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

• Buy Less, Buy Better: My Favourite Canadian Brands
• Plastic-Free Pantry: How to Refill in Bulk
• Facebook Marketplace
• Buy Nothing Project
• Poshmark (invite code SUSTAINABLESRB)
• DePop
• ThreadUp
• Kijiji
• LEND-IT.CA
  
  

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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.

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

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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.

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

Zero Waste Chef (Website)

The Zero Waste Chef Cookbook - Anne-Marie Bonneau

Bulk Barn - Reusable Container Program

Stasher Bag

Reusable produce and bulk bags

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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.