We had just announced a new and improved version of our reusable bags and were ready to get them in the hands of our loyal customers. Sure, a new, strange virus was emerging in the U.S., but we were hopeful it would be a momentary blip that we would be able to quickly overcome.
A year later. While we are hopeful that more vaccinations will get us out of the long nightmare our world has collectively experienced, we still have a long way to go.
The world has changed in so many ways since last Earth Day. We’ve learned how to work and socialize virtually, but have also faced the isolation of not being able to see people in person. We’ve missed holidays and milestones together. We’ve cancelled vacations and important plans. We’ve lost many local businesses. And we’ve seen what should be a bipartisan issue - our health - grow needlessly political.
The pandemic has also affected our earth. While greenhouse gas emissions dropped pretty drastically over the last year, the single-use plastics industry was one of the only sectors that actually saw growth during the pandemic, due to the need for disposable personal protective equipment and food containers and utensils.
It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the drastic effect this pandemic has had on our society and our planet. While we talk a lot about the ways to maintain our physical health during this plague, it’s also important to stay in touch with our mental health.
I can think of no better time to give ourselves a mental health break than on Earth Day. And the easiest way to do that is to simply get outside and celebrate nature - in a safe, socially distanced way, of course.
Personally, today I plan on doing the following:
Today is Earth Day. As always, it should be about celebrating our planet -- and recommitting to protecting it through small changes in our everyday lives. But it should also be about recommitting to ourselves and each other, including our health, our well-being, and our kindness.
There’s a still long way to go in overcoming this pandemic, but today, let’s be hopeful for what’s to come, and what we can do to help change the world.
]]>To help, we put together this cheat sheet of reusable alternatives to some of the most common, and wasteful, kitchen items.
We hope this helps you on your journey to a more reusable lifestyle.
]]>In what has been billed as the broadest study of its kind from researchers at Stanford and UC-Davis, 386 species of fish were identified to have ingested plastic debris. What’s more frightening, 210 of those species are considered commercially important.
No, these fish aren’t eating full plastic straws or bags. Instead, the researchers have discovered that these fish are ingesting microplastics, which are miniscule and barely visible pieces of plastic that continue to float through our oceans when bigger plastic items - think bags, bottles, straws, etc - break down.
Scientists say this apparent increase in fish ingesting microplastics is most likely based on two factors:
The increase in fish consumption of plastic is happening at a rapid piece. According to the research, the number of marine fish species having consumed plastic has quadrupled since 2016.
The fact that more and more fish are consuming toxic plastic is alarming enough. But even worse, new research also suggests that microplastics make their way into fish muscle tissue and eventually into humans who consume that tissue.
In other words, the more fish eat microplastics, the more likely it is that humans are also consuming toxic plastic material.
If there’s ever been more of a reason for us to be concerned about the unending amount of plastic being dumped into our oceans, this new research is at the top of the list.
And while each one of us alone can't change the plastic pollution problem. We can each take small steps that have a real impact. That starts with buying reusable alternatives for common wasteful products.
To get ideas on how to replace the most wasteful products, check out our Sustainable Ecosystem.
]]>Here’s hoping 2021 is happier, healthier, and less crazy. (If these first weeks are any indication, we’re not convinced.)
Of course, a new year brings new resolutions that are easily made...and just as easily broken. Especially, when it comes to earth- and eco-friendly lifestyle changes.
But, that’s why we’re here!
We’ve put together four resolutions for 2021 that you can actually stick with to make your home and your lifestyle more sustainable.
1. Make your shower one minute shorter
According to Boston University, the average person uses 69 gallons of water a day. An average shower uses about 5 gallons. In other words, if you shorten your shower by one minute you’d be saving 5 gallons of water. In a world where 1.1 billion people lack access to water, any amount you can reduce in your daily life helps. Plus, you’ll also be reducing the amount of energy needed to heat your shower.
2. Start composting
Composting food scraps is easier than ever. Whether it’s for your family garden or as part of a community composting program, saving food scraps to turn into fertilizer is an easy but effective way to reduce waste. Check out Foodal’s guide to composting for ideas on how to start today.
3. Eliminate at least 1 single-use plastic product
If we had our way, you wouldn’t buy another single-use plastic product again. But, we know this is the real world and old habits die hard. A great place to start is to stop buying at least one of the single-use plastic products you use on a daily basis and replace it with a reusable alternative. It could be plastic wrap, plastic baggies, plastic bottles, etc. Pick one, find a great alternative (like the ones in our shop) and never buy it again.
