Facing Union Square in Manhattan, New York, is a gigantic digital clock, displaying the time we have left before the effects of global warming become irreversible. This is called the Climate Clock. The purpose of this is to remind us that the Earth has a deadline and it’s up to us if we want the Earth to be around as long as our children, grandchildren, etc will be. Ever since I saw this art piece as well as the increasing push for sustainability, I was determined to make my life more environmentally friendly. I know that the actions of me alone are not enough to fix climate change but something is better than nothing; and if I can influence some of my peers to choose sustainability over convenience then this will make it all worthwhile. Just remember, the little things like choosing a reusable water bottle over a plastic bottle and correctly recycling are important! The next step is to put our money towards supporting businesses that actually care about the environment, its workers, and their customers. Here are a couple sustainable businesses I’d like to spotlight:
Girlfriend Collective
Besides being extremely inclusive and diverse in their representation of body sizes and skin colors, girlfriend collective also makes their athletic wear out of recycled water bottles and other plastics. In addition to being environmentally friendly, these clothes are ethically made in a factory that guarantees fair wages, free catered meals, and a safe and healthy workplace. I recently bought the Thyme Paloma Bra from this company during Black Friday and I LOVE IT. It’s super supportive and comfortable and even better – ethically and environmentally friendly.
OrganiCup
As a person who’s been bleeding every month of my life since I was 12, I’ve gone through a LOT of period products. The average person uses about 528 pads/tampons alone- or you can use 1 OrganiCup and have that last you for two years. The OrganiCup is a menstrual cup that comes in three different sizes: mini, A, or B. This company makes a positive impact on environmental, cultural, and social scales. An individual uses about 11,000 disposable period products in a lifetime, and it can take about 500 years for pads and tampons to degrade. This cup kills about 99.9% less waste and is made of 100% medical-grade silicone. This company has donated cups to sex workers, moved to destimatize periods, and put period poverty into the spotlight (namely in the UK). And finally, this company has partnered with organizations all over the world, such as WoMena in Uganda and Freedom4Girls in Kenya to fight period poverty and provide menstrual education in these areas where girls and women don’t have access to safe sanitary products.
CHNGE
This sustainable company, which you may recognize from Instagram, is a fashion brand that gives consumers an outlet to make a positive impact in the world. The material is 100% organic and ethically sourced. Their clothes are inclusive and make a statement. With the money they make, the company donates 50% of their net profits to charitable organizations listed on their website. In addition to selling clothes, they also educate their greater audience about equality, environmental issues, etc.
