Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Napkins

Reusable cloth napkins are often thought of as a hassle and reserved for special occasion dinner parties. What if we considered every day a special occasion and used it as a way to make a positive impact for the environment? I find my best sustainable choices are made when I view my daily life as an experience and less of something I am just trying to survive. By incorporating more thought into my daily habits, I realized how much paper waste I make from preparing and eating a simple meal. Thankfully, there are more choices than ever. Sustainable napkin options are easier to incorporate than you think and this easy guide will help you make the switch!

How to make the most of sustainable napkins:

When using reusable napkins, there are some simple tips to make the most of your investment. Many people find washing their napkins after every meal isn’t necessary, so you can use a designated napkin ring or basket to store in-use cloth napkins from the ones. When it is time to wash your sustainable napkins, wash with cold and line dry to decrease the amount of energy needed. You can also choose to make make your own napkins from old sheets, towels, clothing, or fabric scraps. This eliminates the need for a new purchase and saves other materials that were otherwise destined for the landfill.

How to shop for sustainable napkins:

The best fabrics to look for are linen and organic cotton. They require less water for growing and are free from toxic pesticides. Also, be sure to check where the napkins and materials are sourced and that the workers are paid fair wages. This is a job that is notoriously underpaid but thankfully, there are companies who prioritize worker safety and pay.

Where to find sustainable napkins:

If you want to test how sustainable napkins will work for your home, start by using old towels, rags, or scrap fabric for napkins. This will let you experiment with no added cost. If you are looking for specific colors or patterns to match your decor, keep reading for some great companies! & of course, you can also always check out your local thrift stores.

Check out these trusted companies that create sustainable napkins with beautiful designs:

1) Shades of Green

Using unbleached organic heirloom cotton and plant-based dyes, each step of their production process is sustainably minded. Each handmade piece helps preserve and support rural artisan communities. Their products are rated on a “shades of green” scale which they break down so the customer knows exactly how eco-friendly their purchase will be. The napkins are shade 5, which means they are the most sustainable and meet all evaluation criteria. Using plant-based dyes and ancient loom techniques, these napkins are made in India. All Shades of Green packaging is also recyclable and sustainable.

Shop Shades of Green

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2) Mayamam Weavers

Utilizing traditional weaving techniques of Mayan culture, Mayamam Weavers is a cooperative in Cajolá, Guatemala to provide fair trade wages to women so they don’t have to immigrate and separate from their families for work. Mayamam Weavers also focuses on providing literacy programs to empower women in the community who otherwise don’t have access to education. Their brightly colored cotton napkins are made using non-toxic dyes and will dress up any table. While the cotton used for their napkins isn’t organic, they are looking into making this change as organic cotton has recently become available in their region.

Shop Mayamam Weavers

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3) Passion Lilie

Each item on Passion Lilie lists how it was made and they showcase each process step by step. Their Ikat weaving and block printing are all done by hand and create unique patterns. They also choose to partner with local labor groups who pay fair wages, usually 2-3 times the minimum with fixed contracts and benefits such as health insurance and pension plans. They also stand for an open hiring policy based on people’s qualities and not their gender, religion, or caste. I love the prints of their napkins, which are hand-loomed in India. They use a lot of their leftover fabrics to make their napkins and each purchase helps them move toward being a zero-waste company.

Shop Passion Lilie

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4) Made Trade

A woman-owned and family-run company with a variety of ethical and sustainable brands. They value fair trade and handcrafted products by workers paid fair wages and most are GOTS certified. I love that you can shop multiple brands so there are lots of colors, prints, and fabrics to choose from. Made Trade is known for their great customer experience where you can sort items by values like POC-owned, vegan, fair trade, etc. They also have table cloths, placemats so you can fully complete your sustainable dining setup.

Shop Made Trade

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5) MINNA

MINNA is a queer-led business that partners with artisans in Mexico and Guatemala. All their products are ethically made with contemporary design. The MINNA website provides a lot of detailed information about who they work with so you know exactly who and from where the items are sourced. I loved reading the stories behind the different weavers and where they live. Their assortment of napkins is made of cotton and non-toxic dye that are perfect for daily use.

Shop Minna

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6) Coyuchi

Coyuchi believes in the importance of organically grown materials, designing with intention, commitment to the people, and is inspired by nature. This company is no stranger to sustainable living, they were the first company to bring organic cotton to market almost 30 years ago. Their organic cotton napkins are made from cotton grown and woven in India in a factory that recycles 98% of its wastewater. Their earth-toned napkins are GOTS certified, as are all their items, and are perfect for daily use.

