At Ekologicall, we’re passionate about empowering our community to live a healthier, simpler, and more sustainable lifestyle. Living sustainably doesn’t mean overhauling your life overnight; it’s about making small, intentional choices that collectively make a big impact. In 2025, here’s how you can embrace a sustainable lifestyle with ease and purpose.

1. Start with a Waste Audit

Why It Matters: Understanding the waste you generate is the first step toward reducing it. A waste audit helps you identify areas where you can make the most impactful changes.

How to Get Started:

• Collect all your trash for a week and sort it into categories: recycling / landfill / compost / hazardous waste

• Note which items you could eliminate, recycle, or replace with reusable alternatives.

Pro Tip: Involve your household in the process to raise awareness and make it a team effort.

2. Refill and Reuse

Why It Matters: Single-use plastics and packaging contribute significantly to waste. By reusing what you have and refilling containers, you can drastically reduce your environmental footprint.

How to Get Started:

• Reuse and repair what you have, buy second-hand whenever possible.

• Repurpose your old jars and bottles and refill your household products. Check our refill options here. 

Pro Tip: Keep a dedicated bag or box for your empty containers so you’re always ready for a refill.

3. Choose Quality Over Quantity

Why It Matters: Investing in durable, high-quality products reduces waste and saves money in the long run.

How to Get Started:

• Opt for versatile kitchen tools, sturdy furniture, or timeless clothing pieces instead of fast-fashion or cheaply made items.
• Choose products designed to last, such as stainless steel containers, glass storage jars, or wooden utensils.

Pro Tip: Focus on products with clean ingredients and natural fibers. 

4. Shop Local

Why It Matters: Supporting local businesses reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping and strengthens your community and local economy.

How to Get Started:

• Shop at farmers markets or local stores for fresh produce, handmade goods, and sustainably sourced items.

• Plan your shopping trips to minimize impulse purchases and focus on buying only what you need.

Pro Tip: Bring your reusable bags and containers to minimize waste while shopping locally.

5. Embrace Minimalism

Why It Matters: Consuming less reduces waste and brings clarity to your life.

How to Get Started:

• Declutter your home and donate or repurpose items you no longer use.

• Focus on multipurpose products like Meliora’s all-purpose cleaner tablets: 1 product to clean your counters, mirrors, bathroom, kitchen!

Pro Tip: Ask yourself, “Do I truly need this?” before making a purchase.

6. Educate Yourself and Others

Why It Matters: Knowledge is power. Understanding the impact of your choices inspires change and helps spread awareness.

How to Get Started:

• Have Ekologicall come talk about sustainable living at your office or gather a group of friends for an educative meet-up and/or a private shopping experience.

• Follow Ekologicall on social media for tips and inspiration.

Pro Tip: Share your journey with friends and family to inspire them to join you.

7. Support Sustainable Brands

Why It Matters: Choosing brands committed to sustainability encourages more companies to adopt eco-friendly practices.

How to Get Started:

• Learn how to read labels

• Look for certifications like B Corp, cruelty-free, and organic.

Pro Tip: Prioritize products with minimal or no packaging, bonus points if they are refillable.

8. Reduce Food Waste

Why It Matters: Food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and wastes resources like water and energy.

How to Get Started:

• Plan your meals and store leftovers in reusable containers.

• Compost food scraps to create nutrient-rich soil for gardening.

Pro Tip: Use a shopping list to avoid overbuying.

9. Advocate for Change

Why It Matters: Individual actions matter, but collective efforts drive systemic change.

How to Get Started:

• Support policies and businesses that prioritize sustainability.

• Share feedback with companies about reducing packaging and adopting greener practices.

Pro Tip: Participate in community clean-ups and sustainability initiatives.

10. Reflect on Progress and Adapt

Why It Matters: Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Regular reflection helps you celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement.

How to Get Started:

• Set aside time each month to evaluate your efforts. What’s working? What could be improved?

• Be open to trying new approaches and adjusting your habits as needed.

Pro Tip: Keep a journal to track your progress and revisit your goals.

By incorporating these habits into your daily life, you can make 2025 your most sustainable year yet. At Ekologicall, we’re here to support you every step of the way with products, resources, and a community dedicated to a greener future.

YOU can make a difference!

