Green Living

Our Favorite Quotes from David Attenborough

published on April 9, 2025 by Angela Hamilton

Naturalist, broadcaster, and conservationist David Attenborough is definitely one of my heroes. The 96 year old has dedicated an entire lifetime to studying the planet, its history, diversity, and threats. There is a reason he is so well-known and celebrated by now. Of course, I’m inspired by anyone who has followed their passions and curiosity in such a way that it positively impacts lives beyond theirs–it’s just really special to see in a world so heavy. We’ve posted many David Attenborough quotes on @ecoclubofficial in the past, and looking through them inspired me to give a more proper tribute. Read on for our favorite environment quotes from the great Sir David Attenborough!

“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.”

“Every breath of air we take, every mouthful of food that we take, comes from the natural world. And if we damage the natural world, we damage ourselves.”

“We moved from being a part of nature to being apart from nature.”

“An understanding of the natural world, and what’s in it as a source of not only great curiosity but great fulfillment.”

“The fact is that no species has ever had such wholesale control over everything on earth, living or dead, as we now have. That lays upon us, whether we like it or not, an awesome responsibility. In our hands now lies not only our own future, but that of all other living creatures with whom we share the earth.”

“We need to work with nature, not against it.”

“People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure.”

“We live our comfortable lives in the shadow of a disaster of our own making. That disaster is being brought about by the very things that allow us to live our comfortable lives.”

“We must rewild the world.”

“Give and take, that is the essence of what balance is all about.”

“The best motto to think about is not to waste things. Don’t waste electricity; don’t waste paper; don’t waste food. Live the way you want to live but just don’t waste. Look after the natural world and the animals in it and the plants in it too. This is their planet as well as ours. Don’t waste them.”

“Nature is our biggest ally and greatest inspiration.”

“The future of life on earth depends on our ability to take action.”

Which is your favorite David Attenborough quote?

How To Celebrate Earth Day Like Communities Around The World

published on April 9, 2025 by Mindy Chung

If you didn’t know, Earth Day is on April 22nd! And if you grew up in the US, you probably have this very picturesque image of planting trees, or picking up trash on the beach together, when you think about how to celebrate. It’s a cute idea (that requires a certain degree of extroversion), but one that may not represent more current sentiments around sustainability, eco-friendly action, and attainable goals… So if you’ve been trying to come up with a new way to celebrate Earth Day, why not pull inspiration from communities around the globe? Here’s a few ways other countries celebrate Earth Day around the world!

Japan

A family-friendly celebration takes place over the span of 2 days in Yoyogi Park every year. More than 100,000 people attend annually and enjoy a variety of activities and opportunities to learn about sustainability and sustainable companies.

Taking inspiration from Japan may mean hosting or attending a small get-together with friends to learn and share ways to be more eco-friendly in 2023 (who doesn’t love a reason for a hot girl picnic??).

Denmark

If you happen to find yourself in Copenhagen when they’re celebrating Earth Day, you get to experience a unique performance with drummers facing each corner of the earth. Afterwards, participants continue on to the March for Science which aims to hold elected officials accountable for greener initiatives.

Inspiration from Denmark may mean finding a local march to join or supporting a local charity event that is raising funds for eco-friendly movements in your community!

India

Earth Day in India encompasses a larger movement to raise awareness about ways environmental damage is affecting the country. And while conservation is a spectrum, they put on a host of events specifically centered around the protection of the endangered Asian elephant which is native to the country.

Some people wear green to celebrate Earth Day in India which is an easy way for you to show solidarity. But if you want to do more without having to leave the comfort of your home, consider donating to animal conservation groups or local shelters!

South Africa

The South African government considers climate change to be one of the greatest threats to the future of humanity. They host an Earth Expo each year that presents an educational forum for discussions centered around technology, entrepreneurship, sustainable nutrition, and more.

Want to celebrate Earth Day like South Africa? Consider watching a TED Talk on our current and changing ecosystems, or on new discoveries in the green tech space!

Spain

The Global Unity and Regeneration Gathering is a 24-hour event held in Lanjarón, Granada, Spain each year. Participants can attend workshops and presentations on environmentalism, and the spirituality of their connection to the earth.

