Company Spotlight

Pact Organic

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I first stumbled upon Pact when I was searching for organic, fair trade leggings. While I do like their leggings, I've ended up buying most from them has actually been underwear!

Pact initially only had the bare-bones basics: underwear, socks, and T-shirts. However, in the past few years they have grown their selection of goods to include a variety of dresses, bralettes, sweats, leggings, and more! I only own a few items other than undies from them, but here is a quick low down on this company:

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Organic Cotton

Pact makes all their clothing from organic cotton (and some elastane). This has a huge impact on both the environment, the farmers who grow it, and you. If you need some reminders as to why, here are just a few:

So, from my perspective, investing in organic clothing is very important, and Pact makes it pretty easy to start building an organic wardrobe from to bottom up! Their clothes are third party certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and Organic 100 Content Standard.

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Fair Trade

The fast fashion industry is problematic in oh, so many ways. Which is why I'm happy to say everything from Pact comes Fair Trade Certified. Simple as that. 

Super Comfy

I've been wearing pact since 2016, and I can confidently tell you that their products are soft and comfy from day 1.

Durability

This is where the jury is still out for me. As I said, I've had several products for about two years, and they have been heavily used! So far, all the underwear I've purchased has held up very well. 

The one problem I've had was with the leggings. So a little disclaimer, I put my clothes (and leggings in particular) through a lot. I hike, ski, do Pilates, work, and lounge in leggings, and I don't really wear jeans.  So, that being said, the cotton they use isn't exceptionally thick for these, and I wore them so much (because they were so darn comfy!) that I've created a small hole in the crotch region. I'll patch it up easy enough, and they haven't turned see-through (as some lesser brands will), but I'm hoping they come out with some thicker leggings that I can wear in the winter and will hold up a little better to my crazy use!

Affordability

Unlike a lot of other organic brands, Pact isn't high dollar, so being ecologically and socially conscious won't wreck your wallet here! Since they only use organic cotton, so their seed is cheaper, and they don't need to pay for all those nasty chemical pesticides, and they pass those savings along to you! They also have pretty awesome sales, if you keep an eye out for them!


Pimentel, David, et al. “Environmental and Economic Costs of Pesticide Use.” BioScience, vol. 42, no. 10, 1992, pp. 750–760. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1311994.


This post was not sponsored, but may contain affiliate links. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

bio-bean

This is an amazing example of ecological economics! 

Bio-bean had the brilliant idea of taking something that we already produce at an incredible rate - used coffee beans - and turned them into something useful!

coffee recycling

The general Gist

Bio-bean works directly with waste management companies to collect waste coffee grounds from independent cafés to major coffee chains;  from universities to property groups and instant coffee factories.

They've worked out a deal where their WM partners handle all of the coffee waste collection for them (brilliant negotiating, I think), and provide everything required for a businesses or group to begin collection such as caddies, bins, refuse sacks, vehicles and the collection service.

Why this works

Buisnesses can sign up for this both out of conscience and practicality. Recycling used coffee can reduce waste disposal costs. By removing the heavy, wet coffee grounds from their general waste, companies can send less to the dump, avoid penalties for contaminated dry mixed recycling, or require less trips, which can reduce their overall waste disposal cost!

Environmental Benefits

According to bio-bean (I haven't backed this up w/ a third party) thier life cycle assessment indicates that sending waste coffee grounds to bio-bean produces 60% less CO2 emissions than sending them to landfill.

bio-bean is currently working with Shell to create a carbon-neutral, advanced biofuel from waste coffee grounds, such as biomass-pellets, bio-diesel, and biochemicals; with the purpose of displacing fossil fuels.

Now that all sounds hunky-dory, but as a biologist I'm always incredibly skeptical wherever big oil is involved.  From what I can tell, the founders had a brilliant idea and were able to capitalize fully on it! Hopefully Shell is doing more good than harm with it's involvement.

unfortunately...

Unfortunately these are only currently available to purchase in the UK. I would love to see this concept expanded, though! I would definitley burn one of these in my future fire place!

