At SwearBy, we get ultra-excited about products that combine inherent covetability with eco-friendliness. So we turned to the founders of Siblings candles—real-life brother and sister David Bronkie and Eva Eckerblad—for insights on how (and why) to live sustainably with style.

Growing up near Buffalo, New York, the duo watched their mom composting long before it was commonplace, and their dad crafting things with his own two hands. “We saw an American family living sustainably, without compromising on the comforts that made us happy. We know it can be done.” They founded Siblings after Eva’s return to the U.S. after living in Sweden for several years—the transition was an eye-opening experience, and not in a good way. “In Sweden, people take a lot of pride in designing their home, using materials and products that are made to last,” Eckerblad says. “Back home in the U.S., I noticed the opposite. America has a throwaway culture. We started Siblings because we strongly believe that this culture of wastefulness can be changed.”

Here, how exactly they recommend living sustainability in your own home, plus earth-friendly products they adore.

Can you tell us a little bit about your brand’s mission regarding throwaway culture?

Our goal at Siblings is to create products that reduce waste and last longer than low-quality alternatives. Our DIY candle kits enable people to keep reusing vessels they already have, keeping them out of landfills. And our candle wax is a natural blend of coconut, soy and beeswax that is clean and long burning, and throws scent exceptionally well. A lot of mass-produced candles are made with paraffin which is a byproduct of the petroleum industry, and really isn’t a good thing to be burning in your home. Our scents are made with non-toxic fragrance and essential oils. They’re free of parabens and phthalates, so customers can feel safe lighting them daily.

It feels more important than ever to make our spaces feel like home. Any products or tips you’d recommend?

Declutter, keep things clean and organized, fill your home with natural materials as much as you can. You can easily create a calm, cozy atmosphere with a few candles, soft textiles and good lighting. We love Parachute for linens!

What are some of your favorite eco-conscious products?

One eco-friendly product we can’t be without is a Swedish dishcloth in the kitchen. It’s a long lasting, reusable cloth that replaces paper towels and sponges. It’s extremely useful and saves a lot of paper. We also appreciate a good bar of soap rather than liquid soap in single-use plastic bottles. Regarding other essentials in the home, like furniture, decor and linens — we try to stick to natural materials when possible as they tend to age better and last longer. Also, mostly neutrals and pieces that look very classic and simple, things that don’t go out of style quickly.

A few of Eva and David’s favorites that are worth checking out:

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