Ya'll, go off with your thong flip flops. If they last they last. Using what you have + quality > quantity IS sustainable fashion. Even if the brand doesn't market itself that way!
Lol I was just coming to comment the same thing! A brand I really love and recommend for lasting is sanuk. I’ve had mine for 6 years now and they are still so fresh. Look for ones you can wash as that design usually tougher. 🩴
I've worn Ipanema flip flops for the last 15 years, I've bought 6 pairs and 4 of them are still good! Also they are comfy. I use them as house slippers year round as well as for vacations.
My dad was born in 1959 so would be 63 this year which is not even that old, and before he passed away last year he used to always tell me about how he distinctly remembered the first time he ever saw bottled water and he thought it was ridiculous. "Why the hell would I pay for bottled water when I can just get it from the tap? And why would I buy a single plastic bottle like that?" Because of him I will not ever buy any plastic water bottles!
Your dad was wise ❤️ I read somewhere that bottled water was a response from coke to their soda sales dropping 😒 their sugar laden fizzy was waning in popularity so they bottled up water to sell to us!
I was born just a few years after your dad. That was most of our reaction. We lived in a city with great water quality. I can see some people needing a water purifier but not plastic water bottles. It sounds like your dad had a good head on his shoulders. Cherish his lessons.
Also, on lawn care, we're also cutting the grass with gas fueled lawnmowers. I did the math on how sustainable that was and was SHOCKED at how much our Earth takes a beating from everyone mowing their grass. We have a push mower now. It's a great work out and doesn't hurt the planet. Cheers.
Man you should see how your batteries are made. Growing the grass is the problem, not mowing the grass. I bet you care what your grass looks like. I bet you water it with potable water from your house. Please step off your anti- gas soapbox and have a more macro picture of our environment and how we trash it, abuse it, and over use it.
@@Jlk6532 hey, incremental improvements are helpful too. OP is already thinking on a macro scale, this is just a piece of it. Biodiverse and drought resistant lawns and gardens don’t happen in a day
My mother called telling me how excited she was about our vacation and how much swimwear she bought for us and was disappointed, that I intended to wear the same swimsuit I bought 8 years ago. She does not understand that I don't need new clothes to feel valuable and that it doesn't pressure me as much to confirm to fashion and look trendy and new every year. And I don't think she is the only one feeling that unnecessary pressure.
More than half my closet comes from the people around me giving me clothes thinking I must really need them because I don't keep buying more clothes whenever fashion dictates I should, I even give some of them to my friends because I don't need 5 closets worth of clothes 🤦♀
I just purchased a swim wear after 6 years, as I’ve just started to feel uncomfortable in the old. I specifically made sure I would be comfortable wearing the style for the next 10 years at least. One thing that always blows my mind with people buying new shit all the time. Apart from all the money and resources, it takes so much time to acquire all that stuff. I really don’t understand people opting to spend so much free time in stores, etc
I never like to "guilt" anyone, but it secretly makes me happy whenever people go out of their way to try veggie options for cookouts because I'm a vegetarian. So many lovely people in my life will buy veg options or make their entire cookout vegetarian (even if it's mostly non-vegetarians) so I don't feel uncomfortable and it makes me happy that they're trying so hard and being so kind to me.
@Shelbizlee My friend's sister makes crochet "water balloons" out of yarn. She makes them in bright fun colours. They soak up water like mad, and the kids fill the um, chuck them at each other, refill, chuck, refill... you get the idea. Then we dry them out and pull them out next time they want to have a water balloon fight. We've had ours for years.
I have to say, I did get an entire new wardrobe this year. That's because my last wardrobe was bought 9 years ago after I had my baby girl and I wore those clothes to litteral shreds. The good thing is that I wear a uniform, so I replaced the items with similar ones.
Having clothes that fit you are important for post partum mental health. I set aside $50.00 with both my pregnancies so I could have clothes that fit my body & were not maternity clothes
It seems like you completely ‘used up’ your old wardrobe before buying new. Good for you and the planet, enjoy the new things! I’m trying to be that way 😊
Having a weird cup size is a GREAT way to make sure you’re ponying up a lot of dough for a swimsuit top. And trust me, you aren’t going to buy another one until you really, REALLY need it.
Objection your honor! I bought a pair of Havaianas flip flops in 2017, I paid 22€ for them on sale and I thought at tha time "WTF?! You could have bought 5 pairs of no- brand flip flops for this price!", but they where so cute 😍 little did I know they're still in perfect conditions to this day! Buying quality is really worth it!
I agree with the objection! Good quality flip flops/thongs can last years and are more comfortable than the cheap plastic ones. I personally like chaco ones, and try to get them secondhand to reduce the price.
I was SO expecting that salon story to end in her telling you she thrifts/collects from friends all the discarded trends she ends up liking. That hurt.
14:50 an alternative to water balloons that I’ve used with kids before is sponges. You can still throw them and soak people, and then you can rewet them and keep playing. And you can keep them for multiple years if you’re not using them to scrub and clean things. They’re also way easier to “fill up”… they literally fill themselves up.
My hair stylist just told me that there’s a high prevalence of breast cancer among beauticians. She said that it’s from all of the chemicals they use when bleaching and dying hair. Another reason to not dye your hair IMO.
@Brit S, am curious then why she’s still in the biz? If she switched to more natural products, I’d be curious to learn which products can go head to head replacement with their toxic counterparts
I wish that someone could find a way to make safe and eco friendly hair dye! Hair dye is one of the very few things I don’t think I’ll ever give up. I love dying my hair neon red, but it’s pretty difficult to find a safe alternative for that haha. I use arctic fox but I’ve heard there’s some controversy over the brand. Haven’t had the chance to look into it yet though
I love my Rainbow flip flops. They are not the most sustainable brand out there, but they last a really long time. I've had mine for 5+ years already and still wear them often.
My bf has a pair as well, they've been around forever. I don't like flip flops because they hurt to wear, but I'll still put his on occasionally to run down to the laundry. But I agree that a lot of the lighter brands (e.g. Old Navy) don't really last.
Same! I love flip flops. I live in FL so I use them almost year round and I usually only have to get a new pair every 5 or so years. I love bright colors. Don't care if it doesn't go with all of my clothes - I will be wearing my bright blue ones no matter what!
My mom’s boss is always getting rid of excess stuff that she no longer wants. She recently got rid of about ten pairs of sunglasses and I kept two pairs that I like. I’m always blown away by how much stuff wealthy people have that they then just give away because they don’t use (as they have too much stuff) or they just don’t like them anymore, or because they want to buy newer things. It makes me sick to be honest. Most of us have grown to not appreciate and take care of what we have. We certainly live in a consumeristic and disposable society.
I have the same experience with my mother's boss as well. She throws away lots of clothes every year and we keep most of them, as she has the same size as us. Most of the things are high quality and barely used, it's really sickening to see it being bought to just being thrown away.
Regarding the swimsuit comments Shelbi, I totally agree. My thinking is always - if you didn't pay for it, someone else did. Thinking of it that way doesn't make me feel good about purchasing fast fashion, that's for sure.
i just need to comment and say that i have a childhood friend who now works in fashion/trend forecasting and i mentioned that i don’t like trends at first and she said that: the trends for older people (not tweens, so 25+) are actually the same trends that were fashionable for younger people earlier, but took more exposure to get them to like it!!!!!
I'm hosting an LGBT Cookout this weekend and want to make it special but I'm trying to avoid buying plastic decorations and such. I know it's a bit late for me but I was hoping you could make a video or something for planning sustainable events. Also, an advice on sustainable craft items would be a bonus. Great video, lots of great points. Thanks for doing all you do.
My trift store has a section for decorations :) If you can't find anything, I think compostable is an other good option. You can ask the people coming to the cookout if they have anything they can bring also. Check your no buy group, there is surprisingly a lot of stuff people are willing to give away :P Hope you have a nice cookout!
definitely check thrift stores and buy nothing groups for both craft supplies and decorations! get creative with it too. you could thrift table covers, sheets, table runners, vases, and center pieces to decorate tables. some colorful clothes to upcycle into DIY decorations. colorful flowers from a local sustainable farm could be fun, anything relevant you might have in your house (for example for an LGBT cookout you might have pride flags, colorful LED lights, rainbow christmas lights, colorful plates or drinking cups, old colorful construction/tissue paper for diys, etc) ask friends if you could borrow something they might have also. LGBTQ pride is a good theme because you can use rainbow food to create the theme (fruit platters in the shape of a rainbow, fruit punch, orange soda, lemonade, etc for rainbow drink options, there are definitely colorful alcoholic drinks too if you wanted to go for that, m&m cookies, fruit pebbles treats). sorry for rambling but those are some of the ideas i had!
At the first couple of parties that I hosted, I had a couple people complain that there was no meat and no sodas and I was like tough. I’m sorry it’s not the free food/drinks you were hoping for but you’re never going to find that at any party I throw. Whenever I host a party I try to stick with Impossible burgers because they’re the most loved by the people I invite.
To replace tissues, I use hankies. I have a huge handkerchief collection (collected over two decades). They are much softer and prettier -- and you can wash them! Thanks for this informative, thought-provoking video, Shelbi!
I agree with most, but I have had very long lasting thongs/flip flops. I used to love a pair that puma used to make. They were super comfy, with a soft cotton string and I wore them for three years each pair until the sole was rubbed through and my feet were about to be on the floor. I think it just depends on which thongs/flip flops you buy.
I have a pair of Foxrider flipflops that I bought during a vacation trip 17 years ago and still wear them, because I never found anything as comfy as them x) They are absolutely disgustingly looking now (they used to be sky blue lol), but for the house/garden, they're perfect x)
I have 2 pairs of several years old ones (switching between them when one pair needs cleaning from sweat and sand and I can't do it that minute makes them last longer). And I can't wear slide type shoes, they literally fall off my weird-shaped feet :D
When you talked about lawns, I became kind of happy I’m Finnish because I’ve never seen or heard of a single person here who has ever fertilized or watered their lawn. Besides if we’re planting or re-doing a lawn we do not water or fertilize them, because honestly what’s the point?
I picture its mainly people in naturally dry areas where grass wont grow well naturally where people water their lawn. Which makes it worse. But that's only my guess
@@zakosist the Mediterranean is also hot, but people here either have terraces (outdoor living is a big thing, so outside spaces to eat are a must) and we use plants that will give us shade while we're outside. Palm trees or climbing vines, fruit trees etc. Anything that can provide shade is great, and most people just choose plants who need little to no water. Public spaces will have lawns and they water them, but people don't want to waste money on watering grass that will be too full of ants to lie on.
It seems to be more for those living in towns and suburbs. Large property owners don’t tend to worry about perfectly manicured yards. I’ve downsized to a smaller lot and will fertilize in the fall. It helps establish stronger and deeper roots. That way the grass is thick, drowning out weeds, and deep roots can reach water further in the soil so I don’t have to water. And I’ll fertilize according to the weather so it’s not before a heavy rainfall when it’s more likely to leach into the sewers and waterways. We mulch cut the rest of the year so the clippings are the fertilizer. It’s working so far. We have a neighbour who waters his lawn every morning and the grass is so used to it it’s established a really shallow root system. Without him watering it dries out and looks dead within a couple days. So he spends $400+/mo watering his tiny lawn. It’s heartbreaking to watch.
@@sheila3936 maybe someone should teach him about how gardening and plants really work. In the short run his lawn may get barren if he doesn't water it. But in the long run he could probably get a just as green lawn without the water use, and save both money, time and the environment. Im guessing money is the one he would care the most about
I've grown up with handkerchiefs instead of Kleenex, and whenever I told friends growing up about my handkerchiefs, they thought I was disgusting because "you continue using the surface you already blew your nose into, EWW!" but I was unphased because I was used to it. As an adult with knowledge of how marketing works, I have a sneaking suspicion that this new attitude of handkerchiefs = gross was probably started by the original sellers of single-use tissue.
I have to admit that I'm still on the gross train with that one. I hope to someday level up enough to convert to handkerchiefs (I've converted a lot of my paper products to reusables). But I haven't been able to get past the mental block yet. I've washed clothes that have gotten every other manner of bodily fluids on them and never had any issues, and I know that logically it's no different at all. But something about snot specifically squicks me out. Maybe someday I'll finally be ready.
For cleaning my nose, I have cloth hankerchiefs. I got them from my mom and she probably got them from her mom before. I have a separate bag in which I throw them when used and wash them all together at 90°C. For wiping off really dirty stuff I now use old socks that I cut in small pieces and throw them away after use. I think I got this tip from you, Shelbi! Thank you for all your tips.
Re: thong flipflops, I've had my Rainbows since 2008 and haven't had to replace them once, so that can be a more sustainable option if you don't like slides!
I had a pair of Rainbows that lasted 12 years, then the next ones I bought busted after two years. I assumed the quality changed and never purchased them again.
My cheap plasticy thong fliplops last 2-5 years, and I also use them year long when using public showers (gym, swimmingpool etc.) or as indoor shoes for hotels. I have one pair and I use it until it breaks. Next one I will buy more durable, but as for now a no-name pair has lasted me 4 years and this year does not seem to be the one to bring them down. So I also don't know what you need to do to them to destroy them in one summer 😁
This is the first spring I've had neighbors asking me about my lawn - which I've been switching over to clover and fescue. A lot of neighbors have grubs ruining their Kentucky Bluegrass lawns. My lawn is coming in nice and green with no sign of grubs. I also let them know that I mow (with my electric mower) about every 3 weeks - which is easier AND better for the environment, and I don't water unless I've just put down new seed.
I have owned and maintained a "disposable" swimming pool that most people only keep for a season for 7 years. I patch any holes in the liner whenever they pop up and take care to dismantle and store over the winter to prevent any unnecessary wear and tear. With the pool I've been reusing dollar store pool floats for at least 3 years, using the same meathod of patching holes. Buying the "cheap" items doesn't have to be wasteful if you take a little extra time to maintain your things. Overall I have saved thousands on one pool and two sets of floats for the past 7 years.
When you started talking about how only a few generations ago we were using things like handkerchiefs and things like that which reminded me of how they used to have refillable makeup compacts and how it was so common. Like can we bring those really pretty ones back?
I thrift everything me and my family wears! I do have rules though…Underwear is always purchased new… the rest (including bras, socks and swimsuits) is fair game. I buy classic styles and colors and items I will wear and can wear next year. I like feeling cute but I feel cuter when my cute outfit cost a few dollars and kept the clothes out of the landfill!
Instead of water balloons, you can get some of those absorbent "splash balls" that you can use over and over. Even better, you can make them yourself out of scrap fabric.
One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was getting high quality sunglasses that are classic and look good on me and are prescription lenses. Seriously life changing I’ll never wear another pair of sunglasses ever again
Can you do a birthday party video!!! Parents like me trying to revolutionize parties but it’s hard! My daughter is going to have a “No gift” friend party this year so we can teacher her and friends the subtle art of just enjoying their company, no pressure needed. Also, I don’t want 1000 plastic toys coming into my space.
I did buy a new swimsuit this year, even though I still have a perfectly serviceable one. But it's because I've had the same swimsuit for seriously about fifteen years. I just really wanted something different for a change. My old one is still around and in use, though. I took both on a recent vacation, and I was actually glad I had two with me. So, this is one case where I feel okay with having bought a new thing even though I didn't really need it. At this rate it will probably be another fifteen years or more before I buy another.
I believe that whole thing of not liking a trend at first but growing to like it as you see it more is an example of the mere exposure effect. We tend to react more positively to things we have been more exposed to (which is why of the reasons why advertising is so effective).
Sunglasses trends weird me out. I think I've owned 6 pairs in my life that I've bought. 3 have broke over 15 years. And I have three currently: one in my purse, one in my car, and one back up. Same style that I wore in middle school because that's what fits my face. Also switching to hankies has been the best change of my life, been doing it since high school.
Would really appreciate it if you could do a video on sustainability of travel and the expectation that a holiday means that you need to go away in any capacity. As far as I'm aware, every form of travel other than hiking to your destination is incredibly resource intensive.
Love to consider ways to drink more sustainably in the summer - especially when avoiding glass for safety. I personally like to buy liquor from local distilleries. And I try to minimize plastic by making my own cocktail mixers rather than buying premade ones in plastic. I like to mix bulk cocktails to take to the beach in reusable plastic containers rather than bring cans.
metal canteens. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and disguise what's inside. ;) Thermoses. Also come in various sizes and most have their own convenient cup as well. Smaller scale, pocket/hip flasks, which range from plastic and glass to metal. Most are metal.
When I played sports as a child, parents and coaches used to bring those big plastic containers with a spout and fill them with water or Gateraid. We all filled our paper cups from there. Okay, the paper cups weren't so good, but you can use reusable bottles instead...I wonder why so few people do this anymore? Not only is it more environmentally friendly, it's way cheaper...
Yes to this! I prefer to know the style and shapes of clothing that fits my figure best and looks good on me, and stick with that. Partly because I can’t afford to buy a bunch of stuff all the time. I don’t when I go outside the clothing styles that look best on me, I don’t really wear those pieces of clothing, so I’m very picky before so buy about the fabric.
I have been using hankerchiefs since my fiancé introduced them to me years ago , and they are so nice to wipe your face while eating or for my hayfever flare ups. I also use them when I peel fruit to hold the peel until I find a place to get rid of them responsibly
My flip flops came free with a magazine about 15 years ago and I'm still wearing them! 😆 They are are insanely comfy (great for an autistic adult like me) and still going strong. Though I do live in rainy England, so I probably use them a lot less than the average American in TX or CA would. 😉 My one piece swim suit is over a decade old too, though I don't use it that much. The biggest things that my husband and I purchase second hand nowadays are vinyl records. Usually sold by small, independent collectors, very retro and of course not using limited, finite resources to make new products. For my birthday last year, my husband gave me an original vinyl record of the Rolling Stones debut album, pressed in 1962. Needless to say, I was delighted with it! Especially as it's out of print in physical format now.
Yep, totally agree about how trends and hyper consumerism can be problematic! I only participate in trends that just happen to be what I already like anyway. I also try to buy secondhand or quality items and keep them for as long as possible. Yeah, we really don’t need 12 swimsuits and 10 pairs of sunglasses. I have the same prescription sunglasses I’ve had for years now that are a classic design that I love and don’t intend to replace them unless they break or my script changes too much. 🕶
One of the best things about being a goth girlie is that trends are much less of a thing for us, although it can definitely be hard to find non-fast fashion brands catering to the spookier side. Luckily, though, one result of this has been that thrifting and DIY are both really popular in the community.
Would you ever consider making a video about the clothing manufacturing conditions (and the myriad sweatshops) in the US and if you know any tricks how to avoid purchasing from such a company if you're in a position where you can't buy used? So many people see "Made in the USA" and think that it was done 'above board' so to speak. If something like that is outside your wheelhouse I completely understand and thank you for reading this comment :)
I’ve found myself going to the mall with the intention of going shopping, and then just feeling guilty and opting for goodwill/thrift shops instead. You can find perfectly great things for way cheaper, and less of an impact on the Earth. 😎🐢🌊
I think most people on the prescription sunglasses train are used to reusing frames for years. XD Also - handkerchiefs can be so cute! In the past, people would get them monogramed, or embroidered, or edge with ribbon or lace. They're super easy to sew & are usually considered a beginner's sewing project, along with cloth napkins and cloth placemats. On the note of cloth placemats & cloth napkins- People pay good money for them & they're super easy to make. I'll just leave that information there.
I bought Havaiinas flip flops when I was 14 (it's a Brazilian brand). Back then they were really trendy where I live. I'm 22 now and I live in a hot climate so I've worn them A LOT, and they're as good as new!
I find that 2 swimsuits are all I’ll ever need - one to wear while the other dries 😊 also, I would love a garden / landscape video if you’re up for it!
O.M.G. yes, with the single use plastic bottles. My MIL was just visiting & asked if we had them. We said no. She (SERIOUSLY) days, "OK, I guess we'll just take Dr. Pepper to drink." Ya'll, I thought I'd keel over. 🥲 I opened my cabinet & said, "NO, we have like 10 reusable metal bottles. Pick a few." This woman...
I remember being somewhere abroad on holidays and a couple was leaving so they gave me their pool float. When I was leaving I gave it to some woman with a kid. It was really awesome!
I’m still wearing a pair of old navy flip flops that I bought the summer before we moved, which was 2016. Take care of your stuff and it lasts. I bought new flip flops for my son since he outgrew his, from Feelgoodz. Sustainable and ethical 😊
Yes! We also avoid sprinklers for the garden and opt to water by hand. We repurpose the water from my dog’s kiddie pool and water the garden and flowers with it. We are also not mowing a portion of our yard to help develop stronger root systems with the hope of saving our creek bank from further erosion. We have the lawn mowed every other week and support our huge bee population with clover and dandelion.
Yes, we love Chacos! They last forever and they have their rechaco program, where if your sandals get worn out, you can send them in for repairs, which is way cheaper than buying a new pair.
In the past 11 years, I’ve had the webbing on mine replaced three times due to daily sand exposure in the summer. I practically live in my sandals from March until October. Haha Fortunately, I’ve never had to send a pair in during prime Chaco season. I’ve been able to get by until winter and then send them for repairs, when it’d be too cold to be wearing them anyways.
Kleenex is apparently the first thing that are a hard no to me. I will not use cloth to collect my cross bodily fluids and then have to deal with washing them. Especially because I use most my kleenex to deal with my cystic acne. To me reusable kleenex feels like reusable toilet paper. Very nope, sorry. But hey, no lawn, no car, vegetarian. Doing plenty enough.
I'm with you on this one. I think if you were to get a different brand of tissues and toilet paper like Who Gives A Crap (which uses fast growing bamboo instead of trees) you can contribute less to climate change and also still feel sanitary. I think people also forget about bidets instead of toilet paper/wipes of any kind, which are more sustainable and most likely use less water than toilet paper at the end of the day
I bought thong flipflops to wear in showers/bathrooms in random places. Had them for years! No complaints, I don't wear them outside though, they are my "shoes for no shoes places."
Love the kleenex point! I just recently went through my grandparents house and found cloth tissues/handkerchiefs. I remember I used them as a kid in the 90s so I happily took them in hopes of using them again. They last a lot longer than the paper ones, are a lot less rough on the nose and are easy to sanitize (I was a batch of just them at 90C - near boil point - and then iron properly). Even my husband learnt to use them. 😁
Another great video, thank you!! Another point on bathing suits is that most of them are made from synthetic fibers just by the nature of them so its hard to support a good option for swimsuits :/
On lawns, grass turning yellow is just natural, and a way to protect itself from the heat/lack of rain. So by watering them, we just kill it faster... We try to plant a variety of ''herbs'', clover, thyme, wild strawberries, etc, so that it stays greener and grow slower, so we don't need to mow as much. Some plants retain humidity better than other, so it's worth studying to diversify and help your garden! I even read once of someone who had a full veggie garden and NEVER have to water it, and they always have so many veggies, so they obviously do something good!
A great alternative to water balloons is knit or crochet "balloons" that you just soak in water & toss around. They are infinitely reusable & every child gets to toss some cuz you can't run out
Ugh, lawn care is in my lease for the house that I rent. We don't have to use chemicals or water the lawn, but we do have to mow it and trim ivy and keep it under control. Literally in the process of buying a new mower now, and I hate it. Also, if anyone has any eco-friendly suggestions for how to get rid of VERY WELL ESTABLISHED poison ivy, please let me know. We tried the salt/vinegar water and it made absolutely no difference. This stuff is so well established and I got poison ivy 4 times last summer just from mowing the lawn. And please no hate on the above. Based on where the poison ivy is growing I could actually be fined by the city. At some point it has to be taken care of.
The best way is to cover up for protection and dig it up, unfortunately, you have to choose between using poison or your health on this one. Whatever you do don't burn it, inhaling the smoke is SO DANGEROUS.
I've experienced that issue of trying to figure out what I really like. This time is for a wallpaper I want to put up on one of my apartment walls. I've held off buying anything for now because I want the wallpaper to last for as long as I live in this apartment. One thing I've learned that's helped me make decisions is I chose based on what looks good on ME, and what complements ME (fashion) or what looks good with MY design aesthetic (home decor). I don't decide based on what's trending right now cause I know that the trend will only last so long and then I'll be stuck with the item even if I never liked it in the first place.
Ohhhhh I love your videos. Who the hell doesn't realise you can use a bottle of water that you already have? Or just reuse the single use one and save $
I love fashion and I try my best to buy second hand and I try not overconsume clothing. I will say I think the most sustainable clothing Item I own are swimsuits I got as hand me downs and I still wear them after almost 16 years of wear from two people.
Thanks for the video ! I tried so hard to find biodegradable glitter, but what I found was just made of wood shavings with a thin layer of plastic. Apparently studies say it's just as bad for aquatic life as regular glitter. As for flip flops, my fit-flops lasted a couple years with heavy wear but they weren't great for going in the water.
What about edible glitter? I'd have to imagine that if it's edible, it would be biodegradable right? I doubt it would work in most craft applications, but if you're doing a party and you want a sparkly aesthetic you could at least put it on the desserts.
Via the Kleenex comment: There's lots of cool/adorable handkerchiefs at antique malls and vintage stores, usually cheap and in plentiful supply! I typically use them when I'm fixing/taking off my makeup.
