Support Us Button Widget

Sustainable living + shopping in San Jose, CA

LoWasteFeature

The owner of local low-waste pop-up — The LoWaste Life — shares tips to shop greener. Photo via @thelowastelife

Table of Contents

In case you missed it, we launched an Earth Day campaign encouraging you (and ourselves) to shop locally + sustainably for an entire week.

To help us in this challenge, London D., the owner of a local sustainability pop-up — The LoWaste Life — has offered some tips to help you reduce waste + shop greener this week (and beyond).

♻️ Beyond the three R’s

We all know “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.” To take the next sustainable step, try out these other R’s:

  • Repair: Don’t put outdated fast fashion + electronics in the trash. Learn about SB 983, the Right to Repair law introduced this year.
  • Rot: The new California Senate Bill 1383 is now in effect + mandates a 75% reduction of organic waste by 2025. In San Jose, the city separates our organic waste from the rest of the garbage in our bin. But why not start composting at home? Try a free in-person or remote workshop with our San Jose’s Environmental Services team.

♻️ Shopping local + second hand

There are countless locally-owned specialty businesses within San Jose. Seek out concentrated shopping areas like Japantown, Willow Glen, and Los Gatos, or local pop-up events like #SJMakers, Silicon Valley Pop-up, and Culture Night Market. You can discover more + share your favorite local businesses at Silicon Valley Strong.

If you’re buying locally already, try buying second hand. For vintage looks + decor, London recommends checking out the Pop-Up Vintage Market at the Flea and Three Sisters in Willow Glen. Check out our list of local second hand stores for more shop suggestions.

Thanks London for these great San Jose sustainability tips.

More from SJtoday
No cash? No problem. Whether you are spending a day or a lifetime in San Jose, these are some of the best offerings that won’t break the bank.
We’ve made a concerted effort to orchestrate this roadmap, so you can focus on finding the artists you adore.
We love a game plan — here are some big events and festivals to look forward to this year in the great 408.
Reach your local community with our help.
We’re bringing you 25 fun facts about the Capitol of Silicon Valley, so you’ll want to quiz yourself whether you’re a trivia fiend or local enthusiast.
Don’t just pick a spot with pancakes and eggs — pick the spot that’s perfect for your gathering with this guide that includes menu recommendations, brunch categories, and beyond.
We scream, you scream, we all scream for local ice cream.
Kali Uchis. Check. Dave Matthews Band. Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
Hit the town and enjoy a discounted drink at one of these cheers-worthy happy hours in the great 408.
Pack your reusable bags and your shopping list, because we’re shopping local at these 13 farmers markets around San Jose, CA.