It’s no secret that the state of the environment is dire these days- and the products you purchase are part of the problem. National Geographic reports that over 90 percent of all plastic is never recycled, and the United States alone produces over 500 million pieces of plastic straw waste each day- much of which lands in the planet’s oceans.
In light of these concerns, how can you be a smarter consumer? It turns out there are numerous opportunities for investing in more sustainable alternatives to standard products, and this article will give you some ideas for getting started.
1. Langsprit Eco-Friendly Reusable Sandwich & Snack Bags
If you’re sick of throwing away your plastic sandwich bags after lunch each day, it’s time to upgrade to a reusable variety. Langsprit’s bags are meant to last through hundreds of lunches, and they are certified BPA and PVC free. Simple to turn inside out and wipe down when they get dirty, you can even toss the bags into your washing machine. Each order provides you with a 3-pack (one small, medium and large).
2. Reolink Argus 2 Solar-Powered Security Camera
Protecting your home from intruders is no small task, and the last thing you want is to be stuck with a security camera that sucks your energy supply. That’s the appeal of the Reolink Argus 2; this 1080p HD security camera can be powered by a weather-resistant solar panel to save you money AND keep your carbon footprint under control.
3. Bamboo ‘Paper’ Towels
Paper towels might be convenient, but they lead to a lot of landfill waste and clear cut forests. You can cut your consumption down by turning to bamboo towels instead. Not only are they stronger, more absorbent and more durable than standard towels, but each roll is made from sustainably harvested, certified organic bamboo. Best of all, the sheets are reusable over 100 times each- just pop them in your washing machine when you want to freshen them up.
4. Bee Wild Co. Beeswax Food Wraps
Plastic cling wrap is convenient and cheap, but single-use plastic is perilous of for the environment. You can reduce the waste by turning to Beeswax Wraps instead. These all-natural covers let you store leftovers and protect cut produce, and they mold into any shape you want just from the warmth of your hands. Each order comes with three wraps sized small, medium, and large so you’re likely to have the right sized cover for any job in the kitchen.
5. Ewedoos Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat with Alignment Lines
If you’re ready to make your workout more sustainable this season, it might be time to invest in an eco-friendly yoga mat. Each Ewedoos mat is made with upgraded TPE material that creates a robust and durable exercise platform that’s free of latex and PVC. As an added benefit, the mat boasts a non-slip surface and alignment lines meant to help you master the right positioning for every pose.
6. Amber Glass Bottle Bottles with Pump
Single-use soap and cosmetic bottles create a lot of waste, so a better option is to buy your products in bulk (or better yet, make your own!) If you want to keep things looking clean and cohesive while hiding those ugly bulk bottles, consider investing in these stunning glass ones instead. You can clean them in the dishwasher between products, ensuring that this convenient soap solution lasts you for years.
7. DanSoap All Natural Laundry Detergent
There’s a shocking number of potentially troubling ingredients in most detergents, so it makes sense to seek out less toxic solutions. After all, there is no escaping questionable compounds when they’re buried in your clothes! DanSoap All Natural Detergent offers you a 100 percent natural, chemical-free formula for washing your clothes that is free of dyes, artificial fragrances, and troubling compounds like petrochemicals, parabens, and phthalates. The highly concentrated, plant-based formula is 100 percent biodegradable and contains just three ingredients, including non-GMO coconut oil.
8. Gift Wrap with Wildflower Seeds
Do you feel guilty about tossing all that wrapping paper each holiday season or birthday? Consider using wildflower-seeded gift wrap next season! This 100 percent recycled paper contains hundreds of wildflower seeds, meaning that you can bury it three inches in the soil after use for a spring crop of gorgeous blooms.
9. SOARAISE Portable Solar Charger
Stop relying on fossil fuels to power your electronics- turn to solar panels instead. This Soarraise portable charger has 24000mAh capacity, meaning that you can charge most phones up to ten times before you need to get more sunlight, making it perfect for travel or camping trips. As an added benefit, it comes with a built-in LED light for better nighttime visibility.
