From the very beginning of Leena & Lu, creating a sustainable, environmentally friendly product that uses fair trade practices was at the core of our brand. We wanted to utilize our connection to Peru, one of the top ten organic cotton producers, to have a clean, visible supply chain.
We realized that the most significant environmental impact would come from the type of material our products are made from, so we decided to utilize only GOTS-Certified Cotton. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.
The standard aims to define worldwide recognized requirements that ensure the organic status of textiles. From harvesting the raw materials through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labeling, they provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.
Every significant change starts with a series of tiny acts, and that the most impactful change begins with you. Each of those environmental acts adds up. In the spirit of honoring our sustainability mission, we want to make environmentalism as accessible as possible by offering our tips for small, easy ways to make your life more sustainable.
1) Recycling
Recycling is one of the most direct ways you can help clean up the planet. Not only does it help curb the pollution inflicted by landfill sites, but it also cuts back on the need for raw materials so that our natural resources can be preserved. Plus, it's pretty easy. Just make sure whatever you're recycling (such as a glass jar) has been cleaned first, and follow these simple guidelines via the EPA.
2) Grab a Reusable Water Bottle
An average of 38 billion water bottles is wasted in the U.S. alone each year. And a word to the wise: Springing for a reusable bottle doesn't just cut down on waste; it also encourages you to stay hydrated. Win-win on all sides. Shop our favorite water bottle here.
3) Use Rags Vs. Paper Towels
If every household in the U.S. used just one less 70-sheet roll of paper towels, that would save 544,000 trees each year. Worldwide the pulp and paper industry is the fifth-largest energy consumer, accounting for 4% of all the world's energy use. Long story short - use some old rags to clean up that spill instead of the paper towels.
4) Reusable Grocery Bags
We can't preach this one enough - BYOB(ag) the next time you go shopping. Keep some bags in the trunk of your car or near the entrance of your apartment, so you don't forget.
5) Avoid Passive Electricity
We love environmentally friendly tips that also work as money savers! Try plugging all your appliances into one power strip; you can flick it off when you're not home. Saving you money and wasted energy! Brilliant, right?
Each of these tips are ones we personally use on a day-to-day basis, each little bit counts and every time you forgo that plastic water bottle or unplug the appliance, you make the world a cleaner, greener space.
We'd love to hear your tips and tricks for easy sustainability. Send us an email at hello@leenaandlu.co with your environmentally friendly hacks!