as a 17 year old still living at home who has little income for herself and has parents who provide my food for me, i was always really lazy and basically said that i had no control over my effect on sustainability. then i realised i was being ridiculous. i started with baby steps: the bare minimum of a reusable water bottle and hot drinks flask which i now take everywhere. as i don't buy my own food, i was contemplating ways i could affect change on my family's sustainability. turns out a conversation was all it took. we now are vegetarian 5 out of 7 days a week and this year (with the help of iceland) we're planning on having our first palm oil free christmas! our family 2019 goal is reducing plastic consumption (and maybe full time vegetarianism)
as important as it is to make more ethical and sustainable changes in our own individual lifestyles, i think it's perhaps more important to put pressure on governments and big multinational businesses to become more environmentally friendly, as they're the ones doing the most damage to our planet. thinks like introducing the 5p plastic bag charge has made bringing your own reusable bags to the shops the norm, so it shows that changes can be made if the govt pulls their finger out lol
I think the two go hand in hand. Consumers making sustainable choices will show brands and businesses that consumers care about ethics and they will make changes in their products/practices to meet those expectations.
I totally agree, I think a lot of people believe individuals have to bear the burden of sustainability when 100% governments need to do their part. And then with multinational corporations, they are the hugest producers of emissions and the ones REALLY messing up our planet - to the extent that if THEY don't change, our efforts will be wasted >:(
“i feel like my entire life has been things getting progressively worse and me feeling progressively more guilty” is the most painfully relatable thing i’ve ever heard.
first of all love your channel lucy! ”Everybody does their little bit and it’ll work.” unfortunately i just don’t think that’s true? in order for us to not completely ruin our planet, our lifestyles have to change big time, including food, travel, housing, clothing etc.. i get that what you’re saying is nice to say, and i also often use ”start with one small thing” to get people to start thinking about their choices environmentally and ethically. but i just wish this isn’t making people think that because they use a tote for their groceries, there isn’t more to do. but of course i don’t want people to feel unnecessarily guilty, that’s not effective in any way i don’t think. also i find it hard to really believe ”it’s a personal choice” with these things, when those choices are ultimately affecting the whole world and the planet negatively. drastic changes need to happen now, or it’ll be too late. one thing i’ve wondered, is buying second-hand really that expensive in britain (and other countries)? i live in finland and thrifting definitely doesn’t cost more than h&m and others alike, i buy all i can second-hand. (and just a disclaimer, i don’t think i am perfect with these things either, for example i’ve booked flights to america for spring to see my friend. but i do care enourmosly about the environment, and i hope that people take these issues seriously.)
@ellaaurora I agree with everything you said! Often times, saying that everyone should do what they can is used as an excuse to do the minimum. I'm definitely not perfect myself, but I like to really consider the ways in which I could do better instead of thinking that because I could do worse I'm already doing enough. I think big changes are necessary to have a real impact (for instance, buying cruelty free makeup is nice, but if you're still "consuming" animals in other forms, I wonder how much of an actual impact it makes) Also Lucy, because you're expressing yourself publicly on social media, your opinions and the way you participate to the economy influence your audience, and maybe that's something you could address more often and more in depth? Anyways it's important to not beat ourselves down too much when we're not at our most ethical. I really like your content and this was a very nice video :)
By things being expensive, I think she meant specifically ethically branded clothes, brand new, alongside thrifting, which she said she does. Also, totally agree that we need some big changes in society, but it’s very difficult to navigate the line between ‘we could all try harder’ and ‘YOU’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH’, especially with disabled people and those with allergies who can’t use more environmentally products/systems. I don’t know. I guess it’s just not a one-size-fits-all thing. Also, I get that you’re asking Lucy to push more for sustainability because she’s a relatively big influencer, but there are a lot of influencers doing the MOST for ethics, and we shouldn’t force everyone to go to extremes 😊
Buying second-hand isn't very expensive in the UK as there are lots of charity shops But buying from "ethical fashion brands" is quite expensive as many UK based small businesses are quite expensive because of the way they're run (like paying there employees proper wages etc.)
(edit: this was actually meant to be a reply to emily herbert, sorry for the confusion!) la fille au stabilo rose oh yeah i wouldn’t ever want to tell anyaone, let alone a person whose struggle (like a disabilty) i know nothing about that they aren’t good enough! and i am mostly against aggressive and guilt-tripping posts about these kinds of causes, i don’t think it’s fair nor effective. hope my comment didn’t come off that way! and i don’t necessarily think lucy should do more content on sustainability if that’s not what she wants. she just happened to post about it and i had some thoughts i thought were worth sharing :)
@@ellaaurora Of course I don't want to make anyone feel guilty either! I just think that when there's something we can do, we shouldn't try and find excuses to be lazy. What I mean is that since lucy often presents herself as an advocate for ethical buying and and sustainability, thinking about the various ways in which she still fits into the traditional capitalist economy could be a good way for her to question some of her practices, and for us to question ours at the same time (don't know if that makes sense ahah).
I think once you go online and say you're making an ethical choice on one thing you attract a certain audience who then wants you to be ethical in everything e.g. make-up, fashion, diet etc. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing but it can be quite pressuring. For example, I buy cruelty free products but still shop at h&m. It's super hard to be completely ethical in literally everything and just not practical for most of us. Most of the people criticizing some of your decisions won't be 100% ethical but I guess you can be seen as promoting unethical things if you talk about them which gets you the extra scrutiny
I’d say I’ve found this - people expect a lot from me and I can find that pressure overwhelming if I let it get under my skin. However it’s a difficult balance because I want to do better, however I don’t want to be known for being “ethical” when I don’t focus my content on it. It’s just a part of my life! But people will always share their thoughts, and I’m grateful for the interesting discussions I am able to have with my audience
The thing is, it‘s impossible to be 100% ethical, ethics are values defined by society and naturally they will change and adapt. Having the expectation to be 100% ethical is not fair (and completely unrealistic), for other people to expect someone else to be completely ethical and also for yourself to want to be completely ethical. I believe you should always thrive to become the best version of yourself and live up to your own values (after checking if those values are actually valid) But it doesn’t help anyone to spread negativity, rather try to support others (and yourself) to evolve as human beings. That’s my philosophy on this matter:)
Melanie Murphy would love to hear you chat about similar topics, fast fashion and such. I think you make these topics so approachable and balanced with the reality of being human! X
I can't just whack down 500 euros and buy a bunch of everlane etc, although that'd be great. So my alternative is making stuff last longer (mending tears, taking care of stains, etc) and not buying much. What i do buy, I consider heavily. Not that difficult, but as a result I barely ever shop and when I do buy something new it feels very special.
Fun info! Zero Waste Shops are popping up all over and they're exactly the sort of plastic-free shops you've been describing. There's quite a few in London as far as I'm aware too!
Lucy have you heard about the good on you app? it explains a brand's environmental impact and how ethical it is in terms of animals and labour rights, and its soso eye opening, its stopped me shopping in certain stores so i'm not pouring money into unethical brands anymore!! thanks for this Lucy, such an important issue to be talking about ❤
I would love to see a documentary. In my case I'm vegan but sometimes i have been left with no choice but to buy things with leather, like gloves and shoes. Food wise, i try my best with avoiding plastic but tbh, since living in the UK it's much more difficult. In Spain all fruits and vegetables are sold without package, but in here it's almost impossible. I do remind myself that there is a higher responsibility in the companies than on my shoulders. Yes, i can make the right choices, but they are the ones causing the damage and profiting in terrible ways
I relate! But also, I have a very different experience buying fruits and veggies in Spain. In Madrid at least, you had to use plastic bags for every fruit and vegetable, even things like avocados, and you even had to use these disposable plastic gloves to pick them up. They really went the extra mile sanitary wise. I found it harder to shop sustainably there :(
I feel you. We try and get all of our fruit and veg loose from local grocery shops / farm shops but it’s hard sometimes, especially out of season, to get particularly nice fruit and veg at the same time. I think there’s such a big link with consumer happiness / comfortability and being able to be environmental and ethical as well. For example, we recently purchased a fruit and veg box from our local fruit shop and some of the fruit wasn’t really nice at all so we went to the co op hoping that they’d sell some things loose, but it was basically nearly ALL wrapped in plastic. Such a shame. I feel as though we really shouldn’t be having to do this much work ourselves as consumers. Supermarkets need to step up!!! :)
Lucy, all of the steps you are taking are of course so plausible. However, I do think people (particularly those in the upper middle classes) tend to focus on my ethically perfect in every aspect of THEIR life nowadays. Of course, this is great for your conscience, but it's even more important to highlight the communal struggle. The trends against plastic straws, and uplifting veganism (both important; i'm vegan myself) take the focus off protesting against harmful companies, and combatting the root of environmental problems!! Love your videos, and keep changing the world!!!
Agree with this 100%. Being bright up a Quaker really drummed into me the ideas you’re talking about - community boycotting and being vocal about change through protesting and similar
@@lucymoon No way, I never knew you were brought up a Quaker, thats so interesting! I'd actually love to see a video on what that was like and how it influenced you because I dont know a whole lot about the religion but I understand it to be very compassionate and hearing a first hand account would be really cool.
@@Alicia16104 she actually did a collab on leena norms channel called 'what its like to grow up christian' where they talk about religion with another girl but its like 40 mins long and super good! If you even just search 'lucy moon leena norms' it should be one of the first results.
I think your opinion is refreshingly neutral. Though I understand there is always something more people can be doing to improve the environment, it’s nice to have a not pressuring perspective. Thank you for talking about this! I love you content so much!!!
I think your philosophy on ethics is really good, and you're one of the very few youtubers who actually puts an effort into being sustainable. I agree with you on doing what you are able to - it's always better to do something than do nothing at all. I personally try to avoid plastic, even though I find it really hard. I bring tote bags whenever I'm going to buy something, and I've just started using a shampoo bar instead of regular shampoo that comes in a plastic bottle. I also try to avoid buying anything fast fashion, I tend to thrift most of my clothing. If I have to buy new clothing, I like to invest so that I know it will last. Oh, I'm also a vegetarian, but I've been a vegetarian for seven or eight years, so I don't find that to be difficult. My makeup bag has been cruelty free for four years now, but I remember finding it really hard to go cruelty free. Thank you so much for talking about sustainability (and please excuse my poor English)!
Your approach is great because you’re never preachy and instead of just talking about how bad fast fashion is, for example, you show us your way round it. It feels a lot more positive!
Ahhh yes thank you Lucy for this! We need to speak more about sustainability, especially from someone with your platform (and your makeup looked gorg!) Xx
Other than unlearning the constant need for new clothes, the best way to consume fashion sustainably is to shop secondhand- charity shops, clothes swaps, eBay, depop, vestiaire collective, vintage shops etc.
Your idea about having a series about ethical shopping sounds INCREDIBLE and I really really hope you end up making it!! Sometimes I feel like I only know of a few limited options, some of which aren't financially (or geographically) viable for me, so it would be so amazing to learn more about different ways to approach sustainable fashion!
So in terms of what I do: I eat a vegan diet I barely use make up anymore (like 4 times a year) I try my best not to buy new clothes, but sometimes this can be challenging due to my body shape, especially with trousers. So I would buy them new. I have switched over to giffgaff sim only, so that I keep my phone for longer than an average 2 year contract I have switched over to deodorant with cardboard packaging, and to a bamboo toothbrush I never take plastic bags in shops, so carry a rucksack everywhere, which also has a bag for life inside it (I have lots of bags for life which I am using up, but would not buy them anymore, I would get a 100% natural fiber bag) All the christmas presents I have bought so far are second hand books and dvds, and the only other things I am going to buy are bars of chocolate from Divine, which is a Fairtrade company with very good ethics (sold in Oxfam). I buy my washing liquid from Oxfam, and use a guppybag (which catches microplastics)
I'd never heard of the guppyfriend bags before, but I'll definitely be buying one now I think! Thank you for mentioning it and letting me (and others I would think)!discover it 😄😊
recently I've actually taken completely the opposite view of sustainability which is that living sustainably isn't convenient, but thats no excuse not to do it. I've found searching for alternatives does take a while but as I've made a bit point to think about it as much as possible it becomes much more natural over time. It does involve planning ahead but then all you have to do is sit down and think about what tomorrow will entail and what changes you can make like actually I could walk to work and I can pack a sandwich for lunch tomorrow now and make yourself do it even when it sucks because the more often you do it the less of a big issue it feels. I'll let myself off if I'm unwell but personally I feel that if I'm being lazy I somewhat deserve the guilt that comes with that because frankly a lot of the small changes we make dont make as much of an impact as we like to think
Thanks for sharing! Totally agree with you that planning ahead helps a lot, whether that’s bringing a reusable cup or flask or researching what you can eat in a restaurant x
Yes, I think this is super important. You can't let "do what you can" translate to being lazy and not making it a priority. There definitely needs to be more pressure on people to make changes. But at the same time, it's important for us to be compassionate with ourselves and understand that change doesn't happen overnight and it's okay to not be perfect with it.
You are doing very well Luce. I can tell that you are maturing and just blooming into something wonderful with the care and patience that you have needed. Please continue ! I'd love your documentary ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
really appreciate the transparency and realism in this video lucy! there should definitely be more nuance in these discussions and less shaming. it's the big corporations that have the power to make the real change unfortunately, and while we should be self-aware and make an effort, it's not something worth punishing ourselves over.
the no-package supermarket is, in theory, a good idea, but presents a lot of issues for people with food allergies. i have celiac, and can get sick from a single crumb of gluten. having to fill your own things would present a lot of opportunity for cross-contamination, which wouldn't be safe for me, or others with severe food allergies.
Maybe we should continue with the no-plastic idea but still keep regular supermarkets for people with allergies - though I know there’s sort of shaming about people who are less sustainable now...
Totally agree with this! I’m Coeliac too and even though I’d love to shop in these stores, it’s just not safe. Hopefully we’ll see the introduction of biodegradable packaging etc which would be great!
@lucy maybe get in contact with Milena Glimbovski. She is the Founder of a packaging free grocery Store in Berlin, also made the the calendar A Good Plan. On Social Media you may find her as milenskaya
I’m also celiac and I can see that this could be an issue... but I also think that it could be avoided. Maybe specific areas allocated to only allergen free foods?
I really think the most sustainable option is shopping second hand at all costs. Also shopping locally for foods you eat. One blog that’s really helped me out a lot is Litterless. She has a section on there called “nothing new” and an entire section on diy things. I’ve bought loads of fabric from a fabric store that only sells donated fabric and I’m planning on making cloth produce bags, cloth cotton pads, and little muslin bags for bar soaps. But you’ve honestly made a good start for yourself by just THINKING hardcore about these things. It’s the best way to make these changes. And start with one thing, and that’ll get the ball rolling for everything else.
Yes, I would love to see a video/series about how to realistically be more sustainable. I too struggle with having compassion for myself and feeling like I'm never doing enough, but sustainability is also really important to me. Some things that I do pretty often: when I go to get a coffee or any kind of a drink from a takeaway place, I will bring my own cup and ask the cashier to put my drink in the cup so that I'm not using a plastic cup. For groceries, I try really hard (I'm terrible at this) to buy produce that isn't wrapped in plastic. Like I will buy a whole mango instead of buying the pre-sliced mangos. I also just always have reusable cutlery with me so I don't have to use plastic forks and stuff. Generally, just thinking ahead of time about what kinds of plastic you may be using and trying to avoid it is really helpful. I'm glad to see you talking about these things, I think it's really important.
Love that you made this video, what makes me feel the best about sustainability is knowing that there’s no perfect but that I try to do my best and I always try to improve and look for better choices within my budget, and that if sometimes i f*ck up or I need the “easy way out” I can always do better tomorrow or the next day💙🌱
It’s so hard now because society is constantly adding to the list of things we do wrong ethically, but at the same time the awareness is important. I think you just have to find where you stand with things and do what you can. We can’t be perfect but we can make an effort to change for the better. I’ve been vegan &shopped cruelty free for over a year but it’s a personal choice, not something I think people should feel pressured to be. There’s so much to think about going on in the world and it’s overwhelming! Small change is still change
After I left for college I realized that this is my chance to be as sustainable as possible. I’m now on the team of sustainability at my college. The thing we focus on here is composting. I recognize that in a city, there may not be a place to do composting, but here it’s the easiest, most effective thing we’ve started doing
i've just recently moved to France from the UK for my year abroad and the French are so on it with sustainability! Most supermarkets have a big area where you can dispense oats/rice/nuts/seeds/spices/pasta/etc. into your own bags or paper bags they provide and there are so many markets around where I can get my fruit n veg without all the plastic. My biggest sustainability move I think is getting a reusable water bottle and coffee cup. I don't buy any soft drinks/water anymore because of the plastic (and because I'm trying to be a bit healthier), which I'm quite proud of. Also trying as hard as I can to have homemade meals all the time (and bring in homemade lunches in tupperware when I'm at uni) - which is a lot easier than I thought. Bulk cooking and freezing and then defrosting - pretty much my mantra now lol.
That is the best way to be, do what you can. I have pretty much stopped buying new clothes, all of the clothes I own/wear including accessories, coats shoes etc all fit into one wardrobe and two ikea boxes. I will not replace anything until they are unwearable even then I would then use them as lounge wear. I am also trying not to buy as many beauty products and be aware of how long I can keep things for before throwing them away. I was wasting so much money/products! Little changes are a step in the right direction!
Loved this! 💘 also personally, I make an effort buy makeup that's cruelty free. I also eat vegetarian for breakfast & lunch, and I don't consume milk anymore (all for about 2 years now). Yeah I agree, every small bit counts!
You are so so close to what I have been thinking for the last year. You cannot change your life in one night. Simple steps I think are the best, and keep getting informed. I personally changed the basics first, such as not as much meat as before (more towards never now to be honest but took a few months), bamboo toothbrush, metal straw, keep cup for the daily coffee, not shopping unless necessary, tote bags, and then being aware of energy consumption, water, heating etc. Hope I could help... Keep up the great content!
i don't have anyone to talk about being more eco friendly or ethical cause not a lot ppl in my surroundings is interested or simply care enough so i loved that video. i think the concept of just sharing what you learned and how you're working on changing your habits to help the planet is really cool. also i would love you to make a series about ethical shopping
Yes loved this! Would love some sort of series about how to do sustainable fashion well as all I really know at the moment is charity shopping (which I find difficult as I hate shopping so the long browsing to find good stuff stresses me out) and expensive ethical clothing companies that I can't afford! At the moment I am just avoiding buying new clothes as much as I can and even if I do buy fast fashion I try to find high-street brands that support other good causes (i.e. M&S with their fair trade campaigns) so I don't feel so guilty about where my money has gone! I also do semi regular clothes swaps with friends which means I can have a clear out and get rid of stuff, knowing its going to a good home, and get loads of new fun stuff for free and at no extra cost to the world! Other things I do to try and do my bit is only buying cruelty free beauty and skin care, taking my own water bottle and keep cup everywhere with me and me and my husband always challenge ourselves to do no-plastic fruit and veg shops in our local supermarket, as that is really the only item you can get 100% packaging free, we've found Aldi and Tesco's are the best places for this so far!
Yes girl loved this! I just did a purchase on everlane to replace my top shop Joni jeans and have been picking up pieces from different ethical shops, I’m a broke college student so I’m trying to find ethical but budget friendly that’s why I thrift most of my wardrobe. I recommend getting the app good on you, they research different brands to let you know how ethical each one is and makes finding new brands so much easier and it’ll let you know prices as well! ❤️
Also I’m gluten free and vegan and I definitely understand your struggle! It’s possible(I’ve done it for three years now) but it takes more thought that’s for sure.
Thank you so much this video, Lucy. I have also been thinking A LOT about these topics lately and I’m trying not to feel too guilty/beat myself up, trying to incorporate new habits in my life one thing at a time. It’s reasuring to know I’m not the only one struggling with this! AND, YES, ID ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT IF YOU MADE THAT SERIES ❤️
I´ve been getting more and more sustainable in recent years, being a vegetarian, cruelty free and trying to limit my fast fashion buys (my mom keeps complaining that I need more clothes, lol). When I feel like i’m forced to buy fast fashion, I always find one good thing about it, like if it’s merch for something I care about (like I bought a shirt for the Slut Walk etc), or even just from a small local shop. I try to not buy from the biggest giants, like Zara and H&M, but since I’m quite poor and the thrift shops in my area aren’t that great, sometimes it’s necessary. However, I feel like just refusing to partake in the consumer-mindset that is everywhere, you’re already doing a lot.
