We all want to be a little kinder to the Earth, and besides holding large corporations accountable for their massive waste and carbon production, one of the best things we can do as individuals is convert to reusable and sustainable options for everyday items. Here is a list of some of my favorite eco-friendly items that are easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
1. Dish Brush - The Earthling Co.
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This brush replaces those nasty plastic sponges that you have to throw away constantly! They have no plastic, and when the brush head starts to get old you can easily detach it and replace with a new one.
2. Bee's Wax Wrap - Amazon
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I got a package of beeswax wrap for christmas, and surprisingly enough I have been using them a lot! It works as a plastic wrap replacement and you can place it over fruits, cheeses, bowls, etc. All you have to do is wash them when you're done and reuse them over and over again.
3. Reusable Bamboo Straws - Public Goods
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Regular plastic straws take incredibly long to decompose and stay in the ocean years after they are thrown away, harming wildlife and further contributing to the heating of our oceans. These bamboo straws are a great alternative and don't give the gross feeling that paper straws typically do.
4. Reusable Produce Bags - The Zero Waste Store
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There are so many places you can buy reusable produce bags at, and they're much nicer to use. I like these because they're made of cotton, but you can usually find some at T.J. Maxx (that's where I got mine) or even your local Walmart.
5. Stasher Reusable Ziploc Bags - Amazon
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Regular ziploc bags are so wasteful, and honestly kind of expensive. These reusable stasher bags are a great alternative and will last for years! They're so durable you can even cook food in them. If these are too expensive for you though, a great way to spend less on regular ziploc bags is to just wash and reuse them. I have several friends that do this and it just further reduces their waste and their spending!
6. Compostable Phone Case - Pela
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Pela Case is a fantastic company, dedicated to closed cycle production loop. Their phone cases are completely compostable, and they will even take your current plastic case, break it down, and treat it so it can be used to make their other phone cases in the future. Also, when you buy one of their cases, they throw in an additional one for free! I have the exact one in the picture but in the color pink, and it's definitely the best case I've ever used. When it's time for you to upgrade you phone case, I HIGHLY recommend this product.
7. Wool Dryer Balls - Clean Cult
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Dryer sheets, like ziploc bags, have a very short usage span and are extremely wasteful. You can reuse these wool dryer balls for about 3 years, which is well worth the price.
8. Laundry Detergent Sheets - Earth Breeze
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Laundry detergent typically comes in big, bulky plastic packaging. If you can afford it, this laundry detergent comes in sheets that dissolve in the washer. It's a great way to cut down on plastic.
9. Bamboo Toothbrush - Zero Waste Store
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This is one of the easiest swaps you can make! Regular toothbrushes are made of thick plastic that is incredibly hard to break down. These bamboo options are much easier to decompose and won't stay in the ocean for (literally) 1,000 years.
10. Shampoo Bar - J.R. Ligget
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Shampoo and conditioner containers use bulky plastic, which is why many people have been switching to bar versions instead. It's just like the regular product, just less harmful to the environment.
11. Misfits Market Produce Box - Misfits Market
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Misfits Market takes the extra produce that stores won't sell, simply because they are ugly. All of their food is organic, reasonably priced, and in season! It comes in a subscription box and you get to pick from the items available at that time. Their mission is to reduce food waste, and if you want to learn more about this I highly recommend reading more about it on their website.
Always remember, that the best way to reduce your waste is to not buy extra at all. Only buy new after you've used what you already have! Support companies dedicated to sustainable business practices, and make sure to get involved with your local communities to create change.
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