Those florists aren’t heading into local fields of colourful flowers to source their fresh roses. Cut flowers are often imported from other countries in order to meet the demand for variety, and our search for colour and delight can raise several ethical dilemmas.

Australians spend almost $70 million each year on imported flowers, and the global floriculture industry is worth billions of dollars. Good On You wants to help you make a more ethical (and meaningful) floral decision any time a bouquet is on your shopping list.

The issues

Flowers are imported to Australia from countries like Kenya, Colombia, Ecuador, and Malaysia. In winter especially, up to 90% of the flowers you see in the shops are imported! Globally, the Netherlands joins in as one of the largest cut flowers exporters. Employees in the flower industry in countries like Kenya and Colombia are often exploited, live in poverty, or face inadequate working conditions. Some earn as little as $1 a day for a regular shift, which could be up to 12 hours a day. Many are exposed to dangerous pesticides without protection or compensation.

By buying imported flowers, consumers also contribute to global carbon emissions. Think about the impact on the environment of refrigeration and transport involved in importation. CHOICE identifies another concern: the pesticides used to treat imported flowers in the quarantine process which can be harmful to the environment and your health. There is also the issue of the plastic wrap that most florists use on each individual bouquet, which usually ends up straight in landfill once the flowers are placed in a vase of water!

While there have been some improvements in recent years, like in Kenya where the minimum wage has been raised, the floriculture industry is still a far cry from ethical or sustainable and it is worth looking into alternatives to make sure you’re not contributing to harm with that not-so-fresh bouquet.

How you can source ethical and sustainable flowers

1. Buy locally-grown flowers

Without strict labelling requirements in the flower industry, consumers often have no idea where their flowers are sourced. Buying locally-grown flowers is a sure-fire way to know you’re not buying imported flowers, therefore consciously reducing your carbon footprint. When you’re at the florist, ask where the particular flowers come from, or buy from a local farmers market. Also be sure to ask for the flowers in butcher’s paper rather than plastic.

Try your local fresh produce market, or have a look at Interflora‘s range of native flowers if you’re in Australia.

 2. Buy seasonal flowers

Buying seasonal flowers reduces the resources required to grow flowers out of season, and makes them more environmentally-friendly, too! Some of the varieties available around V-Day in Aus include Asiatic Lilies, Freesias, and Hydrangeas. Check out the Academy of Floral Art for the seasonal availabilities of all flowers in Australia, check this list from Pick Up Flowers if you’re in the US, and this comprehensive guide from Interflora if you’re in Europe or the UK!

 3. Look out for organic and fair trade flowers

Certified fair trade and organic florists are hard to find. There are however a few organic growers who supply to local florists or at markets, so be sure to check with them before buying. This list from Citrus Sleep is helpful for those readers in the US, otherwise this article has a few options from around the globe.

4. Cut your own flowers

If you’re lucky enough to grow your own flowers or know someone that does, why not cut some of your own flowers? This removes the environmental costs associated with imports and transportation, and also ensures that there are no negative social effects of your Valentine’s bouquet. Or go for a wander in a field of wildflowers with a pair of scissors, just like that fairy dream you’ve always had!

5. Buy a plant instead

To avoid the wastage associated with cut flowers, why not buy a native plant? Not only do plants last longer, they are environmentally-friendly as well as beautiful. They could also be a great gift idea for your boyfriend or husband, with plants like cacti and succulents considered by many to be “masculine” options. Just quietly, they’re low maintenance as well if he isn’t such a green thumb.

So there you have it! 5 ways you can ensure your next floral arrangement is as ethical and sustainable as it can be. While the industry, like many other agricultural industries, still has a way to go on the ethics front, thankfully more options are appearing every day as the world wakes up to the benefits of conscious consumerism. Happy gifting!

The post 5 Ways to Source Ethical and Sustainable Flowers appeared first on Good On You.

Whether it’s a week-long extravaganza, or a simple, barefooted, sandy beach affair, you deserve your dream wedding. But how can you keep costs down while still keeping your ethical heart and soul?

Just like learning a couple of steps for your first dance, planning a wedding with the planet in mind might take a bit of work. But it will ensure you have a day that reflects your love for each other and commitment to your values.

