Who else is just a few organizing sprees away from their dream home? There are few chores as fulfilling (and as frustrating) as tidying up clutter and finding space for our various knick-knacks. (We’re looking at you, bills, blankets, and buttons.) To upgrade your home into a more eco-conscious and plastic-free space, we’re sharing organizational options you can use, from rattan boxes to recycled crates.

Take a look and see what might work best for your needs—you might actually look forward to your next deep-cleaning session. If you’re moving towards reducing your waste, check out our guides to creating a zero waste kitchen and a plastic free beauty routine!

1. Wooden Crates

Try | Etsy
Best For | Toys
Price Range | Starting at $16 for wooden crate

Looking for something sturdy yet aesthetically pleasing? We love Etsy’s platform which offers reclaimed wooden crates. By purchasing from these eco-conscious sellers, you’re investing in small businesses and repurposing goods which might otherwise be wasted. Plus, recycled crates are easy to pull together for a seamless look, and affordable enough to stock up with. Check out ArtfulHorizon and Reclaim & Refurbish.

2. Canvas Bins

Try | Verishop
Best For | Blankets
Price Range | Starting at $62 for large basket

Perfect for any bedroom, living room, or playroom, canvas bins are an ideal way to store larger items, like blankets or quilts. Verishop offers storage bins that come equipped with handles for easy use, including ones designed specifically for children’s spaces. Elevate the look of any room with these stunning canvas options.

3. Glass Jars

Try | Hay Container
Best For | Kitchen & bathroom goods
Price Range | Starting at $30 for glass container

If you’re interested in a better way to organize smaller goods, check out Hay’s glass jars. Multi-purpose and practical, they make sorting easier, keep dry goods (like spices) fresh, and are ideal for any plastic-free home. With Hay’s varying sizes and colors, you can craft a long-lasting glass storage collection that works for any cluttered counter or closet.

4. Baskets

Try | Minna
Best For | Home office & entry
Price Range | Starting at $30 for small baskets

Minna’s ethically woven baskets look beautiful no matter where they’re placed in your home. They’re our go-to for everything from plants to magazines to umbrellas. Available in a number of sizes, you can also mix and match for your organizational needs.

5. Rattan Boxes

Try | West Elm
Best For | Media & magazines
Price Range | Starting at $15 for small woven box

Native to tropical regions across Australia and Africa, rattan is a durable material that can withstand a little weight. That’s why we love West Elm’s rattan boxes for media & magazines or paper filing. Combining form and function, they’ll last a long time. Best of all, these boxes are handwoven, relying on methods that have been around for generations. Add some artisan work to your home.

The post 5 Recycled & Plastic-Free Storage Items For Your Next Tidying Day appeared first on The Good Trade.

The next time you’re clearing out your closet, consider making a few extra bucks while ensuring your clothes end up in a good home by selling online. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the process, we’ve broken it down for you. Below are our top tips for selling clothing online, complete with the best platforms, pricing suggestions, and how to get paid.

Best Platforms For Selling Used Clothing

From Poshmark to Depop to good old eBay, every resale site has its specialty. Dive into the differences between five of the most popular resale sites here—below is an overview of a few of our favorites.

1. Depop. With an Instagram-like interface, Depop, geared toward a more Gen-Z crowd, is easy to use and has tens of millions of users around the world. You take your own pictures and make your own listings, and Depop takes a 10% cut of sales prices. 
2. Poshmark. Super user-friendly, Poshmark makes it easy to upload and sell used clothing and more. They take a flat $2.95 fee for items under $15, and 20% for anything over.
3. eBay. A tried-and-true online favorite, eBay makes it easy to sell your used clothing independently, taking up to a 12.35% cut.
4. The RealReal. Have some high-end pieces you’re looking to offload? The RealReal specializes in designer consignments, and you’ll earn up to an 85% commission.

How To Choose Which Clothing To Resell

Be both picky and realistic when it comes to which clothing items you choose to list. If an item has a stain or a hole, it might not be resellable. But many buyers are more than willing to accept an imperfection as long as the item comes at a steep discount. Be sure to photograph and describe the damage in the listing, or you might have an unsatisfied customer and not get paid for the item.

Keep in mind trend cycles, too—it’s much harder to sell an item that went out of style a few years ago (like a peplum top) than a more classic or trendy piece. Price outdated or unbranded clothes lower for a better chance of selling. 

Some items, on the other hand, will sell a whole lot quicker, like items new with tags, things from popular brands, and classic pieces that never go out of style—think blazers, pencil skirts, button downs, trousers, and little black dresses.

How To Create A Listing

1. Photos. A decent photograph can mean the difference between an item that sells and one that doesn’t, and you don’t need much for the perfect shot—just a plain background and your phone’s camera. Try to model your clothes yourself to give buyers an idea of what the item might look like on them, but nicely hanging or flat laying the item works in a pinch. Shoot in bright, natural lighting, and make sure your background isn’t cluttered. Take at least four shots of every piece—front, back, detail, and tag. And iron the pieces beforehand if needed!

2. Details. Provide as much clear detail in the listing as possible, like measurements and any defects. Think about what you as a buyer would want to know—for example, you’d probably never buy a pair of jeans that didn’t have waist and hip measurements.

3. Pricing. Competitive pricing is the best way to stand out on crowded reselling platforms. As a rule of thumb, price clothing for no more than 50% of what a new, comparable item would go for. Most used clothing sells for around 25% to 40% of what it would be new. Do your research to look at competitors’ prices if you need more guidance. Keep in mind the quality of the item, and expect buyers to make slightly lower offers, too. Remember, those percentages are off of what the new price would be today, not what you originally paid for it.

How To Get Paid For Sold Clothing

Congrats, you sold your first item! It’s time to ship it out to the buyer ASAP for a better chance at a good review. Each selling platform has its own shipping process, but usually, it’s along the lines of packing the item in a box you already have, then putting the shipping label that the platform emails you onto the box and dropping it at the post office. Consider adding in a handwritten thank you card for an even better chance at a good review.

You’ll get paid as soon as the buyer receives the item. Typically, your funds go to an in-app account, from which you can transfer them to your bank or use the money to shop the platform. Buying second-hand rather than new will help support sellers like you!

Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!

The post Everything You Need To Know About Selling Your Used Clothes Online appeared first on The Good Trade.

Fast fashion is a design, manufacturing, and marketing method focused on rapidly producing high volumes of clothing. Fast fashion garment production leverages trend replication and low-quality materials (like synthetic fabrics) in order to bring inexpensive styles to the end consumer.

“Fast fashion is harmful to the environment, garment workers, animals, and, ultimately, consumers’ wallets.”

These cheaply made, trendy pieces have resulted in an industry-wide movement towards overwhelming amounts of consumption. This results in harmful impacts on the environment, garment workers, animals, and, ultimately, consumers’ wallets.

Read below to better understand the fast fashion movement’s history, context, and impact—and check out our list of 35 Sustainable Clothing Brands Betting Against Fast Fashion for ethical alternatives.

A Brief History of The Fashion Industry

Up until the mid-twentieth century, the fashion industry ran on four seasons a year: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Designers would work many months ahead to plan for each season and predict the styles they believed customers would want. This method, although more methodical than fashion today, took away agency from the wearers. Before fashion became accessible to the masses, it was prescribed to high society, and there were rules to be followed.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that a well-timed marketing campaign for paper clothes proved consumers were ready for the fast fashion trend. This resulted in the fashion industry quickening its pace and lowering costs. 

