Get ethical.
Amidst all the panic and uncertainty triggered by the coronavirus outbreak, it can sometimes be difficult to see the bigger picture.
Normal life has halted for a lot of us, but in nature, things continue on – and so does the combined effort involved in treating the planet with respect and doing a little bit here and there to protect it.
No time like the present, right?
So, to mark this year’s Earth Day, here are 7 sustainable Irish brands doing their bit to make our consuming habits more ethical and environmental friendly.
1. reuzi
Last year, minimal waste store reuzi opened its doors for the first time.
Based in Dalkey, Dublin, the shop has been raising awareness of the environmental problems caused by single use materials for months, encouraging people to buy more thoughtfully and sustainably.
Still available to shop online, reuzi’s products range from health and beauty to food storage to reuzi kits to use on the go.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Rc7zpHjMt/
2. Jiminy.ie
In the market for some Irish made toys that are also eco-friendly? Look no further.
Jiminy sells everything from plush toys to eco-paint to colouring kits to sensory toys.
They’ve even got a new homeschool section on their website for parents who may be struggling to entertain their children while they’re at home during lockdown.
Necessary, in fairness.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Kj9_tHvxg/
3. Bambooth
A biodegradable bamboo toothbrush – you know the drill.
Plastic will be unfortunately on the earth with us for thousands of years, but bamboo? Bamboo is the way forward.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-4CnAaH6kJ/
Irish ethical clothing brand All Things Fiona Lily has been killing it as of late with their stunning array of ethically sourced and inherently positive clothes.
The brand uses local printers only and sources end of line pieces or ever so slightly faulty stock runs that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.
Nab yourself a crewneck or a pair of happy socks and get on with your day – maybe with a smile on your face while you’re at it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9r-wFQnFwd/
Miss being thrifty? Eager to get back into charity shops? Desperate for a secondhand haul?
Lockdown may have stopped actual events from happening, but that doesn’t mean that virtual shopping experiences need to suffer too.
Every Saturday, the gals over at Sustainable Fashion Dublin are hosting an online flea market from the safety of their own Instagram account.
Check it out, you’d be a fool not to.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_KuDP7nUo2/
When small business owner Fiona Smiddy decided to make a change to her consuming habits, she didn’t expect to change her entire life.
She did though, and she also opened a zero waste shop while she was at it. Green Outlook Ireland is an online store (and sometimes market stall) selling everything from sustainable sanitary products to ethically sourced oral care.
Every product is plastic free and uses as little packaging as possible.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Rj2B3Hy-Z/
Fancy teaching your kids (or yourself, let’s be honest) a little bit more about wildlife and Irish heritage?
Johnny Mahory’s children’s book series and eco-friendly Irish Wildlife puzzles may just be the purchase you need to inject a little bit of sustainable excitement back into your life this Earth Day.
After all, who among us hasn’t been hopping off puzzles these days? May as well support local while you’re at it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Ro-_1HRIp/
