Posts by Karmen Flores

11 Sustainable, Organic & Vegan Vitamins To Try in 2024

Image: Wild Nutrition
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The Best Sustainable & Organic Vitamins and Supplements

When it comes to your health, of course, you want the very best. Not just for you, but also for the planet. Looking for vitamins and health supplements can be daunting and difficult as most companies lack ingredient traceability and full transparency on their sustainability efforts. Don’t worry though, this list of 11 sustainable vitamin and supplement companies will make your shopping that much easier! Of course, always consult with your doctor before starting or making any adjustments to your health regimen.

What to look for when shopping for vitamins and supplements

Sustainable Packaging- Many companies package vitamins in plastic bottles which are usually recyclable but not always. You must remove all labels and since some are unable to be removed, they’re often not recyclable. Additionally, small plastic bottles cannot always be recycled due to falling between sorting facility equipment. Always check your community recycling guidelines to ensure any recycling materials are the correct size and material so it doesn’t contaminate the load. If you can opt for companies that use glass, post-consumer recyclable plastic, or compostable pouches.

Ingredient Traceability- Where your vitamin ingredients come from matters just as much as your food. Look for USDA organic or non-GMO certifications along with vitamins that don’t use fillers, synthetic ingredients, additives, colorants, and additional sweeteners.

Comprehensive Testing- You don’t want to waste money on products that haven’t been tested for purity or potency. Reputable vitamin companies stand behind their products with third-party testing that ensures their efficacy and quality.

Our Favorite Sustainable & Organic Vitamin Brands:

1. Wild Nutrition

Wild Nutrition is a B Corp Certified vitamin company that strives to create products with purpose. The vitamins available range from everyday essentials to kids and men, and you can even shop by your specific health goals.
Also, as part of their nutrition-forward approach, you can book a consultation call with one of their verified nutritionists to talk about your specific health concerns. Wild Nutrition's packaging is made with the Earth in mind as they use plastic-free refill pouches, recyclable glass jars, and biodegradable materials.

The company also tried to source its materials and ingredients locally whenever possible. Wild Nutrition works with non-profits like One Tree Planted and Oceans Generation to further the community impact.

Shop Wild Nutrition Sustainable Vitamins

2. Form Nutrition

Form Nutrition is built on the principle that you can be your best self while being mindful of others. The products range from supplements and nootropics to protein powders. All of their products are vegan and free from gluten, GMOs, and soy. Take the Form quiz to determine the best vitamins and supplements for your goals that work together to help you feel your best.

If it all sounds too good to be true, you can also research the claims for each product with the provided published medical journals with scientific data on each product page.

Form Nutrition provides lots of information and frequently asked questions so you can feel confident in your purchase. Additionally, every purchase helps support the Form Feeding Fund which provides food, pharmaceuticals, and transportation for patients at Bansang Hospital in The Gambia. Not only is Form Nutrition B Corp Certified, but all packaging used is compostable and recyclable. The vitamins are packaged in glass bottles, and the protein powders use compostable pouches and no wasteful plastic scoop required, just a tablespoon you already use.

Shop Form Nutrition Sustainable, Vegan Vitamins

3. New Chapter

New Chapter has been committed to social and environmental responsibility for decades.

As a certified zero waste to landfill company, more than 80% of the waste produced is composted, recycled, or reused.

You can shop the diverse selection of vitamins and supplements by key ingredient or health need.

Since New Chapter believes in the science of quality ingredients working together, all products are free from binders, fillers, artificial colors, and flavors with zero added sugars or sweeteners.

New Chapter is a Certified B Corporation and takes the time to select product suppliers carefully to ensure the most socially responsible and environmentally conscious supply chain possible. They have also started to embrace regenerative agriculture to help restore the land needed for growing crops. As a company that is devoted to wellness, New Chapter recognized the need for active diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their team features an employee-led DEI committee that helps ensure the company accurately represents the world they serve with their products.

Shop New Chapter Sustainable Vitamins

4. Mind Body Green

Mind Body Green believes in science-based holistic well-being and recognizes that we need help to optimize our health in a modern world. The product line goes beyond your average supplements, and all their products are organic where possible.

If you want to get more greens into your system or support your body with more everyday nutrients, Mind Body Green has everything from immunity boosters to focus supplements. All the products undergo four rounds of comprehensive testing to ensure quality and potency.

Mind Body Green is also dedicated to sustainability in its packaging with recycled packing materials and the use of recyclable glass jars and bottles.

Shop Mind Body Green Sustainable Vitamins

5. Plant People

Plant People creates doctor-formulated, regenerative-organic, plant and mushroom supplements that unlock the potential in people. Their products are non-GMO, cGMP, vegan, and junk-free (parabens, sulfates, fragrances, etc.).

They are also B Corp Certified and Climate Neutral Certified, and they plant a tree for every product sold! Their WonderCalm is a daily super mushroom and herbal gummy to ease stress and anxiety, promote a good mood, and provide a sense of relaxation when you need it most.

It includes ingredients like L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Reishi, and Rhodiola in a gummy with the delicious flavor of ripe peach.

