When Sunniemade founder Sarah Spliethoff first started tinkering with sustainable swaps in her own routine, she never imagined it would lead to a full-fledged business built on suds and sustainability. But after a simple realization – one that many of us overlook – everything changed.

“Most people don’t realize that liquid shampoo and body wash can be up to 90% water,” she says. “That’s water you already have in your shower, and yet we’re shipping bulky plastic bottles all over the place to deliver it.”

That small but mighty insight sparked a big idea: what if we could reduce waste, emissions and unnecessary plastic – all while still getting squeaky clean?

Enter Sunniemade, a line of solid hair and body care products crafted with the planet (and your skin) in mind. What started as homemade bar soaps made in her kitchen soon evolved into a community-supported side hustle, then a full-time mission-driven business. Sarah’s background in marketing helped her not only craft compelling products, but also tell a story that consumers could connect with – one that’s all about nourishing self-care, without the waste.

“One bar can replace up to three bottles of product,” Sarah says. “It’s super concentrated, lasts longer, and when you compare it to high-quality liquid alternatives, it ends up being more affordable.”

This April, in honor of Earth Month, Sunniemade is taking things a step further by partnering with the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council – a local leader in climate action and ecological restoration. Through their ReTree program, YVSC restores critical riparian forests along the Yampa and Elk Rivers to combat rising river temperatures and protect wildlife habitats. Trees like cottonwoods and willows not only cool the water but also improve water quality and help with carbon sequestration.

 

For the month of April Sunniemade is donating 10% of all sales to the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, funding tree-planting efforts to restore local ecosystems and to help reforest Colorado. “We're a 1% for the Planet member year-round, but for Earth Month, we really wanted to amplify our impact,” Sarah says. “And we couldn’t think of a better local partner than YVSC.”

The partnership is part of a broader community movement. Since 2010, YVSC’s ReTree program has planted over 32,000 trees with the help of volunteers across the Yampa Valley. Last year alone, over 200 people came together to plant more than 1,000 trees. With burritos, coffee and a shared mission, it’s more than just digging in the dirt – it’s about digging into community, too.

This Earth Month, whether you're planting trees or simply swapping your shampoo bottle for a shampoo bar, there’s one thing to remember: small changes add up. 

Want to help? It’s easy to get involved. Community members can sign up for volunteer opportunities through the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council by subscribing to their newsletter, which features local projects year-round – from tree plantings to climate initiatives. Follow them on Instagram @yvsustainabilitycouncil or sign up for the newsletter here.

Support local and shop sustainably by purchasing Sunniemade products at sunniemade.com and follow along on Instagram @sunniemade.