Sustainability is a journey. It's not a switch that you can flick, but a practice that we have to work towards everyday. To be sustainable means to live in a way that could feasibly be done forever without adverse effects to our world or environment – literally, something that can be 'sustained'.
Finding a place of true sustainability requires a united global front, but in the meantime there are some habits we can lean on to make us feel more connected to our Earth. Finding ways to consume mindfully and reciprocally give back can help us live in a more balanced and connected way. And, sometimes the best tips for living mindfully come from the people around us; from our friends and our community.
In honour of Earth Day today, we pulled together our own sustainability initiatives. The tips and tricks we use each day to help do what we can in the fight for our planet. Below, find the learnings we've picked up along the way.
Emily Algar
Beauty Editor
I've always been someone who stresses out about the state of the world. When I was a kid I wrote a letter to John Howard urging him to sign the Kyoto Protocol (he replied!). I still try and do my part for the environment. I am stringent with recycling, am a very conscious shopper, buy most of my wardrobe second hand and have a long-standing relationship with my tailor and cobbler because I'm interested in keeping the items I invest in for years and years. I avoid fast fashion. I also walk and catch public transport almost all of the time. I drive my car once, maybe twice a week. At home, we don't use any single use wrapping or containers. It's all glass or beeswax wraps. The same goes for my water. I love my Stanley cup.
When it comes to food shopping, I get most produce at my local farmers markets (Potts Point on a Saturday). Dinners are decided daily, too. Our weeks change a lot and it's less wasteful to go day by day. My husband and I also charge our boat battery using solar power. I wish we could install solar at home but alas, apartment living. We do however use a renewable energy provider. One thing I do want to fix is my takeaway coffee cup habit... I drink one coffee at home but always buy one out. I'm an espresso drinker so the reusable cup situation is difficult but I'm sure something exists. I'm going to look into it right now.
Stacey Gaskin
Consumer Revenue Manager
I’ve found that as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much better at making “slow” decisions. Whether it’s in fashion, my home, or my general lifestyle, I get so much joy from slowing down and being intentional.
Living in a rural area again has been a big part of that shift in more ways than one; it allows me to support the local economy directly. In our household, we make a point of sourcing meat from our local butcher and look forward to our monthly Sunday markets. I find it so rewarding – finding produce directly from the source, like local honey, chutneys and handmade treasures you can’t find anywhere else.
In my kitchen, a few years ago, I moved away from disposables and plastic containers, switching to beeswax wraps for food storage and investing in stainless steel utensils and titanium cookware. I’ve honestly found that food tastes much better prepared that way.
My personality has practically been taken over by our house build project of late, and one of our biggest goals is incorporating a solar and battery setup which will be a huge win for our long-term footprint.
The majority of my wardrobe is staples and neutral basics – pieces I turn to over and over as a proud outfit repeater. I love to buy vintage on Depop, as well as investment pieces that will last a lifetime.
I am incredibly fortunate to work from home. Walking and biking are ways I enjoy the outdoors instead of hopping in the car with no destination.
For me, living sustainably is a journey made up of learning and consistently making the best decisions possible that value my local community and supporting small businesses, longevity and reducing waste, and making the most of what I already have.
Mia Steiber
Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher
Sustainability to me is more about mindset than anything any else. Conscious consumption and slower living. I have of course done the big things, with switching to a renewable energy provider being the biggest – since burning fossil fuels for energy accounts for 90 per cent of emissions. But I really feel that living sustainably means understanding where objects come from and how they're made. Simple practices like choosing to cook your meals from odd bunch vegetables, and making sure to pick what's in season (knowing that this means the produce likely grown in a way more in tune with nature) can make a difference. Living this way also makes me feel more grounded and connected with the Earth.
