Sustainable Fashion & Trends

Trends have been around for as long as fashion has, and every period had its must-haves. So much so that with enough fashion history knowledge, one can date an item of clothing or even a portrait.

Before the French revolution, wealthy French fashionistas wore the robe à l'anglaise rather than the outdated robe à la française, just like the decade's fashion icon, Queen Marie Antoinette.

Unlike it once was, though, nowadays, fashion is mass-produced and has a massive impact on the environment.  

According to the charity Wrap, worldwide, clothing production has about doubled between 2000 and 2015. As clothing production numbers went up, clothing utilization numbers went down. The average number of times a garment is worn before its product lifetime ends has decreased worldwide by 36% compared to the early 2000s.

The rapid-fire trend cycle and countless micro-trends are some of the symptoms of the unsustainable nature of fast fashion. On the other end, though, experimenting with trends can be fun and a way to figure out ourselves and our style. 

But is it possible to engage with them sustainably? With a mindful attitude, we think it is. 

What are micro-trends, and how do you identify them?

First, how can you understand if trends are behind your sudden liking for a cut, style, pattern, or garment? Let's take a step back and talk about micro-trends. 

These are fashion trends often born from social media platforms like TikTok, and despite their sudden popularity, they tend to have a pretty short shelf-life. They may go from being all over your feed one season to being completely forgotten about the next one. For example, take the cottagecore trend of spring 2020 or the post-Bridgerton corset craze of spring 2021. These micro-trends were everywhere back then, but they had faded away or arguably paved the way for new and similar micro-trends by the following season. 

You aren't wrong if you think that micro-trends sound somewhat antithetical to mindful consumption. The increase in the trend cycle's speed is deeply connected to the rise of fast fashion. 

Yet, while on their own, individuals can't change the pace and policies of the entire fashion industry, we can decide how we want to engage with it to at least a certain level. 

So now, here is our guide on how to engage with trends sustainably

Asking yourself the right questions is key to finding your personal style and shopping more sustainably. Planning is a great tool to avoid unsuccessful purchases and still enjoy fashion while living mindfully. 

So before you decide to purchase something new and trendy, ask yourself these questions and see what your answers are. Then, let's find out whether or not you and that trendy piece you have been eyeing are a match made in heaven!

Does this trend go well with the items you already have?

Your personal style is that mix of aesthetics and fashion categories that perfectly suits your lifestyle and personality. 

For some, finding theirs is a lifelong journey, and for others, it just emerged organically. But, whether you found yours or not, the clothes that are already in your closet are the best clues you have on hand to figure out if a specific piece suits you and your life. 

Look at your clothes' fabric, style, and colors; how many pieces could you pair with this potential new item? For a more precise overview, you can even start planning some outfits assembled using the item you want to purchase and the ones you already own. It's a fun, creative activity that will save you lots of time when getting ready in the morning (which is always a plus) and a great indicator, too: if you get excited about the prospect of wearing those outfits, it's a great sign that you are about to make a smart purchase!   

Also, don't forget to compare these trendy pieces you have been eyeing with your most-worn clothing items. Like most people's wardrobes, yours most likely follows a pattern. Even if you don't think your style has a distinctive aesthetic, there are probably certain elements and items you tend to gravitate towards for an array of possible reasons.  

But let's get practical! If you are an athleisure fan who consistently gets the most use of your joggers and sports bra, dipping your toes in balletcore won't be a bad idea. Based on what we have seen on the runways, skirt suits and three-piece suits seem to be some of the biggest upcoming trends for Fall 2022: if you have a formal office job or enjoy suiting up in your spare time, this trend definitely suits (pun intended) your lifestyle.    

Can you get these trendy pieces ethically and sustainably?

Fast-fashion retailers offer tons of readily available trendy pieces, but that doesn't mean you can't get fun, contemporary clothes the slow and sustainable way. Of course, the best destination for you depends on your budget, location, and level of expertise with the sewing machine.

Depending on those factors, you can purchase your new trendy clothes from ethical and sustainable companies, specialized artisans locally or online, or vintage shops or thrift stores. If you are familiar with sewing, you can even alter your old clothes to make them trendier. You can find plenty of upcycling inspiration and tutorials on social media to do so. Plus, it's a beautiful way to give a second life to the old clothes you no longer wear. 

If you take the thrifting route, be mindful of not falling prey to the siren of overconsumption. It may be tempting to buy loads of pieces when they are cheap, but let's remember that lower-end thrift stores offer clothes to low-income communities and individuals that may not be able to afford to shop for clothes elsewhere. If you have a bigger budget, be mindful of the amount of thrifted garments you buy, or take this as an opportunity to give your business to higher-end thrift stores or vintage shops.   

Also, when it comes to buying clothes and accessories (or anything else), support BIPOC-owned businesses whenever possible. 

Will you wear these items when they are no longer on-trend?

This one may seem like a no-brainer, but one has to consider that not all trends are particularly wearable or that timeless either. If they genuinely suit you, your personal style, and your lifestyle, you'll love them regardless of whether they are trending or not. Still, if you give in and buy a trendy piece just because you see it all over social media and fashion magazines, it may feel outdated too soon.  