Past workshops have included ways to cultivate spirulina pools, or how to build a self-regeneration water system which you can emulate by putting out a rain catcher barrel to water your plants, or finding easy ways to repurpose kitchen scraps.

It’s easy to get caught up in this idea of “doing enough” as an eco-conscious person, and that can lead to executive dysfunction when it’s time to actually try and do something good for the environment. These ideas inspired by other countries aren’t meant to intimidate you; they’re meant to show that meaningful action can happen at any scale. Don’t let the fear of judgment from others keep you from celebrating this Earth Day! Enjoy yourself, and do something good for you and the planet at whatever magnitude you’re comfortable and capable of.

photo by Karolina Grabowska

Back to Basics: 10 Natural, Women Owned, Palm-Oil Free Bar Soap Brands

published on March 24, 2024 by Angela Hamilton

When I originally set out to write a post on biodegradable soap, I didn’t intend on palm oil being the subject. Honestly, I just love a good, effective natural skincare product all wrapped in some pretty, sustainable packaging. That’s it. It’s a light, afternoon kind of blog read, and palm oil is, well, not. Unfortunately, just like when I first started boycotting pantry ingredients and other foods containing palm oil, the more soap brands I came across, the more palm oil I found. This time under the name sodium palmate, which acts as an emulsifier. So, while there are lots and lots of other small soap companies you could support, I wanted to make sure this list featured not only natural, and women owned soap brands, but palm oil free bar soap exclusively.

(If you’re not familiar with the devastating effects the palm oil industry is having on our environment and the people and organisms within it, we’ve posted the basics here, how to quit it here, an AP investigation here.This very dated article is also a good start if you’re new to the issue and its effects on threatened and endangered animals.)

I know that a lot of other common body care ingredients can have detrimental effects on our planet, but I think avoiding palm oil is really the best place you could start, especially if you’re new to natural beauty. And it just so happened that the biodegradable soap brands I’ve listed below are all women-owned, making soaps in small batches that are free of lots of other questionable ingredients you’ll find in more conventional products. And the packaging on these beauties? Yup, 10000% eco club approved:

TERRA-TORY is an NY based all-natural soap company touting 100% Natural 0% Bullsh*t Skincare. This is a very rare company that is both palm and coconut oil free… Learn more on their website.

Vegan + eco friendly soap from Smithmade Essentials are fun & fragrant artisan soaps handmade in small batches in New Haven, CT. On their site you can find the full details about each ingredient used.

No Tox Life has their own line of body cleansing bars wrapped in recycled paper for shipping. Be sure to grab their famous dish wash block and deodorant while you’re there!

BHAVANANYC makes all-natural, vegan sea salt soap bars using luxe natural ingredients like activated charcoal and Rose Kaolin Clay.

Bell Mountain Naturals are makers of natural small batch soaps that are super cute, and always palm free. You might be familiar with their gem design!

UK vegan soap-on-a-rope brand KLEEN cures their all-natural soaps for a minimum of 6 weeks and uses only skin-friendly, eco-friendly ingredients that are free of palm oil, parabens, and toxins. Not to mention, their packaging and branding is totally gift-worthy.

Another handmade soap brand, Unearth Malee specializes in palm oil free Thai-inspired soaps, lotions, lip balms, and even solid dish soap! To further raise awareness of the devastating effects of palm oil, the brand donates a portion of sales to help save the endangered orangutan. Learn more in founder Marie’s Etsy shop!

Naked & Thriving is a sister and brother founded skincare brand that offers products free of over 2500 potentially harmful ingredients, environmentally-friendly (free of palm oil of course), and with many organic ingredients for a truly natural clean. They have a full line of skincare, from cleansing bars to oils to

Founded in 2019, Rustic Glory Soap Co offers both scented and unscented palm oil free soap bars infused with nourishing essential oils and botanicals. And they are just the prettiest bars to place on your bathroom counters!

Latina woman owned soap brand Nopalera harnesses the power of Native Mexican Prickly pear cactus along with healing plant oils for nourishing soaps, moisturizers and creams.

The brands above also feature sustainable packaging, making truly biodegradable soap for us all to enjoy… sans palm oil.

On the hunt for more zero waste body and skincare products? Check out these brands!

We are always looking for beautiful, natural, quality skincare and body brands to add to our lists. If you know of another palm oil free bar soap brand, let us know below!

From Candy to Costumes, These Are The Easiest Eco Friendly Halloween Swaps

published on October 19, 2023 by Mindy Chung

As much as I love hot girl summer, nothing gets me quite as hyped as spooky season… I think it’s something about the joy it sparks for my inner child? I loved trick-or-treating as a kid because of all the candy I brought home, and Hocus Pocus just hits different this time of year. (As an adult, I obviously buy my own candy, but girl math means that getting it half-off after the holiday basically makes it *free.*)

Now chances are, unless you have something against Halloween, you like to dress up, decorate and/or entertain for October 31^st. And whether you’re planning on trick-or-treating, decorating for trick-or-treaters, or hosting a costume party, you know how overwhelming it can be to prepare. It’s a lot of moving parts for one night of the year. Which is why it’s understandable that most people buy expendable goodies for the holiday and then toss them November 1^st.

But we’re in our sustainable girl eras, and we know we can do better. So I’ve compiled a list of different Halloween elements you can replace this year with eco-friendly alternatives!

Eco Friendly Candy Swaps

Unreal

You can find Unreal snacks at most major grocery stores nowadays. They sell candy with simple ingredients, significantly less sugar, and sustainably sourced palm oil. And while they do still package in plastic, you can take the extra step to recycle through TerraCycle or a disposal service like Ridwell!

Alter Eco

Alter Eco is a certified B-Corp that has worked to create a carbon-neutral product and close the loop on their manufacturing process. They sell fair-trade, organic chocolates packaged in recyclable or compostable wrappers. If you love Lindt, you can grab a box of 60 truffles in 9 flavors for passing out (or stashing away).

Seattle Chocolate

Seattle Chocolate’s truffles come in nearly endless flavors, from classic milk chocolate to espresso and even a pop-in-your-mouth pink bubbly. These individually packed chocolates come in a rainbow of colors, making them fun to hand out to trick-or-treaters or just display in your Halloween party candy bowl. Their chocolate is ethically and sustainably sourced (Rainforest Alliance certified), their wrapping is home compostable, and the whole company is carbon neutral! They ship nationwide and can be found in stores across the US.

Glee Gum

I would never want to deprive any child of the rite of passage that is Dubble Bubble gum. But if you want to switch it up for an alternative that’s all-natural and sustainably packaged, Glee gum sells 12-packs of regular and sugar free gums in 10 flavors!

Palm Free Chocolate

If you’re looking to go the extra mile this Halloween, opt for palm-free chocolate in your candy bowl. See why you may want to skip the traditional palm-oil laden candy brands here, and find a whole list of our favorite palm-free chocolate companies in this guide too!

Halloween Décor Swaps

Pumpkins

What’s really spooky is how much plastic goes into achieving those fall vibes this time of year. Where are my Trader Joe’s girlies at?? This is your Bat Signal—TJ’s mini gourds are the perfect, eco-friendly and affordable way to decorate your home and porch this season. They, along with the traditional pumpkin, can be disposed of sustainably in a number of ways.

Bonus points if you make it to a local pumpkin patch or farmers market for your “living” decor. Just remember… if it was outside on Halloween, it’s NOT good to eat.

Lights

I know that we love creating an immaculate ambiénce, and lights are an integral part of setting the mood! LED and solar-powered lights are an easy swap for the traditional plug-in this Halloween. You can get smart solar string-lights and change the color to match different holidays (i.e. Halloween and Christmas), or opt for rechargeable or recyclable batteries for LED lights.

Candy Pails

Ditch the plastic candy pail this year! Besides the obvious at-home alternatives like a pillowcase or reusable tote, there are adorable felt buckets you can use instead (or make if you’re feeling crafty).

Eco Friendly Halloween Costumes

Face Paint

Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! If you’d rather spend time perfecting your face than wearing a costume this Halloween, Natural Earth Paint sells jars of face paint that are free of heavy metals, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and petroleum-based dyes. All paints come in recycled packaging, home compostable paint pouches, or glass you can reuse after emptying the jar.

Face Glitter

With Barbie likely being a Halloween favorite this year, it’s a good time to remind everyone that regular craft glitter is NOT meant to be used on your face. It can contain toxic chemicals and be made from harmful plastic or metal particles. Always look for glitter that is marked as “cosmetic-grade” and ideally biodegradable like BioGlitter®. While you can find BioGlitter® at a number of retailers, Moon Shatter makes a point of packaging their products in reusable glass jars.

Costume Tips

There’s a reason Spirit Halloween makes over a billion dollars annually. People love dressing up, and popular costumes change year to year. But you can opt for a low-waste holiday this season by thrifting, reusing an old costume, or swapping with friends and family. Most of us have at least one old costume collecting dust in our closets anyway… why not organize a swap among friends? Get creative! There’s no reason anyone should have to justify spending $50+ on an outfit they wear for less than 12 hours.

Which eco friendly Halloween tips would you add to this list? Let us know below!

Our Everist Review is Here!

updated on June 15, 2024 by Angela Hamilton

Today is the day! Six months after first trying everist, we’re finally ready to share our review! It’s hair care (kind of a big deal) so we really wanted to ensure this was a good representation of our experiences with the brand. If you missed it on Instagram, everist sent both Jenn and I their Shower Essentials Bundle, which features their waterless shampoo concentrate, conditioner, body wash, and zero-waste konjac sponge to try before adding them to our directory. I’ve been following them since they first launched and couldn’t wait to see if they were worth the hype. So if you’re wondering the same, read on for our full everist review!

Full transparency, because this is a (spoiler alert) positive review, and we did indeed add them to our list of top sustainable brands we love, we use affiliate links throughout this post. If you buy through one of those links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Thanks for understanding and keeping this blog alive!

What is everist?

Everist is a line of waterless haircare and bodycare products that reduce environmental impact of shipping water by offering concentrates of their formulas. They also exclude conventional chemicals and single use plastic. If you’re not familiar with the brand, check out their insta for info and tutorials.

Their schtick: “Most shampoos, conditioners and body washes are more than 70% water, made from petrochemicals and packed in single-use plastic. We took out the water, packed in the skincare ingredients and concentrated them down into luxe creams to make products that are better for the planet and amazing for your hair, skin and scalp.”

Each tube contains only the formula itself — you mix it with water while you’re in the shower. The idea is, you’re already using these in the shower, why wouldn’t you just use the water you have in there with you?

These products are the latest in the movement toward quality personal care products that are as harmless to the planet as they are to the person using them. I love this concept personally because one of my biggest pet peeves is when brands tout their nontoxic ingredients and health benefits, while showing little to no concern for the planet — which is, as you may know, our home. Mother Earth’s health is our health, you know!

Anyway, Jenn and I each used the everist waterless haircare products and body wash for the last several months. We have different hair types and skin needs, so we figured we’d each share our take.

Angela left, Jenn right

Angela’s everist review

Hair Type: fine but not thin, long, straight
Concerns: gets greasy quickly, lacks volume
Wash: 3x per week
Dose: about .5″ shampoo, a little more to condition
Using everist for: 5 months

shampoo + conditioner concentrate

I wash my hair every 2-3 days. Prior to everist, I didn’t have a go-to shampoo and conditioner, I’d pretty much try a new one each time I had to stock up. Everist typically recommends using an inch-long dose of the product, but they told me people use anywhere from .5″ to 1.5″ per wash and that while most customers replenish every three months, some replenish every month, so it really varies as far as how fast they go through the tube.

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was for me to work the shampoo and body wash into a lather. For the shampoo, I’d make sure my hair was completely wet, as well as my hands. I’d rub together in my hands a little (but it’s a bit squirmy and I didn’t want to drop the stuff) and then just kinda slide it over the top of my head and massage it into my scalp from there. The more I massaged, the sudsier it got, which made it easier to move across the rest of my scalp. I feel like this is an advantage over shampoo bars.

