About Thriving Sustainably - photo of beach.

Welcome to Thriving
Sustainably

Thriving Sustainably is a resource for practical ways to reduce plastic and live more consciously. It was created to cut through greenwashing and misleading claims, focusing on real impact rather than perfection.

Whether you’re learning about microplastics, swapping out plastic in your routine, or finding ways to reduce waste at home, this site helps you make informed choices that support your health and the planet. Because meaningful change starts with what we do every day.

Hi, I’m Melissa-founder of Thriving Sustainably

And someone who never expected a beach vacation to change the course of her life.

My interest in sustainable living began while working on my company’s employee ESG leadership team, where I started to see how corporate decisions shape environmental outcomes. A turning point came after I attended a talk by the Plastic Soup Foundation and learned just how widespread plastic pollution is. That message stayed with me, especially during a trip to Cannon Beach, Oregon, where I noticed microplastics scattered along the shore. The scale of the problem was impossible to ignore, and I left feeling both overwhelmed and motivated to take action.

Since then, helping people reduce their plastic use has become a clear focus for me. Thankfully, more brands are offering thoughtful, lower-waste products that use less plastic or avoid it entirely. I started Thriving Sustainably to highlight these alternatives, share what I’ve learned, and help others make practical changes that reduce plastic use where it matters most.

Melissa Walker, author of Thriving Sustainably.

What You’ll Find Here

Thriving Sustainably offers in-depth guides, product reviews, and practical tips to help you reduce plastic use and make more environmentally responsible choices. From understanding how microplastics appear in your home and environment to comparing products made with better materials and less plastic, this site clarifies topics that are often confusing or greenwashed.

Researching materials, reading studies, and comparing products can be time-consuming, and not everyone has the hours to do it all. That’s where this site comes in. We look into what things are made of, how they’re packaged, and whether the sustainability claims hold up so you don’t have to. Highlighting options that reflect genuine efforts to reduce plastic, not just clever marketing.