4. Change over all your light bulbs to LED
You can’t deny the facts. According to the Department of Energy, LED light bulbs use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. So, if you still have old school light bulbs in your home, it’s time to make the switch. You may have to pay little bit more than your used to up front, but over time you’ll be saving a ton of money--and energy.
5. Carry a reusable water bottle
Some quick facts: Single-use plastic bottles take 450 years to break down. 1,000,000
bottles are sold globally every MINUTE. And, in the U.S. we only recycle 30% of the plastic bottles we use. It’s time to stop the plastic bottle habit. Find yourself a great reusable bottle and start refilling!
6. Try Meatless Mondays
You may not be ready to become a vegetarian (we’re not either). But reducing the amount of meat you eat, even by a little bit, can have a huge effect in reducing the 12% of greenhouse gases caused by livestock farming. Make 2021 the year to give Meatless Mondays a try!
7. Go Paperless
You probably have most of your bill pay setup online and have perfected mobile banking. But, are you still getting the stray bill in the mail? Take some time to ensure ALL of your bills and receipts are sent online rather than in paper.
8. Use smart power strips
It’s time to stop the vampires. Vampire loads that is. These are power loads that consume energy even when your devices aren’t on or are in sleep mode. By plugging your devices into smart power strips - that can detect when devices are in standby and shut off power to those devices - you can save significant money on energy costs.
9. Shop local
As we slowly come out of the pandemic, it’s a great time to recommit to shopping local. By doing so, you’ll reduce the emissions used to drive long distances. This applies not only to your own physical shopping but also the online shopping that you do. Plus, it has the added benefit of stimulating your local economy during a much-needed recovery period.
10. Shop second hand
Why buy something new when you can reuse what’s already been made? Next time you’re looking for that new piece of clothing or furniture, take a look at your local thrift or antique shop before shopping for something brand new.
Have other great ideas to make your home more sustainable? Be sure to share them with us on social media (@jillandjoeyru).
]]>The challenges we’ve faced as individuals, families, businesses, and as a world have been unprecedented. Our hearts go out to anyone who has lost loved ones or suffered themselves from the COVID-19 virus.
As a small business, we also understand the steep hill businesses across the country, who have survived up until this point, are climbing in order to recover from this pandemic.
Over the past several months, we at Jill and Joey have faced manufacturing stoppages and shipping delays. We also faced a major trend, especially in the first months of the pandemic, back towards the use of disposable products as a way to maintain cleanliness and reduce infection. Thankfully, we know much more about this virus than we did back then.
So, it’s been a “roller coaster” year for Jill and Joey as it has for virtually everyone.
But one thing that has given me hope for the future has been the great sense of community I’ve seen. In my personal life, the support of my family and “pod” of friends has kept me sane and optimistic in a time when neither is certain.
For Jill and Joey, the community of followers and customers and eco advocates that we have grown to love and serve has helped us stay focused on our mission to make the world more reusable and sustainable.
As we enter 2021, we’ve recommitted to this mission by introducing a whole set of new reusable products from our trusted “Sustainable Ecosystem” of vendors.
Thankfully, with the arrival of the first vaccines, we seem to be entering the beginning of the end of this pandemic. Yes, challenges lie ahead. But I am more optimistic than ever about the future.
As we celebrate the holidays, I hope you and your loved ones are able to feel the same sense of hope and community support as we have experienced over the last several months. And, I hope that our local and global communities will come out of this period with a stronger sense of purpose and connection.
From all of us at Jill and Joey, we hope you have a joyful holiday season and a happy new year.
]]>But, there’s always more to learn.
We recently came across these statistics about single-use plastic bags from the Center for Biological Diversity. To say we were shocked is an understatement.
In case you need any more reasons to make the shift to reusable bags, these stats will certainly help.
Plastic wrap is also one of the most wasteful products you can possibly buy.
If you’re reading this blog, you probably already knew that. In case you weren’t aware, consider these stats from National Geographic:
In other words: PLASTIC WRAP IS BAD.
So, what can you do about it?
Luckily, we live in a world with tons of alternatives to everyday plastic wrap. Next time you need to keep food fresh, consider these reusable alternatives:
Want to see other great reusable products aimed at reducing single-use plastic in your life?
]]>As the plastic crisis gets worse, here are 3 reasons why it's time to make a switch to reusable straws and how you can make the switch today.
So, when we first started hearing about a growing movement to ban plastic straws across the U.S. and the world, it’s not surprising that many people dismissed it.
But a deeper dive into some key statistics shows why it’s clearly time to reduce - and yes, eliminate - the use of plastic straws in our society.
Consider this:
For all these reasons, states, countries, local jurisdictions, and companies are increasingly implementing bans on plastic straws. But while bans like this will certainly help, the best way for an individual to help ensure the elimination of plastic straws from our oceans is to personally stop using them.
Luckily, there are a growing number of affordable reusable straws.
Bamboo straws, for instance, provide a natural alternative to single-use plastic. Bamboo reusable straws are easy to clean and provide the sturdiness and durability that are often lacking in other straw alternatives, like those made from paper.
Stainless steel or metal reusable straws are another durable and easy-to-clean alternative to plastic. These straws can be both straight or curved to ensure they mimic the shapes that users have become accustomed to with their plastic straws.
Considering alternatives to single-use plastic straws? Check out our reusable ecosystem which features reusable bamboo straw kits and stainless steel reusable straw kits.
]]>But, often some of the most wasteful products are ones we might not usually think about.
Take dryer sheets, for instance. Sure, they’re a convenient way to reduce static and keep laundry fresh. But, this very convenience--the fact that you throw them away after one use--also makes them extremely wasteful.
Many dryer sheets are made of polyester which can take up to 200 years to break down. There’s also speculation that the chemicals used to make dryer sheets give your laundry that great fresh scent may be toxic.
So, given the wastefulness of the traditional dryer sheet, what can we use to ensure our clothes stay fresh and static free?
Enter reusable wool dryer balls.
Here's a few reasons why you should consider making the switch to dryer balls for all your drying needs:
Ready to make the switch to wool dryer balls? We recently added dryer balls to our reusable ecosystem.
]]>The numbers are stark. According to the Earth Day Network, 13 billion tons of plastic will enter landfills or the environment by 2050. Currently only 9% of all plastic waste has actually been recycled. You’ve heard about the plastic crisis. It is real.
Though the problem may seem overwhelming, small changes in our lives can have a big impact.
With that in mind, here are 3 easy ways to become less reliant on single-use plastic today.
1. Ditch the single-use plastic baggies
According to Recycle Nation, the average American family uses 500 single-use plastic (or ziploc) baggies every year. Think of how you use plastic baggies. You probably use them once to pack a sandwich or leftovers and then throw them away. With over 120 million American families today, you can easily do the math to show how many single-use baggies are entering our oceans every year.
SOLUTION: Instead of buying single-use plastic baggies, buy a set of no waste bags that can easily be cleaned and reused.
2. Say NO to plastic straws
Americans use an estimated 500 million straws EVERY DAY. The number is staggering. And, it’s probably why we’ve seen a growing movement to eliminate the use of plastic straws.
SOLUTION: Consider alternatives to plastic straws like stainless steel or bamboo straws. These reusable straws are easy to clean and store.
3. Quit the plastic wrap habit
Plastic wrap is great for keeping food fresh, but obviously horrible for the planet. The good news? There are some great alternatives that work just as well and keep plastic out of our oceans.
SOLUTION: Consider bee’s wax-based or silicone wraps that also keep food fresh without the guilt.
If you’re interested in making a change today, take a look at our ecosystem of trusted sustainable products today.
]]>But, with one week to go until the big day many parents are wondering what a COVID-19 Halloween looks like. With cases on the rise once again, Trick-or-Treating will look very different this year.
But don’t fear, there are still plenty of ways to make sure your kids have a fun and safe Halloween this year-and to keep Halloween safe for the planet as well.
Here are 5 COVID- and eco-friendly activities for this year’s very unusual Halloween.
1. Create your own costumes
In any normal year, you may be scrambling to find your kid’s favorite movie or TV character at the Halloween store. Sadly, these store-bought Halloween costumes are often thrown away right after Halloween night. Nothing reusable about that. Of course, the quarantine has given us all the time in the world. What’s a better way to pass the time this year then to construct your own costumes from scratch.
2. Host your own costume parade
So your kids now have their own brand-new, DIY costumes, but no where to show them off! Organize a neighborhood-wide parade where kids can safely, socially distance and show off their costumes. Then, when the parade is over you can give your kids their own candy so they don’t miss one of the best parts of Halloween-the sweets! Of course, if you do buy candy, be sure to buy ones that don’t use plastic wrappers or consider recycling those wrappers using Terracycle’s Candy and Snack Wrappers Zero Waste Box.
3. Good, old-fashioned pumpkin carving
Nothing says Halloween like Jack-O-Lanterns! Take a trip to your local pumpkin patch, pick up your favorite pumpkin, and get carving. Since you probably won’t be having as many people see your Jack-O-Lanterns in person on your porch, be sure to share your pumpkins on social media. Even better, organize your own virtual pumpkin carving contest with friends and family!
