If you've been looking for ways to make your financial life cleaner and greener, one simple thing you can do is switch to using green credit cards and debit cards to make your purchases. Credit cards that support the environment are issued by financial institutions that show some type of commitment to fight climate change and protect the environment. What is a green credit card? There are several ways that climate-conscious banks provide eco-friendly credit cards that differ from traditional credit cards. Some banks buy carbon offsets in projects such as tree planting or renewable energy projects to offset the carbon emissions associated with your purchase. Or they may offer cash back through a green rewards charge card when you make eligible purchases from sustainable businesses. Other banks offer green affiliate cards that donate a percentage of your monthly bill to environmental nonprofits. Finally, though less impactful, some banks issue eco-friendly cards made of recycled plastic. (1) At first thought, it may seem inconsequential to lower your carbon footprint simply by using a socially responsible credit card. However, the power of your purchasing method becomes more obvious when you factor in that there are approximately 549,870,000 credit cards in the U.S., with a total credit card debt of $887 billion(2) and 108 million credit cards transactions being made every day(3). All of those purchases add up to making a difference when even a small amount goes toward supporting the environment. How green is your bank? Another factor to consider when greening your financial relationships is to understand where your bank invests its holdings - in climate-conscious companies or in fossil fuel-related corporations. Over the past six years, fully 25% of fossil-fuel financing has been done by four big banks: J.P Morgan Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America. (1) […]

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If you are looking for an impactful way to help fight climate change, one of the easiest and best things you can do is to get involved with an environmental nonprofit that is working on climate change issues. They will be up to speed on the top priorities and will have organized projects where you can quickly jump in and start contributing to the effort in ways large or small. Climate change is the biggest global challenge facing us today. It brings with it the threat of displacement due to rising seas, the collapse of ecosystems (which threaten species extinction as well as our food and water supplies), and severe weather like the increasingly frequent wildfires and floods that have resulted in people losing their homes and businesses. The cost of all of this - not only economically, but psychologically and emotionally - is enormous. If there is good news here, it is that there are a LOT of really good, smart, and caring people (scientists, engineers, policymakers, educators, activists and others) who are pouring their energy into sounding the alarm and coming up with solutions that can make a difference, before it is too late. The urgency of the climate crisis has many regular people looking for a way to get involved as well, beyond recycling and doing what they can at home. Volunteering is a great way to gain in-depth knowledge about environmental challenges and what actions actually have an impact. It is also a great way to build your skills and make new friends who share your passion for the environment. Some nonprofits provide in-depth training to help everyday people become climate leaders in their communities. If you don't have time for volunteering, but still want to contribute, find a nonprofit that is taking an approach you […]

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From recycled fabrics to ethical labor practices, many brands are embracing sustainable practices to make clothing to fit any style, for any occasion. But with so many sustainable clothing options out there (and so many sustainable marketing claims), it can be hard to know where to start when you're building an eco-friendly closet. What better place to begin than with the essentials? In this guide, we'll review nine brands that offer sustainable basics, from organic cotton t-shirts and jeans, to underwear and sneakers. By shopping for eco-friendly basics, you can feel good knowing that your clothing essentials are good for people and the planet.  Jump straight to our brand picks, or keep reading to learn about our methodology for picking the most sustainable brands for your basics wardrobe. What Are Sustainable Clothing Essentials? While many of our favorite clothing items may be a flashier "statement piece," it's the clothing basics that make up the bulk of our closets -- and that we wear time and time again. These basics include: T-shirts Jeans Sweatpants and loungewear Pajamas Underwear, socks, and bras Sneakers By investing in solid, sustainable basics, you can begin building your eco-friendly closet from a strong foundation. Investing in sustainable basics has the biggest environmental impact because it makes up the largest percentage of what you wear -- and therefore is the biggest part of your "fashion footprint."  Not only are these basic clothing items timeless (meaning you'll need to buy fewer over the years), but they are available from several brands whose main focus is creating clothing that has a lower environmental impact. Win-win! Before we get into our sustainable brand picks, though, it's important to review what we mean by sustainable. Here are a few factors we took into consideration when picking the best brands for sustainable […]