Of course, above all, fashion should be fun and make us feel like ourselves, so by no means do you have to strictly choose timeless pieces if you naturally gravitate towards the more eclectic, bold styles that tend to get in and out of fashion quickly. From a sustainability perspective, though, it's good to think ahead and genuinely ask yourself if you think you'll wear that piece in one or more years. Clothes that make us feel like ourselves tend to stay in our closets for longer and get much more love and care than those of people from back in the day.    

An excellent way to tell if you actually like a trendy piece or not is to wait. After all, if Rome wasn't built in a day, your wardrobe doesn't have to be either. Save the item you'd like to buy on a wishlist and forget about it for a month or more. Thinking twice before purchasing anything new may be second nature to many, but waiting may seem counterintuitive if you have been on a fast fashion diet for years or tend to shop to boost your mood. 

But, as unfashionable as it may sound, patience and intentionality are essential to sustainably building a wardrobe that works for you. By taking your sweet time, you'll avoid impulse buying and give yourself the time to see if you think that piece still looks lovely even when it's out of fashion. If that's the case, you and that piece are most likely a fantastic match!  

Can you participate in this trend without buying anything new? 

Fashion is cyclical and no style, cut, or color will forever be either in or out of fashion. That's why you may find trendy pieces in your closet or your loved ones'. This way of participating in a trend may be a great occasion to fall back in love with older pieces from your wardrobe and to re-wear clothes that you haven't sported in a long time. 

This is not only a budget-friendly way of engaging with a fashion trend but also a sustainable one. After all, the most sustainable clothing items are the ones you already own.

Conclusion 

Having fun with fashion and trends while still trying to make environmentally and socially sound choices doesn't have to be a conundrum. With enough patience and planning, you can, by all means, have the cake and eat it too.  

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About the Author:

Roberta Fabbrocino is a journalist specialized in climate change and sustainability-related topics. Her articles have been published in several international eco-publications. Roberta also works as a content writer for sustainable companies.

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image: OhSevenDays

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only add brands & products we truly believe in! Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make the fashion industry a better place!

What is Zero-Waste Fashion?

Textile waste is a huge problem in the fashion industry. The Council for Textile Recycling claims that more than 70 pounds of textiles per US citizen are going into landfills annually. The amount of clothes we waste is largely due to the rapid increase in the number of clothes being produced over the last few decades. Fashion Revolution claims textile waste is only getting worse and is estimated to increase by about 60% between 2015 and 2030, with an additional 57 million tons of waste generated annually. This would reach an annual total of 148 million tons.

Of the discarded clothes, only 15% is recycled or donated; the rest goes to landfill or is incinerated. Clothes with synthetic fibers can take hundreds of years to decompose. Textiles release methane gas during the decomposition process and leak toxic chemicals and dyes into the groundwater and our soil.

As we become more aware of the impact the fashion industry is having on the environment, brands are looking for more ways to reduce their footprint and the amount of waste they produce. One such idea is zero-waste fashion; clothes that generate little or no textile waste in their production.

When does waste occur in the fashion industry?

Zero-waste promotes a more focused way of producing and living. Brands are adopting this approach to their manufacturing to eliminate textile waste in every aspect of production. They are deciding to reduce the environmental impact of their processes and products in ways that have genuine meaning and provoke real change.

Waste in the fashion industry can occur at several stages of production. When choosing a fabric to purchase from a supplier, brands are often sent several samples of small swatches of fabric, and these are often archived or thrown away after a collection is finished. Even the fabric choice itself can have a history of waste. For example, natural materials like organic cotton can involve waste, from how it’s grown, to the process of turning fibre into fabric.  

Pattern cutting can be an area of development that involves a lot of waste. When pattern pieces are placed on the fabric to be cut out, this can leave ‘offcuts’ of fabric that are too small to be used and are often discarded. During the sewing process, there can be further waste like ‘overlocking’ offcuts and unwanted bits of thread. 

There are also less obvious elements of waste that most brands create, such as office materials like paper, packaging that may not be made from recycled cardboard, and overstock. When a big brands produces a bulk amount of an item of clothing and some of them don’t sell, this is called overstock. These clothes can sit in warehouses for months and are often destroyed to make room for new stock.

How does a brand achieve zero waste?

While there are many ways that fashion creates waste, the good news is there are now many different methods a brand can adopt that will reduce the amount they create and even save more textile waste from landfill. 

Zero-waste design is the practice of developing clothes that require little to no waste. A lot of the waste created by clothing brands can occur before production even begins. When designing garments, zero-waste brands consider how they can minimize excess fabric and how to create pattern designs that will make the most effective use of fabric. Designers should also factor in longevity when designing clothes, ensuring they will last as long as possible for the wearer. 

Sample garments or ‘toiles’ are often made to check the garment functions, the number of these is different for each brand, but there could be anywhere from 2-10 (or even more if it’s high-end design) of these samples made before an item is signed off. 3-D printing and digital sampling are recent innovations that enables brands to see what garments will look like before production begins and make adjustments without the need of physical sample garments. 

Many brands trying to achieve zero-waste status opt to use deadstock or leftover fabrics from other brands and use these to create their collections. This is a great way to make use of pre-existing textiles that otherwise would have been discarded. Zero-waste brands will use recycled and recyclable materials in their shipping and packaging, as well as in their office materials they use every day.