Shop Coyuchi

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7) Raven + Lily

Handmade with ancient weaving techniques, Raven + Lily’s Ethiopian cotton napkins are hand-dyed in small batches. This ensures each item is made to the highest quality standards and of course, sustainably. Raven + Lily incorporate fun and earthy tones that will pair well with any home color palette. I love that they provide artisan information about where the materials are made and sourced. The napkins specifically are sourced from a women-led studio in Ethiopia. You can feel confident shopping with them as they are a certified B-corporation and a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

Shop Raven + Lily

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8) Fable

Fable’s napkins are made from European flax and woven in Belgium at a fifth-generation family-owned mill. Their napkins have coordinating table cloths, which they also sell in sets. While the color selection is limited, the linen is durable, lint-free, and compliments their beautiful handcrafted dinnerware. Fable is B Corp certified company and all packaging is 100% recyclable and plastic-free. They are also working towards becoming a zero-waste company and provide full impact reports about their sustainable efforts on their website.

Shop Fable

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9) Plover

Organic home textiles with flair is why this woman-owned company got its start. Created by sisters-in-law, Marisa and Sheila, Plover offers more than your typical neutral color palette for those with bold style, their cloth cocktail napkins will spice up any at-home happy hour. All products are made from organic fabrics with environmentally, ethically, and economically sustainable production.

Shop Plover

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10) Creative Women

While working to uplift female textile artisans, Creative Women is a fair-trade company working with over 1,400 women in nine countries. The cloth napkins are made from handspun Ethiopian cotton right where it’s grown and harvested. With an array of natural-dyed colors and hand stitching details, these napkins would look beautiful for an elegant dinner party or add a little luxury to your daily meals.

Shop Creative Women

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Disposable Sustainable Napkin Tips

If you need disposable napkins, there are ways to make more eco-friendly choices with single-use napkins. Look for disposable napkins that are chlorine-free and made from at least 90% recycled paper. This will ensure that even though it is a single-use item, it has already been recycled and made from materials that have already been saved from the landfill once. Many companies claim their paper napkins are made with post-consumer materials but then only use 50% or less recycled materials. Keep in mind, biodegradable and backyard compostable paper products are ideal, but if the napkins are soiled with animal products or oils they are no longer able to be recycled or composted.

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

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Content Creator: Karmen Flores

Date: 2021-10-14T11:43:00+0000

NSW hospitals generate approximately 52,400 tonnes of waste a year, which costs the NSW Government at least $16m in disposal. Now, a NSW Circular initiative has uncovered a way for NSW hospitals to improve the recycling and reuse of some single-use plastic healthcare products previously destined for landfill.

The demonstration project, conducted at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, enabled Orange-based company Allmould Plastics Group to recycle ampoules and needle caps into new building materials, with support of SMaRT@UNSW Sydney.

The waste was collected from selected clinical areas in the hospital, which accounted for 28% of all ampoules and 11% of all needle caps used in the hospital — in just three months, more than 80,000 pieces of clinical waste plastic was collected. If the scheme was expanded to cover all clinical use of these two items alone, this would recover nearly 2 million pieces (or 4 tonnes) of plastic a year from this one hospital.

The 205 kg of plastic collected in the trial was then recycled into products, including 1500 roller door wheels and 7400 building industry grommets and packers, which will be deployed across Australian sites.

The report, Plastics in Healthcare: A Circular Economy Transition Plan, found the project has scale-up potential with clear environmental and economic benefits. By recycling just 40-60% of the clinical waste currently incinerated or landfilled, NSW hospitals could create annual savings equivalent to the cost of hiring 40 nurses. The report also found nearly 30 new additional jobs could be created in plastics recycling by turning high-quality clinical plastic into new components.

NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, the Hon. Stuart Ayres MP said: “If every hospital in NSW undertook this program, we would be able to unlock significant savings that could be reinvested into patient care and essential services. At the same time, we would divert plastic waste from our environment and create new jobs and economic opportunities in recycling these materials.”

St Vincent’s Hospital CEO Associate Professor Anthony Schembri AM said the project proves that it is possible to extract value and design out of waste without compromising health or safety. “Recycling even just two items across all clinical use can recover nearly two million pieces, or four tonnes of plastic per year, in just one of our hospitals alone. It’s just the beginning.”

Needle cap sorting

Rodrigo Fritis-Lamora, Heart/Lung Transplant Coordinator at St Vincent’s Hospital who implemented the project said: “We see enormous amounts of plastic waste going in the bin every day; it is truly disheartening. Being at the frontlines, staff have a huge desire to see more sustainable practices and we’re just so happy to see our efforts resulting in real benefits to both the hospital and environment.”

Scott Cantrill, Client Adviser, Allmould Plastic Group, can see the economic impacts the rollout of this project, and more of its kind, will have in regional areas such as Orange, where their business is located. “As a result of this project we are now negotiating with waste service companies and hospitals to increase our plastic feedstock and capacity. This will enable us to engage more full-time employees and support a multimillion-dollar investment in plant upgrades,” Cantrill said.

Following the success of this demonstration project, NSW Circular has announced the development of new partnerships with Hunter New England and Northern Sydney Local Health Districts to divert waste from landfill, and to drive efficiencies, new jobs and investment.

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Date: 2021-10-13T13:00:00+0000

As more countries pledge to achieve net zero carbon emissions, there will be a greater reliance on renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar energy. However, there is very little evidence on the impacts large-scale solar farms have on the local environment. Now, scientists using satellite technologies have discovered that large-scale solar parks have a cooling effect on the land surrounding them.

