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How to evaluate sustainable fashion brands to spot greenwashing?

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Greenwashing or Sustainable? How to Evaluate "Sustainable" Fashion Brands?

Sustainability is a new revolution in 2021 that has changed the definition of modesty and fashion now. Sustainable fashion is often mistaken with greenwashing, and unfortunately, many fashion brands and companies flounder to live up to their claims. As we are already aware of many discussions surrounding sustainable fashion and its increasing likability in the crowd, it is sometimes difficult to tell whether a brand is genuine or stretching the truth.

To understand genuine sustainability and how to evaluate sustainable fashion brands, we must first know the true meaning of sustainable fashion and greenwashing. In this blog, we will figure out a brand’s sustainability and ethics and spot greenwashing.

Understanding Ethical/Sustainable Fashion

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As we step into the core of evaluating fashion brands, we must know the definition of ethical and sustainable.

Being ‘Ethical’ means being fair and unbiased with the workers and helpers of your brand. It is about treating them with proper care and honour throughout the supply chain. It is observed that many brands also maltreat animals for their production process. Performing such activities is non-ethical and must be avoided.

Sustainability is about lessening or minimalizing the damage to our environment throughout the supply chain. It is mainly eco-friendly, as it avoids activities that encourage environmental damage through the production and sourcing of materials. 

A Sustainable fashion brand is determined to:

  • Use water resources efficiently and do not waste them.
  • Limit the use of textiles and hazardous chemicals causing environmental damage.
  • Encourage high-quality and sustainable materials that break down in nature with ease.
  • Encourage reusing or recycling products.
  • Encourage the consumers to purchase what they need and prefer reusing and recycling products. 

Also read: 10+ Best Sustainable Fashion Brands in India

How to Determine Greenwashing?

Greenwashing is the misconception or misleading information about some brands and companies claiming to be eco-friendly and sustainable. They market themselves as “green” but do not live up to those claims.

To understand greenwashing and get a clear idea about it, the following are some of the red signs:

They claim to be sustainable but only for a handful of items:

Yes, it is a common effort that many brands perform. They claim to be 100% sustainable but have only a few things prepared in an eco-friendly manner. Many of them will try to get a “green halo” effect by promoting selected items.

If they talk about sustainability, they speak in uncertain terms:

Many brands proclaim that they are eco-friendly and sustainable. Still, it is easily visible that they do not intend on taking any action or proper measures for sustainable fashion.

They do not speak about sustainability:

If a brand is greenwashing, it will not speak about sustainability. They might also give a shallow approach towards ethical dressing and fashion. The company often tries to avoid this topic. 

So how to evaluate Sustainable Fashion Brands to identify Greenwashing?

Following are some tips to help you identify if the brand you prefer is sustainable or greenwashing. Go through them and decide your way of trusting a brand:

Analyse their social media marketing activities:

Today, almost every fashion brand is online. It is easy to identify their social media marketing campaigns to know how they work, what they do, how they produce, and their parameters to supply? It could help analyse the brands’ marketing activities, especially if they don’t have 3rd-party certifications. Visit their Webpage, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and you will get clear visibility about their working pattern, from manufacturing to supply chains.

Look for the reviews of their products:

One significant parameter to judge if a brand is sustainable or not is the longevity of the product. If the brand hardly cares about the life of its garments, it is a worry. Even if the brand cares about longevity or not, sustainability is about reusing and shopping adequately to lessen environmental damage.

You can go through the reviews of their random products on social media and analyse if the customers are happy or not. Also, be aware of the paid reviews. It could give you a clear idea of whether the brand is considering long-lived products or not, if they are concerned about their thoughts, and if the quality of their products is enduring or not?

Analyse how efficiently do they use energy:

Greenwashing has many faces, shapes, and forms through which they can enter the fashion industry. Many brands might use LED and energy-efficient lighting or sensor lights in their stores to prove that they are sustainable. However, it is not valid. The in-store lights do not depict the actual procedure of production and manufacturing of the products. The choice of lighting may also be because it is a legal requirement in some countries.

Therefore, it is best to get a clear vision of how clothing production has taken place to judge sustainability. It is also crucial to know what type of energy-efficient lights and machinery they use to make the outfits.

Reach out to them:

If you have gone through the tips and tricks and are still unsure, you can directly reach out to the brand. You can visit their store or even email or DM them to resolve your concerns and questions.

Based on their response, or where they lack thereof, you will probably be able to judge and analyse whether the brand is ethical or not.

Final Thoughts

In this blog, we understood the difference between sustainable fashion brands and greenwashing. Also, with some simple tips and tricks, we learned how to evaluate an ethical fashion brand.

To enhance the usage of sustainable fashion clothing, we must start taking initiatives. Buying second-hand is the new trend and is always better than buying new. That is because you are reusing and recycling clothes that are already in the system. It will help our environment and eventually make our Earth a better place to live.

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10+ Best Sustainable Fashion Brands in India

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Sustainable Fashion - A New Trend for the Future Nay, Today!

Textile-industry-sustainable-fashion

Did you know that the level of CO2 emitted by textile industries is almost equal to that released by automobile industries? 

With changing lifestyles, and seasons, we often find ourselves within new fashion trends. We enjoy incorporating the latest trends into our style statement, because why not? 
 
But, what do you do when the outfits are not trendy anymore, or more naturally when you grow out of them? In Desi families, clothes usually get passed on to our younger siblings, which is a good option. Unfortunately, this is not always the case as most of the fabric waste often gets trashed. Fashion industries themselves contribute a lot to this pollution. Which is why today we are in dire need of sustainable fashion choices.
hand-me-down-clothes

With fast fashion trends, sustainable clothing (slow fashion) is yet to gain popularity. However, we do have quite a few homegrown sustainable fashion brands in India. And to your aid, Ecopurple has curated a list of a few of the many brands crafting green fashion. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Please note that the following list is in no particular order of preference; the idea is to promote and acknowledge their work.

