Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Bergman.
Carly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey starts with me making a promise to myself and the planet to be as ethical of a human being as I possibly can be. This includes what foods I feed myself, how I treat the environment, how I treat animals, how I treat other human beings, and how I treat myself.
I initially went vegan at the age of 15 after starting to work at a small raw vegan cafe in Chicago. I learned a lot of information about health, spirituality, different cultures, industries, etc. I learned a lot of information that I just couldn’t forget. I knew that the meat and dairy industries are unjust, I knew that the chemicals in processed foods are not good for me or my expansion of consciousness… so omitted them from my life. I can credit for everything positive that has happened in my life. And I mean this whole-heartedly.
Has it been a smooth road?
After going vegan, I naturally became interested in environmentalism. As I mentioned, I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. During my childhood, you could always find me dilly-dallying outside. My Mom likes to reminisce about me being constantly MIA because I would be climbing trees, sneaking into my neighbor’s tomato garden, or checking under the backyard rocks for spiders. My Mom definitely taught me to love Mother Earth, whether it be by bringing reusable options to school, making our own laundry detergents, or camping in the backyard. After going vegan my interpretation of the natural world elevated. I became more drawn to animals, to trees, to my inner self. I started a yoga and meditation practice that has changed my life entirely.
I have an amazing family, an amazing and supportive boyfriend, and a beautiful soul tribe. This journey of veganism and sustainability has been nothing short of good vibes and self-betterment. But I have my days.
Some of the struggles I have along the way are things that I can’t control. I can’t’ control:
the outdoor pesticides I breathe, neurotoxic chemicals present in my apartment carpet, pharmaceutical remanence in drinking water, humans clear cutting sacred land for oil, dangerous microplastics in the ocean that bioaccumulate in precious sea creatures, people who don’t like me or judge me, toxic chemicals that are being sprayed on the exact fields kids are playing on every single day, the way animals are looked at as food rather than beings with emotions…
I can control: what foods I fuel my body with, my mental state & meditating to raise my vibration, who I surround myself with, what companies/industries I support, reducing my waste + carbon footprint.
This zero-waste and vegan lifestyle can be difficult at points. Some days I feel crazy and extremely isolated. I know a lot about unethical industries + environmental issues & it can be difficult to go in public, trying to turn a blind eye to the unsustainable consumerism-based culture while being present in the moment. I can’t unlearn what I have learned. However, I am consistently rewiring my brain to see the positives, actively trying to omit judgement and expectation from my mind. During this lifetime I will do everything in my power to do what’s right… starting with my promise to myself and Earth to live as ethical of a life as I possibly can.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My boyfriend Brenden and I have a brand together, the Sustainable Duo™. Over the past year we have been eco-traveling across North America educating communities on why eco-conscious living is the most sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. We have a joint experience of seven years of veganism and three years of zero-waste living, so we love to share every bit of knowledge we have with the masses! We went vegan first, but soon after realized that veganism and zero-waste living go hand in hand. Waste, especially plastic, is taking over many ecosystems like the oceans and is killing beautiful marine species. Think about it: when you throw your trash away, where exactly is away? The fact is, all of the plastic that has ever been created is still on this planet. Imagine all of the micro-plastic floating in the ocean that is bio-accumulating in marine species and also accumulating in our drinking water! These reasons alone inspired us to reduce our waste and single-use plastic consumption. Transitioning to a zero-waste lifestyle is all about un-training your brain from being an avid plastic consumer due to convenience to an eco-conscious consumer.
When people initially hear us say zero-waste, they automatically think, “I can’t do that! I don’t have the time or money! I can’t produce absolutely no waste!” A zero-waste/low-impact lifestyle is about minimizing your waste as much as you can to better the planet’s health and your own health! The lifestyle is not about producing no waste at all, rather than doing the best you can to create a minimal amount. Trust us, you can easily reduce your waste and it’s totally worth it! Although the initial transition to a zero-waste lifestyle may seem overwhelming, there are many simple swaps we suggest people make right away. These swaps can minimize expenses, exposure to toxins, and waste. Some of our favorite swaps include bamboo toothbrushes for disposable plastic toothbrushes, stainless steel razors for disposable razors, reusable diapers, shampoo and conditioner bars for plastic hair products, bamboo on-the-go utensils for plastic utensils, reusable bulk shopping bags for plastic bags, and stainless steel straws for single-use straws.
We are known for our Zero-Waste Survival Kits™ that we provide to people trying to transition into a low-impact lifestyle. We also provide people with e-books to help them transition to a zero-waste and vegan lifestyle. We are currently branding our own bamboo utensils and secret products that will be on the market shortly.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
As two young entrepreneurs on a mission to help people decrease their carbon footprint through sustainable living, Miami is the place to be.
1.) The climate is perfect for gardening/permaculture so we can be self-sustaining individuals and grow our own food!
2.) There are juice bars, health food stores, vegan bakery’s and cafe’s popping up everywhere. We love hosting zero-waste talks at these locations and helping these companies become more sustainable/produce less waste!
3.) Florida = sun = solar energy. Miami is becoming greener every day!
4.) A lot of conscious festivals happening in Miami. I have networked with the most beautiful beings this past year.
I definitely recommend someone starting out in Miami, especially if they are interested in sustainability, permaculture/organic gardening, and conscious living.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SustainableDuo.com
- Email: sustainableduo@gmail.com
- Instagram: @carly_bergman
Image Credit:
@sway.photos
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