“Nowadays, fast fashion brands produce about 52 “micro-seasons” a year—or one new “collection” a week leading to massive amounts of consumption and waste.”

However, it wasn’t until a few decades later, when fast fashion reached a point of no return. According to the Sunday Style Times, “It particularly came to the fore during the vogue for ‘boho chic’ in the mid-2000s.”

Nowadays, fast fashion brands produce about 52 “micro-seasons” a year—or one new “collection” a week. According to author Elizabeth Cline, this started when Zara shifted to bi-weekly deliveries of new merchandise in the early aughts. Since then, it’s been customary for stores to have a towering supply of stock at all times, so brands don’t have to worry about running out of clothes. By replicating streetwear and fashion week trends as they appear in real-time, these companies can create new, desirable styles weekly, if not daily. The brands then have massive amounts of clothing and can ensure that customers never tire of inventory.

While brands like H&M, Topshop, and Zara have been the brunt of overproduction complaints, even luxury brands measure growth by increasing production. According to Fast Company, “apparel companies make 53 million tons of clothes into the world annually,” and the amount has surely increased since the article’s original release in 2019. “If the industry keeps up its exponential pace of growth, it is expected to reach 160 million tons by 2050.”

Is Fast Fashion Bad?

Many people debate what came first: the desire for fresh looks at an alarming rate or the industry’s top players convincing us that we’re behind trends as soon as we see them being worn. It’s hard to say, but there is no doubt that we thirst for the “next best thing” every day of our consumer-driven lives. (“10 Things I Hate About You,” anyone?)

Yet, with this increased rate of production and questionable supply chains, corners are inevitably cut. Clothing is made in a rushed manner, and brands are selling severely low-quality merchandise. There isn’t enough time for quality control or to make sure a shirt has the right amount of buttons—not when there is extreme urgency to get clothing to the masses.

The fast-fashion manufacturing process leaves a lot to be desired, and pieces are often thrown away after no more than a few wears. The same urgency that throws quality out the window also keeps the costs of these garments incredibly low. Companies like Topshop and Fashion Nova are greatly concerned with their bottom line and are banking on the “ocean of clothing” they churn out for profit. 

These brands earn millions of dollars while selling pieces cheaply because of the sheer number of items they sell, no matter the cost or markup. And garment workers are undoubtedly being paid well below the minimum wage. In the documentary “The True Cost,” author and journalist Lucy Siegle summed it up perfectly: ”Fast fashion isn’t free. Someone, somewhere is paying.”

“Fast fashion isn’t free. Someone, somewhere is paying.”

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Moral lines get blurred, however, when factoring in how much more accessible and size-inclusive fast fashion can be. Ethical fashion advocates have worked hard to unpack this complicated narrative, but the cost and exclusive-sizing are still barriers for many.

The Human & Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion

All of the elements of fast fashion—trend replication, rapid production, low quality, competitive pricing—have a detrimental impact on the planet and the people involved in garment production. 

Brands like Boohoo, for example, use toxic chemicals, dangerous dyes, and synthetic fabrics that seep into water supplies, and, each year, 11 million tons of clothing is thrown out in the US alone. These garments—full of lead, pesticides, and countless other chemicals—rarely break down. Instead, they sit in landfills, releasing toxins into the air. Fast fashion’s carbon footprint gives industries like air travel and oil a run for their money.

“Many of us are familiar with the news about Nike sweatshops, but they’re just one of the many fast fashion brands violating human rights for the sake of fashion.”

In addition to environmental impact, fast fashion affects the health of consumers and garment workers. Harmful chemicals such as benzothiazole—linked to several types of cancer and respiratory illnesses—have been found in apparel on the market today. As our skin is the largest organ of the body, wearing these poorly made clothes can be dangerous to our health. 

This danger only increases in factories, towns, and homes where fast fashion is made. For example, according to the Environmental Health Journal, conventional textile dyeing often releases “heavy metals and other toxicants that can adversely impact the health of animals in addition to nearby residents” into local water systems.

The health of garment workers is always in jeopardy through exposure to these chemicals. And that doesn’t even take into account the long hours, unfair wages, lack of resources, and even physical abuse. Many of us are familiar with the news about Nike sweatshops, but they’re just one of the many fast fashion brands violating human rights for the sake of fashion. The people who make our clothes are underpaid, underfed, and pushed to their limits because there are few other options. Instead, we can proactively support garment workers and fight for better conditions and wages.

Qualities of Fast Fashion Brands

Here’s how you can spot fast fashion brands when shopping online or in-store:

• Look for rapid production, are new styles launching every week?

• Look for trend replication, are styles from a particular brand cheaply made versions of trends from recent fashion shows?

• Look for low-quality materials, are fabrics synthetic and garments poorly constructed, made only to last a few wears?

• Look where manufacturing is taking place, is production happening where workers receive below living wages?

• Look for competitive pricing, is new stock released every few days and then discounted steeply when it doesn’t sell?

The Rise of Slow Fashion

“It’s encouraging to know that there are brands, communities, and individuals out there fighting for the planet and the safety of garment workers.”

Although the fashion industry as a whole is guilty of committing many crimes against people and the environment, it is most evident when it comes to fast fashion. Society’s obsession with consumerism may make it hard to quit, but better options are out there. 

Slow fashion offers an alternative, with mindful manufacturing (sometimes including vertically integrated and in-house production), fair labor rights, natural materials, and lasting garments. It’s encouraging to know that there are brands, communities, and individuals out there fighting for the planet and the safety of garment workers.

By buying garments from responsible brands, speaking up for social responsibility and accountability, and going through secondhand shops, we can ensure agency and that we’re advocating for the environment and others. 

Audrey Stanton was born and raised in the Bay Area and is currently based in Los Angeles. She works as a freelance writer and has an exciting venture of her own in the works! Audrey hopes to continue to spread awareness of ethical consumption.

The post What Is Fast Fashion, Anyway? appeared first on The Good Trade.

In the last few years, we’ve been extra thoughtful about what we use to clean our spaces. We prefer to avoid harsh cleaning products, like bleach, and keep a critical eye on the ingredients in our household products.

Instead, we opt for naturally derived, nontoxic, and biodegradable cleaning products made using sustainable manufacturing practices. These natural and eco-friendly household cleaning brands are conscious of your family’s health and the earth’s well-being. Many of these companies also give back to communities and social causes; some even offer zero waste and refill options. You can find these goods at large retailers, natural grocery stores, zero-waste shops, or online.

Want to make cleaning products at home? See our guide to DIY cleaning formulas, so you know each and every ingredient! And clean your clothes, too, with these natural and organic laundry detergents.

Best Overall | Refillable Packaging | Compostable Packaging

1. Grove Collaborative

Natural & Organic | Yes
Best For | Home delivery & refill shipments
Eco-Friendly | Certified B Corp, sustainable materials, reusable packaging, carbon-neutral shipping, plastic-neutral
Gives Back | Charitable partnerships with environmental causes
Price | Varies; $4.99 flat-rate shipping for orders under $49; $2.99 Supply Chain Fee is added to each order as well.