I love my handkerchiefs! When my mom died, I found a cache of handkerchiefs in her dresser. Also, I make my own out of linen scraps from a fabric store - a nice hand-sewing project.
I bought a handmade flip-flop from Thailand 2 years ago. It still looks like new. The trick is to clean them often, like every other day, and keep them dry.
Water ballon alternative!! I use car sponges and cut them into squares. (Big chunks) You can soak them in buckets of water and I just throw them in the wash when they need a clean or let the sun clean them. The play lasts forever and I save them from year to year.
I started a new job recently and was filling my water bottle up at the water fountain, and one of the girls was like “you don’t have to do that, we have bottled water in the fridge!” Why would I want to use bottled water, it’s literally so easy to just refill my own bottle lol
The flip flops brought back memories of growing up in Florida and going to the old navy $1 flip flop sale and getting them in every color and then they break a week later 😭
I’m gonna defend me Reef and Teva thong flip flops for a second ;) I bought them before I started doing more research on brands but I’ve had them both for years and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
Theres actually a few channels here on youtube that are into sustainability but then do a closet purge just before the summer (or whatever new season is heading our way) and then a week later will do a video of them shopping for clothing for the new season. I cannot watch these channels anymore! The cycle of buying, donating, buying again to change your closet when you really dont need to drives me insane.
Thank you for thissss. I’ve been battling the urge to buy fun shaped sunglasses FOR MONTHS. I know the crap eyewear brand is way better than others but I still worry that it’s not the right move and that I should just stick with the sunglasses I have. 😩
@@Tyrysa ok devil’s devil’s advocate😼: if I buy 1 pair in a diff shape, I’ll have 3 pairs total, of all different shapes and I can just keep switching styles when I get sick of them (between the 3) until the end of time 😂
Thanks for flashing your phone/case! 😁 Reminded me i have to replace my Pela grip! Loved it! It recently broke 😅 I'd fall asleep holding it, constantly. Good quality and i feel so good knowing i can throw it in my compost!
I feel old but when I was little we didn’t have water balloons. We had a handful of sponges in a bucket of water, all of which we’d reuse year after year. Clean up was considerably easier as well compared to picking up balloon
Going off of the 5 year thing... People could look through their closet & see what you've already owned/worn for 5 years to gauge what you would actually wear long term.
All of this plus summer decor home items. Themed stuff for the season that will likely get thrown out once the season is over. I’ve moved into an apartment recently and I’ve been slowly redecorating on a budget and getting some secondhand. I’ve reference Pinterest and TH-cam videos to help give me ideas how to decorate. it’s insane how often influencer change up their decor just to stay relevant online.
Second hand! Yes yes yes!! I bought some Birkenstocks on offer up slightly used (and for $35 retail $100). Also with sunglasses you can reuse eyeglass frames. I have been reusing my glasses frames with my updated prescription for years.
Not sure if anyone has shared this yet, but in terms of water balloons, there are reusable crocheted water balloons. They're not perfect; most of them are made from blanket yarn which is polyester. BUT! If the kiddos really like water balloons, these are great. They are crocheted in the shape of a water balloon, soak up water kind of like a sponge, and can be used over and over again. So not only does the fun last longer, it's a little better for the environement. They can also be machine washed and dried if they get dirty. I've also seen people do this with sponges.
Feeling guilty right now about the hot dogs we have the in fridge, which is such a go to for camping trips, hard to give up easy meals but its worth it. We decided to stop doing water balloons the last couple of years and opted for spirt guns instead which last longer. Thank you so much for this video! love your tips!
I got a pair of Havaianas flipflops years ago and have never needed another pair since. They're built leagues above the cheapies! They're nowhere near damaged, either, and have endured several scrub-ups with no issues. 🤘
I know exactly what you mean with the trends I see so many people I know buy into these trends and the next month or year it’s completely forgotten about. With me the only trend I bought into that I didn’t like originally was crocs. 3 years ago when they were getting popular again I didn’t really like them. The reason I bought them last year was because I have tendinitis on my feet and I read that crocs help with that. For me this was one trend that I don’t regret buying and I do see myself wearing them in the future because they help my feet a lot. This was the only example of me buying into a trend within the past few years, but I am happy that I have not bought in to the hundreds of other trends I have seen come and go!
My 80 year old dad always carries a clean handkerchief with him. He bought a ten pack of them years ago and just washes them. That's what people did before disposable tissues. Yes you can make your own out of old clothes if you want too, up to you.
I bought some Feel Goodz thong flip flops from Whole Foods YEARS ago. At least five, maybe even as old as 2013. They’re on their last legs but they are still okay for house shoes. I got another pair from Earth Hero by Indo and have had them since 2018 and they are still perfect. They are my outside flip flops, taking the pup out for a quick pee or maybe running a quick errand or camping to go to the bathroom. They are so easy to just throw on.
I’ve had my one pair of sunglasses (aviators) for about four- five years and I love them more than all the “trendy” ones because they’re timeless and look SOOO CUTE!
I have a pair of Old Navy thong flip flops that have lasted me for ages. I don't even remember when I bought them it's been that long. Maybe 15 years ago? They're the old kind that don't have the tiny dots on them that aren't comfortable. Tbf though I don't live in flip flops in the summer anymore. They're mostly a quick thing I slip on if I need to go outside for a minute, but in previous years I have taken them to several beach trips and trips to the pool or around campus at college.
I will say, I only have one pair of slippers (flip-flops). I bought a pair of Chaco ones about seven years ago, and they’re still in great shape. I’m not downplaying thrifted items, which can be really great purchases. However, you get what you pay for. It’s rare to find a great deal on a great item when thrifting.
I quit fertilizing and using weed killer on my lawn (other than grass clippings and blended food compost!) And I've cut way back on the lawn area by allowing my flower beds to grow out further and having a little salad garden mixed in with the flowers. The downside is that the weeds are a challenge as the soil is fertile and we have a lot of rain! But I use organic methods to to weed. Boiling water on the stubborn ones and physical labor hiring and pulling those suckers out.
Ya'll, go off with your thong flip flops. If they last they last. Using what you have + quality > quantity IS sustainable fashion. Even if the brand doesn't market itself that way!
Lol I was just coming to comment the same thing! A brand I really love and recommend for lasting is sanuk. I’ve had mine for 6 years now and they are still so fresh. Look for ones you can wash as that design usually tougher. 🩴
I've worn Ipanema flip flops for the last 15 years, I've bought 6 pairs and 4 of them are still good! Also they are comfy. I use them as house slippers year round as well as for vacations.
I actually got a pair of okabashi flip flops, they are way more sturdy than other flip flops, and have more support which is nice too!
It's the Californian footwear 😂 flip flops are a staple here
My flip flops are peeling with cat teeth bites all over and I refuse to throw them away! I can’t even remember when I bought them.
My dad was born in 1959 so would be 63 this year which is not even that old, and before he passed away last year he used to always tell me about how he distinctly remembered the first time he ever saw bottled water and he thought it was ridiculous. "Why the hell would I pay for bottled water when I can just get it from the tap? And why would I buy a single plastic bottle like that?" Because of him I will not ever buy any plastic water bottles!
Your dad was wise ❤️ I read somewhere that bottled water was a response from coke to their soda sales dropping 😒 their sugar laden fizzy was waning in popularity so they bottled up water to sell to us!
In my city the water is so bad the restaurants don’t even have soda fountains.
My dad (born 1965) said the same thing! However, over the years he's gotten too used to them🙁🙁🙁
@@dezb8510 what city do you live in?
I was born just a few years after your dad. That was most of our reaction. We lived in a city with great water quality. I can see some people needing a water purifier but not plastic water bottles. It sounds like your dad had a good head on his shoulders. Cherish his lessons.
Also, on lawn care, we're also cutting the grass with gas fueled lawnmowers. I did the math on how sustainable that was and was SHOCKED at how much our Earth takes a beating from everyone mowing their grass. We have a push mower now. It's a great work out and doesn't hurt the planet. Cheers.
Man you should see how your batteries are made. Growing the grass is the problem, not mowing the grass. I bet you care what your grass looks like. I bet you water it with potable water from your house. Please step off your anti- gas soapbox and have a more macro picture of our environment and how we trash it, abuse it, and over use it.
@@Jlk6532 I'm assuming, @Scarlett is taking about push mowers that doesn't use electric or gas. It's been shown that Madison uses it too.
Lawns are the worst.
@@Jlk6532 hey, incremental improvements are helpful too. OP is already thinking on a macro scale, this is just a piece of it. Biodiverse and drought resistant lawns and gardens don’t happen in a day
Lawns are awful. I have done the microclover and paths.
