88% of US and UK consumers want brands to help them be more sustainable in their daily lives and many are willing to pay a premium for plastic-free products. But despite consumer demand, plastic is everywhere and downright impossible to avoid. On today's show: 9 places those pesky polymers lurk, plus hacks for avoiding them. Here's a preview: [4:00] Here's what you never knew about tires [8:00] How to shop for tea like a conscious consumer [15:00] Your dish sponge's dirty little secret [17:30] Are e-cigarettes any better than regular cigs from an environmental standpoint? [25:00] The latest research into cloth versus disposable diapers [28:00] Microplastics vs. liquid plastics in makeup Resources mentioned: Customers Hate Plastic Packaging, So Why Do Companies Keep Using It? (via Forbes) Gaia Guy Etee Microplastics: Which Beauty Brands Are Safe To Use? (via The Guardian) Pukka Republic of Tea Numi Tea Wot Not Beat The MicroBead (The Plastic Soup Foundation's free app) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube. * Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Sponsors: * Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Alternatives to conventional burials and cremations that are easier on the planet.

Here's what happens to our purchasing habits when psychology, sociology, and 21st century tech collide.

How to view quitting not as a pejorative but instead as a tool for swapping one destiny for another.

Words of encouragement when you're overwhelmed and disillusioned with minimalism.

How to ensure that every gift you give is actually wanted and used.

Everything you need to know about heavy metals in dark chocolate.

Ah, chocolate. While those decadent brown rectangles enjoy near-universal consumer love, the reality is far less sweet: Chocolate is one of the most unethical and unsustainable foods we eat.  We can continue to enjoy chocolate by purchasing smarter. Today's show is Part 1 in a 2-part series about chocolate, and today - just in time for Valentine's Day! - we unearth the ethical and environmental implications associated with harvesting cacao on the global scale (I've also included 7 tips for being a conscious chocolate consumer, too). Here's a preview: [4:00] Machetes, pesticides, and kids: Child labor and slavery in the cacao industry [11:00] The environmental problems associated with monocultures  [16:00] Some good news: 5 promising updates from the cacao industry [17:30] How to enjoy chocolate by purchasing with intention: 7 ideas Resources mentioned: Episode #187: Palm Oil 101 Well + Good's list of sustainable and ethical chocolate companies Our Sponsors: * Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

70% of American parents are concerned their children spend too much time on screens. Are you one of them? 

Is microalgae an alternative to fish for omega-3s and, if so, can this oft-overlooked photosynthetic organism solve our oceans' overfishing woes?

A Top 10 list of minimalism's best and biggest life lessons.

How to incrementally transition our children to plant-based eating for the long haul.

Stuff breaks. In 2023, stuff breaks often. Few amongst us possess the knowledge to fix the evermore complex gadgets we use every day; worse, professional repairs (if they're even available) often cost more than replacing the item outright. What's a sustainable minimalist to do? On today's episode we discuss all-things conscious consumption as it relates to home appliances, planned obsolescence, and the Right To Repair movement (it'll be fun, I promise!). Here's a preview: [3:00] An electricity primer: where it comes from and why it's important to choose energy-efficient appliances [9:00] Exactly how long our favorite household appliances *should* last (we see you, planned obsolescence) [22:00] Energy Star versus Energy Guide: What's the difference? [29:00] Everything you need to know about the Right To Repair movement  [36:00] Practical ways to maintain your appliances for longevity Resources mentioned: Repair.org How To Use the EnergyGuide Label To Shop for Home Appliances Buy Me Once Consumer Reports ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2023 Find a Repair Cafe near you Episode #095: What's Planned Obsolescence? * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube. * Email Stephanie and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Sponsors: * Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

How to teach our children that money doesn't grow on trees and buying new isn't consequence-free.

A conversation with energy policy advisor Hal Harvey and award-winning NY Times journalist Justin Gillis about exactly what we need to do more of in 2023 to ensure the planet remains inhabitable for our children.

What your clutter is costing you, plus 5 guiding principles for mindful rehoming.Resources mentioned:Episode #105: The Dark Side Of Donating: Where Do Goodwill Donations Actually Go?Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.Thank you to our sponsors! Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your order and a $60 free gift.Dr. Marty's Pets: head to drmartypets.com/sustainable for Dr. Marty's Nature Blend.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Exactly why New Years Resolutions generally don't work; plus: how to make your health-first resolution stick in 2023.

How to establish and maintain boundaries with your loved ones this holiday season.

How to establish and maintain gift boundaries with your loved ones around holidays and birthdays.

Nearly 2 dozen intentional and eco-friendly holiday gift ideas.

Are you getting all you can from your public library?

What to do when you find yourself at the intersection of defeat and reinvention

How to buy an eco-conscious Christmas tree, plus: 5 practical ways to spread holiday cheer with the planet in mind.

How to best serve your internal self by learning to say no to external obligations that don't excite you.

*Exactly how* to impart 3 vital eco-minimalist lessons onto our children.