1. Adah

Adah, founded by Leesha Agarwal, a conscious earthling cum a talented fashion designer, is an ethical, zero waste, and a handloom fashion brand. It is a fashion house that truly loves their fabrics, the makers, and the colorful dyes that make it beautiful.

Adah-by-Leesha-sustainable-fashion-brand

On experiencing the aftermath of fast fashion firsthand, Leesha decided to make a difference and so, led to the foundation of Adah. Here’s everything that is good about this sustainable fashion brand:

  • The team sources each piece of fabric directly from the hardworking weavers, not allowing any middlemen to participate. This helps in ensuring that the weavers are paid what they deserves. 
  • The environmental quotient is taken care of by repurposing/ recycling/ and upcycling all kinds of fabric scraps into diaries, wallets, scrunchies, headbands, earrings, etc. The tags, too, are made using recycled tetra packs, adding to their concern for the environment. Adah also refrains from the use of plastic. 
  • The skilled tailors, who craft the elegant garments for Adah, are given their rightful credits. You will get to know who made your outfit, a wonderful way to honour the efforts of the maker and also empower them.

For both and women, Adah is one of the affordable fashion brands out there. One must check-out their outfits as they’re not only aesthetic but also sustainably made. 

2. SUI

This women’s fashion brand from New Delhi, found by Mahima Gujral, is on its way to help pave the way for green clothing.

sustainable-clothing-brand-Sui
Sui crafts conscious apparels and accessories, such the environmental impact is low. How?
 
  • They prefer working with durable and anti-bacterial fabrics such as hemp. Use Organic cotton that is GOTS certified, and other sustainable materials.
 
  • Sui uses herbal dyes to pigment their clothing; and recycles the wastewater in the process.
  • The team makes use of recycled packaging and upcycles the leftover fabric waste as well.
  • Following a sustainable work ethic, SUI also partners with the NGO – Women Weave. The women in this NGO contribute to the weaving of handspun home fabrics. They practice conscious activities that need less to no electricity. Thus, save energy.

3. DOODLAGE

The brainchild of Kriti Tula – Doodlage is a recognized eco-fashion house set in New Delhi. The brand creates fashion outfits and accessories by recycling and upcycling fabric trash. The toxic after-effects of the fashion industry led to the foundation of Doodlage.

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  • Doodlage collects surplus of defective or stained fabric scraps from textile manufacturers. They even collect the leftover apparel scraps from the garment factories.
SUSTAINABLE-CLOTHING-BRAND-DOODLAGE
  • From the fabric waste of their own, they create wallets; laptop bags; accessories; and notebooks.
  • Ditching the plastic, they recycle the fabric waste into paper for their packagings.
Needless to say, Doodlage is doing its best to achieve zero waste production. And by all the efforts that they’re making, the team is bound to succeed.Moreover, Doodlage also presented their collection in the Lakme fashion week of 2019. 
 
You know they’re good when even Lakme supports them.

4. NO NASTIES

Vegan gang, this one’s for you! Based in Goa, No Nasties has been in the business since 2011, creating outfits for men, women, and kids. They design outfits made out of fair trade, organic, and vegan raw materials.

sustainable-fashion-brand-no-nasties
GOTS ✔️ 
Peta ✔️ 
Fair Trade ✔️ 
Impressive right? But wait, there’s more. To add to their green efforts, No Nasties offers plastic-free packaging. The team makes use of drawstring bags and recycled cardboard boxes instead. The effort doesn’t end here. With the “Buy One – Get Tree” program, No Nasties has been planting trees to negate their carbon emissions. You make a purchase and the team plants a tree, as simple as that! Thus, it’s safe to say that No Nasties is one cohesive sustainable fashion brand.

5. RENGE

Renge is a sustainable fashion brand that offers beautiful clothing options for women. Found by Sheena Uppal, they create conscious apparels keeping the fashion quotient intact.

sustainable-fashion-brand-Renge

What makes Renge an ethical brand?

  • They use a surplus of fabrics from factories that follow strict social and environmental standards.
  • The artisans dye fabrics in Creative Dyeing & Printing, which is Oeko-Tex certified.
  • The team works in tune with Hemla Embroidery, which is Sedex certified.
  • Both factories are within a 3km radius, this reduces carbon emission due to logistics.
  • Also, a part of their factory runs on solar energy!

While creating sustainable fashion, Renge also extends support for other critical issues. Learn more by clicking here.

6. BASICLLY

Basiclly is yet another option to make a sustainable fashion choice for women. Their mantra? ‘Comfort, Ease and Familiarity’ while practicing Fair Trade.
Sustainable-clothing-brand-Basiclly
  • Located in Noida, Basiclly is a fellow supporter of slow fashion. The brand crafts livable clothing to make them durable and long-lasting.
  • The team makes use of 100% organic fabrics with reusing and upcycling the fabric scraps. This way, they avoid the use of synthetic materials.
  • Basiclly makes sure to have their fabric manufactures and the production factories close. Thus, minimizing the environmental impact therein.

7. SPARROW

Sparrow was born with an aim to provide sustainable clothing at affordable prices. The team believes and contributes to a circular model of fashion.

sustainable-fashion-brand-sparrow
Craftsmen at Sparrow stitch outfits using breathable fabrics sourced from ethical resources. From designing sustainable clothing to plastic-free packaging, deliberate conscious efforts are being made.
 