10. GLORYBREW Biodegradable Coffee Filters
If you’re in love with your Keurig but can’t stand the waste created by those single-use pods, it’s time to turn to Glorybrew brand coffee instead. They provide 100 percent compostable K-Cups made from bio-based materials, which offers a greener alternative to even recyclable pods. The coffee they contain is no joke either; you will sip on Rainforest Alliance certified beans that were sustainably grown without any additives or preservatives. Use these pods with any K-Cup coffee machine, and you’ll put a big dent in your coffee waste each morning.
11. Bamboo Toothbrush
It’s easy to ignore how much waste proper dental hygiene can create, but the truth is that all those plastic toothbrushes tossed in the trash start to add up. You can limit your impact by sticking with biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes instead. Though they’re just as durable and beneficial for your mouth as standard varieties, these brushes break down without polluting the planet.
12. Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
When it comes to greening up your beauty routine, most people focus on switching out the products they use. You can make an even more significant impact by getting rid of single-use facial cleaners and relying on these reusable remover pads instead. This 13 piece kit is made of 100 percent organic bamboo, and they are designed to remove makeup, pollutants and dead skin from your face to leave you with a cleaner, healthier complexion. Using this kit can prevent you from tossing thousands of disposable cotton balls- a win for the environment and your wallet.
13. Brotrade Reusable Mesh Produce Bags
If you already bring reusable bags to the grocery store but feel guilty about every plastic produce bag that lands in your shopping cart, it’s time to invest in a greener alternative like reusable mesh bags. These bags are durable yet lightweight, and they make it possible to wash produce directly in the bags. You’ll get twelve bags in each order: three large, six medium, and three small.
14. Sweese Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser
If your daily tea habit is causing you to toss too many bags into the trash (there’s plastic in many tea bags), it’s time to invest in an infuser mug so you can transition to loose leaf instead. This quality ceramic mug will help you brew your perfect cup, and the lid doubles as a trivet to hold the infuser when you’ve seeped the leaves long enough. Best of all, the whole apparatus is dishwasher and microwave safe.
15. OLIVIA & AIDEN All Natural Air Freshener
Forget conventional air fresheners, and consider using an activated charcoal deodorizer bag from Olivia and Aiden instead! Each 200-gram bag will absorb unpleasant odors, and they can be used everywhere from your car to a closet, gym bag, bathroom, and even pet litter box. Best of all, they are completely biodegradable and won’t expose you to potentially troubling compounds.
16. Fuji EnviroMAX Super Alkaline AAA Batteries
Looking to invest in environmentally sustainable batteries? Fuji EnvironMAX batteries might be the answer. They boast a ten-year shelf-life, are made from recyclable materials and are free of mercury and cadmium – two heavy metals that are harmful to your body AND the environment.
17. Reusable Organic Hemp Cone Coffee Filter
Stop feeling guilty about tossing away your coffee filters each morning by switching over to Bolio reusable filters. Each filter makes perfect pour-over coffee, and they can be used hundreds of times before they deteriorate. You can feel even better about your purchase knowing that each filter is made from 100 percent certified organic materials.
18. Micro-Pop Glass Popcorn Popper-Maker
If you want an environmental smart option for your mid-day popcorn fix, consider investing in a microwave-safe glass popcorn maker. The design boasts heat-resistant borosilicate glass and a shape optimized to reduce the risk of burning, and the entire fixture is 100 percent BPA free.
19. Amazon Kindle
Though it might seem counterintuitive to stop buying paper books, you’ll save a tremendous amount of waste by purchasing books for your e-reader like the Amazon Kindle instead. This cuts down on waste from the paper production cycle and prevents energy wastes from cutting down trees, producing the books, and transporting them across the country.
20. Biodegradable Silver Chunky Eco Glitter
If you’re looking to add some glam to your beauty routine but don’t love the idea of synthetic ingredients, this eco-friendly glitter is the way to go. Made with a modified regenerated cellulose base, this 100 percent biodegradable glitter has a silky soft feel that your skin will love.
21. Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
We hate to break it to you, but your pooch’s poop isn’t exactly great for the environment. These 100 percent biodegradable dog poop bags will compost within three months in the soil, rendering each bag to nothing but carbon dioxide and water.
It’s going to take some concentrated effort to make a personal difference in your lifestyle for the environment, but committing to making a stand for sustainability with your purchases is one way you can make a difference.