Monday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• A sustainable washing routine for everyday items

• Sunset of the day in NYC

• A clean 5-minute makeup routine

• What is “Use Less Stuff Day”?

• Inspiration to get through the work week

True or False?

Meal planning for the week ahead can cut food waste in half.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

A Sustainable Washing Routine for Everyday Items

A cleaner home doesn’t have to mean nonstop laundry. With a few eco-friendly habits, you can keep things fresh without wasting water, energy, or products.

Sheets usually benefit from a weekly wash, but if that’s not realistic right now, swap pillowcases more often. They’re the part that matters most. Bath towels can go three to four uses as long as they fully dry between showers, which also helps prevent mildew (and unnecessary laundry).

Makeup brushes do best with a weekly rinse, especially the ones used with liquid products. A little gentle soap keeps them clean and helps them last longer, so you replace them less often. Around the house, kitchen cloths and bath mats typically need a weekly wash, but air-drying and spot cleaning can buy you more time between loads.

Whenever you can, combine items into full loads and wash on cold to cut your energy footprint. Sustainable care isn’t about strict rules. It’s about finding a rhythm that feels good, saves resources, and fits real life.

Sunset of the Day in NYC

David captured this dramatic November 4th sunset from Hudson River Park in NYC, with the New Jersey skyline silhouetted against swirling clouds and electric color. The sky lit up in fiery streaks of orange and violet just as the city lights began to glow.

Thanks, David, for letting us see the view through your lens. Got a moment like this to share? We’d love to see it. Send it in for a chance to be featured as sunset of the day.

MERIT’s Only Sale of the Year – 20% Off Sitewide

The wait is over — MERIT’s Only Sale of the Year is here! From Nov 24–Dec 1, enjoy 20% off sitewide plus a free gift with purchase.

Discover effortless, impossible-to-mess-up essentials that fit seamlessly into your routine. From clean, skin-loving formulas to multi-use favorites like our Five Minute Morning Set — now $140.80 (value $206, 32% off) — everything is designed to help you look polished in minutes.

Clean, vegan, cruelty-free — and only on sale once a year.

Shop the sale.

Thank you to MERIT for sponsoring The Canopy.

What is “Use Less Stuff Day”?

Use Less Stuff Day, celebrated on the third Thursday of November, is a gentle pause before the holiday rush. With U.S. households producing 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, it’s a reminder to slow down our buying, rethink habits, and make choices that create less waste and less stress.

The goal isn’t to go full minimalist. It’s simply about being more intentional. Reuse decorations you already love, swap with friends, or try gifting experiences instead of extra “stuff.” Planning meals, skipping glittery wrapping paper, and avoiding impulse purchases all make a big difference.

It also reminds us that recycling isn’t a cure-all. Most items in the blue bin never actually get recycled. Reducing what we buy in the first place is the most effective step.

Small changes add up. A little less clutter. A little less waste. And a holiday season that feels lighter in every way.

Thank you to I Hate It Here for sponsoring The Canopy.

Quick Picks:

From mindful meals to winter magic, check out this week’s top eco-friendly finds:

• 🥗 Prep one of these 17 plant-based lunches 

• 💄 This makeup is clean, vegan, and cruelty-free

• ☕ Make your morning coffee routine more sustainable

• ⛸️ 8 stunning natural ice skating spots

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: True. Most household food waste comes from forgotten or unused items.

🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured!