Mindy Chung

10 Innovative Zero Waste Beauty Brands

updated on May 24, 2023 by Mindy Chung

Is there a true balance between beauty and sustainability? I know that we’ve all grown to look for that leaping bunny that means no animals were harmed testing the product, but what about the plastic seals, bubble wrap, and boxes and bags that just seem to pile up in our trash? How can we do more to be mindful consumers in a world obsessed with instant gratification and pretty packaging?

While the pursuit of sustainability may never end, the beauty of the increase in eco-conscientious consumerism in the last decade is that companies are starting to realize the marketability of sustainable packaging. We want post-consumer and recycled bottles and boxes; we care if the plastic seal on our eye cream is going to end up in a landfill.

So if you’ve been meaning to transition your skincare and beauty routine to support more eco-friendly companies, here are 10 innovative zero waste beauty brands you can check out today.

10 zero & low-waste makeup & skincare companies

Axiology

As much as we joke about men’s infamous 3-1 soap, Axiology has made multipurpose sexy with their Zero Waste Balmies. Perfect for eyes, lips, and cheeks, Axiology uses recycled paper that can be recycled or composted in their packaging. (Their lipstick tubes do use recycled plastic that keeps plastic out of landfills, but require finding a company like Credo that is willing to recycle your empties once you’re done.)

DEW MIGHTY

One of the coolest concepts I’ve seen brought to life, DEW MIGHTY has created a serum that’s in bar form. They also emphasis a zero-waste approach to sustainability and offer packaging that is metal (i.e. reusable) or recyclable/ compostable via their “exclusive natural based veggie coated paper […] printed with plant based inks that was created specifically for DEW MIGHTY.”

River Organics

Founded with a purely paper-based packaging strategy, River Organics uses recycled envelopes that are plastic free and compostable. While they do carry some items in glass bottles and metal tins, this vegan and palm-oil free company emphasizes building a zero-waste and ingredient transparent brand.

Blue Heron Botanicals

Dedicated to a holistic approach to healing and beauty, Blue Heron Botanicals uses eco-tubes for their lip therapy sticks, balms, and salves. Their packaging is 100% compostable, recyclable or reusable, and on the rare occasion they launch a limited-edition product in tins or glass jars, they encourage reusing the containers over recycling as a more sustainable practice.

Josie Maran

One of the more recognizable brands on this list, Josie Maran fully converted to 100% post-consumer recycled materials last year. They also partner with TerraCycle to offer a free and easy way to recycle their packaging, and the bulk of their items come in reusable glass containers.

Activist

Like the name suggests, Activist focuses on building opportunities for social activism by “prioritize women and people of color when selecting our partners and vendors” while building an environmentally friendly skincare brand. They use a refill pouch system to cut down on unnecessary waste. While pouches are not compostable, they are recyclable through TerraCycle, and they cut down on carbon emissions versus shipping heavy containers.

Fat and the Moon

Ferociously eco-conscious, Fat and the Moon has built a business around closing the loop. They source all their ingredients from local and transparently identified farmers, and “see packaging as an ingredient.” They have an adorable Regeneration Guide on their site to direct consumers on how to reuse, recycle or compost their various packaging materials, and ship all orders plastic-free in recyclable or biodegradable boxes paper and tape.

Ethique

Proudly 100% plastic-free, Ethique sells all their products as either bars or sticks in compostable tubes. They ship all orders in “a cardboard box, with paper ‘bubble wrap’, all sealed with paper tape.” They also plant a tree in partnership with Ecologi for every order made!

Osea

Based in California, Osea packages most of their goods in glass (though their body scrubs are packaged in PP plastic for safety reasons.) In an effort to promote recycling, they also offer the chance for locals to bring empty OSEA products to their Venice Studio, with a $40 credit incentive for every every 6 full size or 1oz travel size products returned. For non-locals, they recommend TerraCycle. Lastly, they are Climate Neutral Certified.

Meow Meow Tweet

With one of the best company names I’ve ever come across, Meow Meow Tweet packages all their products in glass, metal, or compostable paper. They boast a bulk program that’s a closed loop refill system and 100% zero waste, and offer vegan and palm-oil free beauty products aimed at inclusivity.

To see more beauty brands making waves in the low-waste community, check out our sustainable directory.

6 Sustainable Apps to Help You Become a More Conscious Consumer

updated on July 20, 2023 by Mindy Chung

In the age of smartphones and social media, it’s easy to jump on the hype train when it comes to new trends and apps geared towards making more eco-friendly choices. But it can be hard to make the right decision—for every 1 good app, there’s 5+ copycats trying to trick users into downloading their less-than-helpful platform instead. With new ones popping up every day, how are you supposed to know which sustainable apps actually make a difference and which ones are only greenwashing their brand messaging?

While everyone’s approach to reducing their carbon footprint may be different—buying used goods, recycling, buying bulk—we’ve compiled a list of apps you can check out to today to help you transition to more eco-conscious shopping in 2022.

6 sustainable apps for conscious consumers

Good On You

We’re past the age of being blindsided by the news that our favorite brands still operate sweatshops and pollute with toxic runoff. Good On You is a free app (and website) that compiles information on over 3,000 fashion brands and how their practices affect their workers, the planet, and animal welfare. With a scale that goes from “We Avoid” to “Great,” the team at Good On You has done the heavy lifting of sorting through company reports and certifications so that you don’t have to. @goodonyou_app

GoodHuman

If you want to shop sustainably but don’t want to waste time sifting through manifestos or researching brands, GoodHuman is an app that curates ethical and sustainable good for you. GH bases its list of brands on a 5-point criteria system that includes community approval and transparency reports. Every brand or product featured on the app is vetted, and continually audited if need be. While incredibly helpful at cutting down the work of shopping sustainably, GoodHuman is less wallet-friendly than buying second-hand or from your local market. @get_goodhuman

Depop

An app that’s exploded in popularity as Gen Z gets more and more obsessed with vintage and upcycled fashion, Depop is one of the largest reselling platforms out there. Capitalizing on its promise of unique pre-loved finds, Depop is a great option for anyone who wants to stick to a consumer-to-consumer shopping model.

Essentially the virtual version of thrifting in a Goodwill, those who love sniffing out a good deal and hunting for a specific item will love scrolling through this social marketplace app. @depop

Grailed

Most, if not all, fashion apps cater primarily to women. It can be hard to shop as a man or non-binary individual, and even harder to try and do so sustainably. Grailed is a platform dedicated to affordable luxury and streetwear fashion for men, built on peer-to-peer community shopping. Like Depop, it lets users cut their carbon footprint while ensuring their second-hand goods go to a new owner who appreciates their value. @grailed

Think Dirty

Looking to go green with your skincare and makeup this year? Think Dirty works as a database of beauty products geared towards helping you avoid harmful ingredients and make smarter purchases. You can search for specific items or scan their barcode to see if the app has flagged any additives used as toxic for you or the earth, and even submit products that aren’t currently listed to help grow the platform. @thinkdirty

If one of your holy grail items comes up red, the app even suggests replacements so that you can transition to alternative products with ease.

Too Good To Go

Tiktok has shown me many great things, one of which was the existence of the Too Good To Go app. Created with the mission to reduce food waste, TGTG partners with local restaurants, grocery stores, and eateries to sell any food they would have thrown away to consumers at a discounted price. The choice and variety differs by area, but you can expect to purchase anywhere from $10-$20 worth of food for around $5 a pop.

You have to be nimble though—the window to purchase is usually small, and competition to buy one of the limited number of bags can be fierce if it’s a popular spot. @toogoodtogo.usa

Have you downloaded any sustainable apps on your journey to shopping consciously?

A Beginner’s Guide To Shopping More Sustainably

updated on May 24, 2023 by Mindy Chung

I know how alluring sites like SheIn and BooHoo can be, especially when you see influencers doing huge clothing hauls with each item priced at a fraction of what they would be in most stores. But while you may save a few bucks up front, these companies cost you more in the long run with their cheap fabrics and shoddy craftsmanship. They also cost the environment via the carbon footprint of such unsustainable fast fashion practices.

While those are the most obvious offenders, with greenwashing on the rise, it can be hard to distinguish what’s actually an eco-friendly purchase from one that’s framed that way to profit a company. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of parameters to look out for when trying to shop more sustainably!

photo by Trình Minh Thư

Get familiar with fabrics

We’re past our polyester days, babes. Cheaper materials like polyester and rayon are cost effective for companies, but non-renewable, and involve the usage of countless harmful chemicals like phthalates which can be absorbed through skin contact (yikes).