I agree that you can only do your best! It absolutely doesn’t make any sense to beat yourself up about something you can‘t really change at the moment or maybe you just aren’t in the right space for it (yet). It‘s a progress, so there’s no need to feel bad about all the things you aren’t doing, be proud of what you‘re already doing and slowly go along with it:) What I personally do is, try to buy vegetables at our weekly farmer’s market as often as possible and bring my own vegetable bags, noodles and oats etc I try to buy at a store where they don‘t use packaging and you come with your jars, like you said. I‘m getting really conscious about my usage of plastic and how to avoid it. I live in a small town in Germany, so if we have so called „unpackaged shops“ here, I‘m pretty sure you can find some in London as well! I love that you talked about this topic, because it‘s something that concerns us all and at the same time you talk about it in a way that doesn’t attack anyone. Would love to here you talk more about this in the future! :)
Loved this! 💘 also personally, I make an effort buy makeup that's cruelty free. I also eat vegetarian for breakfast and for lunch. And don't consume milk anymore (for about 2 years now). yeah I agree, every small bit counts!
I loved your chat on sustainability and doing what you can within your means! For me personally, I try to be as sustainable as possible by having a vegan diet, buying all cruelty free and vegan beauty products and cosmetics, and I do soft plastic recycling and take reusable vegetable/shopping bags to the super market. An area that I feel I lack in though is fashion. I mainly shop second hand, but I do unfortunately shop online at stores that aren't the most ethical. I feel like your capsule wardrobe idea is actually really inspiring, and I'm thinking of making one as a result of your videos. Keep up the good work Lucy x
I would love a mini ethical fashion doc. Also I think the conversation around limiting plastic use is so important! But like you briefly mentioned some people simply are too far away or poor to afford the low plastic options like whole foods. It's important to remember that as part of the conversation
As a Canadian one thing i've noticed from watching UK youtube is how much plastic there is in your supermarkets. All the fruit and veg seems to be pre-packaged and your milk is also in plastic, I find this so interesting because it is not the reality in many other countries. For buying peanut butter you could look in bulk stores, I know in Canada we have Bulk Barn and they have peanut butter. Also I would check out Emma Hills video on Everlane for her opinion on shipping and stuff to the UK, was quite informative.
Love that you're talking about this. I've been thinking a lot about this too recently - biggest way I've managed to reduce plastic packaging so far is visiting local greengrocers / butchers / bakeries etc and taking my own reusable bags and containers. It's such a feel good too supporting local businesses. I'm trying to reduce what use before reusing or recycling too, and buying in bulk where it reduces packaging if you can't get it package free. Found a few affordable (I won't say cheap!) ethical clothes brands too after a bit of extensive googling!!
As a uni student, my funds are the biggest roadblock for sustainable practices, so I try and do little things, as even little things can make a difference. I use reusable shopping bags, use bar soap and shampoo bars to eliminate plastic, use public transport, take my own water bottle and keep cup, buy biodegradable bin liners (or better yet, no bin liners if you can, you don't need them), shorter showers, minimise energy usage, change all mailing to online, borrow books from the library, the list goes on, and the majority of these save you money, so it's a win-win
I really like what you said about your perspective on sustainability. I agree that it's a personal thing. I think that in the slow fashion world, there tends to be a lot of pressure whether intentionally or not, to be against any and all fast fashion, which I don't think is the solution. It's true that ethical clothing costs more, just by definition of being produced ethically, and not everyone can afford those pieces. Plus, there is nothing wrong with wanting / owning a gorgeous item of clothing that is not made ethically, as long as you are being conscious of your buying habits overall. Long story short, I completely agree with your "do what you can" philosophy.
Brilliant video!! I’m an environmentalist and an aspiring ethical consumer. I’m already vegetarian, i avoid plastic as much as i can do (rejecting plastic bags, getting fruit and veg locally with no packaging as well as encouraging many other people to make choices such as getting rid of their plastic straws etc) and we’re completely palm oil free with foods in our house (I’m trying to work on the cosmetic side of things too! But will feel more able to do more things like this when I’m living on my own). I’ve recently started thinking about the clothes side of things and am trying to shop more ethically with them in terms of purchasing vintage, second hand stuff and i also hope to have everything i eat be from ethical sources when I’m older. It’s very hard trying to be fully ethical but I’m trying as hard as i can go do as much as i can in amongst school stress! Keep up your amazing content! The more people discussing these topics and raising awareness gives hope for the planet :)
I think what caused some confusion was not only the fact that you were buying from fast fashion brands, but also that you seemed to be promoting them. anything you put online sends a message and because you didn't explain your decision in that regard, it is easy to misinterpret. anyway, the main thing i do is shop second hand!! it's the most sustainable way of consumption and budget-friendly! you don't need much money to participate in the slow fashion movement. Also, YES a series/documentary would be SO GOOD. there's definitely a lot of research to be done and it's always good when information is made more accessible and compact.
Aaaahhh I’ve been waiting for another one of these for so long! I keep rewatching the older ones because they’re really calming and just long enough for me to do my makeup as well. I love it! ❤️
Love this video and the look 😍 I personally think it's really important to care for the environment but I'm often upset about myself since I don't do enough when life get busy (which is prob 80% of my time as a student) What I really enjoy and what's also super easy is to swap your common plastic razor to a zero waste safety razor - love that 😊 lots of love!! Lena xx
Love this video and would love more like it! LOVE the mini doc idea, please do it! I've been trying to majorly cut down on fast fashion and focusing on thrifting instead. I've recently stopped eating red meat. And I'm trying to cut down on single use plastics too. I share your do what you can philosophy.
Something to remember-you have always been able to buy five avocados at the grocery store and just put them in a tote bag. Produce that is individually purchased (ie not in plastic packages of 4-6, something I know is really common in the UK) doesn't need to be taken home in tiny little plastic bags-sustainable cloth bags or (gasp) no bags are also a more than ok option! They provide pretty minimal convenience that I haven't really missed. Happy shopping!
I've made lots of small changes over the last few years in an effort to be more sustainable. I have only bought cruelty free make up for about three years, but it's taken that long to finish using everything I already had. I always use reusable shopping bags and coffee cups and we use beeswax wraps at home instead of plastic wrap. It's a process and there's definitely things I can still improve on, especially when it comes to fast fashion. Until now I have only had limited $ as a student and whilst I thrifted, sometimes having to buy from fast fashion chains was inevitable. I try to eat less meat but similar to you Lucy, when you have other dietary requirements (no wheat, garlic, onion, dairy) it can be limiting.
I would so love to see a documentary or series about you trying to find new and realistic ways to be more ethical in beauty clothes and food !!! That would be so great
I've been vegetarian and gluten-free for four years and I feel you. My diet consists of A LOT of salads (I always, always have salad for lunch and something more "substantial" for dinner). But not the old, boring tomato+lettuce salad. I try to use a variety of veggies with lots of different colours and textures and I add crunch with nuts to keep it appealing, tasty and nutritious. GF and vegetarian have definitely challenged my culinary skills. Sustaining both in a way that's good for your body AND your wallet definitely requires more thought and dedication in the kitchen. Spices are everything to keep things interesting! I've discovered and incorporated a lot of ingredients I wouldn't have otherwise. Pinterest is great source. Although I sometimes struggle to find ALL the ingredients (can't afford coconut anything or almond flour, sorry), it serves as an inspiration when I feel I'm in a rut and eating the same things over and over again. And freezing stuff is a lifesaver. I make a BIG purchase once a month and summon enough will to prepare meals ahead of time. Sauces, soups, quiche fillings, veggie patties, frozen fruit for smoothies, etc. The initial effort really pays off when you don't have time (or enthusiasm) to cook. And it prevents me from grabbing other stuff that's probably "questionable" but readily available. However, eating out is SUCH a nightmare. Impossible even. It's challenged my social life too. Social events usually revolve around food and I always feel left out. If I REALLY have to go to a restaurant, I always end up having chips or a poorly prepared salad (which more often than not costs a fortune), or I jump straight to dessert and have ice cream instead. Some cuisines are easier (I've found Arab, Indian and Thai have some options) but it really depends on how intolerant to gluten you are. Gluten "contamination" is no joke if you're really sensitive. If the gathering is at someone's house I make sure to bring a meal for myself. Some people are very opinionated and question my dietary preferences but I never judge them for what they chose to put or not or put in their mouths. I shrug it off. If it works for me and my budget, that's all that matters. It can be very overwhelming at first and it definitely takes some time getting used to. Working it out can be tricky until you get the hang of it (four years in and I still haven't mastered it, will I ever?). Like you, I realized early on that I had to be easy in myself and that it's a process. Not that you need anyone's approval, but you're doing great 💕 Sorry for the never-ending comment. Hopefully you'll find some use from my experience 😊 I loved the "chatty" video, always do.
Your idea about sustainable shopping would be very interesting(at least for me). Also don't beat yourself up over anything, nobody's perfect. Lastly, you look awesome!!!!😍😍
I'm studying nutrition and found out an interesting fact about milk coming in glass packaging. One of the reasons why the glass milk deliveries stopped (in my country anyway) was because certain vitamins and minerals in the milk were being degraded from sunlight/UV exposure. So to stop it from happening they swapped the transparent glass packaging to opaque plastic packaging, as the opaqueness of the plastic was enough to protect the milk from UV exposure. If milk came in opaque glass packaging that would be brilliant though!
I truly agree with your little steps approach. It's what I do as well, just thinking about the footprint I am leaving here on Earth. A good quote I like to reference is actually from The Lorax It goes: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not." Many problems on our planet could be resolved with pure care and love for one another. Thanks for making this video!!
I would say what I’ve been doing is trying to use my reusable bags when I go to shops. I tend to always be running errands so I try to always keep a reusable bag on me. I really do like the jar grocery idea you were talking about. I have been thinking about that a lot lately. Just the amount of food I have that is either package or wrapped in plastic is just crazy to me. I think I’d like to make the jar type of switch as well. I’d love to see you do a documentary on sustainable fashion. I think it’s something our fast past world needs to see and to help open their eyes.
