The key to a greener planet lies in all of us doing our bit and realizing the importance of small habits. To build a sustainable lifestyle the smallest of changes can make a big difference, such as shopping responsibly and mending when possible. In our previous blog ‘Sustainable, but how?’ we covered the many different ways your favourite brands may or may not be following sustainable practices, this time around we look at some simple ways we as individuals can build a more sustainable lifestyle and help the planet. Starting with small habits

Turn the tap off, take shorter showers and repair leaky plumbing. Switch off lights and fans when leaving a room.

We often don't think twice about paying a small amount for single-use carry bags at the grocery store, every plastic carry bag purchased will eventually end up in a landfill or in the ocean. Carry one from our wide range of totes and bags as your perfect shopping companion.

Our Tote bags are big enough for all your groceries and will definitely up your fashion game.

There are so many little things in our lives that we don't even realize are disposable like handkerchiefs are better than tissues in most situations and reusable straws are always better. If you're a chai lover or a coffee connoisseur, it's always a great idea to get your beverage in your own cup instead of a disposable one. Check out these stores that carry great eco-friendly alternatives.

Photo: Polina Tankilevitch for Pexels.com

Photo: Micheile Henderson for Unsplash.com

Bamboo products are a great alternative to plastic ones like toothbrushes, combs even straws, and are 100% biodegradable.

Some of our favourite online marketplaces that stock zero waste essentials are Brown Living and Bare Necessities

The best way to help the environment is to curb overconsumption and the first place to start is our own wardrobe. Begin with a purge, donate clothes/accessories that need to go. Steer clear of brands that are known to follow unethical practices in their supply chain. Look for brands that engage with maker communities and make seasonless collections rather than the hot new trend. Instead, look for pieces that will last you for a long time and can be worn with other things already in your wardrobe. When possible try to shop secondhand, with all the new thrift stores it is easier than ever.

Photo: Roman Kraft for Unsplash.com

Photo: Lucas Hoang for Unsplash.com

Tips on what to look for on a tag:

For example in clothing, everyday wear that needs dry cleaning is difficult to maintain. Fabric composition that reads 'poly'- anything will release microplastics into the water when washed and will irritate the skin. In skincare products with 'fragrances' are generally a bad idea since they contain the most irritants.

Mending can seem daunting at first especially if you’re new to a needle and thread. However, it does get more fun once you start to play with colour and shapes. We like to think of mending as hiding little treasures in our belongings and marking them as truly ours.

Some of our favourite and inspirational pages actively mending and upcycling products are

projecthandstitch   |   thefarwoods   |   studiophir    |   beyniboi 
Collingwood-Norris Mending   |   Katrina Rodabaugh

Amisha Bajpai

Design Practitioner, Researcher and Educator

Amisha Bajpai is a trained architect and designer, working with clothing, crafts and culture. An avid explorer of intersectionality in design research, practice and education. She is part of a design studio working closely with artisans in Ahmedabad, India, towards designing textiles, clothing and experiences. Her deep interest in cultures and histories surrounding spaces, textiles and clothing, are the driving forces of her writing endeavors.