4. Host a virtual Halloween party
It wouldn’t be 2020 if we didn’t mention Zoom. Schedule a virtual costume contest, dance party, or even apple bobbing competition. Whether you’re telling scary stories or just enjoying a drink, don’t miss the opportunity to hang out with friends and family - even if it’s not in person.
Whatever you do this October 31, we hope you have a safe, happy, and healthy Halloween! To help celebrate, we’re sharing a spooky discount on all of our reusable products. Simply use the promo code HALLOWEEN at checkout to get 20 percent off your next purchase.
]]>It’s hard to believe that we launched Jill and Joey Reusable Products a year ago last month. The past year has brought big changes for the Jill and Joey family and the world.
On a personal level, in many ways this year has been one of celebration for our team, complete with new babies and new houses!
At the same time, we obviously cannot ignore the many challenges facing our nation, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout, along with the social unrest we’re seeing in major cities across the country. Our hearts go out to all those suffering at this time.
As we move into our second year as a business, we wanted to highlight what we’ve accomplished so far with your support:
Beyond its health and economic tolls, the COVID-19 pandemic has also had a negative impact on the mission to reduce single-use plastic, with many states and countries stepping away from reusable product initiatives and many areas stopping recycling or other waste programs. A recent report found that without a full-scale program of reduction, more than 1 billion tons of plastic will pollute our oceans and environment over the next 20 years.
In other words: our mission to make the world more reusable is more important than ever. That’s why, in our second year, we’re hyper-focused on expanding our brand and its impact. But we need your help!
Whether you’ve already purchased our reusable bags or not, you can help our mission of sustainability in a few different ways:
The challenges we face as a society and a planet are great. But we’re excited about playing a small part in building a safer world. We thank you for your continued support and hope you join us as we continue this important journey.
]]>At Jill and Joey, we know how vitally important teachers are to our society--and to the future of our world. We also know that in this “new normal” of COVID-19, teachers face challenges like they’ve never seen before - from dealing with remote teaching to uncertainty about budgets and the future of education.
So, from all of us at Jill and Joey to all of the teachers and school support staff who educate the next generation, we’d just like to say thank you for all you do.
We also know that teacher appreciation shouldn’t happen only one week out of the year. That’s why we’ve committed to support educators and the local communities they serve.
Here are just a few of the initiatives we’ve launched to support local schools in our communities:
1. Virtual mentorship
We were thrilled when Bridget Fekula, a friend of Jill and Joey’s CMO Todd, asked us to introduce our company and our mission to her 7th Grade class from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. We (virtually) shared our story and how we developed our product via video messages and the students were able to ask us important questions about our brand and the environment. We think we learned as much as the students!
2. Donating supplies to local schools
To celebrate Earth Day 2020 we donated hundreds of our reusable bags to schools in the Seattle area. Each bag contained ideas for activities that parents and students could safely do to celebrate the environment. Thanks to teachers Ms. Michelle Enriquez, Karen Saenz, and Beatriz Patlan for helping coordinate the drop offs.
We donated to the teacher supply drive organized by David Oppat Agency of Farmers Insurance in Portland, Oregon. David and his team delivered key supplies (including our reusable bags) to Portland-area teachers. We were happy to play a small part in getting teachers the vital supplies they need everyday.
3. Supporting great school causes
We were proud to support the annual Angels on the Run 5k at St. Raphael’s school in Rockville, MD by providing each runner with one of our Jill and Joey Reusable Bags as part of their post-run goodies!
Have a cause or community initiative you think we could support? Let us know. Email us at info@jillandjoey.com. Be sure to follow our social media feeds @jillandjoeyru to stay updated on how we’re supporting our local communities.
Don’t forget to #ThankATeacher this week!
]]>So, in case it’s not obvious, this Father’s Day is going to be extra special for the entire team.
And it’s given us a renewed sense of urgency to ensure a more sustainable, healthy, and reusable world for our children and yours.
]]>On a personal note, for our team at Jill and Joey, 2020 has been one of exciting change. Since we haven’t checked in in a little while, we wanted to let you know what was happening in our world.
Our COO Geoff recently bought and moved into a new home in Potomac, MD with his wife and three kids. Now, besides pushing Jill and Joey forward, Geoff has a number of DIY projects on his plate!
We also welcomed two new additions to the Jill and Joey family. On December 31, our CMO Todd welcomed his first child Leo Nur Kominiak to the world. And on May 30, our CEO Thaison welcomed his first son, Camden Liem Ta.
So, in case it’s not obvious, this Father’s Day is going to be extra special for the entire team.
And it’s given us a renewed sense of urgency to ensure a more sustainable, healthy, and reusable world for our children and yours.
Here are just a few of the ways we’ve recommitted to our mission this year:
We introduced an updated version of our reusable bags built with more durability and flexibility along with a new tab for easier opening and closing. Buy them here.
After a number of requests, we introduced an exclusive, sandwich-size only pack of our reusable bags. Just need to pack lunches or snacks? Our new sandwich 3-pack is just what you need. Get it here.
We launched our own online store! Our bags are still available on Amazon, but you can now also purchase our products directly from us at jillandjoey.com/shop-now. And we have lots of exciting plans in the works with our store. Look for announcements coming soon!
To further support our commitment to reducing waste and pollution, we partnered with carbon-neutral shipping vendor Sendle to ship all of the packages purchased in our online store.
Of course, our mission can only be fulfilled with the support and feedback from loyal customers like you. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas for Jill and Joey be sure to contact us at info@jillandjoey.com or reach out on Facebook or Instagram.
Happy Father’s Day!
]]>When we released our first batch of Jill and Joey Reusable Bags last summer, the reaction was amazing. You can take a look at the tons of positive reviews we’ve already received to see how our bags have helped people live a more reusable lifestyle.
But, there’s always room for improvement.
We’ve gotten some really valuable feedback on how to improve the quality and usefulness of our bags. To everyone' who’s provided their thoughts, critiques, and suggestions, we want to let you know...we heard you.
We’re so excited to announce the release of our new and improved Jill and Joey Reusable Bags.
The new bags include:
New tab for easy opening. The new tab allows for you to get a better grip and more easily open your sealed bags.
Wash without losing quality. We’ve heard about certain cases where our bags become harder to close after several handwashes. Our new bags have been tested over 30 times to ensure handwashing with soap and water won’t ruin their quality.
Softer and more flexible. With a softer feel and more flexibility, our new bags allow you to fit more stuff in your bags. That means more snacks, more art supplies, more...whatever!
To see the new bags in action, check out our new video.
We heard you. And, we can’t wait for you to get your hands on our new bags. Get your set today!
]]>To help, we scoured the internet to find fun, cheap, and, most importantly, eco-friendly activities for kids and parents. A quick warning: Some of the articles we share may not include reusable or plastic-free products. The good news? Those products are easily replaceable with eco-friendly items. A ziploc bag, for instance, could easily be substituted by one of our Jill & Joey™ Reusable Pouches.
We hope you and your family stay healthy and safe during this trying time. And, we hope these ideas can help make your days a little more joyful.
1. Make homemade playdough
Who knew playdough was so easy to make? Check out this fun recipe for creating your own homemade playdough with some simple ingredients. And remember: Our Jill & Joey™ pouches are great for storing your playdough once it’s made! Read more
2. Make fluffy slime
Face it parents: with the kids home, a mess in your house is inevitable. Embrace it and have fun with your kids by using this easy slime recipe. Read more.
3. Build bird feeders out of recycled materials
Your family’s stuck at home. Why not invite some feathered friends over? Here are some great ideas for using recycled materials to build DIY bird feeders. Read more.
4. Take your kids on a scavenger hunt
Whether inside or outside, scavenger hunts are always great ways to keep the kids occupied and engaged. Here are more than 30 printable scavenger hunt ideas. Read more.
5. Create non-toxic finger paint
Do you know everything that’s in your kids’ finger paint? Probably not. Now you can. Here are non-toxic recipes for making your own finger paint. Read more.
6. Build a sensory bin
Sensory bins are a great way to engage your kids and help them learn through play. Here are some ideas to build your own sensory bins using materials from around the house. Read more.
7. Stage your own puppet theater
Have some extra cardboard boxes lying around the house? Then you could build your own theater! Check out these great ideas for creating a full puppet theater out of household materials. Read more.
8. Build a fort
What’s better when your stuck at home than building a fort! Here’s a bunch of great ideas for creating a fort with what you have around your home. Read more.
]]>Despite rain over the last few weeks, many of the fires are still raging and with them the continuous threat to the country’s wide variety of plants and animals.
While scientists warn that assessing the devastation and loss of life is difficult--especially as the fires are still burning--some have estimated that up to 1 billion animals have fallen victim to the blazes. And, there’s no doubt that a number of Australia’s most iconic species, the kangaroo, have also fallen victim.
Jill and Joey was inspired by the unique relationship between a mother kangaroo, a Jill, and her baby, a Joey. That’s where we got our name. And so, while any environmental disaster is tragic, we can’t help but feel a slightly deeper sense of sadness.