My mother called telling me how excited she was about our vacation and how much swimwear she bought for us and was disappointed, that I intended to wear the same swimsuit I bought 8 years ago. She does not understand that I don't need new clothes to feel valuable and that it doesn't pressure me as much to confirm to fashion and look trendy and new every year. And I don't think she is the only one feeling that unnecessary pressure.
More than half my closet comes from the people around me giving me clothes thinking I must really need them because I don't keep buying more clothes whenever fashion dictates I should, I even give some of them to my friends because I don't need 5 closets worth of clothes 🤦♀
I just purchased a swim wear after 6 years, as I’ve just started to feel uncomfortable in the old.
I specifically made sure I would be comfortable wearing the style for the next 10 years at least.
One thing that always blows my mind with people buying new shit all the time. Apart from all the money and resources, it takes so much time to acquire all that stuff. I really don’t understand people opting to spend so much free time in stores, etc
I never like to "guilt" anyone, but it secretly makes me happy whenever people go out of their way to try veggie options for cookouts because I'm a vegetarian. So many lovely people in my life will buy veg options or make their entire cookout vegetarian (even if it's mostly non-vegetarians) so I don't feel uncomfortable and it makes me happy that they're trying so hard and being so kind to me.
@Shelbizlee My friend's sister makes crochet "water balloons" out of yarn. She makes them in bright fun colours. They soak up water like mad, and the kids fill the um, chuck them at each other, refill, chuck, refill... you get the idea. Then we dry them out and pull them out next time they want to have a water balloon fight. We've had ours for years.
I may need to look that up!
This is clever
I think we used to have some sponge 'water balloons'
Genius! Does she sell them?
I have to say, I did get an entire new wardrobe this year. That's because my last wardrobe was bought 9 years ago after I had my baby girl and I wore those clothes to litteral shreds. The good thing is that I wear a uniform, so I replaced the items with similar ones.
We all need to buy things sometimes but it sounds like you’re being intentional about it!
Everyone needs to wear clothes! So of course we need to buy new ones from time to time.
Having clothes that fit you are important for post partum mental health. I set aside $50.00 with both my pregnancies so I could have clothes that fit my body & were not maternity clothes
It seems like you completely ‘used up’ your old wardrobe before buying new. Good for you and the planet, enjoy the new things! I’m trying to be that way 😊
Having a weird cup size is a GREAT way to make sure you’re ponying up a lot of dough for a swimsuit top. And trust me, you aren’t going to buy another one until you really, REALLY need it.
So true 😂
That’s the reason I stopped buying bras altogether 😂
Objection your honor! I bought a pair of Havaianas flip flops in 2017, I paid 22€ for them on sale and I thought at tha time "WTF?! You could have bought 5 pairs of no- brand flip flops for this price!", but they where so cute 😍 little did I know they're still in perfect conditions to this day! Buying quality is really worth it!
That’s the same I bought in 2018, still going strong! 😃
New evidence... I bought rocket dogs in 2017 second hand. Still going strong.
I bought my flip flops 13 years ago and they still work just fine ^^
I agree with the objection! Good quality flip flops/thongs can last years and are more comfortable than the cheap plastic ones. I personally like chaco ones, and try to get them secondhand to reduce the price.
I agree and commented the same. Only mine were H&M and now I bought Ipanema 😁
I was SO expecting that salon story to end in her telling you she thrifts/collects from friends all the discarded trends she ends up liking. That hurt.
14:50 an alternative to water balloons that I’ve used with kids before is sponges. You can still throw them and soak people, and then you can rewet them and keep playing. And you can keep them for multiple years if you’re not using them to scrub and clean things. They’re also way easier to “fill up”… they literally fill themselves up.
Brilliant
My hair stylist just told me that there’s a high prevalence of breast cancer among beauticians. She said that it’s from all of the chemicals they use when bleaching and dying hair. Another reason to not dye your hair IMO.
I wouldnt be surprised especially beauticians who are using relaxers
@Brit S, am curious then why she’s still in the biz? If she switched to more natural products, I’d be curious to learn which products can go head to head replacement with their toxic counterparts
@@hynnow18 I like henna for some natural colors. not for everyone but I find it lasts longer and keeps my hair feeling better
Oh yes, there are multiple studies on this!
I wish that someone could find a way to make safe and eco friendly hair dye! Hair dye is one of the very few things I don’t think I’ll ever give up. I love dying my hair neon red, but it’s pretty difficult to find a safe alternative for that haha. I use arctic fox but I’ve heard there’s some controversy over the brand. Haven’t had the chance to look into it yet though
I love my Rainbow flip flops. They are not the most sustainable brand out there, but they last a really long time. I've had mine for 5+ years already and still wear them often.
My bf has a pair as well, they've been around forever. I don't like flip flops because they hurt to wear, but I'll still put his on occasionally to run down to the laundry. But I agree that a lot of the lighter brands (e.g. Old Navy) don't really last.
Same! I love flip flops. I live in FL so I use them almost year round and I usually only have to get a new pair every 5 or so years. I love bright colors. Don't care if it doesn't go with all of my clothes - I will be wearing my bright blue ones no matter what!
that is sustainable! Quality > quantity + using what you have is always a sustainable option!
100% came here to hype on my rainbows. Love them!
I've had a pair of old navy flip flops for 8ish years now? I didn't know there was an issue with flip flops breaking easily lol
My mom’s boss is always getting rid of excess stuff that she no longer wants. She recently got rid of about ten pairs of sunglasses and I kept two pairs that I like. I’m always blown away by how much stuff wealthy people have that they then just give away because they don’t use (as they have too much stuff) or they just don’t like them anymore, or because they want to buy newer things. It makes me sick to be honest. Most of us have grown to not appreciate and take care of what we have. We certainly live in a consumeristic and disposable society.
I have the same experience with my mother's boss as well. She throws away lots of clothes every year and we keep most of them, as she has the same size as us. Most of the things are high quality and barely used, it's really sickening to see it being bought to just being thrown away.
my neighbor is obbsessed with his picture perfect lawn, he is totally going to hate it when i turn mine into a huge flower jungle!
Do it 😈
Do it!
Regarding the swimsuit comments Shelbi, I totally agree. My thinking is always - if you didn't pay for it, someone else did. Thinking of it that way doesn't make me feel good about purchasing fast fashion, that's for sure.
I wear Birkenstocks I bought 20 years ago as my go to slip ons instead of flip flops. They are still in great shape!
i just need to comment and say that i have a childhood friend who now works in fashion/trend forecasting and i mentioned that i don’t like trends at first and she said that: the trends for older people (not tweens, so 25+) are actually the same trends that were fashionable for younger people earlier, but took more exposure to get them to like it!!!!!
I'm hosting an LGBT Cookout this weekend and want to make it special but I'm trying to avoid buying plastic decorations and such. I know it's a bit late for me but I was hoping you could make a video or something for planning sustainable events.
Also, an advice on sustainable craft items would be a bonus.
Great video, lots of great points. Thanks for doing all you do.
I think you should check out Shelbi's video about her wedding, there are some tips for sustainable events 😊
My trift store has a section for decorations :) If you can't find anything, I think compostable is an other good option. You can ask the people coming to the cookout if they have anything they can bring also. Check your no buy group, there is surprisingly a lot of stuff people are willing to give away :P Hope you have a nice cookout!
This is great idea
definitely check thrift stores and buy nothing groups for both craft supplies and decorations! get creative with it too. you could thrift table covers, sheets, table runners, vases, and center pieces to decorate tables. some colorful clothes to upcycle into DIY decorations. colorful flowers from a local sustainable farm could be fun, anything relevant you might have in your house (for example for an LGBT cookout you might have pride flags, colorful LED lights, rainbow christmas lights, colorful plates or drinking cups, old colorful construction/tissue paper for diys, etc) ask friends if you could borrow something they might have also. LGBTQ pride is a good theme because you can use rainbow food to create the theme (fruit platters in the shape of a rainbow, fruit punch, orange soda, lemonade, etc for rainbow drink options, there are definitely colorful alcoholic drinks too if you wanted to go for that, m&m cookies, fruit pebbles treats). sorry for rambling but those are some of the ideas i had!
Everyone brings their own plates and cutlery is the First step ;)
I laughed a bit because…… due to health conditions I’ve lost all of my hair 😜🥰 so I’m naturally eco friendly when it comes to hair trends! 😜🤪👍💜
At the first couple of parties that I hosted, I had a couple people complain that there was no meat and no sodas and I was like tough. I’m sorry it’s not the free food/drinks you were hoping for but you’re never going to find that at any party I throw. Whenever I host a party I try to stick with Impossible burgers because they’re the most loved by the people I invite.