The team of scientists, from Lancaster University, Ludong University and the University of California, Davis, focused on two large-scale solar parks located in arid locations: the 300 MW Stateline solar park in California and the 850 MW Longyangxia solar park in China. Using land surface temperature data derived from Landsat satellite images — an approach not previously applied to solar parks — the team was able to compare the land surface temperatures around solar parks before and after the solar parks were constructed. The satellite data was supplemented by on-the-ground temperature measurements around Stateline solar park.

The researchers found that the parks produced ‘cool islands’ extending around 700 m from the solar park boundaries. The temperature of surrounding land surface was reduced by up to 2.3°C at 100 m away from the solar park, with the cooling effects reducing exponentially to 700 m. The researchers hypothesise this is due to the solar arrays shading and insulating the land surface, as well as energy being converted into electricity by the solar panels, although further studies are needed to determine the exact mechanisms that cause the cool island effect and how it might vary with location and solar park design.

Published in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition, the team’s discovery is important as it shows solar parks could impact ecological processes, including productivity, decomposition and ultimately the carbon balance, in the surrounding landscape — an effect that will depend on the location and could be positive, negative or inconsequential. For example, previous studies have shown that lower surface temperatures on the Tibetan Plateau could potentially reduce the amount of methane lost to the atmosphere. However, in the Mojave Desert, lower temperatures resulted in fewer seeds germinating, which may mean fewer plants surviving to adulthood, reducing biodiversity.

The new findings therefore highlight the need for greater consideration to be given to where solar parks are built around the world, as well as their design, to minimise any negative impacts and boost positive effects.

“Most studies examine the impacts of land use change for solar parks inside the site boundaries,” said Dr Alona Armstrong, co-lead author on the study from Lancaster University. “Here, we found a temperature effect that is evident up to around 700 m away, suggesting that ecological processes may also be impacted.

“This heightens the importance of understanding the implications of renewable energy technologies on the hosting landscape — we need to ensure that the energy transition does not cause undue damage to ecological systems and ideally has net positive consequences on the places where we build them.”

Image L–R: Stateline solar park; Dr Alona Armstrong taking a soil surface measurement.

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Date: 2021-10-13T13:00:00+0000

 

The Best Sustainable & Eco-Friendly watches

Looking for a new timepiece? These sustainable watch brands are creating an eco-friendly alternative to one of the most practical things we wear - the watch! As someone who tries to be on their phone very little, I like to wear a watch to tell the time to avoid the constant checking of the phone. There are a few brands I have personally tried and love, which I’ve included in this list, along with a few others I’ve heard great things about.

What makes a watch ‘sustainable’?

I look for a few things when determining if a watch brand can be added to this list. The first, who made them? Each watch brand should have high standards in their factories and support ethical production. The second, what are they made from? Many of these brands use non-conflict and recycled materials to create their watches (one even uses solar to power - pretty amazing!). The third, what is the quality? Are these watches something you can wear for many years? Are they versatile? Are they affordable and accessible price-wise? We ask many questions before adding a new watch brand, and these have all passed the bill.  

Now, our top picks for the best sustainable & eco-friendly watches:

1) SOLIOS

A solar-powered watch! Can you believe these exist?! Did you know 300 million batteries could avoid being produced every year if all quartz watches were solar-powered?

The average lifetime of a watch battery is only 2 years, but with a Solios watch, you will need only one battery over its lifetime, eliminating the production of 20 batteries per watch.

They also use Eco Leather bands free of any animal skin, as well as free of PU, PVC, and toxic waste.

Shop Solios

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2) 2°EAST

2°EAST carries a wide range of watches for women, men, and children.

Their watches are made out of materials like recycled plastic bottles, zero-waste conflict-free rose gold, and Italian full-grain vegetable-tanned leather.

Plus, 2°EAST is able to ensure transparent and ethical manufacturing because they own their own factory!

For every watch or strap purchased, 30 trees are planted too.

Shop 2°EAST

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3) WoodWatch

These beautiful watches from WoodWatch are so timeless. This ethical brand fights against climate change by planting 3 trees for each product sold. To date, they’ve planted 120,000 trees thanks to their customers!

You can add custom engraving on the back of the watches, which make for a perfect gift. Plus, they offer free worldwide shipping, a 45-day return policy, & a 2- year warranty.

I own the Bellflower Flora Watch, and it is so beautiful!

Shop Woodwatch

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4) Mondaine

As a Swiss girl myself, I think it would be silly not to have some watches from one of the most famous watch-making countries in the world.

Mondaine prioritizes sustainability, and they are one of the first entirely carbon-neutral watch companies globally (which extends to all areas of their business, including manufacturing).

Their manufacturing warehouse is powered by solar energy, and their collection Essence uses sustainable materials like recycled PET bottles, cork lining, & castor bean oil.

