Since Bea Johnson popularized the idea of a Zero Waste Home, Americans have been joining in on the quest to reduce, reuse, recycle, and look for package-free products in a quest to achieve zero waste.
There are many things you can do to reduce waste! Especially when it comes to eliminating single-use plastics! One of the most impactful steps you can take is to start buying reusable water bottles and stop buying your water in plastic.
We have a long way to go in our effort to eliminate plastics, so the next best thing we can do is find ways to reuse what would otherwise end up as waste.
When it comes to corporations making use of resources that would generally end up in the landfill, especially water bottles, Jelt is leading the way! In fact, since its inception, Jelt is enhancing lives with responsible and sustainable fashion.
You see, Jelt makes belts from recycled plastic bottles. The product design is functional, cute, and like a throw-back to the 80’s when we wore those adorable rainbow elastic belts!
The people at Jelt sent my daughter a belt, and she wears it all the time! It’s easy to clasp, and it does a great job holding her pants in place, especially since the waist is almost always a little too big. Look how adorable!
Staying committed to ethical fashion values when shopping for the entire family can be difficult, so when I come across a sustainable clothing brand, sharing the news is a no-brainer.
Women sewers in Bozeman, Montana produce the belts, so wearing one is also a symbol of Made in America pride! (This part of Montana has been on my list of places to visit for far too long! One day I will get out there!)
Back to ethical fashion
Reducing waste in every area is of utmost importance to an ethical fashion company. That’s why Jelt chooses to package their belts on cardboard only – no plastic packaging!
Why is that important?
To shop sustainably online, we need to look at all areas of the process. It would defeat the purpose of looking for an ethical company if the product is ethically made, but packaged or shipped in a bunch of plastic.
Maybe you’ve seen the quart jar that holds all the waste produced in two years by Kathryn Kellogg that was not recyclable or compostable? While it certainly is an impressive accomplishment, it’s not an accurate representation of an achievable goal for most of us.
Truthfully, it’s probably not accurate for even the most die-hard zero-waster! For example, have you ever asked the barista for “no straw” only to receive your drink with a straw plunked in it?
As much as you nag your family and friends about reducing waste, they still want to celebrate your birthday with mylar balloons and plastic party props. By the way, Mylar is a plastic film hybrid, not metal.
That’s why I say “zero waste effort” or “waste-reducing solutions” instead. As a “waste blogger,” I have a responsibility to represent my efforts to waste reduction truthfully.
I do my utmost best not to purchase disposable products to practice and encourage recycling and composting. There are situations where this is not possible, and in those circumstances, I try to reach out to the company to let them know that I would prefer they reduce packaging or whatnot.
Thankfully, companies like Jelt are making every effort to make the world a better place.
How? Jelt is a B Corporation. B Corps are legally required to consider the impact not only on their shareholders, but also their workers, suppliers, community, consumers, and the environment.
Learn more about how to transition to a Zero Waste Lifestyle by signing up for my Waste Free Workshops! You can also read more about working towards a Zero Waste Home.
How Can We All Be More Environmentally Responsible in 2020 and Beyond?
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[…] Another option is to buy from companies who are creating new clothing and accessories by using recycled waste, like Jelt, a belt manufacturer. […]