Shop Plant People Sustainable, Vegan Vitamins

6. HUM Nutrition

HUM Nutrition is on a mission to be the leader in beauty nutrition. HUM Nutrition products are vitamins created to help you glow from the inside out for skin, nails, gut health, prenatal, or immunity. The products are triple tested for purity, made in the USA and Canada, and verified by independent labs for potency with clinical testing and studies. All packing materials are sustainable by using ocean-bound plastic bottles that are fully recyclable and shipped in boxes made from SFI and FSC certified materials using wind energy. HUM is also safe for many dietary needs as they contain no artificial sweeteners, gluten, or GMOs.

Shop HUM Nutrition Sustainable Vitamins

7. The Nue Co.

The Nue Co brings together science-backed health and natural innovation for their vitamins and supplement products. You start with a consultation to determine a personalized plan created by Nue Co’s health experts to target your specific health concerns. There are monthly subscription options to keep the vitamins flowing, or you can make a one-time purchase. All vitamins are organic, vegan, and gluten-free where possible and always cruelty-free. The Nue Co only uses clinically-proven ingredients and blends practices from Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.

The formulas used are sustainably sourced, organic when possible, and don’t use additives, artificial flavorings, or sweeteners but instead focus on results. All packaging is recyclable, the primary American lab uses solar energy, and 1% of online revenue is donated to Charity: Water. The Nue Co wants human health and the Earth’s health to thrive and prosper because they believe it is all intrinsically connected.

Shop The Nue Co. Sustainable, Vegan Vitamins

8. Garden of Life

Garden of Life is a Certified B Corp, LEED-certified, Carbon Neutral, and all product ingredients are traceable via a third-party for USDA organic certification and Non-GMO project verified.

Garden of Life also prioritizes packaging sustainability with 100% recyclable packaging with vegetable ink and uses post-consumer recycled plastic. In addition, their supplements and vitamins focus on whole foods and use only the ingredients your body really needs without additional fillers.

Shop Garden of Life Sustainable, Organic Vitamins

9. Herbaland

Herbaland specializes in gummies that are sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan, and non-gmo.

In addition, there are multiple vitamin lines to cover your essential vitamins, specialized supplements, active health, and even a collection specially made for kids!

Herbaland Gummies are made in Canada and committed to creating products that are good for the Earth’s health and yours. With 100% compostable pouches, Herbaland is on track to have fully sustainable packaging by 2023.

Ingredients are sustainable and locally sourced raw materials tested by independent third-party companies.

Herbaland is also 100% carbon neutral and is partnered with Veritree to plant one tree for every vitamin pouch purchased

Shop Herbaland Sustainable, Vegan Vitamins

10. Further Food

Further Food is a women-owned company that is taking steps to be a leader in the health industry by combining ancient medicine with modern nutrition.

On staff are naturopathic doctors, herbalists, holistic nutritionists, and health coaches to create well-rounded nourishing products.

Specializing in collagen powders with superfood blends and health supplements, all Further Food products are made with whole food ingredients.

Target your health concerns and shop by health goals from stress support to sugar detox or immunity-boosting supporting elderberry syrup; you will find a blend of Eastern medicine and Ayurveda, as well as modern science. In addition, Further Food is the first company to offer collagen packaged in post-consumer recycled jars and shipped in recyclable envelopes.

Shop Further Food Sustainable Vitamins

11. Vital Plan

Vital Plan aims to recreate the supplement industry and do so responsibly and consciously.

From preventative health to restorative health, Vital Plan offers a lot of choices for health supplements.

Using comprehensive testing and inspections by reputable third-party companies, creating quality products while upholding the highest social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency is a family business for Vital Plans.

A father-daughter duo created Vital Plans and recognized that good health is only as good as the planet we have to enjoy it on.

As a result, vital Plans is B Corp Certified, supports 1% For the Planet, and EWG certified.

Shop The Vital Plan Sustainable Vitamins

About the Author

Karmen Flores is a creative entrepreneur based in Michigan. Karmen shares all about plant-based and sustainable, intentional living on her blog Karmen Collective. From recommendations for all things plant-based to tips for living more sustainably, Karmen makes living with intention less intimidating and more accessible. You can connect with Karmen on Instagram @karmencollective and at www.karmencollective.com

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A Guide to Sustainable Tea & Five Sustainable Tea Brands to try

If you’re an avid tea drinker like me, your daily tea is a great place to make a difference in your sustainable habits. I enjoy iced matcha tea lattes in the mornings and usually prefer herbal or mint tea in the evenings to unwind. The way most people cherish their coffee breaks is how I savor my cups of tea. When I found out how problematic the tea industry can be I knew I needed to find brands that share the same values for people and the planet.

As the second most consumed beverage in the world and increasing commercialization due to demand, the tea industry has become filled with unsustainable practices like wasteful packaging, worker exploitation and environmental destruction. However, it doesn’t have to be this way and there are tea companies out there committed to a sustainable business model. To make it easier for my fellow tea and planet lovers, I did the research for you and put together a guide for what you need to know about sustainable tea consumption and some great companies to check out!

What makes tea sustainable?

There are a lot of opportunities to make tea consumption more sustainable from the way tea leaves are grown and sourced to how they’re packaged. Many industrial tea companies use heavy machinery when harvesting tea and destroy the surrounding land in the process. Tea from organic tea leaves, grown without the use of pesticides, direct relationships with farmers and thoughtful packaging will be easy ways you can recognize more sustainable tea companies.

What to look for when shopping for sustainable tea?

There are four key values to keep in mind as you make your tea shopping more sustainable. Just by having conscious consideration to the sourcing, packaging,resources and ingredients can make a big difference.

While sourcing the high quality tea, look for companies with close relationships with their farmers. Direct sourcing, or close to it, will help you avoid industrially cultivated tea and be more traceable with their supply. It will also guarantee that what is being advertised is what actually makes it into your tea and not just a strategically marketed product.

When looking at packaging, loose leaf tea decreases the carbon footprint considerably since it cuts out the production for tea bags and the need for individual product packaging. It also eliminates the need for string, staples, inks, and adhesives. Not to mention, loose leaf tea will be fresher and better quality. Look for tea packed in reusable and recyclable containers like tins or backyard compostable packaging.

The resources used to produce the tea like solar power, energy efficient buildings and carbon emission offset policies are all feasible ways companies can make their production more sustainable. Conscious companies will ensure the resources used to produce the tea do not destroy the environment in the process or pollute the nearby communities.

For the actual tea ingredients you want to look for loose leaf tea that is organic and fair trade. This will ensure your tea is made from high-quality ingredients and harvested by workers being paid a fair wage in a safe work environment. Choosing organic is important with tea because if any pesticides or herbicides are sprayed on the tea plants, the first time the leaves ever get washed will be when you steep the leaves in your cup. Those chemicals are not what you want to be drinking with your delicious tea. If you do not see the organic or fair trade label on the packaging, not all is lost. These certifications are not the end all be all, especially in the tea industry. Any company that shares these values will be transparent and proudly share about their production on their website. Keep reading for a list of companies I already researched for you.

What are some sustainable tea brands?

1) The Tea Spot

Why this company is great: Founder Maria Uspenski used loose leaf tea as part of her cancer recovery and created The Tea Spot to provide high quality tea to others. It is a B Corp certified company and they donate 10% of all profits to cancer survivors and wellness programs. In addition to their loose leaf tea selections, they also have individually packaged pyramid sachets. However, they are made with plant-based, compostable and biodegradable materials. Not all teas are organic but they are labeled so you know which is certified organic.

Teas To Try: Organic Lights Out, Organic Meditative Mind, Organic Clouds and Mist

2) Arbor Teas

Why this company is great: As a small family-owned business, Arbor Teas is USDA Organic and Fair Trade certified while offering a wide selection of loose leaf teas. Their packaging is fully backyard compostable and they offset carbon emissions with CarbonFund.org. Their website is so comprehensive and transparent providing direct actions they take for sustainability from sourcing to shipment.

Teas To Try: Organic Dragon Well Green Tea, Organic Peach Rooibos, Organic Masala Chai Black Tea

3) Rare Tea

Why this company is great: Rare Tea is a small London-based company offering a variety of small-batched loose leaf teas that only works with fully sustainable farms. They pay the costs associated with having the tea checked for quality, which is usually the responsibility of the farm. This allows small farms that cannot afford or don’t have access to the organic or fair trade certification procedures the same opportunities as large industrialize farms Rare Tea even started their own Rare Charity, which re-invests a percentage of the revenue from Rare Tea sales into the education for young people connected to the Satemwa Tea Estate, a small farm in Malawi.

Teas To Try: Recovery Tea, Rare Nepalese Cherry Blossom, Chinese Iron Goddess Oolong

4) Rishi Tea

Why this company is great: Rishi Tea is an independently owned company that works directly with the farms they obtain their organic teas from. While they offer both loose leaf tea and tea in sachets, their sachets are plant-based and biodegradable making them more sustainable than most individually wrapped tea options.

Teas To Try: Chamomile Medley, Everyday Matcha, Earl Grey Supreme

5) Young Mountain Tea

Why this company is great: Young Mountain Tea works closely with Indian and Nepali communities to raise the quality of their tea. This empowers them to earn more and the formerly abandoned farms and unsafe fields are becoming areas with 90% women farmers achieving financial independence. Additionally, the packaging is high quality so it can be reused and repurposed to reduce waste. Most of their tea is organic certified.

Teas To Try: Organic Darjeeling Ruby Oolong, Organic Kumaon White, Organic Darjeeling First Flush

Sustainably Chic | Sustainable Living Blog | The Best Sustainable Teas | Zero Waste Tea.jpg

How can I make preparing my tea more sustainable?

By choosing loose leaf tea, you eliminate a lot of packaging waste. Also, be mindful of water use by only heating the amount of water needed for your pot or cup of tea helps to conserve water. Keep your tea in an air-tight container away from light and heat to prolong freshness and quality. Re-steeping your tea leaves is a great way to make your tea last longer and many tea makers believe tea is best after the second or third steep. While the world of teaware is filled with beautifully handcrafted pottery and tea pots, the mug you already have works just as well! However, if you need a few accessories to make your steeping easier, here are some reusable items that are helpful for your sustainable tea enjoyment!

Rare Tea Glass Teapot

The clear glass allows you to view the tea as it brews and includes a strainer to catch most tea leaves as you pour.

Rare Tea Overcup Strainer

To help catch tea leaves while pouring fresh brewed tea.

Everest Tea Tumbler

For taking your loose leaf tea on the go!

Tea Infuser

If you prefer to steep your loose leaf tea right in your cup without straining

Japanese Washi Tea Tin

For storing your teas, these air-tight containers are beautiful and functional.

