Transitioning to a low-impact lifestyle can be daunting. When you are starting out, there is so much information to get through that you can quickly feel overwhelmed. Today's guest, Candice Batiste, has sought to counter this information overload by creating her website, Eco Hub. The digital platform has a dual purpose; to provide educational materials on all things sustainable and act as a marketplace for low-impact products. Candice does not make these recommendations lightly. With more than 20 years of experience in the environmental activism space, as an environmental journalist, Candice understands the importance of true sustainability at all levels. In this episode, I sit down with Candice for an insightful conversation. After hearing about Eco Hub, we discover her best tips for moving toward low-impact consumption. She cautions us not to fall into the trap of overconsuming when it comes to greening because this is not a problem that we can shop our way out of. We first have to look at what we already have and see what we can repurpose. Candice also touches on some products we can change, such as produce bags, paper towels, and home cleaning products. For Candice, green living is about considering every stage of a product's lifecycle and the resultant impact. Yes, this is not simple, but by becoming more conscious, mindful consumers, we can enact change, however small it may be. Thankfully, there are resources like the Eco Hub that help guide us through mindful decision-making!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Get to know Candice, her background as a journalist and the work that Eco Hub does.
- Why Candice uses the term ‘low-impact living’ rather than ‘zero waste.’
- The urgency of purchasing more mindfully and understanding the impact of our decisions.
- Ethical fashion is not expensive; fast fashion has made us believe that clothes should be cheap.
- Waste of online shopping is overwhelming municipalities with recycling.
- The importance of ‘shopping your home’ before you make any other purchases.
- Some of the first products Candice recommends transitioning out of and suggested replacements.
- Recycling is not the answer; we need to think about systemic change.
- Tips on how to stop using paper towels, which have a huge environmental cost.
- Currently, low-impact products are not accessible to lower-income communities.
- How moving past the stigma of second-hand items can help reduce our impact.
- Why Candice does not recommend making your own laundry detergent.
- Candice’s homemade cleaning product suggestions, made from everyday ingredients.
- Going green is not easy; it requires intention and mindfulness.
- How Candice approaches gift-giving with her low-impact mindset.
- As a consumer, you can take an active role in opening up low-impact conversations with companies.
- Ultimately, the change will come from legislation, so you can be an activist from your home.
- Hear some of what influenced Candice to become an environmental activist.
- Environmental activism is an intersectional cause and should strive for all forms of justice.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Kristina Hunter Flourishing
Kristina Hunter Flourishing Resources
The Eco Hub
Candice Batista on Instagram
Candice Batista on Twitter
Green and Frugal
Kinsfolk
The Better Fa