The discussion around Earth Month always seems to come with a checklist: Use less plastic. Turn off the lights. Eat more plants. So on, so forth.
And while all of those things matter and make a difference, most people are tired of hearing that saving the planet is solely up to them. We think they’re right to feel that way.
At the end of the day, individual choices can only go so far when the biggest impacts to the planet come from how companies operate. The truth is, it shouldn’t be this hard to shop or live sustainably. Yet here we are—navigating a world where compostable packaging is a luxury, and eco-friendly options are often the least accessible.
So this Earth Month, we’re asking a different question: If we know the biggest issues are systemic, what should Earth Month actually focus on?
At Lazarus Naturals, we believe it starts with honesty. We’re not perfect—but we are doing the work. And we’re committed to doing it in a way that makes it easier for you to feel good about what you’re buying, without needing a degree in sustainability.
Sustainability Fatigue Is Normal—And Valid
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out the “right” way to recycle something or guilty for buying a product wrapped in plastic—you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, and honestly? It’s not your fault.
For years, the responsibility of sustainability has been pushed onto people themselves. We’ve been told that if we just compost more, recycle better, and go zero-waste, we can save the planet. But the reality is, most of us are still relying on systems and brands that make sustainable choices feel confusing, expensive, or out of reach.
This recent documentary breaks it down really well: most companies are still prioritizing cheap production and fast sales over long-term sustainability. Products are designed to break or go out of style. Packaging is created to look recyclable without actually being recyclable. And the materials that do make it into blue bins? A huge portion still ends up in landfills or incinerators due to poor sorting, contamination, or lack of proper infrastructure.
In the U.S., only about 5–6% of plastic waste was actually recycled in 2021—despite all the sorting and rinsing consumers are told to do. And globally, over 2 billion tons of waste are generated every year, much of it by industries and manufacturers, not everyday people.
It’s no wonder consumers feel disenfranchised. You can make all the right choices—and still feel like you’re barely making a dent. That doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you a human in a deeply flawed system.
Not everyone can refill soap at a bulk store. Not everyone has curbside composting. And even the most eco-conscious shopper still gets deliveries packed with plastic or products made across the globe.
So if you're feeling burned out by the constant pressure to “do better,” that's not apathy—that's awareness. And it’s valid.
Companies need to take real responsibility—not just slap green labels on plastic or market “eco” lines next to their regular wasteful ones. That means spending more on compostable materials, designing products to last, and taking ownership of their footprints.
Meaningful change doesn’t start with guilt—it starts with accountability.
So What Should Earth Month Be About? Accountability.
If Earth Month really wants to mean something, it shouldn’t be another round of guilt trips and Instagram infographics telling people to stop using straws. It should be about raising the bar for companies—the ones with the power, resources, and responsibility to actually make a difference.
For brands, Earth Month should be a time to take a hard look at their impact and ask: What are we doing to reduce harm? What systems have we built that need fixing? Where can we improve—not someday, but right now?
At Lazarus Naturals, we’re not here to act like we’ve cracked the sustainability code. But we are committed to doing better, and we believe that starts with being honest about where we stand.
Progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about transparency, accountability, and consistency. And that’s what Earth Month should really be about.
What Lazarus Naturals Is Doing (Not Just Saying)
We’re not here to pat ourselves on the back for doing the bare minimum. We’re here because the bare minimum should be the standard—and the fact that it’s not is part of the problem.
Plenty of major companies cut costs by choosing the cheapest, least sustainable options available, from single-use plastics to built-to-break packaging. These choices create mountains of unnecessary waste every year.
And while a handful of corporations are responsible for the bulk of this pollution, they still manage to spin the narrative so consumers feel like the bad guys. You should have recycled our boxes, or you should have avoided throwing away our plastic bottles is the standard instead of companies being aware of these issues and finding more sustainable alternatives in the first place.
We’re not perfect. We use plastic too. But we’re actively working on better solutions—ones that don’t just look good on paper, but actually reduce harm in practice.
