Sustainable in the Suburbs | Reduce Waste, Sustainable Habits & Intentional Living
Published by Sarah Robertson-Barnes | Sustainable Living Expert, Low Waste Educator
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Want to waste less, save money, and make your home a little more eco-friendly? Sustainable in the Suburbs is your go-to podcast for practical, judgment-free tips and real-life stories to help you build sustainable habits that actually stick. Hosted by Sarah Robertson-Barnes — a suburban soccer mum, sustainability educator, and founder of the blog Sustainable in the Suburbs — this biweekly show brings doable advice, honest conversations, and actionable ideas to help you waste less, spend smarter, and live more sustainably at home. Because sustainable living doesn’t have to be perfect to matter — and you don’t have to do it all to make a big impact. Start where you are, use what you have, and live a little greener.
55: Use What You Have — A Simple Way to Reduce Waste
Sustainable living is increasingly being marketed as something we need to shop for. We are constantly being shown greener products, better materials, and more sustainable versions of things we already own—but for most of us, the best place to start is by using what is already in our homes more fully. In this episode, I’m talking about why waste begins long before something reaches the landfill and why using what we already own is one of the most practical sustainable habits we can build. Takeaways Eco-friendly products now seem to follow the same trend cycles as everything else. Waste also includes when we buy more than we can realistically use, maintain, store, or even remember we own. Once something is in our home, much of its environmental impact has already happened. The next question is how much value and use we can get from it. It is okay for useful things to look repaired, scratched, mismatched, or even a little ugly. Shopping your own house first can help you find the exact item you need, a workable substitute, something that can be repaired, or something you have simply forgotten about. Using what you have does not mean never buying anything. It gives you better information so you can shop more slowly and deliberately when you genuinely need something. Creating use-first areas, keeping a pause list, repairing things quickly, borrowing rarely used items, and using the good stuff now are all practical ways to reduce waste. Low waste living becomes easier when the things we already own are visible, accessible, cared for, and actually used. One Small Shift Take stock of what is under your bathroom sink. Pull everything out and see what is already open, what needs to be used up, and what you have duplicates of. Then choose one product to finish before you replace it or try something new. Related Podcast Episodes Ep. 12: How to Quit Using Amazon (And Why You Should) Ep. 23: Borrow Before You Buy — Sharing, Renting, and the Circular Economy Ep. 47: Sustainable Bathroom Swaps That Save Money and Reduce Waste Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Litter is one of the most visible forms of waste in our communities. It shows up along roads, in parks, on trails, near schools, and in the places we move through every day. But it is also a clue — about our habits, our infrastructure, our systems, and how we care for where we live. In this episode, I’m joined by Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful , for a conversation about the 2026 National Litter Study , what it reveals about litter in communities across the United States, and why litter prevention is about more than picking up garbage. We talk about why litter matters, how social norms and infrastructure shape behaviour, what has changed since 2020, and how individuals, businesses, local governments, and community organizations all have a role to play in creating cleaner, healthier public spaces. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by big environmental problems, this conversation is a reminder that you can take action in a very practical place: your own neighbourhood. Takeaways Litter is connected to community care, shared responsibility, and how people feel about the places where they live. The 2026 National Litter Study shows real progress, while also making clear that there is still work ahead. Infrastructure, access, education, enforcement, and local programs all shape litter prevention. Social norms play an important role in how people care for shared spaces. Businesses, producers, local governments, and communities all have a role to play in litter prevention. Community cleanups are a great starting point for broader environmental action. One Small Shift Choose one shared space you pass through regularly and notice it differently. Look at what kind of litter shows up, whether there are bins nearby, and whether the space feels cared for. Then choose to help reduce waste by picking up few pieces of litter and look for the nearest bin. Connect With Keep America Beautiful Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Related Podcast Episodes Ep. 18 - Community Communities Through Green Spaces Ep. 42 - Overwhelmed by Climate Change? Start Here Ep. 51 - Sustainable Living in the Suburbs Related Blog Posts 50 Ways to Be More Sustainable How to Start Living More Sustainability How to Do a Trash Audit (With Kids!) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
