Days 1-7
Veganuary and Dry January are over but we hope you move into February with more positive intentions and goals. Sustainability is something which is totally attainable via small changes through individuals, organizations, and businesses. Sustainability is a word which can unfortunately be slapped onto a mission statement without any true followthrough. This is called, “greenwashing.” Greenwashing can be done through many avenues. A brand could, let's say, use a tree, other nature-derived images on their packaging, or the word “natural” yet have a laundry list of toxic, unnatural, not very eco-friendly ingredients inside. They could make unrealistic promises to be a sustainable brand or be very vague in their wording and not show any clear evidence of changes being made. Consumers like to see that a company is making a real effort toward sustainability. We thought we’d comprise a list of attainable, actionable steps towards a greener earth. One for each day of this short month ahead of us!
Day 1
Try cutting down on meat and dairy products.
Going plant-based saves water, protects rainforests, deforestation, and our oceans. It cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Not to mention it protects the animals we share this planet with.
The facts:
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1,000 gallons of water are used to produce one gallon of milk. Animal agriculture as a whole is responsible for 80-90% of U.S. water consumption.
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Livestock covers 45% of the earth’s total land.
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Cows produce 150 millions gallons of methane per day.(1)
P.S. & Co. is a 100% plant-based shop in Philadelphia. Meaning zero meat or dairy on the menu. We have a wide variety of items from sweets (cakes, cookies, tarts, scones), and savory (nachos, salads, soups, and rice bowls). The plants chosen for our recipes are carefully selected, 100% organic, gluten-free and come from trusted vendors and farmers.
Day 2
Always have a reusable tote on hand.
More and more stores are getting rid of shopping bags to cut down on waste. Always be prepared with reusable totes. You never know where you’re going to find something to purchase!
P.S. & Co. encourages our guests to BYO reusable bags. Starting today, Feb. 1st we are no longer using bags for take-out. Paper bags will be available however for .25 each. Good news is that we sell our super-durable, branded jute bags to help with such rules! They are roomy, flat bottomed, and last!
Day 3
Shop second hand.
Cut down on landfill waste from the fashion industry. This especially includes the “fast” fashion industry. Fast fashion is when large corporations mass produce typically low-cost clothing. The aftermath of such production may include unfair working conditions, low wages, and poor quality clothing. Don’t let that $5 top from H&M or SHEIN attract you in when you may be able to find something similar, or better yet, an even higher quality one at a local or online consignment store. Try Poshmark, Depop, Buffalo Exchange, Rent the Runway, or threadUP. You may even get a score like EUC (excellent used condition) or NWT (new with tags)!
The Facts:
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The fashion industry produces 150 billion garments a year. 87% of which end up in a landfill.
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The average person today purchases 60% more clothing than they did 15 years ago, yet only keep them for half the amount of time!
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62% of clothing is made of synthetic fibers (polyester, embellishments, etc.) which negatively impact the planet.
I personally have items of clothing and shoes circa 2007 that are in great condition and still get worn. Factories were different during this time and the industry continues to cut corners to make a buck.
Day 4
Shop local.
Support small businesses. It cuts down on travel time and carbon emissions. It also allows them to thrive and benefits the community as a whole. This includes grocery stores, retail, and bookshops. More boutiques, less Bezos.
We’ve collaborated with our friends at the Bok building including Franklin and Whitman on projects and events. They create skincare, candles, and more right here in Philly. All while using clean, PETA-certified ingredients, AND are on a social mission helping dogs in need.
Frank + Whit x P.S. & Co. Merchandise
Day 5
Work toward a low-waste kitchen.
A low waste kitchen means little food scraps and packaging will go to waste. This could mean you buy in bulk to cut down on packaging (and save money while doing so)!
Consider looking into glass storage containers or reuse containers from take-out and delivery to store your nuts, seeds, flours, and grains in. Get scrappy! At our shop we use our vegetable scraps to create a delicious organic mineral broth. Keep a bag in the freezer of celery bottoms, onion and mushroom stems, and fresh herbs that may be on their way out to use for a future vegetable broth. Consider turning one meal into another innovation bringing some creativity into the kitchen. That way leftovers won’t go to waste.
Day 6
Recycle or cut down on packaged bathroom products
Sounds like a small task but easily overlooked. Toiletry bottles tend to get tossed in the garbage (check into your local recycling programs to ensure items are getting recycled). Or even better, check out the brands that are making plastic-free soaps, shampoos, and conditioners. There are even toothpaste tablets on the market now to cut down on waste. Check out Goodbuy Supply’s bulk toothpaste tablets, zero-waste shampoo, or bulk shampoo options.
Day 7
Get a Philly water barrel
The Philadelphia Water Department offers rain barrels which collect rainwater and can be used to water your plants, trees, or clean the sidewalk. In order to attain a free barrel, one is required to attend a workshop prior to installation. Learn more here!
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1 The sustainability secret. COWSPIRACY. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2023, from https://www.cowspiracy.com/facts