Shop Mondaine

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5) Nordgreen

Travis and I both have a watch from this brand, and love them! Nordgreen’s Chief Designer is inspired by nature and a desire to get a little simplicity back into our lives. Their interchangeable straps come in natural stainless steel links or vegan leather (made with both virgin and recycled synthetics), and make the watches very versatile. Their entire production is carbon offset and they partner with Danish factories that ensure ethical labor practices. Plus, every purchase gives back to one of three causes.

Shop Nordgreen

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6) Solgaard

I love the unique hexagon shape with the Solgaard watches. You may have seen this company before and their luggage collection, but their watches are just as cool.

Their straps are interchangeable, and each watch comes with a an interchangeable black NATO strap.

What’s really great about this company is for every purchase made, they remove 5 pounds of trash from the ocean.

Shop Solgaard

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7) Time IV Change

Made in a Hong Kong factory with ethical credentials, Time IV Change is an Australian designed and owned brand creating watches with leather-free straps.

The label’s Piñatex collection offers gorgeous, classic, and minimal styles.

Learn more about this awesome vegan fabric here.

Shop Time IV Change

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Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make this industry a fairer and cleaner place!

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Content Creator: Natalie Kay

Date: 2021-10-13T12:45:00+0000

 

sustainable underwear for women & men

From comfy briefs to sexy bras, these ethical and sustainable underwear brands are giving us everything we want to see in our underwear drawers.

What Makes Your Underwear Sustainable?

Sustainable underwear is quality underwear created from eco-friendly fabrics made by people who are paid a fair wage. You want the underwear to last through many washes and be comfortable for you.

Searching for sustainable period underwear? Click here.

You can also find a list of underwear and socks dedicated to men here.

What Eco-Friendly Fabrics Should You Search For?

The top fabric for eco-friendly underwear is organic cotton, but you can also find great styles in Tencel, Modal, Hemp, Silk, Recycled Polys and Bamboo. Each of these fabrics has their unique characteristics and create a different feel. If you prefer ultra-soft, Tencel and Bamboo might be a good fit. If you need more of a performance pair, go for recycled polyester. Whatever you pick from this list, you are choosing a much more sustainable product than what you find in conventional stores.

Now, our top picks for comfy, sustainable underwear:

1) Made Trade

For: Women

Materials: Organic Cotton, Bamboo

Price: $13-38

As you may already know, Made Trade is home to hundreds of sustainable brands for the entire family and home.
Their underwear collection has some of the best eco-friendly underwear from top ethical and sustainable brands to help you feel confident and comfortable all day long, and they even have a section just for plus-size intimates.

Shop Made Trade

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2) Hu-Ha

For: Women

Materials: TENCEL™

Price: $29+

These eco-conscious undies are really unique because they’re infused with zinc oxide, a natural anti-bacterial that aims to keep your huha healthy by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi. Not only are these undies from TENCEL derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp, but they also ship plastic-free and plant a tree!

Shop Hu-ha

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3) JulieMay

For: Women

Materials: Organic Cotton & Silk

Price: $18-52

Made from certified Organic Pima Cotton and 100% Pure Silk, this is one of the softest collections of eco-friendly bras available! In addition to their briefs, JulieMay carries a wide variety of bra styles: supportive underwired, back support/sport, front fastening, and bralette. Plus, their designs are made for sensitive skins and are certified Allergy Free UK.

Shop JulieMay

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4) Hernest Project

For: Women

Materials: Tencel

Price: $39

Tencel briefs must be the comfiest and I love the look of the Betty Brief fit. hernest project is a line of sleep and lounge basics that are ethically made with one of my favorite fabrics, TENCEL, which is more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk, and offers natural hygiene. They also have sizes to 4XL!

Shop Hernest Project

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5) Opok

For: Men

Price: $30

Materials: Organic Cotton & Pigment Dyes

Created by twin brothers and ex-professional athletes, Opok is dedicated to providing organic clothing that’s extremely soft and built for daily life. They are passionate about helping the environment & use GOTS-certified sustainable manufacturing & donate a portion of their proceeds to saving bees & coral reefs. You can feel confident knowing that your clothing is safe from toxins & is sustainable for you & the planet.

Shop Opok

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6) Pact

For: Men, Women & Kids

Materials: Organic Cotton

Price: $12-30

This is my go-to for underwear for the entire family! They have a pair of underwear with a lace band at the top, and those are my absolute favorite. The boxes for men are also one of Travis’ favorites. Highly recommend!

code: SustainablyChic20 for 20% off

Shop Pact

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7) Boody

For: Men & Women

Materials: Bamboo

Price: $12-40

If you are looking for ultra-softness! I don’t like to promote too much bamboo fabric, but theirs is wonderful. This brand believes change starts from the ground up. Their collections of women’s underwear is made from sustainably grown bamboo viscose that is easy on the planet, and your body.

Shop Boody

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8) Organic Basics

For: Men & Women

Materials: Organic Cotton, Tencel, Recycled Nylon

Price: $39-72

I’ve been wearing Organic Basics’ bras and undies for a few years now, and I can say they truly make an amazing undergarment. Even after all the washes, my underwear and bras are still in great condition. Soft and comfy as ever!

