A Mompreneur on a Mission to Raise Consciously and Build Sustainably

We live in a world of instant noodles, same-day delivery, and convenience-packed parenting, where living sustainably can feel like an unrealistic luxury. But for Sarbani Gupta Banik, it’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity. A mother to a spirited three-year-old daughter and a full-time entrepreneur, she doesn’t just talk about sustainability, she builds her life around it. Not perfectly but persistently.

 

Her Sustainability Journey Started from Something Very Personal

Sarbani’s awareness of what goes on the skin began early — because she remembers how it felt. As a baby, she suffered from eczema, and that memory has stayed with her. So when she became a mom, she knew she had to be extra careful about what her daughter would wear or touch.

That’s how she became drawn to natural, breathable fabrics like organic cotton — materials that are gentle on skin and free from the harsh chemicals and microplastics found in synthetic clothing like polyester.

Today, she makes a conscious effort to choose natural and eco-friendly fabrics not just for her daughter, but for herself and her entire family.

“Once you experience the comfort and peace of wearing natural fibres, it’s hard to go back to synthetics,” she says.

It is High Time We Get out of the Fast Fashion trap

Sarbani is also deeply aware of the impact of fast fashion — not just on the environment, but on the people behind the scenes who make those clothes.

“We live in a culture of ‘more’ — more clothes, more sales, more mindless buying,” she reflects. “But I’d rather buy fewer things that are made ethically and will actually last.”

She now makes it a point to buy mindfully — choosing pieces that are seasonless, versatile, and responsibly made. She also avoids impulse shopping and pays close attention to fabric labels and how clothes are produced.

In her own small way, she’s trying to be part of the solution — not the problem.

She made it Possible to choose Sustainability in Daily Life

While she knows she can’t change the world overnight, Sarbani has found her rhythm in the small, intentional things she can control.

For instance:

⁃           She tries to carry her own bottle (along with her daughter sippy bottle) – and avoids buying bottled water while out. Not practical to carry your own bottle all the time because of various challenges but she is trying.

⁃           She carries cloth bags to the local sabji market instead of taking plastic bags from vendors.

⁃           While many groceries and household essentials still come in unavoidable plastic packaging, she tries to cut back wherever possible — choosing paper over plastic and reusing containers.

⁃           Homemade snacks for her toddler — dry fruits, puffed rice, and roasted makhana in reusable dabbas.

⁃           Walking instead of driving short distances — cutting down emissions while improving her own fitness.

We All Learn from Someone, So did She

Sarbani draws inspiration from women who lead quietly powerful sustainable lives. She follows Instagram creators like Kritika Singh Bhadouria (@thegreenchapter) and Sahar Mansoor (@barenecessities_zerowaste), who share practical tips for low-waste living in the Indian context.

But her biggest influences have often been closer to home. From her parents and in-laws, she’s learned the art of repurposing and reusing everyday items — like turning old T-shirts into cleaning cloths or reusing plastic containers from breakfast staples to store spices and pulses.

“It’s not always about following big influencers,” she says. “Sometimes it’s about learning from parents who lived sustainably long before the word became trendy.”

Raising a Child With Values That Matter

What drives Sarbani most is the kind of example she wants to set for her daughter. She’s intentional about teaching her — through actions, not just words — that every small choice matters.

Whether it’s choosing a fabric, refusing plastic, or resisting fast fashion trends, Sarbani’s motherhood and sustainability values are beautifully intertwined.

Sarbani Says, “ It’s Okay to Start Small”

Sarbani doesn’t claim to have it all figured out — and that’s exactly what makes her journey so relatable.

She’s just a mom, trying to do the best she can — making one better decision at a time, creating a conscious home, and reminding us all that sustainable living isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing something.

And that’s a message the world needs more of