April 2021 - Life of an Earth Muffin

Biodegradable vs. Compostable: What is the Difference?

Posted on April 29, 2021November 14, 2021

Hey earth muffins! Today I will be tackling the terms “biodegradable” and “compostable”. I often see eco-friendly products advertised with these words; but, for people who aren’t active in the eco-space, these terms can be confusing. Plus, it can be hard to distinguish when companies use greenwashing to label their products. I hope this post is helpful and teaches you something… Let’s get right into our discussion of biodegradable vs. compostable!

What is “Biodegradable”?

According to the dictionary, a biodegradable item is one that is “capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms”. Technically, this makes almost everything biodegradable… It just might take hundreds (or even thousands) of years to degrade. Not great. The best products are those that can decompose quickly in natural environments. Ideally, they also won’t leave behind any toxins.

It is important to know where to dispose of these products as well. Most cannot decompose in a landfill due to lack of oxygen. This will cause the item to release methane instead of carbon dioxide, which isn’t good for Mother Earth. Many biodegradable products can easily be recycled or composted; I suggest researching how to dispose of the product properly before buying!

Examples of Biodegradable Items

Some examples include food waste, cotton, wool, plant products like paper, etc. There are also products like Dr. Bronner’s castile soap that have no impact on the environment. When choosing a “biodegradable” product, pick one that is made with natural ingredients. If a product is labelled as such but contains chemicals, it most likely isn’t an eco-friendly product.

What is “Compostable”?

By definition, a compostable item is one that can decompose in a compost environment. This means that all compostable items are biodegradable; but, not all biodegradable items are compostable! This is a great thing to remember in the biodegradable vs. compostable classification.

Compostable items can be easily disposed of in a compost bin. There are many different ways to compost (even if you live in an apartment like me!). From worm bins to pickup services, there is honestly no reason why you shouldn’t be composting. If you incorrectly dispose compostable items in the trash, they will release methane in a landfill. So, it is super important to actually let compostable items break down in a compost environment.

Examples of Compostable Items

Similar to above, compostable examples include food waste and other natural items. We create way too much food waste in our world, so actually composting your household’s is a great way to reduce food waste and help the planet. However be careful with “compostable” items that resemble plastics. I’ve seen a bunch of restaurants swap to compostable cutlery/dishware. But, these can only be composted in huge facilities and under very specific conditions. They will not break down in a household compost bin… Plus, they can ruin batches of recycling if incorrectly put in the recycle bin. If you see a product labelled as compostable, do some research to see what type of compost environment is needed. Then, you can dispose of it correctly!

Biodegradable vs. Compostable

So, which is better?? In my opinion, there are pros to both. I personally tend to lean towards compostables because I can watch my compost turn into soil. Eco-friendly biodegradables are awesome too, but it can sometimes be confusing to decipher what is accurate labelling versus greenwashing. My top tip for you all is to keep your products as natural as possible! And, of course, compost as much as you can! 😍

Love,
Jenna ♥

10 MORE Things I Stopped Buying Because of Zero Waste

Posted on April 27, 2021August 17, 2023

Hey earth muffins! Back in 2019 I wrote a post about the 10 things I stopped buying due to my sustainable lifestyle. While some of these aren’t true anymore due to moving in with my boyfriend, it is the price you pay for living with someone who is less eco-consious. However, a bunch of items on that list I still haven’t bought since then! 😍 A lot of time has passed; so, I thought it would be fun to share 10 more things that I no longer buy due to low waste living. Let’s jump right into it!

A girl holding a credit card and wallet about to buy something online

1. I stopped buying Tupperware.

I really should say I never bought Tupperware to begin with… My eco journey started in college, so when I was moving into an apartment I avoided all plastic Tupperware. It blows my mind that people spend money on containers to hold their food. Instead, I usually use mason jars that have been gifted to me from family and friends. I have quite the collection right now, and my grandpa has a bunch of boxes for me once I am fully immune from the second COVID vaccine. I also reuse plastic tubs from the grocery store after I finish the food inside (I have so many Greek yogurt containers!). This makes me feel less guilty when there are no glass packaging options at the store. I’ve never once missed having Tupperware around!