I would definitely watch some sort of video/docu about ethical fashion, because I would really like to learn more about it! Some little things I've been doing recently to be a bit more sustainable: go to the market for my fruit and vegetables instead of the supermarket, bringing at least 1 cotton bag in my bigger backpack wherever I go so I don't need a plastic bag when I buy something unexpected, bought my first little cotton bag to use in the supermarket for weighing products instead of the plasticbags. I'm trying not to pressure myself into taking too big steps. By getting small steps like these in my daily routine it feels more achievable then changing my whole lifestyle at once.
My uni's recently opened a zero waste shop where you can buy stuff like lentils, rice, pasta and various types of grain in bulk and put it in your own jars. It's made me feel better about all the plastic we get from supermarkets. I am sure there are shops like that around or in London :)
Lucy, I would love if you did spotlights on ethical brands, buying from them, the sizing, shopping ethically on a budget, etc! I recently got dungarees and a pinafore from Lucy and Yak and I highly recommend them! They’re best known for their dungarees, but they have other clothes as well! My favorite is they just released a line of coats made from recycled plastic! I’m saving for one right now 😊
So I started getting into sustainability when I learned more about "fast fashion" so I challenged myself to only buy second-hand in 2018, and it has been so much easier and more fun than I expected! Next year I think I will continue, and potentially buy some items from some ethical/sustainable stores online. As far as sustainability goes, I am also trying to limit my use of plastic, especially single-use plastic! So I have reusable grocery and produce bags, I have glass straws, I'm using up my body and face wash then I plan to get soap bars. I am lucky that my parents never used paper towels, so from them I learned to use normal tea towels or rags to clean up messes. I'm buying local whenever I can, and not buying anything at all when I can. Next on my list I'd like to learn how to make more meals without meat. I'm not planning to go 100% vegetarian, for one reason I know my husband wouldn't be down for it, and making two different meals is just too much work and groceries! We already don't eat meat everyday, but I'd like to have more meat-less meals. Oh recycling and composting! We compost when we can! Our apartment doesn't have facilities and our city doesn't have curb-side pickup for compost, but my parents pay for a service to come by and they live pretty close, so I bring our compost to them once a week or so! Also, we've been going to a few weddings lately, and for the last few we have given them little "zero-waste" kits! With grocery and produce bags, rags, silicone cookie sheets, beeswax food wrap, and some other things! And PS: I'd love to see a mini-doc or series about ethical fashion! Thanks for talking about this subject!
I fucking love charity/op-shops! You can find the most amazing pieces for the best prices and re-use clothing that would have otherwise be chucked out!
No-waste shops already exist and they're amazing!! my hometown has one and you can make your own peanut butter and nut milks, you take your own jar and fill it with the stuff you need like soap, flour, spices, nut butter. The owners are also so kind and really helpful, find your local no-waste shop and become friends with it
I would love to see some documentaries by you! You could even do a whole series about different aspects of being sustainable. You could even interview people on your podcast and in the documentries.
Thanks for the honesty. I feel that I'm in some of the same situations with sustainability! Proud of you for doing the best you can and I would definitely love a series. Just realized that I can get local milk delivered to my door in reusable glass bottles when you talked about that kind of stuff.. it's been a slow process with the food shopping zero waste haha! Free delivery as well and no more expensive
ooh! love the idea of a plastic free supermarket! also, I feel you on how hard it is to be vegetarian with other dietary limitations. I tried being vegetarian, but couldn't stick to it due to food allergies which made restaurant eating almost impossible, so frustrating!
I agree that people should be respectful of each other's different views and I find I'm more patient in listening to people if they are respectful. I am not vegetarian or vegan because I like supporting farmers but I do try to buy clothes second hand to save resources and I find it is more affordable as the prices are cheaper and it's harder to buy loads because there is less in the right size. Also it is so nice that your sister reads your comments, maybe I should get someone to read mine first because it is sad getting hateful comments.
That lip color is gorgeous! This whole video kind of inspired me. I had no idea what was happening in the fashion world. Hopefully the world will have some positive change with our help soon!
I totally understand! I am on a similar journey with going from being Vegetarian to Vegan, but right not I am not really able to switch over and I have to wait until next August to start. It makes me feel so guilty when I look at the food I am eating but I want to make the transition in a country where I can find the right food and learn a new way to cook... good luck for your new years resolutions! :)
The documentary thing sounds really cool I would love that! I myself been vegetarian for four months now and I'm currently trying to cut off more dairy products as well. I'm from germany and I have the feeling the recycling system here is way better than in the UK (I lived in scotland for a year). Recently I've been seeing more and more shops around here that only sell unpackaged food, where you bring your own jar etc. I think you're right in how you said to not be angry with yourself about these things bc it is a process !!
Things I do about sustainability in markets is I make lists and meal plan so that I’m only buying what I need and minimizing my food waste. I also think about foods that can be used in multiple ways, like a red pepper is good for fajitas but I can also scramble it with eggs. I try to be conscious of how much meat I’m eating because for my and my body, I can’t go completely without meat. My market also has biodegradable bags for buying produce, which I appreciate! When I’m out and about, I bring my reusable water bottle everywhere to avoid buying plastic water bottles, but I struggle with that when I’m traveling in Europe especially. Something I wish I could do is invest and support movements that are taking food that would otherwise be thrown away to bring it to shelters or other people who want/need that food. I wish more bakeries and restaurants would pass on rather than throw out food they can’t serve that is perfectly edible, so that’s something I’d recommend supporting if you have the means!
I think 'do what you can' is a great starting point for sustainability, but it's also something that we need revisit and check in with often. We should think of sustainability as a compounding change, that after we've mastered our first small step we need to take another, and after we've mastered that, then another, so on and so forth. I don't think it will be enough to make a small change, such as not using plastic bags, and thinking that you've done your part in saving the environment. Theres definitely a lot of ways our societies need to change in order to keep living, but there's nothing wrong with taking small steps, as long as you continue to take them.
I would be SO interested in a mini doc on ethical clothes shopping! I don't have the money to buy from indie companies that make 100% ethical production decisions but I want to do everything I can to shop as ethically as possible. I'd love to hear what you find out! ps. was soo excited to see another chatty grwm in my sub box, these are my faves
yes to a sustainability doc! personally, I try to buy loose fruit and veg if I can, and if something, eg a cucumber, doesn't come without plastic then I just won't buy that item. clothing is super hard because I care SO MUCH about ethical clothing but really don't have the budget for better options. i don't know if you've heard of the app Good On You, it rates different clothing retailers on environment, labour and animal issues, and it's been super enlightening! I found out that M&S is actually rated pretty highly for a high street brand and although it's not so "fashionable", I did get some really soft basic jumpers there the other day for a good price.
I would recommend checking out stores that are specifically for buying in bulk. I live in Canada, so I can't tell you about the bulk shops in your area, but I would recommend taking a look. I know the ones here have bulk peanut butter and oils and such.
i keep one of those foldaway totes from paperchase in my bag for whenever i randomly purchase things as i'm out to avoid plastic bags. there's also a place called Hetu: a zero waste grocery store.
I’ve been watching your GRWM videos all afternoon. So happy you’ve uplaoded a new one! I love your GRWM videos! Your aesthetic is so inspiring for me to try and improve the quality of my own singing videos 🥰💛
I've been cruelty-free for a few years now. For my ethical point of view, that means that I try to buy beauty products that are cruelty-free where it's been confirmed that they don't sell in China whatsoever, that the companies are ethical, meaning that they are either making their clothing in a small workshop in their own country/town and/or paying fair wages to workers they hire in different countries (this often times means I'm buying from small or local women designers), and that I'm not buying leather (or that much). Recently I've started going plastic free, so that means plastic cups, take-away utensils, any new item I'm replacing can not have plastic material, or even things that come in plastic packaging. Unfortunately, at the moment I can't go vegetarian. Since I'm human, I mess up. And it's okay to mess up because this is a learning process. Also, on a different point, common US supermarkets don't have single/loose and unpackaged avocados or fruit and vegetables? On that note, I bring my own small canvas bags to my supermarket, I frequent farmers markets that let you pack your own fruit, I try to make use of the bulk sections of markets, and also have started making my own almond milk. But what I've learned that this lifestyle is leading me to live a more minimal and healthy life where I am not only caring about other people all over the world, but that I'm caring and taking care of the environment that we live in.
I think we often overestimate the effort/cost of making sustainable choices - doing "the bit that we can" is usually more than we anticipate. For example, cutting out meat/dairy or plastic seems daunting until you try!
SO true. I thought that being vegan would be so difficult but once you get used to it, it's really easy. And also yah sustainable choices could be as simple as buying a whole fruit instead of pre-sliced in plastic or realizing you don't actually need a duplicate of something.
as a 17 year old still living at home who has little income for herself and has parents who provide my food for me, i was always really lazy and basically said that i had no control over my effect on sustainability. then i realised i was being ridiculous. i started with baby steps: the bare minimum of a reusable water bottle and hot drinks flask which i now take everywhere. as i don't buy my own food, i was contemplating ways i could affect change on my family's sustainability. turns out a conversation was all it took. we now are vegetarian 5 out of 7 days a week and this year (with the help of iceland) we're planning on having our first palm oil free christmas! our family 2019 goal is reducing plastic consumption (and maybe full time vegetarianism)
This is so cool! Well done you and your family x
That is wonderful! So glad you could get your family on board with it as well!
as important as it is to make more ethical and sustainable changes in our own individual lifestyles, i think it's perhaps more important to put pressure on governments and big multinational businesses to become more environmentally friendly, as they're the ones doing the most damage to our planet. thinks like introducing the 5p plastic bag charge has made bringing your own reusable bags to the shops the norm, so it shows that changes can be made if the govt pulls their finger out lol
I think the two go hand in hand. Consumers making sustainable choices will show brands and businesses that consumers care about ethics and they will make changes in their products/practices to meet those expectations.