“To bridge the gap between consumers and sustainability, we strive to bring you ethical garments in affordable prices. So that your online shopping takes a conscious step towards the environment.”

8. UPASANA

This team led by Uma Prajapati works with the traditional technique of Handlooms. Upasana takes absolute pride in crafting fabrics through this concept that helps save electricity

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  • As opposed to the artificial dyes, the team works with natural ones. Such as, Natural Indigo, native minerals, and herbs like Sandalwood and Tulsi.
  • To make the garments safe to the skin, Upasana infuses the same herbs with organic cotton. The medicinal properties of these herbs help provide a sense of healing to the wearer.

“Our mission is to create conscious sustainable fashion where we are taking care of our environmental cost and not passing it on to the future.”

Upasana’s work is here for you to choose a sustainable fashion alternative.

9. B LABEL

Belonging to the slow fashion tribe, B Label, powered by Boheco, takes a green route to fashion. Their star fabric? Hemp.
 
Sustainable-clothing-brand-B-Label
This sustainable fashion brand spuns Hemp into a variety of quality outfits. Why Hemp? Because,
  1. It is Carbon negative
  2. It repels UV rays
  3. It resists mold and mildew
  4. Is one of the strongest fabrics
  5. Hemp is Anti-bacterial
  6. It can grow with less water, etc

What more reasons do we need? B Label is one to pin our faith for a responsible fashion brand.

10. NICOBAR

Nicobar, too, belongs to the slow fashion bandwagon. Their philosophy is to make products that are: long lasting, not trend-driven, inspired by natural materials, and influenced by the culture we grew up in.
The above collage is only a gist of what Nicobar has to offer.
 
Apart from their products, the most exciting one is their option for customers to Gift Trees. Nicobar has partnered with the “Grow Trees Foundation.” With this, a customer can choose to plant a tree in the name of his/her gift recipient. They plant the trees in the Sundarbans of West Bengal to protect the habitat of our Royal Bengal Tiger. 
 
Thanks to Nicobar, now I know what to gift my loved ones!

11. RIMAGINED

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Rimagined is an ethical brand from Bengaluru producing sustainable fashion and upcycled products. They manufacture products right from sarees to furniture. Understanding the increasing garbage crisis, Shailaja Rangarajan led to the establishment of Rimagined.

Sustainable-clothing-brand-rimagined
  • The team works with both pre and post-consumer waste.
  • They craft their sarees from the pre-consumer cotton yarn waste. This is the leftover yarn during and after the weaving. They weave this yarn in the traditional Charkhas and then dye it with beautiful colors.
  • Rimagined also works with denim, wood, glass and rubber waste. They’re upcycled into furniture, bedsheets, decors, and other accessories.

Their aim is to divert waste from the landfills into a sustainable and valuable object of use. And they achieve this by working hand in hand with handloom weavers and tribal artisans.

CONCLUSION

  • These are a few of the many sustainable fashion brands in India who are working to maintain a circular economy.
  • Fashion waste is mainstream pollution. With a growing maturity and awareness, one has to consider ways in which he/she can limit their impact. We need to control our unnecessary contribution to the landfills.
  • Yet, if you happen to buy something that belongs to fast fashion, make sure you find a way to repurpose. One sustainable action goes a long way.

YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS

According to a report by the Financial Express,
 
  • It can take 2,700 litres of water to produce the cotton needed to make a single T-Shirt. As per World Resources Institute, 5.9 trillion litres of water are used each year for fabric dyeing alone.
  • Around 20% of industrial water pollution in the world comes from textiles. Also, about 8,000 synthetic chemicals are used to turn raw materials into textile.
  • As per another report, about one garbage truck of textiles is either burnt or landfilled. This happens about every second!
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Do individual efforts matter? Here are my two cents

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Do individual efforts matter?

When it comes to climate change, do individual efforts matter? This is something I ponder upon every time I do something positive for our planet. And every time, I come to the same conclusion – yes, they do!

There is a school of thought that believes in entirely blaming big oil and fossil fuel giants for climate change. This thought is valid, but only to a certain extent. We tend to demand systemic change but let’s not forget that the system is made up of individuals like you and me. Thus, behavioural change at both levels becomes vital.

If we look at it, we do share 50% of the blame. I say this because we have been, and continue consuming more than we need. We fall prey to the marketing gimmicks and end up buying stuff we can totally do without. Guilty as charged!

Excess of anything results in its overuse. We overconsume food, fashion, electricity, water, private vehicles, and whatnot! To sustain our lifestyles, we now need about 1.8 earths. It this habit to overconsume one of the culprits ruining the balance of our planet. Don’t you agree?

How disturbing is this image?

We have been taught through our formal education why we must protect the sanctity of our natural world and the environment. Yet, we haven’t learned anything and continue to exploit. Not to be cynical but every human being plays a villainous part in some or the other way. From an unbothered politician, a careless brand, an ignorant contractor, a banking model that funds planet-destroying mining firms, to a layman refusing to give up plastic, etc. We cannot just blame our leaders and not do anything ourselves. Governments will impose countless regulations, but those won’t help unless citizens show genuine support and follow protocols.

How do individual efforts matter?

As we march towards a sustainable world, there are two possible pathways. One is to reduce our ecological footprint. This is achievable with pro-active governance on both national and international levels to put an end to further exploitation of our natural and conserve what’s left. 

The other pathway is to increase the ecological capacity of our world, which is possible with our participation. Let me give you an example. We have long endured the use-and-throw culture in our lives, which has led to a tremendous amount of waste. We have created so much trash that we have not only disturbed the ecosystem on land but also that of our water bodies. But how are we tackling this problem? By simply installing units such as ‘sewage treatment plants,’ the STPs. This is known as an end-of-pipe solution. But instead of an STP, what if we stop letting waste into our rivers and seas in the first place? Wouldn’t that help keep our water bodies healthy? Wouldn’t it reduce the spending of a tax payer’s money?

It isn’t simply about installing an STP, it is about every form of waste we create. If we’ll be mindful enough to control what we discard as waste from our homes, we can contribute in increasing the ecological capacity of our planet. The first week of Covid lockdown is an excellent example. We stopped creating pollution through our cars and factories, and boom! Air became cleaner and skies clearer. Just imagine what we can achieve if we implement deliberate and immediate measures.  

individual-efforts-matter-citizens-and-government

We as citizens hold two big assets to make change happen. The first one is our ability to vote. The leader we vote for isn’t just responsible for developing our economy. We need to realise that our leader has to be conscious enough to develop a nation’s ecological capacity and quality of life for its citizen, alongside the economy. So when a government turns out to be incompetent, we share the blame. 

The second asset we hold is the ability to vote with our wallets. As more and more individuals are going green, we now have brands coming up with sustainable alternatives. We are seeing this change happen. I do not need statistics to support this (in case you’re not convinced, check out this report by the WWF). Every time you purchase an eco-friendly service/product, you are voting with your wallet. So you see, what we chose to buy, changes the market. A change in the market helps in transitioning to a more sustainable society. 

I understand that it would be complete ignorance at my end if I do not address the problem of equity in our society. Not everyone has the privilege of voting with their wallets. But this is not a problem with no solution. It is the responsibility of our authorities to provide every citizen with equitable access to resources. An equal starting point for each human makes development easier, again drawing attention to the importance of voting.

Today, multiple instances show how citizen action drives change. It was evident when the Dutch government sued Royal Dutch Shell. It is evident with the Riverfront development project in Pune kept on hold. It is evident with the price of a bamboo toothbrush coming down from once ₹150 to now ₹50! It is evident with countless options for vegans of today. It is evident with a brand like H&M, after receiving a lot of backlash, introducing “sustainable” clothing line. There are many more such instances.

So do individual efforts matter? Hell yeah! Perhaps the only differentiating factor is that the pace of change might be slow. But it is of value. The onus should not be on the government, nor should it be on individuals.  It has to be a partnership. 

Behavioural change has to be at both levels. Only a well-informed, aware, and educated person can take mindful decisions for his citizens and the planet. Similarly, only a well-informed, aware, and educated citizen will make mindful choices that support sustainability.

In conclusion, read this out loud: INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS MATTER! Never believe otherwise.

Ecopurple always intends to influence people to do more good for our planet. This opinion piece is one of those humble attempts.

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10+ Online Stores to Shop and Celebrate a Sustainable Diwali

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Celebrate a Responsible, Eco friendly, and a Sustainable Diwali!

diwali-celebration

What according to you defines Diwali? May be the lights, shopping, ethnic outfits, Rangolis, or delicacies, etc. Your answers might be different, but we can all agree that Diwali truly brings along a wholesome festive vibe, doesn’t it? 

What I love the most is the shopping and gifting aspect of it! It’s the one time of the year when the expenses do not take you on a guilt trip. You worry less and celebrate more. But while you’re at it, how about a responsible celebration this time? How about this time we celebrate a sustainable Diwali?

Click here to get straight to the point.

Why a Sustainable Diwali?

diwali

Although Diwali is a festival of love and light, environmental concerns also rise. I’m not going to lecture about air pollution, it’s 2020, and hence self-explanatory. We often discuss about fire crackers to be the ultimate issue, but there’s an underestimated pollution we forget- Fashion. As the festival spirit calls for shopping the best ethnic wear, it’s a profit season for the fast fashion brands. This is why a sustainable Diwali celebration matters. So let’s talk more about shopping that is both, ethically and environmentally safe. 

With Diwali right around the corner, you might be on a shopping spree or in search of the perfect family presents. And since you’re here, I can say you are looking to make an eco-conscious buy. Thus, I’ve created this list of 10+ conscious online stores. These will help you celebrate a responsible and a sustainable Diwali.

To make your life easy, the stores are divided into 3 categories:

1. For clothing
2. For Jewelry (click here to jump right into it)
3. For overall shopping or gifting (click here and jump right into it).

Disclaimer: The following list is in no particular order of preference.

Shop/Gift Eco-friendly Ethnic Wear

1. Nicobar

sustainable-clothing-brand-Nicobar-sustainable-diwali-ecopurple

Nicobar belongs to the slow fashion bandwagon. Their philosophy is to make products that are: long lasting, not trend-driven, inspired by natural materials, and influenced by the culture we grew up in.

The above collage is only a gist of what Nicobar has to offer.

Click here to shop

2. Sundarii

sustainable-fashion-brand-india-sundarii-ecopurple

Sundarii, as you can see, has ‘sundar’ (beautiful) collection of sarees, doesn’t it? These are ethically sourced and sustainably crafted. Keeping fast fashion away and reviving the Indian heritage of handicrafts, Sundarii designs conscious apparels that you’ll cherish for years to come. 

Click here to shop

3. Okhai

sustainable-fashion-brand-india-okhai-ecopurple-sustainable-diwali

Okhai is yet another handicraft-based apparel brand that stands tall due to the hardworking force of rural artisans from across India. Supported by the Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD), Okhai does well in expressing the rural way of life through their beautifully handcrafted products.