2. Bottled shampoos

It seems like I talk about shampoo bars often on this blog. But there is a reason for this! It is such an easy swap to trade your plastic bottles for a bar product. Not only are bars better in general, I absolutely love them! I’ve found a lot of success with Lush products, but many brands are now offering shampoo bars. I personally also think my shower has such a minimalist aesthetic without those ugly plastic bottles. 😊

3. Hair ties!

Isn’t it crazy that I haven’t purchased hair ties for many years? When I was in middle school I purchased a container of those mini clear plastic hair ties for braids and such… And I still have about half that pack in my bathroom right now! I feel like many girls just lose their hair ties with the thought that they will just buy more. But that is so wasteful! I make sure to keep track of them so that they don’t end up on the ground. Once I end up having to buy again, I will opt for plastic-free options like these from Kooshoo (affiliate link). I was gifted some Kooshoo ties a few months ago, and they are amazing!

4. I stopped buying drugstore makeup.

Even before my work from home days, I minimized my makeup routine to just concealer and mascara. When I started my journey towards low waste, I learned that makeup contains a lot of bad ingredients. I have some strong opinions about the FDA’s approval of women’s products, but I don’t want to get into that in this post. After I learned what makeup contains, I no longer buy any drugstore makeup. There are a bunch of awesome zero waste/sustainable brands out there (CleanFaced Cosmetics on Etsy is my current fave) – support those instead!

A picture of clothes hanging to dry on a clothesline

5. Fabric softener/dryer sheets

I stopped using fabric softener when I wash my clothes and honestly can’t tell a difference. This allows me to avoid another plastic bottle! Instead of dryer sheets, I use reusable dryer balls. I found mine at TJ Maxx a couple of years ago, but you can find them anywhere. Amazon has a bunch of woll dryer ball options, such as these (affiliate link). Definitely would recommend making this swap!

6. Home decor (that isn’t secondhand!)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you can find anything secondhand! I don’t find myself buying home decor often, but if I do it will always be thrifted. There is no fun in having the same Target decor as everyone else in your city; unique pieces make your house totally your own. 😄 Check out thrift stores, antique malls, even Facebook Marketplace and you are bound to find something that you absolutely love. I have even found some great holiday decor secondhand as well!

7. Aluminum foil/parchment paper

In my last 10 Things I Don’t Buy Anymore post I mentioned that I don’t buy plastic wrap… So I would like to expand that to aluminum foil and parchment paper too. My sister’s old roommate gave her a package of aluminum foil in college; she never used it, so she passed it to me about two years ago. I still have it and use it every once in awhile… But once it is gone I don’t see the need to buy it again. Instead, get a silicone baking mat (affiliate link)! My roommate left hers when she moved out last year, so I took it with me to my new apartment. It is already well loved in my kitchen. Avoids single use waste and works like a charm!

8. I stopped buying books

Some people like to listen to books, others like to read them on their Kindle. I personally love to support my local library by checking out books whenever I can! As I mentioned in my Less is More Challenge post, I got rid of some books during my decluttering. I don’t even remember the last time I purchased a book… Must have been a required textbook when I was in college. 😬 Definitely things I stopped buying when going green.

9. Cleaning chemicals

During Mister Corona, it seemed like my parents (and my boyfriend’s parents) would randomly give us Lysol wipes and other cleaning chemicals. Plus, my boyfriend and I both brought cleaning supplies to the apartment when we moved in together. This has resulted in a large collection of cleaning solutions… When I have been wanting to swap to DIY recipes! I no longer buy them, but this influx will probably take some time to reduce. I am definitely looking forward to (finally) using them all up!

10. Eco products I don’t need!

I feel like it is tempting to buy a bunch of zero waste “aesthetic” products when you make the switch to sustainable living. I’m here to tell you to avoid that temptation! Why buy something when you can use what you have? Or, why buy something that you won’t even use? Even if something is eco-friendly, that doesn’t mean you need it in your life. Overall, I have been able to cut out a lot of things after I started my sustainable journey. What have you been able to cut out of your life?

