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

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

Sarah Robertson-Barnes | Sustainable Living Expert, Low Waste Educator

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Education

Kids & Family

Frequency: 1 episode/8d. Total Eps: 56

Want to waste less, save money, 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 biweekly 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.

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

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501019/support
112 shares
https://bestillandlive.buzzsprout.com/
1 share

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.robertson.barnes
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https://www.instagram.com/sustainablyamber
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Score global : 73%

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25: Redefining Sustainable Living — From Zero Waste to Real-World Resilience with Kristy Halderman

Episode 25

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 • Duration 57:11

What happens when your life changes completely — but your commitment to living sustainably stays the same?

This week, I’m joined by Kristy Halderman, whose sustainability journey has taken her from Washington, DC to Montana — touching nearly every part of sustainable living along the way. From going all-in on zero waste and launching an oat milk business, to working in sustainable investing, and now community-based environmental advocacy, Kristy’s story is a reminder that our definition of sustainability can — and should — evolve over time.

We talk about what it’s like to live your values in a place where sustainability isn’t the norm, why accessibility matters more than perfection, and how to keep showing up even when conditions aren’t ideal. Kristy also shares her love of trails, her unexpected passion for beavers, and how journaling helps her stay grounded through eco-anxiety and change.

This conversation is honest, funny, and deeply relatable — a reminder that sustainable living doesn’t always look the same everywhere, and that progress still counts, even when it’s quiet.

Takeaways

Sustainable living looks different everywhere — and that’s okay
Access, infrastructure, and community support all shape what’s possible
Low waste is both a personal practice and a systemic issue
Building a sustainable business brings lessons in balance and resilience
Money and sustainability are linked — but real change depends on the systems behind them
Advocacy takes many forms — from finance to trail work to quiet persistence
Beavers remind us that resilience and ecosystem health go hand in hand
Caring for your mental health is part of being a climate advocate

One Small Shift

Go analog. Step away from your screens, pick up a pen, and spend a few minutes journaling — about what’s heavy, what’s working, or what you want to focus on next. Writing by hand can be grounding and clarifying, helping you slow down, ease eco-anxiety, and reconnect with what matters most.

Connect with Kristy

Website

Instagram

Related Episodes

Ep. 11: Money, Enoughness, and Community Care with Women's Personal Finance

Ep. 20: Wildlife Conservation, Birding, and Finding Hope in Nature with Matt Howard

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.

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24: 5 Sustainable Living Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead)

Episode 24

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 • Duration 25:40

Sustainable living isn’t a straight path — it’s a practice that shifts and changes as we do.

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about what sustainable living really looks like. I’ve tried just about everything, and while some things worked beautifully (at least for a while), others were total disasters! This episode is a look back at a few of those lessons — the cutlery kits, the trash jars, the guilt, the burnout, and the pressure to both reduce waste and make it all look perfect online. Because sustainable living isn’t about getting it right — it’s about finding what fits your real life.

In this personal episode, I’m sharing five common traps we might fall into and why imperfection, flexibility, and community matter so much more than being perfect. It’s a gentle reminder that progress isn’t about what you see online; it’s about showing up, doing what you can, and keeping at it.

Takeaways

Why buying your way to sustainability won’t work and what to do instead
The burnout that comes from trying to “do it all” and how to recover from it
How guilt and shame are built into our systems (and why they don’t lead to change)
The difference between looking sustainable and living sustainably
Why messy, imperfect progress creates the most lasting change

One Small Shift

Before you buy your next “eco” product, PAUSE. Put it in your cart, wait a few days, and see how you feel. You might already have what you need — or realize you didn’t need it at all.

Resources

How NOT to Go Zero Waste (blog post)

50 Easy Ways to Be More Sustainable (blog post)

Household Waste Audit Workbook

15: The Purposeful You — Sustainable Gardening with Tasha Medve

Episode 15

Tuesday, August 26, 2025 • Duration 53:29

Food doesn’t come from the grocery store — it comes from the earth. Sustainable gardening is our most direct connection to nature, and one of the most powerful ways we can take climate action right in our own backyards.

This week, I’m joined by Tasha Medve, the gardener and creator behind The Purposeful You. Tasha shares her passion for creating a “food oasis” at home, her best tips for beginners, and why gardening is about so much more than summer harvests. From fall crops to companion planting, we talk about the joy, the practicality, and the deeper meaning of growing your own food.

We also dig into family life: how to get kids involved in gardening, why it matters to raise eco-conscious kids, and how the garden itself can be the best teacher of all.

Takeaways

How gardening connects us to the earth and why it matters now more than ever.
Practical tips for beginners, including raised beds, fall planting, vertical growing techniques, and companion planting.
How to make gardening fun and age-appropriate for kids.
Reframing “failures” in the garden as part of the process.
The therapeutic and reflective side of gardening.
Small, sustainable shifts families can make at home.

One Small Shift

One of the very first changes Tasha made at home was rethinking single-use disposables like paper towels. By simply moving the paper towels out of sight, she created a habit shift that made low-waste living feel more natural. Stay tuned for us losing our minds over dish cloths!

Connect with Tasha

The Purposeful You - Website

The Purposeful You - Instagram

The Purposeful Gardner (Book - pre-order now!)

14: Zero Waste Back to School — Simple Ways to Save Money and Reduce Waste

Episode 14

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 • Duration 29:26

Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean a cart full of new stuff. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m sharing how to get your kids ready for school without wasting money — or creating a mountain of waste.

From supplies and clothing to tech and litterless lunches, you’ll hear practical tips for:

Starting with what you already have before buying new.
Teaching kids the difference between needs and wants.
Shopping secondhand first and making use of community resources.
Tips for thrifting with and for your kids.
Choosing durable, repairable, and refillable items when you do need to buys.
Packing low-waste lunches (and making mornings easier in the process)!

We’ll also talk about mindset — how to push back on the marketing pressure that tells us everything “expires” every August, and instead set your family up for a school year that’s lighter on the planet and your wallet.

And stick around to the end for this week’s One Small Shift — a simple, doable way to make your child’s school year more sustainable.

Resources

How to Pack a Zero Waste School Lunch

25 Healthy Snacks for Zero Waste Lunches

Thrift Shopping for Kids

How to Stop Shopping on Amazon (And Why You Should)

Support the show

13: Beeswax Wraps 101 — Plastic-Free Food Storage with Hive to Home

Episode 13

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 • Duration 01:01:21

Let your reusables look reused.

In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m joined by Chelsey Schmuland, the owner and maker behind Hive to Home in Nova Scotia. Chelsey creates beautiful handmade beeswax wraps as a sustainable, renewable alternative to plastic food storage — but that’s just the beginning. She’s also a backyard chicken keeper, bread baker, waste diversion enthusiast, and all-around eco-nerd in the best possible way.

We talk about what inspired her to start Hive to Home, how her wraps are made, creative ways to use them, and why preventing food waste is one of the most powerful climate actions we can take in our own kitchens. Along the way, we also get into composting, connecting with nature, and the joy of using what you already have.

Takeaways

Sustainable living can start with small, manageable changes.
Beeswax wraps are a practical, reusable alternative to plastic food storage.
How to use beeswax wraps for food storage and beyond!
Understanding food waste’s impact on climate change is crucial — Canadian households waste $1300 worth of food per year, and 63% of it could have been eaten.
Food waste prevention tips including meal planning, proper (and plastic free storage), and using food rescue apps to save money and keep food out of the landfill.
Composting is a rewarding way to manage scraps and close the loop.
Community and shared interests are key to strengthening sustainability efforts.

One Small Shift

Pause the scroll! Slow down and notice how you feel less overwhelmed, and feel less compelled to consume.