The Australia fires are another reminder of the fragile state of our environment. As we continue to look for ways to live more reusable and sustainable lives, let’s not forget the big impact we can all have through small changes.
To help support the rescue and recovery in Australia, we will be donating to the New South Wales-based Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc. which is working to rescue and care for as many animals as possible.
]]>We’re not ones to rest on “good.” We’re really proud of the products we released this year, but there’s always room for improvement. Our main focus in 2020 is to perfect the products you’ve already grown to love and develop new products that help increase sustainability in your everyday life.
2. Growing partnerships
As we speak, we’re reaching out to brands and leading environmental thinkers to help grow our network of sustainability and spread the word about the singe-use plastics crisis. If you know a company or personality you think we should connect with, be sure to reach out via social media or at info@jillandjoey.com.
3. Increasing thought leadership and innovation
We don’t only want to make great products, we want to be thought leaders on the plastics crisis. Be sure to follow us @jillandjoeyru for updates, thoughts, videos, and infographics about the crisis and what we’re doing to fix it.
2019 was big. But 2020 promises to be even bigger. We hope you follow our journey towards a more sustainable world. And, we wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, safe, and sustainable holiday season and New Year!
We also have a limited supply of our new Reusable Bottles left! These are our sustainable alternatives to plastic bottles or cups and are great for keeping your hot cocoa warm this holiday season--and your cold drinks cold, as well. We have both large and small sizes so you and your little ones can enjoy. Another great stocking stuffer--order yours now!
Good luck with checking off your shopping list. And best wishes for you and your family this holiday season!
Created in partnership with Liberty Bottles, our Jill and Joey double-wall insulated reusable bottles are a great alternative to wasteful single-use plastic bottles. Our insulated bottles are made from ethically sourced, recyclable stainless steel that’s finished and decorated in the US.
Keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours. Great for a run, a weekend hike, your next camping trip, or your daily commute. The best part: We offer two convenient sizes for our bottles so you can not only reduce the single-use plastic in your life, but also start your children down the path of a more sustainable lifestyle.
Just in time for Cyber Monday, you can purchase your Reusable Bottles today.
A time to give thanks, eat turkey, watch football--and, for many Americans, to travel.
According to AAA, more than 55 million Americans will travel this Thanksgiving--the most since 2005.
While travelling in itself--whether in the car or in the air--unfortunately contributes to emissions that lead to pollution and climate change, for many Americans it’s unavoidable.
But if you do find yourself travelling this week there are things you can do to make your trip a little more sustainable. Here are just a few.
1. Share a ride
Heading to the same town as a friend or family members? Carpooling is one way to reduce the amount of emissions you’re contributing to. If you don’t know someone who can give you a ride, sites like Share Your Ride can help you coordinate with other travellers heading the same way. And, if you’re heading out Thanksgiving Eve to see old friends, that’s another great opportunity to carpool as well.
2. Stay hydrated, avoid the plastic
We know a thing or two about how bad single-use plastics are for the planet. Unfortunately, travel is one of the biggest contributors to single-use plastic. So, instead of heading into the airport newsstand to grab a bottle of water, bring your own refillable water bottle. It may seem like a little thing, but if 55 million people reduced their plastic consumption by one bottle this holiday week, imagine how big of an impact that could have!
3. Pack the snacks, reuse the bags
No trip is complete without plenty of tasty snacks to pass the time. But this is another common plastic pitfall when travelling. This year, be sure to pack your snacks in reusable bags (like ours!). And when you get to where you’re going, your reusable bags can also double for packing leftovers!
What are you doing to make this Thanksgiving a more sustainable holiday? Let us know via social media (@jillandjoeyru on Instagram) and be sure to use #JillandJoey.
We hope you have a safe, restful, and happy Thanksgiving!
]]>Of course, we love dressing our kids up and seeing the fun they have exploring the local neighborhood and gathering candy. But keeping our kids safe and happy is also always a top priority .
And then there’s all the waste that comes along with Halloween.
Being a reusable product company, we’re constantly thinking of ways to make some of our favorite traditions more eco-friendly and sustainable.
With that in mind, here are four tips for making this Halloween a little more environmentally responsible.
1. Don’t be afraid to reuse or make your costumes.
Your kids want to be the latest and greatest superhero or princess or cartoon character. So, what do you do? If you’re like most of us, you go to the nearest Halloween or party store and buy the costume off the rack. Easy, right? The problem is that these costumes are often thrown away after one use. Nothing reusable about that.