ThredUP

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ThredUP caught my attention when I heard them advertised on a few of my favorite podcasts (hey Myths and Legends!)

And the timing could not have been more perfect. I had just brought a load of my clothes to a local Plato's Closet. I brought a different load to goodwill, but these were items that I felt were actually worth some money. I wasn't expecting to get a lot, but I was expecting to get SOMETHING. However after a 2 hour wait, they informed me that they could not accept any of my items (even though quite a few of them were brand name items) because all of my clothes were older than 18 months. 

My first thought was "Ya.... Of course my clothes are older than 18 months! That's why I brought them in..."

I realized that some of these consignment shops, like Plato's Closet, are actually fueling fast fashion by demanding clothing be of a certain age. Needless to say, I was rather frustrated.

So when I heard of ThredUP I was super excited, and I've had nothing but excellent experiences with them so far!

How it works

  1. You decide you want to sell your clothes (but because you bought high quality clothing that lasts a long time, your clothes are older than 18 months, so some thrift stores don't accept them!)
  2. You order a closet cleanout bag (recyclable) from thredUP, fill it with your unwanted items, and send it back.
  3. thredUP sifts through your unwanted clothes, takes the best of the best, and recycles the rest
  4. Items that are not selected are passed onto their textile recycling partners and upcycled
  5. You receive your payout! You can either use it to shop on thredUP, donate it to their cause partners, cash out with PayPal (fees apply), or cash out with a thredUP Visa Prepaid Card (no fees)
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We have high quality standards and typically accept less than 40% of the clothing we receive. Items that are still in great shape but don’t meet the thredUP standards are sold to third party sellers. Items that are no longer in wearable condition are passed onto our textile recycling partners and upcycled. The proceeds we recoup through this process help us cover some (but not all) of the shipping and labor costs incurred for the unaccepted items we receive.
— thredup

Environmental Impact

Fast fashion has become an environmental disaster. From 1980 to 2014 Americans more than quadrupled the amount of clothing we were sending to landfills (EPA). And many modern textiles are made of plastic, which can pollute our oceans both in the form of macro and micro plastics. I'm currently working on an extensive fast fashion post, but it's such a crazy topic it's been taking me a while.

According to their annual report, in 2016, thredUP collectively saved:

  • 128 Million lbs of CO2 = 8,111 households’ yearly electricity use
  • 14 Million items UPcycled = 140 Nordstrom department stores
  • 10 Billion gallons of water = 15,784 Olympic-size swimming pools
The average american throws away 70 lbs of clothing annually,
IF ALL OF THAT CLOTHING WERE REUSED OR RECYCLED,
it would save 6 million items from ending up in landfill per year.

 

My Experience

thredUP Accepted 23 of my items, here's how it panned out:

Earned Upfront $45.43

Total Consignment Earnings $6.00

Shipping & Handling Fee -$4.99 

Net Earned $46.44

I also got to watch my items get sold. And that felt good. I enjoyed seeing clothes that I wasn't using get bought and used by people who wanted them!

I also then had some extra money to spend on a few new items. I chose to spend my money on thredUP simply because I knew I would be able to find some high quality items that I wanted. I bought two Patagonia shirts, one of which I'm absolutely obsessed with! And both were made at least partially with organic cotton. 

Also, my order came completely plastic free! The envelope my clothes were in was cardboard (no lining), the tags were made of paper and string, and the tissue paper was adorable (I used it to wrap a baby shower gift)! 

update (March 2018)

So recently one of my best friends started a new office job, and didn't have a very extensive office wardrobe.  She also HATES shopping. She's really quite fashionable, but going to malls really stresses her, and she doesn't experience quite the same rush as I do from finding something awesome buried under a pile of junk in a Goodwill. 

She knew I had ordered from and sold to thredUP and was interested in doing one of their Goody Boxes, where someone would pick out clothes that matched her style and needs, and send them directly to her. Even as she was doing it she was feeling a bit skeptical. But I got an excited text from her the day she got her box, saying what an amazing job they had done matching her style.  I even ended up buying one of the dresses from her! I'll do a more extensive post on her box later, but for now, know that it was absolutely a win for her!  

References

1. Environmental Protection Agency. “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2014 Tables and Figures .” Epa.gov, Dec. 2016, www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-11/documents/2014_smm_tablesfigures_508.pdf.

2. thredUP. “2017 Fashion Resale Market and Trend Report.” ThredUP, 2017, www.thredup.com/resale/full.

GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag

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the problem

Plastic pollution is globally pervasive, and is poisoning some of our most precious ecosystems. While plastic bottles, bags, and other forms of single use plastic play a huge role in plastic pollution, your clothes can also be a part of the problem. Synthetic textiles, like acrylic, nylon, & polyester, shed millions of plastic fibers while in the wash. They make their way from the washing machine into waste water, rivers, and oceans. These fibers are incredibly small, and sometimes aren't even visible, and due to their size sewerage treatment plants are not designed to effectively filter them.

Once in our oceans, these fibers are consumed by organisms low on the food chain. A 2015 study found plastic fibers in fish and shellfish being sold for human consumption. And another study found that microfibers could be responsible for 85% of shoreline pollution worldwide.

So what can you do?

What to do

There are several ways to reduce your microfiber waste.  The best thing you can do is purchase clothes made from natural materials like cotton, wool, hemp, and linen; wash your clothes less often, and use cooler water in the wash.

But even us all-natural folks own synthetic fibers. Much of my specialized outdoor gear is made out of synthetic materials, like my ski gear, running clothes, and leggings. While you want to reduce the amount you wash these, you eventually need to do so.

So seeing this problem, a group of surfers and nature lovers came together to try and forge a solution, and the idea of a washing bag was conceived amongst friends, over a couple of beers.

The GUPPFRIEND washing bag prevents microfibers originating from washing machines from entering into rivers and oceans. It's the only one of its kind on the market today. They also claim that the soft surface of the bag (and it is indeed very soft) actually results in less fiber loss, and could potentially extend a garments lifetime. 

I use two GUPPYBAGS to wash all of my synthetic athletic clothes in one load. 

I use two GUPPYBAGS to wash all of my synthetic athletic clothes in one load. 

How to Use

  1. Separate your colors / fabrics for the wash as normal.
  2. Place your synthetic textiles into the GUPPYFRIEND (max half full)
  3. Close the GUPPYFRIEND and wash as usual
  4. Take out wet textiles after washing
  5. Remove the released microfibers from hems inside of GUPPYFRIEND and dispose properly

Note: For synthetic clothes that need to be hand washed, hand wash without the bag, but use bag to filter wastewater 

Care

  • Preferably, use liquid detergents
  • Remove coarse dirt and animal hair before washing

How Not to Use

  • Do not place your GUPPYFRIEND in the dryer
  • Do not rinse under running water (this defeats the purpose) 
  • Do not iron (the crumpled surface is not a problem)
  • Do not dry in the sun

Soooo... this bag is made out of plastic....

Yes, it is. GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bags are made out of 100% nylon, which can ultimately be recycled. You can either recycle it with groups of identical materials (PA 6.6) if programs are available near you, or you can return it to the makers and they will make new GUPPYFRIENDs from it.

Return address:
STOP! MICRO WASTE
Ackerstraße 113
40233 Düsseldorf
Germany

This is just a start

Even the creators of the GUPPYFRIEND understand that this is only a first step towards a handling our microfiber pollution. Real, long term solutions like reducing our overconsumption, creating new materials, new manufacturing techniques, clean washing machines, and more effective sewage treatment plants need to be prioritized.

Unfortunately, these long term solutions will most likely not happen overnight. Until then, GUPPYFRIEND has provided us with a practical and effective way to reduce your input of plastic pollution into our rivers and oceans.

I want one!

That was my reaction when I first heard about them! 

You can purchase them directly for 29,75 € here.

Or you can buy them through Patagonia for $20 (who sells them at cost) here.

I purchased mine at our local Denver Patagonia store, and though they are a little pricy, I'd say it's well worth it for the environmental benefit.

