In today's world, sustainability is not just a trend, it's a necessity. As we continue to see the effects of climate change and pollution, it's clear that we need to make changes in our daily lives to reduce waste and live more sustainably. One of the best places to start is in our own kitchens! Today we’re exploring five easy swaps you can make to create a zero waste kitchen. And remember - you don’t have to be perfectly zero waste! These are just examples to kick start your sustainability journey to create less waste!

Hey there, friends! Who said sustainability and budget can't be besties? It's time to debunk that myth right here, right now. Get ready to embark on a fun, affordable journey towards a greener lifestyle without breaking your piggy bank. It might seem like a tall order, but trust me, it's totally doable... and quite fun, too! So, buckle up for some pleasantly surprising brands that are as kind to your wallet as they are to Mother Earth. Let's dive right in!

Is EcoTools sustainable or is it greenwashing? 🛁 Welcome to my series “sustainable or greenwashing” where I’ve been sharing if brands and products are actually what they say they are. 👩🏼‍💻

EcoTools was founded in 2007 and is owned by a private equity firm. They’re easily spotted in Target, and you guys have requested it quite a bit. Let’s dive in!

Is Dropps sustainable or is it greenwashing? 🧺 Dropps was founded to take the plastic packaging out of laundry detergent. They’re a B-Corp, vegan, they source sustainable palm oil, and are currently working on getting their USDA biobased preferred certification. 🪴

Is Trader Joe’s sustainable or is it greenwashing? 🥦

Trader Joe’s was founded in 1967 as a grocer that offered affordable products not found in traditional convenience and grocery stores. 🛒 Trader joes is notoriously secretive with their sourcing so researching this was difficult, but I was able to find a few things you might find interesting. Trader Joes is Fair Trade certified.

Is Reformation sustainable or is it greenwashing? 🧥 Reformation was founded originally to retailor vintage clothing but has since moved on to making their own clothing line.

Reformation is a B-Corp, Climate Neutral Certified, a part of the Fair Labor Association, & they are currently pursuing the Living Wage for US Tier 1 Certification to ensure living wages for 100% of their employees.

Is Function of Beauty sustainable or is it greenwashing? 🌎

Function of Beauty is customizable hair care & was founded by MIT grads who believed everyone deserves custom products.

Is oat milk sustainable or is it greenwashing? The rise of oat milk in the US started in 2017 with the introduction of the brand Oatly into grocery stores plus the rise in desire for plant based milk alternatives. Plant based milk now makes up about 14% of sales in the US.

So most scientific studies compare 4 types of milk - conventional milk, almond milk, oat milk, and soy milk - so I’m gonna pull my information from those studies.

Is Saie sustainable or is it greenwashing? 💄 Saie was founded to be a new kind of beauty brand, one built on the simple idea of feeling good and doing good. They are Climate neutral certified, 1% for the planet, Plastic negative, Leaping bunny cruelty free, FSC Certified, and a part of the Carbon Neutral Club. 🌎

Is Liquid Death sustainable or is it greenwashing? 💦 Liquid Death was founded in 2018 to offer a different perspective on canned beverages that weren’t just energy drinks & it’s really gained popularity due to its edgy marketing techniques.

Are Stanley cups sustainable or is it greenwashing? 🥤 The company Stanley was founded in 1913 & was one of the first to fuse vacuum insulation and the steel into a portable bottle, and it’s clearly made its way to be THE reusable bottle to have. Let’s dive in!

Ilia was started after the founder was set to re-create her favorite lip balm so that it would be safe, effective and natural.

Ilia is Leaping Bunny Cruelty Free, paraben free, phthalate free, Sulfate free, & mostly vegan (they use beexwax in 6 of their products)

Is Sunbum sustainable or is it greenwashing? Sunbum was started in 2010 to create suncare that would protect friends and families from the sun.

Is Lush sustainable or is it greenwashing? 🕵️‍♀️ Lush was founded by 6 friends who wanted effective products that were wholesome, good value, & they didn’t want to spend more money on the packaging than on the contents.

Is Who Gives A Crap sustainable or is it greenwashing? Who Gives a Crap was founded as a way to make a difference for the 2 billion people who don't have access to a toilet. 🧻 They are a B Corp, FSC Certified and guarantee their products are biodegradable & BPA Free. 🌎

Is Cocokind sustainable or is it greenwashing? 🌱 I covered Cocokind 2 years ago, but let’s dive in and see what they’re up to now. Cocokind was started to to change the status quo of the beauty industry and break the cycle of “aspirational beauty.”

Is Everspring sustainable or is it greenwashing? Everspring was started to represent a fully eco friendly line exclusive to Target & was launched on Earth Day 2019.

Is Acure sustainable or is it greenwashing? 👀 Acure was founded to make clean beauty products accessible. Their products are vegan and leaping bunny cruelty-free as well as Paraben free, Sulfate free & Phthalate free. They also note they are free from mineral oil, petrolatum and formaldehyde (don’t usually see those claims in the beauty industry but I’ll take it??).

Is Attitude Living sustainable or is it greenwashing? Attitude was founded in 2006 to develop products that are better for our health and the environment. They are EWG VERIFIED™, PETA Cruelty-Free & Vegan, FSC Certified, & ECOLOGO® Certified (more common to see for Canadian brands).

Compostable bags come in two main formats - sandwich bags and trash bags. Obviously there are a lot of brands out there - but for this we’re going to focus on HoldOn bags. HoldOn is a B Corp, and packaging is FSC certified & fully recyclable, I also love how HoldOn partners with local groups for community cleanups.