1. Up-cycled or Rented Wedding Dresses

Most wedding dresses get worn only once, despite their hefty price tag. Buying a pre-loved dress will lessen the impact of the people who made your dress and the keep environmental costs down. Stillwhite is an amazing website, which offers the largest range of pre-loved bridal gowns worldwide, providing a sustainable solution for brides-to-be searching for that dream dress. The process is simple – those that have already said ‘I do’ can list their dress, and connect with other brides looking to buy! Or browse the variety of gorgeous gowns over on Aus rental site Glam Corner if that’s more up your alley. Have a look at our Ultimate Guide to Ethical Wedding Dresses as well for more inspiration!

2. Wear a Locally-Made Dress

Buying a dress from a local designer means you’ll know exactly where the garment came from. You can avoid dresses made from materials with dubious sources and suspicious labour standards.

For more inspiration, you can have a look at our Ultimate Guide to Ethical Wedding Dresses!

3. Buy Ethical Jewellery

Workers who source the gemstones, metals and craft the jewellery deserve a fair wage and safe working conditions. Buying ethical jewellery helps make this happen, minimising negative impacts on both jewellery production on the local environment and community. Win win!

Jeweller  Zoe Pook crafts her jewellery from Fairtrade gold and ethically-sourced diamonds. Her beautiful range means you can be sure your jewellery desires are both beautiful and fair. Need more ideas, than read the Ultimate Guide to Ethical Jewellery!

4. Buy an Antique or Vintage Ring

Avoid conflict diamonds and the wastage of precious metals and gemstones, while looking timeless and classic. Many jewellery stores offer a selection of pre-loved jewellery. Make sure your ring comes with a valuation.

5. Choose an Ethical Venue

When venue hunting, think about a venue’s attitudes towards sustainability. Many venues engage in minimal or eco-friendly energy consumption and responsible waste management solutions.

6. Hold the Ceremony and Reception in the Same Place

To minimise transport costs and your carbon footprint, consider holding both the ceremony and the reception at the same venue. This also makes it easier for your guests as they don’t have to organise too many transportation methods!

7. Make it Easy for your Guests to Take Public Transport

To encourage others to assist you in reducing the carbon footprint of your wedding, inspire your guests to use public transport – and make it easier for them by considering your location and providing guests with details of common routes. Tell your guests – especially those travelling from other places – how the public transport system works in your city or town and give them info about timetable apps you use.

8. And/or Organise Carshare or Busses

Recommend car share options to your guests, especially those travelling from afar. Or, organise shuttle buses that will group guests in particular areas and transport them to and from the venue.

9. Make Your Invites Eco-Friendly

Wedding invitations set the tone for your special day, giving your guests a little hint of what to look forward to on the day.

Pencil & Pine is an Australian company that matched individual style with environmental concerns. They print their invitations on recycled and natural materials, with soy and vegetable-based inks. They can also print on plantable seed paper, so your guests can grow new plants to celebrate your marriage. Pencil & Pine will even plant a new tree for each wood invitation order. Could it get any better?

10. Get Your Guests to RSVP By Email

Instead of asking your guests to RSVP via mail, which costs paper, time and money, encourage them to send you an email with their names, plus-ones and dietary requirements. This makes it easier for guests to RSVP in our technology-orientated society, and also helps you keep track of who’s coming!

11. Ask Your Guests to Donate Instead of Gift

If you want to help others on your wedding day or don’t need any more homewares, why not ask your guests to donate to your favourite charity instead of buying gifts?

12. Use Recycled/Vintage Furniture

Hire your furniture from a vintage furniture company and give your ceremony a unique style whilst advocating your ethical consciousness.

13. Buy Seasonal Flowers

As well as often being a lot cheaper, seasonal flowers are kinder on the environment and will generally last longer. Our favourites of those in season at the moment are white freesias.

14. Or, Buy Locally-Grown Flowers

To make the flower arrangements more ethical on your big day, why not choose beautiful locally-grown flowers?

We’ve got some solutions to sourcing ethical flowers here.

15. Use Social Media

Avoid your contribution to landfills and resist the trend of providing hundreds of disposable cameras for your guests to capture the day.

Encourage your guest to upload their pictures to Instagram and Facebook using the same hashtag. Build an awesome zero-waste guest album!

