Lifestyle
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To-Read Book List: Sustainable Fashion and Living
Overdressed: The Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline This sustainable fashion and living book discusses the consequences of our increasing desire for cheap clothing. Elizabeth Cline explores fashion economics which led to our growing consumerism, the disappearance of the middle class, and consumers’ changing perspective of clothes. This means that we rather go after deals and steals rather than craftsmanship and value. In the book, she documents her visits as an undercover buyer to factories in China and Bangladesh. And she uncovers actual costs and quantity of clothing that might be offered to other companies. Moreover, the book mentions the lost art of sewing. Individual style is also lost…
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Sustainability Videos to Inspire a More Conscious Lifestyle
Here is a list of my recommended sustainability videos and documentaries that have inspired me. They focus on topics about the fashion industry and its environmental and social impact, the zero waste lifestyle, climate change, and minimalism. I have learned a lot by watching these videos and films. And they have impacted the way I see all of my purchases. This led me to follow a more conscious lifestyle and to make more sustainable decisions. Feel free to share in the comment section below the sustainability videos that you watched and that had an impact on you. The True Cost (documentary) This is one of the most popular documentaries in…
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6 Must-Listen Sustainability Podcasts
1. A Sustainable Mind This first must-listen sustainability podcast is one of my all time favorites. The founder, Marjorie Alexander, digs deep into the minds of influential entrepreneurs and experts. They share their own journey to becoming a champion of sustainability within their fields. Moreover, you will learn about each interviewees sustainable habits and mindset, and the challenges they faced. Favorite Episode: #40 – Sustainable Investing, an emerging movement in finance that will shake up the global business model. 2. Sustainability Defined Secondly, this sustainability podcast is an educational and enjoyable one. Jay Siegel and Scott Breen are the hosts and creators. As they discuss environmental topics, both engage in…
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Top Shops in Your Montreal Neighborhood to Help You Live Sustainably
No matter where you live in Montreal, you are likely to walk into a green/conscious store in your neighborhood. Through our own research, we found out that Montreal is actually home to a wide array of local, organic, and zero-waste shops! While many eco-friendly alternatives can now be easily found on Amazon, taking a trip to your closest green shop allows you to see, touch and feel the quality of the products. Plus, it reduces the packaging and the traveling emissions of online shopping! Therefore, we have created this guide to help you shop in good conscience within the city. So don’t forget to bring your reusable bags! Open the…
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Why the Sustainable Fashion Questions You Ask Stop You From Taking Action
“What if I can’t afford sustainable brands?” “What if there aren’t enough options for me?” “If I stop buying, won’t the workers lose their jobs?” I often hear these… But if you are still telling yourself this, you are not asking the right questions. The way you frame your problem is important because it sets your answer. If you start off negative, your mind is already set to think negatively for a hopeless solution. “What easy things can I do to live/dress more sustainably?” “What do I absolutely need (**not want) and what are the sustainable alternatives?” “What brands out there empower their workers and offer fair (**not minimum –…
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Eco Laundry: Clothing Care 101
You have read about the common fabrics in your wardrobe and their impact on the planet and people. And you have read about how they relate to the (micro)plastic pollution.Now, here are some eco laundry tips to make your (pre-)loved clothes last and reduce your environmental impact. And if laundry has always been a bit of a puzzle to you, continue reading! Understand (Eco) Laundry Symbols The symbols can be somewhat confusing, but when you understand the basic shapes, you’ll easily understand the “more complicated” ones. I use this cheat sheet below which breaks down these (eco) laundry symbols. Some brands use the dots system; others use the number system.…
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We Wear Plastic – Now Are We Eating and Drinking Plastic Too?
According to UN Environment, an estimated 8 million tons of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every year. As you may know, plastic isn’t readily biodegradable. It breaks up into tiny pieces measuring less than 5 mm – some smaller than a strand of hair. These are famously known as “microplastics.” But no matter how many times plastic breaks up into pieces, it will always be present on this planet. Unfortunately, these microplastics don’t only come from plastic water bottles or plastic packaging. Some plastics are intentionally made so small and are found in our health and beauty products. *Heard of microbeads?* Yes, those exfoliating products essentially have plastic…
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8 Easy Sustainable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastics
Our modern lives cannot nearly be the way it is without plastic. But it’s creating a bigger environmental problem behind the scenes, which in the long-run, may just outweigh its supposed benefits. Given the noticeable changes in our ecosystem, there is no excuse not to examine our own daily habits and cut our plastic usage wherever possible. This can be cutting out single-use plastics, which are thrown away after one use. There are many simple, worthwhile, sustainable alternatives to these everyday plastic items. They are also good for both your wallet and the environment! 1. Sustainable Alternative to Plastic Bags: Reusable Tote Bags I carry these reusable totes in my…