Grove Collaborative is re-thinking what it means to maintain a clean home with natural products. The company offers a multitude of household, personal care, and cleaning product subscriptions, from multi-surface cleaners to pet stain removers. The range includes the Grove Collaborative label, as well as other natural brands we love (i.e., Mrs. Meyers, Method). Whether you’re opting for one-time delivery or want to set up a recurring shipment, Grove has all the natural cleaning products you need in one place—and with carbon-neutral shipping. How’s that for lowering your carbon footprint and waste?

2. Thrive Market

Natural & Organic | Yes
Best For | One-stop shop for natural & organic household cleaners
Eco-Friendly | Certified B Corp, carbon-neutral, low waste practices, only stocks biodegradable, recyclable, & vegan cleaning products
Price | Varies; Membership is $60/year or $12/ month

For a destination marketplace and membership-based service carrying all of our natural and organic favorites, Thrive Market is our go-to (you can read more about how it works in our Thrive Market review). Find affordable eco-friendly brands like Seventh Generation, Truce, and Dr. Bronner’s here—without the carbon footprint! You can refine your search based on the type of cleaner you need, ethics, or natural ingredients. Memberships start at just $12/month for wholesale priced items, while also providing one to a household in need. (Psst—Thrive Market makes a great Amazon alternative if you need home products).

3. Dropps

Natural & Organic | Yes
Best For | Laundry & detergent pods
Eco-Friendly | Compostable packaging, carbon-neutral shipping, plastic-free, locally made in USA
Price | $26 for 64-count Dishwasher Detergent Pods; discount with subscription

Before Tide came out with its pods, Dropps released its laundry detergent pods back in 2005! Today, this conscious brand carries everything you need for clean clothes and counters, with its laundry and kitchen essentials. These green cleaning products are made with only eco-friendly, mineral-based ingredients and packaged in compostable packaging. Dropps’ products are third-party tested and have even won the EPA’s Safer Choice Products of the Year—so it’s safe, sustainable, and squeaky clean in every way. Check out our Dropps review for more!

4. Blueland

Natural & Organic | Yes
Best For | Zero-waste cleaning kits
Eco-Friendly | Biodegradable nontoxic formulas, recyclable & refillable packaging, water- & single use plastic-free, Climate Neutral & Cradle-to-Cradle Certified
Price | $56 for Blueland Clean Essentials Kit

Blueland is a nontoxic household brand showcasing the power of clean, green formulas. Blueland products are water-free and low-waste, with refillable packaging you can use again and again. To start, choose from its line of foaming hand and dish soap, laundry detergents, home cleaning formulas, or its discounted bundles. The Clean Essentials Kit, for example, has more than 6,000 positive reviews and contains four reusable bottles and a set of refills. Enjoy free, carbon- and climate-neutral shipping and a 60-day guarantee, or your money back.

5. Puracy

Natural & Organic | Yes
Best For | Doctor-developed, baby-friendly products
Eco-Friendly | Biodegradable formulas, locally made & sourced, recyclable & refillable packaging
Gives Back | Donates to initiatives serving local families & children
Price | $9.99 (starter set); $11 for 3-pack refill

Puracy, based out of Austin, Texas, guarantees effective and pure cleaning formulas, free of any harsh chemicals. The revolutionary cleaning cans are made from recyclable aluminum rather than single-use plastic, and it takes just 10 seconds to pop a new can into your eco-friendly spray bottle. The result is a powerful yet natural surface spray in refreshing scents (green tea, Iime, organic lemongrass) that is both sturdy and leak-proof. Plus, when Puracy says products are made in the USA, the brand means it: The packaging features drawings from local artists and the brand sources materials from across America. The graphic design comes from CT, and product photography is from fans all over the country.

6. Common Good

Natural & Organic | Yes
Best For | Refillable products
Eco-Friendly | Refillable packaging, sustainably sourced, 100 percent essential oils, biodegradable
Price | $79 for Common Good Set

Common Good was launched in 2010 as a response to the lack of reusable packaging, so all of its cleaning products come in recyclable plastic or glass packaging—either of which can be refilled at any of the brand’s refill stations worldwide or online. Discounted subscriptions are also available. The green, child- and pet-safe, and minimally packaged items range from lavender All-Purpose Cleaner to bergamot Hand Soap; consider the scents a sweet finish to your cleaning.

7. ECOS

Natural & Organic | Yes
Best For | Affordable all-purpose & pet cleaners (shampoo, odor remover, stain remover)
Eco-Friendly | Carbon- & water-neutral, 100 percent renewable energy, Zero Waste TRUE Platinum Certified, sustainable sourcing, recycled packaging
Gives Back | Charitable initiatives through ACS, Green for All, & Folds of Honor
Price | $13 for 22 oz All-Purpose Cleaner

ECOS has been family-owned and -operated for more than 50 years, with a promise to make “green cleaning” a reality through sustainable and mindful practices. The company’s facilities are powered by 100 percent renewable energy and use carbon- and water-neutral practices. The team even goes the extra step to offset employees’ commutes, minimize carbon emissions between sites, and more. ECOS has brought the green cleaning movement to almost one million homes, thanks to its natural cleaning products at affordable prices.

8. Branch Basics

Natural & Organic | Yes
Best For | Natural concentrates
Eco-Friendly | Biodegradable plant-based formulas, MADE SAFE certified, recyclable & refillable packaging
Price | $69 for basic starter kit & $49 for concentrate

From heavily soiled laundry to a newborn’s baby skin, Branch Basics’ concentrate works effectively without irritation. You can replace dozens of cleaning products with just this standout concentrate, alongside a starter kit and refillable options. Products are fully biodegradable, fragrance-free, and non-GMO, with natural ingredients like baking soda and organic chamomile. If you only need the concentrate: Simply fill up the bottle to the waterline, add some formula, shake, and get cleaning! It’s easy, effective, and eco-conscious.

9. Eco-Me

Natural & Organic | Yes
Best For | Commercial cleaning products via EcoMe PRO
Eco-Friendly | Plant-based ingredients, BPA-free, made in the USA, post-consumer recycled plastic when possible
Gives Back | Charitable partnerships with Pasadena Humane Society, the Breast Cancer Fund, & more
Price | $6 for 32 oz All-Purpose Cleaner

Eco-Me’s product line covers every room in the house, from the popular Wood Polish to the Carpet Cleaner for your most cherished non-toxic rugs. While we know that Eco-Me is perfect for you and your family, we are even more excited that the brand has a commercial cleaning product line with EcoMe PRO—let’s make green cleaning the go-to for the entire community.

The post 9 Best Natural Cleaning Products For A Nontoxic Home appeared first on The Good Trade.

Shopping online is convenient, and it’s an accessible option for people who live outside large cities or without access to nearby sustainable stores. While Amazon has certainly made millions of lives easier over the years, it’s unfortunately not the most ethical option when it comes to online marketplaces (learn more here).

Thankfully though, there are many wonderful alternatives! These online marketplace websites invest in small businesses, support independent artisans and makers, and showcase a commitment to ethical, sustainable business practices. Whether you need cleaning supplies, pantry staples, or some nontoxic skincare products to get you through this season, they have you covered—no matter where you live.

And for your niche needs like hardware, electronics, or gardening gear, get in touch with local businesses and thrift shops—they’ll have what you need, without the carbon emissions!