Upcycling is a method that’s fast becoming popular with zero-waste brands; turning an item of clothing into something new, saving the fabric and fastenings in the process. Made to order is another example of how a brand can achieve zero-waste. By only producing a specific number of clothes to meet actual orders they eliminate the issue of overstock and also creates a more valued item of clothing as the wearer knows it’s been made especially for them. 

Fashion brands aiming to become zero-waste also have a responsibility to ensure their suppliers are using low waste production methods. This particularly applies to the fabric suppliers who should be ensuring the processes they use to create textiles create the least waste possible. 

Considering the ‘end of life’ of clothes, some brands focus on closing the loop and offering customers the option to send their clothes back to the brand to be upcycled or recycled. For example, Patagonia’s Worn Wear program provides customers the chance to trade in their old Patagonia clothes for a credit ranging from $10-100 depending on the item of clothing.

our top picks for zero waste clothing brands:

1) Whimsy & Row

Whimsy + Row produces limited batches that are all handcrafted in Los Angeles. It has a waitlist feature on its website so that the company knows exactly much clothing it has to create. Not all of their clothing is made from deadstock, but we have linked up directly to their zero waste collection. The brand only uses locally sourced and eco-friendly materials, and recycles every scrap of deadstock fabric to turn it into new garments or accessories. Whimsy + Row is also carbon-neutral, and its pieces are made using recycled water as well as low-impact dyes. 

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2) Christy Dawn

Christy Dawn are committed to practices that honor Mother Earth, and believe that sustainability doesn’t go far enough, instead focussing on regenerative processes that heal the planet.

They repurpose deadstock fabrics and use construction methods that ensure their clothes are designed to last. A wide range of earth-toned dresses, bottoms and blouses are the ideal everyday wear that aligns with your ethics.

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3) ReCrafted by Patagonia

Patagonia is a favorite brand of ours here at Sustainably Chic, and we love the fact they have their own collection dedicated to zero waste fashion. Their ReCrafted line is created from thousands of used garments diverted from the landfill, sorted at their Reno Repair Center, designed by a team, and finally deconstructed and sewn in Los Angeles. Each product will be uniquely crafted and a rare fine for your closet!

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4) Bastet Noir

Another one of our favorite zero waste fashion brands, Bastet Noir, believes in consuming fashion responsibly, which is why they have created their ‘no waste policy’. Each clothing piece ordered is tailor-made to your measurements to avoid overproducing.

All of their clothing is made out of discarded materials and produced locally by a community of women single parents in North Macedonia.

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5) Tonlé

Pioneers in zero-waste fashion, Tonlé describe themselves as a ‘maker-led community’, valuing inclusivity, honesty and reciprocity.

They use a sustainable zero waste process to create their clothes, making use of reclaimed materials from other manufacturers.

Tonlé offers a beautiful range of clothing from dresses and jumpsuits to outerwear and accessories.

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6) Anekdot

Anekdot is a German company that makes women’s lingerie and swimwear, using surplus fabrics left behind by the fashion industry. The brand sells a great range of lacy lingerie sets that are beautiful and well-made, featuring small decorative details. They are designed to follow your natural curves in a flattering way. The company is great at sourcing its materials locally and gets them from off-cuts, end-of-lines, production leftovers and vintage trimmings.

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7) Swedish Stockings 

Hailed as the only sustainable hosiery brand in the world, Swedish Stockings create their pantyhose from both pre and post-consumer nylon waste. Traditional nylon production is very harmful to the environment, and Swedish Stocking ensures their processes conserve or reuse water, decrease carbon emissions and reduce and recycle waste. They also have a ‘recycling club’ program where customers can send in 3 or more pairs of synthetic pantyhose from any brand in exchange for a 10% discount on Swedish Stockings products.

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8) ArmedAngels 

Armed Angels’ ‘Circular Tee’ and ‘Circular Denim’ collections are the brand’s first exploration into circular fashion, ensuring all the resources involved in manufacturing are kept in a loop.

Customers can return their old Armed Angels t-shirt or denim via the ‘take-back system’ and they will be turned into new items. 

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9) RE/DONE

RE/DONE are on a mission to create sustainable, mindful fashion and are the first luxury label to be born online and grown as an e-commerce brand.

They began with the concept of upcycling vintage Levi’s into modern fits and have since diverted over 145,000 garments from landfills, reconstructing them into luxury collectables.

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10) Pantee

A UK-based brand, Pantee’s bras and underwear are made from either deadstock t-shirts or deadstock t-shirt fabric (95% cotton for comfort, 5% elastane for stretch).

They also work closely with their manufacturers to ensure quality and ethical working standards.

Their underwear sets look very comfortable and come in many different styles and colors!

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11) OhSevenDays

Based in Istanbul, Turkey, OhSevenDays is a mindfully made womenswear label creating sustainable staples from deadstock fabrics. If you like color and multi-functional garments, this brand is for you! The label was created after the founder Megan Mummery stumbled across a small district of Istanbul selling off-cut fabric rolls leftover from large garment manufacturers. Unfortunately, they were doomed for landfill, which sparked an idea to create a sustainable regenerative fashion line.

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12) Malaika

Malaika New York’s unique zero waste designs embrace the female body, focusing on comfort, versatility, and timelessness.

