If you are trying to live sustainably in 2020, there are tons of easy compromises that can make your life greener. Reducing plastic waste is a critical issue for today's environment. Whether it's recyclable and biodegradable phone cases or sustainable fashion , there are plenty of environmentally friendly plastic substitutes you can buy. use every day.
Since zero waste can be overwhelming, we reached out to Danielle Jezienicki, director of sustainability at Grove Collaborative , a flexible, recurring shipping service for tons of green products.
"The truth is, there is nothing better than throwing plastic in the trash," says Jezienicki. "Plastics, whether your ChapStick or your toothbrush, take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down into harmful microplastics that end up in soil, water and ultimately all life. ""
When it comes to simple solutions, Jezienicki says your favorite types of exchanges provide elegant solutions that get you out of a useless system. One of his favorite examples is sustainable lingerie. By replacing plastic detergent bottles with reusable and recyclable products, you reduce their lifespan to tons of single-use plastic. Just be sure to look for a laundry detergent that doesn't contain harmful chemicals or fragrances.
Jezienicki also recommends washing in cold water and drying less time for carbon and energy savings. Later, Jezienicki brings us her eco-friendly tips and tricks for laundry, cleaning products and more.
Ecological laundry
Self- Dosing Laundry Detergent Dispenser ($ 17.95; grove.co )
"Our reusable glass washing container is actually a beautiful one-handed pour product (hello mothers, I know you enjoy this one!) And it is the last laundry container you will ever need." Jezienicki said.
Liquid detergent for Ultra - concentrated ($ 9.95; grove.co )
This concentrated liquid allows you to use much less detergent than usual, making this pouch last longer than traditional options. The detergent is available in three natural fragrances. These detergent bags are 100% recyclable so you can reduce plastic waste.
Dropps Stain & Odor Detergent Capsules ( from $ 24; dropps.com )
These detergent capsules are supplied in a 100% recyclable, reprocessable and compostable cardboard box. In addition, the capsules are compatible with all machines, are made without harmful chemicals and have a natural flavor.
Sheep Wool Smart Drying Balls ($ 16.95; amazon.com )
Reduce drying time by simply adding drying balls with your next load, shortening the drying process. These balls reduce energy consumption, make your clothes super soft, and are reusable so you don't have to throw them away like dryer sheets.
Laundry funds (26.90 USD originally 36.80 USD; grove.co )
You can also purchase a sustainable laundry starter kit from Grove that includes laundry detergent, dispenser, stain removal spray and anti-wrinkle spray. These are safe to use and more environmentally friendly than the ones you usually take home with you. Business.
Cleancult Complete Liquid Laundry Set ($ 49.99, originally $ 64.94 ; cleancult.com )
Cleancult sells reusable glass containers as well as proprietary cleaning solutions made from coconut oil and other plant-based ingredients. This set can freshen up your laundry routine with a container, four plastic-free detergent fillings, a silicone funnel and three wool drying balls.
Kit for home laundering Blue Country ($ 18; blueland.com )
Blueland uses soluble tablets that become daily cleaning products, eliminating single-use plastics from your routine. This laundry starter set comes with a steel box and 40 laundry tablets that you can put straight into the washing machine for fresh cleaning.
Tru Earth Eco-Strips Laundry Detergent ($ 16.95; amazon.com )
Tru Earth Laundry Strips , another plastic-free option, dissolve in the washing machine and offer a simple alternative to traditional laundry detergents. Plus, the straps are lightweight, which makes them a great option if you have to walk up and down stairs or around corners in the washroom.
Reduce paper
While Jezienicki likes the simplicity of alternative laundry solutions, there are other areas of the home where permanent switches are more urgent. The most important trade that you think everyone should be making is cutting paper products.
"They are extremely problematic when it comes to contributing to deforestation," he says. "Switch from traditional products (toilet paper and paper towels) to recycled or bamboo alternatives like Grove's Seedling ." Using materials like bamboo reduces deforestation because bamboo grows much faster than trees.
In addition to paper products, Jezienicki recommends looking for unnecessary products in your life that you use frequently and replacing them with more environmentally friendly options. Check out some of the more practical exchanges:
Classic Tushy Bidet ($ 89, originally $ 109; hellotushy.com )
One way to drastically reduce paper waste is to cut down on toilet paper usage. An easy solution is to go through the many changes you made during quarantine and invest in a bidet. Easy to install, this Tushy bidet will change the way you go to the bathroom forever. Trust us - we tried it ourselves and we loved it .
Who gives a crap toilet paper (from $ 30; us.whogivesacrap.com )
Tree lot Jumbo 3- ply toilet paper tissue (15.95 USD; grove.co )
This toilet paper is made from 100% responsibly grown bamboo and is soft and strong. It's also safe for septic tanks and comes in fully recyclable plastic-free packaging.
Seventh Generation Toilet Paper ($ 27.58, originally $ 34.99; amazon.com )
This toilet paper option is made from recycled paper with no added dyes, inks, or fragrances. It is also septically safe and comes in 100% recyclable packaging (yes, the plastic packaging is also recyclable).
Reusable Bamboo Bamboo Towel ($ 12.99, originally $ 15.99; amazon.com )
These reusable paper towels are made from bamboo. If you use one, don't throw it away. You just washed it. They can be machine washed up to 100 times, are durable and very absorbent.