So this Halloween, think about reinventing an already-used costume, swapping with a friend or sibling, or making your child’s costume out of materials you already have. Sure, it may take a little more effort up front, but the amount of waste you’ll be reducing is more than worth it. And if you do buy a costume, think about how you can extend its life by donating it after use to kids’ play centers, theaters, nursery schools, or anywhere else where kids like to play.
2. Rethink your home decorations.
Like costumes, DIY Halloween decorations are better for the environment--and a fun activity for you and your family. Instead of buying one-off decorations that are packaged in single-use plastic, consider being a little more creative this year. Do you have paper, cardboard, string, or other materials lying around the house that can help you make the ultimate haunted house? In the end, there’s nothing scarier than overusing plastic, so why not explore alternatives?
3. Think before you throw away your candy wrappers.
For obvious reasons, parents want to make sure the candy their kids are eating is safe. And, individually-wrapped pieces of candy are great for ensuring safety. Sadly, candy wrappers are often made of mixed materials, including plastic, that aren’t easily recyclable. So, when your kids (and you) eat this year’s candy, take a minute to understand what you can recycle (like tin foil in chocolate bars) and what you can’t. Companies like Terracycle accept these mixed material wrappers and hard-to-recycle materials and make them into new products.
4. Trick-or-Treat with reusable bags
We all remember those plastic orange pales we collected candy in as children. Sure they’re fun looking, but they’re also often made out of plastic and...who knows what else. And of course, plastic bags shouldn’t even be a consideration. This Halloween, consider using reusable bags for trick-or-treating. Cloth or canvas grocery bags (or even a Jill and Joey gallon-size reusable pouch?) work great for trick-or-treating. And when you’re done counting your kids’ candy, Jill and Joey snack and sandwich pouches are a great way to store (or hide) your kids’ goodies.
We hope you have a safe, spooky, and reusable Halloween! If you do happen to use your Jill and Joey Reusable Pouches for trick-or-treating or to store your candy, send us some pictures. The picture with the best Halloween costume might just win a prize.
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No one would have thought that a 16-year old girl with Asberger’s syndrome would be the potential catalyst for comprehensive worldwide action against climate change.
Enter Greta Thunberg.
The Swedish high school student first made headlines last year by ditching school to perform a one-person climate strike outside of the Swedish parliament. But over the last year, Greta’s blunt message on the climate has inspired millions of young people to take up the mantle.
This week saw climate strikes in cities across the world.
In New York, Greta addressed world leaders at the UN Climate Action Summit. Choking back tears, Thunberg laid out a bleak, but honest, assessment of worldwide inaction on the climate crisis:
“My message [to world leaders] is that we’ll be watching you,” Greta said to laughs and cheers from the crowd. “This is all wrong. I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. Yet, you come to us young people for hope. How dare you! You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words and yet I am one of the lucky ones.”
See the full video below:
Greta’s strong message and the outpouring of support across the globe led UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to call it a “turning point” on climate.
But with the Amazon burning, reports of unprecedented and unexpected warming of the earth’s ocean, as well as the deepening threat of the plastics crisis across the world, it’s easy to be cynical.
The good news? There’s all something we can do.
It may not be going on strike or protesting in the streets--we have Greta for that.
But, if everyone could make at least one small change in their lives--whether it’s how they travel, or what products they buy, or which companies they support--it may just be enough to truly turn the tide against the climate crisis.
It’s time for everyone to #ThinkReusable.
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Earlier this summer at Amazon’s Re:Mars conference in Las Vegas, Iron Man and Avengers star Robert Downey, Jr. announced the formation of the Footprint Coalition--aimed at using technology to solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
“Between robotics and nanotechnology, we could clean up the planet significantly, if not totally, in 10 years,” Downey told the crowd, according to Variety.
It’s a bold prediction--one more fitting of a superhero than an actor.
The truth is Downey Jr. will need all the help he can get when it comes to tackling one of the biggest environmental challenges we face today: the overuse of single-use plastics.
A report released last year by the United Nations found that the total economic damage to the world’s marine ecosystem caused by plastics amounts to at least $13 billion each year. That same report predicted that continuing at the current pace of plastic use would result in nearly 12 billion tons of plastic in landfills and the environment worldwide by 2050.
Downey, Jr. isn’t alone in his crusade to fight back against pollution. Projects like The Ocean Cleanup, which aims to eliminate half of the Pacific Garbage Patch in 5 years by deploying large-scale collection systems, shows the level of ambition some of the world’s leading thinkers have when it comes to ridding the world of pollution.
This work to clean up the millions of tons of plastic in our oceans and environment is important--and should be celebrated. But it’s only half the battle.