The conditioner required a bit more each wash, but I have pretty long hair (below my chest) so I go higher than just roots. After using for a couple weeks, I loved how my hair looked after the wash, condition, and drying. That said, I had to get used to the fact that my hair wasn’t as soft and tangle-free as it would be after I’d use a conventional conditioner. Conventional conditioners usually make it easier to comb through hair (which is prone to those very tiny but painful knots) but I found with this conditioner I maintained my post-shampoo tangles. That didn’t bother me though because I use de-tangler religiously, so as long as I kept up that routine I was good. And once brushed through and dried, it looked great!

the body wash concentrate

While I liked the waterless shampoo and conditioner concentrates, I loved the body wash! I’ve always been sensitive to fragrance, but still wanted the clean feeling that you sometimes lack with unscented products. This is like the best of bold worlds. Super subtle, no strong scent, and yet I actually felt like I was getting a good clean. I would absolutely spring for the bundle with the biodegradable konjac sponge (and I have), because it helps it reach full lather status. Just remember to wring your sponge out and hang to dry — if it stays wet, it will disintegrate (trust me). Can your loofah do that?!

the packaging

The packaging, tubes, and keys are recycled and recyclable (anyone else hate when brands brag about being recyclable? Oh, so you’re made of literally anything? Cool.) As far as the caps, which are too small for curbside recycling, you can find instructions on their website. This eco-friendly packaging is actually a huge reason why everist products are priced the way they are (their superior ingredients are another reason). Ever since we started our own online boutique, both Jenn and I have even more respect for those who invest in sustainable packaging. It’s truly so expensive and hard to find.

The bottom line: is everist worth the money?

I highly recommend everist, but with some caveats: My bundle actually lasted me around four months, making my cost per month for hair + body care products lower than someone who has to re-up more often. I just started using my second round, and hope to sustain it going forward. And I absolutely recommend to someone who is used to using luxury haircare products, as the price is really quite reasonable ($28 a pop) when compared to designer shampoos and conditioners. However, if I had to use more often, I’d probably have to (begrudgingly) supplement with a cheaper product to stay within my budget.

You do have to be willing to get used to the idea of a concentrate. I’ve actually enjoyed the journey so far. I’m normally always in a rush, and this kind of forces me to be a bit more mindful about my routine.

jenn’s everist review

Hair Type: naturally wavy/curly 2C hair
Concerns: is often dry and tangles quickly
Wash: 3x per week
Dose: 1-1.5 inch of shampoo, same for conditioner
Using everist for: 3 months

my experience

After using it for about three months, I love that it makes my hair feel super clean and also shiny. At first, I felt like I was using a lot of the product and that I’d run out early because I have so much hair, but there’s actually a lot in those tubes! I apply the shampoo to the top of my scalp and work into a lather, but I apply extra under my hair too (that’s where it can get really oily). Sometimes takes a while to get it into a lather, although I love how my hair looks and feels after. When it comes to the body wash, the konjac sponge really helps with this, though a loofah works too.

The conditioner is amazing! I mainly apply this to my ends but since I have long hair (and a lot of it), I end up using more than an inch. I leave it on for 5-10 minutes while washing my face, shaving, etc.

Something to note: I’m pregnant and have been the entire time I’ve used everist. I know everyone talks about dramatic hair changes during those pregnancy months! For me, I feel like it’s just been a bit more unruly and drier than usual. I’ll update this posts when I’ve used it a few months postpartum!

would I recommend everist?

Yes! I’d definitely recommend everist if you have the budget for it. Personally, I would have to restock more often than Angela, but if budget weren’t an option I’d consider buying regularly.

Shop helloeverist.com and follow them on IG here!

10 Everyday Companies Making it Easier to Reduce Waste

updated on September 13, 2023 by Mindy Chung

Has anyone else ever stood in their home, three different plastic wrappers deep into something they just bought, baffled by how wasteful it all seems? Like, I get that individual packaging for convenience is a “thing,” but all that single-use plastic is creating 350 million metric tons (!) of waste annually. We have to find ways to reduce waste.

(And I know the “zero-waste jar” was a cutesy way to visualize your trash as you reduce single-use consumption, but the trend is kind of dead—and decorating with literal wrappers is giving major seagull vibes.)

It can be hard to feel like you’re making a difference when basically all consumer goods generate some level of waste. But that’s why it’s important to find the companies working to make sustainability more accessible and start transitioning how you shop, one staple at a time. So whether you’re looking to make a few changes in your kitchen, bathroom, or even your living room, we’ve got you covered.

