We've all been talking about our 2019 goals recently. One of the things that we feel strongly about is improving our environmental awareness and making positive changes. What can we do personally and professionally to be more responsible? How can we show our kids that we are trying to clean up the mess we've made? We are talking about things at work like reducing print marketing (no more postcards!), walking to showings within a few km and helping clients purchase greener homes. Personally, we've been trying to buy less plastic and switch to led lighting (that was hard!!!) and making some small day to day changes at home.
With all of these discussions we've come up with a few things that we love and we want to share with you. It is amazing that the small changes we all do can make a difference.
Seems like everyone has been talking about Marie Kondo thanks to her new Netflix show. Yes, we love a good de-cluttering and living with less but think it's important to really think about what you're buying in the first place. The documentary Minimalism (also on Netflix) really got us thinking.
hoibo purse
I've been off 'fast fashion' for a few years now and already have a pretty tight capsule wardrobe but I am challenging myself to not buy anything new for 90 days (clothing & home goods) and to only buy clothing made in North America for 2019.
LED bulbs are efficient yes, but when they first came out for residential use they cast a fairly stark light. I am VERY picky about lighting and waited for a long time before switching over to LED's at home. I've done a lot of testing and researching and if you are going to switch over to LED bulbs and like a warm light (like a traditional incandescent) I would recommend these 2700K bulbs. They are dimmable, warm and reasonably priced.
Ten and Co. sponge cloths
These Ten & Co sponge cloths can replace 17 rolls of paper towels. What?? And they are 100% compostable when you are through with them. I find mine last at least 8-12 weeks if I take care of them properly. I'm loving the Valentine's Day ones right now. They clean super efficiently, dry quickly so are anti-microbial and smell free. Love.
dinner napkins
youth unstoppable movie
To keep motivated and get the teens in your house on board with making changes, check out this movie being screened at the Revue Cinema Feb 10th. "YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE takes us inside the rise of the Global Youth Climate Movement as seen through the eyes of a young filmmaker, Slater Jewell-Kemker, who was 15 when she began documenting the untold stories of youth around the world standing up for a green, sustainable future that they refuse to let slip away." Slater will be there for a chat after the screening to give kids real tips on how they can participate in the fight against climate change.
Just a few small steps towards living a little lighter. Next week we'll highlight a few of our favourite products that are helping us to reduce, re-use and recycle this year.