Their simple yet powerful designs can be styled in a variety of different ways.

Malaika is a great choice if you feel like trends are wasteful and are building a high-quality capsule collection.

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13) Mud Jeans

This is a European jeans brand for men and women that you will want to know about: every pair of unwanted or worn-out MUD jeans returned to them is recycled into a new pair in a zero-waste system that uses 92 percent less water than the average pair of jeans. In addition, they encourage their customers to “lease” a pair of jeans with small monthly payments and give them the option to either keep or swap their jeans after 12 months. It’s a brilliant system that makes ethical clothing much more affordable.

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14) Passion Lilie

Passion Lillie carries cute dresses with fun designs that can easily be dressed up or down. The brand is a Fair Trade Federation member, meaning that everything is made by workers earning a fair wage in a safe environment. They use traditional block printing on organic cotton with eco-friendly, non-toxic dyes. With their leftover fabric, they create accessories like handbags and scrunchies, as well as home goods like pillowcases and napkins.

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About the Author

Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on vegan fashion, sustainability and ethically made clothes. She campaigns for change in the fashion industry through her blog and on her Instagram page.

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From the paper they’re printed on to the way they’re shipped across the world, books are like any other consumer good: They require natural resources to produce and distribute. 

If you’re an avid reader who also cares about sustainability, you may have some questions. What are publishers doing to reduce their footprint? Where is the best place to buy books? Should you switch to ebooks or audiobooks? 

Here’s a look behind the scenes of how books are made, what impact they have, and how to make your love of reading a more sustainable act.

How are Books Made?

Understanding the ecological impact of books starts with knowing how they’re made. The majority of books today are mass-produced on giant presses weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds. These presses are operated by employees, who help ensure quality as the printer moves through each stage of the process. 

The biggest resource used in the printing of books is paper — which comes on giant spools before being loaded into the machine. It’s not just a little bit of paper used, either: 32 million trees are used to produce books in the United States. This reduction in trees accounts for nearly half of a book’s overall environmental impact. Ink, too, is an important ingredient in book printing, especially when it comes to printing color covers and books with images or illustrations. Many conventional inks lead to pollution of air, water, and soil, as do the compounds and solvents used in the process.  

Once the book pages have been printed, they are then bound with large amounts of glue/ That glue may also be made with toxic chemicals, like hazardous air pollutants (HACs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which can be carcinogenic (among other dangers to human health). 

Hardcover books have a cardboard cover attached, while paperback books use a heavier weight of paper. After the cover, books are then added to boxes where they are shipped to distributors via all forms of travel and sold to customers around the world. 

While book printing innovation has come a long way from the hand-powered printing press, the massive machines today use a significant amount of energy, not to mention the resources used in the process.  

The Environmental Impact of Books

Many people associate book production with deforestation—and that is a major cause for concern. But did you know that the paper production required in bookmaking is also a major contributor to water degradation? Paper mills have long been a source of water pollution, with chemicals and byproducts being released into the streams and rivers nearby. Water contamination isn’t only damaging not only for nearby ecosystems and animals, but also for people who live in the area.

Another aspect of the environmental impact of books: the waste they produce. The EPA states that books and other paper products, like newspapers, are recycled at a rate of around 50%. The other half of books may wind up either composted and made into other paper products, but millions of books wind up in the landfill each year. The saddest part about that is many of the books going to the landfill haven’t even been read.

So how do so many books end up going to waste? One of the major reasons is that the publishing industry has a practice of producing too many books that don’t wind up selling. If a book is anticipated to sell a certain number of copies, for example, a publisher might make those books ahead of time to meet the forecasted demand. And while it would be much more sustainable to print books on demand as they sell, the production and distribution would likely take too long to meet modern customer’s laser-fast delivery expectations.

So, when those extra books don’t wind up selling, retailers can find themselves with an excess amount of books and no place to put them. When that situation arises, shipping the books back to the publisher can incur too much additional cost on behalf of the retailer. So instead of giving them to someone who can use them, the covers are ripped off the books as proof they didn’t sell, and they’re either dumped to the garbage or sent through pulping—a manufacturing process which breaks down paper products to recycle them into new products. This recycling process is better than books being sent to the landfill; however, pulping, like paper production, requires a great deal of water and produces wastewater pollution.

Sustainable Steps in Publishing 

Books can negatively impact the environment throughout their lifecycle. Fortunately, some publishers are taking steps to make book publishing more sustainable. For example, John Wiley & Sons uses 100% renewable energy and is carbon neutral certified, and MacMillan went fully carbon neutral in 2017. Harper Collins is using a significant amount of recycled paper, with a 2025 goal of using either all recycled or certified paper ( meaning the paper is certified as responsibly sourced by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®). 

You may still wonder why major publishers don’t use all recycled material, or why it’s taking so long to adopt more sustainable practices. It’s because there are many barriers preventing publishing companies from being more green. For example, publishers have stated that recycled materials simply aren’t plentiful enough to use in mass book production, and that the cost to acquire them is too high. 

That’s where organizations like the World Wildlife Foundation Forest Forward program can help. Forest Forward exists to help companies that produce paper products learn to reduce their environmental impact. Specifically, this consultancy teaches businesses how to meet their financial goals while also being more sustainable in the process, which negates the argument that sustainable steps are too costly.