I totally agree, I think a lot of people believe individuals have to bear the burden of sustainability when 100% governments need to do their part. And then with multinational corporations, they are the hugest producers of emissions and the ones REALLY messing up our planet - to the extent that if THEY don't change, our efforts will be wasted >:(
“i feel like my entire life has been things getting progressively worse and me feeling progressively more guilty” is the most painfully relatable thing i’ve ever heard.
first of all love your channel lucy!
”Everybody does their little bit and it’ll work.” unfortunately i just don’t think that’s true? in order for us to not completely ruin our planet, our lifestyles have to change big time, including food, travel, housing, clothing etc.. i get that what you’re saying is nice to say, and i also often use ”start with one small thing” to get people to start thinking about their choices environmentally and ethically. but i just wish this isn’t making people think that because they use a tote for their groceries, there isn’t more to do. but of course i don’t want people to feel unnecessarily guilty, that’s not effective in any way i don’t think.
also i find it hard to really believe ”it’s a personal choice” with these things, when those choices are ultimately affecting the whole world and the planet negatively. drastic changes need to happen now, or it’ll be too late.
one thing i’ve wondered, is buying second-hand really that expensive in britain (and other countries)? i live in finland and thrifting definitely doesn’t cost more than h&m and others alike, i buy all i can second-hand.
(and just a disclaimer, i don’t think i am perfect with these things either, for example i’ve booked flights to america for spring to see my friend. but i do care enourmosly about the environment, and i hope that people take these issues seriously.)
@ellaaurora I agree with everything you said! Often times, saying that everyone should do what they can is used as an excuse to do the minimum. I'm definitely not perfect myself, but I like to really consider the ways in which I could do better instead of thinking that because I could do worse I'm already doing enough.
I think big changes are necessary to have a real impact (for instance, buying cruelty free makeup is nice, but if you're still "consuming" animals in other forms, I wonder how much of an actual impact it makes)
Also Lucy, because you're expressing yourself publicly on social media, your opinions and the way you participate to the economy influence your audience, and maybe that's something you could address more often and more in depth?
Anyways it's important to not beat ourselves down too much when we're not at our most ethical. I really like your content and this was a very nice video :)
By things being expensive, I think she meant specifically ethically branded clothes, brand new, alongside thrifting, which she said she does. Also, totally agree that we need some big changes in society, but it’s very difficult to navigate the line between ‘we could all try harder’ and ‘YOU’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH’, especially with disabled people and those with allergies who can’t use more environmentally products/systems. I don’t know. I guess it’s just not a one-size-fits-all thing.
Also, I get that you’re asking Lucy to push more for sustainability because she’s a relatively big influencer, but there are a lot of influencers doing the MOST for ethics, and we shouldn’t force everyone to go to extremes 😊
Buying second-hand isn't very expensive in the UK as there are lots of charity shops
But buying from "ethical fashion brands" is quite expensive as many UK based small businesses are quite expensive because of the way they're run (like paying there employees proper wages etc.)
(edit: this was actually meant to be a reply to emily herbert, sorry for the confusion!)
la fille au stabilo rose oh yeah i wouldn’t ever want to tell anyaone, let alone a person whose struggle (like a disabilty) i know nothing about that they aren’t good enough! and i am mostly against aggressive and guilt-tripping posts about these kinds of causes, i don’t think it’s fair nor effective. hope my comment didn’t come off that way!
and i don’t necessarily think lucy should do more content on sustainability if that’s not what she wants. she just happened to post about it and i had some thoughts i thought were worth sharing :)
@@ellaaurora Of course I don't want to make anyone feel guilty either! I just think that when there's something we can do, we shouldn't try and find excuses to be lazy.
What I mean is that since lucy often presents herself as an advocate for ethical buying and and sustainability, thinking about the various ways in which she still fits into the traditional capitalist economy could be a good way for her to question some of her practices, and for us to question ours at the same time (don't know if that makes sense ahah).
I think once you go online and say you're making an ethical choice on one thing you attract a certain audience who then wants you to be ethical in everything e.g. make-up, fashion, diet etc. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing but it can be quite pressuring. For example, I buy cruelty free products but still shop at h&m. It's super hard to be completely ethical in literally everything and just not practical for most of us. Most of the people criticizing some of your decisions won't be 100% ethical but I guess you can be seen as promoting unethical things if you talk about them which gets you the extra scrutiny
I’d say I’ve found this - people expect a lot from me and I can find that pressure overwhelming if I let it get under my skin. However it’s a difficult balance because I want to do better, however I don’t want to be known for being “ethical” when I don’t focus my content on it. It’s just a part of my life! But people will always share their thoughts, and I’m grateful for the interesting discussions I am able to have with my audience
The thing is, it‘s impossible to be 100% ethical, ethics are values defined by society and naturally they will change and adapt. Having the expectation to be 100% ethical is not fair (and completely unrealistic), for other people to expect someone else to be completely ethical and also for yourself to want to be completely ethical.
I believe you should always thrive to become the best version of yourself and live up to your own values (after checking if those values are actually valid)
But it doesn’t help anyone to spread negativity, rather try to support others (and yourself) to evolve as human beings.
That’s my philosophy on this matter:)
Self-compassion omg YES 🙌🏻🙌🏻 I loved seeing you last night babe, your skin is looking disgracefully good like damn! x
Melanie Murphy would love to hear you chat about similar topics, fast fashion and such. I think you make these topics so approachable and balanced with the reality of being human! X
Me too!
Got to do the ethics without too much guilt yknow? Lovely to see you too princess, and thank you I could say the same about yourself xxx
I can't just whack down 500 euros and buy a bunch of everlane etc, although that'd be great. So my alternative is making stuff last longer (mending tears, taking care of stains, etc) and not buying much. What i do buy, I consider heavily. Not that difficult, but as a result I barely ever shop and when I do buy something new it feels very special.
That hair colour suits you soooo well, very seasonal🍂
Fun info! Zero Waste Shops are popping up all over and they're exactly the sort of plastic-free shops you've been describing. There's quite a few in London as far as I'm aware too!
Omg going to look into this!
Yes! This is what I wanted to comment! I've heard them called bulk food stores too
@@lucymoon here's one: www.hetu.co.uk
Lucy have you heard about the good on you app? it explains a brand's environmental impact and how ethical it is in terms of animals and labour rights, and its soso eye opening, its stopped me shopping in certain stores so i'm not pouring money into unethical brands anymore!! thanks for this Lucy, such an important issue to be talking about ❤
THIS IS HELPFUL INFORMATION THANK YOU
Downloaded ty!!
Thanks, very helpful!!
everlane rated so badly on it sadly 😢
This is such an amazing app! I love it and get some really good ideas of what brands I want to buy from.
I would love to see a documentary. In my case I'm vegan but sometimes i have been left with no choice but to buy things with leather, like gloves and shoes. Food wise, i try my best with avoiding plastic but tbh, since living in the UK it's much more difficult. In Spain all fruits and vegetables are sold without package, but in here it's almost impossible. I do remind myself that there is a higher responsibility in the companies than on my shoulders. Yes, i can make the right choices, but they are the ones causing the damage and profiting in terrible ways
I relate! But also, I have a very different experience buying fruits and veggies in Spain. In Madrid at least, you had to use plastic bags for every fruit and vegetable, even things like avocados, and you even had to use these disposable plastic gloves to pick them up. They really went the extra mile sanitary wise. I found it harder to shop sustainably there :(
That said, I don't live in the UK so maybe it's worse there
I feel you. We try and get all of our fruit and veg loose from local grocery shops / farm shops but it’s hard sometimes, especially out of season, to get particularly nice fruit and veg at the same time. I think there’s such a big link with consumer happiness / comfortability and being able to be environmental and ethical as well. For example, we recently purchased a fruit and veg box from our local fruit shop and some of the fruit wasn’t really nice at all so we went to the co op hoping that they’d sell some things loose, but it was basically nearly ALL wrapped in plastic. Such a shame. I feel as though we really shouldn’t be having to do this much work ourselves as consumers. Supermarkets need to step up!!! :)
Lucy, all of the steps you are taking are of course so plausible. However, I do think people (particularly those in the upper middle classes) tend to focus on my ethically perfect in every aspect of THEIR life nowadays. Of course, this is great for your conscience, but it's even more important to highlight the communal struggle. The trends against plastic straws, and uplifting veganism (both important; i'm vegan myself) take the focus off protesting against harmful companies, and combatting the root of environmental problems!!
Love your videos, and keep changing the world!!!
Agree with this 100%. Being bright up a Quaker really drummed into me the ideas you’re talking about - community boycotting and being vocal about change through protesting and similar
@@lucymoon No way, I never knew you were brought up a Quaker, thats so interesting! I'd actually love to see a video on what that was like and how it influenced you because I dont know a whole lot about the religion but I understand it to be very compassionate and hearing a first hand account would be really cool.
@@Alicia16104 she actually did a collab on leena norms channel called 'what its like to grow up christian' where they talk about religion with another girl but its like 40 mins long and super good! If you even just search 'lucy moon leena norms' it should be one of the first results.
I think your opinion is refreshingly neutral. Though I understand there is always something more people can be doing to improve the environment, it’s nice to have a not pressuring perspective. Thank you for talking about this! I love you content so much!!!
I think your philosophy on ethics is really good, and you're one of the very few youtubers who actually puts an effort into being sustainable. I agree with you on doing what you are able to - it's always better to do something than do nothing at all. I personally try to avoid plastic, even though I find it really hard. I bring tote bags whenever I'm going to buy something, and I've just started using a shampoo bar instead of regular shampoo that comes in a plastic bottle. I also try to avoid buying anything fast fashion, I tend to thrift most of my clothing. If I have to buy new clothing, I like to invest so that I know it will last. Oh, I'm also a vegetarian, but I've been a vegetarian for seven or eight years, so I don't find that to be difficult. My makeup bag has been cruelty free for four years now, but I remember finding it really hard to go cruelty free. Thank you so much for talking about sustainability (and please excuse my poor English)!
You talking about being cruelty free is so amazing. Love seeing the products you use. So inspirational to so many people xx
Your approach is great because you’re never preachy and instead of just talking about how bad fast fashion is, for example, you show us your way round it. It feels a lot more positive!