Get a natural flowering "lawn" if you can, with local flowers that survive better in your climate and are food for insects
To replace tissues, I use hankies. I have a huge handkerchief collection (collected over two decades). They are much softer and prettier -- and you can wash them! Thanks for this informative, thought-provoking video, Shelbi!
I agree with most, but I have had very long lasting thongs/flip flops. I used to love a pair that puma used to make. They were super comfy, with a soft cotton string and I wore them for three years each pair until the sole was rubbed through and my feet were about to be on the floor. I think it just depends on which thongs/flip flops you buy.
I have a pair of Foxrider flipflops that I bought during a vacation trip 17 years ago and still wear them, because I never found anything as comfy as them x) They are absolutely disgustingly looking now (they used to be sky blue lol), but for the house/garden, they're perfect x)
I have 2 pairs of several years old ones (switching between them when one pair needs cleaning from sweat and sand and I can't do it that minute makes them last longer). And I can't wear slide type shoes, they literally fall off my weird-shaped feet :D
When you talked about lawns, I became kind of happy I’m Finnish because I’ve never seen or heard of a single person here who has ever fertilized or watered their lawn. Besides if we’re planting or re-doing a lawn we do not water or fertilize them, because honestly what’s the point?
I picture its mainly people in naturally dry areas where grass wont grow well naturally where people water their lawn. Which makes it worse. But that's only my guess
@@zakosist the Mediterranean is also hot, but people here either have terraces (outdoor living is a big thing, so outside spaces to eat are a must) and we use plants that will give us shade while we're outside. Palm trees or climbing vines, fruit trees etc. Anything that can provide shade is great, and most people just choose plants who need little to no water.
Public spaces will have lawns and they water them, but people don't want to waste money on watering grass that will be too full of ants to lie on.
It seems to be more for those living in towns and suburbs. Large property owners don’t tend to worry about perfectly manicured yards. I’ve downsized to a smaller lot and will fertilize in the fall. It helps establish stronger and deeper roots. That way the grass is thick, drowning out weeds, and deep roots can reach water further in the soil so I don’t have to water. And I’ll fertilize according to the weather so it’s not before a heavy rainfall when it’s more likely to leach into the sewers and waterways. We mulch cut the rest of the year so the clippings are the fertilizer. It’s working so far. We have a neighbour who waters his lawn every morning and the grass is so used to it it’s established a really shallow root system. Without him watering it dries out and looks dead within a couple days. So he spends $400+/mo watering his tiny lawn. It’s heartbreaking to watch.
@@acmulhern that sounds like a much better solution
@@sheila3936 maybe someone should teach him about how gardening and plants really work. In the short run his lawn may get barren if he doesn't water it. But in the long run he could probably get a just as green lawn without the water use, and save both money, time and the environment. Im guessing money is the one he would care the most about
I've grown up with handkerchiefs instead of Kleenex, and whenever I told friends growing up about my handkerchiefs, they thought I was disgusting because "you continue using the surface you already blew your nose into, EWW!" but I was unphased because I was used to it. As an adult with knowledge of how marketing works, I have a sneaking suspicion that this new attitude of handkerchiefs = gross was probably started by the original sellers of single-use tissue.
I have to admit that I'm still on the gross train with that one. I hope to someday level up enough to convert to handkerchiefs (I've converted a lot of my paper products to reusables). But I haven't been able to get past the mental block yet. I've washed clothes that have gotten every other manner of bodily fluids on them and never had any issues, and I know that logically it's no different at all. But something about snot specifically squicks me out. Maybe someday I'll finally be ready.
For cleaning my nose, I have cloth hankerchiefs. I got them from my mom and she probably got them from her mom before. I have a separate bag in which I throw them when used and wash them all together at 90°C. For wiping off really dirty stuff I now use old socks that I cut in small pieces and throw them away after use. I think I got this tip from you, Shelbi! Thank you for all your tips.
I also use old socks for cleaning!!
Re: thong flipflops, I've had my Rainbows since 2008 and haven't had to replace them once, so that can be a more sustainable option if you don't like slides!
Yeah I keep mine for 5+ years a pair and wear them on the daily over summer - looove them!
I had a pair of Rainbows that lasted 12 years, then the next ones I bought busted after two years. I assumed the quality changed and never purchased them again.
My cheap plasticy thong fliplops last 2-5 years, and I also use them year long when using public showers (gym, swimmingpool etc.) or as indoor shoes for hotels. I have one pair and I use it until it breaks. Next one I will buy more durable, but as for now a no-name pair has lasted me 4 years and this year does not seem to be the one to bring them down. So I also don't know what you need to do to them to destroy them in one summer 😁
I can't wait to own my own house so that I can plant a garden or a moss lawn. I don't understand the obsession with grass lawns.
Literally ! Grass lawns are boring !
Our lawn decided to turn into moss on its own lol
This is the first spring I've had neighbors asking me about my lawn - which I've been switching over to clover and fescue. A lot of neighbors have grubs ruining their Kentucky Bluegrass lawns. My lawn is coming in nice and green with no sign of grubs. I also let them know that I mow (with my electric mower) about every 3 weeks - which is easier AND better for the environment, and I don't water unless I've just put down new seed.
I have owned and maintained a "disposable" swimming pool that most people only keep for a season for 7 years. I patch any holes in the liner whenever they pop up and take care to dismantle and store over the winter to prevent any unnecessary wear and tear. With the pool I've been reusing dollar store pool floats for at least 3 years, using the same meathod of patching holes. Buying the "cheap" items doesn't have to be wasteful if you take a little extra time to maintain your things. Overall I have saved thousands on one pool and two sets of floats for the past 7 years.
When you started talking about how only a few generations ago we were using things like handkerchiefs and things like that which reminded me of how they used to have refillable makeup compacts and how it was so common. Like can we bring those really pretty ones back?
This idea is great, but zero waste makeup is already so hard for POC to find so we need to focus on fixing that issue first :”(
I thrift everything me and my family wears! I do have rules though…Underwear is always purchased new… the rest (including bras, socks and swimsuits) is fair game. I buy classic styles and colors and items I will wear and can wear next year. I like feeling cute but I feel cuter when my cute outfit cost a few dollars and kept the clothes out of the landfill!
I get grossed out with the prospect of second hand swimwear. To me, it is just like underwear. I wish I could get past that.
Bras, socks and swimwear used is next Level environmentalist 😳
I wash everything before wearing the items!
Instead of water balloons, you can get some of those absorbent "splash balls" that you can use over and over. Even better, you can make them yourself out of scrap fabric.
One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was getting high quality sunglasses that are classic and look good on me and are prescription lenses. Seriously life changing I’ll never wear another pair of sunglasses ever again
Can you do a birthday party video!!! Parents like me trying to revolutionize parties but it’s hard! My daughter is going to have a “No gift” friend party this year so we can teacher her and friends the subtle art of just enjoying their company, no pressure needed. Also, I don’t want 1000 plastic toys coming into my space.
She has a wedding video so you could get some ideas from there
I did buy a new swimsuit this year, even though I still have a perfectly serviceable one. But it's because I've had the same swimsuit for seriously about fifteen years. I just really wanted something different for a change. My old one is still around and in use, though. I took both on a recent vacation, and I was actually glad I had two with me. So, this is one case where I feel okay with having bought a new thing even though I didn't really need it. At this rate it will probably be another fifteen years or more before I buy another.
I believe that whole thing of not liking a trend at first but growing to like it as you see it more is an example of the mere exposure effect. We tend to react more positively to things we have been more exposed to (which is why of the reasons why advertising is so effective).
Sunglasses trends weird me out. I think I've owned 6 pairs in my life that I've bought. 3 have broke over 15 years. And I have three currently: one in my purse, one in my car, and one back up. Same style that I wore in middle school because that's what fits my face.
Also switching to hankies has been the best change of my life, been doing it since high school.
Would really appreciate it if you could do a video on sustainability of travel and the expectation that a holiday means that you need to go away in any capacity. As far as I'm aware, every form of travel other than hiking to your destination is incredibly resource intensive.
I repurposed old napkins in to hankies and I love them so much!!!
Love to consider ways to drink more sustainably in the summer - especially when avoiding glass for safety. I personally like to buy liquor from local distilleries. And I try to minimize plastic by making my own cocktail mixers rather than buying premade ones in plastic. I like to mix bulk cocktails to take to the beach in reusable plastic containers rather than bring cans.
This is really neat. What kind of liquor is available at your local distilleries?