Things I Stopped Buying pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

How to Recycle Davids Natural Toothpaste METAL Tube

Posted on April 22, 2021November 14, 2021

Hey earth muffins! Back in January, I wrote a review post about Davids Natural Toothpaste. This product comes in a metal tube (affiliate link), which is incredible for us eco-friendly folks! Plus, the toothpaste itself is awesome; my teeth feel clean and look so white from the baking soda. 😊 My first tube of this toothpaste ran out a few weeks ago, so I thought I would share how to recycle it. You obviously can’t just throw the tube in the recycle bin with leftover paste inside… So this post will take you through all the steps to recycle your Davids natural toothpaste correctly. Let’s jump right into it!

A picture of a finished tube of Davids natural toothpaste

Can it all be recycled?

The tube is metal which can be recycled at most recycling centers. However, make sure you know your local recycling center rules! “Wishcycling” something that can’t actually be processed by the site can cause problems for the whole batch of recycling… Definitely a no-no when trying to recycle properly! So, make sure you know what your local center accepts.

According to the Davids natural toothpaste website, the toothpaste cap is made from Symbol #2 plastic. Again, this may or may not be accepted by your local recycling center. It is recyclable where I live, which allowed me to recycle both the tube and cap! 🎉 Like I mentioned in the review post, the toothpaste also comes with a metal key that rolls up the tube and ensures you get everything out of it. This is made of the same metal as the tube, which means you will probably be able to recycle it as well. However, I decided to keep mine; it seems like it will be useful for other products too!

How to Recycle Your Davids Natural Toothpaste Tube

Step 1: Unroll the tube of toothpaste and take off the key. Take some scissors and cut off both ends of the tube. At the top of the tube near the cap, try to cut as close to the top as possible.

A picture of Davids toothpaste, where to cut when recycling

Step 2: Cut a long slit up the length of the toothpaste tube. Be careful! The tube is metal, so you don’t want to cut yourself by accident. Once you have made the cut, carefully open up the metal to reveal the extra toothpaste inside.

A picture of Davids toothpaste tube cut open with toothpaste still inside

Step 3: Once it has been cut open, you should have four pieces: the long metal piece, the bottom sliver, the top part, and the plastic cap. Wash all of these pieces out in the sink. My kitchen sink has a spray attachment, which was super helpful for getting in those hard to reach areas! Make sure you get all of the toothpaste off, as dirty metal can also contaminate a recycling batch.

A picture of Davids toothpaste cut open and cleaned

Step 4: Now that the tube is clean, I placed the small bottom sliver into the large metal piece and folded it in half again. This will make sure the bottom piece gets recognized as metal at the recycling plant. Lastly, place everything into the recycling bin and bust out your next tube of Davids natural toothpaste (affiliate link). Congrats, you successfully recycled!

Overall Thoughts

I was so excited to find this toothpaste in metal. Sure, it takes a few minutes to get it ready for the recycling bin; but, it is amazing that a product like this exists! 🌎 ❤️ I will definitely continue to buy it because it allows me to reduce my landfill waste and opt for something much more eco-friendly. Plus, the toothpaste itself works really well too! Overall, I hope you all make the swap and use this post as a guide to recycle the tube correctly. Thanks for reading!

Love,
Jenna ♥

Smart Ways to Save Energy at Home While Living a Healthy & More Sustainable Lifestyle

Posted on April 17, 2021February 17, 2022

There are many ways to save energy while living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. From small things to huge investments, conserving energy is an excellent way to help the environment and save money on energy bills. Here are some of the best ways to save energy in your home:

A picture of energy on the top of a house

Insulate Your House

Did you know that the difference between the exterior and interior temperature affects the air conditioner and the electricity bill? The cold breeze you want to enjoy in your house will cost you more because most of it finds its way outside. Make sure that your home is well insulated to save money on energy bills and reduce your impact! Additionally, check your air conditioning ducts to see if they are faulty, blocked, or disconnected. A faulty duct cannot move cool air through your home as excellently as it is supposed to do. This means that you will pay more for air that is escaping. I suggest getting the system fixed by professionals such as 24 Hour AC Repair.