Additionally, some organizations are helping authors have a greater say in how their books impact the earth. Tree to Me, created by the Society of Authors, offers free resources to help writers and authors request more sustainable steps from their publisher.

These are just a few examples of what major publishers are doing, and since 80% of all books in the US are created by these major publishers, their sustainability improvements go a long way.

How to Read More Sustainably

Despite the positive sustainability steps of major companies, there is still a great deal of work to be done. We may not have control over how many books publishers produce or what they do with unread books, but as with any consumer good, readers do have a lot of power in which industries and practices they support. How you choose to buy books, in what format, and from whom can make a major difference in reducing the impact of reading.

Audiobooks and eBooks

Switching to audiobooks and ebooks can reduce your personal impact when it comes to reading. The impact of audiobooks is much less than a physical book. While it still takes energy to store them and to charge the devices you use them on, you’re probably using those devices in other ways, anyway.

As for ebooks, It’s obvious that they also don’t use paper, but did you know that e-readers also take up less space when shipping? This reduces the CO2 impact of distribution, especially because they only have to be shipped to you once. E-readers, like other electronics, do emit carbon emissions in their production. But again, your ebook is only being created one time in exchange for many books.

The other truth: Many people just prefer holding a physical book. In that case, there are still ways to be more conscious about where you buy books and what organizations you support in the process.

Local and Used Bookstores

Local bookstores are a great place to find new and used books. Used books, in particular, are one of the best options for sustainable reading, because you’re not contributing to new trees being cut down or supporting industries that add CO2 to the atmosphere. 

If you’re seeking a new book, buying from a small bookshop rather than Amazon or another chain retailer can have a positive effect on your local community. IndieBound, a website from the American Booksellers Association, has a search tool where you can find local bookstores near you. 

You can also use Bookshop.org to support local bookstores and help them stay afloat as Amazon continues to edge out small shops. Bookshop also has curated lists put together by bookshops and organizations, so it can be a helpful place to find new books to read and discover underrepresented voices or stories you might not otherwise have known about.

Libraries and Library Cards

You’re no stranger to the library, but did you know that you can rent ebooks and audiobooks with your public library card, all without stepping foot inside the actual library?

Libby is an app that takes your library card information and allows you to browse books digitally. You can also add yourself to a waitlist for a popular book, or save books to your wishlist. This is perhaps the most low-impact way to read books, because you’re not contributing to the production of a physical book, and you’re only borrowing something that many other people will read. 

Another way to get books from the library is from a library sale. Public libraries and their associated nonprofits often hold book sales seasonally to clean out their inventory and make room for new books. These books have been read multiple times, and you’re supporting your local library in the process. This is also a great way to find books from local authors.

Books are an essential element of human culture, and the stories they tell have the ability to unite us, help us, and heal us. Taking steps to make your own reading more sustainable can ensure that you enjoy these benefits while reducing the major environmental impact of books.

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About the Author

Michelle Polizzi is an independent writer and storyteller with 7 years of experience creating content online. Her writing has appeared in leading publications like Bitch, WELL+GOOD, Insider, and Healthline, and she covers topics like sustainable living, mental health, and intersectional feminism. Currently, she's pursuing an MFA in creative writing.

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Mindfulness has been a buzzword for quite some time now. And thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and a sweeping mental health crisis, the idea of mindful living is even harder to escape in daily life. Still, the actual meaning of mindfulness remains hazy. What is mindfulness, anyway? Who is mindfulness actually for? And does it really have a positive impact? 

If you’ve asked any of these questions, you’re not alone. To clarify these muddy waters, here’s a look at what being mindful really means and why it’s so important. Plus, we’ll share how you can implement simple, effective mindfulness practices into your daily life, even if you’re a total beginner.

What is Mindfulness and Why Does it Matter?

Mindfulness can have many meanings. But at its core, being mindful is about cultivating greater awareness. In fact, the dictionary defines mindfulness as “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.”

That something, often, is both one’s internal state and one’s surroundings. This is important to understand, because a common misconception of meditation—the ultimate state of mindfulness—is that it requires thinking about nothing. But that’s not really possible for our brains to do. Instead, mindfulness means taking note of the simple, tangible things we can interpret with our senses in a given moment. 

This is where the age-old phrase, “stop and smell the roses,” actually comes in handy. Taking note of the simple elements in your environment, whether it’s the buzz of the air conditioning, the sound of birds flitting by, or the smell of flowers and trees, can help you feel more regulated and is proven to reduce anxious thoughts. 

Mindfulness asks us to assess our inner worlds, too. For example, many beginner meditations start by asking you to notice your breath. That’s it—the simple inhale and exhale. Tuning inward to your breath can make it easier to notice how you’re feeling mentally and emotionally. That doesn’t mean trying to analyze or judge how you feel; instead, meditation simply means noticing your current state, then moving on. 

Mindfulness and Non-Attachment

Mindfulness requires that we let go of what we’re clinging to and embrace the present. This is where we can draw help from aparigraha, or non-attachment—a yama from The Yoga Sutras of Pantajali, an ancient text. Aparigraha teaches us that a mindful moment of focusing on our breath and noticing our emotions can help us learn to become less attached overall, and therefore at greater peace with the world around us. 