Discover how to make the most of the fall season with our curated list of low-waste essentials. From zero-waste picnics to DIY autumn décor and eco-friendly Halloween costumes, we’ve gathered everything you need for a sustainable fall. Learn how to reduce your footprint while enjoying cozy sweaters, sipping organic tea, and lighting up your space with natural candles. Ready to embrace autumn the eco-friendly way? Explore our must-have fall products, available now at Ekologicall. #sustainablefall #zerowasteliving

Discover how to host an eco-friendly Labor Day celebration with our comprehensive guide to sustainable party planning. Learn practical tips for reducing waste, choosing green decor, and serving environmentally conscious food and drinks. From reusable dinnerware to energy-efficient lighting, we cover everything you need to throw a memorable and responsible Labor Day party. Embrace these easy-to-implement ideas and make your end-of-summer gathering both fun and kind to the planet. Start your journey towards a more sustainable celebration today!

The Olympic Games are a spectacular event, but they also pose significant environmental challenges. Paris 2024 is setting new sustainability standards for global sporting events by doing more with less. Let's dive into at the good and not-so-great aspects.

Discover the transformative power of shopping at zero waste stores like Ekologicall. Explore the multiple benefits, from reducing plastic waste and supporting local businesses to accessing eco-friendly products and fostering community engagement. Learn how even small actions can make a significant impact on our planet. Support genuine zero waste stores to create a sustainable future for all.

Gear up for the new school year with our eco-friendly back-to-school tips! As the season approaches, it's crucial to keep sustainability in mind and reduce the waste that often accompanies back-to-school preparations.

 

Discover the secrets to sustainable travel and minimize your environmental impact with our comprehensive guide. Learn about the environmental impacts of travel, implement practical tips to reduce your footprint, and explore essential zero waste travel items. Join us on this eco-conscious journey and make a positive impact while exploring the world responsibly.

Composting is a simple and effective way to reduce food waste and benefit the environment. Not only does it help to divert organic materials from landfills, but it also creates nutrient-rich soil that can be used to fertilize plants. In this blog post, we'll explore the many benefits of composting and provide practical tips for getting started, as well as solutions for those who don't want to manage their own compost.

Sustainable and Zero Waste Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Have you heard about the 1,4 Dioxane NY State ban in cosmetics, personal care, and cleaning products? Did you know that 1,4 Dioxane is a solvent and probable human carcinogen present in many popular laundry detergents? Here is what you need to know.

What is 1,4-Dioxane?

1,4-Dioxane is a toxic and potentially carcinogenic chemical used as a solvent and stabilizer in various industrial processes. It can be found in personal care and cleaning products such as shampoos, soaps, detergents, or toothpastes.

1,4-Dioxane presence can only be detected by lab testing as it results from a chemical process called ethoxylation.

Ethoxylation is used to make certain ingredients in personal care and cleaning products milder and less irritating to the skin. The process involves the addition of ethylene oxide, a toxic chemical, to other ingredients to create new compounds known as ethoxylates. Some common examples of ethoxylates found in personal care and cleaning products include sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) and polyethylene glycol (PEG).

The addition of ethylene oxide can result in the formation of small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, as a byproduct. This is why many consumers and organizations are concerned about the use of ethoxylated ingredients in personal care and cleaning products and are advocating for the use of alternative, safer ingredients.

In Europe,1,4-Dioxane is not banned but regulated by the European Union (EU) through the EU's cosmetics regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009. According to this regulation, 1,4-dioxane is not allowed to be used as an ingredient in cosmetic products.

New York State banned 1,4-Dioxane

Effective December 31, 2022, New York state passed a law limiting the amount of 1,4-Dioxane that can be present in household cleaning, personal care, and cosmetic products in the state. 

New York established a maximum allowable concentration of 2 parts per million of 1,4-dioxane in household cleaning and personal care products (a threshold which will lowered to 1 ppm by the end of 2023) and 10 ppm limit for cosmetics.

Just to give you an idea, here is the amount of 1,4-dioxane contained in popular brands:

1,4-Dioxane contents in parts per million (ppm)*

Product	1,4-Dioxane parts per million (ppm)
Dawn Dish soap	3.6
Tide Original​ Laundry Detergent	14
Gain Original Laundry Detergent	10
Victoria’s Secret (Love Fragrance Wash)	16
Neutrogena Rainbath Shower and Bath Gel	2.2
Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Shampoo	5.5
Herbal Essences Platinum Shampoo	4.2

* Data from 2019 Consumer Shopping Guide

 

Which products have been affected by the ban?

