Conscious Consumerism Trends (part 1): The Myth of Plastic Recycling + Reducing Single Use Plastics

Amanda and Kim are ecstatic to get into the trend of Conscious Consumerism that is growing more and more popular everyday particularly in 2020. Conscious Consumerism is a movement whereby consumers vote with their dollar by buying ethical products or boycotting unethical companies.So essentially: Where do you put your dollar and how can we keep putting it in the right place and adjusting your lifestyle to consume in a way that is more positive to the environment as well as society. Kim explores the trending concept of reducing single use plastic. Kim details out some of the worst offenders and highlights some easy replacements. Bee’s Wrap - can stand in for her guilty pleasure Saran Wrap while Stasher takes the place of those plastic zip bags.  Plastic Bottles are such another big culprit. A report by the Guardian found that 1 million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute. Additionally, less than half of the bottles purchased in 2016 were recycled — with just 7-9% of those collected are actually recycled, and the rest ending up in landfill sites or the ocean.  Thankfully reusable bottles like Hydroflasks are trending - which is not just a functional replacement but a statement for environmentalism for all to see. She also reports that Evian has partnered with Virgil Abloh to repair some damage they have done for essentially starting the disposible water bottle trend including their “Activate Movement” competition. The project encouragers young designers to enter their sustainability-focused design and innovation projects, with a €50,000 EUR (approximately $54,000 USD) grant available to the winners.AN OPEN CALL FOR INITIATIVES THAT CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE - under the umbrellas of either Waste Reduction, energy reduction and recycling/upselling. More details HERE.Straws we also find are a scourge upon the earth. Americans use 1.6 Straws Per Person Per Day: enough straws to wrap around the Earth 2.5 times everyday. They are not recyclable and don’t decompose - so just BRING YOUR OWN. She recommends FinalStraw.Single Use Plastic Bags also suck total balls and are a complete plague upon the earth. The average plastic market bag is used for 12 mins and takes 1,000 years to decompose. GROSS! Kim plugs a product she worked on with Graf Lantz - the Ami Market Tote.Lastly - Kim touches on refill shops that are popping up in cities nearest you. With the pandemic it has been hard to use this sort of service but a few have made it easy online including the Refill Shoppe out of Ventura that offers online - zero waste - refills and the ability to pick your own ALL NATURAL scents! Amanda issues a wakeup call on the booming personal care industry and presents us with some unique solutions to our waste-free lifestyle.Amanda RecsListen to her say Lush over and over again as she offers some reviews on Shampoo & Conditioner (plastic free!!) bar soap options. Amanda recs The Earthling Co, as well as well as Meow Meow Tweet for their bars in addition to Dustin's deodorant of choice which comes in a cardboard tube!  By Humankind wows us with their modern branding and zero waste packaging with cool products like refillable deodorant, hand sanitizer, shower kits and cotton swabs.  Bite is HOT HOT HOT - trending with the kids who want to reduce their plastic footprint. With awesome branding and product to boot.  Package Free Shop sells some really innovative products for your oral care regime as well as other great game changers in the personal care realm.Amanda brings us into the ladies room with some plastic free feminine care options recommending applicator free options like Natracare as well as the super trendy period underwear Thinx and Sustain.But her pièce de résistance is the menstrual cup. Learn more about her choices like the Diva Cup, June Cup, and Saalt. Find more details at our website and on