As mindful non-attachment is explained by Eckhart Yoga: “When we let the moment be what it is without either trying to cling to it, or to push it away, we can really say we’re living in that moment, allowing things to come and go, without the need to possess any of it.”

The reason we meditate and practice mindful awareness is so that we can ultimately be free of the negative thoughts, regrets, and anxiety that tend to fill our minds and cause us suffering. Research also shows that this is why meditation helps depression—which tends to pull us deep into the past or into worry. To be mindful is to be present, and when we’re present, we can set ourselves free.

Mindfulness and Your Surroundings

Being mindful means having awareness of your inner world, but also of your surroundings. In addition to taking note of your breath, cultivating awareness of your environment can help pull you deeper in the present and set you at ease. 

Being in nature is a great way to practice this skill, because it not only activates your senses, it supercharges the benefits of meditation. Research shows that nature-based mindfulness meditation decreases symptoms of depression, and simply walking barefoot on the ground can improve sleep, reduce pain, and elevate overall wellbeing.

Taking a barefoot walk outdoors is an easy and effective way to try meditating. Walking meditation is especially great for beginners, because it doesn’t ask you to sit still, which can be a challenge. Instead, walking meditations engage all the senses as you move your body, helping you tap into the sounds of nature and your own body within it. 

While there’s no right or wrong way to practice mindful walking, you might start by moving slowly and mentally labeling each action. For example, “right foot forward” and “left foot forward.”  

Getting Started with Mindfulness

One of the best ways to bring mindfulness into your daily life is to add it to everyday habits. This might mean waking up every day and meditating on a specific cushion; however, mindful living can come in many different forms. 

Stack a Mindfulness Habit

If you’re wondering how to make mindfulness stick, consider stacking it onto a current habit you already have. This is explained in the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, who says that it’s much easier to stick to a habit if you do it before something you’ll do anyway. A good example of this is getting your coffee every morning. Can you add a mindful moment before you get coffee, or make the practice of actually making your coffee, or waiting for it to brew, more mindful? 

Insight Timer, Calm, and Balance are all meditation apps that allow you to set reminders on your phone for daily meditations. You can start super small, with just a few minutes per day or even per week. Setting this time to go off a few minutes before you make your morning coffee can make sure you find time to squeeze it in and start your day off on the right foot.

Add Mindfulness to Current Activities

Another idea is to take a current activity and infuse mindfulness into it. Let’s say you go for a run multiple times a week. Insead of popping in your headphones and hitting the sidewalk, perhaps you can find a nearby nature trail and listen to the sounds around you as you jog, at least for part of the time. You’ll be enjoying the benefits of nature and actually staying present during your run, rather than tuning everything out, as you may do with headphones. 

Even better, investing in sustainable materials to power you through these habits can make sure they’re mindful from start to finish. If you’re on that jog, for example, opt for eco-friendly shorts and trail running shoes that won’t contribute to the damage of people or places. The Craft Endurance Trail Running Shoe features proprietary Px Foam that’s made without chemical cross-linking agents or other processes; additionally, all raw materials in the shoe are reusable (not to mention the company’s sustainability efforts).

Start a Bedtime Routine

You might think bedtime routines are only for young children, but think again. Adding a mindful moment before bed can help you unwind for the day and sleep better, which in turn helps the following day start off right. 

A bedtime stretching routine, listening to calming music, and journaling are all great ways to wind down for the day. Unlike scrolling through your phone or catching up on the latest TV show, a bedtime routine asks you to turn inward and take note of how you might be feeling after a long day.

Another way to make your bedtime more mindful is to switch to eco-friendly sheets that are both soft on the skin and easy on the planet. Ettitude is one brand that makes amazingly soft, sustainable and long-lasting CleanBamboo® sheets that are cooling and free from chemicals.

Practice Self-Regulation

Self-regulation is another skill set that’s often taught to kids, but it’s a great practice to visit in adulthood when things get stressful. After all, we may not have all been taught how to do it. Moreover, cultivating mindfulness doesn’t mean you don’t get stressed, it means you know how to rebalance yourself after life inevitably knocks you down.

Self-regulation can come from any practice that helps you feel soothed and at-ease. Many people find this in coloring, for example, but it can be simple, like going for a walk or taking a deep breath. Many people also find regulation in self-care practices, like taking a bath, practicing a gentle yoga flow, or even cleaning or organizing your home. 

The most important aspect of self-regulation is ensuring that it, too, becomes a habit. That way, you have a skill to turn to when you’re feeling anxious and overwhelmed.

Leading a Mindful Life

Lastly, remember that anything you do can be made more mindful. You can take time to eat more slowly and savor every bite. You can spend longer in the garden, watering each plant and noticing its leaves and color. You can decide to take a deep breath every half hour throughout the work day to re-ground yourself.

Whatever it is, know that we’re all capable of developing different mindfulness practices that work for our needs and our life. There’s no right or wrong way to be mindful—as long as you’re tuning into the present and making an effort to slow down, you’ll be well on your way toward reaping the many benefits of mindful living.