About the Author

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The Best Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Wedding Tips

Planning a wedding is an exciting but overwhelming time in your life. While it is a joyous time celebrating with all your closest friends and family, it can be hard to make sustainable choices for a crowd. Did you know the typical wedding creates about 400 pounds of garbage?* Yes, as a result of one single day and with approximately 2.5 million weddings occurring in the United States each year, that is a lot of waste going into landfills.

So how do you plan for the special day you’ve always envisioned while also respecting the planet and not losing your sanity with all the details?

Most waste typically occurs from wedding decor for the venue and from food waste. To limit the amount of waste from decorations, look for a venue that fits your vision without needing a ton of styling. Whether inside or outside, it can be worth it to find a space that matches the aesthetic of your day, without requiring lots of decorations. If you do need additional decor, try using rental services instead of buying decor to limit the amount of waste created. This will cut down on things you need to purchase and single-use items. If rental services don’t have what you’re looking for, check your local thrift shops or resale websites. Brides are often trying to offload leftover and reusable decor, which will be more Earth-friendly than buying it brand new.

To help minimize food waste, be sure you provide guests ample time to rsvp so you can provide an accurate guest count to your caterer. Additionally, selecting a caterer that specializes in local and seasonal menu offerings can help ensure a smaller carbon footprint and support your local communities. You can also contact your local food banks to find out how your leftover food can be put to good use. Most only accept non-perishable donations, but depending on your food and local organizations, it could be a good way to help those in need.

Natalie, the founder of Sustainably Chic, rescheduled their wedding 3 times during the pandemic. They used Minted’s recycled paper for their change of dates. Their final date ended up being 4.22.22.

Sustainable Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations may seem like they can be wasteful as it’s likely more paper waste will be thrown out. However, many brides are opting to make their invitations virtual to be more efficient and reduce waste and cost, but if you don’t want to forego traditional invitations altogether, don’t worry because there are still options! You can find invitations that use sustainable materials and inks that are eco-conscious. Check out the following companies for sustainable wedding invitations!

Minted

Minted has gorgeous premade designs or you can work with an independent designer for your unique style. Most invitations are available on sustainable 100% post-consumer waste, FSC-certified paper and manufactured using a carbon-neutral process with wind power. Minted also has other select wedding paper goods so you can cross off more items on your to-do list in one stop.

2. Artifact Uprising

A company best known for its photo albums and printing, Artifact Uprising also offers 100% post-consumer waste cards and stationery. While Artifact Uprising doesn’t currently offer full invitation suites, there are save the dates, thank you cards, and beautiful photo album options that utilize sustainable paper.

3. The Knot

A common resource for brides, The Knot, offers many of its invitation styles on 100% post-consumer waste paper. So if you are already working with The Knot or it is more convenient for your wedding planning, you still have easy access to a sustainable option.

4. Botanical Paperworks

Specializing in seed paper, Botanical Paperworks creates biodegradable paper products of all kinds for weddings and events. Seed paper is made from post-consumer materials and wildflower, herb, or vegetable seeds that can be planted in a pot or into the ground. From wedding invitations and place cards to confetti, seed paper is approved to be planted in many countries and does not contain any invasive species. You can also order seed paper by the sheet if you plan to print your invitations locally.

5. Paper Culture

All Paper Culture products are created from sustainable materials like 100% post-consumer recycled paper or bamboo. Paper Culture actively offsets the carbon footprint with carbon credits and plants a tree with every order to help restore areas needing reforestation. Paper Culture offers free designer assistance or if you have a creative eye, you can upload your own design to print on one of the sustainable materials offered.

6. Greenvelope

If you are looking for a virtual invitation, Greenvelope is known for saving couples time, money and trees! Each invitation opens with a sleek animation and provides guests all the details with clickable links to make their experience easy and excited for your day. Greenvelope also makes it easy to track RSVPs, collect addresses, and includes dozens of templates and personalization options.

Sustainable Wedding Jewelry

Picking out your wedding jewelry can be a major expense for your wallet and the planet. It is becoming more well known that traditional diamond mining can be unsafe for workers and is very destructive to the environment. The easiest way to make your wedding jewelry more sustainable is to select lab-grown gemstones or diamonds from reputable sustainable jewelry companies. Lab-created stones offer the same beauty as conventional stones but are instead created in a lab using cutting-edge technology replicating the natural process. With a shorter supply and production chain, jewelry made with lab-created stones are also less expensive. It’s a win-win for everyone! Check out these sustainable wedding jewelry companies specializing in ethical engagement and wedding rings!

Clean Origin

Clean Origin ensures their hand-picked selections are ethical and gorgeous. Available in a variety of shapes and colors, Clean Origin specializes in lab-created diamonds and only sells stones that are independently verified and graded for quality using the same scientific standards applied to mined diamonds. In addition, clean Origin offers free resizing, lifetime protection, and financing options. With dozens of jewelry styles and designs available, the Clean Origin mission is to provide diamonds without compromise.

2. VRAI

VRAI creates diamonds that require zero mining and zero carbon emissions, as the company is Carbon Neutral Certified. VRAI allows you also to design your own engagement ring, and all pieces are made with recycled solid gold. VRAI diamonds are graded by GIA Certified Gemologists and are backed by a full lifetime warranty. Additionally, all packaging is made from 100% recyclable, compostable or reusable materials. Aside from rings, VRAI carries a variety of jewelry like necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

3. Aurate New York

Aurate is based in New York and strives to change the jewelry industry. Aurate uses only sustainably sourced materials, all gold is 100% recycled, and pearls and precious gems are sourced from family-run establishments supporting local communities. You can choose between lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds, depending on your preference. Since there are no import taxes, no unnecessary middlemen, and pieces are made-to-order, Aurate jewelry is much more affordable than conventional jewelry.