Some of my microfiber waste (and some dog hair...)

Some of my microfiber waste (and some dog hair...)

References

1. Hartline, N. L., Bruce, N. J., Karba, S. N., Ruff, E. O., Sonar, S. U., & Holden, P. A. (2016). Microfiber masses recovered from conventional machine washing of new or aged garments. Environmental science & technology50(21), 11532-11538.

2. Pirc, U., Vidmar, M., Mozer, A., & Kržan, A. (2016). Emissions of microplastic fibers from microfiber fleece during domestic washing. Environmental Science and Pollution Research23(21), 22206-22211.

3. Rochman, C. M., Tahir, A., Williams, S. L., Baxa, D. V., Lam, R., Miller, J. T., ... & Teh, S. J. (2015). Anthropogenic debris in seafood: Plastic debris and fibers from textiles in fish and bivalves sold for human consumption. Scientific reports5.

4. Browne, M. A., Crump, P., Niven, S. J., Teuten, E., Tonkin, A., Galloway, T., & Thompson, R. (2011). Accumulation of microplastic on shorelines woldwide: sources and sinks. Environmental science & technology45(21), 9175-9179.

Little Seed Farm

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I found out about Little Seed Farm from my cousin who got me some products from them as a Christmas gift a few years ago. After using their soaps, I now consider them a great addition to any zero waste bathroom.

They haven't been around a very long time (started in 2012), and in 2014 they received a $25,000 West Elm Small Business Grant.  Since then it appears business has been going well, and they've stuck to the core principle that they started with: sustainability.

- As of 2015 they run 100% on solar power.

- They package and ship their products with recyclable or reusable materials.

- Their goats are raised humanely. They are 100% grassed and raised using intensive rotational grazing on 84 acres of pasture lands.

- Their soaps are nontoxic and use only essential oils and herbs for fragrance

- And, zero waste of all, they implement strict recycling policies for all excess cardboard, paper, plastic, and metal on their farm

Their Geranium Rose Bar, currently calling my shower home.

Their Geranium Rose Bar, currently calling my shower home.

LUSH

Those of you who read this blog make a lot of DIY body products. However, I know that not everyone enjoys or has the time to make these. So, if it's not something you feel up to, Lush has your back.

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I've used Lush body products for a while, though I've phased out of it since I've started making my own products.  However, since dying my hair I haven't had success with any of my new shampoo recipes. So while those are still in the works I went back to Lush for some shampoo bars

Even though I don't use them like I used to, I would consider Lush to be an awesome example of a zero-waste friendly company!

Many of their products can be purchased without any packaging like their: bath bombs, bubble barsshampoo bars, deodorants, and too many more to list.  They even have reusable tins you can buy to take your product home in, and come back with when you're ready for another one!

Even their products that come packaged are zero waste friendly, and here's why:

  1. All of Lush's plastic "pots" are made with 100% post consumer recycled plastic (plastic #5)
  2. Every part of a Lush plastic package is recyclable (even the tops!)
  3. Not only are their pots recyclable, but they'll personally take them back.  Their "5 pot program" will give you a free face mask for every 5 pots you bring in for recycling!
  4. The paper bags they use in store if you didn't bring a reusable one are made from 100% recycled paper and are recyclable themselves
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If you don't have a store near you, you can order online and they will wrap your online order with minimal, recyclable packaging!

Gifting:

Lush is an awesome resource for zero waste gift giving! I've given my mom Lush products several years in a row for Mother's Day and she is so into it, and my cousin loves their bath bombs too much for words!

Luckily, Lush supports zero waste yet again but supplying "knot-wraps" which are basically adorable bandanas to wrap your gift in.  You can re-use them for more gift wrapping, scarf, headband, etc. They even have a DIY on making it into a drawstring bag!

Makeup:

Since going zero waste, I've been nervous about what to do about makeup. I'm still going through what I had already (I previously used bare minerals).  I've stopped using foundation and just using coconut oil as a moisturizer.  I rarely wear makeup during the day, and It's not necessary for my work.  However, even I like throwing on some eyeliner and lipstick for a concert or evening out.