Shop Organic Basics

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9) Knickey

For: Women

Materials: Organic Cotton

Price: $13

I have a few pair, and love these underwear! Their certified organic cotton undies are free from toxic chemicals so you and your vagina can breathe easy. The certified organic cotton supply chain uses only Oeko-Tex certified dyes in processing - which means zero toxic chemicals in production - yay!

Shop Knickey

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10) MeUndies

For: Men & Women

Materials: MicroModal

Price: $14-32

Besides all the fun prints and colors, MeUndies has an awesome membership where you pick out one pair of undies each month for a discounted price!

They use super soft MicroModal sustainably harvested from Beech Trees.

Shop MeUndies

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11) Allbirds

For: Men & Women

Materials: TENCEL™ Lyocell & Merino Wool

Price: $16-30

You may know this brand for their shoes and most recently socks, but now they have a line of underwear for men and women. Their collection comes in many colors, & they have combined eucalyptus fiber and merino to create a soft, moisture-wicking material your private parts will love.

Shop Allbirds

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12) Wama Underwear

For: Men & Women

Materials: Hemp, Organic Cotton

Price: $20

Because of hemp’s moisture wicking properties, these undies are breathable and comfortable.

Hemp is also resistant to mold and UV light, and retains color better than cotton.

& did you know hemp requires HALF the amount of water to grow?!

Shop Wama Underwear

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13) Patagonia

For: Men & Women

Materials: Recycled Polyester, Recycled Nylon

Price: $18-49

If you are looking for performance underwear for your active lifestyle, Patagonia is the place to go! The undies pictured here are made of 89% nylon (66% recycled) & spandex in a quick-dry seamless weave, with HeiQ® Fresh durable odor control, & all are FairTrade sewn.

Shop Patagonia

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14) The Nude Label

For: Men & Women

Materials: Organic Cotton

Price: $18-54

I love the color palette this European-based underwear brand uses. For their entire collection, they use GOTS certified organic cotton, which means it’s sustainable from start to finish, from farmers to consumers. They also give back to many organizations helping restore our planet with trees and vegetation.

Shop The Nude Label

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15) Modibodi

For: Women & Men

Materials: Bamboo, Merino Wool

Price: $18-45

At Modibodi, part of each purchase goes toward donating pairs of period underwear to girls in need around the world. So far, Modibodi has donated 23,341 pairs. Their Made To Feel film campaign shows that the sustainable choice can also be the most comfortable and impactful choice. You can also find underwear for men, teens & kids!

Shop Modibodi

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16) Warp + Weft

For: Men & Women

Materials: Modal, Cotton

Price: $12

A brand for every size. Modal for undies is definitely a comfy choice. It’s made from cellulose reconstituted from beech trees, it’s naturally breathable and 50% more absorbent than cotton. It is ultra-soft, ultra-stretchy, & keeps its shape after washes.

Shop Warp + Weft

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17) Thinx

For: Women

Materials: Nylon, Organic Cotton

Price: $24-42

Looking for underwear during that time of month?!

This is probably the most well-known, sought after period panty. I have yet to try them, but it’s on my list. I’ve only heard great things about them, and their prices aren’t bad!

Shop Thinx

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18) Azura Bay

For: Women

Materials: Organic Cotton, Recycled Lace, Hemp, Tencel, Recycled Nylon

Price: $24-114

There are so many great underwear brands at this online marketplace. It’s definitely a destination to check out! Azura Bay is a curated collection of cute, comfy and conscious lingerie, pjs, and loungewear from ethical brands, using eco fabrics and production processes as much as possible.

Shop Azura Bay

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19) Sustain by Kat

For: Women

Materials: Organic Cotton

Price: $34-62

I own this set and it’s very comfy! This brand has done so many amazing things when it comes to dyeing fabrics, and making sure their garments are sustainable from the notions up. This set is made with 100% organic cotton fabric and trim and natural rubber elastic!

Shop Sustain by Kat

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20) Knix

For: Women

Materials: Nylon, Poly, Modal

Price: $23-125

This woman-founded brand prioritizes transparency and women empowerment.

As Knix continues to grow, the company continues to work toward more sustainable practices, believing that imperfectly starting somewhere is better than not starting at all.

Shop Knix

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PIN THE PHOTO TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER

We are constantly updating blog posts to give you the best in sustainable fashion.

This post is sponsored in part by Hernest Project, JulieMay, Huha & Opok and contains affiliate links.

Cover photo from The Nude Label

As always, views are genuine and brands are truly loved. Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make this industry a fairer and cleaner place!

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Want more?  VISIT OUR
sustainable  brand directory!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

Shop the Sustainable Brand Directory

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Content Creator: Natalie Kay

Date: 2021-10-13T15:29:00+0000

The regularity and intensity of extreme weather events in 2021 has once again thrown the climate crisis into the spotlight and brought the impacts of climate change into public consciousness. Whether we are seeing forest fires or flooding, it is increasingly difficult to ignore the way that unpredictable conditions are affecting lives in all corners of the world.

