Sustainable in the Suburbs | Reduce Waste, Sustainable Habits & Intentional Living – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Sustainable in the Suburbs | Reduce Waste, Sustainable Habits & Intentional Living

Sarah Robertson-Barnes

Leisure

Education

Kids & Family

Frequency: 1 episode/6d. Total Eps: 56

Want to waste less, save more, and make your home a little more eco-friendly? Sustainable in the Suburbs is your go-to podcast for practical, judgment-free tips and real-life stories to help you build sustainable habits that actually stick.

Hosted by Sarah Robertson-Barnes — a suburban soccer mum, sustainability educator, and founder of the blog Sustainable in the Suburbs — this weekly show brings doable advice, honest conversations, and actionable ideas to help you waste less, spend smarter, and live more sustainably at home.

Because sustainable living doesn’t have to be perfect to matter — and you don’t have to do it all to make a big impact.

Start where you are, use what you have, and live a little greener.

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇺🇸 USA - homeAndGarden
15/08/2026
#100
🇺🇸 USA - homeAndGarden
14/08/2026
#74
🇨🇦 Canada - homeAndGarden
12/08/2026
#95
🇬🇧 Great Britain - homeAndGarden
10/08/2026
#90
🇨🇦 Canada - homeAndGarden
09/08/2026
#96
🇬🇧 Great Britain - homeAndGarden
09/08/2026
#75
🇨🇦 Canada - homeAndGarden
08/08/2026
#100
🇬🇧 Great Britain - homeAndGarden
08/08/2026
#63
🇬🇧 Great Britain - homeAndGarden
07/08/2026
#57
🇬🇧 Great Britain - homeAndGarden
06/08/2026
#41

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/
25 shares
https://cardinalstudio.co/
25 shares
https://sustainableinthesuburbs.com/newsletter/
25 shares

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support
50 shares

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.robertson.barnes
25 shares
https://www.instagram.com/sustainablyamber
3 shares

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 73%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

Trailer: Welcome to Sustainable in the Suburbs

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 • Duration 01:22

We all care about the planet — but sustainable living can feel overwhelming. Where do you even start?

Welcome to Sustainable in the Suburbs, a podcast for eco-curious individuals and busy families who want to reduce waste, live greener, and build a more sustainable home — without the guilt or pressure to do it all perfectly.

I’m your host, Sarah Robertson-Barnes — a sustainability educator, writer, and suburban mum who’s passionate about practical low-waste living.

Each week, you’ll get simple tips for reducing food waste, swapping everyday products, thrifting, composting, and building community — plus honest conversations about what sustainable living really looks like in real life.

If you’re looking for doable eco-friendly habits for your home and family, you’re in the right place.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Live a little greener.

Connect With Me

Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

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.

Read moreCollapse

5: How to Navigate Climate Emotions and Build Community Around You with Jen Knoch

Episode 5

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 • Duration 01:05:02

How do we hold the grief, rage, and love that come with caring deeply about the climate crisis and still keep going? In this conversation, I’m joined by my friend Jen Knoch, a Toronto-based sustainability advocate and the creator of the Climate Emotions Retreat, to explore what it looks like to feel these emotions fully, stay rooted in care, and take meaningful action alongside others.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, inspired, or somewhere in between, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to hold it all alone — and that small acts of tending and care really do matter.

Takeaways

How naming and sharing climate emotions like grief, anger, and fear can help us stay connected and engaged.
The community care practices that sustain Jen’s work — from food rescue to plant swaps.
The impact of Ontario’s Bill 5 and what it reveals about climate grief and resistance.
How rescued plants, slow walks, and seed libraries remind us that small acts of care can build connections and sustain a movement.

One Small Shift

Go for a bike ride and notice what’s blooming around you.

Books

ECW Press

New Society Publishers

Facing the Climate Emergency – Margaret Klein Salamon

Earth and Soul – Leah Rampy

Robin Wall Kimmerer

4: How to Do a Household Waste Audit

Episode 4

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 • Duration 14:52

What we throw away tells a story. When we take time to look at what’s going into the bin (and why), we can start making more intentional choices, one small shift at a time.

This week on Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’ll guide you through how to do a simple waste audit. It’s a great starting point if you’ve ever wondered where to begin with low-waste living. And it’s a powerful reminder that every small step adds up!

Takeaways

How to do a simple waste audit at home, at the office, or in the classroom.
What to look for when analyzing your waste.
How mindset shifts can help you reduce waste without overwhelm.
Why household waste is only one piece of the bigger system — and what you can do about that.