16. Use Sustainable, Compostable Dinnerware

Ethically-sourced, compostable dinnerware simultaneously decreases wedding clean-up and reduces your carbon footprint. Biome provides beautiful and sustainable dinnerware to use on your wedding day.

17. Serve a Vegetarian/Vegan Menu

If you’re passionate about animal rights and reducing your carbon footprint, why not go meat-free? Many catering companies can organise a vegetarian/vegan menu.

18. Or Support Local Producers for Catering

If you’d rather serve a range of dishes at your wedding, why not make sure it’s from local producers? This allows you to support local industries and is a chance to increase your and your guests’ awareness as to where your food comes from.

19. Serve Ethical Booze

Support local wine makers and drink ethical alcohol! Choose independent Australian-made brands or buy your supply from small independently-owned bottle shops. A few minutes of research on the vegan booze guide Barnivore will boost your animal-friendly ethical cred and make for some very happy vegan wedding guests. (You will be surprised how many of your favourite brands are vegan!).

20. Make Your Cake Choice Organic

Take your ethical consciousness to the next level by making sure your wedding cake is organic! By ensuring your cake is organic, you are reducing both the amount of chemicals your guests are exposed to an environmental impact.

21. Or Make the Cake Yourself!

If you’re feeling really confident, you can bring out your inner baker by making an organic wedding cake yourself! This ensures you know exactly what goes into the cake, to make sure it is completely ethical and kind to the environment. Check out the awesome blog, Call Me Cupcake for beautiful recipes and cake designs for your special day.

22. Donate Leftover Food

There is always leftover food at a wedding, and unfortunately, caterers will throw it out at the end of the day. To avoid wasting your food, why not donate it to a local charity and help others?

23. Or Encourage Guests to Take Food Home

What better way than to say ‘thank you for coming to our special day’ than to invite guests to take home the leftovers to avoid wastage. This can be done by simply providing takeaway containers at the end of your meal for guests to serve themselves, or by gifting your guests ‘lolly-bags’ filled with leftover food.

24. Give Your Guests Native Seedlings

To reflect your environmental consciousness on your special day, you can give guests native seedlings to take home and plant, instead of the standard wedding bombonieres that are usually thrown away.

25. Or Gift Your Guests the Wedding Flowers

Instead of throwing away all your beautiful wedding flowers at the end of the day, or ending up with a house that looks like a crowded florist, why not gift your flowers to your guests? This is a great way to kerb wastage and your guests will definitely appreciate the gift of custom-designed flowers.

26. Sell Your Dress

Now that your special day is over, what should you do with the dress that will probably live out the rest of its life in your closet? Instead of locking it up, you can sell your dress to make a little extra cash and ensure that it isn’t just thrown away in the future. Websites like StillWhite, allows brides to sell their dresses for other brides to re-use for their special days.

27. Or Upcycle Your Dress

Alternatively, you can upcycle your dress to ensure it reaches its maximum potential! Transform it into an evening gown for fancy occasions, dye and repurpose it into a cocktail dress, cut it up to make commemorative handkerchiefs, donate it to a local theatre, or better yet, donate your dress to a charity.

28. Have an Ethical Honeymoon

All the months of planning are now behind you, and you get to head off to paradise with your new husband or wife! Staying at a beautiful local destination that doesn’t require air travel will gain you extra points in the environmental department, avoiding the huge carbon impact of flying to your destination. Or, if you plan to travel overseas, make sure the country you are travelling to fits with your idea of ethical responsibility, and ensure your money goes straight to the local communities by staying at a locally-owned hotel or house. Find a list of the most ethical destinations here.

29. Or Volunteer on your Honeymoon

Why not start your married life by giving back? Volunteering is an unforgettable experience and directly impacts the communities or environments you decide to help.

30. Encourage Others to Have an Ethical Wedding

The biggest difference you can make by having an ethical wedding is in encouraging your friends and family to do the same! Simply by making any of these practically effortless, thoughtful decisions, you’re showing your loved ones how easy it is to make their own ethical decisions. Spread the word about how you went ethical and you’ll help encourage others to join the movement!

The post 30 Tips For An Ethical Wedding appeared first on Good On You.