10 companies making it easier to reduce waste

HoldOn

If you’re a hobby chef, or just seem to create a lot of trash, HoldOn makes heavy-duty, plant-based compostable bags that are a great alternative to the usual plastic ones. They’re also TUV Home Compostable Certified, which means you can compost them commercially, or in your home compost, making it accessible to both those with local compost options and those who take it into their own hands at home.

Speaking from personal experience, I prefer HoldOn to BioBag because they have a drawstring closure. I have noticed, however, that any liquids tend to make the bags leak (which probably proves how compostable they are). I also love HoldOn’s compostable freezer bags. Makes saving food so much easier for those of us opting out of Zip-loc.

Matter

Another great plastic bag alternative, Matter is a bit more durable than HoldOn and so takes months, instead of weeks, to compost. I’ve only used the baggies from Matter because the trash bags are almost double the price of HoldOn’s, and have no complaints so far!

Both brands can be found at Target, making them incredibly accessible, and kind of eliminate any qualms about switching.

Ridwell

We all love the idea of recycling, but don’t always love the actual effort it takes to find a center or sort your recyclables. That’s why Ridwell offers a subscription service that picks up hard-to-recycle goods like plastic film, batteries and corks from your front porch, and does all the work for you.

Their tiered pricing plans are shockingly affordable, with the lowest one being $14/month and pick up every 2 weeks!

Sun & Swell

As much as I love the Welch’s fruit snacks, the individual packaging kills me inside… as do the artificial ingredients. So if you’re looking for a healthier, planet-friendly snack alternative, Sun & Swell has a range of clean, organic, plant-based snacks that come in compostable packaging!

While you can compost the packaging yourself, if you’re feeling lazy you can also get a prepaid mailer from Sun & Swell to have them compost it for you with their send-back program.

Everist

If you’re a fan of bar shampoos or package-less bath products, you’re going to love everist. They make waterless shampoo, conditioner, and body wash concentrates that eliminate the need to ship water, like conventional personal care brands do (since most of what’s in the bottle is simply h2o!). Plus, products are packaged in 100% recycled paper and aluminum containers, and they offer a program for you to ship your plastic caps back to them for upcycling.

Their whole business and website are dedicated to the message of reducing and recycling waste as a way to disrupt the beauty industry. They’re carbon-neutral, give back to the community, and promote transparency with a clear ingredient guide for all consumers. Oh, and it actually works (but more on that next week).

Farmacy

Who says you can’t look like a million bucks while reducing your carbon footprint? Farmacy has continually worked to go green since switching to 100% recyclable caps and jars 2019.

They pledged to go carbon-neutral with their shipping and transition to waste-free packaging in 2022, and continue to improve their supply chain and operation to be a truly sustainable beauty company. They’re also Leaping Bunny Certified, and partner with ClearForMe to implement ingredient transparency. (Be still, my heart!)

Glow Recipe

Glow Recipe reached carbon-neutral status in April 2022, and all their packaging is 100% recyclable. They also launched their first refillable product in 2021; you pop out the pod and replace it with a refill in their glass jar!

They’ve also made their sustainability efforts more accessible with diagrams of how to insert refills on their website, as well as offering to recycle their containers for consumers in partnership with TerraCycle.

Ruggable

Anyone with a pet knows the pain of having them mess up a rug at some point. Whether it’s fur, pee, or throw-up, our love for our furry friends comes at a cost. That’s why Ruggable is such a game changer, they’re the first company of their kind to offer rugs that are washable. Their rugs come in 2 parts, with the top Rug Covers being interchangeably attached to the bottom Rug Pad. They also use recycled materials when possible, and donate usable returns to individuals who are aging out of the foster care system.

Another, smaller company that champions washable rugs, ethical practices, and sustainable materials is Australian brand Ohh Happy Home (seen here).

Fernish

We all talk about fast fashion, but not about fast furniture. And we all know that, as affordable as it is, IKEA is not made for longevity. Enter, Fernish—a furniture rental company that lets you decorate your home with high-quality items for as long (or as little) as you like! While they refurbish all their furniture before each rental, when their items inevitably get worn down, they donate them to a list of charitable organizations or recycle when possible.

What brands would you add to this list? Give them a shout out below! And if you’re looking for even more support in cutting down on waste, check out our big roundup of where to shop zero waste online.