Click here to shop

To know 10 more  sustainable fashion brands, check out my previous blog:

https://ecopurple.co/sustainable-fashion-brands-for-you/

Shop/Gift Eco-friendly Jewelry

1. Vie

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Vie, meaning ‘life’ in French is true to it’s name as the brand is giving wasted, rejected buttons from factories a new life! What’s interesting is that Vie makes use of natural buttons only, and not the ones that are synthetic, plastic, or polyester.

Click here to shop

2. Papermelon

upcycled-jewelry-eco-friendly-shopping-papermelon-ecopurple

Trashy treasures! Papermelon literally ‘crafts’ jewelry out of paper stash and I’m all for it. Amazing to know that each piece is handmade with love and creativity. Be it a brand new paper, or an old newspaper, Papermelon brings the best out of both!

Click here to shop

3. Eurumme

sustainable-jewelry-eco-friendly-shopping-eurumme-ecopurple

With sustainability and conscious production at the forefront, Eurumme has an eccentric line of jewelry. Eurumme handcrafts imperfectly perfect jewelries with metal and semi precious stones through the technique of plating and electroplating. Each piece is unique as no two pieces are same. 

Click here to shop

Shop/Gift Eco-friendly Diwali Presents

1. Brown Living

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This one’s a personal favourite! Brown Living is an online marketplace dedicated to sustainable products. If you’re trying to live a plastic-free, sustainable, or a zero waste life, then don’t waste a second and check out this online store!

Click here to shop

2. Bare Necessities Zero Waste

Buy-sustainable-products-with-bare-necessities-zero-waste-ecopurple-India-sustainable-diwali

Bare Nessecities Zero Waste is yet another store for you to make a sustainable purchase. When looking for a thoughtful gift, how about a zero waste gift bundle? This can help your loved ones have a less environmental impact which in turn will bring along a feel-good vibe! 

Click here to shop

3. The Happy Turtle

Buy-sustainable-plastic-free-products-with-The-Happy-Turtle-ecopurple-India-sustainable-diwali

Promoting a life that is free of plastic is the cornerstone of The Happy Turtle. The team is dedicated to providing eco-friendly alternatives to plastic infused products. This pretty lantern, the bamboo speaker, and the plastic-free travel kit are some of the best options to gift your dear ones and yourself, too!

Click here to shop

4. Zerowasteshop India

Buy-sustainable-products-with-the-zerowasteshop-India-ecopurple-sustainable-diwali

The name says it all! Beginning a zero waste lifestyle is much needed in current times and stores like these help in making a zero waste swap in nearly every which way possible. From kitchen and bathroom essentials to home decor, lifestyle, and travel essentials, this  Zero waste shop has an alternative for all!

Click here to shop

Celebrating a sustainable Diwali will take you closer to our planet. You will end up feeling joyful, yet proud, for you took a stand for your home – the Earth. 

I hope you celebrate a safe, happy, and a sustainable Diwali!

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Best Sustainable Razors For Men and Women (2021)

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It's Time to Green your Grooming Session with a Sustainable Razor

Does your shaving razor look something like these ones? If yes, we have a problem.

disposable-razors-harmful-for-environment

I’m all for normalizing the stigma around body hair. But in the end, it all comes down to personal choice, right?  To shave or not to shave, that is the question! 

Well, I’m not going to discuss the benefits or the demerits of shaving, that’s not what I’m here for. What I do wanna discuss is the topic my title suggests – Sustainable Razors.

Wanna get straight to the point? Click here. 

But What does Sustainability has to do with Razors?

First of all, sustainability has to do with everything. And razors, too, are a part of it.

How Exactly?

Today if we compare a regular disposable razor, it consists of our beloved culprit – Plastic. Now I don’t want to get into explaining how bad plastic is. It’s common knowledge.

Disposable-razors

Let’s dissect this razor. The handle is often made with plastic, and rubber to maintain the grip. Then comes the plastic cartridge embedded with the metal blades.

Although the blades are recyclable, do we really detach them before discarding them? I never did. And I’m pretty sure you don’t do it either.

Disposable-razors-are-difficult-to-clean

Also, how annoying is it when the hair is still clogged into the blades? While the cleaning factor is the biggest demerit in a disposable cartridge razor, it is one of the best advantages in a sustainable safety razor! 

Moreover, a disposable razor is unlikely to recycle. Even the blades cannot be recycled in this situation. This is because they’re embedded within the plastic cartridge. I cannot stress this point any further. By now you should realize that a basic shaving razor is not innocent. Disposables are becoming the new plastic straws!

Anything that is disposable, is wasteful. And a disposable razor is no exception. Millions contribute this waste to landfill each year. Let’s not be a part of this bandwagon.

The following is a list of some of the Best Sustainable Razors available for both men and women. Check them out and make that rightful switch.

PS, the list is in no particular order of preference.

1. Reusable Bamboo Razor for Women By 'The Woman's Company'

Sustainable-razors-by-the-womans-company

The Woman’s Company is an eco-conscious brand that showcases personal care products for women only (Duh!!).

This sustainable razor is one of their eco products that is completely plastic-free. It consists of natural bamboo and stainless steel metal-head. And as a result, safe for the environment. A good companion for your low-waste living.

What to Expect?

  • The razor comes with a natural bamboo handle which is super light and provides an easy grip.
  • The metal head provides a safe fit for double-edged blades making it super-efficient as well.
  • The skin-protecting shield actually shields your skin from getting any cut. Thus, the razor shines in providing you with a safe, smooth, and pain-free experience.
  • TWC also provides a set of 10 free blades with the razor. Once a blade loses its sharpness, simply replace it with another.
  • You will also be provided with an in-depth user manual.

Blades are recyclable, so there’s no reason to be guilty while discarding them. Make sure you discard them with proper caution, you don’t want to harm an innocent waste collector. 