4) Miadonna

This is actually the brand Natalie & Travis went with for their wedding bands. Natalie fell in love with the Paris Vintage Stackable Band. It went perfectly with her vintage Pearl engagement ring! Travis went for the Canyon Men’s Wedding Band but in an 8mm Satin Hammer Yellow Gold. They both turned out absolutely beautiful, and they couldn’t be happier. MiaDonna uses only lab-grown diamonds and recycled metals to create all of their collections. They even have an in-home try-on service if you are undecided!

for your wedding gown, visit this post - here - & also find more engagement ring options - here -

Wedding Registry Tips

When putting together your wedding registry, think twice before scanning just any kitchen gadget or knick-knack you don’t have. Once you make a list of items, you and your partner actually need, look for companies that make these items in a sustainable way. This is a great way to expose others to more sustainable options and fill your home with items you genuinely love. If you already have the items you need, consider a honeymoon fund instead, where your guests can contribute to making your first trip as newlyweds memorable! Check out the list below for some sustainable registry resources!

Made Trade Registry

For ethical and sustainable goods, Made Trade is your one-stop shop! Shopping with Made Trade guarantees you will support artisans and small businesses instead of corporate chains. Made Trade has everything from furniture to home goods and operates just like a standard gift registry at a big box store.

2. Everlastly

Everlastly is a conscious registry service for couples. They use what they call their Evergrade system and break down the sustainability for each item. While not all items on their website are fully sustainable, it does provide you with the information to decide accordingly. Everlastly also offers cash registries so you can start a home or honeymoon fund to go with your itemized registry.

3. HoneyFund

If you and your partner already have the items you need for your home, allow guests to make a donation toward your honeymoon using HoneyFund. This lets friends and family give the gift of an experience you’ll never forget. Spend some time looking up activities, restaurants, or hotels in your destination that you both want to try and create a customized list of experiences that guests can choose from. This helps them feel part of your celebration and learn more about your exciting adventure ahead.

4. The Good Beginning

If you’d prefer guests to donate to a charity in your honor instead, The Good Beginning allows you to set up a charity registry for guests to make their donations. This still provides guests with a registry experience while supporting your wishes.

Sustainably Chic Founder, Natalie & Her Beautiful Bridesmaids

Wedding Party Gift Ideas

When thinking of thank you gifts for your wedding party, consider covering the cost of hair or makeup services, tuxedo rental, tailoring costs, or other expenses that come up when being a part of the wedding. If you want to provide them with a physical gift as a token to remember the day, look for companies that fully support your sustainability mission. Here are some ideas for sustainable wedding party gifts!

Prosperity Candle

Prosperity Candles are made with all-natural soy and coconut waxes with pure cotton and wood wicks. The fragrances are made with essential oils without dyes. Prosperity Candle is B Corp Certified, and all ingredients are made in the United States. All packaging can be repurposed or recycled, and once your candle is complete, you can reuse the jar.

2. Ana Luisa

If you’d like to gift jewelry to your wedding party, Ana Luisa makes ethical jewelry your bridesmaids can wear on your wedding day and every day after. They offer engraving if you’d like to personalize a piece and have a variety of styles, so you will be able to find something to match everyone’s personality. Ana Luisa is Climate Neutral Certified, Carbon Neutral Certified, and only works with certified partners that also maintain strict ethical work environments.

3. cozy earth

If you want to gift your girls cute sleep or loungewear, Cozy Earth has several options made from soft, bamboo. It’s the classic ‘get ready’ look for the morning of the wedding. Plus, they pride themselves on the responsible production of all their products!

We recommend using Wrappr (use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for 20% off) instead of buying disposable wrapping paper. This brand has been inspired by the Japanese art of Furoshiki, which is over 1200 years old. Their organic cotton gift wraps come in many different prints (& sizes) anyone would be excited to receive a gift in! Since the recipient will get to use the fabric again, it’s like giving two gifts at once.

“I gifted my bridesmaids candles from Prosperity Candle wrapped by reusable fabric from Wrappr, along with vintage tea cups and toiletries (for the wedding weekend) placed in old jars. I also let them pick whatever dress they wanted to wear in hopes they could use it again in the future. I truly have the best friends in the world & they looked absolutely stunning.” - Natalie, founder of Sustainably Chic

Wedding Ceremony & Reception Tips

There are many parts of a traditional wedding day that you can choose to skip like favors, expensive florals or confetti send-offs. However, if you don’t want to miss out on certain traditions, there are still sustainable ways to celebrate!

In lieu of traditional wedding favors, opt for an edible gift like personalized cookies, popcorn for a late night snack after dancing or something plantable like a seed packet that your local pollinators love. You could also provide guests with the recipe to the specialty wedding cocktail you served with a sweet note from you and your partner. In lieu of favors completely, some couples use this money to make a charity donation to their favorite cause, usually in honor of a loved one who has passed and unable to attend.

Wedding flowers are expensive no matter what season you get married, although it does help to select varieties native to your area and in bloom during your wedding season.

