Earth Month for Non-Earthy Types
Let’s make this a thing. Stat.
Let’s make this a thing. Stat.
Confession. I’m a feminist, and I’m a progressive, but I’m not what I think of as Vermont-y. So I don’t ever really feel “of the Earth” like some of my like-minded friends and insta-follows do. When I see a leaf, I don’t really feel anything.
I’m also a TRUE CONSUMER. Like, I love consuming in every sense of the word. And our passion for it helps my partner and me to do what we do. Ordering online is in my (probably leopard print) blood. C’mon, I was one of the first employees at Rue La La; it’s not my fault. Some days I want to be all Cuyana (fewer, better things!) but most of the time I’m all me (more, well-deserved treats!).
But you can’t and I won’t ignore what’s happening to the environment. (And it’s hard to avoid when you’re thinking of opening a Miami office one day and wondering if maybe it needs to be on a boat.) So what’s a non-earth mama with a conscience supposed to do to be a decent human in these times? I’ve figured out a few small things that let us be good citizens, but also be true to our authentic consuming selves.
One 4 one … + a plan: Everyone tells you you have to get rid of something for everything you buy. I stick to it by not allowing myself to buy a new hanger … ever. But it’s also crucial to get rid of the things you’re sending out in a way that ensures they don’t end up in a landfill. Pick an online consignment store that’s really doing well, like The Real Real, or an in-person one that’s on a well-trafficked, fashion-y street, like Castanet in Boston on Newbury. Jeans (hard to fit) and black pants (hard to see) don’t sell very well online. Take these to a brick and mortar consignor or give them to a friend who will love and use them.
If not fewer, still buy better. If you like buying things, buy things with lots of life and desirability. That helps make sure your items get you good cost per wear and resale value. Much of what ends up in those landfills are cheap impulse buys from fast-fashion stores that you end up not wanting — and no one else wants either. Better generally costs more. But these days, knowing people want to buy on sale, everything is priced for you to wait for a sale. If that’s the case, wait. (Bonus: By then maybe you don’t want it. And if you do, bring your own shopping bag.) Or buy great used items. Including fine jewelry. Instead of loading up on fashion jewelry, think about saving for estate pieces that are real and special and will become your own heirlooms. (Currently obsessed with the entire Ross Simons estate collection.)
Or, get endless quantity by renting. Best Dressed is our fave outpost. Like leasing a car so you never feel “stuck” when they release a new design you can’t resist, fashion renting makes all your fickle-ness perfectly acceptable. Never want to wear the same dress twice? No problem. There are more uses with less production. Fewer boxes, bags and other paper. Also saves room in your closet. Bring one dress bag back and forth for pickups.
Seek help. No, not mental help. Help to ensure you won’t return your purchase. Returns mean more travel (carbon, etc.) for you or whatever it is you bought. More paper. More tape. More packing materials. So use assitance offered to you via chat online (M.Gemi is particularly helpful), in stores like Saks with personal shopping services, or in highly curated boutiques like Mel & Me in RI that understand your style, anticipate your needs, and are built on the super-knowledgable dedicated service that feels forgotten in the “online everything” era. Spend a little more time up front and avoid the annoyance and environmental effects of taking it back.
Don’t buy things that beget other things. If something you’re considering requires you to buy something else in order to wear it, skip it. You a) probably never will that thing you need if you’re busy and b) are then doubling the impact of your purchase. The need to buy another thing signals that this isn’t for you. Buy solutions, not problems.
Buy dual-purposefully. Buy only things that jibe with your conscience. But never anything you don’t love. If you shop because you love a brand’s environmentalism and story, but don’t love the design, you won’t end up wearing the pieces and getting to tell that story. Some brands that are not only doing the right things but doing them with right-on style: Multiply (jewelry and gifts ethically made in Nepal with a graphic designer’s vision). Summersault (sharp, graphic bathing suits made with recycled materials). Warp + Weft (size-friendly denim that uses less than 10 gallons of water vs. the traditional 1,500 per pair). No need to do good without looking good.
Take all the extras back from whence they came. Why is there a hanger in your waste basket? We all hate dry cleaning hangers. If you end up with them, take them back to the cleaner. Ask for no plastic bags. They likely have canvas ones you can keep using. Or, you can buy your own. And return all the little plastic things that come back on your shirt collars and sleeves.
Also, dry clean less. Steam during your regular shower time if it’s just wrinkly. Air things out if they’re just onion- or fire-smelly. Ask for laundering vs. more chemical cleaning for all white shirts. (It also prevents yellowing.) And Ministry of Supply (Scientifically Better tech-based performance-casual clothing) actually eliminates dry cleaning; even a suit is machine washable. Oh, annnnnd good news on the housecleaning front: Blueland just launched, greening those cleaning products too. Stock up and tell your friends.
Extra credit. One of the (many) ways Marie Kondo revolutionized my life of stuff was giving me permission to discard extra threads and buttons. I had a whole freaking shoe box of them. Save the ones that are truly unique. Save ID cards or buttons that go with desgner items (include them if reselling them). But for the nondescript buttons and threads, I took them down to my cleaner/tailor so she can use them. Added bonus: I think she likes me more.
More extra credit. Speaking of my shoe box full of buttons, save your shoe boxes. I stack them in my closet, and they look nice until I’m ready to employ them. Use them for … giving someone cookies, storing paper from pantyhose and clothing tags to then write notes on, holding wrapping stuff like raffia and ribbon, creating separation within bigger drawers, storing out of season shoes, and with the lids placed underneath to organize things in the fridge or pantry.
Share this blog. You might just inspire a non-earthy type like me to some small, earth-saving efforts.