Ahhh yes thank you Lucy for this! We need to speak more about sustainability, especially from someone with your platform (and your makeup looked gorg!) Xx
Other than unlearning the constant need for new clothes, the best way to consume fashion sustainably is to shop secondhand- charity shops, clothes swaps, eBay, depop, vestiaire collective, vintage shops etc.
Your idea about having a series about ethical shopping sounds INCREDIBLE and I really really hope you end up making it!! Sometimes I feel like I only know of a few limited options, some of which aren't financially (or geographically) viable for me, so it would be so amazing to learn more about different ways to approach sustainable fashion!
So in terms of what I do:
I eat a vegan diet
I barely use make up anymore (like 4 times a year)
I try my best not to buy new clothes, but sometimes this can be challenging due to my body shape, especially with trousers. So I would buy them new.
I have switched over to giffgaff sim only, so that I keep my phone for longer than an average 2 year contract
I have switched over to deodorant with cardboard packaging, and to a bamboo toothbrush
I never take plastic bags in shops, so carry a rucksack everywhere, which also has a bag for life inside it (I have lots of bags for life which I am using up, but would not buy them anymore, I would get a 100% natural fiber bag)
All the christmas presents I have bought so far are second hand books and dvds, and the only other things I am going to buy are bars of chocolate from Divine, which is a Fairtrade company with very good ethics (sold in Oxfam).
I buy my washing liquid from Oxfam, and use a guppybag (which catches microplastics)
also, I'd love a documentary!
I'd never heard of the guppyfriend bags before, but I'll definitely be buying one now I think! Thank you for mentioning it and letting me (and others I would think)!discover it 😄😊
recently I've actually taken completely the opposite view of sustainability which is that living sustainably isn't convenient, but thats no excuse not to do it. I've found searching for alternatives does take a while but as I've made a bit point to think about it as much as possible it becomes much more natural over time. It does involve planning ahead but then all you have to do is sit down and think about what tomorrow will entail and what changes you can make like actually I could walk to work and I can pack a sandwich for lunch tomorrow now and make yourself do it even when it sucks because the more often you do it the less of a big issue it feels. I'll let myself off if I'm unwell but personally I feel that if I'm being lazy I somewhat deserve the guilt that comes with that because frankly a lot of the small changes we make dont make as much of an impact as we like to think
(i'm not having a go at anyone btw, just how I talk to myself about it!)
Thanks for sharing! Totally agree with you that planning ahead helps a lot, whether that’s bringing a reusable cup or flask or researching what you can eat in a restaurant x
Yes, I think this is super important. You can't let "do what you can" translate to being lazy and not making it a priority. There definitely needs to be more pressure on people to make changes. But at the same time, it's important for us to be compassionate with ourselves and understand that change doesn't happen overnight and it's okay to not be perfect with it.
You are doing very well Luce. I can tell that you are maturing and just blooming into something wonderful with the care and patience that you have needed. Please continue ! I'd love your documentary ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
really appreciate the transparency and realism in this video lucy! there should definitely be more nuance in these discussions and less shaming. it's the big corporations that have the power to make the real change unfortunately, and while we should be self-aware and make an effort, it's not something worth punishing ourselves over.
the no-package supermarket is, in theory, a good idea, but presents a lot of issues for people with food allergies. i have celiac, and can get sick from a single crumb of gluten. having to fill your own things would present a lot of opportunity for cross-contamination, which wouldn't be safe for me, or others with severe food allergies.
That’s a very good point that I hadn’t thought of! Food for thought for sure (no pun intended lol)
Maybe we should continue with the no-plastic idea but still keep regular supermarkets for people with allergies - though I know there’s sort of shaming about people who are less sustainable now...
Totally agree with this! I’m Coeliac too and even though I’d love to shop in these stores, it’s just not safe. Hopefully we’ll see the introduction of biodegradable packaging etc which would be great!
@lucy maybe get in contact with Milena Glimbovski. She is the Founder of a packaging free grocery Store in Berlin, also made the the calendar A Good Plan. On Social Media you may find her as milenskaya
I’m also celiac and I can see that this could be an issue... but I also think that it could be avoided. Maybe specific areas allocated to only allergen free foods?
I really think the most sustainable option is shopping second hand at all costs. Also shopping locally for foods you eat. One blog that’s really helped me out a lot is Litterless. She has a section on there called “nothing new” and an entire section on diy things. I’ve bought loads of fabric from a fabric store that only sells donated fabric and I’m planning on making cloth produce bags, cloth cotton pads, and little muslin bags for bar soaps.
But you’ve honestly made a good start for yourself by just THINKING hardcore about these things. It’s the best way to make these changes. And start with one thing, and that’ll get the ball rolling for everything else.
Yes, I would love to see a video/series about how to realistically be more sustainable. I too struggle with having compassion for myself and feeling like I'm never doing enough, but sustainability is also really important to me. Some things that I do pretty often: when I go to get a coffee or any kind of a drink from a takeaway place, I will bring my own cup and ask the cashier to put my drink in the cup so that I'm not using a plastic cup. For groceries, I try really hard (I'm terrible at this) to buy produce that isn't wrapped in plastic. Like I will buy a whole mango instead of buying the pre-sliced mangos. I also just always have reusable cutlery with me so I don't have to use plastic forks and stuff. Generally, just thinking ahead of time about what kinds of plastic you may be using and trying to avoid it is really helpful. I'm glad to see you talking about these things, I think it's really important.
Love that you made this video, what makes me feel the best about sustainability is knowing that there’s no perfect but that I try to do my best and I always try to improve and look for better choices within my budget, and that if sometimes i f*ck up or I need the “easy way out” I can always do better tomorrow or the next day💙🌱
It’s so hard now because society is constantly adding to the list of things we do wrong ethically, but at the same time the awareness is important. I think you just have to find where you stand with things and do what you can. We can’t be perfect but we can make an effort to change for the better. I’ve been vegan &shopped cruelty free for over a year but it’s a personal choice, not something I think people should feel pressured to be. There’s so much to think about going on in the world and it’s overwhelming! Small change is still change
After I left for college I realized that this is my chance to be as sustainable as possible. I’m now on the team of sustainability at my college. The thing we focus on here is composting. I recognize that in a city, there may not be a place to do composting, but here it’s the easiest, most effective thing we’ve started doing
i've just recently moved to France from the UK for my year abroad and the French are so on it with sustainability! Most supermarkets have a big area where you can dispense oats/rice/nuts/seeds/spices/pasta/etc. into your own bags or paper bags they provide and there are so many markets around where I can get my fruit n veg without all the plastic.
My biggest sustainability move I think is getting a reusable water bottle and coffee cup. I don't buy any soft drinks/water anymore because of the plastic (and because I'm trying to be a bit healthier), which I'm quite proud of.
Also trying as hard as I can to have homemade meals all the time (and bring in homemade lunches in tupperware when I'm at uni) - which is a lot easier than I thought. Bulk cooking and freezing and then defrosting - pretty much my mantra now lol.
That is the best way to be, do what you can. I have pretty much stopped buying new clothes, all of the clothes I own/wear including accessories, coats shoes etc all fit into one wardrobe and two ikea boxes. I will not replace anything until they are unwearable even then I would then use them as lounge wear. I am also trying not to buy as many beauty products and be aware of how long I can keep things for before throwing them away. I was wasting so much money/products! Little changes are a step in the right direction!
I have also pretty much stopped buying new clothes and have no wish to do so.
Loved this! 💘 also personally, I make an effort buy makeup that's cruelty free. I also eat vegetarian for breakfast & lunch, and I don't consume milk anymore (all for about 2 years now). Yeah I agree, every small bit counts!
You are so so close to what I have been thinking for the last year. You cannot change your life in one night. Simple steps I think are the best, and keep getting informed. I personally changed the basics first, such as not as much meat as before (more towards never now to be honest but took a few months), bamboo toothbrush, metal straw, keep cup for the daily coffee, not shopping unless necessary, tote bags, and then being aware of energy consumption, water, heating etc. Hope I could help... Keep up the great content!
i don't have anyone to talk about being more eco friendly or ethical cause not a lot ppl in my surroundings is interested or simply care enough so i loved that video. i think the concept of just sharing what you learned and how you're working on changing your habits to help the planet is really cool. also i would love you to make a series about ethical shopping
Yes loved this! Would love some sort of series about how to do sustainable fashion well as all I really know at the moment is charity shopping (which I find difficult as I hate shopping so the long browsing to find good stuff stresses me out) and expensive ethical clothing companies that I can't afford! At the moment I am just avoiding buying new clothes as much as I can and even if I do buy fast fashion I try to find high-street brands that support other good causes (i.e. M&S with their fair trade campaigns) so I don't feel so guilty about where my money has gone! I also do semi regular clothes swaps with friends which means I can have a clear out and get rid of stuff, knowing its going to a good home, and get loads of new fun stuff for free and at no extra cost to the world!
Other things I do to try and do my bit is only buying cruelty free beauty and skin care, taking my own water bottle and keep cup everywhere with me and me and my husband always challenge ourselves to do no-plastic fruit and veg shops in our local supermarket, as that is really the only item you can get 100% packaging free, we've found Aldi and Tesco's are the best places for this so far!
Yes girl loved this! I just did a purchase on everlane to replace my top shop Joni jeans and have been picking up pieces from different ethical shops, I’m a broke college student so I’m trying to find ethical but budget friendly that’s why I thrift most of my wardrobe. I recommend getting the app good on you, they research different brands to let you know how ethical each one is and makes finding new brands so much easier and it’ll let you know prices as well! ❤️
Also I’m gluten free and vegan and I definitely understand your struggle! It’s possible(I’ve done it for three years now) but it takes more thought that’s for sure.
Thank you so much this video, Lucy. I have also been thinking A LOT about these topics lately and I’m trying not to feel too guilty/beat myself up, trying to incorporate new habits in my life one thing at a time. It’s reasuring to know I’m not the only one struggling with this! AND, YES, ID ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT IF YOU MADE THAT SERIES ❤️
i am living for this sustainable and eco-friendly content !!
The ethical shopping series thing would be snazzy lucy!