After your event, don’t let your flowers go to waste. You can donate arrangements to a local senior center or hospital. This will be sure to bring more people joy, don’t forget to call ahead and find out any specific protocols for drop off and arrange ahead of time.If you don’t have time to deliver, consider gifting your flower arrangements to the venue staff or guests so they can continue to be enjoyed after your special day.

Instead of fresh flower arrangements, look into some alternative options like wood, faux or dried flower arrangements. These arrangements will last a long time and can be kept as a keepsake for you, your wedding party or any one else you want to gift them to after your event.

Finally, avoid plastic or foil confetti, rice, or other earth contaminants if you are planning a formal exit. Using biodegradable materials will prevent any littering and ensure animals don’t mistakenly eat something harmful. There is plantable paper and biodegradable confetti available or create your own from paper scraps. An alternative option would be to use strips of upcycled fabrics tied to wooden dowels for guests to wave as you make your exit as newlyweds. These look great in photos and you can reuse them at another event or let guests keep them.

Tips from the Founder of Sustainably Chic, Natalie Kay Costello

“Since we just had our wedding 4.22.22 (after it was rescheduled 3 times), I wanted to share some of the sustainable wins we had planning this 125+ person wedding! I will write a more in-depth post on our wedding, but I wanted to include a few of my favorite things here.

More Candles, Less Flowers

We did have flowers at our wedding, but it was minimal for the space. Instead, I wanted things to be more romantic, so we used many candles on the tables. Since I was a young girl, I’ve loved the Phantom of the Opera and found the perfect candelabras at a local antique store which instantly reminded me of the musical. We have been lugging them around to 3 different homes since having canceled our original wedding date 4.18.20. I can not believe how beautiful they were with a mixture of dried and fresh florals.

ReUse Before Buying New

From my wardrobe to our cake knife, we tried to use what we had - not just from a budget standpoint, but because we knew this event only happened once; why buy something new if we can avoid it? Our cake knife was from my parent’s wedding, my getting ready outfit was a vintage Victoria Secret robe and my great grandmother’s slip, my ceremony dress was a sample dress off the rack, my reception dress was made from my mother’s wedding gown (which she also made herself), and we went with a wedding planner who stocks up on decor to be reused at multiple weddings. My niece even used the basket I had used as a flower girl when I was a little!

Glassware & Buffet Style

We had every intention of staying plastic-free, but we ran out of glasses towards the end of the wedding and had to switch to plastic. We were also unaware we had to let the caterer know we wanted to keep all the food leftover at the buffet, so only part of it was packed for us at the end. So learn from my mistakes - over OVER order on glassware (because we did over-order) and let them know you want to keep ALL the leftover food.

Of course, not everything was sustainable about our wedding, and I would never tell anyone to stress it. It’s one of the best days of your life, and if there is something that will add significant value to your day, then you should do it <3”

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Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Throw Pillows

Our home is an extension of ourselves and our beliefs so when you are looking to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, naturally, you want to incorporate sustainable pieces whenever and wherever possible. Often overlooked parts of the home are accent pieces like throw pillows. However, it is worthwhile not to skip over this part of your home decor. For decor or comfort, adding in sustainable throw pillows will elevate your space in a way you can feel good about.
If you are looking to decorate your space, check out why sustainable throw pillows matter and 10 brands for the best eco-friendly throw pillows to accent any room.

Why do sustainable throw pillows matter?

Throw pillows or accent pillows are often made with synthetic materials, which are not eco-friendly. This also means these fabrics are treated with chemicals like formaldehyde. If you are using these pillows around your home, and you or your children are laying on them, you want to know they are safe. You don’t want to look around your home wondering if there are hidden toxins or if there were poor labor conditions required to decorate your home.

What materials are sustainable throw pillows made from?

When shopping for sustainable throw pillows, you will want to look for fabrics like cotton or linen. These natural materials are known for being eco-friendly and if you can find organic cotton, that is even better. Cotton is usually treated with chemicals so to ensure the least amount of contaminants possible, organic cotton is usually best. If an item isn’t listed as organic, Oeko-Tex certification is another label to look for. This certification is one of the world's best-known labels recognizing textiles tested for harmful substances.

how to shop for sustainable throw pillows

Home decor is often marketed seasonally with a push to buy new and buy more every few months. One way to reduce consumption is to purchase throw pillow covers so you only have to switch out the cover, not the whole pillow. This is also a great way to save on storage space! Since throw pillows are made from textiles, which is an industry know to treat labor workers poorly, look for companies that are Fair Trade Certified. If not certified Fair Trade, there are still companies that care about the artisans they work with and develop partnerships to ensure they are paid well and in safe work conditions. A quick search of a company’s website should reflect this as it is something many companies are proud of and important to their brand values and mission. From living room to reading nook, if you’re looking for a way to spruce up a room or cozy up your space, these sustainable 11 throw pillow options offer something for everyone!

our favorite places to find sustainable throw pillows:

1) Sabai Design

This BIPOC-owned brand uses recycled velvet & upcycled polyester to create their throw pillows - even the fibers inside the pillow are made from recycled plastic bottles! Choose from either a square or lumbar size and 13 different colors. It’s the perfect way to add a pop of color to any couch or chair in your house.Sabai also offers couches, love seats, ottomans, and many other gorgeous interiors – made sustainably and ethically in North Carolina.

