New year, same mission!

2025 is another opportunity to make sustainable choices that support the environment and give back to good causes, or to just make little changes that improve your own quality of life. If you're looking for more ideas on how to be sustainable this year, we've got some ideas that we think you'll love!

1. Pack lunches for work in glass containers

An easy way to be more environmentally conscious and budget friendly is to pack lunches for work! Learn how to meal prep lunches for the week, or just pack leftovers! This helps with any health goals you may have for the new year, too! Since plastic items are harmful for the environment as well as toxic for people, switching out to glass food containers is the perfect compromise!

 

2. Thrift your clothes and home decor

If you're wanting to be more sustainable this year, then you've probably read at least a little bit about how harmful fast fashion is for the environment.

Here are three reasons to avoid fast fashion: 1. Many fast fashion brands are poorly made (meaning they fall apart easily); 2. They are made with toxic materials that are bad for the environment; 3. These items are priced so cheap because they were produced through slave labor.

If you're looking for an easy way to get out of the fast fashion cycle, thrifting is simple and realistic for any budget! You're saving items from going into the landfill, and giving them a second life in your closet, without directly supporting companies that use unethical labor practices- we call that an all around win! There are so many donation centers that give back to local organizations, so check out what's in your area!

3. Use Zero Waste Personal Products

So much waste comes from just the packaging on our products- hair care, skin care, and more. It adds up so fast! We've got an easy button option for you- zero waste body products! These shampoo/conditioner/body wash bars are free of toxins and artificial fragrances, and come in compost-friendly packaging. One bar can replace up to 3 bottles of shampoo or conditioner, depending on volume, and they can last you quite a bit longer!

4. Read Food Labels

You may have heard of reading ingredient labels to try to be more healthy, but did you know that those same ingredients that are toxic to consume are often also toxic to the environment? Just one example would be palm oil- this ingredient is often found in candies and other packaged items, but the process of producing palm oil to put in your food is harmful to the environment and puts more strain on it and your health. Learning to read ingredients lists is a way to get two birds with one stone- taking care of the planet, as well as growing in your health journey.

5. Buy Groceries In Bulk

Another way to reduce plastic packaging is to shop in bulk! More and more stores are shifting this direction, and it allows you to skip the packaging that'll need to be thrown away, and instead just refill the containers you already have at home!

6. Ditch Plastic Water Bottles

Single-use plastic water bottles are toxic to consume from and are also a big way that garbage piles up in the landfill! These can be recycled, but often don't qualify because people don't know the guidelines that need to be met. Only about 9% of plastic water bottles end up being recycled, leaving over 600 billion plastic water bottles to end up in landfills and in the ocean, harming marine life and clogging up water ways.

Instead of contributing to these frankly terrifying numbers, pick out a reusable metal water bottle that suits your style, which can be refilled and used for years before needing to be replaced! Your choice to employ a reusable water bottle saves hundreds of plastic ones from ending up in the ocean per year! Every little choice makes an impact!

7. Learn How To Properly Recycle

Do you know your city's recycling guidelines? It's often not what we realize! If your neighborhood offers recycling, make sure you know the rules for how to qualify your items for recycling, so they don't end up in the landfill.

8. If You Buy New Clothes, Choose Brands Committed To Sustainability

If you're wanting to invest in some new items that are sustainably made, do some research on ethical clothing brands that suit your style. When choosing to shop for new clothing, it's important to look for several factors beyond price and style: You want to look for brands that choose ethical practices for how they source their clothing materials (meaning they are using sustainable practices, not causing more harm through production); and you want to look for brands that ensure fair compensation for everyone involved in the making of your item. If you want a list of ethical brands to shop from, we've created a blog post giving you a laundry list of options!

9. Shop From Farmers Markets

Supporting your local farmers market is another way to practice sustainability! By shopping from local farmers, you are able to support your local economy, pour back into your community, gain access to seasonal goods, and reduce carbon emissions because food isn't being transported very far. The ability to shop small isn't available to everyone, but if you have access to locally grown produce, this is an amazing practice to add to your weekly routine for 2025! 

10. Bring Reusable Bags With You

Single use plastic bags are becoming discontinued in more and more places, and there are so many options for reusable ones! We love these canvas bags that come in many fun patterns, making it easy to mix and match and bring your own style to life. And bonus! These bags fold down into a tiny square for easy storage when you're not using.

11. Wear Ethically Made Jewelry

If you're someone who loves wearing jewelry, invest in some gold-plated jewelry that's well made but affordable, and gives back to a good cause! We've partnered with several jewelry brands that give back to causes that fight human trafficking, and are made by survivors that have already been rescued.

Redemption Market is a social impact shop located in Phoenix, Arizona. Redemption Market is focused on curating ethical products that give back to causes that fight against human trafficking, are sustainable for the environment, without compromising on style. Visit us at one of our 3 storefronts in Phoenix and Scottsdale, or at our Saturday market, or visit us online.