Truly ending the single-use plastics crisis requires everyone to reduce--or completely eliminate--their use of plastics in the first place. A great place to start this mission is by focusing on plastic bags.
The UN estimates that 1-5 trillion plastic bags are consumed each year--that’s almost 10 million plastic bags per minute. Imagine if we cut our usage down by just 10 percent. It could have a significant impact.
This where the idea for our Jill and Joey Reusable Pouches stems from. They may not be as high-tech as AI or as ambitious as an ocean-cleanup apparatus, but let’s face it: not everyone can be Tony Stark.
We operate under a simple mission: Let’s make the world reusable. We’re excited to help you make small changes that can have a huge impact on our environment.
]]>After a simple rinse, a sandwich bag can become a pouch for storing extra screws and nails. Or, a makeup bag can become a place for keeping art supplies.
Below, we’ve compiled 50 popular uses for your Jill & Joey™ pouches based on what we’re hearing from customers.
Did we miss one? Be sure to share how you’re using your pouches via social media using #JillandJoey.
1. Pack sandwiches for picnics or school lunches
2. Pack snacks (fruit, vegetables, crackers, cheese) for school or the road
3. Marinate meat or vegetables
4. Freeze or store leftovers, including liquids like soup
5. Measure and store for meal prep and diets
6. Keep cereal and chips fresh with our airtight seal
7. Store pet food
8. Keep spices, seasonings, and tea leaves fresh
9. Mix and store dips and other spreads
10. Store candy and sweets for holidays
11. Store sugar and other baking essentials
12. Pack toiletries and other essentials - the clear design makes it simple to pass TSA security checks
13. Store headphones, chargers, and other easy-to-lose travel essentials
14. Keep your important documents (ie passports, tickets) all in one place
15. Protect sunglasses, phones, and other items at the beach, on the board, or in the boat with our air-tight, leak-proof design
16. Protect boat, jet ski, and fishing licenses when you’re out on the water
17. Pack first-aid supplies like bandages and ointments for every adventure
18. Collect seashells and other keepsakes
19. Keep track of jewelry and other accessories
20. Store makeup supplies
21. Collect hair ties, bows, and other accessories
22. Make sure your kids don’t lose toys, puzzle pieces, and other games
23. Easily file important documents, including bills and warranties
24. Store medicines, ointments, and pills
25. Keep that junk drawer organized
26. Save important photos and other memorable items
27. Hold on to manicure and pedicure supplies
28. Store coins, stamps, and other collectibles
29. Save new and used batteries
30. Hold extra wires, cables, and other electronics
31. Pack baby wipes
32. Separate clean and dirty pumping supplies within your pumping bag
33. Differentiate between clean and dirty pacifiers/teething toys within your diaper bag
34. Sort toys and art supplies for when you’re travelling with the kiddos
35. Transport dirty diapers when you are changing someone and there isn’t a trash can
36. Pack a spare set of clothes and then use it to transfer soiled, dirty or wet clothing
37. Store bottles, pacifiers, baby food, and other baby essentials
38. Store art supplies including paint brushes, pens, pencils, and paper
39. Hold on to yarn, needles, and other sewing supplies
40. Save construction paper and other cool collage pieces
41. Don’t forget to store the glue bottles and glue sticks
42. Store children’s crayons, markers, or chalk
43. Store loose change
44. Organize your glove compartment and center console
45. Ensure your registration, insurance cards, and other important documents are kept organized and safe
46. Ditch the coffee cans to store loose nails, screws, nuts, and bolts
47. Keep loose tools like wrenches and screwdrivers organized
48. Store zip cords and rope
49. Centralize electrical tape, wire nuts, and other electrical supplies
50. Store washers, plumbers tape, and other plumbing supplies
]]>We’ve been overwhelmed by the response we’ve already received to our Jill & Joey™ Reusable Pouches. We sold out our first production in just one week! That tells me that we not only have a strong brand with a loyal following, it also tells me that people are responding to our mission to reduce the use of single-use plastics. We’re on to something and we’re so glad you’re coming along for the ride!
2. There’s always room for improvement.
Over the past several months we’ve been researching and refining our manufacturing and shipping processes. We’re aware that there were some issues with the condition of some of the deliveries that we sent out last week. I can assure you, we’re working with Amazon and our manufacturing team to improve the process for how our products are made, stored, and shipped. If you’ve had any issues with your product or your customer experience, please reach out to us at info@jillandjoey.com to let us know how we can improve your experience.
I’m sure we’re going to be learning a lot more as this new journey unfolds. But, I’m so glad you’re on this journey with us. And we will be relying on you to help us make our products the best they can be.
Thanks for your confidence and your feedback.