Bringing your own containers to refill shops, markets, or even cafés is one of the easiest ways to cut down on single‑use packaging. It saves money, keeps your pantry organized, and helps shift the way we think about consumption.

In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m sharing how to make refilling feel second nature as a sustainable living practice. You’ll hear practical tips for overcoming barriers to refilling (including how to choose the right containers and understanding store policies), how small mindset shifts can lead to refill at scale, and plenty of encouragement to get started where you are.

Takeaways

• Why refilling is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste.
• How a plastic‑free pantry can make life simpler and more organized.
• The money‑saving perks of bulk shopping.
• What mindset shifts often happen when you start refilling.
• Where to look for refill opportunities beyond zero‑waste stores.
• How to advocate for refill options everywhere.

One Small Shift
Pick one item you buy regularly — coffee, rice, snacks — and look for a place to refill it in your own container. That single change can make a surprising difference.

Resources

Household Waste Audit Workbook (FREE download)

Plastic-Free Pantry: How to Refill Your Own Containers (Blog)

Plastic-Free July: 31 Easy Swaps to Reduce Plastic Waste (Blog)

“Reusable containers safe during Covid‑19 pandemic, say experts” — The Guardian, June 22, 2020

Zero Waste Chef (Website)

The Zero Waste Chef Cookbook - Anne-Marie Bonneau

Bulk Barn - Reusable Container Program

Stasher Bag

Reusable produce and bulk bags

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This episode is an invitation to slow down — to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with what truly matters.

Sarah sits down with Rebecca Ogilvie, founder of The Detour Co., a sustainable skincare brand rooted in care and connection. Together they explore the quiet magic of routines that nourish rather than extract — from sourcing ingredients to creating space for rest in a culture that pushes us to hustle.

They talk about the complexities of sustainable packaging, what it means to build a business in alignment with your values, and how self-care can be an act of resistance — and of reverence.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, from nature, or from the systems we’re all trying to change, this conversation is a gentle reminder that every small act of care makes a difference.

Takeaways

• Truly natural skincare comes from the land, not the lab.
• Self-care routines can reconnect us to our bodies and the natural world.
• Building a values-aligned business requires intention — and a lot of heart.
• Sustainable packaging is complicated, especially for small brands.
• Community and nature offer grounding in times of overwhelm.
• Slowing down creates space for more mindful choices.

One Small Shift

Let your skincare routine be an act of connection. Whether it’s using a simple balm made with natural ingredients or taking an extra moment to slow down, notice what feels good. What nourishes you? What feels aligned?

Resources

Merlin Bird ID

Connect With Rebecca

The Detour Co. - Website

The Detour Co. - Instagram

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

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The kitchen is one of the biggest sources of household waste — but it’s also one of the easiest places to start making a change. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, Sarah shares five practical, affordable, and genuinely useful swaps to help you cut down on plastic and reduce waste at home. From ditching paper towels to upgrading your containers, these swaps are all about progress, not perfection. Check out the links below for Sarah’s go-to reusables and top plastic-free kitchen tips.

Whether you're starting from scratch or just looking for a couple of easy wins, this is a great place to begin.

Takeaways

• Why the climate action begins at the kitchen table.
• 5 practical, affordable swaps that actually reduce wastes.
• Simple, low-waste tips for daily life.
• How every small shift adds up (without overhauling your home).

One Small Shift:
Pick just one thing to swap this week. Whether it’s replacing paper towels, trying out a reusable bag, or mixing up a batch of DIY cleaner — it all counts!

Product Recommendations

Swedish dish cloths

Unpaper towels

Stasher bags

Beeswax wraps

Wooden dish brush

Cleanings, soap, and laundry tablets

Resources

A Beginner’s Guide to a Sustainable Kitchen (use code PODCAST20 to save 20%)

Plastic Free July: 31 Easy Swaps to Reduce Plastic Waste

10 Zero Waste Kitchen Swaps That Save You Money

How to Clean a Wooden Dish Brush

What to Use Instead of Paper Towels: 5 Easy and Sustainable Alternatives

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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.

When we talk about sustainability, we often focus on what we’re buying—or not buying. But what if it’s really about something much deeper?

In this episode, I’m joined by April Dickinson (@zerowastedork), a thoughtful voice in the zero waste space who thoughtfully challenges the consumer-driven model of sustainability. We talk about the evolution of zero waste living, the role of community care in climate action, and why economic degrowth might be the shift we need. From local connections to global systems, this is a conversation about finding joy, contributing to community, and staying grounded in what really matters.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or stuck trying to "get it right" in your sustainability journey, this episode offers a generous, honest alternative.