Knowing that a quarter of all the food we buy ends up in landfill instead of hungry bellies has made me very passionate about minimising food waste. It's such a shame for all that fertiliser, water and time to end up wasted in the bin. So, I've recently been teaching myself how to pickle all different types of foods, everything from radish to zucchini. Any time I have vegetables going bad, they end up in a pickle jar. All my scraps and off-cuts I save in a bag to make stock, this includes vegetable tops but also the bones from steaks and chickens. I have specific freezer moulds that help me better freeze and organise any leftovers so nothing is wasted.
I religiously check both Depop and eBay before I purchase anything new to make sure I can't find it second hand first. I also try to upcycle. I keep and reuse all my old jam jars for store leftovers, I nearly have a enough that I won't need plastic containers ever again. Recently instead of buying a new bar cabinet, I decided to give our current one facelift with new handles and wood stain. It was a process but the end result made me so deeply appreciative of just how many resources go into the things we buy; why we shouldn't treat them as disposable and buy quality instead.
Alys Hale
Music Editor and Creative Producer
I would say I buy something new for my wardrobe maybe twice a year on average. Almost everything else, including the wardrobe itself, is secondhand (thank you Lawsons). Sustainability is obviously a driving factor behind this, as I feel sick when I think of all of the waste from fast fashion. I am constantly looking for second hand treasures from the Antwerp Six on Depop and eBay, or occasionally getting very lucky in my local Vinnies. I have not owned a car for some years now, and use my GoGet account when I really need to move things I can’t carry, or public transport won’t do. Having to actually book and pay for the car makes you really consider whether it is necessary. I’m not perfect, but where possible I try to buy local produce to reduce food miles and support local growers. We are so lucky that Australian produce is so fantastic. Additionally, I live and die by my Frank Green water bottle and it comes everywhere with me.
Cassandra Dimitroff
Features and Production Editor
I’ve recently become a more staunch plastic avoider in my life – I upgraded to a stainless steel Seed & Sprout Bento Lunchbox at Christmas time, and have had my trusty Hydroflask water bottle for more than six years now (she even comes with me on planes in my carry-on). I try where I can to buy clothes in natural fibres (Assembly Label, Muji and Uniqlo are my hot spots for 100% wool, cotton or cashmere on a budget). I’m also a proud convert to ModiBodi for the last few years (I buy the biodegradable ones to feel extra great about my impact).
Jaime Carmody
Digital Marketing Specialist
One of my New Year’s resolutions was to purchase more second hand than new, and it’s been a really rewarding shift. When I do need something, I’ve been turning to resale platforms like Depop, as well as SWOP, Reunion and Vinnies to help extend the lifecycle of a piece. If I do find myself purchasing something new, I try to be intentional about supporting local Australian brands who produce in small runs to minimise waste and prioritise ethical production. Labels such as Little Yarn, Apres Studio, and Sister Studios are a few I continue to come back to.
I’m also really grateful to live within walking distance of weekly produce markets. I’ve been trying to shop there at the start of each week, purchasing seasonal produce and cutting down on unnecessary packaging where I can. When it comes to getting around, I’ve been opting to ride a Lime bike instead of defaulting to Ubers or driving. It’s not only a more sustainable option, it’s also about 50 per cent cheaper, an added bonus that makes the choice even easier.
Koby Dulac-Daley
Fashion Assistant
When I was in about about 10 years old I watched War On Waste and it really impacted how I go about my everyday life. Australia is the highest consumer of textiles per capita in the world, so I try to contribute as little as possible to that statistic. For someone that works in the fashion industry my shopping habits aren't what most would expect. I don't often purchase new clothes and accessories, and when I do, I make sure it is not something I can easily find pre-loved first. Being thoughtful about new pieces you are buying for your wardrobe such as asking yourself 'do you have anything similar?' or 'how much wear would you actually get out of it?' is great for your wallet and the environment.