One Small Shift

This week, just start noticing. Before you download your FREE Household Waste Audit Workbook, just take a short pause when you are about to toss something in the bin. Where did this thing in your hand come from? What else could you do with it? What bin does it really belong in? And what happens to it after it leaves your home?

Resources

If you’re looking for more ways to reduce waste at home, you might also like these posts:

Household Waste Audit Workbook (free printable download)

How to Conduct a Waste Audit With Kids

How to Prevent Food Waste With Kids

11 Ways to Reuse Food Scraps

3: From Trash to Treasure: Finding Joy in Upcycling (with @SustainablyAmber)

Episode 3

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 • Duration 01:00:01

How do you turn “trash” into treasure and find joy in the process?

In this conversation with Amber (@sustainablyamber), we explore how upcycling, thrifting, and creative reuse can spark climate action and community connection.

You’ll hear how Amber got started, why she’s passionate about helping others value materials, and how everyday acts of making, reusing, and sharing can help us build a more sustainable life.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get started with creative reuse or what to do with “stuff,” this episode will leave you inspired to start small — and think big.

Takeaways:

Creativity can be a powerful part of climate action.
Upcycling is about rethinking the potential of everyday items.
Thrifting, reuse stores, and community sharing build resourcefulness.
DIY gifts and projects foster joy and connection.
Gardening and growing food deepen our appreciation for nature.
Small shifts, like reusing what you already have, are forms of activism.

One Small Shift:

Before you buy new, ask yourself: What could I repurpose or reuse instead? Small choices like using what you have or making gifts by hand help reduce waste and spark creativity.

Connect With Amber:

Sustainably Amber - Blog

Instagram

Support the show

Connect With Me

Website

2: What Is Plastic Free July? (And Why Zero Waste Isn't the Goal)

Episode 2

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 • Duration 15:18

Plastic Free July isn’t about perfection — it’s about paying attention. In this episode, Sarah discusses where this global movement came from, why it matters, and how small shifts in your everyday habits can help tackle our plastic problem.

This challenge is about so much more than giving up plastic straws or bringing a tote bag to the store. Sarah also talks about her own experience with Plastic Free July over the years, how she approaches it now, and why “zero waste” isn’t the goal — progress is.

From systemic change to simple swaps, this is a great place to start if you’re curious about reducing plastic waste in your home and community. Remember: it’s only single-use if you use it once!

Takeaways

Your individual actions to reduce plastic really do matter.
Plastic Free July started as a small local initiative and now has millions of participants every year - small changes add up to a BIG impact!
It's not about being perfect, but thinking about what we can refuse and reuse.
“Zero waste is more than a plastic bag.” ~ Polly Barks
“It's only single-use if you use it once!” ~ Sarah Robertson-Barnes

One Small Shift

Choose one single-use item you regularly use — and either find a reusable alternative, or find a way to reuse it at least once before it heads to landfill.

Resources

Plastic Free July - 31 Easy Swaps to Reduce Plastic Waste

How NOT To Go Zero Waste

Plastic-Free Pantry - How to Refill in Your Own Containers

1: Can You Be Sustainable in the Suburbs?

Episode 1

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 • Duration 14:17

Can you really be sustainable in the suburbs? In this inaugural episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, host Sarah Robertson-Barnes shares her personal journey and offers practical, relatable ways to embrace eco-friendly living — even amidst the challenges of suburban life.

You’ll hear why sustainable living is about small, manageable shifts (not perfection), why the suburbs are an essential part of the climate conversation, and how building community and shared responsibility can make a lasting impact.

This episode will encourage you to recognize your existing sustainable practices and inspire you to take actionable steps toward a greener lifestyle — right where you are.

Takeaways

Sustainable living should be accessible to everyone.
The suburbs are a crucial area for sustainable change.
Real-life solutions are more important than perfection in sustainability.
Sustainable living should fit your life, budget, and values.
Community is critical for a greener future.
Every small step contributes to a larger impact.

One Small Shift

This week, take a moment to list four or five things you’re already doing to live more sustainably. Recognizing your existing habits can be a powerful first step — you’re already on this journey!

Resources

My Plastic Free Life - Beth Terry

Connect With Me

6: Overwhelmed by Climate Change? Start Here.

Episode 6

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 • Duration 20:39

Climate change feels HUGE — and it is. The problem is urgent and complex. And when you start looking for solutions, it can seem like there’s an endless list of things you should be doing. All of them are important, and that can feel completely overwhelming.

In this episode, I’m sharing a simple framework I often come back to refocus my efforts: the Climate Action Venn Diagram from Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. We’ll talk about how your skills, your joys, and the needs of the world can come together to help you find your own personal starting point — one that feels meaningful, realistic, and sustainable for the long haul.