I´ve been getting more and more sustainable in recent years, being a vegetarian, cruelty free and trying to limit my fast fashion buys (my mom keeps complaining that I need more clothes, lol). When I feel like i’m forced to buy fast fashion, I always find one good thing about it, like if it’s merch for something I care about (like I bought a shirt for the Slut Walk etc), or even just from a small local shop. I try to not buy from the biggest giants, like Zara and H&M, but since I’m quite poor and the thrift shops in my area aren’t that great, sometimes it’s necessary. However, I feel like just refusing to partake in the consumer-mindset that is everywhere, you’re already doing a lot.
I agree that you can only do your best! It absolutely doesn’t make any sense to beat yourself up about something you can‘t really change at the moment or maybe you just aren’t in the right space for it (yet). It‘s a progress, so there’s no need to feel bad about all the things you aren’t doing, be proud of what you‘re already doing and slowly go along with it:)
What I personally do is, try to buy vegetables at our weekly farmer’s market as often as possible and bring my own vegetable bags, noodles and oats etc I try to buy at a store where they don‘t use packaging and you come with your jars, like you said. I‘m getting really conscious about my usage of plastic and how to avoid it.
I live in a small town in Germany, so if we have so called „unpackaged shops“ here, I‘m pretty sure you can find some in London as well!
I love that you talked about this topic, because it‘s something that concerns us all and at the same time you talk about it in a way that doesn’t attack anyone.
Would love to here you talk more about this in the future! :)
Loved this! 💘 also personally, I make an effort buy makeup that's cruelty free. I also eat vegetarian for breakfast and for lunch. And don't consume milk anymore (for about 2 years now). yeah I agree, every small bit counts!
I loved your chat on sustainability and doing what you can within your means! For me personally, I try to be as sustainable as possible by having a vegan diet, buying all cruelty free and vegan beauty products and cosmetics, and I do soft plastic recycling and take reusable vegetable/shopping bags to the super market. An area that I feel I lack in though is fashion. I mainly shop second hand, but I do unfortunately shop online at stores that aren't the most ethical. I feel like your capsule wardrobe idea is actually really inspiring, and I'm thinking of making one as a result of your videos. Keep up the good work Lucy x
I would love a mini ethical fashion doc. Also I think the conversation around limiting plastic use is so important! But like you briefly mentioned some people simply are too far away or poor to afford the low plastic options like whole foods. It's important to remember that as part of the conversation
As a Canadian one thing i've noticed from watching UK youtube is how much plastic there is in your supermarkets. All the fruit and veg seems to be pre-packaged and your milk is also in plastic, I find this so interesting because it is not the reality in many other countries. For buying peanut butter you could look in bulk stores, I know in Canada we have Bulk Barn and they have peanut butter. Also I would check out Emma Hills video on Everlane for her opinion on shipping and stuff to the UK, was quite informative.
Love that you're talking about this.
I've been thinking a lot about this too recently - biggest way I've managed to reduce plastic packaging so far is visiting local greengrocers / butchers / bakeries etc and taking my own reusable bags and containers. It's such a feel good too supporting local businesses.
I'm trying to reduce what use before reusing or recycling too, and buying in bulk where it reduces packaging if you can't get it package free.
Found a few affordable (I won't say cheap!) ethical clothes brands too after a bit of extensive googling!!
This ethical shopping documentary sounds great, please do make it, Lucy!
As a uni student, my funds are the biggest roadblock for sustainable practices, so I try and do little things, as even little things can make a difference. I use reusable shopping bags, use bar soap and shampoo bars to eliminate plastic, use public transport, take my own water bottle and keep cup, buy biodegradable bin liners (or better yet, no bin liners if you can, you don't need them), shorter showers, minimise energy usage, change all mailing to online, borrow books from the library, the list goes on, and the majority of these save you money, so it's a win-win
A mini doc about sustainability sounds amazing yes yes yes! Love you Luce, this video was great xx
I would LOVE to watch an ethical shopping doc, so important now more than ever to talk about and initiate change in our own lives!!
I really like what you said about your perspective on sustainability. I agree that it's a personal thing. I think that in the slow fashion world, there tends to be a lot of pressure whether intentionally or not, to be against any and all fast fashion, which I don't think is the solution. It's true that ethical clothing costs more, just by definition of being produced ethically, and not everyone can afford those pieces. Plus, there is nothing wrong with wanting / owning a gorgeous item of clothing that is not made ethically, as long as you are being conscious of your buying habits overall. Long story short, I completely agree with your "do what you can" philosophy.
lovely perspective, well said 👏
Yes please for the mini doc on sustainable shopping, i’m becoming really conscious of it but don’t know where to start
A documentary on realistic ethical shopping sounds like a great idea, Lucy! I'd definitely watch that :)
Brilliant video!! I’m an environmentalist and an aspiring ethical consumer. I’m already vegetarian, i avoid plastic as much as i can do (rejecting plastic bags, getting fruit and veg locally with no packaging as well as encouraging many other people to make choices such as getting rid of their plastic straws etc) and we’re completely palm oil free with foods in our house (I’m trying to work on the cosmetic side of things too! But will feel more able to do more things like this when I’m living on my own). I’ve recently started thinking about the clothes side of things and am trying to shop more ethically with them in terms of purchasing vintage, second hand stuff and i also hope to have everything i eat be from ethical sources when I’m older. It’s very hard trying to be fully ethical but I’m trying as hard as i can go do as much as i can in amongst school stress! Keep up your amazing content! The more people discussing these topics and raising awareness gives hope for the planet :)
I think what caused some confusion was not only the fact that you were buying from fast fashion brands, but also that you seemed to be promoting them. anything you put online sends a message and because you didn't explain your decision in that regard, it is easy to misinterpret.
anyway, the main thing i do is shop second hand!! it's the most sustainable way of consumption and budget-friendly! you don't need much money to participate in the slow fashion movement.
Also, YES a series/documentary would be SO GOOD. there's definitely a lot of research to be done and it's always good when information is made more accessible and compact.
Aaaahhh I’ve been waiting for another one of these for so long! I keep rewatching the older ones because they’re really calming and just long enough for me to do my makeup as well. I love it! ❤️
Love this video and the look 😍 I personally think it's really important to care for the environment but I'm often upset about myself since I don't do enough when life get busy (which is prob 80% of my time as a student) What I really enjoy and what's also super easy is to swap your common plastic razor to a zero waste safety razor - love that 😊 lots of love!! Lena xx
Love the idea of a mini doc on ethical/sustainable fashion
Love this video and would love more like it! LOVE the mini doc idea, please do it!
I've been trying to majorly cut down on fast fashion and focusing on thrifting instead. I've recently stopped eating red meat. And I'm trying to cut down on single use plastics too. I share your do what you can philosophy.
Something to remember-you have always been able to buy five avocados at the grocery store and just put them in a tote bag. Produce that is individually purchased (ie not in plastic packages of 4-6, something I know is really common in the UK) doesn't need to be taken home in tiny little plastic bags-sustainable cloth bags or (gasp) no bags are also a more than ok option! They provide pretty minimal convenience that I haven't really missed. Happy shopping!
I've made lots of small changes over the last few years in an effort to be more sustainable. I have only bought cruelty free make up for about three years, but it's taken that long to finish using everything I already had. I always use reusable shopping bags and coffee cups and we use beeswax wraps at home instead of plastic wrap. It's a process and there's definitely things I can still improve on, especially when it comes to fast fashion. Until now I have only had limited $ as a student and whilst I thrifted, sometimes having to buy from fast fashion chains was inevitable. I try to eat less meat but similar to you Lucy, when you have other dietary requirements (no wheat, garlic, onion, dairy) it can be limiting.
I would definitely watch a series about that! - great idea x
I would so love to see a documentary or series about you trying to find new and realistic ways to be more ethical in beauty clothes and food !!! That would be so great
I've been vegetarian and gluten-free for four years and I feel you. My diet consists of A LOT of salads (I always, always have salad for lunch and something more "substantial" for dinner). But not the old, boring tomato+lettuce salad. I try to use a variety of veggies with lots of different colours and textures and I add crunch with nuts to keep it appealing, tasty and nutritious.
GF and vegetarian have definitely challenged my culinary skills. Sustaining both in a way that's good for your body AND your wallet definitely requires more thought and dedication in the kitchen.
Spices are everything to keep things interesting! I've discovered and incorporated a lot of ingredients I wouldn't have otherwise.
Pinterest is great source. Although I sometimes struggle to find ALL the ingredients (can't afford coconut anything or almond flour, sorry), it serves as an inspiration when I feel I'm in a rut and eating the same things over and over again.
And freezing stuff is a lifesaver. I make a BIG purchase once a month and summon enough will to prepare meals ahead of time. Sauces, soups, quiche fillings, veggie patties, frozen fruit for smoothies, etc. The initial effort really pays off when you don't have time (or enthusiasm) to cook. And it prevents me from grabbing other stuff that's probably "questionable" but readily available.
However, eating out is SUCH a nightmare. Impossible even.
It's challenged my social life too. Social events usually revolve around food and I always feel left out.
If I REALLY have to go to a restaurant, I always end up having chips or a poorly prepared salad (which more often than not costs a fortune), or I jump straight to dessert and have ice cream instead.
Some cuisines are easier (I've found Arab, Indian and Thai have some options) but it really depends on how intolerant to gluten you are. Gluten "contamination" is no joke if you're really sensitive.
If the gathering is at someone's house I make sure to bring a meal for myself.
Some people are very opinionated and question my dietary preferences but I never judge them for what they chose to put or not or put in their mouths. I shrug it off. If it works for me and my budget, that's all that matters.
It can be very overwhelming at first and it definitely takes some time getting used to. Working it out can be tricky until you get the hang of it (four years in and I still haven't mastered it, will I ever?).
Like you, I realized early on that I had to be easy in myself and that it's a process.
Not that you need anyone's approval, but you're doing great 💕
Sorry for the never-ending comment. Hopefully you'll find some use from my experience 😊
I loved the "chatty" video, always do.
I found this video SUPER interesting, thank you so much for making this!
Your idea about sustainable shopping would be very interesting(at least for me). Also don't beat yourself up over anything, nobody's perfect. Lastly, you look awesome!!!!😍😍
I'm studying nutrition and found out an interesting fact about milk coming in glass packaging. One of the reasons why the glass milk deliveries stopped (in my country anyway) was because certain vitamins and minerals in the milk were being degraded from sunlight/UV exposure. So to stop it from happening they swapped the transparent glass packaging to opaque plastic packaging, as the opaqueness of the plastic was enough to protect the milk from UV exposure. If milk came in opaque glass packaging that would be brilliant though!