Use Energy Efficient Appliances

Consider replacing the most energy-intensive appliances with better, efficient energy models. This will help you cut your energy cost by almost half! If you decide to buy an appliance, try to compare the cost of buying to its annual functioning cost. Remember that energy-efficient appliances might have a higher purchase price, but their operating costs are usually lower. Also, when purchasing these energy-efficient appliances, check for energy star labels. This is a guarantee that the product will consume less energy when in use than when on standby!

Use LED Lights

LED lights have the potential to change the future of global lighting. Most LED lights use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent lighting. Buying LED lights can be costly; however, the energy efficiency and high durability tend to make up for the extra costs. Make sure that you replace the old incandescent bulbs with LED to save energy.

Wash Your Laundry in Cold Water!

Today, detergents work the same way in both hot and cold water. And by just switching from hot to cold and reducing the average loads per week, you will be able to cut on energy costs. You can use hot water only when you want to disinfect your clothes; however, I have found that using tap cold makes your clothing last longer too.

Use Natural Light

Instead of turning on the lights during the day, open your curtains and use sunlight! Such an easy way to save energy. Alternatively, you can make the most out of the sunlight using bright décor ideas, like tactically placing mirrors on the wall. Additionally, whenever you leave a room, make sure that you turn off the lights. Make this a habit, and you can save a lot of money on your monthly energy bills.

Try Solar Power

Using solar-powered systems can significantly reduce your energy bills and save you money. Having solar panels means that your home will be using the sun to provide electricity at all times, except during rainy seasons. You will only have to pay for electricity when the sun is not shining or during thunderstorms.

The Bottom Line

There are many other ways of saving energy at home. For instance, you can install energy-efficient windows, use a smart meter, unplug unused devices and spend less time in the shower. The above energy-saving tips will help you save money on energy bills, increase your property’s value, and protect the environment, hence reducing your carbon footprint. Give it a try!

Love,
Jenna ♥

Why I Love My Bearaby Tree Napper Weighted Blanket: A Review!

Posted on April 15, 2021November 14, 2021

Hey earth muffins! Today I have another sustainable product review for you all. Bearaby, an eco-friendly weighted blanket company, was kind enough to send me one of their blankets to test out. This “Tree Napper” blanket not only has an adorable name, but is also such a great weighted blanket! Before I get into the Bearaby review, I want to quickly discuss some benefits. Weighted blankets are totally underrated in my opinion; I definitely want to share my thoughts with you all! 😊

A picture of a Bearaby Tree Napper weighted blanket on the couch

What are the benefits of a weighted blanket?

According to the Bearaby weighted blanket guide, using a “heavy” blanket increases melatonin and serotonin while reducing cortisol. Melatonin helps us sleep; serotonin is nicknamed the “happy hormone”. Cortisol is our main stress hormone, which can cause us anything from low energy to anxiety depending on how much is in our body. With increased levels of these “good” hormones and decreased cortisol, the result is less stress, better sleep, and more joy. Other benefits range from alleviating anxiety to supporting the elderly as they sleep!

I’ve personally heard many great things about weighted blankets for anxiety and insomnia before I heard about Bearaby. I have shared my personal experiences with anxiety on this blog from time to time, so I was excited to try out a blanket that could ease my mind at night! If you are interested in learning more about weighted blankets outside of this Bearaby review, I highly suggest checking out their guide, as they cover many details for anyone interested.

What I Love About My Bearaby Blanket

A picture of a Bearaby weighted blanket in its cloth bag packaging

Obviously, I love that this is a sustainable company! I specifically picked their cooling weighted blanket because it is made of a material called Tencel. This biodegradable fabric is awesome – I will be discussing more about it in the section below. Like other reviews, you all know I love to talk about packaging… And Bearaby’s did not disappoint! The blanket itself came in a huge cardboard box which I was able to recycle. Inside the box it is wrapped in a cloth bag that can be used to transport it around later (especially when moving). The blanket was tied up like a cute cinnamon roll – they used a scrap piece of fabric to secure it together. So great that plastic was avoided!