Takeaways

The Climate Venn Diagram helps identify a meaningful starting point for climate action by looking at what brings you joy, what you’re good at, and what the world needs.
Sustainable living isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing something that feels right for you.
Joy is a powerful motivator in climate work and there are countless ways to contribute your skills.
Building habits that feel good and fit your life helps make climate action sustainable for the long term.

One Small Shift

Download a copy of Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s Climate Venn Diagram worksheet, grab a pencil, and just see what comes up. You might be surprised by how much clarity this one little exercise can bring.

Resources

Climate Action Venn Diagram

How to Find Joy in Climate Action - TED Talk

What If We Get It Right? (Website)

7: Rethinking Zero Waste and Building Community Care with April Dickinson

Episode 7

Tuesday, July 1, 2025 • Duration 48:13

When we talk about sustainability, we often focus on what we’re buying—or not buying. But what if it’s really about something much deeper?

In this episode, I’m joined by April Dickinson (@zerowastedork), a thoughtful voice in the zero waste space who thoughtfully challenges the consumer-driven model of sustainability. We talk about the evolution of zero waste living, the role of community care in climate action, and why economic degrowth might be the shift we need. From local connections to global systems, this is a conversation about finding joy, contributing to community, and staying grounded in what really matters.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or stuck trying to "get it right" in your sustainability journey, this episode offers a generous, honest alternative.

Takeaways

Why zero waste is about more than personal consumption.
The problem of perfectionism and shame in sustainability spaces.
Shifting from individual action to collective community care.
The importance of local networks: community fridges, Buy Nothing groups, and mutual aid.
Understanding who benefits and who is burdened by our systems.
The concept of degrowth and why infinite growth isn’t sustainable.

Resources

Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer

Doughnut Economics - Kate Raworth

Viet Thanh Nguyen (learn more about Expansive Solidarity)

Connect with April

8: 5 Easy Plastic-Free Kitchen Swaps for Sustainable Living

Episode 8

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 • Duration 16:53

The kitchen is one of the biggest sources of household waste — but it’s also one of the easiest places to start making a change. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, Sarah shares five practical, affordable, and genuinely useful swaps to help you cut down on plastic and reduce waste at home. From ditching paper towels to upgrading your containers, these swaps are all about progress, not perfection. Check out the links below for Sarah’s go-to reusables and top plastic-free kitchen tips.

Whether you're starting from scratch or just looking for a couple of easy wins, this is a great place to begin.

Takeaways

Why the climate action begins at the kitchen table.
5 practical, affordable swaps that actually reduce wastes.
Simple, low-waste tips for daily life.
How every small shift adds up (without overhauling your home).

One Small Shift:
Pick just one thing to swap this week. Whether it’s replacing paper towels, trying out a reusable bag, or mixing up a batch of DIY cleaner — it all counts!

Product Recommendations

9: From the Land, Not a Lab — Skincare, Sustainability, and Self-Care with Rebecca Ogilvie

Episode 9

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 • Duration 37:57

This episode is an invitation to slow down — to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with what truly matters.

Sarah sits down with Rebecca Ogilvie, founder of The Detour Co., a sustainable skincare brand rooted in care and connection. Together they explore the quiet magic of routines that nourish rather than extract — from sourcing ingredients to creating space for rest in a culture that pushes us to hustle.

They talk about the complexities of sustainable packaging, what it means to build a business in alignment with your values, and how self-care can be an act of resistance — and of reverence.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, from nature, or from the systems we’re all trying to change, this conversation is a gentle reminder that every small act of care makes a difference.

Takeaways

Truly natural skincare comes from the land, not the lab.
Self-care routines can reconnect us to our bodies and the natural world.
Building a values-aligned business requires intention — and a lot of heart.
Sustainable packaging is complicated, especially for small brands.
Community and nature offer grounding in times of overwhelm.
Slowing down creates space for more mindful choices.

One Small Shift

Let your skincare routine be an act of connection. Whether it’s using a simple balm made with natural ingredients or taking an extra moment to slow down, notice what feels good. What nourishes you? What feels aligned?

Resources

Merlin Bird ID

Connect With Rebecca

The Detour Co. - Website

Sustainable in the Suburbs | Reduce Waste, Sustainable Habits & Intentional Living – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Sustainable in the Suburbs | Reduce Waste, Sustainable Habits & Intentional Living – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other98

Buzzsprout1

Instagram16

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other98

Buzzsprout1

Instagram16

Apple Podcasts

Spotify