Living sustainably isn’t just a trend. It’s a necessary response to our planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. Whether you’re new to eco-friendly living or deep into your journey, the right resources can spark deeper understanding and actionable change.
From thought-provoking TED Talks on circular economy and waste management to eye-opening fashion documentary films, this list of talks, movies, and other ( r e )sources we love will help you start, continue, or expand your green lifestyle.
TED talks on our ( r e )watch list
Who doesn’t love a good TED talk? Here is a list of some of our favorites to learn more about how you can live your life in a way that impacts issues from plastic pollution to fast fashion.
circular economy principles:
1. The Surprising Thing I learned Sailing Solo Around the World
- (16 min) Ellen MacArthur is a powerhouse for all things circular economy. She once took a solo sailing trip around the world (girlboss) and in doing so, realized how finite our world’s resources are. Relying solely on the limited supplies she brought with her, she returned with a powerful perspective on how our world functions: one defined by interconnected systems and limited resources. Her experience led her to advocate for a transformative economic vision: shifting from a linear model of take-make-dispose to a circular approach, where resources are continually reused and nothing is wasted.
2. How Do We Value Invisible Things
-
(21 min) In this inspiring talk, award-winning sustainability designer and entrepreneur Dr. Leyla Acaroglu challenges all of us to think differently about global economics, from how we value things to how we perceive and evaluate growth. She explains how anyone can contribute to a future that works better than today. She helpfully explains how design and systems thinking can help transition society from a linear, wasteful model to a circular one.
3. Are We the Last Generation - Or the First Sustainable One?
- (13 min) As many of us are aware, the word "sustainability" gets thrown around quite a bit these days. But what does it really mean for humanity to be sustainable? Environmental data scientist Hannah Ritchie digs into this topic, unpacking why the conventional understanding of sustainability is misleading and showing how we can be the first generation of humans to actually achieve it.
sustainable fashion talks:
4. Sustainable Fashion: The New Luxury
- (16 min) Fair Fashion ambassador Marina Spadafora is on a mission to make us all ( r e ) think what we wear. In her inspiring talk, she encourages us to see fashion not just as a trend machine, but as a powerful force for positive change: one that can support sustainability, empower communities, and drive real human development. Turns out, your wardrobe choices can do a lot more than just make a statement, they can shape a better world!
5. How To Fix Fashion and Protect the Planet
- (9 min) From the field to your closet, your clothes go on a long journey before they enter your life. Designer Amy Powney explores the fashion industry's brutal impact on the environment and human health, diving into what ethical, planet-friendly clothing can look like. This talk invites us all to think beyond the label and consider the impact of our fashion choices.
You know what pairs so well with your eco/sustainable/thrifted wardrobe? Hangers that do better for the planet. Every time you look inside your closet it can be a moment of relief!
plastic pollution talks
6. The Problem with Plastics - and How They’re Changing the Environment
- (9 min) Plastic is literally everywhere. From the phones in our hands to the packaging around our snacks and even the insulation in our homes. But here’s the jaw-dropper: the total mass of plastic on Earth now outweighs all living organisms. Yep, you read that right. Plastic pollution researcher Patricia Villarrubia-Gómez dives into how this massive plastic overload is disrupting the planet’s natural systems, from how it’s made (hello, fossil fuels) to where it ends up (landfills, oceans, and everywhere in between). Her message? The first step to solving our plastic crisis is not to try to buy everything ‘zero waste’ but to face the reality of just how deep we’re in.
7. An Individual’s Solution to Plastic Pollution
- (12 min) Plastic is one of the biggest culprits for pretty much every single environmental concern we can think of. But here’s the good news: even small changes in how we use and consume plastic can lead to big, lasting impact. Haley Paas, whose childhood dream of becoming a marine biologist grew into a full-on mission to protect our oceans, tells us how in this TED talk. What started as a love for the sea turned into real-world solutions for tackling plastic pollution, proving that passion + action = serious change.
documentaries & films on our ( r e )watch list
Movie night? Choose one of these great films to educate yourself and be inspired to live your best sustainable lifestyle.
docs on all things waste management & circular economy
1. Buy Now, 2024 (trailer)
- This documentary is a wild ride and an absolute MUST watch for jaw dropping perspectives on consumerism. Interviewing former Amazon employees, Apple engineers, and even the former president of Adidas, this film uncovers a lot of uncomfortable truths about consumerism and what it really means to throw something “away” and how we can do better by (re)considering what and how much stuff we really need to buy. Watch on Netflix
2. Broken, 2019 (trailer)
- Broken is a Netflix docuseries that lifts the lid on how our everyday stuff is made, marketed, and (spoiler alert) often totally mishandled. From the sketchy ingredients in your makeup bag to the hidden waste behind DIY furniture, and even the messy truth about recycling, Broken covers it all. While the topics are definitely eye-opening (and sometimes depressing), the series manages to stay insightful rather than overwhelming. The lack of regulation on chemicals and processes to produce our stuff is why one of its key takeaways is so important: the concept of extended producer responsibility: aka shifting the burden of waste away from consumers and onto the companies that actually make it all. It's a key idea in zero-waste living and a must-know if you’re ready to hold brands accountable and shop smarter. Watch on Netflix
3. The Clean Bin Project, 2010
- Thinking about going zero-waste? The Clean Bin Project is the perfect mix of fun and eye-opening. It follows couple Jen and Grant as they dive into a friendly (and slightly trashy) competition to see who can create the least amount of waste in one year. Along the way, this playful yet powerful documentary tackles big topics like consumerism, plastic overload, and packaging waste—all while serving up plenty of laughs and practical tips. It’s the kind of film that makes you think twice about what you toss, and shows that living with less waste is totally doable—and even kind of fun. (Available for $9 on Vimeo)
must-watch fashion & fast fashion documentaries
4. The True Cost, (2015)
- This eye opening documentary uncovers some of the horrors associated with the fast fashion industry. Directed by Andrew Morgan, the film takes you from factory floors in developing countries where low-wage workers power the system, to the polluted rivers and poisoned soil left behind as a result of mass production. It’s a raw, eye-opening look at the human and environmental price tags attached to our cheap clothing, and a must-watch for anyone ready to ( r e )think their closet. (Watch free on YouTube)
5. RiverBlue, (2016)
- This documentary takes you on a global journey with river conservationist Mark Angelo as he dives into one of the dirtiest secrets in the fashion world: its massive impact on our waterways. This powerful film exposes how the fashion industry is polluting rivers around the world and harming the communities that rely on them. But it’s not all doom and gloom, this film also shines a light on the innovators and solutions that are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Think of it as a wake-up call with a splash of hope. (Rent for $2.99 on Vimeo)
6. Slay, 2022
- This bold, feature-length deep dive asks one powerful question: is it really okay to kill animals for style? Taking viewers behind the scenes of fur, leather, and wool production, this eye-opening film uncovers the often-hidden environmental, ethical, and human costs of animal-based fashion. From greenwashing tactics to the raw reality of industry practices, SLAY is a global investigation that challenges what we wear and why. Stylish? Maybe. Sustainable? You’ll have to watch and decide. (Watch free on AppleTV)
Sustainable & regenerative food production documentaries
7. Kiss the Ground, 2020
- One solution to the climate crisis that has been studied and researched extensively is regenerative agriculture. Modern farming practices are continuously creating massive issues for the planet, from water resources to land management to greenhouse gas emissions. Rethinking our farming practices is not only innovative but necessary for a more sustainable future. This inspiring documentary teaches us exactly why and how. (Plus it has Tom Brady and Ian Somerhalder in it!) (Watch on Prime)
8. Seaspiracy, 2021 (trailer)
- A sequel to its more well-known counterpart, COWspiracy, this particular film dives into the problematic ways in which we use and abuse our poor oceans. It challenges the notions of “sustainable fishing” and uncovers the harm associated with overfishing, and global fishing practices. (Watch on Netflix)
9. Rotten, 2019
- Our produce has stickers and labels on it telling us where it comes from. It’s not a surprise that your bananas come from South America or your Avocados from Mexico (you probably sang the song in your head as you read that!) but what doesn’t get talked about as much is how those products get grown and get to us while remaining ‘affordable’. This docuseries dives deep into the supply chain to look at things like the Avocado cartel in Mexico and Chinese prisoners peeling garlic so the Global North doesn’t have to do it ourselves. (Watch on Netflix)
other ( r e )sources to learn more about how to live a sustainable lifestyle
Beyond watching these great talks & films, there are even more resources out there to educate yourself on how you can make the most out of your sustainable mindset.
Water usage, plastic, fashion choices, recycling, and food choices are all things within our control. Here are some cool apps and websites that help you harness it.
Eco & Sustainable Lifestyle Apps
- Use this amazing website to explore how your current choices add up in terms of water usage. It may be easier to lessen your impact than you might think!
2. Yuka
- If you care about the planet’s health AND your own, this app kills two birds with one stone. If you’re curious about the harmful chemicals and additives in both your food and everyday products, use Yuka to scan them and find the truth about what's inside.
3. Good On You
- It can be difficult to navigate all the greenwashing being done by all sorts of brands, especially in the fashion industry. Look up brands using the Good On You app to learn about their practices and determine if they are actually sustainable or not.
- Food waste is one of many eco disasters. You can help solve it with the Too Good to Go app. Find restaurants near you that are giving away surplus food and go rescue it! Plus who doesn’t love cheap eats!
wrapping it up: watch & learn
Whether you're just starting your sustainability journey or looking to deepen your impact, these TED Talks, documentaries, and resources offer great ways to understand the impact of our everyday choices.
From fast fashion to plastic pollution, from the circular economy to zero-waste living, each story shines a light on the urgent need for change, and the exciting possibilities when we take action.
Knowledge is a catalyst.
So queue up a documentary, dive into a TED Talk, and let these eye-opening perspectives inspire small shifts in your lifestyle that can lead to big, lasting impact. Because eco-friendly living isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being aware, informed, and willing to do better.
Ready to ( r e )think, ( r e )use, and ( r e )imagine?