Connect with Chelsey @ Hive to Home

Hive to Home - Shop

Hive to Home - Instagram

12: How to Quit Using Amazon — and Why You Should

Episode 12

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 • Duration 18:09

We know it’s a problem, we just don’t know how to stop. Here’s how to start...

In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m talking about how to quit Amazon — or at least drastically reduce your reliance on it — in a way that’s actually doable.

We dig into the real costs of convenience, from environmental harm to the engineered scarcity of Amazon’s business model. But more importantly, I’ll walk you through how my family has shifted away from using Amazon — and how you can, too.

The goal isn’t to overhaul your shopping habits overnight. It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and finding new ways to shop that feel better for you, your wallet, and the world.

Takeaways

Why reducing your Amazon use isn’t about guilt or going without — it’s about spending in ways that feel better for you, your values, and your community.
The real cost of convenience: how Amazon’s business model fuels overconsumption and the plastic waste crisis.
What “free shipping” really means — and why small businesses can’t compete.
Practical ways to untangle from Amazon without making life harder.
The three mindset shifts that helped me: Pause, Buy Local, and Shop Secondhand.
Small, intentional changes away from Amazon support your local economy, reduce waste, and align with the kind of world you want to help build.

One Small Shift

Try a “pause rule” for online shopping — only place orders on a set day each week (or month) and let your cart sit until then. You might be surprised how many things you no longer want or need.

Resources

11: Money, Enoughness, and Community Care with Women’s Personal Finance

Episode 11

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 • Duration 01:06:04

Money choices are climate action too.

This week, Regina Moore and Angela Rozmyn from Women’s Personal Finance join me for a thoughtful, honest conversation about the overlap between money, sustainability, and community care.

We talk about spending in alignment with your values, why “enoughness” can be such a powerful mindset shift, and how boycotts and intentional choices can be forms of protest. We also explore the role community plays — not just in sharing resources, but in building resilience and pushing back on the systems that encourage overconsumption.

It’s a conversation that invites you to look at your own financial choices through a new lens and see how small, intentional shifts can add up to something bigger.

Takeaways

The concept of “enoughness” and how it reduces overconsumption.
Why value‑aligned spending matters and how to start thinking differently about your purchases.
How money is tied to values, systems, and power.
How boycotts and not spending can be powerful forms of protest.
The role of community care and sharing in financial and climate resilience.

One Small Shift

Regina: Go through your fridge and pantry each week, repurpose what you have, and reduce food waste.
Angela: Have a real conversation with a neighbour — get to know them, exchange contact info, and start building that local network of care.

Resources

The Serviceberry - Robin Wall Kimmerer

Consumed - Aja Barber

Connect with Women's Personal Finance

10: How to Refill in Your Own Containers for a Plastic-Free Pantry

Episode 10

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 • Duration 21:14

Bringing your own containers to refill shops, markets, or even cafés is one of the easiest ways to cut down on single‑use packaging. It saves money, keeps your pantry organized, and helps shift the way we think about consumption.

In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m sharing how to make refilling feel like second nature as a sustainable living practice. You’ll hear practical tips for overcoming barriers to refilling (including how to choose the right containers and understanding store policies), how small mindset shifts can lead to refill at scale, and plenty of encouragement to get started where you are.

Takeaways

Why refilling is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste.
How a plastic‑free pantry can make life simpler and more organized.
The money‑saving perks of bulk shopping.
What mindset shifts often happen when you start refilling.
Where to look for refill opportunities beyond zero‑waste stores.
How to advocate for refill options everywhere.

One Small Shift
Pick one item you buy regularly — coffee, rice, snacks — and look for a place to refill it in your own container. That single change can make a surprising difference.

Resources

Household Waste Audit Workbook (FREE download)

Plastic-Free Pantry: How to Refill Your Own Containers (Blog)

Plastic-Free July: 31 Easy Swaps to Reduce Plastic Waste (Blog)

“Reusable containers safe during Covid‑19 pandemic, say experts” — The Guardian, June 22, 2020

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

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!

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

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