One of the benefits is that you can use this razor for not only your basic body hair but also for your bikini area. It’s that pain-free!

Trust me, once you’ll give it a try, you won’t turn back. You will ditch those disposable razors for good! 

Pros

  • Durable/ reusable design
  • Eco-friendly
  • Bacteria and rust-free
  • Plastic-free
  • Biodegradable (bamboo) and recyclable (blade)
  • Plastic-free packaging
  • 10 free blades
  • Relatively Cheap

Cons

  • You might need some time to get used to.  
  • Compared to the plastic razors, this one does not have a flexible head. 

Say no to disposables and say yes to reusables.

Buy Now!

2. Bambaw's Eco-friendly Unisex Double Edge Safety Razor

Sustainable-razors-by-bambaw

Next on my list is yet another bamboo razor by the brand – Bambaw. Bambaw is one of the trusted brands from Europe, a seller of products that are harmless to earth, such as this razor.

Bambaw’s unisex razor aims to re-introduce you to that traditional plastic-free shaving. A shaving experience undermined by the disposables of today.

What to Expect?

  • All-natural lightweight bamboo handle with a handy grip.
  • A stainless steel metal head appropriate for a double edge blade.
  • Provides a pain-free, smooth, and safe shaving experience like the disposable ones. In fact, much better.
  • Inclusive of an in-depth user manual.

Here, too, you can replace the blade once it becomes blunt. Remember, discard the blades with the safety of others in mind. 

Coming back to the point, if you want to make your shaving experience irritation, hassle, and plastic-free, then this is it. This sustainable razor is confident to become your lifetime grooming bestie! 

And did I mention the plastic-free packaging?! 

Pros

  • Durable
  • Eco-friendly
  • plastic-free
  • biodegradable (bamboo), recyclable (blade)
  • Skin-safe
  • Plastic-free packaging

Cons

  • Quite expensive 
  • Provides only a single Astra blade.
  • You might need some time to get used to.  
  • Compared to the plastic razors, this one does not have a flexible head. 

Be part of a bigger movement by reducing your plastic consumption.

Buy Now!

3. Bambaw's Metal Safety Razors

Sustainable-razor-by-Bambaw

Bambaw also has a metal razors collection. Metal being the raw material, it is possible to recycle them. 

What to Expect?

  • These unisex  metal safety razors are available in 3 colors. Currently in India, you can find only 2 colors – Black and Rose Gold.
  • Has a contemporary design that might interest you.
  • Equipped with the double edge settings, firm grip to handle, and a no-stress experience.
  • Smooth shaving feels. Perfectly safe to skin. 
  • Inclusive of an in-depth user manual.

Pros

  • Durable/ reusable design
  • Eco-friendly
  • Plastic-free razor
  • Recyclable 
  • Plastic-free  packaging

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  •  Provides only a single Astra blade
  • You might need some time to get used to. 
  •  Compared to the plastic razors, this one does not have a flexible head. 

Liked what you saw and read?  Then,

Buy Now!

Also read: 10 Best Sustainable Fashion Brands in India.

4. Unisex Butterfly Open Safety Razors by Zomchi

Sustainable-razors-by-Zomchi
Looking for a much stylish touch? Then check out this interestingly designed sustainable razor by Zomchi.

What to Expect?

  • A complete metal based handle and head.
  • Hassle-free to use, easy-grip, easy fit for double-edged blades. Blades are of course replaceable.

Twist the bottom of the handle and the metal head opens up (like the wings of a butterfly). Place the blade on the blade holder and twist it back to close the wings. Dramatic enough? Repeat the exact steps while replacing the blade.

  • Smooth experience ✔️
  • Pain-free ✔️
  • Skin-safe ✔️

With the customer first policy, every razor accompanies a set of 5 blades and a mini cleaning brush. A complete package!

PS, the mini brush might contradict the ‘plastic-free’ goal.

Pros

  • Durable/ reusable design
  • Eco-friendly
  • Plastic-free razor
  • Recyclable 
  • 5 extra blades

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  •  The cleaning brush might contain plastic. 
  • You might need some time to get used to.  
  • Compared to the plastic razors, this one does not have a flexible head. 
Zomchi promises to give you an ultimate shaving experience while helping you be a responsible earthling.
Buy Now!

5. Almitra Sustainables' Reusable Double Edge Safety Razor

Sustainable-razors-by-almitra-sustainables

A believer in co-existence, this brand is championing sustainability like a charm. And this Bamboo razor is one of the testimonies to their promise.  

What to Expect?

  • This double edge safety razor is designed to give a comfortable shaving experience.
  • It is an ergonomic product providing an easy-grip bamboo handle.
  • Has a stainless steel metal-head making it convenient to recycle.
  • Gender-neutral.

Pros

  • Durable/ reusable design
  • Eco-friendly
  • Plastic-free
  • Biodegradable (bamboo) and recyclable (blades and metal head) 
  • Relatively cheap

Cons

  • You might need some time to get used to.  
  • Compared to the plastic razors, this one does not have a flexible head. 
  • No extra blades 

A sustainable razor for you, and a sustainable life for our planet!

Buy Now!

Conclusion

  • All the razors mentioned above are great alternatives to disposable ones.
  • I also cannot ignore the fact that sustainable razors cost more than what we pay for a regular one. But you, too, should not forget that it is an investment for many years to come. Even a lifetime!  This is an investment you’ll fail to regret.
  • You will no longer need to buy a razor every other month, how about that? 
  • This small step of saying no to single-use will make a huge impact on the planet.
  • #sustainabilitymatter.
Temple-waste-recycled-into-natural-dye-by-adiv-pure-nature

Temple Waste Recycled into Natural Dyes

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Fast Fashion Industries need to take notes on Natural Dyes

Indian-temple-devotees-religious-ecopurple
As an Indian, I am very well aware of how important religious ceremonies are to us. Be it any religion, Indians love to celebrate their devotion to god. And following this devotion, there comes the immense offering.
 