1. Buy Quality Pieces

Would you rather buy one $300 jacket to last you multiple seasons or five new $100 ones each season? As well as being better for the planet, people and animals, higher quality pieces will often last longer due to superior materials and construction. Make a note of  wardrobe staples that will (hopefully) last you the distance, and don’t be afraid to spend a little more on them. You’ll value them a lot more, and they will last you longer than items that are trend-focused.

2. Use a Delicates Bag

You may have already cottoned onto this one, but unfortunately, when I first moved out I had to learn this the hard way. Instead of having your delicate underwear or garments rip in the washing machine, invest in a few delicates bags that will help preserve the lifespan of your intimates.

3. Carry a Stain Removal Pen

Those of you who are really organised may like to keep a stain removal pen in your handbag. This will allow you to tend to stains as they happen so that those red wine or grass stains are less likely to ruin your favourite garment.

4. Wash Less

Now don’t screw up your nose! We’re not talking about walking around in public with a swarm of flies hovering close by! Think about what your garment goes through every time you wash it; tumbling in a washing machine with loads of other pieces. Not only is it likely to be drained of its colour and have elastic stretch, it may end up in a hot dryer only to shrink, fade and sometimes fall apart altogether. Unless something is visibly dirty or on the nose, take the challenge to wear your garments at least three times before they hit the laundry.

5. Don’t Dry Clean Often

This tip is particularly relevant for men who may be tempted to dry-clean their suits and personal pieces more than necessary. Other than the huge expense of dry-cleaning, the process involves the use of harsh chemicals that not only harm the fabric but the environment too! This causes expensive pieces, such as suits to wear out and fade a lot faster than they should. Alternatively, hang the item in the bathroom whilst you shower. This allows the steam to refresh your outfit without the help of any chemicals.

6. Get it right in the washing machine

Putting a wash on when you don’t have a full load obviously wastes water, but at the same time, cramming your whole wardrobe in and overfilling the machine isn’t good for your clothes. Not only do the clothes not wash properly, they will also rub against each other and cause damage and fading. Another tip to prevent fading is to wash on cold.

7. Reduce the Amount of Detergent

Other than being harmful for the environment, a large amount of detergent can actually make your clothes more dull and stiff. Instead, use ½ the prescribed amount of detergent and ½ cup of baking soda, which acts as a detergent booster. This will make your clothes just as clean as regular detergent and will help you lower your home footprint too!

8. Wash Dark Clothing Inside Out

To avoid all your favourite dark garments from fading, wash them inside out to preserve their colour. The same goes for t-shirts – turning them inside out will prevent the print from cracking and/or fading.

9. Use a Clothesline or Drying Rack

If it’s not drizzling outside, the sun does a much better job drying your clothes than your energy-consuming dryer. Other than being a lot kinder on your electricity bill, using a clothesline or drying rack will avoid overheating and potential shrinking of garments in the dryer. This is particularly relevant for intimate apparel and active-wear, with heat known for breaking down the elasticity in garments, causing unwanted stretching.

10. Store in a Cool and Dry Environment

Clothes are just like us – they don’t want to be kept in confined spaces and are often vulnerable to over-exposure of light. This means avoiding storing your clothes in places like a moldy basement or your bathroom, where bacteria can grow and ruin them. By giving them a little breathing space in your wardrobe, you will also avoid wrinkling and colour fading from clothes rubbing against each other. Store suits on a hanger in a breathable canvas bag, to ensure less creasing and avoid mould or other nasty stuff.

11. Fold Heavy Sweaters on a Shelf

Now this may seem pretty straightforward, but for those of you don’t already do this (I’m guilty too!), it can make a real difference. If you’re hanging heavy sweaters, the fabric will start to stretch and you’ll be left with a sad, droopy jumper that you won’t want to wear. A little extra tip: store your sweaters with lavender, bay leaves or scraps of cedar wood in Summer to prevent finding a few unwanted moth holes by the time Winter hits!

12. Buy Better Hangers

Most plastic and wire hangers will stretch out the shoulders of your garments and leave you with saggy clothing. Despite being a little more expensive, wooden hangers will last longer and take better care of your garments.

13. Know Your Iron

For those of you who stay well away from your iron (*cough*), you may be doing your clothes a favour! Many people don’t set their irons at the right temperature for specific garments. This can result in shrinkage and – if you’re like me – burning straight through your favourite lace dress. A good rule of thumb is that you’ll get most light creases out by setting the iron a setting or two below what’s recommended.