The New York ban on 1,4-Dioxane impacted a wide range of personal care and cleaning products sold in the state. Some of the brands and products who were found to contain high levels of 1,4-Dioxane and that were affected include:

• Johnson & Johnson: Several of Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo and bath products, including Johnson's Baby Shampoo
• L'Oreal: Several of L'Oreal's popular hair care and styling products, including Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner
• Procter & Gamble: Several of Procter & Gamble's laundry detergents, including Tide and Gain
• Unilever: Several of Unilever's personal care products, including Dove body wash and Suave shampoo.

How to avoid 1,4 dioxane?

Companies are not required to disclose the list of ingredients they use whether it is on their website or their packaging.

To avoid 1,4-dioxane, you can look for products with certification from organizations like EWG Verified or check for 1,4-dioxane-free certifications on the product label. Avoiding products with "PEG," "polyethylene," and "polyethylene glycol" in the ingredients list can also lower exposure risk. 

At ekologicall, our mission is to help you transition to a more healthier, simpler and sustainable lifestyle. We carefully curated our products and provide the full list of ingredients. For instance, Meliora cleaning products are made without ethoxylated ingredients, therefore they do not contain any 1,4-Dioxane.

 

Ten easy ways to reduce the use of disposable plastic in your life.

You or your child is leaving for college, my heart aches for you parents but also for the planet. Getting ready for college life often means a long list of things to buy, things that you don't intend to keep your entire life and sometimes disposables seem to be the easiest option. What if the best option was to buy only what you need and find some second-hand gems that will save you money?

You don't need everything on the list! 

Let's start with the most important, you don't have to buy everything on the list and you don't need to buy new! Your (or your child's) dorm room life might be temporary, that doesn't mean that what you need in it has to be too! It will actually save you a lot of money to use what you have and buy second-hand.

Ask yourself the following questions:

- Will I really use this?

- Do I already have one at home?

- Does my roomate(s) already have one? Can we share it?

- Can I wait a few days/weeks and see if I really need that item?

Also keep in mind that a clutter free room often means a clutter free mind which will help you concentrate and reduce stress.

Use what you have and shop secondhand 

Once the list of things you need is ready, the first thing to do is to check what you already have and the items you can get from family and friends. Your siblings or cousins who already went to college might have things to pass down. If not, coordinate with your roommates and see what you can share and avoid duplicates.

Then shop secondhand. Need a lamp, a laundry basket, a coffee maker, storage bins? Physical and online thrift stores are your friends and will save you a lot of money! Make sure to choose quality though, you might even find new or barely used products.

You could also be able to find gently used school supplies and books! 

Think reusables

Get yourself the following essential reusable items that will save you money and definitely reduce your impact on the environment:

- A reusable water bottle

- A traveling mug

- A set of utensils and cloth napkins

- Reusable food containers

- Reusable bags

- Mason jars to use as cups and food storage containers

These items don't have to be new, your parents probably have some to give you. If you need some of these items they are available at Ekologicall.

Low waste essentials

Shower caddy essentials:

Shampoo and conditioner bars

Toothbrush with replaceable head, refillable floss, tooth tabs

Refillable deodorant cream

Safety razor and shaving bar

Soap bar

 

Everyday plastic free essentials:

 

Multi-purpose cleaner

Unpaper towels

 

Swedish cloth

Bee's wrap

Mason jar lids

Laundry stips, pods, powder or concentrate

Several other plastic free and harmful chemical free essentials are available at www.ekologicall.com. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have or if you need help creating a dorm room kit.

Refuse single-use

You'll be offered a lot of freebies, simply say: "no, thank you". See something interesting on a flyer? Take a picture. Most campuses are becoming more and more environmentally conscious, they might even have a sustainable department like the Charlotte's Green Initiative at UNC Charlotte for instance. It's worth checking your campus' website and searching for sustainability.

Be the change

By minimizing the list of things you need, buying secondhand, reusing what you have, you will reduce your impact and save money. You will also inspire other people to do the same and that ripple effect is a big win for our planet!

 

How are you preparing for your dorm life? Do you have sustainable tips to share? Please comment below.