Takeaways

• Why zero waste is about more than personal consumption.
• The problem of perfectionism and shame in sustainability spaces.
• Shifting from individual action to collective community care.
• The importance of local networks: community fridges, Buy Nothing groups, and mutual aid.
• Understanding who benefits and who is burdened by our systems.
• The concept of degrowth and why infinite growth isn’t sustainable.

Resources

Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer

Doughnut Economics - Kate Raworth

Viet Thanh Nguyen (learn more about Expansive Solidarity)

Connect with April

Instagram

Storygraph

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

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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.

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.
  
  
• 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

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

What If We Get It Right (Book) - Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

How to Start Living Sustainably: A Simple Framework for Climate Action

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

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How do we hold the grief, rage, and love that come with caring deeply about the climate crisis and still keep going? In this conversation, I’m joined by my friend Jen Knoch, a Toronto-based sustainability advocate and the creator of the Climate Emotions Retreat, to explore what it looks like to feel these emotions fully, stay rooted in care, and take meaningful action alongside others.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, inspired, or somewhere in between, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to hold it all alone — and that small acts of tending and care really do matter.

Takeaways

• How naming and sharing climate emotions like grief, anger, and fear can help us stay connected and engaged.
• The community care practices that sustain Jen’s work — from food rescue to plant swaps.
• The impact of Ontario’s Bill 5 and what it reveals about climate grief and resistance.
• How rescued plants, slow walks, and seed libraries remind us that small acts of care can build connections and sustain a movement.

One Small Shift

Go for a bike ride and notice what’s blooming around you.

Books

ECW Press

New Society Publishers

Facing the Climate Emergency – Margaret Klein Salamon

Earth and Soul – Leah Rampy

Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer

The Serviceberry – Robin Wall Kimmerer

Organizations

Climate Awakening

Indigenous Climate Action

Ecojustice

Environmental Defence

Ontario Nature

Mutual Aid & Local Resources

Community Fridges Toronto

Karma Co-op

Cycle Toronto

Find Your MPP (Ontario)

Connect with Jen

Five Minutes for the Planet (Jen’s Substack)

Instagram

Climate Emotions Retreat

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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 we throw away tells a story. When we take time to look at what’s going into the bin (and why), we can start making more intentional choices, one small shift at a time.

This week on Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’ll guide you through how to do a simple waste audit. It’s a great starting point if you’ve ever wondered where to begin with low-waste living. And it’s a powerful reminder that every small step adds up!

Takeaways

• How to do a simple waste audit at home, at the office, or in the classroom.
• What to look for when analyzing your waste.
• How mindset shifts can help you reduce waste without overwhelm.
• Why household waste is only one piece of the bigger system — and what you can do about that.

One Small Shift

This week, just start noticing. Before you download your FREE Household Waste Audit Workbook, just take a short pause when you are about to toss something in the bin. Where did this thing in your hand come from? What else could you do with it? What bin does it really belong in? And what happens to it after it leaves your home?

Resources

If you’re looking for more ways to reduce waste at home, you might also like these posts:

Household Waste Audit Workbook (free printable download)

How to Conduct a Waste Audit With Kids

How to Prevent Food Waste With Kids

11 Ways to Reuse Food Scraps

Simple Kitchen Audit Workbook

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

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How do you turn “trash” into treasure and find joy in the process?

In this conversation with Amber (@sustainablyamber), we explore how upcycling, thrifting, and creative reuse can spark climate action and community connection.

You’ll hear how Amber got started, why she’s passionate about helping others value materials, and how everyday acts of making, reusing, and sharing can help us build a more sustainable life.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get started with creative reuse or what to do with “stuff,” this episode will leave you inspired to start small — and think big.

Takeaways:

• Creativity can be a powerful part of climate action.
• Upcycling is about rethinking the potential of everyday items.
• Thrifting, reuse stores, and community sharing build resourcefulness.
• DIY gifts and projects foster joy and connection.
• Gardening and growing food deepen our appreciation for nature.
• Small shifts, like reusing what you already have, are forms of activism.

One Small Shift:

Before you buy new, ask yourself: What could I repurpose or reuse instead? Small choices like using what you have or making gifts by hand help reduce waste and spark creativity.

Connect With Amber:

Sustainably Amber - Blog

Instagram

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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.