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About the Author

Michelle Polizzi is an independent writer and storyteller with 7 years of experience creating content online. Her writing has appeared in leading publications like Bitch, WELL+GOOD, Insider, and Healthline, and she covers topics like sustainable living, mental health, and intersectional feminism. Currently, she's pursuing an MFA in creative writing.

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The Best Sustainable Stationery

In today's world, the concept of being eco-friendly has become more important than ever before. As we become more aware of the impact our actions have on the environment, we are beginning to see the importance of taking small steps to make a positive difference. One way in which we can contribute to the protection of our planet is by choosing eco-friendly stationery.

Whether you're re-stocking your home office or you have an event to prepare for, choosing the right stationery can make all the difference. If you're trying to shop more sustainably and are looking for eco-friendly versions of your stationery staples (no pun intended!), we have found the brands that have got everything you need. From blank paper and envelopes to journals and notebooks, the items we use every day can have a big impact on the planet if we're not careful. But with brands like Paper Culture, Artifact Uprising, and Muji, you can make your stationery both fun and eco-friendly.

Why is it important to choose eco-friendly stationery?

By choosing eco-friendly stationery, you are reducing the amount of waste and pollution that is generated by the production and disposal of non-eco-friendly products. When you opt for products made from sustainable materials, you are supporting the use of renewable resources and promoting the long-term health of our planet.

Many non-eco-friendly products contain harmful chemicals that can be dangerous to both the environment and human health. Choosing eco-friendly products can help reduce exposure to these toxic chemicals.

What makes stationery eco-friendly or not?

For a stationery product to be classed as eco-friendly or sustainable, it should be made using materials that are renewable, such as recyclable paper or organic or biodegradable materials. Non-eco-friendly stationery is typically made using materials that are non-renewable and have a negative impact on the environment, such as virgin paper from unregulated forests or plastic made with fossil fuels.

In addition to the materials used, the production process also plays a significant role in determining whether or not stationery is eco-friendly. Eco-friendly stationery is produced using sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy sources, reducing waste, minimizing the use of harmful chemicals, and using a 'closed-loop' system. 

How to identify eco-friendly stationery

There are several things you can look out for when shopping for eco-friendly stationery. 

• Recycled content: Look for products that use recycled content, such as paper made from post-consumer waste. 

• Sustainable materials: Look for products made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, hemp, or recycled plastic.

• Minimal packaging: Choose products with minimal packaging or packaging made from sustainable materials.

• Certifications: Look for products that have been certified by third-party organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Cradle to Cradle (C2C).

Choosing eco-friendly stationery is a simple yet effective way to contribute to the protection of our planet. By opting for products made from sustainable materials and produced using responsible manufacturing practices, we can reduce waste, minimize our impact on the environment, and promote the long-term health of our planet. The 15 brands we're sharing here offer a range of eco-friendly stationery products, making it easy for us to make a positive impact through our purchasing choices.

Now, our top picks for eco-friendly & Sustainable stationery:

1) Paper Culture

Category: DIY cards, wedding invitations, blank cards, personalized stationery, wall decals

Materials: 100% post-consumer recycled paper, bamboo, organic cotton

Got a wedding, graduation, or other big life event coming up? Based in California, Paper Culture offers a range of eco-friendly stationery products in contemporary designs, including DIY cards (add your own photos and messages), invitations, save the date, and thank you cards.

All products are made using 100% post-consumer recycled paper and are printed using vegetable-based inks. Paper Culture produces its paper and wall decal materials domestically to reduce emissions from transportation. For every order, Paper Culture plants a tree and has planted over 1 million trees already! 

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2) Minted

Category: greeting cards, invitations, art, gifts

Materials: recycled paper, eco-friendly inks

Minted offers a range of personalizable stationery, including cards, invitations, and announcements.

Their products are created by independent artists who create unique and stylish designs. Minted also offers a range of customization options, including foil-stamping, to make your invites really stand out.

Their products are made using high-quality, 100% post-consumer recycled paper and eco-friendly inks, and they have switched all of their packaging over to recyclable or compostable materials. 

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3) Twigs Paper

Category: cards, invitations, notebooks

Materials: 100% post-consumer FSC-certified paper, water-based inks

Made in the USA, Twigs is committed to using 100% eco-friendly materials to produce their cards, invitations, and notebooks. We love their National Parks card collection - they’d be perfect for the recipient to frame! All of the materials they use are sourced from within the USA and Canada, and they print from New York and ship from New Jersey.

Twigs only use plastic-free packaging that is made from post-consumer waste.

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4) Artifact Uprising

Category: photo prints, photo books, cards, calendars

Materials: recycled paper, reclaimed wood, eco-friendly inks

Artifact Uprising specializes in creating high-quality photo prints, photo books, albums, cards, and calendars. They offer a range of themes and designs to choose from, and all of their products are designed to be customizable, so you can get the perfect end product.

Artifact Uprising makes all of its stationery products in the USA and is committed to sustainable and ethical production. Their products are made using eco-friendly materials, including 100% recycled paper and eco-friendly inks. 

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5)  Quilling Card

Category: greeting cards, gifts, art

Materials: paper

For a card like no other, we recommend checking out the stationery brand Quilling Card. Their cards are crafted using the art of quilling (threading strips of kishu paper through a tool to create a tight coil to create shapes), and their designs are beautiful and unique. They offer a range of themes, including seasonal and holiday cards, and you can even buy a kit to try quilling for yourself and make your own cards!