Shop Sabai Design

use code **SUSTAINABLYCHIC** for $20 off your first order of $150+ at madetrade.com

2) Made Trade

Made Trade is always a one-stop-shop for ethical home goods. As a women-owned and family-run company, shopping sustainably is easy. You can sort by specific values, like POC owned, Fair Trade, and Vegan. Made Trade is Climate Neutral certified, Fair Trade certified, and donates to 1% For The Planet. Since Made Trade sources from multiple brands, there is a style for everyone from bold and graphic to modern and neutral. They offer sustainable throw pillow covers and inserts.

Shop Made Trade

3) Coyuchi

Coyuchi is a brand committed to people, organically grown, and designed with intent. All of their cotton is organic and GOTS certified. They also value regenerative agriculture and partner with White Buffalo Land Trust to pave the way for better global farming practices. Coyuchi also upholds conscious processing and offers circular initiatives and reusable packaging while offering a transparent supply chain for workers and the products. The throw pillow covers and inserts from Coyuchi are all made with organic materials. The calming neutral hues will add a grounding warmth to your room.

Shop Coyuchi

4) West Elm

West Elm makes it easy to shop by conscious values, which is super convenient as a conscious consumer. West Elm is FSC-Certified, GREENGUARD certified, Better Cotton certified, and currently 60% of product sales support at least one of the sustainability initiatives. They partner with their artisans, support small businesses, and are a part of Fair Trade USA. Since West Elm is a larger retailer they offer dozens of styles, colors, and textures that will suit any style and home.

Shop West Elm

5) The Citizenry

Thoughtfully designed, ethically crafted, and globally inspired is the mission for The Citizenry. They have direct partnerships with the artisans so they can offer the highest quality products without the highest price tag since there is no middleman and less overhead cost. They pride themselves on producing in small batches and supporting their artisans to grow their businesses with grants and fair wages. With a variety of sizes, shapes, textures, and colors, if you are looking for a new accent pillow for your space, The Citizenry offers beautiful options in a blend of textures and natural tones.

Shop The Citizenry

6) Minna

Minna collaborates with artisans from Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Uruguay, and Bolivia. These partnerships provide fair wages and safe working conditions for workers. All handmade pieces are made from thoughtful production using sustainable materials, factories, and small-batch productions to ensure the highest quality of goods. They also honor the traditional techniques created from years of craft expertise and collaborate to create the designs. All the pieces are thoughtfully curated using organic, recycled, and natural materials. Minna throw pillows are created to bring a cozy ambiance to your space!

Shop minna

7) Anchal

If you love bold geometric patterns and color, you will absolutely fall in love with Anchal's throw pillows. A nonprofit social enterprise that addresses the exploitation of women, Anchal uses several sustainable fabrics in their collection, including GOTS cotton.

Made by an Artisan in Ajmer, India, the Multi-Check Pillow shown here is Fair Trade Verified and features hand-embroidered Kantha stitching. They also offer lumbar size pillows to complete your look.

Shop Anchal

8) Soil to Studio

The Soil to Studio mission is to empower the families behind the craft, preserve local craftsmanship and continue to create sustainable livelihoods. All artisans set their own wages and fair trade practices remain at the core of their partnership. The handmade pieces from Soil to Studio are unique and made from weaving, block printing, embroidery, and other time-honored techniques. The charming patterns provide the promised “quiet luxury” that is sure to brighten your space. You can buy Soil to Studio throw pillows with or without the inserts.

Shop Soil to Studio

9) Zuahaza

Zuahaza translates to “my sister” and they embody collective sisterhood. This women created and led company strives to connect women from across Colombia to create unique products that reflect our diversity, history and dreams. Created with organic cotton, natural dyes and handmade by Colombian artisans, Zuahaza values culture and craft.The Zuahaza throw pillows offer cozy and colorful designs that represent the lively Colombia culture.

Shop Zuahaza

10) Shades of Green

Shades of Green provides a modern and cozy aesthetic without compromising sustainable practices. All their products are evaluated on a “green” scale and undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure full transparency. Each handmade piece helps preserve and support rural artisan communities. All of the Shades of Green packaging is also recyclable and sustainable. The textures and natural color palettes of their throw pillows will complement any room!

Shop Shades of Green

11) Parachute

Parachute is a women-owned company that is known for high-quality essentials Their materials are all Oeko-Tex certified so you don’t have to worry about harmful contaminants. For their bedding products, they work with family-owned factories in Portugal, or some basics are made in America. The clean, modern aesthetic from Parachute derives from thoughtful design and versatility. You can purchase pillow covers and inserts separately.

Shop Parachute

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A Simple Guide to Greenwashing

When you see a product advertised as sustainable, natural, non-toxic, or organic, you instantly feel good about buying it, right? Advertising companies know from research, the majority of people want to support eco-friendly products and brands. However, what happens when marketing teams prey on this sustainability mindset for profit? Greenwashing happens.

What is greenwashing? Let’s talk about it!

an example of greenwashing in fashion where t-shirts are being labeled as good for the planet when the rights & health of workers are being ignored. see why a t-shirt should never be $5.

What is Greenwashing?

Greenwashing is a marketing strategy that falsely represents a company's or product's sustainable efforts. Greenwashing creates the illusion that a company does what is best for the planet and people; however, most don't follow through with their claims. According to a report by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing, 95% of green-labeled products are actually greenwashed.

