Last updated: 4th February 2019
It's no news that sustainable living is a 'trend' in the online world. And, although at Boody we tend to focus more on timelessness than what's trending, anything that brings eco living into the forefront of people's minds is okay with us.
Whether you’re just starting your eco-friendly lifestyle or have been plastic-free for years, there’s plenty of inspiration around to keep you motivated and inspired.
Since every choice you make impacts the planet significantly, we’ve put together our ultimate list of sustainable living blogs that will keep your creative juices flowing and eco-heart pumping!
If you’re looking for food, lifestyle, fashion, zero-waste, parenting or well-being — we’ve got you covered.
1. Eco Warrior Princess
Jennifer Nini is the original Eco Warrior Princess. She founded her green lifestyle website way back in 2010, "long before it became "cool" to care about sustainability," she says.
The best part of Jennifer’s sustainable living blog? She has a directory of ethical and sustainable fashion and beauty products. Not to mention debunking the myth that sustainable fashion is bland, too expensive or too hard to find.
As a sustainability influencer, organic farmer, off-grid pioneer, eco-consultant, copywriter and marketing specialist and the voice behind the green lifestyle – she’s a definite source of inspiration to better care for our planet!
2. Green Lifestyle
Green Lifestyle has been Australia’s leading green media title since 2007. You can count on this website for reliable, well-researched and ethical information for any aspect of eco-living.
Whether it’s growing veggies, cooking, home renovation, beauty, fashion, travel, science and a dash of politics – green living covers it all. The website provides a platform for all things green and sustainable via features, videos, blogs, news, events, reviews, competitions to win green goodies, unique offers on eco-services, a weekly e-newsletter, and more.
Think of it as your go-to eco-friendly newspaper. Read up every morning and get the latest updates with your morning cup. One of our favourite sustainable living blogs.
3. Sustainability in Style
Kate Roberts is an Environmental Scientist by day, dog walker and blogger by night.
She believes fashion and style are not the same things, and the efforts of us as individuals does matter.
Fashion is something decided for you by the powers that be. Style on the other hand, is an expression of the individual and something that is unique to each and every person. It’s how you take what’s given to you and make it your own.
Sustainability in Style will help you assess your current wardrobe, evolve your purchasing habits, and get involved to make a change in the way we consume apparel. Use your buying power for the good of the planet.
4. The Rogue Ginger
Melbourne girl Erin Rhoades special brand of magic is showing people how to start a plastic-free and zero-waste lifestyle from the very beginning.
The Rogue Ginger is where Erin shares her plastic free living alternatives to shopping, cooking, makeup, fashion, cleaning and travel while trying to create no rubbish. If you’re looking to enhance your creativity with waste-free living look no further, Erin’s Zero-Waste Wedding post is a perfect example of having no limits.
She is a regular contributor on ABC Radio; shares skills and ideas to hundreds of people at workshops, talks and forums; featured by BBC World, The Project, Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Age, Herald Sun, Marie Claire, Peppermint Magazine and much more.
Begin here with her semi-chronological list of how to's, resources and tips for anyone starting their own journey on “I Want To Reduce My Plastic And Rubbish....But Where Do I Start?”
5. The Broadplace
Led by Jacqui Lewis and Arran Russel, the Broadplace is a school for consciousness, creativity and clarity.
Along with their face-to-face programs based in Sydney, The Broadplace have effective and powerful online programs and books for those wanting to practically explore their inner world independently. Whether you’re just starting out with practising mindfulness or want to use it to lead more effectively in your life and business, the Broadplace has a range of offerings.
Download one of their talks, manuals, online programs, or their weekly ‘journal’ style posts and you’re guaranteed to take something truly meaningful away from it. Their Instagram is also a beautifully curated gallery of wisdom and profound lessons.
6. Ethically Kate
Kate Hall is the brains behind this beautiful blog. Based in New Zealand, Kate lives and breathes sustainable living and ethical fashion. What started out a hobby has gone on to become her mission: to change the future of fast fashion and the way we consume.
Kate and her husband strive to live a zero waste lifestyle, live at thrift stores, and always look to 'up-cycle' rather than throw out. Find out more about Kate's world and how she aims to protect our planet on her blog, Ethically Kate.
7. The Sustainable Home Hub
Adelaide-based blog, The Sustainable Home Hub, is your number one destination for sustainable living, decorating and design. In their own words, here are some of the things they believe in: The beauty in nature, that we need to#dropthemumguilt and love our children more than the latest trends, spending time with each other, blending old with new, doing it yourself, sustainability, health and happiness. We can't argue with that!
8. VegieHead
Adele McConnell created VegieHead after seeing too many bland, faux-meat vegan recipes online. With 12 ebooks, a published cookbook and over 4 million website viewers worldwide, she’s changing the way people see plant-based food.
If you're bored of overcomplicated vegan meals, check out Adele’s Vegie Head Academy, the World's first online plant based cooking and health course. Her blog is full of tips and tricks and while you’re over there, tune into her #gogreen17 podcast.
9. Your Zen Life
Australian actresses Teresa Palmer and Phoebe Tonkin created Your Zen Life in 2011 to celebrate the individual and also highlight the idea of oneness. Connection, inspiration, recharge and alignment are just some of the feel-good insights associated with their blog.
Your Zen Life features regular contributions from experts in a multitude of fields from nutrition to meditation to eco-living, mindfulness and healthy cooking as well as community contributions from readers.
Need a mini pick-me-up from an eco-friendly and lifestyle mentor? Tez Talks is an inspiring series of videos where Theresa unpacks different topics including natural living, mindfulness, meditation, spirituality and happiness.
10. Applewood and Earth
Told through the eyes of a "wanderer who's found a home in the cosy valley of southern Tasmania", Apple and Earth features exciting adventures in food growing, travel, food, nature and low impact living.
With beautiful images shot through the eyes of a young woman living the slow life in a country garden at the bottom of the world, you'll find yourself scrolling and wishing you could do the same!
11. Down to Earth Mother
Jo Hegerty, a writer and mum-of-two living near Brisbane, contributes her work to some of Australia's leading magazines around sustainability, health, parenting, travel and more.
Her blog, Down to Earth Mother, is designed to "inspire, inform and motivate mums to make greener choices". She does this with the belief that mothers like herself are role models, making important choices every day that affect the health and happiness of their families.
12. Green Elephant
New Zealand blog Green Elephant adores all things sustainable, healthy and ethical. It's your new go-to destination for the latest discoveries in sustainable living, healthy and ethical products and generally helpful and interesting information to help you live an eco-friendly life. Expect posts at least once a month packed with lots of insightful thoughts and analysis. Without a doubt one of the sustainable living blogs to watch this year!
13. Hello Charlie
Continuing the theme of sustainable living blogs for parents, Hello Charlie has all your eco baby needs covered. Packed full of handy tips to ensure you're bringing bub up in a way that's good for both their health and the health of the planet, Hello Charlie is a blog to bookmark now if you haven't already.
This blog also has a section for eco-beauty, aptly titled Hello Beauty. Putting focus on natural beauty tips and cosmetics that avoid nasty chemicals, this Hello Beauty is a go-to destination for all your eco-beauty needs.
14. Lost in Silver Fern
Although not completely centred around eco-living, Josie's blog Lost in Silver Fern does have a great sustainability category which is built around her experience of moving from the UK to Wellington, New Zealand.
Lost in Silver Fern has heaps of unique and practical articles based around living a more thoughtful life that is better for the environment. From Tips for Second Hand Shopping Successfully to the Best Sustainable Hair Salon in Wellington, get inspired by Josie's insightful (and pretty) blog.
This blog is to share stories of the city, travel, nature, living abroad advice and all things that come with the reality of living local somewhere else.
15. Sustainable Suburbia
Run by Kirsten, author of Less Toxic Living: How to Reduce Your Everyday Exposure to Toxic Chemicals – an Introduction for Families, Sustainable Suburbia is packed full of tips for those wanting to create a healthier and more sustainable life for themselves and their families.
Kirsten, who is also an Australian mother of three, pens articles on how to reduce the toxins in your home, the toxins you're putting into the environment and the toxins your family are absorbing.
16. Get Green Be Well
Founded by Kimberly Button, a certified WELL AP, green living expert and professional journalist, Get Green Be Well features tips, advice and inspiration on living sustainably.
After she successfully healed herself from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and more, Kimberly was able to do what conventional medicine couldn’t do by focusing on cleaning up her home and living environment.
17. NZ Ecochick
Based in Wellington with her husband and two boys, Madeleine uses NZ Ecochick as a platform to discuss her family and their journey to living a (semi) self-sufficient life on their urban homestead. They live on a quarter acerish section where they grow a lot of their own food.
Being a university-trained nutritionist and yoga teacher, Madeline is in good stead to discuss all things green. Her sustainable blog topics include frugal and slow living, deplastification and reducing our waste.
18. The Green Hub
Granted, it's not a blog. But we couldn't finish this list without a mention of the sustainable fashion and lifestyle publication and digital magazine, The Green Hub. Founder Kira Simpson shares her own personal experiences as she navigates her journey of sustainable living, as well as the experiences, tips and advice from her team of writers and contributors.
The Green Hub shares brands, research, guides and practical tips to help empower us to make lifestyle choices that are kinder to people and the planet. In their own words: "it’s not about being perfect. It’s about doing the best we can, one step at a time."
19. Boody Blog
Last but in no way's least, how could we round off a sustainable living blogs list without mentioning our own blog? Whether you're looking for ways to live better or trying to figure out what baby should wear to bed in summer, our weekly posts have got you covered.
With an ever-growing sustainability community, we're excited to see many more sustainable living blogs popping up in the future. Why not share these blogs or your favourite articles with some of your family and friends and spread a ‘greener you’ lifestyle message? Check out more of our recent eco-living posts.
You may also like
Eco
What is Plastic Free July and why is it important?
Plastic Free July is here again. But what exactly is the global movement and what makes it so important? Well, anyone who tries to live even the slightest bit of a sustainable life, will know the importance of cutting down single-use plastics. So, what better time to cut down or cut out plastic altogether? We take a look at what Plastic Free July is, why it’s important and how you can get involved. Why not get into the habit of reducing single-use plastic waste every day, whether it’s at home, work or your favourite place to go for lunch. By taking part in Plastic Free July, you’ll be doing something that challenges people and yourself, but gets others to take part in slowing down and ultimately ending the process of plastic production. What is Plastic Free July? Plastic Free July is a global movement that allows millions of people across the world to be part of the solution to plastic pollution. From cleaner oceans to streets, Plastic Free July is the perfect opportunity to commit to refusing single-use plastics. Plastic Free July is an important initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organisation working towards a world free from plastic waste. From humble beginnings in 2011, the award-winning Plastic Free July campaign has been born from years of hard work and dedication. Why is Plastic Free July important? We produce an estimated 300 million tonnes of plastic each year. Let that sink in for a few moments. Once it has… process the next part: roughly half of it is disposable! Sadly, only 10-13% of plastic items are actually recycled. And, because of the nature of petroleum-based disposable plastic, it is almost impossible to recycle it and chemicals have to be added in order to do so. These same degrading chemicals make their way into our food and water supply. And this is just some of the terrible impacts plastic has on us. When it comes to the environment, we’ve all seen devastating images of sea creatures tangled in plastic. We’ve also seen what climate change does to the planet, a concept that plastic waste contributes to. How you can get involved Whether you’re an eco newbie on the hunt for a few single-use plastics to avoid or are a more seasoned sustainable warrior, there are many ways you can feel inspired to live a plastic-free life. Here are just a few to get you started. Switch to reusable coffee cups If you haven’t already, it’s time to ditch those disposable cups and opting for reusable versions. Ours is the perfect option for your favourite morning beverage. Refuse pre-packed fruit and vegetables Buying fruits and veggies wrapped in plastic packaging is convenient but bad for the environment. Avoid single-use plastics and refuse pre-packed groceries. Get some reusable straws Sometimes a straw is the perfect accompaniment to a nice, cool drink. But if the straw’s plastic, you’re better off going without. The solution? Carry a reusable straw with you so you can refuse plastic. Replace plastic bags with a tote Choosing to refuse single-use plastics is a bold and effective step to a better planet. Plastic shopping bags should be instantly cut from your life. Always carry a reusable tote with you. Say no to plastic water bottles Single-use plastic water bottles have no place in today’s world. A simple and sustainable solution is carrying a reusable flask with you. Easy. Effortless. Eco. Head to the Plastic Free July website to find out more ways you can help.
Eco
What is World Environment Day and how can you get involved?
From last summer’s devastating bushfires to our increasingly polluted seas, there’s no denying the impact our actions have on the planet. That’s why we all need to take steps to reduce our footprint and live a more sustainable life this World Environment Day and beyond. From choosing bamboo as our hero fabric to giving back to an array of causes, we always keep sustainability at the forefront of our minds. But before we look at everything we’re doing to be greener here at Boody, we thought we’d take a look at what World Environment Day is and how it's being celebrated this year. What is World Environment Day? One of the most important days across the globe for environmental action, World Environment Day engages citizens, businesses, the government and celebrities to turn their attention to pressing environmental issues. Since 1974, World Environment Day has been celebrated annually on the 5th of June. World Environment Day recognises glocal change requires a global community and it offers a platform for positive change. It pushes us to rethink the way we consume, for businesses to develop greener models, for governments to protect wild spaces and so much more. It needs all of our support. World Environment Day is hosted by a different country each year, in which official celebrations occur. This year’s host is Colombia in partnership with Germany. But in a time when so many of us are physically distancing and staying inside, even more people will be celebrating digitally across the world. Sign up to stay in the loop. This year, the theme for World Environment Day is biodiversity – an urgent concern for our planet. Following the devastating bushfires in Australia, the US and Brazil, locusts infestations across East Africa and the current global pandemic we’re facing, the interdependence we as humans have on the webs of life has never been clearer. What is biodiversity? Biodiversity speaks to the variety of life on Earth, including the 8 million plant and animal species that roam our beautiful planet. It also speaks to the ecosystems that house them, and the genetic diversity among them. Biodiversity is an intricate and interdependent web, in which each member plays a significant role, drawing and contributing in ways that may not even be visible to the eye. The bountiful foods we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the weather that makes our planet habitable all come from nature. How you can get involved We all have a role to play in ending biodiversity loss and preserving nature. We must reconsider what and how we consume to be the change we want to see in the world. To do this, there are three ways we can all participate – even if we’re socially-distancing or self-isolating at home. Learn While we’re all spending more time at home, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the Earth’s wild species and habitats. Use the time to reflect on the role that natures plays in our lives and the ways in which we can champion positive change. Share In the run-up to World Environment Day, UNEP opened conversation threads in eight languages across its social media channels. They want you to tell them why it’s time #ForNature. This is the perfect opportunity for all of us to share what we love about our world and spread the word. Act Following World Environment Day and in the run-up to the 5th UN Environment Assembly in 2021 – when the world’s environment ministers will set global priorities – we are all being asked to act on the knowledge we have gained to help end biodiversity loss and the climate crisis. Here are some resources for you to learn about how you can protect nature. Join Earth School and take part in the 30 environmental lessons hosted by TED-Ed and curated by some of the best nature teachers in the world. Learn about how you can help fight climate change through the United Nations’ Act Now campaign. Learn about plastic pollution and how it affects marine species through UNEP’s Clean Seas campaign Find out about the Anatomy of Action, which maps out actions individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint. Sign up to iNaturalist, an online community of naturalists, where you can record your observations of plants and animals and meet other nature lovers. How we do our bit, all year round If we had our way, every day would be World Environment Day. But today it’s official, so what better opportunity to give you an update on what we’re doing to keep our planet Boodyful. 1. Choosing sustainable fabrics By choosing Boody, you’re making a positive impact on the planet. The below stats show the difference we’ve made to the environment since 2016 by manufacturing with organically-grown bamboo over conventional non-organic cotton. 2. Giving back We donate 1% of all online sales to non-profit organisations that work to protect the environment. Last year alone, we raised $125,000 in donations to various environmental not-for-profits through our partnership with 1% for the Planet. 3. Reducing waste By giving excess stock from the fashion industry to people in our community doing it tough, Thread Together has diverted tonnes of new clothing from landfill to date. In 2019, we gave 2,500 items of clothing to those in need via our partnership. Join the conversation on Instagram with #WorldEnvironmentDay #ForNature and #EveryBoody.
Eco
How to create a sustainable home one room at a time
It’s April. Which means it’s nearly Earth Day again. Except, this year we’d hardly notice because we have so much else going on. Social distancing. Self-isolating. Trying to keep our spirits high during a time filled with so much uncertainty. But there are some positives that have come from this unprecedented time. You might have seen the satellite photos displaying how the COVID-19-led lockdowns across the world have lowered global emissions and giving Mother Nature a well-earned rest. What better way to celebrate Earth Day later this month? And, while we spend more time at home than ever before, we find ourselves finding time to focus on things we rarely have time for. Our physical and mental wellbeing. Creative hobbies and outlets. Spending time with loved ones we live with, albeit at a distance. Another thing we might find we have extra time for at home is catching up with some bits around the home we’ve put off. And, seeing as it’s Earth Day later this month, what better time to figure out how to create a sustainable home one room at a time? Sarah Pelham, the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell, offers some of these handy tips which we hope help to take your mind off the never-ending stream of news right now. Over to you, Sarah. Make your home eco-friendly Sustainable living is something that’s becoming more and more important to a lot of us, and we might have already started to make simple lifestyle changes such as walking more rather than using the car, or taking our own reusable shopping bags with us when we head out. And that’s great! But it’s time we all went a little bit further; it’s time we start shifting from a sustainable lifestyle to a sustainable house. Eco homes can massively minimise our impact on the environment. And don’t worry – creating eco-friendly homes isn’t quite as daunting as it sounds! There are lots of ‘basic’ changes you can make instantly, such as swapping out incandescent bulbs for LED lighting or getting a recycling bin, for example. But if you’re keen to delve into the world of eco-homes, even more, there are lots more ways that you can make a difference, making positive changes around your home, one room at a time. Here’s a bit of room-by-room inspiration to get you started: Bathroom National Geographic estimates that 91% of plastic isn’t recycled. This is why to have a truly sustainable bathroom, it’s best to try and avoid products that are made of, or are packaged in, plastic. Here are some great plastic-free bathroom alternatives to get you started. With bathrooms often being warm and steamy from a hot bath or shower, they’re the perfect environment for germs to thrive. Cleaning a bathroom is never a pleasant job, and many of us automatically choose the strongest cleaning solutions to make sure we kill any nasties lying around. Unfortunately, these chemical-filled cleaners get flushed away, filtered, and are back in the water supply… even if some chemicals still remain. Instead, try to use natural cleaning products. You can even make some yourself using white vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. Kitchen One of the best ways to get the ball rolling on an eco kitchen is to invest. Invest in high-quality cookware and durable plates and bowls, rather than always selecting the cheapest options. Why? Because investing in quality means investing in sustainability. High-quality cookware and dishes are more likely to withstand frequent use and washing, and less likely to deteriorate or break from everyday use. Cookware that lasts for years can significantly reduce demand for manufacturing, and all the byproducts of manufacturing such as energy, water, and fuel. If you’re not quite a dab hand in the kitchen, you may want to look away now. Believe it or not, cooking at home is actually one of the best ways to create a sustainable kitchen! Pre-packaged ready meals have probably done more travelling than you and me combined. Each step of the process will usually be handled at a different facility, really clocking up those food miles. Cooking from scratch not only means you can reduce your carbon footprint, but you can also be sure that the ingredients have been sourced sustainably. Don’t forget to use green kitchen appliances, too. Bedroom Could your bedroom do with a lick of paint? If you’re redecorating, try to use eco-friendly paint that’s much better for the environment (and for your own health, too!). Look for ‘low VOC’ or ‘zero VOC’ paints, which have fewer volatile organic compounds that can be released into the air. Low VOC paints typically have less than 50g per litre, while zero VOC paints have less than 5g per litre. It’s always best to check the labels to know for sure, but as a general rule of thumb, flat latex paints that are light in colour usually have lower VOCs than glossy, oil-based paints. If you’ve chosen cotton sheets for your bedroom, good for you. You probably know that cotton is a pretty good choice for a sustainable bedroom. But it’s not the best choice. The problem with cotton is that fertilisers and pesticides are often used in the farming processes, which aren’t great for the planet. If you’re looking to make a quick and simple swap, switch to organic bamboo sheets, which look and feel really similar. Bamboo holds the world record for the fastest-growing plant at a rate of 91cm per day, so there’s always a constant, renewable source. Here’s some more benefits of bamboo. Living Room Think the perfect couch doesn’t exist? Think again. Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene Powell once said that it took the Apple Co-Founder eight years to decide on a couch, but we think it’s much easier to find the right one… especially if you look at sustainable options. A sustainable couch really can be whatever you make it. You could choose second-hand furniture, with absolutely no new resources used, or you could buy new. When buying new, look for couches made using sustainable wood (with FSC or AFS certification), or try to buy from a local manufacturer. Need new furniture for your living room? Here’s a bit of a crazy idea, but it’s one that could help you create a unique space and the sustainable living room of your dreams. Instead of buying new, how about trying to build new furniture from items already in your home? This is also ideal now it’s hard to get out much! For example, you could create a side table by stacking books, or a box shelf from an old desk drawer. Upcycling is a fantastic way to minimise the amount we send to landfill and create one-of-a-kind spaces. And best of all, you’ll be reducing the piles of clutter that you just don’t know what to do with! There’s no rush The thought of what could happen if we all carry on as we are is terrifying, but the truth is that the world isn’t going to implode tomorrow. Don’t try and implement all these changes at once, or you may end up feeling overwhelmed and wanting to give up. And that’s not doing the planet any good! Instead, approach sustainable living from a ‘one room at a time’ perspective. By working in bite-sized, manageable chunks, you’ll soon find that you’ve created an eco-home that really makes a difference. And right now, this could be time well-spent indeed. Sarah Pelham is the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell.com.au, an online platform for instant bookings for hair, nails, beauty & massage appointments. For nearly four years Sarah has worked closely with hundreds of salon owners within the beauty and wellness industries. She has her finger on the pulse of new trends in this growing market.