Pre-loved shopping is also one of the biggest joys in my life. One of my favourite activities is to go to a location with a few thrift stores and spend hours going to all of them. It feels almost therapeutic, although I have to be in the right mindset; you have to really go digging to find the good stuff. It helps to also have a moodboard of wardrobe inspiration, so you can go in knowing what kind of pieces you are looking for and which ones are missing from your own wardrobe. Some of my favourite thrift hot spots are Surry Hills, Paddington and my home town of Katoomba. Shopping secondhand especially from charity stores is great for the environment as you are giving new life to items that are still great quality, giving back to charity and you can find some unique pieces that you wont see anyone else wearing.
The way I was raised, no food ever goes to waste, either have the last few bites or put it in the fridge for when you are feeling hungry. Before going to the grocery store, have a look at what perishable items you have already and make what you have left into a meal or think – what items can you buy to create a meal with what you have? This is such a small thing but, I try to get the fruit and veg that are not packaged and put them loose in my bag. I try and compost as much as possible which is relatively easy when your diet mostly consist of fruits and salads. Not buying takeaway coffees is another win win for your wallet and the environment. I have started keeping old candle holders – they can be used for jewellery, pens... the possibilities are endless. I try to avoid using AI for unnecessary things that can easily be done using other applications – the amount of electricity each AI search use is 10 time what a Google search uses.
Sophia Serafin
Implementation Manager
In the past, I was notorious for a big shopping spree, but over time I’ve formed a conscious approach, prioritising quality, practicality, and gentle fibres. I’ve loved following @hello_eveh and @jennalyonsnyc for their insights into fabric composition and durability.
Now, if I'm tempted to purchase something, I’ll set a Depop alert and pray that it appears in the coming months. This process has helped me move away from trend-driven purchases. My friends and I host semi-frequent clothing-swap-parties, and I take anything else to places like Wayside Chapel or SWOP. Facebook Marketplace and Lawsons are my go-tos for sourcing larger household items.
I reduced my meat intake a few years ago to help balance my environmental impact, and now eat line-caught seafood for protein instead. I’m an almond milk drinker, which can be contentious for water intake, so I opt for Mandole Orchard, a brand renowned for its sustainable water practices. Making my coffee at home has been another small but impactful shift and I always make sure I’m carrying my Baggu reusable bag for grocery trips.
I’ve also swapped to Koala Eco for household products – they’re refillable, gentle, and make the house smell so fresh.
Samantha Corry
Social Media Coordinator
The first one is simple. Don’t use AI unnecessarily and try to limit it as much as possible. Each 100 words you type in uses the equivalent of about a bottle of water. Further to that, it diminishes your brain activity. So save the environment and your brain by being more mindful about it. Secondly, shopping or selling via Depop, purchasing from small online stores I find on Instagram like Shy Online and Cora vintage are small ways of making a considered impact. Bring and pack your own lunch to work or school too. Not only are you not using single use plastics but lowering greenhouse gas emissions, while also reducing food waste. You're saving the planet and your bank account, too.
Kitty Callaghan
Contributing Editor
We are all aware of the surging price of real estate – pretty much everywhere – to occupy physical space is a privilege. My approach to plastic is anchored in that idea: space is precious - every time you consume plastic, you are giving an almost infinite lifespan to an object that is there because of your choices (not to mention the flow on effects of it in ecosystems). There is no fairy that vanishes plastic once the garbage truck collects it. It’s here forever. I feel when I look at an object with that in mind, suddenly the convenience or desire becomes far less important, I think more about the environmental impact and where this object will live its life (cue Polyester Girl by Regurgitator).
I also believe AI use must be considered in the conversation, use it wisely (if at all, but that’s a whole other can of worms).
I am a huge fan of SWOP here in Sydney, and am about to pull the trigger on a pair of boots from their Brisbane store, using the credit I have from dropping off old wears.
We are consistently told that big corporations must take responsibility for there to be significant positive change and although I agree with that, I also believe reframing our approach to sustainability can have a big impact from the ground up. It could look like joining & donating to an action group in your area (eg, here in Sydney – Groundswell Giving), as this will help reframe your approach in the every day. We are forever lucky to be living on this land.