If you are trying to reduce plastic waste at home, you might be wondering what to do with the plastic you already have. The answer is not to throw it all away and buy a new set of eco-friendly swaps. It is to use what you have, rethink the plastic that moves through your home, and start noticing where single-use plastic shows up in your daily routines. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, Sarah talks about reducing single-use plastic in real life: using the containers, bags, bins, and Tupperware you already own; choosing reusables that actually fit your habits; giving so-called disposable plastic one more job before it hits the garbage; and using your voice to ask for better systems. Plastic itself is not the whole problem. Waste is the problem. Disposability is the problem. And this episode is a practical reset for anyone who wants to reduce plastic waste, keep materials in circulation, and make small shifts that actually fit real life. Takeaways Plastic itself is not the problem. Single-use plastic is often the problem. Reducing plastic waste does not mean throwing away every plastic thing in your house. Use what you already have until it is no longer usable. A reusable product only works if you actually use it. Choose reusable products that fit your real habits, not the ones that look the most sustainable online. Individual habits matter, but they are not the whole story. Ask businesses why plastic packaging is there in the first place, and use your voice as well as your wallet. Systems are made of people, and people can be influenced. One Small Shift Before you throw away a piece of plastic, ask whether it can do one more job. It’s only single-use if you use it once! Resources Plastic Free July 31 Easy Swaps to Reduce Plastic Waste 10 Zero Waste Kitchen Swaps That Save You Money Plastic-Free Pantry: How to Refill in Your Own Containers How to Pack a Zero Waste School Lunch Related Episodes Episode 8: 5 Easy Plastic-Free Kitchen Swaps Episode 47: Eco-Friendly Bathroom Swaps Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Climate action begins at the kitchen table — and a more sustainable kitchen starts with knowing where to focus. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs , Sarah talks with Naomi Hansen , author of Building a Sustainable Kitchen: A Practical Guide to Prioritizing the Planet from the Heart of Your Home , about what actually matters when it comes to food, waste, and climate action at home. Together, they explore why the kitchen is such a powerful place to begin, how food waste connects to bigger climate solutions, and why the most sustainable choice is not always the one that looks the most sustainable from the outside. Takeaways Why the kitchen is a meaningful place to start with climate action How food waste connects to sustainability and climate impact Why some popular sustainable swaps only scratch the surface How to think about trade-offs, like packaging versus wasted food Why individual action still matters, especially when it spreads through families, friends, and communities Connect with Naomi Website Instagram Building a Sustainable Kitchen (book) Resources Drawdown:The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming - Paul Hawken (book) How to Prevent Food Waste With Kids (blog post) 11 Ways to Reuse Food Scraps (blog post) 10 Zero Waste Kitchen Swaps That Save You Money (blog post) Related Episodes Ep. 4 - How to Conduct a Household Waste Audit Ep. 13 - Beeswax Wraps 101 Ep. 45 - How to Spend Less on Groceries by Reducing Food Waste Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Can you be sustainable in the suburbs? Well, yes and no. Suburban life can make sustainable living complicated — especially when communities are built around cars, convenience, private space, and consumption. But the suburbs are also where so many of us live, raise families, volunteer, vote, garden, organize, and build community. So what does climate action actually look like here? This episode looks at sustainable living in the suburbs beyond eco swaps and bigger purchases, and asks what becomes possible when we start thinking about our neighbourhoods, local politics, shared resources, and community resilience. Takeaways Why suburban sustainability is complicated, but very doable How car dependency shapes the landscape and our daily choices Why the suburbs should not be written off in climate conversations How sustainable living goes beyond buying greener products Why free, inexpensive, and investment-level actions all matter How community resilience and local politics shape what comes next One Small Shift Choose one free action that connects your household to your community. Sustainability is something we practise, share, and build where we live — and sometimes that starts with one small step outside our own front door. Related Episodes Ep. 7 - Rethinking Zero Waste and Building Community Care Ep. 12 - How to Quit Using Amazon (and Why You Should) Ep. 24: 5 Sustainable Living Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead) Ep. 36: How to Host a Clothing Swap Ep. 42: Overwhelmed by Climate Change? Start Here. Ep. 45: How To Spend Less on Groceries by Reducing Food Waste Blog Posts 50 Ways to Be More Sustainable How to Drive Less in the Suburbs How to Start Living Sustainably Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Back in 2020, I was a guest on the now inactive podcast Practical(ly) Zero Waste , hosted by Elsbeth Callaghan. At the time, my kids were little, the zero waste movement online was deep in its “trash jar” era, and many of us were trying to figure out what sustainable living looked like outside of perfectly curated Instagram squares. Six years later, a lot has changed. Kids are older, life looks different, and both of us have let go of a lot of the pressure and aesthetics that surrounded zero waste in those early online days. But underneath all of that, the values are still very much the same. In this full-circle conversation for Episode 50 of Sustainable in the Suburbs , Elsbeth and I talk about what sustainable living looks like now: parenting teenagers and young kids, balancing low waste goals with real life, navigating burnout and social media, building community, and why consistency matters a whole lot more than perfection. We also talk about what we’ve kept, what we’ve let go of, and how many of the “small shifts” we started years ago have quietly become lifelong habits. Takeaways Why sustainable living looks very different after years of actually living it The shift from perfection and aesthetics toward values and consistency Raising eco-conscious kids through everyday habits rather than pressure How composting, secondhand shopping, and reusables became family routines The connection between sustainability, community, and raising responsible citizens Why slowing down is often the most sustainable choice How “eco-frugal” living can save money while reducing waste Navigating low waste living with celiac disease and accessibility needs One Small Shift You can always start again. Even if you’ve fallen out of old habits, even if life looks completely different now, small intentional changes still matter. Start with one thing that feels manageable and build from there. Resources Practical(ly) Zero Waste PZW - Ep. 69: Raising Eco Kids Inkwood Print Shop Related Episodes 4: How to Conduct a Household Waste Audit 11: Money, Enoughness, and Community Care with Women’s Personal Finance 12: How to Quit Using Amazon (and Why You Should) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
In this episode, I’m talking about what sustainable living with kids actually looks like in real life. Not the Instagram version — the real version. The conversations, the habits, the overwhelm, the convenience culture, and the small shifts that slowly become part of how your family moves through the world. Takeaways Kids learn consumption habits by watching us Sustainable living with kids is about buying less, not buying “eco” products Convenience culture is deeply connected to overwhelm and mental load Small habits shape how kids think about waste, spending, and consumption Involving kids in the “why” helps sustainability become a mindset Sustainability conversations naturally deepen as kids grow It’s never too late to start having these conversations as a family One Small Shift Have a family conversation about consumption, waste, or sustainability this week. Ask your kids what they notice, what they care about, and what ideas they have. You might be surprised by the answers. Resources 10 Tips for Going Zero With Kids How to Do a Trash Audit With Kids Thrift Shopping for Kids How to Prevent Food Waste With Kids Becoming a Zero Waste Family How to Pack a Zero Waste School Lunch Related Episodes Ep. 16: Sustainable Living with Kids — Save Money and Reduce Waste with Jessica Nakamura Ep. 17: How to Raise Eco-Friendly Kids with Talayna Zacharias Ep. 22: From Refills to Resilience — Simple, Real-Life Sustainable Living with Julie Darrell Ep. 32: Overstimulation, Overconsumption, and the Pressure to Do More with Gillian Gabryluk Ep. 40 – How to Host a Zero Waste Birthday Party for Kids Ep. 46: How to Talk to Kids About Climate Change with Brittany Jefferson Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Sustainability advice is everywhere — and even when you care, even when you’re trying to pay attention, it can be hard to know what actually matters. In this episode, I’m joined by Alexa Pavan of Go Green With Alexa , a climate communicator and copywriter who’s focused on making sustainability more understandable, more approachable, and a lot more connected to real life. We talk about what it looks like to move through all of that information — how to figure out what’s credible, what’s actually helpful, and how to take those bigger ideas and bring them into your day-to-day life. From composting and food waste to media literacy and community action, this conversation is about finding your footing in a space that can feel overwhelming and remembering that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated to matter. Takeaways Sustainability advice can feel overwhelming — slowing down and checking sources helps you build confidence in what you’re seeing and sharing. Food waste is one of the most impactful places to start, both environmentally and financially. Composting is a powerful way to reduce waste, especially when it’s supported at a larger, community level. Sustainable living looks different in every household — it needs to fit your life to stick. Small, everyday choices can extend beyond the home and shape communities and local systems. Civic engagement is part of building greener communities. Creativity and problem-solving are part of sustainable living. One Small Shift Start paying attention to what’s around you. Get curious about the life cycle of an object near you. Building awareness is the first step toward making more intentional choices. Connect With Alexa Website Instagram YouTube Resources Household Waste Audit Workbook (free resource) How to Prevent Food Waste With Kids (blog post) 11 Ways to Reuse Food Scraps (blog post) Related Episodes 24: 5 Sustainable Living Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead) 45: Food Waste Is Costing You — How to Spend Less on Groceries with Chelsey Schmuland 46: How to Understand Climate Change (and Talk About It With Your Kids) with Brittany Jefferson Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Bathroom swaps are one of the most common entry points into sustainable living — but they can also be one of the most overwhelming. There are so many products, so many recommendations, and so much pressure to replace everything all at once. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs , I’m talking about what it actually looks like to approach sustainable bathroom swaps in a way that’s doable, practical, and budget-friendly. The focus is on using what you already have, reducing repeat purchases, and making changes that actually stick in real life. We dig into how much waste is coming from the bathroom, why so many of these items are designed to be used and replaced quickly, and how shifting your approach can naturally reduce both waste and spending over time. I also walk through what has (and hasn’t) worked in my own routine — from bar soap and toothpaste to deodorant and other everyday products — and why simplifying your routine can often be more impactful than swapping everything out. Takeaways Why the bathroom is a major source of household waste Start with what you already have instead of buying new “eco swaps” Which sustainable bathroom swaps tend to work in real life (and which don’t always) Simplify your routine instead of adding more products How small, consistent changes can reduce waste without overhauling everything One Small Shift Take an inventory of what you already have in your bathroom and focus on finishing those products first. From there, you can make more intentional choices about what you actually want to replace (and what you don’t). Resources Eco-Friendly Bathroom Swaps (blog post) Related Episodes 4: How to Do a Household Waste Audit 8: 5 Easy Plastic-Free Kitchen Swaps for Sustainable Living 9: Skincare, Sustainability, and Self-Care with Rebecca Ogilvie 10: How to Refill in Your Own Containers for a Plastic-Free Pantry 22: From Refills to Resilience — Simple, Real-Life Sustainable Living with Julie Darrell 38: Things I Don’t Buy Anymore — Eco-Frugal Shifts That Reduce Waste and Save Money Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
We spend a lot of time talking about climate change — but not nearly enough time understanding it. Most of us were never really taught how to understand it, especially in a way that connects it to history, systems, power, and the everyday decisions we’re making. This week, I’m joined by Brittany Jefferson , an educator and founder of EJ EDU, to talk about climate literacy — what it means, why it matters, and how it shapes the way we think about everything from education to environmental justice. We talk about why climate can’t just live in science class, what’s missing from how it’s typically taught, and how understanding the bigger picture can change the way we approach sustainability. We also bring this into everyday life — from raising kids and navigating climate anxiety to having conversations at home and taking local climate action. Takeaways What climate literacy actually means Why social studies, history, and systems thinking are essential to understanding climate change Environmental justice and who is most affected by the systems we live in The role of education as a climate solution How kids are already engaging with climate — from curiosity to overwhelm Ways to approach climate conversations at home in age-appropriate, grounded ways Navigating the tension between individual action and systemic change One Small Shift Download the Climate Venn Diagram . It’s a simple but powerful way to figure out where your skills, your interests, and the needs of the world overlap — and where you can focus your time and energy. Connect with Brittany Instagram Patreon Teachers Pay Teachers Resources All We Can Save – Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (book) What If We Get It Right? – Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (book) How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change - Harriet Shugarman (book) Earth Matters (educational game) Related Episodes Ep. 5: How to Navigate Climate Emotions with Jen Knoch Ep. 7: Rethinking Zero Waste with April Dickinson Ep. 42: Overwhelmed by Climate Change? The Climate Venn Diagram Can Help Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
You’re not just wasting food — you’re throwing money in the trash. This week I’m joined by returning guest Chelsey Schmuland, and we’re digging into one of the most overlooked ways to save money on groceries: reducing food waste. Chelsey is the maker behind Hive to Home , where she creates handmade beeswax wraps as a reusable alternative to plastic food storage. She’s also a grocery budgeting queen and food rescue enthusiast. We talk about how much food we’re actually wasting (and what that costs), how food rescue apps can dramatically transform your grocery budget, and why proper storage makes a bigger difference than you might think. If you’re trying to spend less, waste less, and make your kitchen work better for you — this episode is packed with strategies you can start using right away. Takeaways Food waste is one of the fastest ways to lose money on groceries — often without realizing it Food rescue is a practical way to cut your grocery bill Proper storage — especially breathable storage — helps food last longer Beeswax wraps are a reusable, plastic-free way to keep food fresh Planning for leftovers and using scraps can stretch your groceries budget Strategies on how to (re)use and store almost everything Composting helps close the loop — but keeping food in use is the goal One Small Shift Before you shop this week, check the reduced section or a food rescue app first — and build one meal around what you find. Connect with Chelsey Website Instagram Resources A Beginner’s Guide to a Sustainable Kitchen (use code PODCAST20) 11 Ways to Reuse Food Scraps How to Prevent Food Waste with Kids How to Use Beeswax Wraps (and Keep Food Fresh Without Plastic) Flashfood (use code is SUST7K8EA for $5 off) Too Good to Go Odd Bunch Souper Cubes Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Spring is when the birds get loud again. You hear them before you see them — in the morning, in the trees, and in the background of your day. If you’ve ever thought about getting into birding, this is a really natural place to start — right outside your door. In this episode, we’re talking about how to start birding in your own backyard, how to identify common birds by sight and sound, what’s happening during nesting season, and how to support birds in ways that genuinely help. There’s a lot of advice out there this time of year — and not all of it is as helpful as it sounds. So we’ll also walk through what to avoid, common bird hazards in suburban spaces, and simple ways to support backyard biodiversity and habitat. Takeaways How to start birding right in your own backyard Why birdsong supports mental well-being How to identify birds by sight and sound (using Merlin Bird ID) What citizen science is — and how to take part A look inside Project NestWatch and nesting season How to join the Great Backyard Bird Count Why common nesting materials (like yarn and dryer lint) can harm birds What birds actually need: habitat, not materials Common bird hazards (windows, cats, habitat loss) Simple ways to support backyard biodiversity One Small Shift Leave your earphones at home for one walk this week and just listen. Learn to identify one bird by sound and tell me who it is! Resources: Safe Nesting Materials for Birds (blog post) Merlin Bird ID Birds Canada - Project NestWatch Birds Canada - SwiftWatch Great Backyard Bird Count Wild Birds Unlimited Feather Friendly Related Episodes: Ep. 18: Connecting Communities Through Green Spaces with Carolyn Scotchmer Ep. 20: Wildlife Conservation, Birding, and Finding Hope in Nature with Matt Howard Ep. 25: Redefining Sustainable Living — From Zero Waste to Real-World Resilience Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
What does sustainable living actually look like in the suburbs — in places designed around cars, convenience, and big box shopping? Laura Newton is the founder of The Kind Matter Company , a Canadian eco-boutique and refill store focused on low waste living, eco friendly products, and non-toxic household essentials. What began as a personal search for safer products after her daughter developed severe allergies has grown into a retail business built around making sustainable living more accessible for everyday families. Kind Matter now has multiple locations across Ontario, including a flagship store in Mississauga’s Heartland Town Centre — a typical suburban shopping plaza where refillable products, Canadian brands, and plastic-free options sit alongside everyday errands. This conversation explores how refill stores and low waste shopping fit into suburban life, what customers are actually looking for, and how eco friendly products become part of real, everyday routines — without requiring a complete lifestyle overhaul. Takeaways Why accessibility is one of the biggest barriers to sustainable living and low waste living What customers are most curious — and hesitant — about when they first encounter refill stores and refill systems Why cleaning products are often the gateway into refilling and eco friendly home swaps How placing refill shops inside suburban shopping plazas changes everyday shopping habits The role Canadian and women-owned brands play in Kind Matter’s product curation The importance of community-focused sustainability and local shopping in suburban areas Connect With Laura The Kind Matter Company Terra Greenhouses Products Mentioned Birch Babe Cheekbone Beauty The Bare Home Notice Hair Co. (see in store) Routine Cream (see in store) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
This episode originally aired in the very first month of Sustainable in the Suburbs. I’m revisiting it now because this idea remains one of the clearest ways to find your place in climate action — and sometimes returning to the foundation is exactly what helps us feel re-energized. Climate change feels HUGE — and it is. The problem is urgent and complex. And when you start looking for solutions, it can seem like there’s an endless list of things you should be doing. All of them are important, and that can feel completely overwhelming. But meaningful climate action doesn’t happen because one person does everything. It happens when many people each find their place — in their homes, their neighbourhoods, and their communities. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple framework I often come back to refocus my efforts: the Climate Action Venn Diagram from Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. We’ll talk about how your skills, your joys, and the needs of the world can come together to help you find your own personal starting point — one that feels meaningful, realistic, and sustainable for the long haul. Takeaways The Climate Venn Diagram helps identify a meaningful starting point for climate action by looking at what brings you joy, what you’re good at, and what the world needs. Sustainable living isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing something that feels right for you. Joy is a powerful motivator in climate work and there are countless ways to contribute your skills. Climate action often happens at the community level — through local advocacy, shared resources, and collective resilience. Building habits that feel good and fit your life helps make climate action sustainable for the long term. One Small Shift Download a copy of Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s Climate Venn Diagram worksheet, grab a pencil, and just see what comes up. You might be surprised by how much clarity this one little exercise can bring. Resources How to Start Living Sustainably: A Simple Framework for Climate Action Climate Action Venn Diagram How to Find Joy in Climate Action (TED Talk) What If We Get It Right? (website) All We Can Save - Ayana Elizabeth Johnson & Katharine K. Wilkinson (book) What If We Get It Right - Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (book) Buy Nothing Project Related Epiosdes Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
What does sustainability look like in a fast-moving industry like film and television? In this episode, Canadian actress Erin Karpluk shares how growing up in Jasper shaped her connection to nature, how the 2024 wildfires impacted her community, and how those experiences inform the way she approaches sustainability — both personally and professionally. We talk about eco-friendly habits, secondhand fashion, sustainable travel, and what waste and sustainability look like behind the scenes on film sets. This is a conversation about environmental awareness, resilience, and the small shifts that can influence culture at work. Takeaways How growing up in Jasper shaped Erin’s connection to nature and community The impact of the 2024 Jasper wildfires on memory and resilience What sustainable living looks like in everyday routines How sustainability in film production is evolving — and where it still needs work Practical eco-friendly travel habits for people who live on the road How small workplace habits can shift culture over time Why connection to people and place fuels environmental awareness Connect With Erin Instagram Facebook IMDb Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
I can’t be the only one who has complicated feelings about goody bags… right? Kids' birthday parties have quietly escalated. The venues. The décor. The goody bags. The expectation that every year has to be a little bigger than the last. But most kids don’t actually need all of that. In this episode, I’m sharing how we’ve kept birthday parties simple, low waste, and still genuinely fun — from smaller guest lists to reusable decorations, bulk food, experience gifts, and activities that don’t end up in the trash. If you’re looking for practical, eco-friendly birthday party ideas that feel realistic for busy families, this episode walks through exactly how we do it. Related Episodes Ep. 16: Sustainable Living with Kids with Jessica Nakamura Ep. 22: Simple, Real-Life Sustainable Living with Julie Darrell Ep. 23: Borrow Before You Buy with LEND-IT.CA Ep. 26: Holiday Food Waste — Simple Ways to Reduce Waste and Save Money Resources How to Have a Zero Waste Birthday Party for Kids (blog post) Should You Give Secondhand Gifts (blog post) Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Kids (blog post) Balloons Blow Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
We talk a lot on this show about the small daily habits inside our homes. But every so often, the choices get bigger. Renovations bring in materials, demolition, budgets, trades, and long-term decisions all at once. They shape how a home functions — and how it holds up — for years. In this episode, I’m joined by Brittany Steptoe Wright, Founder and Principal of BSW Design and COO of Steptoe Carpentry, for a practical and thoughtful conversation about what sustainable design actually looks like inside real projects with real budgets. If you’re planning a renovation — or simply thinking about your home with a longer lens — this conversation offers a steady framework for building and living in a way that lasts. Takeaways What sustainable design actually looks like inside a renovation Where renovation waste comes from — and where it can realistically be diverted Why durability often matters more than trend cycles How antiques and inherited pieces can anchor a renovation How professionals weigh sourcing, longevity, and budget together Why maintenance plays a key role in sustainability One Small Shift Take care of your things — loved things last! Maintain them. Repair them. Clean them properly. Loved things last — and extending the life of what’s already in your home is one of the simplest and most meaningful sustainability decisions you can make. Connect With Brit Website Instagram Podcast Resources Habitat for Humanity Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Sustainable Waste Farrier Home RC Home HanStone Jairpur Living Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Buying less is one of the most powerful forms of climate action we have. In this episode, I’m sharing some of the things I’ve stopped buying over the last ten years of sustainable living. This shift into eco-frugal living happened gradually, beginning with using up what I already had, doing periodic waste audits to see what we were consistently throwing way, and getting very clear on how and where to spend our money. Because truly, the most sustainable thing you can buy is nothing . Takeaways Climate action begins at the kitchen table Many “household essentials” are designed to be constant restock items Marketing — especially in personal care — encourages us to buy more than we need Reusables make the most sense for things you use all the time Saving money and reducing waste naturally go hand in hand Not buying creates mental, physical, and financial space One Small Shift Instead of focusing on what you might stop buying next, try making a short list of things you already don’t buy anymore — and notice what made that possible. Resources Household Waste Audit Workbook (free download) A Beginner’s Guide to a Sustainable Kitchen (use code PODCAST20) How to Quit Using Amazon (blog post and podcast episode) 10 Zero Waste Kitchen Swaps That Save You Money (blog post) How to Pack a Zero Waste School Lunch (blog post) 3 Ways to Have a Zero Waste Period (blog post) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Donation dumps are basically reverse shopping hauls. Decluttering is often framed as an end point — clear it out, drop it off, move on. But what if the way we let things go quietly trains how we bring new things in? In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs , I’m exploring the relationship between decluttering, donation, and sustainable living — and why donation isn’t bad, but also isn’t neutral. We talk about mindful decluttering, overwhelmed donation systems, and how slowing down the letting-go process can shape more intentional habits around both acquiring and discarding things. This conversation sits at the intersection of sustainable decluttering, minimalism, and organization, and asks what becomes possible when we stay present through the full life cycle of our stuff, instead of treating decluttering as the end of the story. Takeaways Decluttering is part of the buying cycle, not separate from it Donation isn’t bad — but it isn’t neutral Donation systems are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of donated goods Slowing down decluttering creates useful feedback Community-based solutions take more time... and that's the point Paying attention when things leave your home shapes future purchases One Small Shift Look into your community-based options. That might mean joining a Buy Nothing group, checking what local organizations actually need, or learning where items are most likely to stay in use — and letting that guide how you let things go. Resources Sustainable Decluttering – An Eco-Friendly Approach to Letting Things Go (blog) How to Host a Clothing Swap (podcast episode) Fewer, Better Things - How to Reduce Kitchen Clutter (podcast episode) Sustainable Minimalism - Stefanie Marie Seferian (book) No New Things - Ashlee Piper (book) The Story of Stuff - Annie Leonard (book) Consumed - Aja Barber (book) Aja Barber (Patreon) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
We all have clothes we don’t wear. Pieces that might fit again someday, that were expensive, or that feel too nice to just drop into a donation bin. When those clothes start piling up, donation often becomes the default solution. And once those bags are gone from the trunk, the buying cycle begins again. In this episode, I’m taking a closer look at that pattern, and at what it might look like to slow down not just how we buy clothes, but how we let them go. We’re talking about clothing swaps — how they work in real life, why they’re such a powerful (and often overlooked) tool for sustainable living, and how sharing clothes within our existing circles can keep clothing in use closer to home, while also building connection and community. Takeaways How donation has become part of the buying cycle (and why that matters) How clothing swaps keep clothes in use locally Why letting go of clothing is emotional (and how swaps create a softer landing) How to actually host a swap Why planning for leftovers is just as important as planning the swap itself How sharing clothes can quietly build connection and community One Small Shift Try it! If you have host energy, host a clothing swap — start small, keep it simple, and see what happens. And if hosting feels like too much, say YES to attending one. Resources How to Host a Clothing Swap (blog post) Ep. 35: Rethinking Sustainable Fashion with Sabs Katz Clotheshorse Podcast Consumed - Aja Barber (book) Aja Barber - Patreon Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
