The Three Rs of Sustainability

Earth Day 2022 has come and gone, but it’s not too late to make some changes in celebration of Earth Month.  Think of the impact we could make if all of us committed to even one change.  Like taking our own reusable bags to the store when we shop or recycling or buying local. There are many ways for us to make a difference in the health of our planet – and now’s as good a time as any to start - or to kick up our eco-game.  Whichever camp you’re in, it really comes down to the three R’s of sustainability:  reduce, reuse, recycle.

Reduce
I think it’s safe to say that most Americans have much more stuff than we need.  In the land of plenty, it’s easy to get the lines blurred between what we need and what we want.  But when we purchase goods, we become part of a chain of events that is likely to have negative environmental ramifications.  Products that are shipped long distances are a good example.  So is packaging made from eco-unfriendly materials. 

It’s also about attitude and expectations.  The entities that sell us products are geared toward fast production – oftentimes over-production – in order to create and meet demand.  Fashion is particularly egregious in this regard.  The entire system is about excess and, as a result, there are mountains of fabric and items of clothing sitting in overstuffed warehouses located one step from the landfill.

If we're serious about the first R, it comes down to buying less.  The EPA has some good information and useful tips about how each of us can reduce.

Reuse
It has not always been cool to admit that you bought your new teal blouse at a thrift store.  But fast forward to now and everyone is wearing preowned and it's absolutely cool.  Buying second-hand is an excellent way to make an impact.  And don’t forget to donate when you’re ready to move on.

Here’s some good info on the topic - again from the EPA.

Another way to reuse is to keep the products we already have in our homes and out of the trash for longer.  You're practicing this kind of sustainability if you store leftovers in the jar that originally packaged your strawberry jam or mail packages in your used Amazon boxes.  There are so many creative ways to reuse items that have outlived their original purpose.

Home Hacks put together a list of 55 ways to reuse common household items.  It's worth a look for some truly clever ideas.  Click here.

Recycle
Recycling our waste is a good practice although not foolproof.  Unfortunately, not everything we put in our recycle bins is actually recycled.  Plastics, metal, glass, and paper are the most commonly recycled materials, each with varying degrees of success. Read more on this from GreenMatters.  Being responsible about what we recycle is critically important.  Be sure to check with your local recycling companies about what is and is not acceptable to recycle. And the EPA also has some good recycling advice.  Check it out.

Earth Month is drawing to a close, but our planet requires commitment all year long.  So, let's all remember each and every day:  reduce, reuse, recycle.

Activ Intimates is continuing to develop new ways to keep the health of our planet at the forefront of our fashion business.  We no longer purchase new fabrics and we're all about small batch production in local factories.  Additionally, we use minimal waste patterns with a focus on quality construction and timeless designs.  Every facet of our business is engaged in the effort - from using less paper in our marketing and operations to product packaging.