At the same time, people are talking more than ever about how we can mitigate the impacts of climate change and one of the most talked about actions is reaching net zero emissions. This is the idea of humanity, collectively, emitting no more harmful emissions than the Earth can absorb in order to halt damaging temperature rises.

Net zero emissions

Many countries and trade blocs — such as the European Union — have set net zero emissions targets and are developing plans to make them a reality. Unfortunately, however, not all countries have stepped up. Australia, alongside countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Russia, has submitted a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that is easily met with current policies and lacks the ambition needed for meaningful change.

As a significant global power, it is important that countries like Australia lead by example and demonstrate progress on cutting emissions, protecting natural resources and developing new sources of clean energy. Not only is this crucial in its own right, the ambition shown by forward-leaning governments has an impact on market development and, in turn, individual behaviour.

Improving the infrastructure of electric vehicles and setting dates for ending the sale of cars with internal combustion engines, for example, encourages greater sales of these vehicles and boosts greater production.

States and territories leading from the front

In countries where climate leadership is not being shown it is easy to think that it doesn’t exist — but that is not necessarily the case. State and regional governments have significant power and influence when it comes to making a difference on the ground. They can pass new laws, create favourable business conditions, improve public transport systems and influence behaviour change in their local areas.

This is the motivation behind the Under2 Coalition: a global grouping of 133 state and regional governments (plus a further 127 national and city government signatories) committed to ambitious action in line with the Paris Agreement to keep global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees. Where national governments are unable, or unwilling, to act, these states and regions can — and do. And they make a difference.

Renewable energy revolution

Australian states, territories and businesses are trailblazers in shifting towards renewable energy and developing plans to reach net zero emissions. Through 2021 we have seen a noticeable increase too in determination and enthusiasm to do more for the climate. All Australian states and territories have now pledged to reach net zero by 2050, with many businesses across the country committing to 100% renewable electricity.

In fact, state leadership covers all major economic sectors, with a shift towards renewable energy figuring most prominently. For example, in the last 12 months, renewable energy made up 26.5% of electricity generation in Australia, which exceeds the government’s 2020 goal by 6%.

Almost all Australian states are also now members of the Under2 Coalition, and five have become Net Zero Leaders as part of our initiative to get all members setting ambitious targets that inspire others. Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria have demonstrated not only that they want to match the scale of climate action taking place in other parts of the world but that they want to be even better.

Among many examples of this leadership are:

• South Australia’s ambition to reach 100% renewable electricity before 2030.The state currently leads Australia in growing its share of renewable electricity generation, with over 50% already coming from solar and wind energy projects.
• Australian Capital Territory achieving its goal of being powered 100% by renewable electricity by 2020.
• Victoria’s plan to meet 50% of its energy needs through renewables by 2030.
• New South Wales’ work to increase its renewable energy capacity from 16% to 60% by 2030 and its recent promise to cut state emissions in half this decade.

Blueprint for the future

There is growing appetite for climate action among the Australian public, with Australian state and territory election results in 2020 showing consistent support for governments with stronger climate policies. Equally, Australian businesses are becoming more influential in the renewable energy sector. Australia is currently installing renewable electricity at a rate four to five times faster per capita than China, the US or the EU.

It is time now to build on this momentum, through grassroots commitment, ambition and enthusiasm, so that Australia becomes an example to the world. States, territories and businesses already have the expertise to drive improvements that support a healthy planet.

Just ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, the Under2 Coalition, and many of its members in Asia–Pacific, will be taking part in the virtual Impact X Summit being run by Blue Impacts. They will join businesses, entrepreneurs, NGOs and passionate individuals looking to build their knowledge and find the solutions humanity needs to chart a more positive future.

Tim Ash Vie, Director of the Under2 Coalition Secretariat, will be speaking at the upcoming Impact X Summit Sydney 2021: Climate growth and accelerating pathways to zero emissions. To register to attend the conference, click here.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/alexlmx

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Date: 2021-10-12T13:00:00+0000

In the community of Löchgau in Germany, ASCA has designed and implemented a ‘solar tree’ for construction company STRENGER Bauen und Wohnen.

The solar tree produces electricity for the e-bike charging stations of three apartment buildings in a senior-friendly living residential complex. The project demonstrates the flexibility of ASCA’s organic solar films.

“With conventional technology, the individual shapes of the solar modules would not have been feasible,” said Hermann Issa, ASCA Senior Vice President of Business Development & Project Management, who also designed the solar tree.

The 2.5 m-long solar modules of the 6 m-high installation are made of organic solar films. ASCA laminated these with polycarbonate in cooperation with BGT Bischoff Glastechnik.

ASCA prints the organic photovoltaic cells (OPV) onto thin films using a special process. Green-coloured OPV films were used for the solar tree but the films can also be produced in blue, red and grey. The flat steel components of the solar tree were manufactured by the Kirchknopf metalworking shop, which also handled the onsite installation.

