︎︎︎episode 9

Conscious Consumerism Trends (p1): The Myth of Plastic Recyling, Reducing Single Use Plastic - Replacing Lifestyle Products Water Bottles, Toothpaste Pills, Shampoo Bars, Period Cups and more  (ft. Bite, by Humankind, Hydroflask, Stasher, Bee’s Wrap, Final Straw...) 

Fast Company article mentioned in the icebreaker>>>

The article goes on to say: Consumers’ sentiment toward green products is grounded in some truth. Until recently, most mainstream brands and consumers weren’t particularly interested in sustainability, so it was smaller, niche brands that created green products. Since they had fewer resources than bigger brands, they could not invest as much in product innovation or in improving the performance of their products. So in many cases, consumers were right for thinking that the mainstream brands created goods that were more effective. A recent study reported that 75% of consumers surveyed viewed sustainability as extremely or very important. Meaning that businesses with larger R&D dollars are jumping on board and will help destigmatized the market...>>>

Visual Proof

Bee’s Wrap>>>

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Stasher>>

Plastic Bottles are such another big culprit. A report by the Guardian found that 1 million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute. Additionally, less than half of the bottles purchased in 2016 were recycled — with just 7-9% of those collected are actually recycled, and the rest ending up in landfill sites or the ocean.

1 Million Bottles a Minute ----> 

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50% Recycled ︎
7-9%  Actually Recycled ︎
The rest...Landfills and Oceans ︎

Thankfully reusable bottles like Hydroflasks>> are trending - which is not just a functional replacement but a statement for environmentalism for all to see. 

She also reports that Evian has partnered with Virgil Abloh to repair some damage they have done for essentially starting the disposible water bottle trend including their “Activate Movement” competition>>. The project encouragers young designers to enter their sustainability-focused design and innovation projects, with a €50,000 EUR (approximately $54,000 USD) grant available to the winners.AN OPEN CALL FOR INITIATIVES THAT CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE - under the umbrellas of either Waste Reduction, energy reduction and recycling/upselling. More details HERE

 


Straws we also find are a scourge upon the earth. Americans use 1.6 Straws Per Person Per Day: enough straws to wrap around the Earth 2.5 times everyday. They are not recyclable and don’t decompose - so just BRING YOUR OWN. She recommends FinalStraw>>!



FinalStraw>>


Single Use Plastic Bags also suck total balls and are a complete plague upon the earth. The average plastic market bag is used for 12 mins and takes 1,000 years to decompose. GROSS! Kim plugs a product she worked on with Graf Lantz - the Ami Market Tote >>

• Reusable, washable and ultra-versatile.
• 100% cotton (no microplastics).
• Strong expandable netting.
• Collapses into its own attached pouch for convenient storage and pouch converts to roomy pocket (perfect for masks, mobile phone, or keys)

Lastly - Kim touches on refill shops that are popping up in cities nearests you. With the pandemic it has been hard to use this sort of service but a few have made it easy online indlucing the Refill Shoppe>> out of Ventura that offers online - zero waste - refills and the ability to pick your own ALL NATURAL scents! 

Zero waste personal care 

by Humankind>>