I'm Giving You Permission to Steal Your Sister's Clothes

Yes, the rumors are true. I'm giving you permission to steal your sister's clothes and no, she can't get you in trouble for it this time. Why? Because I said so, duh! Point is, borrowing clothes is way more sustainable than buying from fast fashion brands, just like bringing a reusable bag to the grocery store is way better for our planet than using plastic ones. If you haven't guessed it yet, this post is all about how to lead a more sustainable life! Read along to find great ways to help protect Earth.

1. Shop sustainably! It takes around 2,000 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to make just one pair of jeans. By borrowing your sister's clothes, shopping at thrift stores, renting then returning dresses, and up-cycling old garments, you're conserving the water and energy that would have been used to make something new. Also did I just say 'garment'? I watched too much Project Runway as a child. I hope I'm making Tim Gunn proud. Anyways, tons (literally, tons) of clothes end up in landfills each year and take decades to decompose. When pieces are dumped in landfills, that portion of land then has contaminated soil, emits harmful greenhouse gases, and is unable to grow crops. Overall, wearing clothes that are already in our supply chain is the most sustainable option!

*Some amazing thrift stores are Red, White and Blue Thrift, Buffalo Exchange, Plato's Closet and Goodwill. Online thrift stores I absolutely love are Depop and Poshmark!

2. Reduce your single-use plastic waste! It's no secret that single-use plastic is extremely wasteful and takes tens to hundreds of years to decompose. Right now, there's about 8 million TONS of plastic in our oceans and if we don't take small, yet meaningful steps to reduce such waste, our planet will continue to suffer. On the positive side, plastic bans are being implemented all over the country, fitness places are giving out reusable water bottles to first-time customers, and there are tons of affordable multiple-use products out there. I love my Trader Joe's reusable grocery bags, Dollar Tree Tupperware packs, S'well bottle, All Cotton and Linen produce bags, and portable metal straw and utensils (super cheap at Marshalls or on Amazon).

3. Support local businesses! Food often travels hundreds of miles to get from farm to table. The trains, trucks and airplanes that help transport products release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into our atmosphere, contributing to air pollution. However, local farmer's markets tend to grow their own crops or transport products shorter distances than chain grocery stores do. By shopping at local venues, you're not only practicing sustainability but also connecting to your community and eating fresh, pesticide-free food!

4. Eat more plants! By consuming more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, together we can help protect our planet. Not only is the animal agriculture industry cruel to animals, but it also contributes heavily to biodiversity loss and deforestation. Moreover, the industry is far from sustainable. It takes around 650 liters of water to make 1 lb. of barley versus 4,650 liters of water to make 1 lb. of beef. By choosing to eat barley over beef, water and energy are conserved. Participating in Meatless Monday or swapping out chicken for tofu a couple times a week could make all the difference. Let's come together and stop this vicious cycle!

At the end of the day, the most important thing to know is that your actions are never too small to spark change. We're in this together!

*I understand the position of privilege I am in to be able to shop sustainably and eat the way I do. Slow fashion, sustainable products, and whole foods need to be more accessible to everyone. This is why fighting for intersectional sustainability is so important!

★ TOSS GOOD VIBES TODAY ★

Caroline

@liveonthevegg