Instead, look for eco-friendly fibers like certified organic cotton, TENCELL lyocell, or recycled/ repurposed materials (think deadstock fabric or vintage items). These materials use less water to produce, and work towards creating a circular lifespan for your clothes instead of condemning them to a landfill for all eternity.

Shop small

One of the reasons environmentally detrimental fashion slips through the cracks is because of how obscure the supply chain is. Companies count on you not digging deep into their manufacturing process, and inquiring about their practices, to downplay how large their carbon footprint really is.

Now, not all big companies are bad; obviously some have founded their brand on sustainability and transparency. But if you want to reduce your own footprint, consider shopping small. When you shop small, chances are the creator not only sources locally, but they view their process and suppliers as a point of pride. They’re also more open to answering questions about their sustainability status and can be more easily swayed by consumer demand for eco-friendly practices.

Look for transparency

The tricky thing about greenwashing is that a company will use all the bells and whistles and trigger words to make you *think* you’re making a sustainable purchase. But a truly sustainable company will be upfront about their process; look for sustainability reports, statistics, and information on their factories and worker conditions.

This does involve some discernment on your part, but trust your gut! If a company seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Keep an eye out for certifications

When you do shop at larger retailers, keep an eye out for their involvement in big sustainability initiatives. If Linda on Instagram is hand-making your top, with clear documentation of the process, it’s probably safe to say she’s not exploiting sweatshop workers or using toxic chemicals.

But for larger corporations, looking for certifications like Fair Trade Certified or Oeko-Tex compliant adds a layer of assurance to their proclaimed eco-friendly practices and sustainability. Their marketing language may be difficult to discern the truth from, but these certifications at the very least express that a company is willing to jump through a few hoops to ensure a quality product.

Recycle!

This is kind of a three-tiered system:

First, choose a recycled wardrobe by shopping at secondhand stores or vintage shops. Giving used goods a new home is a great way to keep them out of landfills, and since fashion trends always inevitably repeat themselves (hi Y2K) it can also be great for scoring some unique finds.
When you’re done with a piece, some sustainable companies will actually take your well-loved articles of clothing and recycle them for use in their own manufacturing. Companies like Knickey will even go as far as rewarding you with store credit or free clothes for your worn out goods (in Knickey’s case, a pair of free organic cotton undies). And of course, there’s plenty of local areas who would appreciate a secondhand donation.
For clothes that are super worn (can’t be used again), you can locate the nearest textile recycling center near you. Most counties have a list of how to dispose of “hard to recycle” items like textiles, plastic bags, batteries and lightbulbs, etc. on their websites. It just takes a few minutes to Google and diverts serious amounts of waste from the landfill!

Lastly, be kind

A key takeaway I’d like to share from all of this is to be kind to yourself. Developing a more sustainable lifestyle takes time and practice. You won’t get it right every time, but as long as you’re making an effort, there’s no shame in trying to be better.

How will you shop more sustainably this year? Follow us on Instagram for more tips!

Finally Getting Bored of Joggers? Here’s Where To Buy Sustainable Jeans

updated on May 24, 2023 by Mindy Chung

If ever there was one piece of clothing that defined an era, it has to be the denim jean. They’ve gone through so many iterations; with one look at the cut of either the waist or leg, you can usually pinpoint the the decade with ease. And while the period of ultra-skinny and distressed jeans defined my teen years make me cringe, jeans are an undeniable staple in anyone’s wardrobe.

You can dress them up, down, or even alter them to better reflect your personality. And while most people see jeans as a low-effort article of clothing, they don’t seem to know how toxic the process of making them can actually be. Chemical dyes, sweatshop labor—in a world obsessed with the consumer economy, it can be hard to find jeans that defy the fast fashion model. Denim has a reputation as one of the environmentally dirtiest materials to produce, so combatting the unsustainable industry standards means tackling multiple points of interest in its manufacturing.

To help you shop more sustainably, here’s a list of 9 companies changing the narrative around denim and its impact on the planet.

where to buy sustainable jeans

ÉTICA

Denim and apparel brand ÉTICA is super transparent about their values as a company. Each of their products includes sustainability notes, such as water usage, which fabrics are recycled, and their low impact wash process.

