I want to live more sustainably. I care about the impact of my purchases, and I’d like my home and my wardrobe to reflect my values. But sustainable products often hold a luxury price tag – and it’s difficult to separate the greenwashing from the brands truly reducing their environmental impact.
I know I’m not the only climate-conscious consumer to face this challenge. So I’m conducting the research necessary to cut through the buzzwords and the BS, and I’m chronicling my findings with my co-host Cailey through our new podcast: Sustainably, Yours.
In our bi-weekly sustainable design podcast, we delve into creating sustainable homes and wardrobes. We don’t claim to know it all – instead, we invite our audience to join us as we navigate how to make planet-positive decisions and share our tips on accessible, budget-friendly style. Through interviews with experts and the brands leading the way, we’ll explore the impact of personal and interior style on the environment and discover how our collective purchasing power can make real progress in the fight against climate change. In our upcoming episodes, we’ll discuss honing our personal style to make longer-lasting purchases, teach you how to shop second hand when it seems too overwhelming or time consuming, debunk the buzzwords that brands use to greenwash unsustainable practices, and dive deep into sustainable materials, practices, and products.
And each month, I’ll bring some of the best takeaways from our bi-weekly episodes to the pages of the Courier Herald.
Ep. 1: Sustainable Style and the Environment
When it comes to slowing and reversing the consequences of human-caused climate change, I believe the burden falls largely on the corporations and governments responsible, not on individual consumers. However – I do believe in our collective power to influence market demand, and that makes real change.
Research by the Harvard Business Review shows that consumers’ sustainability demands are rising, and companies that create truly sustainable products will have an advantage over brands that haven’t invested in sustainability for that set of consumers. The research shows that with enough demand for a greener product, the benefits outweigh the higher costs of manufacturing a product more sustainably. By nature of the market, companies will compete to innovate and find ways to make sustainable products in a more cost effective manner.
So where does sustainable design come in? The building and construction industry makes up about 40 percent of the world’s carbon emissions. According to the Carbon Leadership Forum, over a building’s lifespan, emissions produced by the manufacturing and installation of the interior finishings (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) will equal or exceed that of the exterior structure. That’s because interiors are often renovated multiple times throughout a building’s lifespan, and each time that renovation generates waste, which goes into landfills and generates methane. The finishing materials like tile and furniture all produce carbon in the process to extract that material, manufacture it into a product, transport it to the building, and install it.
The fashion industry isn’t much better. According to the World Economic Forum, the fashion industry accounts for 8-10% of global emissions – that’s more than maritime shipping and international flights combined.
Clearly, these two industries together make a sizable impact on society’s contribution to climate change – which means there’s ample opportunity for positive change. Through our collective purchasing power, we can push the design market toward more sustainable production. However, many brands claim sustainable practices they can’t substantiate (that’s called greenwashing). In future episodes, we’ll be vetting companies for you as well as providing information and resources to call out greenwashing yourself.
Ep. 2: Sourcing Second-hand for Sustainability
Giving second life to already-manufactured products is one of the most straight-forward ways to cut the carbon footprint of your closet and home. If every consumer bought just one second-hand garment instead of a new one, it would reduce CO2 emissions by over 2 billion pounds. This is equivalent to taking 76 million cars off the road for a day. But not everyone enjoys the thrill of a Goodwill hunt, and some find it downright overwhelming and gross.
That’s why we brought in Madalyn Newell – a thrifting expert and Instagram sensation – to teach us how to thrift like a pro. Madalyn is insta-famous for sourcing high-quality designer clothing items at thrift stores for her clients and selling thrifted “mystery bundles.” As a former authenticator for designer secondhand app the RealReal, Madalyn knows her stuff.
If you’re new to thrifting, or find the stores overstimulating, Madalyn suggests starting by creating a moodboard. Don’t overcomplicate this – just go on Pinterest, save a few images that speak to you, and let the algorithm take it from there. Or if you’re not a visual person, save a note in your phone with a list of the items you’d like to find.
Next, you’re ready to head inside. But we’re not just wandering the aisles aimlessly, we have a plan. Madalyn suggests a systemized route in the following order: coats and jackets, purses, blazers and suit sets, dresses, men’s button downs, and jewelry. Check out Madalyn’s Instagram page @madalynnewell for inspiration on how to style some of these pieces.
Lastly, Madalyn advises to always, always read the brand and fabric tags. Opt for natural fabrics like cotton, wool, and silk, which will hold up over time. Synthetic fibers pose several environmental challenges. During washing, tiny fibers shed from synthetic garments, such as polyester and nylon, end up in waterways, contributing to the growing problem of microplastic pollution in our oceans and affecting marine life. Secondly, the production of synthetic fibers requires substantial energy, mostly derived from fossil fuels, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbates climate change. Additionally, synthetic fiber production demands extensive water usage for cooling and processing.
While Madalyn is focused on clothing, her advice is applicable to home decor as well. Start with a mood board. And if you enjoy a specific fabric in your wardrobe, chances are you’ll gravitate toward it in your home as well.
Moving forward, you can expect new episodes from Sustainably, Yours bi-weekly on Tuesdays. In the next episode, we speak with a circular economy professor from Columbia University who provides insight on how to identify greenwashing and find truly sustainable brands. Listen on Spotify, or read the main takeaways here each month in the first edition of the Courier-Herald every month.
About the co-hosts
Julia-Grace and Cailey met at a mutual friend’s wedding and quickly bonded over their shared love for interior design and a desire to make sustainable style accessible, rather than a luxury. As the owner and principal designer of an interior design studio in addition to a degree in fashion merchandising, Cailey brings the industry know-how of the style space. With a masters in environmental science and policy (and a proud resident of Enumclaw), Julia-Grace works as a sustainability consultant while pursuing her love for design through DIY home renovations. As co-hosts, they bring the worlds of design and sustainability together to explore style with purpose.
Keep up with Sustainably, Yours
Follow the podcast on Spotify by searching Sustainably, Yours and on Instagram @sustainablyyourspod.