@@caffeinated_25 Vodka, whiskey, gin, and moonshine. They all brag about sourcing local ingredients too!
What about coozies? They keep the glass from breaking
metal canteens. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and disguise what's inside. ;) Thermoses. Also come in various sizes and most have their own convenient cup as well. Smaller scale, pocket/hip flasks, which range from plastic and glass to metal. Most are metal.
If you like beer and wine, a lot of micro breweries/wineries in my area have the option to fill a reusable growler when you come in instead of bottles
When I played sports as a child, parents and coaches used to bring those big plastic containers with a spout and fill them with water or Gateraid. We all filled our paper cups from there. Okay, the paper cups weren't so good, but you can use reusable bottles instead...I wonder why so few people do this anymore? Not only is it more environmentally friendly, it's way cheaper...
And you can make it as strong as you want and reuse the container it comes in as a cup too
Yes to this! I prefer to know the style and shapes of clothing that fits my figure best and looks good on me, and stick with that. Partly because I can’t afford to buy a bunch of stuff all the time. I don’t when I go outside the clothing styles that look best on me, I don’t really wear those pieces of clothing, so I’m very picky before so buy about the fabric.
I have been using hankerchiefs since my fiancé introduced them to me years ago , and they are so nice to wipe your face while eating or for my hayfever flare ups. I also use them when I peel fruit to hold the peel until I find a place to get rid of them responsibly
My flip flops came free with a magazine about 15 years ago and I'm still wearing them! 😆 They are are insanely comfy (great for an autistic adult like me) and still going strong.
Though I do live in rainy England, so I probably use them a lot less than the average American in TX or CA would. 😉 My one piece swim suit is over a decade old too, though I don't use it that much.
The biggest things that my husband and I purchase second hand nowadays are vinyl records. Usually sold by small, independent collectors, very retro and of course not using limited, finite resources to make new products. For my birthday last year, my husband gave me an original vinyl record of the Rolling Stones debut album, pressed in 1962. Needless to say, I was delighted with it! Especially as it's out of print in physical format now.
Yep, totally agree about how trends and hyper consumerism can be problematic! I only participate in trends that just happen to be what I already like anyway. I also try to buy secondhand or quality items and keep them for as long as possible. Yeah, we really don’t need 12 swimsuits and 10 pairs of sunglasses. I have the same prescription sunglasses I’ve had for years now that are a classic design that I love and don’t intend to replace them unless they break or my script changes too much. 🕶
I was walking this morning, in the rain, and as I was passing this house with a big lawn, their sprinklers turned on. I just…
One of the best things about being a goth girlie is that trends are much less of a thing for us, although it can definitely be hard to find non-fast fashion brands catering to the spookier side. Luckily, though, one result of this has been that thrifting and DIY are both really popular in the community.
Would you ever consider making a video about the clothing manufacturing conditions (and the myriad sweatshops) in the US and if you know any tricks how to avoid purchasing from such a company if you're in a position where you can't buy used? So many people see "Made in the USA" and think that it was done 'above board' so to speak. If something like that is outside your wheelhouse I completely understand and thank you for reading this comment :)
I’ve found myself going to the mall with the intention of going shopping, and then just feeling guilty and opting for goodwill/thrift shops instead. You can find perfectly great things for way cheaper, and less of an impact on the Earth. 😎🐢🌊
I think most people on the prescription sunglasses train are used to reusing frames for years. XD
Also - handkerchiefs can be so cute! In the past, people would get them monogramed, or embroidered, or edge with ribbon or lace. They're super easy to sew & are usually considered a beginner's sewing project, along with cloth napkins and cloth placemats. On the note of cloth placemats & cloth napkins- People pay good money for them & they're super easy to make. I'll just leave that information there.
There is an edible glitter. They have sponge balls you can use instead of water balloon.
I bought Havaiinas flip flops when I was 14 (it's a Brazilian brand). Back then they were really trendy where I live. I'm 22 now and I live in a hot climate so I've worn them A LOT, and they're as good as new!
I find that 2 swimsuits are all I’ll ever need - one to wear while the other dries 😊 also, I would love a garden / landscape video if you’re up for it!
O.M.G. yes, with the single use plastic bottles. My MIL was just visiting & asked if we had them. We said no. She (SERIOUSLY) days, "OK, I guess we'll just take Dr. Pepper to drink." Ya'll, I thought I'd keel over. 🥲 I opened my cabinet & said, "NO, we have like 10 reusable metal bottles. Pick a few." This woman...
I remember being somewhere abroad on holidays and a couple was leaving so they gave me their pool float. When I was leaving I gave it to some woman with a kid. It was really awesome!
I’m still wearing a pair of old navy flip flops that I bought the summer before we moved, which was 2016. Take care of your stuff and it lasts. I bought new flip flops for my son since he outgrew his, from Feelgoodz. Sustainable and ethical 😊
Yes! We also avoid sprinklers for the garden and opt to water by hand. We repurpose the water from my dog’s kiddie pool and water the garden and flowers with it. We are also not mowing a portion of our yard to help develop stronger root systems with the hope of saving our creek bank from further erosion. We have the lawn mowed every other week and support our huge bee population with clover and dandelion.
That shirt is GORGEOUS! Now I also want to be looking like a fine house plant!
same!
Yes, we love Chacos! They last forever and they have their rechaco program, where if your sandals get worn out, you can send them in for repairs, which is way cheaper than buying a new pair.
I’ve had my soles repaired once and it was so worth it!! Definitely like having traction again! I’ll never get rid of themmmm
What do you wear in the meantime?
In the past 11 years, I’ve had the webbing on mine replaced three times due to daily sand exposure in the summer. I practically live in my sandals from March until October. Haha Fortunately, I’ve never had to send a pair in during prime Chaco season. I’ve been able to get by until winter and then send them for repairs, when it’d be too cold to be wearing them anyways.
Kleenex is apparently the first thing that are a hard no to me. I will not use cloth to collect my cross bodily fluids and then have to deal with washing them. Especially because I use most my kleenex to deal with my cystic acne. To me reusable kleenex feels like reusable toilet paper. Very nope, sorry.
But hey, no lawn, no car, vegetarian. Doing plenty enough.
I'm with you on this one. I think if you were to get a different brand of tissues and toilet paper like Who Gives A Crap (which uses fast growing bamboo instead of trees) you can contribute less to climate change and also still feel sanitary. I think people also forget about bidets instead of toilet paper/wipes of any kind, which are more sustainable and most likely use less water than toilet paper at the end of the day
I bought thong flipflops to wear in showers/bathrooms in random places. Had them for years! No complaints, I don't wear them outside though, they are my "shoes for no shoes places."
“I haven’t seen a Shelbi video in awhile.”
*looks up channel*
“Posted 15 minutes ago”
Love the kleenex point! I just recently went through my grandparents house and found cloth tissues/handkerchiefs. I remember I used them as a kid in the 90s so I happily took them in hopes of using them again. They last a lot longer than the paper ones, are a lot less rough on the nose and are easy to sanitize (I was a batch of just them at 90C - near boil point - and then iron properly). Even my husband learnt to use them. 😁
Another great video, thank you!! Another point on bathing suits is that most of them are made from synthetic fibers just by the nature of them so its hard to support a good option for swimsuits :/
On lawns, grass turning yellow is just natural, and a way to protect itself from the heat/lack of rain. So by watering them, we just kill it faster... We try to plant a variety of ''herbs'', clover, thyme, wild strawberries, etc, so that it stays greener and grow slower, so we don't need to mow as much. Some plants retain humidity better than other, so it's worth studying to diversify and help your garden! I even read once of someone who had a full veggie garden and NEVER have to water it, and they always have so many veggies, so they obviously do something good!
A great alternative to water balloons is knit or crochet "balloons" that you just soak in water & toss around. They are infinitely reusable & every child gets to toss some cuz you can't run out
Easier to pick out of the grass too I'd assume. I can't crochet at all. Were can I buy?
@@ah5721 personally not sure, probably etsy. I've seen a lot of ppl diy-ing them but none commercially produced
Ugh, lawn care is in my lease for the house that I rent. We don't have to use chemicals or water the lawn, but we do have to mow it and trim ivy and keep it under control. Literally in the process of buying a new mower now, and I hate it.
Also, if anyone has any eco-friendly suggestions for how to get rid of VERY WELL ESTABLISHED poison ivy, please let me know. We tried the salt/vinegar water and it made absolutely no difference. This stuff is so well established and I got poison ivy 4 times last summer just from mowing the lawn.
And please no hate on the above. Based on where the poison ivy is growing I could actually be fined by the city. At some point it has to be taken care of.
The best way is to cover up for protection and dig it up, unfortunately, you have to choose between using poison or your health on this one. Whatever you do don't burn it, inhaling the smoke is SO DANGEROUS.
Don't burn it is my only suggestion. That crap getting in your lungs your done for! Maybe smother it with cardboard ?
I've experienced that issue of trying to figure out what I really like. This time is for a wallpaper I want to put up on one of my apartment walls. I've held off buying anything for now because I want the wallpaper to last for as long as I live in this apartment. One thing I've learned that's helped me make decisions is I chose based on what looks good on ME, and what complements ME (fashion) or what looks good with MY design aesthetic (home decor). I don't decide based on what's trending right now cause I know that the trend will only last so long and then I'll be stuck with the item even if I never liked it in the first place.
Ohhhhh I love your videos. Who the hell doesn't realise you can use a bottle of water that you already have? Or just reuse the single use one and save $
I love fashion and I try my best to buy second hand and I try not overconsume clothing. I will say I think the most sustainable clothing Item I own are swimsuits I got as hand me downs and I still wear them after almost 16 years of wear from two people.
Thanks for the video ! I tried so hard to find biodegradable glitter, but what I found was just made of wood shavings with a thin layer of plastic. Apparently studies say it's just as bad for aquatic life as regular glitter. As for flip flops, my fit-flops lasted a couple years with heavy wear but they weren't great for going in the water.
What about edible glitter? I'd have to imagine that if it's edible, it would be biodegradable right? I doubt it would work in most craft applications, but if you're doing a party and you want a sparkly aesthetic you could at least put it on the desserts.
glass glitter maybe? it's like sand so it seems like it would be okay but maybe it has coatings or sharp edges. idk much about glitter
Those sunnies are a mood. You look amaze in them 💕
Via the Kleenex comment: There's lots of cool/adorable handkerchiefs at antique malls and vintage stores, usually cheap and in plentiful supply! I typically use them when I'm fixing/taking off my makeup.
I only find thin sad ones at my local place ..
@@ah5721 that stinks :^( i wish you luck in finding cool hankies in the future.
I love my handkerchiefs! When my mom died, I found a cache of handkerchiefs in her dresser. Also, I make my own out of linen scraps from a fabric store - a nice hand-sewing project.
I bought a handmade flip-flop from Thailand 2 years ago. It still looks like new. The trick is to clean them often, like every other day, and keep them dry.
Water ballon alternative!!
I use car sponges and cut them into squares. (Big chunks) You can soak them in buckets of water and I just throw them in the wash when they need a clean or let the sun clean them.
The play lasts forever and I save them from year to year.
I started a new job recently and was filling my water bottle up at the water fountain, and one of the girls was like “you don’t have to do that, we have bottled water in the fridge!” Why would I want to use bottled water, it’s literally so easy to just refill my own bottle lol
The flip flops brought back memories of growing up in Florida and going to the old navy $1 flip flop sale and getting them in every color and then they break a week later 😭
I’m gonna defend me Reef and Teva thong flip flops for a second ;) I bought them before I started doing more research on brands but I’ve had them both for years and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
Theres actually a few channels here on youtube that are into sustainability but then do a closet purge just before the summer (or whatever new season is heading our way) and then a week later will do a video of them shopping for clothing for the new season.
I cannot watch these channels anymore! The cycle of buying, donating, buying again to change your closet when you really dont need to drives me insane.
Thank you for thissss. I’ve been battling the urge to buy fun shaped sunglasses FOR MONTHS. I know the crap eyewear brand is way better than others but I still worry that it’s not the right move and that I should just stick with the sunglasses I have. 😩
Devil's advocate: If you bought them would you wear them for the next decade? Then it's sustainable.
If not, well, I guess you've got your answer.
@@Tyrysa ok devil’s devil’s advocate😼: if I buy 1 pair in a diff shape, I’ll have 3 pairs total, of all different shapes and I can just keep switching styles when I get sick of them (between the 3) until the end of time 😂
Thanks for flashing your phone/case! 😁 Reminded me i have to replace my Pela grip! Loved it! It recently broke 😅 I'd fall asleep holding it, constantly. Good quality and i feel so good knowing i can throw it in my compost!
I feel old but when I was little we didn’t have water balloons. We had a handful of sponges in a bucket of water, all of which we’d reuse year after year. Clean up was considerably easier as well compared to picking up balloon
Going off of the 5 year thing... People could look through their closet & see what you've already owned/worn for 5 years to gauge what you would actually wear long term.
Shelby- i love your like-
“F off with your crappy unsustainable decisions.”
Love it❤️
All of this plus summer decor home items. Themed stuff for the season that will likely get thrown out once the season is over. I’ve moved into an apartment recently and I’ve been slowly redecorating on a budget and getting some secondhand. I’ve reference Pinterest and TH-cam videos to help give me ideas how to decorate. it’s insane how often influencer change up their decor just to stay relevant online.
Second hand! Yes yes yes!! I bought some Birkenstocks on offer up slightly used (and for $35 retail $100). Also with sunglasses you can reuse eyeglass frames. I have been reusing my glasses frames with my updated prescription for years.
Not sure if anyone has shared this yet, but in terms of water balloons, there are reusable crocheted water balloons. They're not perfect; most of them are made from blanket yarn which is polyester. BUT! If the kiddos really like water balloons, these are great. They are crocheted in the shape of a water balloon, soak up water kind of like a sponge, and can be used over and over again. So not only does the fun last longer, it's a little better for the environement. They can also be machine washed and dried if they get dirty. I've also seen people do this with sponges.
Feeling guilty right now about the hot dogs we have the in fridge, which is such a go to for camping trips, hard to give up easy meals but its worth it. We decided to stop doing water balloons the last couple of years and opted for spirt guns instead which last longer. Thank you so much for this video! love your tips!
I got a pair of Havaianas flipflops years ago and have never needed another pair since. They're built leagues above the cheapies! They're nowhere near damaged, either, and have endured several scrub-ups with no issues. 🤘
Sameeeeee
I know exactly what you mean with the trends I see so many people I know buy into these trends and the next month or year it’s completely forgotten about. With me the only trend I bought into that I didn’t like originally was crocs. 3 years ago when they were getting popular again I didn’t really like them. The reason I bought them last year was because I have tendinitis on my feet and I read that crocs help with that. For me this was one trend that I don’t regret buying and I do see myself wearing them in the future because they help my feet a lot. This was the only example of me buying into a trend within the past few years, but I am happy that I have not bought in to the hundreds of other trends I have seen come and go!
My 80 year old dad always carries a clean handkerchief with him. He bought a ten pack of them years ago and just washes them. That's what people did before disposable tissues. Yes you can make your own out of old clothes if you want too, up to you.
I bought some Feel Goodz thong flip flops from Whole Foods YEARS ago. At least five, maybe even as old as 2013. They’re on their last legs but they are still okay for house shoes.
I got another pair from Earth Hero by Indo and have had them since 2018 and they are still perfect. They are my outside flip flops, taking the pup out for a quick pee or maybe running a quick errand or camping to go to the bathroom. They are so easy to just throw on.
I agree, being wasteful is more expensive than getting just the quality essentials
I’ve had my one pair of sunglasses (aviators) for about four- five years and I love them more than all the “trendy” ones because they’re timeless and look SOOO CUTE!
I have a pair of Old Navy thong flip flops that have lasted me for ages. I don't even remember when I bought them it's been that long. Maybe 15 years ago? They're the old kind that don't have the tiny dots on them that aren't comfortable. Tbf though I don't live in flip flops in the summer anymore. They're mostly a quick thing I slip on if I need to go outside for a minute, but in previous years I have taken them to several beach trips and trips to the pool or around campus at college.
I ♥️ My Okabashi flip flops. Bought them four years ago and still going strong! Great brand.
Which model do you have?
@@Monicalala The Maui style. Dove Colour. I wear them with almost anything.
I will say, I only have one pair of slippers (flip-flops). I bought a pair of Chaco ones about seven years ago, and they’re still in great shape. I’m not downplaying thrifted items, which can be really great purchases. However, you get what you pay for. It’s rare to find a great deal on a great item when thrifting.
I quit fertilizing and using weed killer on my lawn (other than grass clippings and blended food compost!) And I've cut way back on the lawn area by allowing my flower beds to grow out further and having a little salad garden mixed in with the flowers. The downside is that the weeds are a challenge as the soil is fertile and we have a lot of rain! But I use organic methods to to weed. Boiling water on the stubborn ones and physical labor hiring and pulling those suckers out.