Nine solar foils from ASCA supply the e-bike charging station with solar electricity. Image credit ©ASCA.

“The overall design of solar modules and steel elements takes up the formal language of the surrounding buildings’ design and reflects the innovative character of the residential complex,” said Issa.

In addition to designing the system, ASCA also planned the system integration. The solar tree stands on the ceiling slab of an underground parking garage, where the other system components, such as the inverter, are located. If no e-bike is connected to the charging station, the electricity is used for the general power of the underground garage and the outdoor area.

The energy tree was created as part of a competition held by Löchgau.

“To implement a tree that provides energy, we found an excellent partner in ASCA, who had already created a concept proposal for us after only two meetings,” said Maren Gerhäusser, who was in charge of the solar tree at STRENGER. “Our cooperation with ASCA was excellent as it also was with the Kirchknopf metalworking shop, which supplied the ‘trunk’ and the ‘branches’ of the tree.”

Top image credit ©ASCA.

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Date: 2021-10-12T13:00:00+0000

 

eco-friendly, organic & sustainable bed sheets

It’s amazing how many organic and sustainable bed sheets you can find today. In our home, we have tried a few different brands and have been happy with it all. I felt this post would benefit a lot of people looking to create more of an eco-friendly and healthy bedroom oasis.

Why Choose Organic and Natural Fabrics for your bed sheets?

Because we spend 1/3 of our lives in our beds! Why wouldn’t we want to make it a safe, non-toxic zone? We shouldn’t have to compromise our health (or the planet’s) when we get a little shut-eye. You don’t want to sleep on toxic dyes or fibers which have been grown with pesticides. These types of fabrics in this post are highly regulated during the entire process from crop to finish, so you can be sure you are sleeping on a safe product.

What types of fabrics should we look for when shopping for new bed sheets?

From organic cotton to hemp, all of these sheets bring you comfort and a good night’s rest. Their quality is superb, and you can rest easy knowing you aren’t sleeping on chemically infused linens. Organic Cotton, Linen, Hemp, and Tencel are the main fabrics to look for. Linen sheets give a beautiful French aesthetic, while Tencel is the perfect alternative to silk. Hemp is usually blended with organic cotton and can provide a very soft linen appearance and may even feel softer. Organic cotton is the basic go-to and one you can’t go wrong with.

Our Top Picks for sustainable Bedding:

1) Made Trade

Materials | Tencel, Cotton, & more

Queen Set Price | Various

This wonderful online shop is home to many sustainable home brands like Sijo, Coyuchi, HOOT, and Area Home. If you are looking to create a more sustainable living space, this is the place to check out! Their selection of organic bedding is made from earth-friendly materials like Bamboo Sateen and Tencel Eucalyptus.

Shop Made Trade

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2) Maggie’s Organics

Materials | Fair Trade, Organic Cotton

Queen Set Price | $120

Originally known for their supersoft organic socks, Maggie's Organics also carries luxurious (but affordable) sheet sets, duvets, and pillow shams. They're made from supersoft and amazingly cozy GOTS-certified organic cotton combined with ethically produced linen. Plus, everything is Real Fair Trade-guaranteed by the World Fair Trade Organization.

Shop Maggie's Organics

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3) Under the Canopy

Materials | Organic Cotton

Queen Set Price | $78

Under the Canopy has been in the game of bringing conscious consumers quality, organic and fair products since the beginning. They are, by far, the most affordable of any organic cotton sheets on the market. They adhere to 6 kinds of certifications {FAIR TRADE, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, C2C, RCS & FSC}, and sustainability is at the forefront of their business model.

Shop Under the Canopy

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4) Pact

Materials | Organic Cotton

Queen Set Price | $120

Pact has two different sheet sets to choose from - a Room Service set, which is silky smooth sateen, and the Favorite Tee set, which feels like your most comfortable t-shirt. The first set comes in more classic colors, like blush, natural and sea foam, & the second set has more pops of color, like lavender, scarlet & pine.

code: SustainablyChic20 for 20% off

Shop Pact

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5) Coyuchi

Materials | Organic Cotton, Linen

Queen Set Price | $238

From relaxed linen to organic cotton, Coyuchi is making sheets to suit everyone. They even have flannel sheets for when winter comes and jersey sheets if you like to feel like your sleeping in a big t-shirt. Coyuchi even compares your impact to conventional cotton - for the Percale sheets, you save over 1,400 days of drinking water and 141 sq ft of land farmed without the use of pesticides!

Shop Coyuchi

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6) Cozy Earth

Materials | Bamboo Viscose

Queen Set Price | $369

These temperature-regulating and super soft sheets are great whether you tend to sleep hot or cold. This bamboo bedding is produced using a closed-loop system, and the end product is tested to ensure it does not contain any harsh chemicals. The Cozy Earth team works directly with the factory where products are made in order to ensure safe working conditions and fair wages for workers.

Shop Cozy Earth

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7) Shades of Green

Materials | European Linen

Queen Price | $199+

Linen is always a great choice for bedding because it has natural anti-bacterial properties and a lived-in feel. If you are looking for products that have undergone rigorous evaluation, this is the place for you. Shades of Green offers us carefully curated products that stand the test of time without sacrificing aesthetic.