When it comes to seeking blessings from a deity, Indians will spare no efforts. From peace offering some cash into the charity box, to feeding the poor, we will do anything for Bhagwan ka Ashirwad! (God’s blessings).
 
However, among all such expressions of thanksgiving, floral offerings remain the authentic ritual. Visiting a Mandir (temple) and not offering flowers?
 

via GIPHY

Thousands of people visit temples every day. The amount of flowers received is huge and so is the waste. This waste is either dumped, discarded into the rivers/seas, or composted (if someone’s wise enough).
 
Temple-waste-recycled-into-natural-dyes-by-Adiv-Pure-Nature

So is there a solution to this? There is. Just stop littering! Devotion should not come at the cost of nature. 

However, India does have various communities that recycle temple waste. Let’s take a look at one such community that is making natural dyes out of the floral waste.

Natural Dyes By Adiv Pure Nature

Located in Andheri, Mumbai, Adiv Pure Nature is a group of thoughtful advocates of nature. The team led by Rupa Trivedi aims to popularize the use of natural dyes in textiles. This is to create a fashion chain that complements the circular economy.

temple-waste-recycled-into-natural-dyes-by-adiv-pure-nature
Understanding the aftereffect of temple waste, Adiv gave birth to the ‘Temple Project’. The team says,
 
“The Temple Project aims to create a dye palette that is 100% based on recycled temple waste. And applying it in a scientific manner to achieve beautiful textiles with excellent fastness properties.”
 
Since 2008, Adiv Pure Nature is collecting floral waste from the famous Shri Siddhi Vinayak Temple of Mumbai. Vinod Mahadeshwar, a diligent worker at the temple collects about 150 kilograms of floral offering every week. The collection is then delivered to Rupa’s workshop at Andheri. The best part is, Siddhi Vinayak Temple is doing this for free. 
 

Did You Know?

Shri Siddhi Vinayak Temple is often visited by more than 30 thousand people each day. The number increases to 1 lakh on Tuesdays (Tuesday is specifically dedicated to Lord Ganesha). Imagine the volume of the offerings!

Natural Dyes - The Procedure

Once the floral waste reaches the workshop, the flowers are first dried. The team works with fresh and powdered flowers as well. 
 
For dyeing, the artisans first note the weight of the fabric. With reference to this weight, they determine the volume of rest of the ingredients.
 
The fabric is then boiled with calculated proportions of water and alum. Once boiled, the artisans sprinkle the petals over the fabric, fold it, and steam it. After this procedure, the fabric is twitched such that the petals fall off, washed, and dried. And just like that, the cloth is hand-dyed!
 
temple-waste-recycled-into-natural-dyes-by-adiv-pure-nature

Adiv creates amazing natural dyes with a variety of ingredients. This include marigolds, roses, coconut husks, hibiscus, onions, pomegranate, tea, etc among others. The craftsmen then tailor the dyed fabric into beautiful scarves and other clothing items. 

What I Find Impressive is..

After making the dyes, Adiv further sends the floral waste for composting. The right disposal of this floral waste is necessary as they often contain pesticides. And if they’re discarded into rivers, the pesticides can pollute the water and further harm the ecosystems. Thus, the team does it’s best to ensure eco-conscious practices. 
 
Another impressive thing is that the artisans at Adiv are all self-taught, and not to forget, their products are handstitched. Moreover, most of the working staff comes from challenging backgrounds. Adiv has given them the opportunity to have a profession. Their skillset is being used for the right reasons. Thanks to their wise leader Rupa!
All in all, Rupa Trivedi’s efforts through Adiv Pure Nature is a way towards a greener and a cleaner future. Textile industries or the “fast fashion” industries need to take some serious notes from Adiv.
 
India also has other organizations who work with similar raw materials. There’s ‘Phool‘, found by Ankit Agarwal and Karan Rastogi, who create Florafoam – an eco-friendly thermocol! Phool also produce incense sticks and cones, vermicompost, and organic Gulaal. All this out India’s temple waste!
 
Smart entrepreneurs such as Rupa, Karan, and Ankit make sustainability sound so effortless. And we Indians while expressing devotion, must show simultaneous care towards nature as well. 
 
Responsible citizenship towards India and our planet must go hand in hand. 
how-to-live-a-sustainable-lifestyle-

How to Live a Sustainable Lifestyle

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What do You Understand by the Word – Sustainability? Or a Sustainable Lifestyle?

For me, these terms define 2 things:

  1. To practice measures that are earth-friendly and
  2. to make use of long-lasting products that have the least environmental impact. 

Today, most of us have become educated enough to understand the human effect on our planet. Our current lifestyle and the source of economy is more linear than circular.

Sustainable-economy-circular-economy-vs-linear-economy-green-economy-ecopurple

To put it in simple words, our actions are harming the environment. We are aware of the problems and also the solutions, but we lack the urge to do something about it.

Having said that, breaking a habit and adopting a new way of life is not easy. You need to commit. You need to understand the importance of why should you do it. If you care for the resources and expect them to sustain, these are enough reasons to take action. The fact that you are reading this article, says a lot in itself.
 

If you wish to contribute to make our world a better place to live in, here’s what you need to do: Adopt an ethically Sustainable Lifestyle.

