Every Day is Earth Day

Can we just go ahead and declare everyday as Earth Day? Our beautiful home that homes us all, cares for the diversity of the animals, mammals, insects, humanity. She gives without asking for anything in return, provides the plants that nourish us, the beauty that sparks our imagination and feeds our soul. She cares deeply, and she hasn’t given up on us yet.

Not a day passes where I don’t think about my personal impact, and now, as a mother, our entire family’s. With two extra people in tow, I’m hyper-aware of the essentials required to keep us healthy and safe (gosh, what happens when they become ravenous teenagers?!). But at what point do “essentials” become simple desires for more in this commercial paradise? When do our untamed desires of today become the burden of our children’s tomorrow?

When do our untamed desires of today become the burden of our children’s tomorrow?

Many would say it’s already too late, but we need to hold onto hope. Now, more than ever, we are trying to cull our spending and hone in on true necessity. In my humble opinion, less is certainly more.

We do our best to reward our children with experiences vs things. To get their developing brains excited with time outside, going to the park, the beach, the mountains, the pump track, the slopes. When birthdays come along, I accept donations from neighbours, hand me downs from friends and family, and sometimes buy things from local kids consignment and/or second-hand shops and/or fb Marketplace (and I’m all ears for a good alternative ). If we need to buy something new, we do our research to support companies that share our bottom line – earth first.

Where’s Captain Planet When You Need Him?

This makes me think of the 80/90’s campaigns geared towards kids, to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This one is worth a watch. It worked, it’s ingrained in me, and I sure hope kids are learning the same today. Although, with convenience culture at the forefront, acting on impulse with a touch of a button, with same day delivery trucks running rampant about the neighbourhood (the city, the country, the continent, the world(!), it may not be so.

Can we cancel Amazon already? What would Bill and Ted, Socrates and Joan of Arc think of all this? Bogus, heineous! Most non-triumphant. Morally and for the longevity of our loving planet and our children, quit these companies that we know are run by inhumane, royal ugly dudes!! Okay, rant over.

He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.

Socrates

Part of the Solution

Once things that can’t be passed down have collected enough dust in our garage, we do our best to research how to recycle responsibly. Carseats for example, seems bonkers that they have such a short expiration, but we need to keep our children safe, I get it. All that plastic, polyester, foam and metal, ugh, it hurts to think of how many are sitting in landfills. Look out for specialized local recycling programs which separate plastic, metal, and fabric components.

Check with your local municipality for community zero-waste recycling events that may accept car seats. Also, some retailers offer trade-in programs where you can bring back old car seats for recycling when buying a new one. You can also manually disassemble the seat, removing fabric, padding, and metal buckles to dispose of the components separately, the plastic shell is often recyclable.

I know how busy we all are as parents, but efforts must be made! Markers that have gone dry? Save them up and bring them into Staples where they’ll recycle them for you.

Get creative

Also, with clothes that have been stained and have lost their capacity to be passed down, I use them for cleaning rags. I have also just dusted off my sewing machine, brushed up on my sewing skills (with a local class close to home) and am thinking of using the well loved collection to make bunting for the kids birthday decorations, to make custom blankets/quilts/duvet covers, doll clothes, you name it! Bring on the creativity. 

Many communities have sharing libraries. We used to live in Whistler, and the tool library that they had, housed out of my fave thrift shop maybe ever, the Whistler Re-Use it Centre, was clutch.

Our rainy-day sanctuary

It’s safe to say that our kids most loved physical items are books. We spend many-a-rainy-days here in the Pacific Northwest at our local library, the kids love it, and there’s usually story time and different gatherings that help to feel immersed in our community. We also make a point when travelling to search out libraries for that community connection along with fun books to borrow.

Companies we can get behind

There are many responsible companies that are creating their own way, putting earth at the forefront of their decision making. Patagonia is an obvious example, as a certified B Corp and founding member of 1% for the Planet, its hefty investments into environmental organizations and generating of awareness through it’s content creation and film work is commendable. If other companies could follow suit with their unique ownership structure, declaring Earth as its only shareholder, with profits paid as dividends to protect the planet, the earth would certainly be a better place for future generations. Patagonia has a Worn Wear program that allows you to buy and trade used namesake gear, they’ll even repair your gear, no questions asked. They have created fabrics made from ocean waste, recycled and natural materials.

Outerknown, a purpose-driven surf brand built on transparency, circular design and fair labour is another brand to take notice. I also love our local Parade Organics for kids and mama matching and very cozy jammies.

Earth Day deals

And if you must buy something new this Earth Day, think of these good to do/earth companies. We love Jungmaven, known for using the incredibly resilient natural sustainable fibre of Hemp in all its goods, they’re offering 20% off everything until Sunday with code EARTH2026, and if you want $30 off your first order, use this link (that in turn helps us 🙂 ).

One of our absolute favourite brands is PAKA, for so many reasons, primarily the thought and due diligence they take to make quality, natural fibre goods whilst taking care of their communities, the alpaca’s and the planet. This Earth Day, PAKA is offering 20% off sitewide on orders over $150, giving consumers an opportunity to experience the performance and sustainability of natural fibers firsthand.

When in doubt, get out.

As our children grow, we will continue to prioritize getting their dopamine hits from the outdoors, teaching them to wear their badges of dirt under their fingernails and bruises and scrapes on their knees with pride. More time spent outside equals more time caring about what matters most. Nothing, absolutely nada, can ever top the feeling that comes from being immersed in the absolute wonder and magic of the outdoors.