Shop Shades of Green

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8) Boll & Branch

Materials | Organic Cotton

Queen Set Price | $240

This brand has a few different styles for sheet sets, but they always use 100% premium organic cotton with ethical production and attention to every detail. Their Classic Hemmed Sheets have a buttery feel and get softer after each wash. They have certifications such as Fair Trade Certified Cotton & Factory, GOTS Certified Organic Cotton and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®.

Shop Boll & Branch

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9) Grund America

Materials | Organic Cotton

Queen Set Price | $238

I have a few organic cotton towels from this brand that are wonderful, so I’m sure their bed sheets are just as great! Their bedding is made from 100% organic cotton and comes in a range of colors - and even a few patterns! What’s really cool with this brand, you can buy flat sheets and fitted sheets separately, & if you are like me, this is amazing because we rarely use our flat sheets since it is so hot in Florida.

Shop Grund America

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10) SOL Organics

Materials | Organic Cotton

Queen Set Price | $149

SOL Organics live up to these four features: sustainable, organic, fair & transparent - but I can add on cozy, too. We own their Sateen sheets, and they are so comfortable and get even softer over time. You can sleep confident knowing the person who made them were paid a fair wage, too! SOL Organics also has a more affordable set of linen sheets at around $200 - and flannel ones!

Shop SOL Organics

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11) Delilah Home Goods

Materials | Organic Hemp & Cotton

Queen Set Price | $350

I highly recommend trying out Delilah Home Goods’ hemp duvet comforters and sheet sets! Did you know hemp needs no pesticides or fertilizers to grow and uses about half the water needed to grow conventional cotton?! For their organic cotton sheets, Delilah Home Goods uses a GOTS Certified Organic Cotton making it a close runner-up to hemp.

Shop Delilah Home

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12) Nest Bedding

Materials | Tencel, Organic Cotton & Linen

Queen Set Price | $139

We own a set of Tencel bed sheets from another brand (which unfortunately went out of business this year), and they are the softest you can possibly sleep on. Tencel feels a lot like silk so it is so smooth and it keeps you cool through the night. This brand has almost every option of bedding for you, so if you like to mix up fabrics and textures, this is the place to go!

Shop Nest Bedding

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13) American Blossom Linens

Materials | Organic Cotton

Queen Set Price | $289

American Blossom Linens is the only bedding brand made completely in the USA, with 100% USA Organic Cotton grown by family farmers in West Texas. These eco-friendly & chemical-free bed sheets are woven to last a lifetime & grow softer the longer you use them. The entire manufacturing process, from farmer to sewer, is kept right here in the USA.

Shop American Blossom Linens

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14) Naturepedic

Materials | Organic Cotton

Queen Set Price | $239

The Naturepedic Organic Luxury Sheet Set includes 100% certified organic cotton 400 thread count sateen fitted and flat sheets plus one or two pillowcases. It comes in its natural cotton color, and is grown without synthetic insecticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  Their sheets are GOTS Certified, plus 1% is given back to the planet. You also have a 30 day trial!

Shop Naturepedic

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15) PlushBeds

Materials | Organic Cotton, Tencel, Bamboo, Linen

Queen Set Price | $199

Another brand who offers a wide range of bedding textiles. Besides Tencel being one of my favorites, linen sheets are next on my list to purchase. I’ve stayed in French hotels where they only used linen sheets, and they were absolutely perfect. PlushBeds offers a French Linen Set, but it is definitely a splurge at $561 for a queen set - now on sale for $449.

Shop Plushbeds

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16) Savvy Rest

Materials | Organic Cotton

Queen Set Price | $129

Savvy Rest is a US based {Central Virginia} organic brand specializing in mattresses, bedding, furniture and so much more. My gorgeous Esmont Platform bed is one of theirs! They also create some of the comfiest pillows I have ever used.  Their Organic Kapok Pillows are made with kapok - a buoyant natural fiber that is the perfect alternative to down. These fluffy {& super comfy} guys are customizable, too!

Shop Savvy Rest

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17) West Elm

Materials | Linen, Tencel, Organic Cotton, Hemp

Queen Set Price | $150

West Elm is a leader in the sustainable and ethical home goods arena and was even the first-ever home retailer to join Fair Trade USA in 2014. This is probably the biggest selection of eco-friendly bedding you can find. Many of the materials used are FSC-Certified, recycled, GREENGUARD certified, Better Cotton certified, and more.

Shop West Elm

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We are constantly updating blog posts to give you the best in sustainable fashion.

This post contains affiliate links, and is sponsored in part by Made Trade & Maggie’s Organics.

As always, views are genuine and brands are aligned with our ethos.

Thanks for supporting the brands who are working to make this industry a fairer and cleaner place!

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Want more?  VISIT OUR
sustainable  brand directory!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

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Content Creator: Natalie Kay

Date: 2021-10-11T20:15:00+0000