The weight is also perfect in my Tree Napper. Bearaby recommends that you pick a blanket that is 10% your body weight. I weigh 115 pounds, but the lowest weight you can get is 15 pounds. When I got it, I was a bit concerned that it would feel too heavy… But it doesn’t at all! I typically sleep on my back (like a vampire as my boyfriend says), so adding an extra blanket was no problem. I’d like to also note that the weight is evenly distributed and didn’t get moved around in the washing machine. I can assume cheaper quality blankets have issues with the weight getting messed up.

A picture of a Bearaby weighted blanket rolled up

How Bearaby’s Tree Napper Blanket Helps Me Sleep

This Tree Napper blanket keeps me the perfect temperature. I feel like people assume a weighted blanket makes you hotter in bed. But, I have found it keeps me at a great body heat. This specific Bearaby blanket is designed for cooling at night, so if you are a hot sleeper I would suggest trying this one out! 😴 I personally would rather be colder than hot, so it is perfect for me!

The best part about my Bearaby blanket is that it helps my anxiety. I’ve always been an anxious person; I tend to wake up in the morning with my mind racing with work to-dos. Since I started using the Tree Napper, my mind isn’t racing as much in the mornings. While I still have certain days where it does happen, I’m amazed that a blanket can help with my anxiety! Definitely had to mention that in this Bearaby review.

What is Tencel?

Like I mentioned above, I love this blanket because it is made from a material called Tencel. According to the material description on Bearaby,

“Made from natural eucalyptus fibers, TENCEL™ Lyocell is silky soft, with a lustrous sheen and smooth, cool-to-the-touch feel. Made from sustainably grown Eucalyptus pulp using no irrigation or chemical fertilizers, Tencel is 100% biodegradable and the most sustainable fabric on earth. It’s more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk and cooler than linen.”
https://bearaby.com/products/tree-napper

In my own research, Good on You labels it as “good” on the sustainability scale because it requires less energy and water than cotton. It is also white when produced, which requires less dye in the production process. Overall, I love that this blanket is ethical and sustainable!

Things To Improve On

A Bearaby review post would not be complete without me mentioning the price. As I say in many of my sustainable product reviews, it is pricier than the average product. The Tree Napper costs $269, which can seem high when shopping around for weighted blankets. However, this is a high quality product that is made with biodegradable materials. They have slighly cheaper blankets ($249) and ones for kids that are only $149. I’m always willing to pay a little bit more for a product that is made by a company that truly cares about the planet… But I just had to mention the price for those who are a bit more budget conscious!

I think it is also good to mention that a weighted blanket, in general, can be hard to wash. My apartment complex only has top-loading washing machines with agitators in the middle. Even on the permanent press cycle, the blanket still managed to get itself wrapped around the pole – it took me quite some time to remove it from the washer! 😆 While not the fault of Bearaby at all, just be warned that a weighted blanket can be a challenge in the laundry room.

Overall, I absolutely love my Tree Napper weighted blanket! The Tencel fabric is sustainable and awesome, and I love that it helps me with my anxiety. While it is on the pricier side, I always suggest paying more for a product that will last. Much better than buying cheaply made items that will end up in the landfill after a few years. I am excited to continue using this product and highly recommend you all check out Bearaby as well! Have you ever tried a weighted blanket? Thanks for checking out my Bearaby review!

Love,
Jenna ♥

A Collective Haul – My Recent Eco Friendly Bargain Finds

Posted on April 13, 2021August 16, 2023

Hey earth muffins! Like I mentioned in my recent decluttering post, I have been deep cleaning my apartment and getting rid of a lot of things. With this, I decided to purchase some clothes for the spring; I was also given a $100 Amazon gift card from work a few months ago. I’ve slowly been purchasing items, so I thought I would share a large collective haul with you all today. I’m so excited to use all of these, so let’s jump right into the post!

