New year, new you, new decade! This is the perfect time to make some changes in your life, but don’t get too stressed about making big decisions now. The key to setting goals is not biting off more than you can chew. Here are some easy, small steps you can take in 2020.
But first, a brief time of reflection. In 2019, Poéthique grew a lot! Our team grew, and we launched a new product in our Nourishing Lip Balm (currently in two colors—Buenos Aires and Bombay).
We’re so excited to continue building in the new year, and to continue growing with our beloved customers. Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with us!
In 2020 we’ve got big plans… but you’ll have to wait and see what’s to come! But let’s get back to the list!
We all know about the common new years resolution of losing weight, saving money, learning a new language and so on. Additionally, we want to propose thinking about our natural resources and consider adopting a long term eco friendly resolution list this new decade.
There's many ways to achieve this. From choosing energy star appliances in an effort to conserve energy, to kicking bad habits by turning off lights that are not in use. Anything helps!
There's many ways to achieve this. From choosing energy star appliances in an effort to conserve energy, to kicking bad habits by turning off lights that are not in use. Anything helps!
1) Swapping Out Plastics: since water pollution has become a pressing matter, single-use plastic like straws and plastic forks get a lot of airtime in the media, but we guarantee there’s a lot of plastic sitting in your home right now that you might not even be thinking of.
- Personal care items: including hair brushes, toothbrushes, and razors, all have non-plastic alternatives. Invest in a sturdier, bamboo hair brush that will actually help reduce static, frizziness, and flyaways. Bamboo toothbrushes, though they take time to get used to, are much more environmentally friendly than plastic disposable ones.
With razors, you have a lot of options, but investing in and learning how to use a safety razor is the cleanest option. Get one razor for the rest of your life and spend less time dealing with ingrown hairs. - Kitchen items: like Tupperware, builds up a lot of plastic. Fortunately, there are many glass alternatives that can be found at just about any store, these days. Though definitely heavy, with glass Tupperware you don’t have to worry about chemical leakage or anything melting in the microwave or dishwasher. For other kitchen goods, the Package Free Shop’s Zero Waste Lunch Kit is a great place to start.
- There are even eco friendly product alternatives for shampoo and deodorant. Instead of using shampoo that comes in plastic bottles, make the swap over to a solid bar that lasts even longer than conventional shampoo. They even often come in reusable metal tins. Swap out your deodorant to a clean one that comes in a cardboard tube, like this one that comes from the Package Free Store, which can even be composted.
2) Wallet Advocacy: for 2020, try immersing yourself in the world of B Corps and small businesses. Challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone and get the majority of your food and other goods from organizations that have positive environmental missions.
According to the B Corp website, these are companies that “compete to be the best for the world, the people living in it, and the natural environment on which our quality of life depends”. The full list of companies can be found on the website, but they include more than just consumer products. Service-based companies can also be B Corps.
Buying from small-batch retailers is also an economic choice. Like our products, goods that are made in limited quantities tend to be more environmentally friendly because the companies are closer to the production process. Small-batch production helps reduce waste, and helps companies source raw materials from sustainable places.
3) Volunteer More: a clean lifestyle doesn’t just have to be about the purchases you make—it can also be about how you spend your time! We wrote about this idea in our post a few weeks ago about fostering generosity, but volunteering is a wonderful way to improve your community and your own personal health.
Don’t know where to start? Check out Volunteer Match to help you find volunteering opportunities relevant to your interests. Organizations with a public-facing focus like libraries or churches also often have places for volunteer listings. Even just taking one weekend day a month can make a big impact on a charity or someone’s life.