And if you think you can ditch the iron completely, try to give your clothes a good shake before you hang them out. If you then give them plenty of space on the line you’ll avoid heavy creasing in the first place.

14. Use a Dye Bath

Most garments fade over time and lose their colour (especially if you’re a serial washer). If you’re not quite ready to let go of your favourite black jeans or white t-shirt, why not give them a dye bath to rejuvenate their colour? All you have to do is add some coloured dye to a bucket with the directed amount of water and voila – your clothes will look as good as new! Make sure you only use this method on block-coloured garments, and always wash with like colours the first few times so the dye doesn’t run.

15. Learn Basic Mending

How many pieces of clothing have you thrown away after a strap comes loose or a button falls off? Instead of tossing it or taking it to your local dressmaker, learn a few basic mending tips that will save your garment and your money. Luckily I’ve been hoarding free hotel sewing kits!

Have you got any sure-fire ways to making your clothes last longer? Let us know how in the comments below.

The post The Ultimate Guide To Making Your Clothes Last Longer appeared first on Good On You.

We’ve put together this guide using the great resources at The Environmental Working Group on how to avoid toxic ingredients in your beauty essentials.

Coal Tar Derivatives

An ingredient sometimes used in anti-dandruff shampoos, hair dye and dry skin treatments, coal tar has been banned from cosmetics in the European Union and Canada while shampoos in Australia must contain a warning.  Coal tar is thought to cause cancer as well as other health issues like allergies.  Definitely a group of chemicals to kick out of your beauty regime.

Parabens

Parabens are usually used as preservatives in a variety of beauty products. While lab tests have shown the potential for hormone disruption, it’s still not clear if parabens are harmful to humans, and the use of some parabens have restricted in the European Union since 2014.  These ingredients are most commonly found in facial cleansers, body wash, deodorants and shampoo.  If you’re concerned, opt for paraben-free brands such as Dr Hauschka and Aesop.

Phthalates

Phthalates are a group of chemicals that make plastics more bendable and less breakable.  You can find them added to cosmetics like nail polish and hair spray as well as other household products like vinyl floors.  Phthalates rang alarm bells in 2004, when the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention found widespread contamination amongst the general public.  But what are the dangers?  Phthalates have been linked to childhood asthma, and are suspected of being involved in hormone disruption and possibly breast cancer.  While many authorities have moved to restrict their use, for example in childrens’ toys, they may still be present in many other products.  To avoid, look out for the chemical ingredients DEP, DBP and DEHP.

Petrolatum (Mineral Oil)

Love the shine that your hairspray creates, or the extra moisture of your favourite lip balm? You could have petrolatum to thank for it.  Unfortunately, petrolatum can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Exposure to PAHs is associated with cancer and PAHs have been classified as carcinogenic in Europe.  If you’re not satisfied that PAHs have been avoided, look out for alternatives to petrolatum made with nourishing oils such as coconut or jojoba oil.

Triclosan

Triclosan is often found in antibacterial products, deodorants, and toothpastes. According to the Environmental Working Group triclosan has been found to disrupt hormone production. Other research suggests that the chemical also encourages the emergence of ‘super bugs’.  So when it comes to germs — keep up the handwashing, but skip the anti-bacterial soaps.

DEA (diethanolamine)

DEA is a lung and skin irritant, that’s used mainly as a wetting agent in shampoos and other foaming products.   Diethanolamine has been seen to affect the kidneys, liver and blood of animals when used long-term. To avoid DEA, look out for products that are organic and harmful chemical-free such as Weleda.

Formaldehyde

This ingredient is usually used in beauty products to prevent bacteria growth,and can be found in nail polish, body wash, eye shadow and cleansers. The chemical is known to cause skin irritation and may affect the immune system, with links to various cancers. For beautiful nails without the nasties, Butter London  is our choice for formaldehyde-free nail polish.

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is one of the nastier ingredients found in some cosmetic products, used to lighten skin. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) rates this ingredient as having high toxicity and especially unsafe when used in cosmetics. However a multitude of beauty brands are still using this chemical, including Alpha Hydrox and Skin Success.

Do you know of any more great beauty brands that go the extra mile to avoid potentially toxic ingredients? Let us know below in the comments.

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