For many of us, abiding by an ethical code is a lifestyle. At Good On You, we believe you shouldn’t have to leave ethical practices behind when you go to work. That’s why we’ve come up with five simple things you can do to take your ethical attitude into the office from – ethical workwear to your morning ride in.
When it comes to our work wardrobes, we don’t have to compromise in favour of practicality. These great brands will help you stay smart and sustainable:
VETTA is the master of the capsule wardrobe. On its website you can shop by item, or by pre-curated capsule, ensuring you have an adaptable, stylish wardrobe to wear at any time. VETTA’s collection is designed and made in the USA, using ethical factories and materials.
Responsible men's clothing, selected with style in the UK. With the vision to support you to build a wardrobe of stylish and more sustainably-made menswear that is 100% vegan, Brothers We Stand is the go-to online store for anyone in the market for better menswear.
Sizes available are S-XL.
NAE is a Portuguese footwear, bags, and accessories brand using innovative materials to create goods with “No Animal Exploitation”. Its lower-impact materials include recycled PET from bottles, OEKO-TEX® certified microfibres, recycled car tyres, natural cork, recycled thermoplastic, and even pineapple leaf fibre.
Find most of the shoes in sizes 36-46.
For more ethical workwear brands, check out this article.
Whatever you choose try to pick basic pieces that you can build and interchange!
Opting for a cleaner way to work is one of the best ways to reduce our carbon emissions. For most of us, the majority of our weekly travel time is taken up going to and from work, making up a large portion of our overall carbon footprint. However by switching to public transport you can reduce these carbon emissions, with one study showing that if only 10% of car commuters switched to traveling via bus, there would be a reduction of 400,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions a year. A greater shift to public transport would see 40 cars off the road for every full bus, and 500 cars for every full train. And if you’re lucky enough that you can walk or cycle to work then take advantage of the opportunity to increase your daily steps!
If you are an avid recycler at home, why not bring those values to work! However, I know from experience that not every colleague in your workplace will align with your ethical values. This can be challenging, however there are several ways you can overcome stubborn work mates:
It can be a pain to lug all your reusable containers to and from your workplace. But this is something that needs to become part of your daily routine.
As one of the world’s biggest consumers of caffeine, it’s no surprise that Australians dump 1 billion ‘disposable’ coffee cups a year. In the USA, 25 billion styrofoam cups are thrown out every 12 months. Even paper take-away coffee cups have a thick plastic lining, rendering them non-recyclable – meaning that 90% of these cups end up in landfill. However, with the responsible cafe movement on the rise, there’s never been a better incentive to remember that cup. And if you need extra motivation – try to enforce a ‘No cup. No coffee’ rule with yourself, and see how quickly you never forget again.
Refill your water bottle! It’s so simple. But this golden rule can easily be forgotten when you walk past the water cooler and mindlessly reach for a cup. And with an estimated 373 million plastic water bottles ending up in Australian waste each year, it’s one of the most unnecessary, and senseless environmental pollutants. Refilling your water bottle is an easy way to cut down costs, to your pocket, and the environment! It’s also a great way to keep track of how much water you’re drinking a day, ensuring you meet that 2L a day target!
If you really find yourself struggling to remember to bring your bottle or cup, invest in a spare one to keep at your desk – so there’s no excuse!
Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns about sustainability in your workplace. Workplaces are a great opportunity to initiate small scale change and many organisations welcome the chance to be less wasteful – saving them money and resources. Inspire others with your passion for living an ethical lifestyle, and create conversations. And next time you’re at lunch, ask your colleagues for their thoughts on the issue!
What are ways you’ve found to make your workplace more ethical?
Feature image via Unsplash. Other images via brands mentioned. To support our work, we may earn a commission on sales made using our offers code or affiliate links. This article was updated in January 2019.
