On Sustainability in Autumn
- emmursss
- Aug 28, 2024
- 5 min read
Fall is officially here. The few trees that are kind enough to change color for us here in California have started to reveal themselves, and my annual binge-watching of Buffy the Vampire Slayer has begun. With autumn once again on my mind as we enter the start of September, sustainability and how I can be just a small part of preserving the beauty of our seasons is right up there with it.
Thrifting <3
While it may just be the timing of Libra Season, I love to give my appearance a little extra attention in the Fall. I have always loved to change up the way I look, and seasons are the perfect excuse for experimenting when it comes to self-expression. Almost as if in anticipation of the impending New Year, my constant urge to dye my hair, pierce something new, or completely reinvent myself altogether-- demands to be acknowledged in the autumnal months.
One of the easiest ways to keep up with my ever-evolving sense of self is to explore these different aspects of my personality through fashion-- making Fall one of the best times to swap out my clothes for some new (and sustainable) ones. Thrifting is one of my very favorite things to do year-round, and is only made more sweet by the cool autumnal breeze and influx of great sweaters.
Hand picking pieces that are one-of-a-kind seems so fitting for the season, and I love giving my closet and style a refresh by shopping secondhand. Not only is it often a more budget-friendly way of purchasing new clothes, but thrifting also helps keep clothing out of landfills, and avoids more pollution. Shopping sustainably- whether at thrift stores, antique malls, or at local flea markets, is a great way to start your eco-friendly Fall.
If you have clothing you no longer want it's also so easy to recycle your pre-loved pieces, by donating them to a local thrift. Another thing to look out for on your next thrift trip is bakeware! Secondhand bakeware is so unique; from vintage cookie cutters to antique bundt cake molds- it's such a simple way to make your Fall treats even more special. <3
It Girls Go Zero Waste
Fall often also marks the return of my baking hobby. It feels like the perfect time for anything banana nut or carrot cake (arguably my second favorite flavor behind lemon). As soon as the California weather cools down even remotely, I'm ready to restock on sugar, flour, and way too many sprinkles.
With excess ingredients and items added to my shopping list, it's easy to produce more waste in the autumn months. One way I like to lessen my impact on the environment is by minimizing my carbon footprint; from reducing my one-time plastic usage, to reusing items as much as possible.
The idea of going 'zero waste' essentially just encourages you to lessen your harmful waste and reduce your use of non-biodegradable items & materials. 'Zero waste' baking and other ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle this season are a great way to have a more 'green' Fall. Even though not everything has a simple zero waste alternative, there are tons of easy swaps that you can make.
A staple piece in Fall baking is cinnamon. Stores like Whole Foods, Smart and Final, Frazier Farms, and Sprouts all offer their spices in bulk, including cinnamon. Not only is it a more environmentally-friendly option, it's also cheaper to purchase your spices in bulk instead of in small pre-packaged bottles. Buying a one time glass container to store your spices in is an easy way to start going zero waste!
Brown sugar is another key Fall ingredient, but it typically comes in plastic containers that don't easily break down. Making brown sugar yourself is a simple switch that you can make to lessen your baking waste. Mixing regular paper-bagged white sugar with molasses that comes in a glass jar is a great alternative to typical brown sugar packaging, and it's reusable! Baking fun desserts can be both sweet and sustainable.
Layer Up & Swap!
The only thing better than an outing during the Fall, is a cozy day at home. If I'm looking for another way to give my clothing new life (aside from reselling / donating them)-- having a clothing swap with your friends is the best stay-at-home plan.
Drinking wine while watching Practical Magic, Fall-scented candles lit, sifting through piles of clothing with friends sounds like a near-perfect Autumn afternoon. You'll come away with both unique new pieces, and an obsession with Nicole Kidman (if you didn't already have one of course).
Gathering different items from your closet and seeing the ways that your friends can restyle them for their own is both fun and eco-friendly. The more friends the better, and anything that's unclaimed at the end can be compiled and dropped off at a local clothing donation bin. Either way, the pieces aren't going to landfills and will continue to be loved by friends and future owner.
You can also bring accessories, little trinkets, books, and other miscellaneous items; it's so fun to see who gravitates towards what / how they repurpose each item. If you then want a place to show off that new-to-you tote that you just got from your friends closet, what better way than to go to a local farmer's market!
Supporting Local Is Sexy
Farmer's markets are a go-to all year round, but there's something especially sweet about going to them in the Fall. Grabbing a cute thrifted bag, putting on headphones to listen to Sting's, Fields of Gold, and walking down the street as leaves blow past me truly fulfills all of my Fall fantasies.
Shopping local is great for the environment in so many ways. Not only do you get to support your community, but many local farmers grow organic produce. It also lessens the travel needed for the food to get to you!
Coming from a local farm is much better for the environment than having mass amounts of food be shipped to the nearest grocery store. If you can get to your local produce stands and markets by walking, biking, or taking public transportation, that's even better! Getting your Fall fruits (which surprisingly includes pumpkins) and veggies locally, will make for a better environment and better soups- and one of the best ways to spend a cool Fall day is with a home-made meal!
Pumpkins, Pumpkins, & Pumpkins
I remember eating so many pumpkin and squash-based soups as a child, on top of which my mom would always save the seeds, so that she could roast them later on. I instantly fell in love with their versatility.
Not only can they be used for dozens of recipes and desserts, but pumpkins also make for great compost! A few years ago my parents left their pumpkins in their backyard. The hundreds of seeds sinking into their soil resulted in their own mini pumpkin patch the next season! They were able to grow their own pumpkins instead of getting store-bought ones-- and left the remainder for neighbors to grab.
If you've already carved your pumpkins, tossing the remains into your compost pile is a nutrient-packed way to help your own garden. Aside from compost, there are so many sustainable ways to dispose of your pumpkin waste- whether that's leaving them for wildlife if you live in an area with dense forestry, or for your local farm's chickens to snack on. :)
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With all of autumn ahead of us, now is the best time to start practicing sustainability and making easy swaps for a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle. As December get closer and consumption rates raise with the extra holiday spending, think of this as your gift to the planet.
Thanks for reading! Now, back to Buffy.
Xoxo, Emma.
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Below are some of my favorite resources for sustainability and eco-friendly living;
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