These greeting cards can turn into pieces of art and would be perfect for framing. Quilling Card has a commitment to sustainability and supporting local communities and is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

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6) Greenvelope

Category: digital invitations and cards

Materials: n/a

If you’re looking to reduce your use of paper and the resulting waste, maybe digital invitations are for you. Greenvelope offers a range of stylish digital invitations and cards that are perfect for your special event. You can easily customize the designs to make them suit your needs, and they offer a range of themes, from classic to more contemporary designs.

The Greenvelope website also helps you track RSVPs and questions and set reminders for your guests - the personal assistant we all need when planning an event!

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7) Em & Friends

Category: greeting cards, notebooks, journals, stickers,

Materials: recycled paper, soy-based ink

Em & Friends offers a range of quirky and fun stationery products, including cards for any occasion, notebooks, and journals, as well as stickers, sticky notes, and magnets. Their designs are colorful, playful, and unique, and they have something to offer for all types of personalities. They also offer some fantastic customizable gifting options like books and ‘read me when’ letters.

Em & Friends print their cards in Los Angeles and uses recycled paper and soy-based inks. They also support various social and environmental causes, such as mental health awareness and sustainable living - we love a brand that gives back to the community.

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8) Greenroom

Category: notebooks, journals, binders, blank cards

Materials: 100% recycled paper, soy-based inks

Based in California, Greenroom offers a range of notebooks, journals and binders made using 100% recycled paper and non-toxic soy-based inks. Their designs range from fun prints perfect for your kids to take to school to refined, classic designs that you’ll feel proud to bring out at the team meetings!

Greenroom also sells blank cards, perfect for saying ‘thank you’ or just letting someone know you’re thinking of them. Greenroom products are exclusively available at Target.

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9) Papier

Category: notecards, letting writing paper, thank you card sets, notebooks

Materials: FSC-certified paper

Created with sustainably sourced paper and using recycled packaging, Papier is known for seasonal collections and unique designs. Everything is shipped wrapped in simple cardboard and paper, and all notecards, writing paper, invitations, greeting cards, and inner pages of your notebooks and planners can be recycled.

In addition, they often team up with artists to bring their talents to Papier products for products you won’t find anywhere else!

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10) Tree-Free Greetings

Category: blank cards, greeting cards

Materials: 100% post-consumer recycled paper, VOC-free inks

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day just around the corner, have you picked out your cards yet? Tree-Free Greetings offers a range of sustainable greeting cards for every occasion, from national holidays to birthdays, anniversaries, new arrivals and weddings! You can even write your message onto the card digitally and Tree-Free Greetings will post it for you - perfect for when time isn’t on your side.

All of their products are made in the USA using sustainable materials such as recycled paper and reclaimed wheat straw. Their printing and production happen under one roof and are 100% solar-powered. 

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11) Paperless Post

Category: digital invitations and cards

Materials: FSC-certified paper, recycled paper, eco-friendly inks

Paperless Post offers a range of eco-friendly digital invitations and cards to send to your friends and family. Perfect for any occasion, they have designs for weddings, birthdays, graduation, party invites and even flyers for your business. You can select your design and send it digitally, meaning nothing is produced or needs to be disposed of afterward!

Lots of people are opting for this more eco-friendly choice for wedding and party invites. However, they also offer you the option to get paper versions of their designs if you prefer the physical thing, and they use 100% recycled paper and eco-friendly inks for these. 

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12) Good Paper

Category: Greeting cards, boxed sets

Materials: recycled paper, eco-friendly inks

Good Paper offers a range of beautifully handcrafted cards that are perfect for any occasion.

Their products are made using high-quality recycled paper and are printed with eco-friendly inks. Good Paper works with victims of human trafficking and provides fair wages and safe working conditions to their artisans.

We love that each Good Paper card has been signed on the back by the artist who created it. 

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13) Oblation Papers & Press

Category: greeting cards, invitations, notebooks, planners, pens

Materials: recycled paper, eco-friendly inks, recycled cotton

Portland-based Oblation Papers & Press offers a range of high-quality stationery, including cards, invitations, and notebooks.

Shop stationery sets with beautiful designs to make your letters to your friends and family that much more special.

You’ll also find everything from glass inkwells and typewriters to fabric-covered notebooks and even kits to make your own paper! Oblation uses traditional methods to make their handmade paper and you can see the care that goes into everything they create. 

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14) Botanical Paperworks

Category: seed paper greeting cards, wedding & party favors

Materials: biodegradable seed paper made from post-consumer waste

Imagine sending out your wedding invites so that your guests can plant and watch as wildflowers bloom!

Canadian company Botanical Paperworks specialize in seed paper products, including invitations, greeting cards, and confetti.

Their plantable paper is a biodegradable eco-paper made with post-consumer and post-industrial paper waste that is embedded with seeds. Everything is biodegradable, and by planting more wildflowers, you’ll be improving the biodiversity wherever you plant them!

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About the Author

Sarah King is a freelance writer with a focus on vegan fashion, sustainability and ethically made clothes. She campaigns for change in the fashion industry through her blog and on her Instagram page.

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

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