I truly agree with your little steps approach. It's what I do as well, just thinking about the footprint I am leaving here on Earth. A good quote I like to reference is actually from The Lorax It goes: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not." Many problems on our planet could be resolved with pure care and love for one another. Thanks for making this video!!
I would say what I’ve been doing is trying to use my reusable bags when I go to shops. I tend to always be running errands so I try to always keep a reusable bag on me. I really do like the jar grocery idea you were talking about. I have been thinking about that a lot lately. Just the amount of food I have that is either package or wrapped in plastic is just crazy to me. I think I’d like to make the jar type of switch as well. I’d love to see you do a documentary on sustainable fashion. I think it’s something our fast past world needs to see and to help open their eyes.
I would definitely watch some sort of video/docu about ethical fashion, because I would really like to learn more about it!
Some little things I've been doing recently to be a bit more sustainable: go to the market for my fruit and vegetables instead of the supermarket, bringing at least 1 cotton bag in my bigger backpack wherever I go so I don't need a plastic bag when I buy something unexpected, bought my first little cotton bag to use in the supermarket for weighing products instead of the plasticbags.
I'm trying not to pressure myself into taking too big steps. By getting small steps like these in my daily routine it feels more achievable then changing my whole lifestyle at once.
My uni's recently opened a zero waste shop where you can buy stuff like lentils, rice, pasta and various types of grain in bulk and put it in your own jars. It's made me feel better about all the plastic we get from supermarkets. I am sure there are shops like that around or in London :)
would totally watch a doc/ series about sustainability. its a great idea, i really hope you will make it.
Lucy, I would love if you did spotlights on ethical brands, buying from them, the sizing, shopping ethically on a budget, etc! I recently got dungarees and a pinafore from Lucy and Yak and I highly recommend them! They’re best known for their dungarees, but they have other clothes as well! My favorite is they just released a line of coats made from recycled plastic! I’m saving for one right now 😊
YES YES please a doc on ethical shopping!
So I started getting into sustainability when I learned more about "fast fashion" so I challenged myself to only buy second-hand in 2018, and it has been so much easier and more fun than I expected! Next year I think I will continue, and potentially buy some items from some ethical/sustainable stores online. As far as sustainability goes, I am also trying to limit my use of plastic, especially single-use plastic! So I have reusable grocery and produce bags, I have glass straws, I'm using up my body and face wash then I plan to get soap bars. I am lucky that my parents never used paper towels, so from them I learned to use normal tea towels or rags to clean up messes. I'm buying local whenever I can, and not buying anything at all when I can. Next on my list I'd like to learn how to make more meals without meat. I'm not planning to go 100% vegetarian, for one reason I know my husband wouldn't be down for it, and making two different meals is just too much work and groceries! We already don't eat meat everyday, but I'd like to have more meat-less meals. Oh recycling and composting! We compost when we can! Our apartment doesn't have facilities and our city doesn't have curb-side pickup for compost, but my parents pay for a service to come by and they live pretty close, so I bring our compost to them once a week or so! Also, we've been going to a few weddings lately, and for the last few we have given them little "zero-waste" kits! With grocery and produce bags, rags, silicone cookie sheets, beeswax food wrap, and some other things!
And PS: I'd love to see a mini-doc or series about ethical fashion! Thanks for talking about this subject!
I fucking love charity/op-shops! You can find the most amazing pieces for the best prices and re-use clothing that would have otherwise be chucked out!
No-waste shops already exist and they're amazing!! my hometown has one and you can make your own peanut butter and nut milks, you take your own jar and fill it with the stuff you need like soap, flour, spices, nut butter. The owners are also so kind and really helpful, find your local no-waste shop and become friends with it
Omg the documentary about sustainability would be amazing to watch... please try and make these videos!! xx
I would love to see some documentaries by you! You could even do a whole series about different aspects of being sustainable. You could even interview people on your podcast and in the documentries.
Thanks for the honesty. I feel that I'm in some of the same situations with sustainability! Proud of you for doing the best you can and I would definitely love a series. Just realized that I can get local milk delivered to my door in reusable glass bottles when you talked about that kind of stuff.. it's been a slow process with the food shopping zero waste haha! Free delivery as well and no more expensive
ooh! love the idea of a plastic free supermarket! also, I feel you on how hard it is to be vegetarian with other dietary limitations. I tried being vegetarian, but couldn't stick to it due to food allergies which made restaurant eating almost impossible, so frustrating!
I agree that people should be respectful of each other's different views and I find I'm more patient in listening to people if they are respectful. I am not vegetarian or vegan because I like supporting farmers but I do try to buy clothes second hand to save resources and I find it is more affordable as the prices are cheaper and it's harder to buy loads because there is less in the right size. Also it is so nice that your sister reads your comments, maybe I should get someone to read mine first because it is sad getting hateful comments.
Love this video so much!!!! Yess to that video series please ☺️ amazing xxxxx
love the idea of a doc on ethical shopping !! would defos be into it
That lip color is gorgeous! This whole video kind of inspired me. I had no idea what was happening in the fashion world. Hopefully the world will have some positive change with our help soon!
I totally understand! I am on a similar journey with going from being Vegetarian to Vegan, but right not I am not really able to switch over and I have to wait until next August to start. It makes me feel so guilty when I look at the food I am eating but I want to make the transition in a country where I can find the right food and learn a new way to cook... good luck for your new years resolutions! :)
The documentary thing sounds really cool I would love that! I myself been vegetarian for four months now and I'm currently trying to cut off more dairy products as well. I'm from germany and I have the feeling the recycling system here is way better than in the UK (I lived in scotland for a year). Recently I've been seeing more and more shops around here that only sell unpackaged food, where you bring your own jar etc. I think you're right in how you said to not be angry with yourself about these things bc it is a process !!
Things I do about sustainability in markets is I make lists and meal plan so that I’m only buying what I need and minimizing my food waste. I also think about foods that can be used in multiple ways, like a red pepper is good for fajitas but I can also scramble it with eggs.
I try to be conscious of how much meat I’m eating because for my and my body, I can’t go completely without meat. My market also has biodegradable bags for buying produce, which I appreciate!
When I’m out and about, I bring my reusable water bottle everywhere to avoid buying plastic water bottles, but I struggle with that when I’m traveling in Europe especially.
Something I wish I could do is invest and support movements that are taking food that would otherwise be thrown away to bring it to shelters or other people who want/need that food. I wish more bakeries and restaurants would pass on rather than throw out food they can’t serve that is perfectly edible, so that’s something I’d recommend supporting if you have the means!
I think 'do what you can' is a great starting point for sustainability, but it's also something that we need revisit and check in with often. We should think of sustainability as a compounding change, that after we've mastered our first small step we need to take another, and after we've mastered that, then another, so on and so forth. I don't think it will be enough to make a small change, such as not using plastic bags, and thinking that you've done your part in saving the environment. Theres definitely a lot of ways our societies need to change in order to keep living, but there's nothing wrong with taking small steps, as long as you continue to take them.
I would be SO interested in a mini doc on ethical clothes shopping! I don't have the money to buy from indie companies that make 100% ethical production decisions but I want to do everything I can to shop as ethically as possible. I'd love to hear what you find out! ps. was soo excited to see another chatty grwm in my sub box, these are my faves
yes to a sustainability doc! personally, I try to buy loose fruit and veg if I can, and if something, eg a cucumber, doesn't come without plastic then I just won't buy that item. clothing is super hard because I care SO MUCH about ethical clothing but really don't have the budget for better options. i don't know if you've heard of the app Good On You, it rates different clothing retailers on environment, labour and animal issues, and it's been super enlightening! I found out that M&S is actually rated pretty highly for a high street brand and although it's not so "fashionable", I did get some really soft basic jumpers there the other day for a good price.
I would recommend checking out stores that are specifically for buying in bulk. I live in Canada, so I can't tell you about the bulk shops in your area, but I would recommend taking a look. I know the ones here have bulk peanut butter and oils and such.
I would be so down to watch the doc/series! It’s something I’ve been struggling with for a while so it doesn’t be nice to hear more about it 🙌💗
wow my notifications are ON IT today :)
i keep one of those foldaway totes from paperchase in my bag for whenever i randomly purchase things as i'm out to avoid plastic bags. there's also a place called Hetu: a zero waste grocery store.
I’ve been watching your GRWM videos all afternoon. So happy you’ve uplaoded a new one! I love your GRWM videos! Your aesthetic is so inspiring for me to try and improve the quality of my own singing videos 🥰💛
The dark hair!🌟❤️❤️
I've been cruelty-free for a few years now. For my ethical point of view, that means that I try to buy beauty products that are cruelty-free where it's been confirmed that they don't sell in China whatsoever, that the companies are ethical, meaning that they are either making their clothing in a small workshop in their own country/town and/or paying fair wages to workers they hire in different countries (this often times means I'm buying from small or local women designers), and that I'm not buying leather (or that much). Recently I've started going plastic free, so that means plastic cups, take-away utensils, any new item I'm replacing can not have plastic material, or even things that come in plastic packaging. Unfortunately, at the moment I can't go vegetarian. Since I'm human, I mess up. And it's okay to mess up because this is a learning process.
Also, on a different point, common US supermarkets don't have single/loose and unpackaged avocados or fruit and vegetables? On that note, I bring my own small canvas bags to my supermarket, I frequent farmers markets that let you pack your own fruit, I try to make use of the bulk sections of markets, and also have started making my own almond milk.
But what I've learned that this lifestyle is leading me to live a more minimal and healthy life where I am not only caring about other people all over the world, but that I'm caring and taking care of the environment that we live in.
I think we often overestimate the effort/cost of making sustainable choices - doing "the bit that we can" is usually more than we anticipate. For example, cutting out meat/dairy or plastic seems daunting until you try!
SO true. I thought that being vegan would be so difficult but once you get used to it, it's really easy. And also yah sustainable choices could be as simple as buying a whole fruit instead of pre-sliced in plastic or realizing you don't actually need a duplicate of something.