Looking for specific everyday products? Head here for our list of sustainable fashion brands, and here for the best natural and organic skincare products.

Best For Food | Best For Household | Best For Beauty 

1. Thrive Market

Best For | Food & drink
Ships To | Contiguous USA
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Sustainable & organic products, gives back, carbon-neutral shipping

Thrive Market is dedicated to community. This online marketplace offers memberships with a mission, starting at just $5/month. A membership grants you access to over 6,000 sustainable and organic products (including wine!) at a fraction of the retail cost. With a curated selection that can be filtered in any number of ways based on dietary and lifestyle needs, Thrive is the perfect place to shop for pantry staples. We love the fast and free carbon-neutral shipping on orders over $49, recyclable packaging, the zero-waste warehouses, and that each membership sponsors an additional membership for a low-income family or first responder. Check out our review to learn more about Thrive!

2. Grove Collaborative

Best For | Natural household & personal care products
Ships To | Contiguous US
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Certified B Corp, cruelty-free & nontoxic products, CarbonNeutral® Certified & plastic-neutral

Now more than ever, we’re committed to keeping a clean, germ-free home as much as possible—and Grove Collaborative makes that easy and affordable. This certified B Corp offers flexible subscriptions that deliver eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and nontoxic household and personal care products to your home. Plus, each shipment’s carbon footprint is offset to minimize environmental impact and Grove is plastic-neutral today, with a goal to be plastic-free by 2025. Our founder swapped all her recurring monthly shipments from Amazon to Grove a few years ago for easy delivery of organic household goods and toiletries and recommends the site for quality alternatives. You can sign up for a subscription (which comes with free shipping!) or shop a la carte.

3. Credo

Best For | Clean beauty, skincare, & fragrance
Ships To | USA
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Clean & cruelty-free brands, sustainable packaging guidelines, gives back to various causes, carries 90% women-led brands

Credo makes it easy to embrace self-care at home with its 2,000+ clean, nontoxic, and cruelty-free beauty picks. All of the products featured, from mascara to foundation, are formulated without ingredients considered dangerous, harmful, or dirty. Plus, the platform carries many of the natural and organic makeup brands we love, like ILIA and Vapour. Credo gives back a portion of every purchase. It’s never been simpler to shop for clean beauty online—all in one place.

4. Uncommon Goods

Best For | Unique & personalized gifts, home & kitchen goods, jewelry, experiences
Ships To | Worldwide
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Certified B Corp, one-of-a-kind products & experiences, eco-friendly packaging, gives back

Uncommon Goods is a certified B Corporation offering unique and thoughtful items for every occasion—including experiences! The platform boasts a range of creative products, from constellation maps to self-care kits to online mixology classes. Most items come from independent artisans, jewelry makers, potters, and painters. With environmentally responsible packaging, a Better to Give program donating over $2.6M around the world, and fair wages for employees, we love shopping at Uncommon Goods for almost everything.

5. Bookshop

Best For | Books, audiobooks, textbooks, puzzles, gifts
Ships To | USA (plus, UK & Spain-specific sites)
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral Certified, supports indie & local booksellers

For the newest releases, check out Bookshop which supports independent booksellers. This B Corp gives 10 percent of sales to an earnings pool that’s evenly divided between its partners—you can even pick a specific local bookstore to support with your orders! Bookshop gives away over 80 percent of its profit margin to stores, vendors, and authors, making it our go-to over other retailers. If you’re hoping to thrift your books, we also suggest Better World Books—another B Corp—offering bookworms, students, and children alike access to gently used books at affordable price points.

6. Package Free

Best For | Reusable bath & body goods, home & kitchen, bulk buying
Ships To | Worldwide
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Recycled & compostable packaging, zero & low-waste practices, gives back to various causes

You could probably tell by its name, but Package Free aims to make the world a lot less “trashy.” As a low-waste space, the company collaborates with eco-friendly brands to offer everything from mouthwash tablets and reusable ear swabs to stainless steel food trays and silicone sandwich bags. It ships the products using paper tape or wrapping, and upcycled or recycled boxes, which are 100 percent recyclable and compostable. To save money and curb CO2 emissions, you can bulk-buy items like bamboo toothbrushes and mason jars in packs of two to 12. Bundles are also available! Our editor personally vouches for Package Free’s subscription option for household essentials like laundry detergent, razor refills, and shampoo bars.

7. Etsy

Best For | Custom, vintage, & handmade goods, furniture, clothing, jewelry, decor
Ships To | Worldwide (dependent on seller)
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Certified B Corp, powered by renewable energy, offsets 100% carbon emissions, gives back via Etsy Uplift Initiative

During times of economic uncertainty, it’s important to invest in small businesses wherever possible, many of whom can be found on Etsy. This worldwide B Corp sells everything from paper goods to reclaimed gold jewelry, directly from artisans and entrepreneurs. And Etsy has a serious commitment to sustainability; all operations including the marketplace are powered by renewable energy. The virtual marketplace is also the first major online shopping destination to offset 100 percent of carbon emissions from shipping. Shop small and support local makers—it’s more important (and sustainable!) than ever.

8. The Little Market

Best For | Baskets, bowls, hampers, & decor
Ships To | Worldwide
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Nonprofit & fair trade, supports artisans in underserved communities, customizable options

The Little Market launched as a nonprofit fair trade shop, anchored in the fundamental belief that every person has the right to safe working environments and fair wages. Since 2013, the team has worked with over 70 artisan groups in more than two dozen countries. The brand has also provided 1.25M+ hours of dignified work for underserved communities, including survivors of sex trafficking, refugees, and people with disabilities. Now, you can find homeware, hand-poured candles, handwoven laundry baskets, and everything in between to bring an artisan look to your home, where each product has its own story.

9. BLK + GRN

Best For | Black-owned natural products
Ships To | USA & Canada
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Supports Black artisans, sustainable & cruelty-free products, eco-friendly packaging

The team behind BLK + GRN has seen firsthand how a product’s harmful ingredients can have damaging effects on members of the Black community. Founded by Dr. Kristian, the natural lifestyle enthusiast wanted to give a voice to Black owners and artisans, and provide a space to highlight their all natural and nontoxic goods. Carefully curated and quality-tested by Black health experts, the products range from hair care and home goods to multivitamins and makeup. (And it’s shipped in eco-friendly packaging!) If it’s not sustainably made, plant-based, or cruelty-free, you definitely won’t see it on BLK + GRN.

10. Earth Hero

Best For | Baby & kids
Ships To | USA, Puerto Rico, & Canada
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral Certified, sustainable & safe products, gives back to environmental causes

Earth Hero’s mission is to empower you to make conscious choices. This certified B Corp finds curated brands through its five-step sourcing process, ensuring that every product is as sustainable and safe as possible. From zero-waste kits to sustainable denim to baby essentials (including strollers and toys!), there are thousands of thoughtful goods here to consider. Earth Hero also offsets the carbon footprint of your order, and is a partner of 1% For The Planet, giving back to environmental causes. Consciously update your lifestyle with just one order.

— UK-Focused Marketplaces —

Plastic Freedom

Best For | Plastic-free gifts & gifting essentials
Ships To | Worldwide
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Plastic-free & zero-waste, gives back to various causes, refill programs

Inspired by her own plastic-free journey, founder Beth Noy wanted to make a more sustainable lifestyle possible for others. She launched the UK-based Plastic Freedom shop in 2018, and today, this one-stop zero-waste shop curates collections for beauty, clothing, home & dining and, our personal favorite, gifts. Whether you’re looking for plastic-free wrapping and adhesives, gift sets, or (refillable!) individual items, this marketplace has it all. With every order, Plastic Freedom gives back, including planting over 67,000 trees to date!

Hive

Best For | UK books, eBooks, & vinyl
Ships To | Worldwide; currently UK only due to COVID-19
Why It’s Better Than Amazon | Supports UK bookstores

For over a decade, the team members behind Hive have been putting their own money—and values—where their mouths are. This UK-based online bookstore offers more than one million books, vinyl records, gift sets, and eBooks to consumers, with free UK delivery on all orders whenever needed. Consumers are then able to choose which independent bookshop to support with their purchase. If you’d like to support a bookstore directly, Hive also has a directory of hundreds you can scope out across the UK.

The post 10 Alternatives To Amazon For Sustainable Online Shopping appeared first on The Good Trade.

Seafood is an excellent source of lean protein, omega-3s, iron, and vitamins B and D, and it’s one of the most carbon-efficient foods on the planet. If you’re looking to increase your seafood intake or learn some new cooking techniques, try checking out the free digital Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) 2023 Ocean Cookbook, featuring sustainable fish recipes from all over the world, utilizing seafood like scallops, cod, shrimp, and tuna.

Whether it’s in a gooey tuna melt or rolled up into a maki roll, tuna is one of the most versatile kinds of seafood. It’s that versatility that makes the fish the third most popular seafood in the US, after shrimp and salmon, says Chef Adrienne Cheatham, whose tuna tonnato salad is featured in MSC’s 2023 Ocean Cookbook. “Given its popularity, it’s important to know how to look for sustainable tuna choices,” says Cheatham, “so we’re ensuring healthy fish populations now and for our future generations.”

What makes seafood sustainable?

According to the MSC, in order to be considered environmentally sustainable, seafood must come from healthy fish populations, have minimal impact on the marine ecosystem, and be properly managed (so no overfishing). Sustainable seafood can be harvested in perpetuity while still maintaining a healthy environment. That’s what “sustainable” means, after all — able to be sustained.

While most of the fish we get here in the states is wild caught, seafood harvested via aquaculture is the fastest-growing form of food production worldwide according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Note that not all wild caught seafood is sustainable, and neither is all aquaculture seafood.

Because most of our fish comes from the ocean, it’s especially important to purchase sustainably fished seafood to ensure healthy fish and marine populations in the future. “I’ve worked with seafood for the entirety of my cooking career and am incredibly passionate about making sure we have access to it for years to come,” says Cheatham.

How do you know if your seafood was harvested sustainably?

In short, read the labels! One of the easiest indicators to look for is the MSC blue fish label, meaning the product has been certified to the MSC Fisheries Standard. The MSC blue fish label provides assurance that the seafood is wild-caught and comes from a certified sustainable source.

Another way to determine your seafood’s sustainability? Research the company that makes it. Companies with sustainable practices want you to know about them, so it doesn’t take long to Google a seafood producer and find out if it puts sustainability at the forefront of its business model.

The Perfect Tuna Salad Recipe for Earth Month

For MSC’s 2023 Ocean Cookbook, Cheatham crafted an easy meal with sustainably fished tuna in the spotlight. Her tuna tonnato is full of pantry staples like relish, mustard, and tuna, along with a few fresh veggies for a “light, bright dish that’s perfect for spring and summer,” she says.

Find the full recipe here, which uses lemon, celery, onion, eggs, and potato to liven up tuna salad, bringing it from sad desk lunch territory into “a great lunch or a patio snack to fix for guests, or dinner on a night in,” says Cheatham. She serves the tuna mixture over greens and alongside some satisfying, crusty bread. My local grocery store didn’t have any endive, so I heaped the tuna salad over a bed of spinach and arugula instead—it was one of the best lunches I’ve made in a long time. 

Cheatham notes that while the dish looks light, it’s packed with protein from the tuna and eggs. And she emphasizes the importance of buying canned tuna with an MSC label on it.

MSC’s 2023 Ocean Cookbook features dishes from seventeen different chefs representing cuisines from all over the world, like Smoked Salmon and Mango Salad and Steamed Hake with Vegetables. Each recipe is paired with a quote from a fisherman who catches the seafood variety to help “make the connection back to the ocean,” says Cheatham. 

“Sustainability includes our future, is the way I think about it,” said Jack B. Vantress of the American Albacore Fishing Association in Cheatham’s recipe. “So it’s important to choose sustainable seafood because this is our future.”

THIS STORY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT THE MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL

Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!

The post How To Ensure Your Seafood Is Sustainable, According To The Marine Stewardship Council appeared first on The Good Trade.

Have you (or perhaps your baby) ever worn newly washed clothes only to have your skin break out in rashes or hives?

You’re not alone: This is an all-too-common problem due to most commercial laundry detergents. Many detergents use surfactants (chemicals that help water penetrate the fabric), phosphates, and even potential carcinogens, which can irritate our skin, make their way to our lungs, and even endanger our long-term health.

But with organic laundry detergents, you can look out for your health and the planet. Organic laundry detergents are made with natural ingredients that still do the hard work of removing tough stains. We’ve found options that are more than just natural/organic—they’re eco-friendly, too, with biodegradable formulas and recyclable packaging. And they all work with either front-loading or top-loading washers, so no matter what, you’re all set.

Who knows, it might just be the first time you enjoy doing laundry.

Best Overall | Best for Sensitive Skin

6. Branch Basics

Ethics | EWG Verified, Made Safe Certified, Leaping Bunny Certified, biodegradable
Features | Plant- and mineral-based, fragrance free, non GMO, no harmful preservatives
Available At | Online
Price | $85 for three-piece laundry kit

Branch Basics‘ laundry kit comes with a liquid concentrate and an oxygen boosting powder, and a reusable, refillable detergent bottle. The bottle comes with a no-drip cap and is the perfect, stylish and sustainable container for mixing your concentrate (one bottle lasts up to 192 loads of laundry!). Fragrance-free and naturally soothing from antioxidant-rich chamomile extract, this detergent is good for sensitive skin.

Branch Basics’ Detergent Review | “I was skeptical, but proven wrong. This works well. I was surprised at how well it cleans mirrors and glass. And I love the glass spray bottles. I am trying to rid our house of plastic!” —Angel M.

7. Rosey by Thrive

Ethics | Certified B Corp, vegan, Leaping Bunny Certified, biodegradable
Features | Gluten- and synthetic fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, pthalate- and paraben-free, BPA-free, safe for septic tank
Available At | Thrive Market
Price | $13 for 50 fl.oz. (liquid), $13 for 42 oz. (powder), $18 for 45 packs

Rosey by Thrive makes earth-friendly liquid detergent, powder, and pods that are free from toxic or harsh chemicals but high performing enough to handle your daily messes. Choose from all natural, non-synthetic fragrances peppermint or lavender, or go for a fragrance-free option for ultra sensitive skin. With 3x concentrated, the liquid detergent lasts up to 100 washes and the powder and pods last up to 75 and 40 loads respectively. This Thrive Market brand has thousands of four-star+ reviews, so it’s certainly worth a shot!

Rosey by Thrive Detergent Review | “Love that this doesn’t have harsh chemicals or fragrance and it actually cleans my clothes. It’s the only detergent I’ve used for about two years now. I do use a separate stain remover for things I know are tough stains but this is great for normal washing.” —Angela

8. Earth Breeze

Ethics | Plastic-free, cruelty-free, biodegradable packaging and ingredients
Features | Hypoallergenic, works in all machines, bleach- and dye-free
Available At | Online
Price | $20 for 30 sheets (just $12 when you subscribe)

For a truly plastic-free experience, liquidless eco-sheets from Earth Breeze are top of the list. These fully biodegradable sheets are harmless to the planet, to humans, and to our animal friends, providing a portable, easy-to-use product that also deep cleans and smells great. Without any jugs, bottles, or microplastics, this sheet can be dropped into any washing machine and cleans without depositing anything harmful into the earth. *Adds to cart*

Earth Breeze Sheets Detergent Review | “Love this amazing product on so many levels – I keep telling my friends and family about it – hope they’re buying 😊🙏” —Debra R

9. Biokleen

Ethics | Nontoxic, cruelty-free, baby- & pet-safe, made in USA
Features | Plant-based, biodegradable, recyclable packaging, HE-compatible, no phosphates, chlorine, petroleum, artificial dyes, fragrances, or brighteners
Available At | Online
Price | Starting at $18 for 64 fl. oz

Founded in 1989, Biokleen has been delivering highly-concentrated nontoxic cleaners for over three decades. It was initially launched to make plant-based products for professional services and janitors and has since shared its formulas with families across America. The 3x concentrated Laundry Liquid can clean 300 high-efficiency loads (or 150 standard ones). It’s safe for those with allergies or sensitivities and has no negative effects on rivers, plants, or wildlife. And by manufacturing with cold water, Biokleen reduces its gas reliance and output.

Biokleen’s Detergent Review | “I am so happy to have found an inexpensive detergent alternative! Biokleen has an A rating from the EWG. I am just now reordering after my last bottle lasting almost 7 months for a family of 5!” —B. Sticks

Featured image is from Deadcool

The post 9 Natural Laundry Detergents Made With Nontoxic Ingredients appeared first on The Good Trade.

These seven green banks specifically are powering a greener, more equitable economy, so you can move your money and invest in a more eco-friendly future.

1. Aspiration

Ethics & Certifications | Certified B Corp, 1% for the Planet, gives back, sustainable investing
Services Offered | Cash management (savings/checking), investments, retirement funds
Regional Availability | US, nationwide (online only)

No matter where you are in the United States, Aspiration is ready to serve your personal banking needs. This online-only green banking institution prides itself on being mindful and sustainable in every way. Unlike many big banks, Aspiration doesn’t invest in fossil fuel funding, so your deposits won’t go towards projects like pipelines, oil drilling, and coal mines. You also have the option to plant a tree with every purchase. And with its Aspiration Plus card—made from recycled ocean plastic—you can carbon-offset all your gas purchases and get 10 percent cashback when you buy from brands that are part of its Conscience Coalition, like TOMS.

Learn More About Aspiration

2. City First Bank

Ethics & Certifications | Certified B Corp, CDFI, gives back
Services Offered | Personal banking, business lending & checking, nonprofit banking
Regional Availability | US, nationwide; local branch in DC

City First Bank reigns supreme in the nation’s capital as the only bank focused on community development in Washington, DC. A certified B Corp and CDFI, this institution invests in under-resourced and underfunded communities with more than $1 billion in capital and tax credits, benefitting thousands of lives. And online banking has never been easier—City First offers electronic and 24-hour telephone banking, online bill pay, and a VISA debit card for ease. The same security and performance as the big banks, but with all the values of your local community bank, City First is an excellent option.

Learn More About City First Bank

3. Amalgamated Bank

Ethics & Certifications | Certified B Corp, sustainable & eco-friendly practices, gives back
Services Offered | Personal banking, small business, commercial banking, institutional investing
Regional Availability | US, nationwide; local branches in NY, DC, & CA

As the first union-owned bank in history to become a publicly traded company, Amalgamated Bank has long been a champion of workers’ rights; it now joins forces with over 1,000 unions to get what’s best for teachers, firefighters, and more. It serves nonprofits, social impact enterprises, and sustainable organizations, and also invests resources into tobacco-free funds and clean energy portfolios. Sign up for the Give-Back Checking account to donate to a participating organization of your choice. (And as a bonus, Amalgamated is powered by 100 percent renewable energy.)

Learn More About Amalgamated Bank

4. Beneficial State Bank

Ethics & Certifications | Certified B Corp, CDFI, sustainable practices, gives back
Services Offered | Personal banking, business & nonprofit services
Regional Availability | US, nationwide; local branches in CA, OR, & WA

Beneficial State Bank believes in a more equal and just world for everyone with its commitment to supporting diverse and minority-owned businesses, mission-driven structures and services, and sustainable practices. As the institution actively manages nearly a billion dollars in assets, it carries a positive track record in managing wealth. For our friends on the West coast with personal banking needs, Beneficial offers both savings and checking accounts that are available online and via mobile app. The bank also has plans to launch personal, business, and nonprofit credit cards.

Learn More About Beneficial State Bank

5. Spring Bank

Ethics & Certifications | Certified B Corp, CDFI
Services Offered | Personal banking, business lending & checking, nonprofit banking
Regional Availability | NYC-based

New York’s first Certified B Corp bank, Spring Bank is the perfect banking option for NYC dwellers. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), it financially supports low-income communities and emerging businesses to help bolster the local community. For personal banking, Spring Bank offers five kinds of high-yield savings accounts, so you can save for that dream vacation and help invest in small, local businesses. With competitive rates, many no-fee ATMs (including all CitiBank ATMs), and a mobile app, this green bank is all about putting you first.

Learn More About Spring Bank

6. Mascoma Bank

Ethics & Certifications | Certified B Corp, gives back
Services Offered | Personal & private banking, business lending & banking, financial advising
Regional Availability | Northeast US (NH, VT, ME)

If you live in northern New England, you’d be remiss not to check out Mascoma Bank. This certified B Corp is a force for positive change across the northeast. From the solar loan program to the annual 10 percent commitment to philanthropy, the customers and the funding priorities all reinvest back into the other. For over 100 years, Mascoma has been a local go-to for mortgages, business loans, and private banking, with everything in between. With dozens of options for checking, savings, and CD rates, this green bank has a thoughtful strategy in mind for all your financial needs.

Learn More About Mascoma Bank

7. Sunrise Banks

Ethics & Certifications | Certified B Corp, CDFI, gives back
Services Offered | Personal & business banking, business lending
Regional Availability | Twin Cities metro area (MN)

For three decades, Sunrise Banks has served Minneapolis and St. Paul with a focus on financial inclusion and wellness. This CDFI provides services from commercial and government lending to fintech partnerships to personal banking. And the institution matches its practices with its values; every year, it gives at least 2 percent net income in sponsorships or donations to organizations that focus on providing affordable housing, narrowing the achievement gap, and increasing diversity & inclusion. Plus, this bank offers all kinds of personal accounts, including youth savings for children, thrift savings for the budget-conscious saver, and lines of credit for your next big purchase.

Learn More About Sunrise Banks

The post The 7 Best B Corp Certified Green Banks appeared first on The Good Trade.

Zoom out beyond your yard to the environment beyond, and headlines are hard to keep up with. Droughts rack the United States yearly, bee populations shrink, and soil quality declines. Cue the eco-anxiety. 

But zoom back in—one of the most valuable eco-solutions lurks right in your backyard. And it’s even simpler than going out to water your plants.

That’s the key here, actually—not going out to water your plants at all. Xeriscaping, or eliminating or almost eliminating a property’s need for irrigation, is picking up steam as homeowners respond to droughts, becoming more and more common in places all over the world.

Annually, average American households use around 35,000 gallons of water for outdoor uses, mostly watering lawns—and in arid climates like California, that number can go up to 70,000 gallons. Throughout the country, that’s almost 9 billion gallons of water per day. 

And it’s not just about water, says Sorrel Inman, founder of Mergoat Land Design and Restoration. Inman says lawn maintenance accounts for an estimated 90 million pounds of herbicide, more than 800 million gallons of gas, and stormwater runoff that compromises wetland and fish habitats. “One of the greatest acts of conservation the average American homeowner can take is to remove as much of their lawn as possible,” says Inman, and strategically replace it with native plant communities.

“Xeriscaping involves utilizing native species, drought-resistant plants, and landscaping features like mulch to ideally eliminate the need for watering.”

Xeriscaping involves utilizing native species, drought-resistant plants, and landscaping features like mulch to ideally eliminate the need for watering. And when you’re not fighting for a lawn’s survival, you’re not battling weeds with herbicides that can harm other plants and animals and run into the watershed.

Entomologist and author Doug Tallamy says that for a landscape to be sustainable, it must meet four criteria: support pollinators, manage the watershed, support the food web, and sequester carbon. “Lawn does none of them,” he says. 

Tallamy is a University of Delaware professor of entomology and wildlife ecology and the author of several books on bio-diversifying lawns, including “Bringing Nature Home” and “Nature’s Best Hope.” He’s also the founder of Homegrown National Park, a nonprofit that encourages landowners to steward their property by planting native.

“[A] lawn will pollute your local watershed, add carbon to the atmosphere, doesn’t support any pollinators, and doesn’t support the food web. It’s a status symbol,” says Tallamy. “It looks nice, and that’s great, but you cannot turn the planet into a status symbol because that’s the end of us if we do.”

You don’t have to completely eradicate your nice green lawn to be a part of the solution, either. Tallamy suggests cutting the grass on your property in half—replacing that space with trees, native plantings, or a small water feature. 

Cut the grass on your property in half—replacing that space with trees, native plantings, or a small water feature. 

Another way to help your local ecosystem? Participate in No Mow May, an initiative first popularized in the UK to help bees and other pollinators thrive on early-season flowers and grasses. In general, mowing your lawn every other week instead of once a week while also refraining from herbicides has been shown to increase the number of bees supported by the lawn. 

Read on for more tips on how to begin xeriscaping your property. Keep in mind that most plants need at least some water as they’re first being established—but with the following tips, soon enough, you won’t have to water your yard at all.

1. Discover plants that are native to your region.

Look no further than native plants for a landscape that doesn’t need irrigation. Look up your Native Plant Society—organized by the American Horticultural Society; every state has one. From there, the organization can tell you which plants are best for your region, your elevation, your side of the mountain or lake, and even the sunny or shady spots in your yard. “You’ve got to go with the ecosystem in which you live,” says Tallamy. “You want the plants to like where they are so maintenance is easy.”

For example, he says, many species well adapted to Mediterranean climates are used in landscaping in the American west—but while they thrive in the similarly warm, arid environment, our insects generally can’t eat non-native plants. Mediterranean plants aren’t supporting the food web part of the equation. 

2. Plant a tree (or multiple).

If you live in a climate that supports trees, planting just one or two with a bed around them will reduce your amount of lawn. Tallamy suggests planting an oak tree if they’re compatible with your environment, as oaks are one of the most important keystone plants, or plants the entire ecosystems depend on for survival. These trees sequester carbon, absorb soil contaminants, and can provide nutrients and habitat for thousands of insects, animals, fungi, and other plants.

3. Consider sprawling groundcovers. 

Want a yard that still stays low to the ground? Consider groundcover plants like creeping thyme, moss, or clover (which also adds nitrogen to the soil). Research other groundcovers native to your area—some produce beautiful flowers, and some, keep in mind, are too delicate to be walked on. Stay mindful of which areas of your yard get better sun and drainage versus spots that are cooler and more damp.

4. Utilize ornamental grasses.

Depending on the species, ornamental grasses can be drought tolerant and well-suited for sunny, dry areas. Most ornamental grasses don’t spread, so you won’t have to worry about keeping them under control, and as long as they’re native, they shouldn’t need any water—or really any maintenance at all.

5. Install a water feature.

Birds will love a small water feature with circulating water—even a minimal feature, Tallamy says, is a “valuable addition” in desert climates.

6. Add mulch, especially if you have kids.

Mulch helps to retain soil moisture and protect the roots of surrounding plants while adding nutrients to the soil. And if you have pets or children who still need space to play and run around, mulch is a grass lawn alternative that’s excellent at being trampled all over.

7. Build features that retain stormwater.

Inman says one of the worst features of a lawn is that they only retain 10 percent of stormwater instead of a forest’s 80 percent. Features like rain gardens, dry creek beds, and densely planted bioswales and berms (water pools in the swale’s basin, which stores water for plants on the berm) all help direct and store rainwater properly. “The more stormwater you can keep on your property the better!” says Inman.

8. Mow minimally and as needed.

Here’s one of the easiest ways to support a xeric lawn: let native grasses and wildflowers take over parts of your yard, and only mow as needed. Maybe you mow around the grill and the picnic table, then mow a path out to the firepit. The result is much less lawn to water and mow and a dreamy, romantic vibe to your property. 

9. Support the environment through container gardening.

No lawn to speak of? Even city dwellers with no outdoor space can help support the environment by container gardening. Continuing to use species that are native to your area, put flowery plants out on the fire escape, on the balcony, or in flower boxes for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to feast on.

Tallamy says the goal at Homegrown National Park is to help folks understand that anyone can and should play a part in conservation, noting that 78 percent of all land is privately owned. The problem isn’t one any landowner should have to fix on their own.

“When we begin thinking about the ecology of our own homes, aesthetics become a secondary consideration.”

—Sorrel Inman, founder of Mergoat Land Design and Restoration

 “Everybody has a responsibility—not just the treehuggers, not just the ecologists, not just the conservation biologists,” says Tallamy. The call-to-action program costs nothing and encourages homeowners to fill their property with native plants and then get on the map of conserved properties.

“When we begin thinking about the ecology of our own homes, aesthetics become a secondary consideration,” says Inman. We might even start to see thriving ecosystems as more good-looking than a clear-cut, crisp lawn. They note that our desire to create a beautiful living space should go hand in hand with our desire to create a beautiful world around us.

The conservation problem is global, but there is quite literally a grassroots solution. “People worry about the whole planet—don’t think about the whole planet,” says Tallamy. “Just think about the piece of the planet you can influence, and that’s your yard. And then it becomes much more manageable.”

Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!

The post The Best Xeriscape Alternatives To A Traditional Grass Lawn appeared first on The Good Trade.

Sometimes I fantasize that paring down my belongings to just the bare minimum is what it’ll take to feel that my brain is being wrung out like a sponge. But simplifying your daily life by just a touch with some decluttering might be all you need to make your mind feel decluttered, too. Below are ninety-nine things you can consider tossing, recycling, or donating this week to rid your home of a bit of clutter.

Most of these things tend to build up in my home unnoticed. What starts as the well-intentioned saving of buttons, paper bags, receipts, and Tupperware becomes piles of unneeded stuff in the house. But one man’s trash is another man’s treasure—for some of these items, like kitchen appliances, clothes, makeup, and puzzles, consider having a swap with friends. Bring all your underused items together, and swap them as needed! You’ll lose some clutter, and you might gain a treasure or two in the process.

Here are 99 things you can get rid of this week for a less cluttered home.

Things You Can Get Rid of for a Less Cluttered Bedroom 🛏

1. Start with decluttering your wardrobe. Specifically, the closet. We’ve all been meaning to donate unused clothes, right? Consider tossing or donating articles you haven’t worn in the past few months.
2. Toss hangers you don’t use, like the ones from the dry cleaners.
3. Head to the dresser. Declutter shirts, pants, sweaters, etc. in the same fashion as the closet.
4. Workout clothes. These seem to pile up worse than other types of clothing!
5. Underwear. While these can’t be donated unless they’re unused, brands like Knickey, Parade, and The North Face all have recycling programs for old undies/clothes.
6. All those single socks without a pair.
7. Shoes you no longer wear/no longer fit.
8. Jewelry you no longer wear. Recycle or resell if possible!
9. Other accessories you haven’t used in over a year, like scarves or bags.
10. Old eyeglasses or sunglasses (especially if they have the wrong prescription!).
11. Trinkets on your dresser or bedside table that no longer bring you joy.
12. Little extras you’ve been saving like buttons or safety pins. You likely don’t need that many!
13. Old, unused, or stained bed linens.
14. Extra or old pillows.
15. Extra luggage, bags, or suitcases you don’t use.

Things You Can Get Rid of for a Tidier Kitchen 👩‍🍳

16. Duplicate kitchen items. Maybe you have four wooden spoons, three wine keys, or two can openers.
17. Underused appliances like a juicer you only used once.
18. Extra Tupperware and Tupperware with mismatched lids.
19. Spices that are several years old and/or underused.
20. Other expired non-perishables like cans of veggies.
21. Glasses and dishware that are chipped/underused.
22. Extra novelty mugs.
23. Cookbooks you no longer use. (Tip: write down your favorite recipe on a card—no need to keep the whole book for just one page.)
24. Dish towels or pot holders you don’t use.
25. Extra plastic or paper bags from the grocery store you’ve been saving.
26. Extra reusable totes that have ripped or piled up.
27. Cleaning products that are underused or expired.
28. Paper takeout menus.
29. Water bottles or travel mugs you no longer use. You likely only need a couple of each!
30. Unused baking sheets or casserole dishes.
31. Plastic children’s dishes/cups/utensils if the kids have outgrown them.
32. Old liquor that hasn’t been used up.
33. Any other barware you don’t use, like novelty glasses or dozens of wine glasses.
34. Extra plastic utensils from takeout orders.
35. And extra ketchup packets/soy sauce/the like.
36. Extra placemats.

Things You Can Get Rid of for a Cleaner Bathroom 🛁

37. Expired medicine. They sometimes expire faster than you’d think!
38. Expired makeup/skincare.
39. Old or extra makeup brushes.
40. Makeup or skincare products that didn’t work for you. Here’s one of the best opportunities for an exchange with friends! 
41. Samples of makeup/perfume/cosmetics that you never got around to using.
42. Almost empty bottles of product you keep telling yourself you’ll finish.
43. Spare toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste from the dentist.
44. Pare down your nail polish collection.
45. Old or underused towels and washcloths.
46. Duplicates of appliances like hair dryers or curling irons.
47. A hundred extra rolls of toilet paper or paper towels.
48. Underused razors or shaving cream.
49. Cleaning supplies that are expired or almost empty.
50. Extra scrunchies, hair ties, or clips—you only need a couple of each.
51. Sunscreen—check the expiration dates!

Things You Can Get Rid of for a Tidier Office Space 🖥

52. Donate or recycle old technology like computer monitors or printers you don’t use.
53. Duplicates of tools like staplers, hole punches, scissors etc.
54. Lighten your load of pens and pencils.
55. Go through paperwork and toss old receipts and other documents you no longer need.
56. Manuals for appliances you don’t have anymore.
57. Recycle old magazines and newspapers.
58. Expired coupons.
59. Donate books you’ve already read.
60. Old cords and cables you no longer need.
61. Planners from years past.
62. Used notebooks.
63. Trinkets on your desk that no longer bring you joy, like an old paperweight.
64. Manilla folders, envelopes, paper clips, or any other office supplies you haven’t used in over a year.
65. Old craft supplies like dried-out markers and construction paper.
66. Old or outdated textbooks.
67. Unused business cards.
68. Other old or outdated equipment like headphones, speakers, or cell phones.
69. Old Christmas cards, birthday cards, etc., unless they’re especially sentimental.
70. Desk organizers, especially if the contents within are underused.

Decor Items You Can Get Rid of for a Less Cluttered Home 🕯

71. Extra candles. Anyone else accrue them faster than they can burn through them?
72. Extra candle paraphernalia, like unused candle shades, tea lights, and candle snuffers.
73. The artwork you never got around to hanging up.
74. Underused throw blankets.
75. Extra throw pillows. Just keep a few different pillow covers to switch out on the same pillow inserts.
76. Trinkets, knick-knacks, or collectibles that no longer bring you joy.
77. Extra picture frames.
78. Underused empty vases.
79. Seasonal decoration that goes unused. When you pull out the autumn decorations, is there anything that doesn’t work well in your space?
80. Extra or unused holiday ornaments.
81. Underused tablecloths.

Miscellaneous Items You Can Get Rid of for a Tidier Space 🪴

82. Extra hardware laying around like screws, nails, hooks, etc.
83. Paint or other DIY tools from old or completed projects.
84. Old toys that the kids have outgrown.
85. Old or damaged pet toys.
86. Underused board games or puzzles.
87. Extra empty cardboard boxes.
88. Underused equipment like ice skates or tennis racquets.
89. Extra yoga mats.
90. DVDs, VHS tapes, and CDs you no longer want or use.
91. Unused video game consoles.
92. Unused gift wrapping, like tons of extra gift bags.
93. Gardening supplies, like extra soil, trowels, or pots.
94. Underused home improvements tools, like duplicate hammers or screwdrivers.
95. Underused yard work tools like duplicate shovels and rakes.
96. Extra extension cords.
97. Extra batteries or lightbulbs.
98. Unused remote controls from fans, A/C units, etc.
99. Empty storage containers. Sometimes they’re the opposite of helpful!

Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!

The post 99 Things You Can Get Rid Of This Week For A Less Cluttered Home appeared first on The Good Trade.