If you feel intimidated by the green lifestyle, don’t be: Anyone can help the environment at any time. No effort is too small. Since understanding how to shop sustainably is such a hefty topic, we enlisted the help of Leone Baron, sustainability expert and head of community at My Climate Journey Collective, and Graham Hill, founder and CEO of The Carbonauts. They’ll break down eco terms, explain why we should all be striving for sustainability, and highlight popular certifications consumers are typically presented with when making decisions.
Why should we strive for sustainability?
It’s a term that gets thrown around often, making it hard to really digest and comprehend. To remedy this, focus on what being sustainable can do. “A primary benefit of living a more sustainable lifestyle is the peace of mind that comes with knowing what you’re supporting with your wallet—ultimately, we’re voting with our money, and each dollar you spend is a sign of endorsement,” says Baron. “Sustainable products are often ‘cleaner,’ which can be better for your health and the environment.”
Where to shop for sustainable items
“Carbon-neutral or net-zero carbon companies and products are those that have found a way to mitigate the carbon footprint of their value chains or specific goods,” explains Hill. “They can achieve this by doing a combination of things such as shifting to renewable power, upgrading their fleets to electric vehicles, and changing their supply chains.” This effort effectively reduces plastic waste by 97 percent, which is hugely impactful because 11 million metric tons of plastic pollution go into the ocean each year. “Low-impact products are ones that don’t negatively affect the environment or society in which they’re made, manufactured, transported, consumed or disposed of,” explains Leone. One shopper shared a smart way to keep these top of mind. “They are thin, so they dry pretty fast after you use them. I’ve put them right next to the paper towels in my kitchen. My goal is to use them as much as possible and avoid paper towels whenever I can.”