Here’s what we’re doing now:
Recycled + Compostable Packaging
Every Lazarus Naturals order is packed with 100% recycled cardboard boxes, recyclable paper tape, and biodegradable peanuts made from non-toxic starch that dissolves in warm water.
These steps might seem small, but they matter—especially when many brands still ship with bubble wrap and virgin plastic that takes centuries to break down. We believe that if a company can afford better materials, it should use them. Full stop.
Sustainable Hemp Farming
We grow our USDA Certified Organic hemp in Central Oregon using regenerative practices that support soil health and biodiversity. We’re talking real, boots-on-the-ground work—spreading 53 trailer loads of manure to enrich the fields, cleaning up plastic from previous grow cycles, and building new hoop houses to support more efficient transplanting.
Our team just wrapped a record-breaking seed run—over 2.2 million seeds—doubling last year’s total. That means stronger genetics, better yields, and a more self-sustaining farm operation.
And when it comes to waste, we’re also exploring ways to repurpose our spent hemp biomass—which has potential for composting, soil enrichment, and beyond. It’s not a solved problem yet, but it’s one we’re actively working on.
In-House Manufacturing
From extraction to packaging, we do it ourselves. That keeps quality high and emissions low by avoiding unnecessary third-party shipping, handling, and waste. Plus, it means fewer surprises—and more control over how responsibly things get made.
Transparency Is the Point
We’ve always said it: nothing to hide. We publish third-party test results, we list every ingredient, and we show our work. That same mindset drives our approach to sustainability. We're not here to “green up” our brand for Earth Month—we’re here to stay open, honest, and accountable all year round.
We’re proud to be certified by and partnered with organizations like USDA Organic, Leaping Bunny, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, Oregon Farm Bureau, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), and the Oregon Cannabis Association, all of which help hold us—and the industry—to higher standards.
We're not claiming to have it all figured out. But we’re committed to doing the work, staying transparent, and making choices that reflect our values—not just during Earth Month, but every day of the year.
What You Can Do (Without the Guilt Trip)
Let’s be clear: the planet shouldn’t be your personal responsibility to save. But we know a lot of people still want to do what they can—and that matters. The key is to focus on progress, not perfection.
Here are a few ways you can make more sustainable choices without burning out:
Support transparent companies
Look for brands that don’t just talk sustainability, but show their work. Certifications like USDA Organic and Leaping Bunny are a great start—but so is a company that admits where it’s still improving. If a brand is upfront about its challenges and committed to real change, that’s worth supporting.
Reduce where you can—without pressure to be perfect
Don’t let anyone shame you for not refilling your dish soap at a co-op. Use what you already have, recycle when possible, and opt for products that are made to last or serve multiple purposes. (Think: a CBD balm that doubles as a lip moisturizer, or a refill-size tincture that lasts months.)
Buy in bulk when it makes sense
Larger sizes mean less packaging waste, fewer deliveries, and often better value. If you know you’ll use it, it’s a win-win.
Stay curious, not overwhelmed
You don’t need to memorize every recycling rule or ingredient list. Instead, look for brands that make that info easy to access. When companies make better choices behind the scenes, you don’t have to overthink every purchase.
This isn’t about overhauling your entire lifestyle. It’s about nudging the system in the right direction by choosing progress where and when you can—and refusing to carry the weight of corporate inaction on your own.
Better for You, Better for the Planet—One Step at a Time
If you’ve made it this far, thank you. The fact that you care, ask questions, and want to make better choices already sets you apart—and that deserves recognition.
Earth Month shouldn’t be about shame or perfection. It should be about raising the bar—for ourselves and the companies we support.
At Lazarus Naturals, we’re committed to making high-quality CBD products that don’t compromise your values—or the planet’s future. We know we’re not perfect, but we’re not hiding behind that. We’re learning, improving, and staying accountable—so you don’t have to second-guess every purchase or shoulder the burden alone.
Every step we take—from the way we farm and manufacture, to the packaging we use—is one step closer to doing things better. Not just for Earth Month, but for every month.
We’re glad you’re on this journey with us.