Boyish

LA-based Boyish has the sustainability game down on lock. They source their materials from recycled and deadstock fabric as well as certified organic cotton. They also utilize plant-based dyes and ethical washing practices—cold water, ozone washing—to close the loop on their manufacturing process.

Baukjen

Based in London, Baukjen boasts an impressive and prolific approach to sustainability. The company uses a range of Tencel and viscose blended eco-friendly fabrics, as well as materials sourced through recycling and upcycling. For anyone interested, their Sustainability Index on their site includes video walkthroughs of their approach to global warming, water usage, and more.

Universal Standard

Size inclusive brand Universal Standard offers denim in an impressive range of sizes, inseams, and styles. There you’ll find a lot more options than with most of the other brands listed. That said, their jeans do contain polyester, so it’s not the most sustainable from a textile perspective.

Outerknown

Outerknown ensures the sustainability of its jeans with a lifetime guarantee meant to keep older jeans out of landfills. The company offers to repair, replace, or recycle their S.E.A. jeans, and has a portion of their site dedicated to a seller’s market where anyone can list their pre-loved clothing to give them a new home as well.

Lucy & Yak

For anyone who wants jeans with pizzaz, Lucy & Yak has cornered the market in fun overalls and bottoms made from certified organic cotton and recycled or closed loop fabrics. Their fun colors and patterns come from certified non-toxic dyed that adhere to Oeko-Tex and GOTS standards.

E.L.V. Denim

High end denim brand E.L.V. sources all of its denim from unwanted post-consumer waste fabric, and brands itself a zero-waste company that has the lowest carbon footprint possible. They only use 7 liters of water throughout their whole manufacturing process, and repurpose any leftover denim into art used in their stores and pop-up locations.

ABLE

Nashville-based ABLE sources all of their denim from the western hemisphere to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping materials. Their manufacturing process recycles 100% of the water used, and denim scraps are given to the government for housing insulation.

Nudie Jeans

Nudie’s 100% organic cotton jeans, available for both men and women, come with a guarantee of free repairs for however long you own them. There are repair centers in a handful of countries (US included), or you can order kits online. Each listing also features transparency notes, so you can dig deeper into their manufacturing process. They’re based in Sweden but available worldwide.

How To Be More Eco Friendly in 2022

updated on May 24, 2023 by Mindy Chung

One of the many things I learned on my journey to become more eco-friendly is that there is actually this lovely term, “eco-anxiety”. Eco-anxiety is basically the overwhelming sense of existential dread one feels about issues like climate change and global warming. And not to sound defeatist but, when you know that there is a huge disparity in impact between you as an individual consumer and that of large corporations, it makes sense that some of us are overcome with anxiety about the planet’s future.

I know it seems pointless to even try as the daily news bombards us with stories about coral death and sweatshops, but it’s more damaging to do nothing than to do one thing that ultimately compounds into a more sustainable lifestyle. Being eco-friendly isn’t a competition or standard—there’s no need to approach it from a perfectionist standpoint.

It’s just about doing what you can to lessen your carbon footprint—both as an individual and as a consumer. So here are a few tips on how to be more eco-friendly in 2022.

Start small

No one wakes up one day and says, “I’m going to be zero-waste starting today,” and actually does it. Part of the journey to living a more sustainable life is making mistakes and figuring out what works for you. Small gestures turn into habit over time, and by taking off the pressure of going from 0 to 100 overnight, you’re allowing yourself to grow at a pace that you can actually maintain… and even enjoy!

Avoid single-use waste when possible

This may seem daunting—especially during a boom for food delivery services and health and safety concerns—but as the world goes back to some semblance of pre-COVID times, try to reuse containers when possible. (And no, I don’t mean use that one Indian take-out box for three weeks straight.) Consider buying from places that allow you to use your own bags or jars like bulk dry goods stores or farmers markets, and bring your own produce bags for loose items like onions when you can!

Buy secondhand when possible

Although I’m sure most people jump to fashion when I say secondhand, you can also buy goods like pots and pans, or even furniture. By buying secondhand you not only lessen your carbon footprint as a consumer, you’re also keeping something from just being thrown into a landfill. However, not all things should be bought second hand—mattresses and shoes for example collect sweat, dead skin cells, etc., not exactly sanitary.

