc.
Very useful guide
Shelbi loved the video
Have you read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. She’s an indigenous environmentalist and would love your thoughts on the book and based on other videos I’ve watched from you I think you’d love it.
Hi Shelby, I am currently 4 months pregnant and trying to put together a registry. I am having a really hard time finding sustainable options for baby. I have done a significant amount of thrifting/facebook market place. I know it may feel weird to since you’re not yet a parent to my knowledge l, but would you possibly make a video about sustainability and babies? I know in past videos you have mentioned wanting to become a parent.
There actually is a sustainability business that makes videos on this as she had a baby recently I believe the account and business name is: loveofearthco or something let me double check
Yes! Thank you!
So personally, sustainability means to me ‘in what ways are we not living in harmony with the biosphere and harming ourselves and other living things in physical ways.’ To me, sustainability means we are, on a physical level, not harming ourselves, ecosystems, animals, etc. I believe that supporting small businesses and ensuring fair wages are more social, human-to-human issues. We already tend to put ourselves at the center of things all the time.
Bottom line: I'm supporting whatever brand has the least carbon footprint, the least plastic, and the most biodegradable products, whether big or small. And sorry, but even if they pay their workers poorly. I genuinely believe people should be paid a fair wage-100%. I’m just trying to say that fair wages are not a physical detriment to the larger earth ecosystem; it’s an intangible social issue.
Also, I know you mentioned everyone’s ideas of sustainability are different, and I just felt inspired to share my opinion on what you said. Again, I definitely support fair wages for people, and harm reduction should be done at every point possible.
You have inspired me to pursue an Environmental Science degree
Thank you
Ooh, First comment! 🎉
Now, to the video!!
I have looked for B Corp certified brands for years now. I had never heard of Cradle to Cradle before this video and I just looked it up - on a very brief search on their site I found a ton of L'Oreal brands listed as certified. I also feel as you do - that huge corporations don't get huge without massive exploitation, so I'm not sure I trust this certification?
Solid video. ❤
Can you recommend sustainable bike or tricycle for adults?
The bit about trendy major is lol. I’m going into conservation biology and I’m hearing the same things.
keep up the good work
Free Palestine 🇵🇸
I'd love an episode on the fake symbols and bs certifications
Tell your orthodontist that straight teeth are a trend
didn't bcorp certify a nestle company?? I don't think they are that reliable
Exactly… I wish Shelbi would address this
How do you reconcile big unethical corporations being B Corp Certified? I feel like it’s become pay to play rather than actual sustainability
It's nice to have it all summarized in one place - thank you 😃 Side note: I found a Tushy Bidet still in it' box at the thrift store for $8! And I just added a 2nd bathroom to my house too! The perks of sustainability 🥬
I don't like glass though because it can shatter and be a hazard.
Ben and Jerry’s is great too
Ah yes, a "trend" thats been around since the 1800s when we started national parks🙄
i didnt watch the video yet but the easiest way to find out if a brand is sustainable or not is if they make money from it, there is no ethical consumption under capitalism
You think ethical = working for free..?
No. We live under the system we do. And ethics exist on a spectrum. That catch phrase is silly unless you have an alternative path
I know youve mentioned it before but where do you buy second hand/ referbished tech. I know some brands have a referb section, but i thought youve mentioned a specific site before. My laptop and phone are almost on their last leg and i want to be proactive in my search. All help would be welcome!