Greenwashing occurs in various ways, so how do you tell if the claims are legitimate or empty promises? Here are some red flags to watch out for!

1) Environmental Imagery

Companies are often found to simplify their packaging and feature natural-looking textures, materials, leaf-themed motifs, and green-toned elements. This attracts the shopper’s eye because it appears to have a more natural appearance, but it tricks the consumer into thinking the product is automatically eco-conscious.

2) Vague Catchphrases

Advertisers commonly pair environmental imagery with phrases like “100% natural” and “non-toxic” and other vague phrasing. Be aware these phrases are not strictly regulated by any authority or organization, like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and typically have no bearing on what’s in the product.

3) Bait and Switch

Companies will claim a product is made of sustainable materials, which might be true, but the rest of their business is not. Often companies will use low-cost manufacturers with illegal labor wages and allow poor working conditions to increase profit margins associated with sustainably sourced products. They bait the consumer into buying their product with sustainable claims but don’t apply the sustainability business model through their entire company.

4) Irrelevant Claim

When a company advertises that products are free of specific toxins or chemicals, but those same ingredients are already illegal, this is an irrelevant claim. They shouldn’t be using these substances, to begin with, so they shouldn’t need to be advertised. This tactic further confuses customers into buying products that are only doing the bare minimum.

5) Forced Fallacy

When given two options, people usually choose the option most beneficial to them, right? Companies are guilty of tricking customers into believing they are making a better choice with a greenwashed product when in reality, both choices are equally unhealthy. For example, with organic cigarettes vs. conventional cigarettes, both are harmful to someone’s health.

Examples of Greenwashing

There are many documented cases of greenwashing, but some examples are commonly referenced and formally addressed by authoritative organizations.

The Malaysia Palm Oil Council advertised itself as eco-friendly in a 2008 tv commercial. They stated their plantations “give life” and “help the planet breathe.” However, critics cited palm oil plantations are a cause of mass rainforest destruction and ecosystem disruption. The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority determined it was in violation of advertising standards.

Similarly, the Royal Dutch Shell company led the public to believe their oil sands development was “sustainable” despite no evidence. Due to the inability to show any sustainable practices with facts, the U.K Advertising Standards Authority also agreed this was false information and was greenwashing the public to favor their destructive construction.

In 2006, American Spirit lost a lawsuit that forced the company to remove the organic labeling from their cigarettes. Researchers found these claims were misleading customers, and all tobacco companies have since been banned from using any related terminology due to their products’ unhealthy nature.

Why Does Greenwashing Matter?

Even though greenwashing makes sustainability more visibly mainstream, it damages genuine environmentally-friendly companies and products. Greenwashing allows customers to believe they are making ethical and sustainable decisions while contributing to the harm they want to avoid. Greenwashing creates an illusion of sustainability and is highly counterproductive to the sustainability movement. Household cleaners, cosmetics, and children’s products are the most commonly greenwashed items. This is alarming because those are also the most frequently purchased products. In addition, 8 out of 10 consumers stated they care about sustainability and would pay more for sustainably-made products. While this is excellent news for our planet and future generations, it also makes conscious consumers an easy target for greenwashing.

How to Avoid Greenwashing?

Now that we know how to identify greenwashing, how do we prevent being fooled? Thankfully in more recent years, the FTC is starting to be more strict with green initiative marketing and providing marketers guidelines. They most recently updated their Green Guides in 2012, which provide information specifically for companies regarding their environmental advertising.

As a consumer, there are some easy ways to tell what companies and products are actually sustainable and following through on their claims.

1) Be Skeptical

Read labels with skepticism and know that you can’t trust fancy marketing and product design.

2) Know Certifications

Get familiar with global certifications and national certifications in your area. Some commonly recognized logos are Certified B Corp, the Leaping Bunny Program logo, Green Seal, and Rainforest Alliance. The Ecolabel Guide app is also an excellent resource for looking up what a certification label stands for and if it’s legitimate. Read more about certifications here.

3) Avoid Generalizations

“Chemical-free,” “organic,” and “natural ingredients” are very broad terms and can be applied to anything. Look for companies providing more specifics on their products. “Certified fair trade, USDA organic, GOTS certified,” etc.

4) Look for Facts

Before purchasing products, do a quick google search on the company. Check for news articles about potential controversial claims or press releases on sustainability efforts. This information is usually able to be confirmed with reputable sources.

5) Visit the Company Website

Any company that claims sustainability and is doing the real work will have this information proudly displayed. They will be able to explain their processes in detail, why it matters to their company, and be able to provide specifics on how their initiatives are benefitting the planet.

Don’t forget your voice matters. Let companies know you find their greenwashing practices problematic. You can get involved by sending a company an email to a company you see using greenwashing. You can even use this easy copy-and-paste email template.

Greenwashing is everywhere, so don’t worry if you accidentally fell victim to false claims at one point. Just by knowing greenwashing exists is half the battle. By reading this article, you are now already more informed and less likely to be manipulated by “green” advertising in the future.

Karmen Flores is a creative entrepreneur based in Michigan. Karmen shares all about plant-based, sustainable, intentional living on her blog, Karmen Collective. From recommendations for all things plant-based to tips for living more sustainably, Karmen makes living with intention less intimidating and more accessible. You can connect with Karmen on Instagram @karmencollective and at www.karmencollective.com