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Looking for that perfect vegan coat or jacket that’s ethical, sustainable, well-made, warm, and is actually stylish? Good news! They exist! We've scoured the web and after searching high and low, and digging into all of the sustainability details, we came up with some excellent picks. So, whether you're running around town or hiking in the snow, you'll have some excellent options for keeping warm and feeling great, knowing that your outerwear is both animal-friendly, planet-friendly, and looks good on you... Keep reading to learn how we made our selections, or jump straight to our picks. Our Criteria: How We Selected the Best Vegan Jackets We selected our top picks for vegan coats with the strictest of criteria. We went beyond what the brands say on their websites, and dug into their supply chains and manufacturing processes to ensure adherence with the highest standards of sustainability and ethics. Here’s what we looked for: 100% Vegan All coats on this list are made entirely without animal products, and are animal-cruelty free. Sustainable Practices All of these brands rely on sustainable, vegan materials. Many vegan coats are made using synthetic fabrics like polyester, which is made from fossil fuels. While natural materials like organic cotton are ultimately the most sustainable, unfortunately, these materials aren’t particularly warm, and don’t provide the insulation or durability we need in a winter coat. Instead, many of the sustainable jackets featured below are made using more eco-friendly versions of synthetic fabrics. For example, you’ll see a few coats made from Tencel Lyocell, a type of polyester alternative made from wood pulp. Some sustainable coats are also made from Econyl, a type of nylon fabric made from recycled plastic waste. We also feature leathers and faux fur made from plants! Ethical Practices An ethical company not only ensures […]

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The fashion industry is responsible for an astounding 10% of global carbon emissions. According to environmental news and data platform Earth.org, the fashion and clothing industry is using up resources faster than ever and filling up landfills around the world. Sample this: about 100 billion garments are produced each year, and out of these as much as 92 million tons end up in landfills. (1) To counter the problem of waste in fashion, reusing resources and finding value throughout the product life cycle has become crucial. Even though recycling has been a part of the conversation in fashion for a long time, it is only in the last few years that it has extended to include efforts to regenerate ecosystems and support local communities. This is where the circular economy comes in. What is a circular economy? Circular economy is not an entirely new concept. In fact, it is exactly how nature intended things to be -- nothing gets wasted. It is the same principle that needs to be applied to fashion and other industries in order to fight waste, discourage copious consumption and the resulting climate crisis. According to MOTIF, "A circular fashion industry is defined as a regenerative system in which garments are circulated for as long as their maximum value is retained, and then returned safely to the biosphere when they are no longer of use." On a broader level, according to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, which is working towards accelerating the transition to a circular economy, the concept implies a "systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution". The organization says a circular economy rests upon three principles: eliminating waste and pollution, re-circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature. The good news is there are multiple brands, startups, and organizations […]

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If you've been putting off making the switch to a more sustainable lifestyle that's plastic-free and eco-friendly, now is the best time to start! And having a zero-waste kitchen may just give you the motivation to do the same for the rest of your home. You'll love having a sustainable kitchen, so let's dive right in with some products that will help you transform it. Plastic and single-use items often end up in landfills. They pollute the ground and groundwater, harm the environment, and are hazardous to animals and people. We tend to think recycling is the key, but so much of what we recycle also ends up at the dump. Switching to no-plastic, zero-waste, and compostable products is great for the environment and everyone and everything in it. When you do your part to use products that are gentle on the environment, you'll feel good, and it's not even hard to do! Here are some easy ways to get started. Note: Republic of Green researches and reviews green products that we hope you will love! As an Amazon Associate, Republic of Green may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases if you click through to purchase something on Amazon. There is no additional cost to you and it helps us to keep bringing you good content. Thank you for supporting Republic of Green! 1. Reusable Storage & Freezer Bags Why end up with a lot of plastic waste when you can use reusable storage and freezer bags instead? These bags by KITHELP made out of food-grade materials and they're BPA and PVC-free! You won't need to worry about any leaking, and cleaning is a breeze. They're see-through, making it easy to identify what's inside, and they even work well for storing other items, like jewelry and makeup. They'll quickly […]

