Compostable Did you know that there is a difference between biodegradable and compostable? Yeah! While basically the same thing, compostable takes it further by adding nutrients to the soil around it. That’s why most gardeners have a composting pile; they add food scraps, garden clippings, and more to their piles to make their soil more nutrientdense for their plants. Also, compostable items will break down a lot faster than biodegradable ones. Recycling & Post-consumer Who here recycles? Recycling means giving your used disposable items such as paper products, glassware, metals, and certain plastics to processing plants to turn back into usable materials and out of landfills or oceans. Some examples of things made by recycled materials are pens, tote bags, reusable water bottles, and more. Luckily, most things these days can be recycled, you just have to look at the bottom of the container or box. So, if your product says it’s made from recycled materials or post-consumer waste (usually with a percentage) you know your product was made from materials that were formerly something else! Ethical When shoppers are searching for an ethical company, they’re looking for one that does not harm the environment, animals, or the humans that either produced those products or live in the communities affected by them. Consumers have been putting more pressure on apparel companies to become more ethical over the last several decades by providing safe work environments, livable wages, and more. You can learn more about ethics and apparel on our blog here. Vegan & Cruelty-free You’ll find that many makeup and personal care products are either labeled cruelty-free, vegan, or sometimes both. If it’s labeled vegan, it means that no animal products were used in the production of the product. If it’s cruelty-free, it means that no animals were tested on during the development of the product. Reef Safe When you see a product that advertises it’s reef safe, that means it’s a product – most likely a sunscreen – that does not contain the chemicals oxybenzone or octinoxate. Which, are the two chemicals found in traditional sunscreens that studies have found can cause sun bleaching of reefs! Using things like UV protective clothing or mineral-based sunscreens can help protect our oceans! Carbon Neutral A company can become carbon neutral by canceling out the same amount of carbon dioxide that it emits to make their emissions net-zero. Companies can do this by investing in renewable energy like solar power and other renewable energy sources.
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