the unwash: guide

When thinking about sustainability for the holidays our thoughts often stop at the gifts. Choosing sustainable gift options is only part of the equation. Regardless if you commit to the most zero-waste, most sustainable presents around doesn’t mean that everyone else around you will. The holidays aren’t always green in the way we want, no matter how hard we commit to it ourselves individually. So, how else can we lean into environmental responsibility during a time fueled by consumption? Let’s explore how to do so when entertaining, wrapping presents, and what to do with all of the inevitable waste.

Sustainable Entertaining 

When entertaining for the holiday season it can be easy to reach for single-use dishes and flatware. Sticking with items that you already have whether they be saved for special occasions or everyday pieces is a simple way to reduce waste. Cooking from scratch or doing a potluck can help reduce waste from catered events but you can’t always get around it. Plastic containers food comes in can be great to keep on hand for future events, especially to send people home with leftovers in. If you’re the host there is no hurt in asking for your guests to lean into the sustainable theme. If they’re going to bring a dish or a host gift stay away from anything single-use or gifts that will be collecting dust never to be used. Your house, your rules! And, we really don’t think anyone would make too much of a fuss about having an eco-loving holiday.

DIY Decorations 

We’re glad the dried orange garland is a continued theme this year because this is a sustainable swap that is probably unbeknownst to most. Wanting to get crafty? Felt and paper decorations like garlands are a super cute DIY that takes minimal effort but still creates a cozy holiday atmosphere. A DIY vibe is all over everyone’s feeds right now so you won’t be short of inspiration. We definitely appreciate the way these trends are ultimately more sustainable than going to Target or Amazon.

the unwash: trending

The holidays are just around the corner and gift guides are rampant. We’re switching it up this year with a guide to shopping small, micro businesses this holiday season. Now more than ever it’s important to put our dollars back into our community and there’s no better time than giving season. We’ve sourced some amazing small businesses from across the globe that value sustainability, giving back, and creating opportunities in their communities. Our gift guides are fueled by authenticity rather than being driven by clicks for a major brand. This list has some practical items, sustainable gems, and some little luxuries. If you have an expert gift giver in your life or a person who seemingly has everything, then this may be where you find their present. 

Beauty and Personal Care 

Unplain may be your newest obsession. Their gorgeous packaging and results-driven skincare formulation won us over. A luxury experience is engrained in Unplain’s ethos, their artful packaging could be a gift on its own. Of course, this new brand is sustainable, using recyclable materials and cruelty-free ingredients. Their products will be a favorite for the beauty lover in your life. 

The minimalist in your life would appreciate Natural Kind’s multi-purpose oil. Whether you need to hydrate your body, hair, or face it has you covered. This all-in-one product is great for someone who doesn’t want a 28-step skincare routine but wants something simple yet effective. Natural Kind is a small business based in North Carolina that values community impact and sustainable practices.

the unwash: impact

A TikTok came across our feed that was about reminiscing on what Black Friday used to feel like, specifically in the early 2000’s over a slide show of people fighting over items at Target and Walmart. The user said “Sure, it was a consumerist hellscape and was bound to end at some point. But for a brief shining moment in American history, we experienced the torment and thrill of the soul of what Black Friday truly is”. Before the intersection of shopping and social media, people planned for the occasion for weeks, hiding the items they wanted in the store days before, and waking up before the sunrise to stand outside in the freezing cold just for a chance to get a good sale. This really encapsulates what the early 2000’s were like. Consumerism was loud, shameless, and in your face. Now it seems more stealth and intertwined with our scrolling. Ads are littered up and down our feeds that we don’t even notice but are subconsciously making a list of all the things we want based on what the algorithm has served us.

Tik Tok started going big on Black Friday with the launch of their shop feature last year right before the holiday season. While mindlessly scrolling, every other video is about whatever discount is being offered in the Tik Tok shop. Rather than waiting in line at 3 AM at a big box retailer, this day is now seamlessly intertwined in our social media scroll. You know on certain holidays brands will let you unsubscribe to emails, can we get that option for Black Friday? Is there any way to partake in Black Friday as a conscious consumer? All of the brands featured on The Unwash share similar messaging of buying less. Does this ode to consumer less go out the window if a small, sustainable business joins in on a Black Friday sale? There’s mixed feelings as this holiday promotes buying more, not less. Let’s get into it. 

the unwash: impact

Many brands featured on The Unwash embody a vote with your dollar mentality. Every purchase we make or company we support has an impact – one that could be detrimental or one that supports local communities, climate action, minority business owners, and more. It’s up to you how you use your purchasing power. It’s up to us to take political action outside of election cycles. It can be as simple as taking power away from billion-dollar corporations that continue to fuel the climate crisis. Our favorite brands are those who are vocal with their beliefs and aren’t afraid to put their values on full display. To get out the vote for reproductive rights and climate action, we partnered with Saie Beauty, Julie, and August to educate prospective voters on local and national issues that are on the ballot.

After the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Saie Beauty launched the Every Body Campaign in partnership with SisterSong, a women of color reproductive justice collective. The Every Body Campaign is the largest beauty industry-back initiative and highlights a moment where brands of all sizes are coming together to use their platform for change. Founder of Saie Beauty Laney Crowell chooses not to shy away from political hot buttons but rather to stand firm in her and the brand’s values to use their platform for advocacy and education. With reproductive rights in a continuous limbo, emergency contractive brand Julie is pushing to reduce the stigma around reproductive care. Julie is a new healthcare brand, founded by the brains behind Starface and Futurewise, Julie Schott. Julie, an emergency contraceptive, is working to make the morning-after pill accessible for all without judgment. The brand is hoping to ensure equal access to contraception regardless of what state you reside in. The gen-z geared brand, August, took the internet by storm with their mission of destigmatizing periods. The brand’s products are completely biodegradable – a stark change from traditional period products that take years to decompose. Founder, Nadya Okamoto uses her platform to educate on reproductive disparities and reduce the stigma associated.

the unwash: impact

To think four years have passed since the last Presidential election seems unfathomable. Each year we’re hearing that this ‘election is the most consequential’ and given the severity of issues that are continually on the ballot, it’s probably a sentiment we’ll continue to hear. Understanding what’s on the ballot locally and nationally and using this knowledge to voice your vote is only part of the action we can collectively take. Daily we can vote with our dollar by supporting brands that align with our values with hopes that this can create a chain reaction to fracture the power that billion-dollar corporations have on our government. There needs to be larger systemic change to make the large-scale shifts that are needed. By working with our local communities to push for progressive politics, invest in sustainable infrastructure, and support small businesses we can spread our impact outside of election cycles. Part of getting involved on a local level is by showing up at the ballot box to elect candidates who understand what our communities need. Local office holders directly impact what is happening closest to us whether be within the school system, fixing our roads, or implementing recycling programs, and so much more. But, once again it’s time to take this sentiment to the next level by making our voices heard in the General Election. Firstly, let’s dive into what we’ll be seeing on the ballot across different states and across the county.

Climate issues, reproductive access, voting rights, and LGBTQIA+ freedoms are continually debated contenders on the ballot as issues as simple as one’s livelihood have become political hot buttons. To us, these shouldn’t be debatable topics. Access to proper health care, voting in free and fair elections, the ability to love or live your life as you choose, and taking action to preserve the environment are basic equalities that should be ascertained.

An issue that is sometimes overlooked in comparison to hot profile issues is voter suppression and voter rights. As we near election day, some states are already making it more difficult to vote and certify results including in George where the Election Board ruled that all ballots must be hand counted. Numerous states will be voting on issues regarding gerrymandering, citizenship, and rank-choice voting. In an attempt to restrict voting abilities, the Arizona ballot will include a measure that would strip voters of the right to retain or not retain judges. On the other hand, Ohio will be voting on a sweeping gerrymandering measure that would prohibit politicians, lobbyists, and political consultants from being on the redistricting commission. Gerrymandered maps have led to an extremist legislature that has attempted to discriminate against the LGBTQIA+ community and ban access to reproductive healthcare. The passing of this and hopefully similar legislation in other states would begin the process of ensuring equal access to voting and proper representation than ever before. 

Voting allows us to have a direct say in the government’s actions and ultimately how it will impact our communities. Many people don’t want to be political or don’t want to get involved in politics, but this isn’t about politics it’s about investing in our communities. Marginalized people and those outside of major metropolises are the ones that often see the largest impact, including having the government turn their backs on them, having no access to clean water or air, or having limited access to proper healthcare. All of these are issues that people deal with every day especially if you’re far outside of a major city. Many of these issues including those on the ballot are ones that you may think you won’t have to deal with the consequences of. When it comes to voting, think of your neighbor, the people around you, and the people hundreds of miles from you who are represented by the same politicians. Putting Democrat and progressive candidates in office allows us to voice our vote and in turn push for more progressive legislation that focuses on the needs of our citizens. For more information on what’s on your ballot visit Ballotpedia.