ThredUp Spring Clothes ($44.03)

Surprisingly, this is the first order I’ve ever placed on ThredUp! It is one of the most popular online thrift stores; however, I was always worried that clothes wouldn’t look good on me without trying them on first. While ThredUp allows you to easily return items, this causes more shipping impact to the environment. But, I am trying to avoid in-person thrifting as much as possible until I get the vaccine; I figured now was the time to try ThredUp out! There are a bunch of great finds on ThredUp. I highly suggest knowing what brands you are looking for, as it is easier to filter that way when shopping. I would also recommend adding everything you might purchase to your cart. It will then be saved for 12 hours which can prevent others from purchasing it. In total, I purchased the following pieces:

A picture of a bunch of clothes purchased on Thredup, an online thrift store

-Tommy Hilfiger Yellow Sweater (XS, $7.99)
-Edme & Esyllte Maroon Top (4, $11.99)
-Chenault Halter Top (S, $8.99)
-Eddie Bauer Tank (S, $7.99)
-Lucky Brand Denim Button Down (S, $10.99)
-Universal Thread Button Down (XS, $4.99)

I am super happy with how everything fits me! My order included a LOFT shirt as well, but it came with a big black stain on it. I was able to send it back in the same package it came in with a full refund for site credit. I will definitely be shopping at ThredUp again and highly recommend you all give it a try as well! 😊

100 pack, Astra Razors (Amazon Affiliate Link, $9)

These razors were on my eco-wishlist post a few months ago. Since I had a gift card, I just had to buy them to stock up! Switching to a safety razor is still to this day one of the best sustainable swaps I have made. Shaving with one is easy, and it gives me a better shave. While the razor blades tend to last a long time, this refill pack will last me many years!

“Perfect Fit” Buttons (Amazon Affiliate Link, $6)

I saw a YouTuber talk about these and knew I had to get them. They are pins that allow you to modify where the button is on your pants. 😯 Especially when thrifting, jeans are usually a tiny bit too big on me. I personally don’t like wearing a belt; so, this is the perfect solution! I love that this pack comes with a bunch of different colored apatterned buttons. It allows you to match whatever pant you need to give it that perfect fit. For only $6, this is a must-buy in my opinion!

5 pack, Humble Co. Bamboo Toothbrush (Amazon Affiliate Link, $9)

In the past, I used an electric toothbrush that I had from before my eco journey. When I went to re-buy the recyclable heads, they were out of stock… So, I thought it would be a good time to try out a bamboo toothbrush for the first time! The handles are completely biodegradable, just rip out the bristles when done! I might do a review post or a post comparing the environmental impacts of an electric toothbrush to a bamboo one; look out for those in the future! I also want to mention that I bought a new Dental Lace Floss container (affiliate link). I was gifted a set of this floss and wrote a review post a couple of months ago. It is absolutely amazing! Sadly, I dropped the glass container at my parent’s house and it completely shattered. 😬 So, I bought a new one and will be much more careful with the glass container this time.

3 pack, Bamboo Dish Brushes (Amazon Affiliate Link, $13)

A picture of a bamboo dish brush sitting on a stainless steel kitchen sink

A few years ago I bought a bamboo dish brush, which is a great way to zero waste your kitchen! I bought a pack of three to replace that one. The handles are bamboo and the bristles are made of sustainable materials. Two of them have sisal bristles, and one has tampico. To ensure they last as long as possible, I suggest making sure they aren’t sitting in water and can dry!

Green Oversized Plaid Shirt (FemmeLuxe, Gifted)

A picture of a girl wearing a sage green plaid jacket from FemmeLuxe

While I don’t often work with fast fashion companies, I worked with FemmeLuxe at the start of quarantine. They gifted me this cute sage green plaid shirt that is thick enough to wear as a jacket on a cool spring or summer evening. I tend to get cold easily, so I will be wearing this a bunch in the upcoming months.