Again, I haven't run out yet but I am definitely intimidated by making my own.  With makeup color and texture are so important, and while I'm ok homemaking deodorant, toothpaste, and shaving cream, none of those are entirely dependent on exact proportions or color matching.  And I don't really feel like going through the awkwardness of my tween years with non-matching foundation.

However, I feel that Lush may be my saving grace here.  They have a line of eye makeup, lipstick, and light bases all in reusable and recyclable packaging.  I'll keep this post updated as I start experimenting with their makeup line.

Pela Case

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Many companies claim to be eco-friendly, but Pela takes it to the next level. 

Electronics have become a necessity in our every day lives, and electronic waste goes hand in hand with using these devices.  It's probably not possible or practical for you to just get rid of your electronics and go off the grid, but you can make smarter choices about your electronic accessories.

Meet the eco-friendly company Pela Case: they use flax as their base material instead of plastic to create what they call "flaxtic."

Pela meets every standard I have for a zero waste product:

  • Nontoxic
  • BPA, lead, cadmium, and phthalates free
  • 100% compostable (industrial and backyard) which I will eventually test in my own compost pile!
  • Low-impact manufacturing
  • Plastic-free and recyclable packaging
  • They work!

Pela is a charitable company, they are a member of 1% for the Planet, and they donate $3 to a charity for every phone bought with your referral link (here's mine, if you wish).

Since getting my Pela case I have dropped my phone countless times, and it has totally stood up, especially since most of my home is wood and tile (I do have a glass screen protector)!  I also love the style and texture of the case. It's so soft and even if you get a colored one (mine is lavender) it still has this earthy look to it from the flax.

So, why should you care?

In 2016 Apple announced that they had sold their billionth iPhone. And they've only sold more since then.  

In 2014 Business Insider conducted an informal survey of iPhone users and found that 86% of those surveyed used an iPhone case. 

Since that was just a survey and not a study, lets be conservative and say that only 75% of iPhone users have a case.  This would mean that as of July 2016 iPhone users have purchased more than 750,000,000 cases since 2007. And that's just assuming 1 case / iPhone, which is often not the case (hah!).

I'm not going to take a guess at how much plastic that is, but with the cases themselves and the plastic packaging on top of that, lets say it's probably significant.

So I'm not saying you need to get a new case right this second, but when you upgrade your iPhone, or decide the one you have is beat, consider buying from Pela.  

You know you will eventually have to get rid of your case, so get one that can actually break down and return to the earth, instead of one that will last for potentially thousands of years, just because you needed it for 2.


My original Pela Case, for my iPhone 5

update 5/2018

Since I've been using my Pela case over a year I figured it's time for an update! My Pela case has continued to serve me very well! My phone, though I've completely put it through the ringer (hah!) is still operable, I haven't needed to order a new screen protector, though I drop my phone constantly, and my Pela case is holding up! 

Since I bought from them in early 2017 it looks like Pela has seriously grown! They now offer cases for Androids and have been making cool special release cases with thinks like "save the waves" and turtles on them! This company really just gets me!

I'm hopefully going to upgrade soon from my iPhone 5 to a used iPhone 6ish (totally going for one of Pela's turtle cases if they're still available) and when I do so I'll try to actually compost my Pela case to see how long it takes to fully break down! 

So as of now, my recommendation stands!


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update 9/1/18

So my iPhone 5 finally died on me. To be honest, I went swimming with it, so this one's on me, not on Pela. My phone was on its way out anyway, and I was preparing to replace it soon.

I ordered a used iPhone 6 off of Gazelle, which also meant I got to order a new Pela case! I'd been eyeing their turtle cases for a while now, and wanted to be able to protect my new phone.  And I have to say, the quality of their cases has increased dramatically since I ordered my iPhone 5 case back in 2017. It fits my phone better, is more snug, and the material is thicker so I think it provides even better protection now! And their cases continue to be shipped in a compostable package, completely plastic free!

We will see how my new case holds up, but I have high hopes for it!