Sustainable in the Suburbs

50: Practical(ly) Zero Waste with Elsbeth Callaghan

Back in 2020, I was a guest on the now inactive podcast Practical(ly) Zero Waste, hosted by Elsbeth Callaghan. At the time, my kids were little, the zero waste movement online was deep in its “trash jar” era, and many of us were trying to figure out what sustainable living looked like outside of perfectly curated Instagram squares. Six years later, a lot has changed. Kids are older, life looks different, and both of us have let go of a lot of the pressure and aesthetics that surrounded zero waste in those early online days. But underneath all of that, the values are still very much the same. In this full-circle conversation for Episode 50 of Sustainable in the Suburbs, Elsbeth and I talk about what sustainable living looks like now: parenting teenagers and young kids, balancing low waste goals with real life, navigating burnout and social media, building community, and why consistency matters a whole lot more than perfection. We also talk about what we’ve kept, what we’ve let go of, and how many of the “small shifts” we started years ago have quietly become lifelong habits. Takeaways * Why sustainable living looks very different after years of actually living it * The shift from perfection and aesthetics toward values and consistency * Raising eco-conscious kids through everyday habits rather than pressure * How composting, secondhand shopping, and reusables became family routines * The connection between sustainability, community, and raising responsible citizens * Why slowing down is often the most sustainable choice * How “eco-frugal” living can save money while reducing waste * Navigating low waste living with celiac disease and accessibility needs One Small Shift You can always start again. Even if you’ve fallen out of old habits, even if life looks completely different now, small intentional changes still matter. Start with one thing that feels manageable and build from there. Resources Practical(ly) Zero Waste [https://www.youtube.com/@practicallyzerowastepodcas8145] PZW - Ep. 69: Raising Eco Kids [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/069-raising-eco-kids/id1440615273?i=1000465737333] Inkwood Print Shop [https://www.instagram.com/inkwoodprintshop/] Related Episodes 4: How to Conduct a Household Waste Audit [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-how-to-conduct-a-household-waste-audit/] 11: Money, Enoughness, and Community Care with Women’s Personal Finance [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-money-and-community-care-with-womens-personal-finance/] 12: How to Quit Using Amazon (and Why You Should) [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-how-to-quit-using-amazon-and-why-you-should/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support] Connect With Me Website [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/] Newsletter [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/newsletter/] Shop [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/shop/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sarah.robertson.barnes] Support the Show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support] Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio [https://cardinalstudio.co/] 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.

49: Less Stuff, Less Stress — Sustainable Living with Kids (In Real Life)

In this episode, I’m talking about what sustainable living with kids actually looks like in real life. Not the Instagram version — the real version. The conversations, the habits, the overwhelm, the convenience culture, and the small shifts that slowly become part of how your family moves through the world. Takeaways * Kids learn consumption habits by watching us * Sustainable living with kids is about buying less, not buying “eco” products * Convenience culture is deeply connected to overwhelm and mental load * Small habits shape how kids think about waste, spending, and consumption * Involving kids in the “why” helps sustainability become a mindset * Sustainability conversations naturally deepen as kids grow * It’s never too late to start having these conversations as a family One Small Shift Have a family conversation about consumption, waste, or sustainability this week. Ask your kids what they notice, what they care about, and what ideas they have. You might be surprised by the answers. Resources 10 Tips for Going Zero With Kids [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/10-tips-for-going-zero-waste-with-kids/] How to Do a Trash Audit With Kids [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/how-to-conduct-a-trash-audit-with-kids/] Thrift Shopping for Kids [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/thrift-shopping-for-kids/] How to Prevent Food Waste With Kids [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/how-to-prevent-food-waste-with-kids/] Becoming a Zero Waste Family [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/choose-your-own-adventure/] How to Pack a Zero Waste School Lunch [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/how-to-pack-a-zero-waste-school-lunch/] Related Episodes Ep. 16: Sustainable Living with Kids — Save Money and Reduce Waste with Jessica Nakamura [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-sustainable-living-with-kids-how-to-save-money-and-reduce-waste/] Ep. 17: How to Raise Eco-Friendly Kids with Talayna Zacharias [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-how-to-raise-eco-friendly-kids-sustainable-living-tips-for-parents/] Ep. 22: From Refills to Resilience — Simple, Real-Life Sustainable Living with Julie Darrell [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-from-refills-to-resilience-simple-real-life-sustainable-living/] Ep. 32: Overstimulation, Overconsumption, and the Pressure to Do More with Gillian Gabryluk [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-overstimulation-overconsumption-and-the-pressure-to-do-more-with-gillian-gabryluk/] Ep. 40 – How to Host a Zero Waste Birthday Party for Kids  [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-eco-friendly-birthday-party-ideas/] Ep. 46: How to Talk to Kids About Climate Change with Brittany Jefferson [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-how-to-talk-to-kids-about-climate-change/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support] Connect With Me Website [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/] Newsletter [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/newsletter/] Shop [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/shop/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sarah.robertson.barnes] Support the Show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support] Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio [https://cardinalstudio.co/] 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.

48: Overwhelmed by Sustainable Living Advice? Start Here (with Alexa Pavan)

Sustainability advice is everywhere — and even when you care, even when you’re trying to pay attention, it can be hard to know what actually matters. In this episode, I’m joined by Alexa Pavan of Go Green With Alexa, a climate communicator and copywriter who’s focused on making sustainability more understandable, more approachable, and a lot more connected to real life. We talk about what it looks like to move through all of that information — how to figure out what’s credible, what’s actually helpful, and how to take those bigger ideas and bring them into your day-to-day life. From composting and food waste to media literacy and community action, this conversation is about finding your footing in a space that can feel overwhelming and remembering that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated to matter. Takeaways * Sustainability advice can feel overwhelming — slowing down and checking sources helps you build confidence in what you’re seeing and sharing. * Food waste is one of the most impactful places to start, both environmentally and financially. * Composting is a powerful way to reduce waste, especially when it’s supported at a larger, community level. * Sustainable living looks different in every household — it needs to fit your life to stick. * Small, everyday choices can extend beyond the home and shape communities and local systems. * Civic engagement is part of building greener communities. * Creativity and problem-solving are part of sustainable living. One Small Shift Start paying attention to what’s around you. Get curious about the life cycle of an object near you. Building awareness is the first step toward making more intentional choices. Connect With Alexa Website [https://www.gogreenwithalexa.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/gogreenwithalexa/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@gogreenwithalexa] Resources Household Waste Audit Workbook [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/free-household-waste-audit-workbook/] (free resource) How to Prevent Food Waste With Kids [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/how-to-prevent-food-waste-with-kids/] (blog post) 11 Ways to Reuse Food Scraps [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/sustainable-kitchen-reuse-food-scraps/] (blog post) Related Episodes 24: 5 Sustainable Living Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead) [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-sustainable-living-mistakes-to-avoid-and-what-to-do-instead/] 45: Food Waste Is Costing You — How to Spend Less on Groceries with Chelsey Schmuland [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-reduce-food-waste-save-money/] 46: How to Understand Climate Change (and Talk About It With Your Kids) with Brittany Jefferson [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-how-to-talk-to-kids-about-climate-change/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support] Connect With Me Website [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/] Newsletter [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/newsletter/] Shop [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/shop/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sarah.robertson.barnes] Support the Show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support] Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio [https://cardinalstudio.co/] 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.