Baby Blue Lounge Pants (FemmeLuxe, Gifted)

A picture of a girl wearing pastel blue loungepants from FemmLuxe

The last time I worked with FemmeLuxe I only received loungewear pieces. I have been wearing leggings and sweats almost every day (thanks to working from home)… And these are such a cute addition to my collection! The pastel blue color is perfect for spring; plus, it reminds me of Cinderella for some reason. Maybe I just miss Disney World…

BeauVibe Reusable Cotton Pads (Amazon Affiliate Link, Gifted)

The lovely BeauVibe company reached out and sent me some reusable cotton pads to review on my Instagram. These are such a great swap in the bathroom! They can be used for taking off makeup, putting on toner, and even cleansing your face. I personally think it is a great idea to have one side white and one side black. This prevents your makeup from staining the reusable pads!

Overall, I’m happy with the purchases I have been making these past few months. I found some awesome eco products on Amazon, which allowed me to spend that gift card from work. ThredUp was a success as well. I can’t wait to buy from the online thrift store again! What have you been purchasing lately?

Love,
Jenna ♥

Will the Startling COVID Pandemic Stop the Sustainability Movement?

Posted on April 8, 2021November 14, 2021

Hey earth muffins! It is hard to believe that the pandemic has been going on for over a year now. With Mister Corona impacting everyone’s lives, we saw many changes to our world. Some good: less car traffic, more working from home, spending time with family in lockdown, getting the chance to evaluate what we want our lives to be. Others were not so good: increased takeout waste, single use masks and other pandemic gear, stores increasing the amount of single use plastics on their products. With these changes, it is hard not to think about how the eco movement will be impacted once the pandemic is over. Will COVID stop the sustainability movement?

A mask thrown on the ground after the pandemic

Why The Eco Movement is Here to Stay

For many earth muffins, it has been difficult to be as eco-friendly during the pandemic. Bulk stores aren’t open or do not allow reusables. Grocery stores don’t allow reusable bags. There is an increase is plastics (and single-use plastic) in packaging for products and takeout. However, I do not think the pandemic will stop the sustainability movement.

Those who cared about the sustainability movement before will care after.

Firstly, people who were dedicated before the pandemic will go back to their eco ways after it. The pandemic is only a short term roadblock. I personally think that many of these people, myself included, will be more eco-friendly after. I will be more passionate after the pandemic because I realize how much I miss using my reusables! Even in terms of avoiding germs, it seems a lot better to be the only person to touch my reusable bag versus many people touching the plastic/paper bag during checkout. If you take a look at my list of top sustainability influencers, no one has stopped caring about the planet because of the pandemic!

New folks will be joining the cause!

I am also hopeful that our time in lockdown has introduced new people to the eco movement. The increase in single use items (from utensils to masks) has made it obvious that we are trashing our planet. How often do you see a mask lying on the side of the road? In my walks around the city, I see quite a few. I am hoping other people take notice of the influx in single use items… And want to reduce their impact. Sounds like a new earth muffin to me!

In addition, many of us have been spending a lot of time in lockdown. With all this free time, many people are watching Netflix, reading, and spending time online. I am hopeful that people have stumbled upon an eco documentary or one of my favorite books on sustainability or articles about pollution online. Plus, when people are bored they often find things to get angry, annoyed, or opinionated about… Maybe the sustainability movement will be this new topic for some folks!

It helped identify the companies that actually care about the sustainability movement.

As I discussed in my post about greenwashing, many companies pretend to care about the planet. Once the pandemic hit, many brands quickly switched back to their old ways. While they might have done this in fear to stay afloat, it definitely shows that they don’t care enough about the planet to stick with their sustainable goals in a world crisis. This reduces the amount of greenwashing research you have to do when deciding if you want to support the company or not. It is important to support companies that still care about Mother Earth during the pandemic.

To summarize, I do not think the COVID pandemic will stop the progress we have made in the sustainability movement. There have definitely been challenges from single use masks to increased plastic on foods that don’t need it. But, those who cared about the sustainability movement will continue to care (even more so) once the pandemic has settled down. With extra time to discover and learn, we might have some new earth muffins too! Lastly, the pandemic has helped us identify which companies to support after; the eco movement isn’t going anywhere!