Swedish Cellulosic Terrycloth, 10-Pack ($ 19.95, originally $ 24.99; amazon.com )
Swedish kitchen towels have come up so often on the internet that we had to try them out ourselves . Super absorbent, reusable wipes are good for cleaning, scrubbing, and anything you would use a regular paper towel for.
Who doesn't make crap tissues, 12 boxes ($ 16; us.whogivesacrap.org )
Another easy-to-replace household paper product are facial tissues. This Who Gives Alternative to Crap uses bamboo for a soft, strong fabric that is made without harming the trees.
The simplest changes
"The simplest switches are the things that interest you because you've found a solution that works for you or solves another problem," says Jezienicki. Think bamboo toothbrushes, bars of soap, storage bags, and more. We followed Grove's advice and created some of our favorite switches.
The Dirt All Natural Tooth Powder, 3 month delivery ($ 19.99; amazon.com )
Try this tooth powder, instead of a regular toothpaste to use, in plastic containers is delivered . All you have to do is apply a damp toothbrush to the powder and then brush as you normally would. We know it sounds strange, but it's a big change from the plastic bag of toothpaste that you use every day.
David's Natural Recyclable Toothpaste ($ 9.95, originally $ 12; amazon.com )
This high quality natural toothpaste comes in a metal tube so it can be recycled after opening and rinsing. Even the box and the small plastic lid are 100% recyclable.
100% Stasher Silicone Reusable Bag ($ 11.99; amazon.com )
These reusable silicone bags replace plastic bags . They come in a variety of sizes and are perfect for storing a quick snack or bulk cargo. "The other thing I like is to take a storage bag to the farmers market or to eat as leftovers," says Jezienicki. "It folds flat and won't waste or recycle. Plus, you'll have a sandwich on hand!"
Redecker Tampico Fiber Dish Brush ($ 11.99; amazon.com )
Did you know that sponges are actually made of plastic? And not only do they take a long time to decompose in a landfill. When washing up with a sponge, tiny microplastics are released into the water. Get rid of the traditional and spongy choice for this Tampico fiber dish brush . It is made from materials that can be composted and recycled. If the brush bristles are worn out, you can easily buy a replacement head .
Full Circle Bamboo Dish Brush ($ 7.07, originally $ 8.30; amazon.com )
Or you can opt for this more compact bamboo dish brush with recycled plastic bristles . The ergonomic design fits perfectly in the hand, so that you can wash even the most stubborn dishes.
Annvchi Travel Camping Cutlery Set ($ 7.63; amazon.com )
If you eat out and use a lot of single-use plastic cutlery, try these reusable stainless steel alternatives . This pack comes with a knife, fork, spoon, chopsticks, two straws and a straw cleaner in a stylish tote bag so you can take it with you wherever you go.
Beeswax Food Packaging ($ 18; amazon.com )
This handmade in Vermont Beeswax food packaging can replace plastic films. Store fruit or food in bulk or cover a container with this packaging. They are washable so you can reuse them before throwing them in the compost.
Earth Junky Product Bags ($ 19.95; amazon.com )
Try these reusable product bags instead of taking single-use plastic bags out of the store for your products. This seven-piece set contains a variety of muslin and mesh bags for different product sizes.
Yeti Rambler 18 oz (from USD 39.15; amazon.com )
Using a reusable metal water bottle reduces the need for plastic containers. This dishwasher-safe water bottle with double-walled vacuum insulation keeps your drink cold all day. It was also our finalist for the best water bottle of 2020 . We loved the shelf life and the ability to keep drinks cold all day.
Hydro Flask 20 ounce coffee with flexible lid for sips ($ 34.95; hydroflask.com )
Instead of having a paper or plastic cup to throw away, give your local coffee shop a reusable bottle. This Hydro Flask coffee mug is vacuum insulated and made of durable stainless steel.
Bamboo Toothbrush Brushes, 4-Pack ( $ 16.99, originally $ 17.99; amazon.com )
This soft bristle brush is vegetable and organic. Instead of staying in a landfill or swimming in the ocean, the bristles and packaging can be recycled, and the bio-plastic packaging and handle composted.
Viking Blade Stainless Steel Razor ($ 28.97, originally $ 42.97; amazon.com )
Switching to a stainless steel razor is a great way to avoid unnecessary waste of single-use plastic. The single blade enables an equally precise shave and is made of Swedish steel and designed to last a lifetime. The replacement blades are also made of stainless steel, so they can be recycled when worn.
Biodegradable Floss with Refillable Glass Holder ($ 9.99, originally $ 12.99; amazon.com )
If you're using dental floss (which you really should) this is a great substitute for regular plastic wire. The 100% silk thread is waxed and has a mint taste. The packaging is recyclable and the yarn is compostable.
Rocky Mountain Barber Company Wooden Comb ($ 11.99; amazon.com )
Wooden combs are an easy substitute for their plastic counterparts. This antistatic, interference-free craft comb is made of pear wood and is completely compostable.
Desert Breeze Wooden Hairbrush ($ 36.50; amazon.com )
With a pear wood handle and wild boar bristles, this sturdy brush is completely natural. Made in Germany by a shop with a 100 year history, this brush is a great sustainable and compostable alternative.
Aspen Kay Dead Sea Mud Soap ($ 9.45; amazon.com )
Use bars of soap instead of soap bottles with shower gel. There are tons of natural options out there , but we love this one because it's organic and contains no chemicals. It's made from Dead Sea mud, charcoal, shea butter, and other natural ingredients.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire