Your choices matter. Read that again. 

Every decision that you make, from the bags you use at the store, to the food you throw in the trash, to the amount of time you take in the shower, has an impact on the environment. At Kaia Earth, our mission is to protect the world around us and educate others on how to do the same.

The holidays are coming, it’s a stressful time of year, so make it easier on yourself by simplifying your life in a sustainable way. It may seem difficult to change your ways, but small changes can have a big impact on your overall health and the health of our planet.

Here are some tips for getting started on living sustainably this holiday season.

• Reduce your food waste: The holidays are full of delicious meals and sweet treats, and there are bound to be leftovers. Instead of tossing food in the trash, throw it in the freezer! It’ll save you time down the road when you’re low on groceries and need to make dinner.
• Make lists: This goes for food shopping and gift shopping. Rather than spend frivolously and grab whatever you see, you’ll shop purposefully with a list in hand. 
• Shop locally: Again, this goes for both shopping for food/drink and holiday shopping. Support local businesses and put money back into your local economy. Consider getting your spirits locally from area wineries or breweries. Furthermore, shopping for locally grown produce is a great way to support area farmers and spread holiday cheer during the season. 
• Change your gift giving: Rather than giving people “things” to clutter their house, consider giving experiences or crafting homemade presents, such as an ornament or a home cooked meal. 
• Stop using store-bought wrapping paper: Get creative with your wrapping this year! You can use old maps, newspapers, or other recycled materials for a sustainable method of gift wrapping. 
• Recycle!: Don’t throw your cans in the garbage, put them in the recycling bin. It’s easy to get caught up in the hectic nature of the holidays, but taking an extra moment to separate your recyclables has a big impact on the environment. 
• Ditch the elaborate decorations: Decking the halls is a critical part of the holidays for many people, but there are ways to be more eco-friendly. Try using solar-powered lights outside instead of electrically-powered lights. Inside, use LED lights. LEDs are not only safer, but they can be up to 80% more energy efficient. Plus, there are now Christmas trees on the market with LED lights. 

Give the planet a gift this holiday season--making more eco-friendly choices. 

Sustainability is one of our key pillars at Kaia Earth. From the jump we have pinpointed ways to incorporate sustainability into every aspect of our business to reduce our impact on the environment.

One way we do this is by creating clean, non-toxic, vegan products using the finest natural ingredients. Packaging is another facet of sustainability; we use minimal packaging and all materials are recyclable. We don’t use any plastic, and our products are packaged in glass jars.

Furthermore, we are committed to educating our customers on the importance of our global responsibility to maintaining a healthy and safe environment, and one way to contribute to sustainability is through composting.

Composting is recycling food and other organic waste and using it as fertilizer for plants. By composting at home, you are helping reduce landfill waste, while simultaneously creating healthy soil, increasing biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing air quality. 

Studies have shown that composting also conserves water. In the United States, irrigation systems for agriculture account for roughly 80% of the country’s water use. However, composting helps increase the water-retaining capacities of soil, so less water is needed for plants and food to grow.

To get started, an ideal bin would be 3 cubic feet, and it should be kept in a dry and shady spot. You can likely find an appropriate bin somewhere around the house, whether it’s an old wine crate, a plastic bin or a garbage can.

For the healthiest compost pile, it is best to alternate between “greens” and “browns.” The ideal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for a home compost is two to four parts brown materials for every one part green materials.

Greens are for nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth and reproduction. Examples of household greens to add to your compost pile include fresh grass clippings, food scraps and coffee grounds.

Browns are for carbon, which acts as a food source for decomposers. Common browns that you can find around the house and yard include dead leaves, branches, twigs and paper. 

Oxygen and water are the final key elements to ensure a quick home composting process. To achieve optimal air flow, layer your compost materials. And the compost pile should be as wet as a wrung-out sponge, which will likely be taken care of if you include food in your compost pile.

Happy composting!

Note: Kaia Earth is excited to announce that our zero waste products are now available in Rochester at Impact Earth at Eastview Mall. The closest entrance to the shop is Entrance 2.