Nurturing eco-conscious kids: Simple sustainable practices for families
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Hi! I’m Chantelle, and along with my son Eric, we started Honey Willow—a space where we combine our love for creativity, eco-friendly living, and a dash of fun family bonding. Our journey began with a passion for crafts and sustainability, and it continues to inspire everything we do at Honey Willow. (You can read more about our story here.) Together, we’re excited to share how these values show up in our daily lives and how you, too, can incorporate small but impactful changes into your routines.
1. Choose eco-friendly products together
One of the first things I wanted to teach Eric was the power of making mindful choices—whether that’s the food we eat, the toys we play with, or the products we use at home. We love candles, not just because they create a warm atmosphere, but also because they can be a gateway to conversations about sustainability.
For example, when choosing candles, we always opt for those made with natural, non-toxic materials like soy wax. It’s an easy switch to make and helps keep our home environment clean. I explain to Eric that when we burn a Honey Willow candle, we’re choosing something that’s better for us and the planet. He’s especially curious about how natural materials burn cleaner and why small choices like these help protect wildlife and reduce pollution. I love watching his curiosity spark deeper conversations—and, let’s be honest, he asks so many questions, it’s almost like a game to him!
2. Embrace “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” in fun ways
The "3 R’s" aren't just a school lesson—they’re at the heart of what we do at home and at Honey Willow. One of our favourite rituals is refilling our eco-resin candle vessels. After we’ve enjoyed a candle to the very last drop of wax, Eric helps me refill the vessel with a fresh batch of Midnight Noir or Beachside Breeze, keeping the cycle going. It’s become a small but cherished tradition between us.
It’s also fun to get creative with recycling old candle jars! Eric loves turning them into quirky new treasures—sometimes we fill them with fairy lights, other times we paint funny faces on them and use them as planters. It's a great reminder that everyday objects can have a second life, and it opens up a world of possibilities for creativity. These hands-on activities teach Eric the value of reusing and reducing waste while giving us memorable bonding time.
At Honey Willow, we’ve woven this philosophy into our product designs, from our refillable candle vessels to our high-quality glass jars, which can easily be reused around the home—or recycled responsibly. And it feels amazing to know we’re leaving less of an impact on the planet, one candle at a time.
Here are some ways we practice this:
- Refillable eco-resin candle vessels: Our beautiful, refillable eco-resin candle vessels are a hit. Once the candle has burned down, we refill the vessel with a new candle, reducing waste and promoting reuse.
- High-quality glass: We use high-quality glass for our candles, which can be reused as drinking glasses or recycled. This not only reduces waste but also gives a second life to the materials.
- Small batch production: Making our candles in small batches ensures minimal waste. This approach helps us manage resources efficiently and maintain high quality.
3. Conserve energy (and have fun with candles)
Candles aren’t just for ambiance—they’re a way for us to be mindful about energy consumption. Eric and I often turn off the lights in the evening and light a few candles to illuminate our home. It’s become a fun ritual, especially on those cozy nights when we’re winding down after a busy day. I take these moments to chat with Eric about how small actions—like turning off lights when we’re not using them—can add up to make a big difference in conserving energy.
One of our favourite activities is participating in Earth Hour every year, where we switch off all the lights for an hour in support of the planet. The excitement of living by candlelight (if only for an hour) is always a thrill for Eric, and it’s a fantastic way to talk about how little changes—like lighting our Splice of Paradise candle—in our routines can have a positive impact.
4. Support local and sustainable brands
Supporting local, eco-conscious businesses is another great way to embrace sustainability. Eric and I love visiting the Panania Markets, where Honey Willow makes a monthly appearance (every 2nd Saturday of the month) alongside other passionate artisans. It’s more than just a sales trip for us—it's a hands-on opportunity for Eric to learn about sustainable craftsmanship and the importance of supporting our community.
We often chat with local vendors who share our values, like using ethically sourced materials or practicing low-waste production. These connections help reinforce the significance of making informed choices about the brands we support. Plus, Eric gets a behind-the-scenes look at how other families and small businesses incorporate sustainability into their craft.
For us, it's not just about selling candles but being part of a movement that prioritises sustainability—from our handcrafted, refillable eco-resin candle vessels to the eco-conscious choices we see other local creators making. The energy and creativity at the markets inspire both of us to continue our mission at Honey Willow.
5. Educate through storytelling
Bedtime is a special moment in our household, often reserved for stories that ignite imagination. We love weaving in tales of eco-heroes, where characters champion sustainability just as we try to do in our own lives. Eric’s face lights up when we invent stories about these heroes using their powers to protect the planet—sometimes with a little help from a magical candle or two.
But when our creativity runs low, we turn to some of our favorite books that teach environmental awareness in fun, engaging ways.
Here are a few that have inspired our own sustainability journey:
-
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
This classic tale emphasises the importance of environmental conservation and the impact of human activities on nature. -
The Earth Book by Todd Parr
Simple illustrations and easy-to-understand language make this book perfect for young readers learning about ways to protect the planet. -
Greta and The Giants by Zoë Tucker
This inspiring story is based on Greta Thunberg's efforts to raise awareness about environmental issues. It's a powerful tale of determination and activism that resonates with children and adults alike.
Whether we're making up our own stories or enjoying these inspiring books, it's always a comforting reminder of how small actions, like choosing sustainable products, can make a big difference.
See a full list of our favourite children's books here.
6. Creating a healthy wellbeing for you and your children
Sustainability isn't just about caring for the planet—it's also about creating a healthy, nurturing environment for your family. Incorporating mindfulness into daily routines is one way we prioritise both our wellbeing and sustainability. For instance, lighting our Emerald Canopy candle during our dinner or Midnight Noir before bedtime has become a cherished tradition. The soft, calming glow brings a sense of tranquility to our home, and it’s these small moments of peace that help us stay grounded
Eric and I often talk about the scents we choose for these moments, favouring natural fragrances that soothe the senses without the harmful chemicals that can come with traditional candles. It’s a subtle, simple way to introduce mindfulness into our day, teaching Eric to appreciate the power of quiet, intentional moments while staying aligned with our values.
We’ve also found that integrating candles into our routines—whether it's to calm down before bed or set a peaceful tone for family meals—teaches Eric the importance of balancing mental wellbeing with sustainable living.
7. Lead by example
Kids naturally mimic what they see, so leading by example is one of the best ways to instil eco-friendly habits. Incorporating sustainability into your children’s lives doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about making it fun and interactive. For instance, Eric loves helping sort the recycling and taking our bottles and cans to the Return and Earn point near us, where he sees firsthand the importance of reducing waste. Simple actions like this can go a long way in helping kids understand the impact of their choices (he also enjoys earning a little pocket money in the process!).
When I explain why we do certain things, like using energy-efficient appliances, shopping with reusable bags or refilling candle vessels instead of buying new ones, it’s never in a lecture. Instead, we chat about it casually—like why it's important to conserve resources and reduce waste—so he understands that these actions aren't chores but meaningful contributions to a better world.
By embedding these habits into our daily routines, I'm hopeful that Eric will carry these values into adulthood, always mindful of his impact on the planet.
8. Incorporate sustainability into daily chores
Even our daily chores have become teaching opportunities. For example, when we water the plants, I talk to Eric about the importance of conserving water, or when we do laundry, we chat about eco-friendly detergents and cold-water washes. And when we replace our candles, we make sure to refill the vessels instead of tossing them away.
By embedding sustainability into daily life, you can inspire your children to carry these values with them into the future—just like I hope to do with Eric.