There are plenty of ways to make green efforts for the betterment of our planet. I want to discuss just them. And to provide you a genuine set of methods, I asked a few of my friends to help me out. I asked them about their sustainable practices, and the following is a compilation of their responses.

You may find some suggestions basic, while some may be extreme. Try to incorporate the ones you can. If you find something repeated, then maybe it is important and worth considering.

Response #1:

Manage your Basic Waste Disposal - Suvin Mayekar

“Adopting a sustainable lifestyle, I guess is a much-needed solution today. The execution is not easy though; we cannot start big. We have to start small from the bottom and work ourselves up. So for the problem at hand, this start should begin with you. And to do so, you need to feel the urge, the importance of it. Then, you may plan out how to make your household earth-friendly.
 
You can start by managing waste. Here’s how you can maintain a sustainable workflow:
 
waste-management-waste-segregation-wet-waste-dry-waste
  • Do not litter (basic!)
  • discard waste the right way by segregating garbage into dry and wet wastes,
  • discard the sanitary waste separately in a paper bag,
  • limit the use of non-biodegradable, use-and-throw products/practices, and
  • promote and educate others.
Following the above simple guidelines, one can achieve a green routine. And, if every citizen is responsible enough, a sustainable lifestyle Take one step at a time.”
 

Response #2:

Say No to Fast Fashion - Sakshi Vichare

“Instead of falling for the brands who produce fast fashion, try to stitch your clothes with the help of a tailor. This can help curb the pollution caused by textile waste – a major contributor to landfills.

say-no-to-Fast-fashion

Fast fashion promotes the use of cheap fabric that does not last long, and thus creates more fabric waste. A lot of freshwaters are also polluted due to textile treatments and dyeing. Moreover, most of the time, the craftsmen work in unethical environments and do not get their due. While these are only a few factors influencing textile waste, there are ways in which we can tackle it.

Start by making small changes. Contribute towards a circular economy, and ultimately to sustainability.

Learn the advantages you get when you choose to stitch your clothes,
 
  •  You select the fabric of your choice – which is of good quality, durable, and will last for years and years to come.
  •  You know the background of your local tailor which will assure you of the ethical workplace.
  •  You can customize your clothes the way you want. The clothes we buy most of the time have some or the other issue in the fitting. Here, you can get the perfect fit.
  •  You get a variety of options in the patterns and designs of your choice. Think about the various possible outcomes you can have!

The fashion industry is the 2nd most polluting field. We can control this waste by opting for stitched clothes and avoiding fast fashion. Your small effort in practicing a sustainable lifestyle will be of great help.”

Response #3:

When I asked my friend, Ruta Pendse, she came up with 5 helpful ways to go green and I could not be more thankful.

"1. Veganism

promote-veganism-plant-based-diets
Animal-based products account for about 60% of Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. So we can prevent climate change by going vegan which in turn also contributes to animal welfare. Thus, try to follow veganism and vegan diets as much as possible.

2. Waste and Composting

  • Manage your in-house biodegradable scraps by creating a mini compost. You can also grow your vegetables or herbs on a small scale in your apartment if possible. Buy local produce as much as you can. By reducing the use of processed and packaged foods, you can have a sustainable lifestyle. And even if you happen to buy them, throw the trash mindfully in recycling/waste bins.
  • Practice waste segregation. Ensure proper disposal of sanitary waste and try switching to biodegradable sanitary napkins or menstrual cups. Regular pads contain plastic which takes around 500-800 years to decompose. Whereas, compostable pads take around 5-6 months. 

3. Prevention

Use Public transport when you can. Try to live a minimalistic lifestyle by buying and using only what is needed. Recycle or donate extras to charity.

4. Clothing Waste

About 70% of clothing waste ends up in the landfill. So buy limited, necessary clothing, and donate what you don’t wear to charity or people who can repurpose it.

5. Try to Upcycle

sustainable-lifestyle-upcycle-old-fabrics

Craft best-out-of-waste. Turn your old garments into aprons, cloth wipes, scrunchies, etc. Or, use the single-use plastic bottles for mini plantations. The famous ‘5 min Crafts’ handle on Instagram will show you amazing hacks.

These are 5 of the many ways to practice sustainability. Start small. You need to commit and not make excuses. Earth is ours to protect.”
 

Response #4:

Practicing sustainability is no doubt a profitable solution. But awareness for the same still lacks while building a foundation. And by foundation, I mean our education. Here’s what my friend, Raj Kodare has to say about it:

Sustainable-lifestyle-environmental-education-evs
“’Explain in brief about Pollution’ to ‘Use of green Technology in Chemical Industry’ in my undergraduate days, the education system made sure to have one environmental subject. This is to make students aware and to educate on how to deal with the problems related. But has it served the purpose? Or do we take the subject for granted, and answer “EVS hai re, woh toh aata hi hai!” (It’s environmental studies! It’s easy). We do, don’t we?
 
This proves that our academic assignments do not drive us to work for nature. And unless one feels the ‘need’ to do so, he/she will most probably not contribute. This may be because our education system has always kept EVS a secondary subject when it deserves to be mainstream education.
 
It’s high time we realize the upcoming crisis and begin to work on an individual level. We should not care about the certificates or tax exemptions from social activities. Let us do our part, not for the sake of it, but because it needs to be done!”

My personal advice:

Lead by Example

My friends have pointed out some great ways in guiding you to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. However, only learning and educating others is not enough. You need to present yourself as an example so that you can inspire your peers the right way and not be a hypocrite.

Show your concerns. Use your resources to promote your beliefs, and join hands in reducing the human impact.
 
Our environment, the natural resources, deserve better. Take a step in making that happen.

Let me know if this helped you. 

Also, comment down below how you practice sustainability. 

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