47: Eco-Friendly Bathroom Swaps That Save You Money and Reduce Waste

Bathroom swaps are one of the most common entry points into sustainable living — but they can also be one of the most overwhelming. There are so many products, so many recommendations, and so much pressure to replace everything all at once. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m talking about what it actually looks like to approach sustainable bathroom swaps in a way that’s doable, practical, and budget-friendly. The focus is on using what you already have, reducing repeat purchases, and making changes that actually stick in real life. We dig into how much waste is coming from the bathroom, why so many of these items are designed to be used and replaced quickly, and how shifting your approach can naturally reduce both waste and spending over time. I also walk through what has (and hasn’t) worked in my own routine — from bar soap and toothpaste to deodorant and other everyday products — and why simplifying your routine can often be more impactful than swapping everything out. Takeaways * Why the bathroom is a major source of household waste  * Start with what you already have instead of buying new “eco swaps” * Which sustainable bathroom swaps tend to work in real life (and which don’t always) * Simplify your routine instead of adding more products * How small, consistent changes can reduce waste without overhauling everything One Small Shift Take an inventory of what you already have in your bathroom and focus on finishing those products first. From there, you can make more intentional choices about what you actually want to replace (and what you don’t). Resources Eco-Friendly Bathroom Swaps [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/eco-friendly-bathroom-swaps/] (blog post) Related Episodes 4: How to Do a Household Waste Audit [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-how-to-conduct-a-household-waste-audit/] 8: 5 Easy Plastic-Free Kitchen Swaps for Sustainable Living [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-5-easy-plastic-free-kitchen-swaps-for-sustainable-living/] 9: Skincare, Sustainability, and Self-Care with Rebecca Ogilvie [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-skincare-sustainability-and-self-care/] 10: How to Refill in Your Own Containers for a Plastic-Free Pantry [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-how-to-refill-in-your-own-containers-for-a-plastic-free-pantry/] 22: From Refills to Resilience — Simple, Real-Life Sustainable Living with Julie Darrell [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-from-refills-to-resilience-simple-real-life-sustainable-living/] 38: Things I Don’t Buy Anymore — Eco-Frugal Shifts That Reduce Waste and Save Money [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-things-i-dont-buy-anymore-to-reduce-waste-eco-frugal-living/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support] Connect With Me Website [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/] Newsletter [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/newsletter/] Shop [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/shop/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sarah.robertson.barnes] Support the Show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support] Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio [https://cardinalstudio.co/] 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.

46: How to Understand Climate Change (and Talk About It With Your Kids) with Brittany Jefferson

We spend a lot of time talking about climate change — but not nearly enough time understanding it. Most of us were never really taught how to understand it, especially in a way that connects it to history, systems, power, and the everyday decisions we’re making. This week, I’m joined by Brittany Jefferson, an educator and founder of EJ EDU, to talk about climate literacy — what it means, why it matters, and how it shapes the way we think about everything from education to environmental justice. We talk about why climate can’t just live in science class, what’s missing from how it’s typically taught, and how understanding the bigger picture can change the way we approach sustainability. We also bring this into everyday life — from raising kids and navigating climate anxiety to having conversations at home and taking local climate action. Takeaways * What climate literacy actually means  * Why social studies, history, and systems thinking are essential to understanding climate change * Environmental justice and who is most affected by the systems we live in * The role of education as a climate solution * How kids are already engaging with climate — from curiosity to overwhelm * Ways to approach climate conversations at home in age-appropriate, grounded ways * Navigating the tension between individual action and systemic change One Small Shift Download the Climate Venn Diagram [https://www.ayanaelizabeth.com/climatevenn]. It’s a simple but powerful way to figure out where your skills, your interests, and the needs of the world overlap — and where you can focus your time and energy. Connect with Brittany Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/britt.theejeducator/]Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/theejeducator]Teachers Pay Teachers [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/environmental-justice-education] Resources All We Can Save – Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson [https://bookshop.org/a/113945/9780593237069] (book) What If We Get It Right? – Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson [https://bookshop.org/a/113945/9780593229361] (book) How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change [https://bookshop.org/a/113945/9780865719361] - Harriet Shugarman (book) Earth Matters [https://www.earthmattersgame.com/] (educational game) Related Episodes Ep. 5: How to Navigate Climate Emotions with Jen Knoch [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-how-to-navigate-climate-emotions-and-build-community-around-you/] Ep. 7: Rethinking Zero Waste with April Dickinson [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-rethinking-zero-waste-and-building-community-care/] Ep. 42: Overwhelmed by Climate Change? The Climate Venn Diagram Can Help [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/podcast-climate-action-venn-diagram/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support] Connect With Me Website [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/] Newsletter [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/newsletter/] Shop [https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/shop/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sarah.robertson.barnes] Support the Show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support] Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio [https://cardinalstudio.co/] 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.