Become a conscientious consumer

All this takes is a little mindfulness. This means buying from sustainable businesses with transparent manufacturing processes. Buying groceries from local sellers. Educating yourself about ingredients and fillers that may be particularly damaging to the environment (hi, palm oil). I know how tempting it is to buy into the fast consumer market and the shockingly low prices, but just because you’re not footing the bill when you check out, doesn’t mean your actions aren’t starting a chain reaction that can reach across the globe.

Advocate for change

Never underestimate your power as a consumer. In this age of peak social media consumption, regular people are instigating change every day. We’ve seen monopolies fall, and huge companies issue apologies because regular people demand change. Children are pressuring whole governments to go green.

Pay attention to your local ballots. Vote for green measures, and educate those around you who may not know better. Support figures who are passionate about the environment, and petition your local governing office if you have to.

None of us are perfect. None of us can be perfect. Becoming eco-friendly isn’t about transcending your current ways into this absolute zero-lifestyle; I’m pretty sure none of us were zero-waste in our formative years. Living sustainably is about mindfulness and intention. We can’t be “on” 24/7, but being “on” more and more every day is a great place to start.

How will you be more eco friendly in the new year? Share your ideas below!

Is Recycling Actually Making A Difference?

updated on March 31, 2024 by Mindy Chung

We’re all familiar with the little blue bin we see in classrooms and offices—the three arrows that we’ve been taught is a symbol of reducing consumption guilt. But while we all want recycling to be this fix-all for the ever-growing list of problems that come hand in hand with a planet struggling to keep up with our growing population, you have to wonder—how much of a difference is it actually making?

We’ve also heard about how individual efforts pale in the comparison to the potential impact of big corporations, but does that mean we should just give up on recycling? Is recycling just wishful thinking at this point? And while some communities have gotten creative about how they approach sustainability and recycling, like Thailand’s efforts to replace plastic packaging with banana leaves, it’s hard not to feel like we’re swatting at rhinos with paper towels as the global climate crisis grows.

does recycling matter?

Let’s look at the facts. According to the EPA, the average American created about 4.9 pounds of waste per day in 2018. This waste includes bottles, boxes, food, furniture, and more. Of the total 292.4 million tons (!) of waste produced, only 69 million tons were recycled. That’s less than 25% of all waste.

Branching into different categories of recyclables, only about 9% of all plastic gets recycled. That means the other 91% is slowly breaking into microplastics in landfills, which can, and have, leaked into our ecosystems, and even infiltrated our food chain. And while 9% may still seem better than nothing, the unfortunate reality with plastic is that its recycling process often involves downcycling—which just lessens its usefulness each cycle until it’s too thin to be used.

more recycling stats

Now, paper paints a brighter picture. (I mean, as bright as it can get). As terrible as cutting trees is, paper recycling is far more prevalent—about 68% of all paper and cardboard is recycled!

Glass and metal are also recycled at much higher rates than plastic—over 30% for both—but overall the recycling game leaves a lot to be desired.

And while all these numbers are bleak, I think one message stands out—we have to work together to make real change. Not just with recycling but advocating for businesses to implement more eco-friendly packaging. Petitioning governments to fight harder for green initiatives. Actively fight to inch ourselves away from ecological destruction.

I’m sorry to say that despite seeing the problem, addressing the problem, and knowing how we could theoretically fix the problem, I don’t have a clear-cut answer for whether recycling is worth it. Yes, individual recycling seems futile, and doesn’t even create a blip on the grander scheme of things. But to give up just because you don’t see you own actions making change seems like it would do more harm than good. And I’m not saying recycle just to make yourself feel good about yourself—I’m saying explore what you can do more of.

Shop sustainably. Buy goods meant to last or sourced ethically. Use your power as a consumer to force corporations to shift their business models. Money talks louder than words when it comes to big companies and their waste production. We’ve seen a surge in smaller sustainable businesses in the last decade because that’s what newer generations want.

That’s how we’ll make lasting changes.

At the end of the day, it boils down to if you’d rather be a glass half-empty, or a glass half-full kind of person. I think that as a society we are painfully aware of how ineffectual our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint feels sometimes. But that doesn’t mean we should stop. The debate about the impact of recycling is just that—a debate. Until we can come up with a solid plan to replace consumer recycling, innovate a new way to reduce waste, there’s nothing wrong with just trying to do your part.