Ethical Living

​You don’t have to be vegan to live ethically!
With the increase of veganism and people wanting to be more ethical, there are more companies offering cruelty free products, from make up to cleaning products.

As we all know plastic is a big problem and that’s why we love companies such as, The Clean Kilo in Digbeth where you take your own tubs, jars, bottles, and fill them up with what you need. Also, Beauty Kitchen who offer body wash, hair care and a wide range of other beauty products in reusable packaging. If you return your empties to them, they’ll clean them and use them again. Or you could clean it yourself and fill it up with products at the Clean Kilo.
There are all sorts out there such as shampoo bars, menstrual cups and reusable bamboo make up remover pads, that mean less plastic is being purchased. I started sitting up and taking notice of what I was buying and how it was impacting the environment three years ago, and there has been a massive boom of ethical living and waste reduction since then. One of the main things for me was finding companies whose products were not tested on animals. Turns out the majority of these companies are also environmentally friendly, bingo. I began by rethinking cleaning products, then make up, hair care and this began to expand to waste reduction and fashion.
Most companies are pretty transparent but what I did find out is that just because the final product isn’t tested on animals, some of the ingredients may have. This is tricky because most companies will be honest and open, others will work around this loophole. So, when I was unsure, I wouldn’t just buy and convince myself it was 100% cruelty free, I would email the companies and ask. Even items such as paints, either for hobby or home interior and other craft items such as glue.
Now I have companies I buy from regularly that I trust and like their products.
Ecover and Method are two I use regularly.
Ecover are constantly looking at new ways to reduce waste and they have been leaping bunny certified since 2011. We use their floor soap, hand soap, washing detergent and fabric softener.
Method, were one of the first companies I came across who use biodegradable plant-based ingredients. I use their daily kitchen cleaner, bathroom cleaner, washing up liquid, washing detergent, wooden floor cleaner, you name it I’ve used it and probably continue to do so!
Another company offering cruelty free, vegan, environmentally friendly cleaning products is bio. Their products are brilliant and really effective. A lot of these items are now available in local supermarkets; however, they can be found online. A website I use is Ethical Superstore as they have an amazing range of cleaning products as well as food and The Cheeky Panda toilet roll which can be found in plastic free packaging and made from bamboo. There is also Natural Collection whose catalogue I love browsing through.
Both of these sites sell earth conscience clothing as well as cleaning and beauty products, something which a lot of people are becoming more aware of in the age of fast fashion. This is quite a large subject to tackle so maybe I’ll write a separate piece if people want it?
Just to briefly touch on, I buy 99% of my clothes/shoes second hand either from charity shops or online through an app called Vinted! However, there are companies out there trying to tackle to fast fashion and provide us with planet friendly clothing and shoes, even Dr Martens have started releasing vegan shoes!! A company that I have only recently discovered is Thoughts. They work ethically and make clothes to last, supporting slow fashion.
So, if you’d been thinking about gradually switching to ethical and cruelty free it does not have to be daunting. There are plenty of companies out there making this transition easier for you. If there is a company you are unsure of and want further advice please contact us and maybe we are already aware of this company and can advise you straight away. If not, we can contact them for you and find out more. We are all trying to do our best and no one is saying you must buy these products immediately, but it is food for thought as we all try to be a little more environmentally friendly.
Remember sharing is caring so spread the word!
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*Please note we are not sponsored by or endorsed by any of the companies mentioned above, these are just our opinions.