Earth Day is our yearly reminder to take care of our planet… but we should be making an effort to be sustainable and eco-conscious every day! However, that is easier said than done. Lately, it feels like making the effort to live sustainably is a luxury for only those with a lot of time or money on their hands. What should be the most accessible thing–the Earth–can feel hard to reach through the layers of plastic and waste we encounter every day. On top of that, so many of us feel guilty that we aren’t doing enough, and it makes it hard to celebrate the eco-friendly choices we do choose to incorporate into our lives.
This is the barrier a lot of us encounter when we think about what we can do to live more sustainably. None of us are perfect, but a desire to treat the planet kindly is all you need to start making a difference. You don’t have to be eco-friendly all the time, in every part of your life. Finding ways to give back to the Earth that fit with your values and lifestyle is possible, and feels oh-so rewarding when you start taking action!
Each of us at Graydon Skincare celebrate and give back to the Earth in different ways. We all have unique lives and do our best to fit environmentally beneficial practices into them in a way that matches up with our interests in values. We’ve all come together to share how we celebrate our big, blue, and beautiful planet each day, and hope some of our personal advice and ideas inspires you to see how sustainability can fit into your life.
Graydon Moffat, Founder & CEO
“Having read about how the demand for avocados has wreaked havoc on populations that are suffering from water shortages such as Morocco, I counter my guilt of eating these delicious but overpriced fruits by saving avocado seeds and sprouting them in the eccentric collection of mason jars that I have.
When they're big enough to be planted, I give them away as a gift. They look so cute and pretty with a piece of (previously used) ribbon tied around them. Also, instead of using a gift bag that will go into the trash I love using vintage kitchen towels as my 'wrapping paper'.
In the spring, I also grow veggies in cardboard egg cartons. I've had good luck with potatoes, carrots, and onions. When they're big enough and it's sufficiently warm outside, I put them in a planter and they look really cute together. Perfect for an apartment balcony.”
Pedro Marques, Creative Director
“My way of helping is choosing to live in a walkable community where I don't ever have to drive. I can walk or bike to most of my daily needs.
I also grow a CO2 trapping garden in the sky in my downtown highrise condo.”
Emma Giono, Marketing Manager
“Being kind to the Earth doesn't have to be overwhelming. Small changes in our daily routines can make a big difference.
These are some small things I do to be kinder to our earth.
Try washing clothes on cold water and hang drying them to save energy. Turn off lights in empty rooms and wear a sweater before cranking up the heat. Reduce food waste by pre-planning meals.
When shopping, choose items with minimal packaging and when possible buy secondhand. Even eggshells can find new life as garden fertilizer!
These little choices add up to a greener future for our planet."
Heik Wootton, Operations and Projects Coordinator & Mary Wootton, Social Media Coordinator
“For my sister and me, living sustainably involves everything from how we move through the city to how we manage our energy and source our food. We prioritize walking whenever possible, opting to skip the car or the TTC to keep our carbon footprint low.
We try to be as efficient as possible with how we heat and cool our spaces. In the city,
our condo’s floor-to-ceiling windows trap enough heat that we rarely need the furnace in the winter, and we always open windows to catch a breeze before turning on the AC. We carry that same mindset to the cottage, which was built with a geothermal system to regulate the temperature using the natural energy of the earth.
This commitment extends to our food. Every year, we plant a large garden at the cottage to grow our own vegetables and rely on collected rainwater to keep everything
thriving."
Happy Earth Day!
You might not have even realized it, but we’d bet that you’ve already made lifestyle choices that are good for the planet… and today is the day to get inspired to find even more ways to live sustainably. Maybe you also live in a walkable community, or you love gardening and growing food. Maybe you already cook with family and friends or shop at the farmer’s market when you can. Maybe you’ve got your laundry machine set to cold, or you’ve kept all your kids’ clothes to give away as hand me downs. These are all little ways you’re taking part in a community effort to make use of what you have and live sustainably.
Happy Earth day, every day!
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Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to share our commitment to plant-based ingredients, transparency, and sustainability. We're proud to harness biotechnology to create effective products that have a positive impact on the environment.
Phytogreen is our way of symbolizing our ongoing dedication to using, sharing, and celebrating the best in eco-friendly, plant-powered technology. Look for this sign when shopping on our site!