Did COVID stop the eco movement pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥

How Living with Someone Now Has Influenced my Sustainable Journey

Posted on April 6, 2021November 14, 2021

Hey earth muffins! If you have been following this blog, you know that I moved in with my boyfriend last summer. Before that, I was living by myself in the apartment I rented for school. I wasn’t supposed to have that whole place to myself, but my closest friend was my roommate until she graduated in December… And then she couldn’t find someone to sublet. It was pretty nice to have the whole place to myself while stud y ing for the CPA exams! After spending a few months living alone, moving in with my boyfriend was 1) awesome but 2) took a toll on my sustainable journey. Living with someone who isn’t as eco-friendly as you can impact your own environmental journey; in today’s post, I will be sharing how living with my boyfriend has impacted mine!

~It requires some compromise on things.

As my boyfriend isn’t as eco-minded, we often have different views on things. He prefers “normal” paper towels while I like my Natissy reusable ones. These different mindsets lead to compromising. He hated bar soap in the bathroom, so we switched back to liquid in the bathroom but bar soap in the kitchen. We still have both types of paper towels on hand. Because of his sensitive skin, we still use Tide pods for laundry instead of an Eco egg or soap nuts. Living with someone requires compromise regardless if you are on an eco journey or not. While it might feel like I am taking a step back in certain areas of the apartment, it is important to remind yourself that every small change has an impact! Plus, you might be surprised at what your partner is open to. Once we get an actual house, my boyfriend is onboard with getting a bidet attachment, which was exciting to say the least. 😊

~There is more temptation to not be as sustainable when living with someone.

Because my boyfriend isn’t as eco-friendly, he doesn’t think twice about ordering takeout or buying a bunch of stuff online. If he is stopping somewhere (McDonald’s McFlurries are one of his faves), he will ask me if I want anything… And I often say yes. Being tempted to create plastic waste, especially with takeout, often makes me feel guilty. Eco guilt is definitely a real thing! To try to combat this temptation, I designated Friday as our takeout night. The other nights of the week I meal plan and cook, which helps reduce food waste. Living with someone definitely has more temptation to be lazy and revert to my old ways of not living sustainably.

A picture of someone reading a book about sustainability in the bathtub

~You need to remind yourself why you are on this journey!

As I said above, living with someone who isn’t as eco-friendly can create temptation to be less sustainable. I’ve found that it is super helpful to constantly remind myself why I’m on my eco journey. Then, I am less likely to give into that temptation! Life of an Earth Muffin is a great reminder, as I spend a lot of my time writing posts, sharing eco content, and thinking about sustainable topics. I’ve also found it helpful to read eco books from my library, especially new ones that come out. Check out this list of my favorite ones! If you aren’t into reading, there are a ton of documentaries that can inspire and remind you why you decided to be more sustainable in the first place. If you check out the Books & Movies board on my Pinterest, I’m always pinning environmental suggestions!

~Allows you to share the “why”.

It might seem like there are a bunch of negatives to living with someone who isn’t as eco-friendly; but, I love that I am able to share this journey with someone who is quite new to it all. Instead of trying to get your partner to make all the same swaps you made, it is important to share why you are doing it. Explain the impact food waste has on the environment if sent to the landfill. Talk about the effects of plastic and how easy it is to swap out certain items. Set an example and show them that your life is better with reusable, eco-friendly options! For anyone on an eco-journey it is important to share the message with those around you… So, this is a great place to start!

Summary of How Living with Someone Has Impacted My Journey

Living with my boyfriend is great. We no longer have to do long distance and can focus on growing as a couple now that we are in the “adult world” together. Because he isn’t as eco-friendly, I’ve had to compromise and resist temptation to progress in my eco journey. Whenever I feel like I’m getting lazy or not caring as much about sustainability, I find that reminding myself of the “why” is helpful in making me passionate again. I am hopeful that by leading with example, I will (slowly) make my boyfriend care about the environment as much as I do… Which will help us grow even more! How has your eco journey been impacted by the people you live with?

How living with someone has impacted my eco journey pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Love,
Jenna ♥