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Want to wash your luscious locks with a highly rated shampoo that is kind to animals, the planet and you? We are here for you! We have compiled a list of eight vegan, cruelty-free shampoos that are also EWG Verified, meaning they are free from any concerning ingredients. These popular shampoos will keep you and your hair healthy and looking great! We did MANY hours of research to comb through the hundreds of shampoos out there to find ones that meet our criteria and we learned a LOT in the process. For example, we were personally shocked to learn that being vegan does not necessarily mean cruelty-free or natural. A vegan shampoo can still be tested on animals or contain harmful chemicals. Yikes! So it is important to go beyond the green-washing and dig into the details, which we did. If you like, you can click here to jump straight to our shampoo recommendations.  Or, if you would like to learn more about the harmful ingredients that are lurking in your conventional shampoos and their possible health impacts, as well as the criteria we used to pick our recommended vegan, cruelty-free shampoos that are clean and kind, then keep reading! Note: Republic of Green researches and reviews green products that we hope you will love! As an Amazon Associate, Republic of Green may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases if you click through to purchase something on Amazon. There is no additional cost to you and it helps us to keep bringing you good content. Thank you for supporting Republic of Green! Our Methodology for Selecting Recommended Shampoos Here are the four criteria we used in selecting our recommended vegan, cruelty-free, EWG verified shampoos: 1. Shampoos that are Vegan The first criterion was to pick vegan shampoos. A vegan […]

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With the holidays coming up, blenders make incredible gifts. They’re super convenient, and can be used to make a variety of delicious smoothies! Smoothies not only make delicious snacks but also serve as great meal alternatives, with just added protein or oats. Perhaps you’re already thinking about your new year's resolutions for 2023? Well, consider gifting yourself a blender this year. It’s a kitchen tool that will help you kickstart your health goals for the new year. You may be wondering – which blender should I buy? Keep reading this article for more information about all the best blenders for smoothies, whether full-size or personal travel size. Note: Republic of Green researches and reviews green products that we hope you will love! As an Amazon Associate, Republic of Green may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases if you click through to purchase something on Amazon. There is no additional cost to you and it helps us to keep bringing you good content. Prices were current at time of publishing. Thank you for supporting Republic of Green! 1. Ninja Professional Blender 1000 The Ninja Professional Blender 1000 blender stands the test of time and is one of the most popular blenders on the market. The Ninja Professional Blender costs between $70-$120. It is extremely easy to assemble and you know how essential that is if you lead a busy lifestyle! The pitcher itself is large, holding up to 72 oz or 2 liters, and the measurement markings help you add just the right amount of each ingredient. When you open the box, you’ll find a recipe book, however, you can also find many Ninja blender recipes online. A blender newbie? Not to worry, this blender is highly user-friendly; there are 5 main functions: Power, Pulse, Low, Medium, and High, and […]

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You may already be familiar with the benefits of using water filters for cleaner, healthier drinking water. But did you know those same benefits apply to using shower filters? One needs to remember that the skin is the largest organ in your body and when we take a hot, steamy shower, our skin literally soaks up a huge amount of the toxins in the water. And bear in mind that most tap water does contain chemicals and other contaminants. Of serious concern, studies show that there are negative health impacts related to the chemicals in our tap water, ranging from mild irritation to significant health issues, including cancer. Among them, an excess of calcium and magnesium (the most common culprits in tap water) can also have a negative effect on hair strength and skin regeneration. So, if you aren't comfortable drinking water straight out of your tap, you probably don't want your skin to be soaking up all that unfiltered water either. The good news is that good shower filters can remove a significant amount of the contaminants in your water, making your shower not only enjoyable, but safe for you too. Now, there are plenty of shower filters out there to choose from, but as we are about to find out, only a handful can be relied on to completely filter our tap water of everything that might cause us harm in the long run. In this article, we will cover: Common toxins found in tap water and associated health risks Benefits of using a shower filter Types of shower filters and what to look for Our recommendations for best shower filters Note: Republic of Green researches and reviews green products that we hope you will love! As an Amazon Associate, Republic of Green may earn a small commission […]

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While there are many fad diets to choose from these days that may come and go, one healthy diet that has stood the test of time is a plant-based diet. Plant-based diets - whether "mostly plants", vegan, or vegetarian - are held in high regard by many dietitians, nutritionists, and medical practitioners around the world for their ability to support good health, reduce ailments, and even reverse disease. Not to mention, plant-based diets are also better for animals and the environment! For health reasons and helping the planet, many more people are moving toward implementing a diet that is plant-focused. In fact, plant-based food sales are expected to increase five-fold by 2030 according to the Bloomberg Intelligence Report. As a result, there are increasingly more vegan and vegetarian options available - in grocery stores, restaurants, and, thankfully, in meal delivery services! If you'd like to introduce more plant foods to your diet, but aren't sure where to start, or if your schedule gets in the way of grocery shopping, meal planning, and cooking, a meal delivery service with vegetarian and vegan options can be a great way to try out a cleaner, greener diet with support and convenience. However, choosing a good service is a project in itself. That's where we come in. To help you in this endeavor, we have done some careful research to compile a list of the best plant-based meal kit delivery services along with some helpful notes on why people like them so much. Check it out! What to Look For in a Plant-Based Meal Delivery Service Finding the right plant-based meal delivery service to suit your specific needs for nutritious meals involves considering a number of factors. Below are some considerations to keep in mind when comparing services. When looking at the different companies, […]

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While there are many fad diets to choose from these days that may come and go, one healthy diet that has stood the test of time is a plant-based diet. Plant-based diets - whether "mostly plants", vegan, or vegetarian - are held in high regard by many dietitians, nutritionists, and medical practitioners around the world for their ability to support good health, reduce ailments, and even reverse disease. Not to mention, plant-based diets are also better for animals and the environment! For health reasons and helping the planet, many more people are moving toward implementing a diet that is plant-focused. In fact, plant-based food sales are expected to increase five-fold by 2030 according to the Bloomberg Intelligence Report. As a result, there are increasingly more vegan and vegetarian options available - in grocery stores, restaurants, and, thankfully, in meal delivery services! If you'd like to introduce more plant foods to your diet, but aren't sure where to start, or if your schedule gets in the way of grocery shopping, meal planning, and cooking, a meal delivery service with vegetarian and vegan options can be a great way to try out a cleaner, greener diet with support and convenience. However, choosing a good service is a project in itself. That's where we come in. To help you in this endeavor, we have done some careful research to compile a list of the best plant-based meal kit delivery services along with some helpful notes on why people like them so much. Check it out! What to Look For in a Plant-Based Meal Delivery Service Finding the right plant-based meal delivery service to suit your specific needs for nutritious meals involves considering a number of factors. Below are some considerations to keep in mind when comparing services. When looking at the different companies, […]

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You may already be familiar with the benefits of using water filters for cleaner, healthier drinking water. But did you know those same benefits apply to using shower filters? One needs to remember that the skin is the largest organ in your body and when we take a hot, steamy shower, our skin literally soaks up a huge amount of the toxins in the water. And bear in mind that most tap water does contain chemicals and other contaminants. Of serious concern, studies show that there are negative health impacts related to the chemicals in our tap water, ranging from mild irritation to significant health issues, including cancer. Among them, an excess of calcium and magnesium (the most common culprits in tap water) can also have a negative effect on hair strength and skin regeneration. So, if you aren't comfortable drinking water straight out of your tap, you probably don't want your skin to be soaking up all that unfiltered water either. The good news is that good shower filters can remove a significant amount of the contaminants in your water, making your shower not only enjoyable, but safe for you too. Now, there are plenty of shower filters out there to choose from, but as we are about to find out, only a handful can be relied on to completely filter our tap water of everything that might cause us harm in the long run. In this article, we will cover: Common toxins found in tap water and associated health risks Benefits of using a shower filter Types of shower filters and what to look for Our recommendations for best shower filters Note: Republic of Green researches and reviews green products that we hope you will love! As an Amazon Associate, Republic of Green may earn a small commission […]

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So many of us struggle with minor physical ailments or even chronic diseases and spend thousands of dollars every year on supplements and medications to try to feel better. Unfortunately, there is usually no easy "cure-all" pill to solve health issues. The good news is that many of our ailments are caused by a state of chronic inflammation in the body that is caused by a poor diet, and diet is something that we can change. The problem is that the Standard American Diet (SAD) that many of us regularly consume contains unhealthy amounts of sugar, refined carbohydrates, saturated fat, and sodium. Think processed meat, refined grains, snack foods, sodas, fried food. This diet results in higher acidity in the body, which results in inflammation. Chronic inflammation and an acidic body create a fertile ground for disease to take hold. That is scary! On the flip side, it has been shown that an alkaline body state can help keep disease away and even reverse disease. While it may take some effort and changing habits, by moving toward a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet, you can transition your body into an alkaline state rather than an acidic one and begin your journey to vibrant health. In this article, we cover the health benefits of moving to an anti-inflammatory diet, tips on which foods to eat and foods to avoid, and popular diet plans that will help you get started with this important lifestyle change. What is Chronic Inflammation? Inflammation is defined as an immune system response to an injury, bacteria, toxin, or virus. It's your body's way of responding to protect itself, so in a sense, inflammation can be a good thing. Chronic inflammation is very different however. It results in your body being in a constant high state of alert. This can […]

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If you've been putting off making the switch to a more sustainable lifestyle that's plastic-free and eco-friendly, now is the best time to start! And having a zero-waste kitchen may just give you the motivation to do the same for the rest of your home. You'll love having a sustainable kitchen, so let's dive right in with some products that will help you transform it. Plastic and single-use items often end up in landfills. They pollute the ground and groundwater, harm the environment, and are hazardous to animals and people. We tend to think recycling is the key, but so much of what we recycle also ends up at the dump. Switching to no-plastic, zero-waste, and compostable products is great for the environment and everyone and everything in it. When you do your part to use products that are gentle on the environment, you'll feel good, and it's not even hard to do! Here are some easy ways to get started. Note: Republic of Green researches and reviews green products that we hope you will love! As an Amazon Associate, Republic of Green may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases if you click through to purchase something on Amazon. There is no additional cost to you and it helps us to keep bringing you good content. Thank you for supporting Republic of Green! 1. Reusable Storage & Freezer Bags Why end up with a lot of plastic waste when you can use reusable storage and freezer bags instead? These bags by KITHELP made out of food-grade materials and they're BPA and PVC-free! You won't need to worry about any leaking, and cleaning is a breeze. They're see-through, making it easy to identify what's inside, and they even work well for storing other items, like jewelry and makeup. They'll quickly […]

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Want to wash your luscious locks with a highly rated shampoo that is kind to animals, the planet and you? We are here for you! We have compiled a list of eight vegan, cruelty-free shampoos that are also EWG Verified, meaning they are free from any concerning ingredients. These popular shampoos will keep you and your hair healthy and looking great! We did MANY hours of research to comb through the hundreds of shampoos out there to find ones that meet our criteria and we learned a LOT in the process. For example, we were personally shocked to learn that being vegan does not necessarily mean cruelty-free or natural. A vegan shampoo can still be tested on animals or contain harmful chemicals. Yikes! So it is important to go beyond the green-washing and dig into the details, which we did. If you like, you can click here to jump straight to our shampoo recommendations.  Or, if you would like to learn more about the harmful ingredients that are lurking in your conventional shampoos and their possible health impacts, as well as the criteria we used to pick our recommended vegan, cruelty-free shampoos that are clean and kind, then keep reading! Note: Republic of Green researches and reviews green products that we hope you will love! As an Amazon Associate, Republic of Green may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases if you click through to purchase something on Amazon. There is no additional cost to you and it helps us to keep bringing you good content. Thank you for supporting Republic of Green! Our Methodology for Selecting Recommended Shampoos Here are the four criteria we used in selecting our recommended vegan, cruelty-free, EWG verified shampoos: 1. Shampoos that are Vegan The first criterion was to pick vegan shampoos. A vegan […]

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With our busy lives and being constantly on the move, it's important to be able to grab a quick bite as we go about our day. For vegans that requires a little more thought as they don't have the variety of options that omnivores do. And as a vegan, one of the questions I constantly get asked is: How do I get enough protein? Do vegans get enough protein? The truth is that protein needs vary according to age and lifestyle. If you're exercising, you're going to need more protein - approximately 1.1g to 1.5 grams of protein  per weight in kilograms. For our muscles to recover and repair properly, we need amino acids, which we get from protein. Another consideration when it comes to protein is age. As we age, we lose muscle mass, which is known as sarcopenia. Eating enough protein helps with aging muscle, and just like exercise, the amount needed depends on our body weight in kg - so if you're 75kg, at 1 to 1.2g per kilo - you can probably work it out yourself (75g if you don't have a calculator handy). (1) Where do vegans get their protein? The only difference for those on a vegan diet is that they know they have to get their sources of protein from foods other than dairy, meat, or eggs. According to the DGA (dietary requirements for Americans) for males and females between the ages of 19 and 50 is 56 grams of protein for men and 46g for women (2). This leads me to another question I constantly get asked a vegan - just where do you get this protein from? The good news is that there are lots of protein sources available for vegans - it's actually quite easy to replace in a vegan […]

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You have doubtless seen or even tried some of the new nail polishes touting their formulas as 7-free, 10-free, or even 21-free, with #-free referring to the number of toxic chemicals that are excluded from the nail polish. The recent clean beauty trend has shone a light on the harmful chemicals found in nail polishes, which has resulted in consumers demanding cleaner, non-toxic nail polishes. After all, we want our nails to look good, but it's not worth getting slowly poisoned over, right? At least, not if there better options to choose from... With over 100 million active nail polish users in the U.S., nail polish companies are responding to this consumer demand. More and more companies - major brands as well as niche clean beauty brands - are coming out with less toxic "#-free"  formulations.  However, these labels have left the average consumer somewhat confused. What do all of the “free” numbers on the product labels actually refer to?  If 10 chemicals are excluded, how many still remain? What are the health risks of regularly using nail polish? Are there any truly non-toxic nail polishes that exist? In this article, we will do a deep dive into this subject to answer some of these questions. To better understand the lacquerous phenomena of nail polish, and to explore possible paths to nail beauty health and environmental sustainability, let’s start from the beginning. Who Invented Nail Polish? Short answer: The ancient Chinese probably invented nail polish. Long answer: The history of nail polish dates back to the ancient civilizations of Asia and Africa, living more than 5,000 years before us. Evidence suggests that Chinese and Egyptian women used a mixture of egg whites, gelatin, beeswax, Arabic gum, and plant dyes, like henna or mashed flowers, to embellish their nails. In those […]

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If you are a green entrepreneur who is looking to launch or grow your business, one of the first questions you'll have to figure out is how you are going to fund your business growth. Are you going to keep your day job and bootstrap? Are you willing to take on debt through your credit cards or a loan? Is your business a good candidate for crowdfunding? Or, are you hoping to find equity investors to help you scale more quickly? There are multiple financing avenues that green businesses can explore. In this article, we unpack everything you need to know about the multiple funding options you have at your disposal, ranging from simply using your credit card or getting a small business loan, to incubators/accelerators, venture funding, green bonds, federal programs and subsidies, and crowdfunding. Whether you are a solopreneur, startup, mid-sized business, or a multimillion-dollar company, there are green financing options you can tap into. We will cover financing options that may be most appealing or relevant based on the stage of your business, from early stage to established. Let's get started! 1. Use credit cards to finance your eco-friendly business   Let's begin with the easiest method to fund your small eco-friendly business -- your credit card. This is not unique to green businesses, many small business owners who are bootstrapping their companies often depend on credit cards to get through the initial period of scaling their business. The greatest advantage of using your credit card is the convenience; you can make your own financial decisions and start immediately. If you have a good credit rating, you could even find a credit card that offers interest free rates for a limited period. For example, Slate Edge by Chase offers 0% intro annual percentage rate (APR) for 18 […]

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The fashion industry is responsible for an astounding 10% of global carbon emissions. According to environmental news and data platform Earth.org, the fashion and clothing industry is using up resources faster than ever and filling up landfills around the world. Sample this: about 100 billion garments are produced each year, and out of these as much as 92 million tons end up in landfills. (1) To counter the problem of waste in fashion, reusing resources and finding value throughout the product life cycle has become crucial. Even though recycling has been a part of the conversation in fashion for a long time, it is only in the last few years that it has extended to include efforts to regenerate ecosystems and support local communities. This is where the circular economy comes in. What is a circular economy? Circular economy is not an entirely new concept. In fact, it is exactly how nature intended things to be -- nothing gets wasted. It is the same principle that needs to be applied to fashion and other industries in order to fight waste, discourage copious consumption and the resulting climate crisis. According to MOTIF, "A circular fashion industry is defined as a regenerative system in which garments are circulated for as long as their maximum value is retained, and then returned safely to the biosphere when they are no longer of use." On a broader level, according to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, which is working towards accelerating the transition to a circular economy, the concept implies a "systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution". The organization says a circular economy rests upon three principles: eliminating waste and pollution, re-circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature. The good news is there are multiple brands, startups, and organizations […]

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Looking for that perfect vegan coat or jacket that’s ethical, sustainable, well-made, warm, and is actually stylish? Good news! They exist! We've scoured the web and after searching high and low, and digging into all of the sustainability details, we came up with some excellent picks. So, whether you're running around town or hiking in the snow, you'll have some excellent options for keeping warm and feeling great, knowing that your outerwear is both animal-friendly, planet-friendly, and looks good on you... Keep reading to learn how we made our selections, or jump straight to our picks. Our Criteria: How We Selected the Best Vegan Jackets We selected our top picks for vegan coats with the strictest of criteria. We went beyond what the brands say on their websites, and dug into their supply chains and manufacturing processes to ensure adherence with the highest standards of sustainability and ethics. Here’s what we looked for: 100% Vegan All coats on this list are made entirely without animal products, and are animal-cruelty free. Sustainable Practices All of these brands rely on sustainable, vegan materials. Many vegan coats are made using synthetic fabrics like polyester, which is made from fossil fuels. While natural materials like organic cotton are ultimately the most sustainable, unfortunately, these materials aren’t particularly warm, and don’t provide the insulation or durability we need in a winter coat. Instead, many of the sustainable jackets featured below are made using more eco-friendly versions of synthetic fabrics. For example, you’ll see a few coats made from Tencel Lyocell, a type of polyester alternative made from wood pulp. Some sustainable coats are also made from Econyl, a type of nylon fabric made from recycled plastic waste. We also feature leathers and faux fur made from plants! Ethical Practices An ethical company not only ensures […]

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