In this post, you will learn of the first 6 eco-friendly products we HIGHLY recommend when first switching to eco-friendly/waste-free products! There are so many switches to make, however, we have compiled a list to simplify the six we recommend the most when first starting out on the path of sustainable and eco-friendly living. Here’s a sneak peak of what we’ll be discussing:
- Shampoo Bars
- Reusable Grocery Bags
- Reusable Food Storage Bags (Ziploc)
- Bamboo Cotton Pads
- Bamboo (Reusable) Straws
- Bamboo Toothbrushes
Before I became vegan, I had no true idea of the impact I was making by using so many everyday essentials, ESPECIALLY single-use plastics! I used cotton pads to remove my makeup, I was a huge Ziploc bag user, and going to the grocery store you know I was grabbing plastic bags every time. Well, when you start adding up all of these little things multiplied by the number of people in this world, the waste becomes overwhelming! Although we might think “I’m just one person in this world, what true difference could I actually make?”, you have the ability to make a bigger change that you ever thought possible. Every bit of change makes a difference.
So let’s get into it! What eco-friendly products do we recommend to become more eco-friendly?
Shampoo Bars
We absolutely recommend Love Beauty And Planet Shampoo bars, as not only are they reasonable and CHEAP for the other bars out there. It is cruelty-free, vegan, and has absolutely no sulfates, silicones, parabens, or dyes, making it a not only an eco-friendly alternative, but also healthier for your hair! Another great thing about this brand is the fact that they use recyclable materials and are striving to have the smallest carbon-footprint they can. Who doesn’t want to support a brand that not only has healthier hair products but ALSO cares about the earth? We couldn’t love this brand more.
Reusable Grocery Bags
In many states, limiting or charging for plastic bags has become a new normal, however that doesn’t stop many people from grabbing them every time they shop! Although it can seem like a daunting task, remembering to bring in your own fancy grocery bags helps stop the waste of these single-use items. Approximately 100 BILLION plastic bags are used in U.S. alone, breaking down to roughly 1,500 bags per year/per family, yet these items are only used on average for 12 seconds in the hands of each person. That’s a terrifying statistic when you think about it that way! That’s why reusable grocery bags are number two on our list! You can find reusable bags at every grocery store or online in cute stores on Etsy, Amazon, or we grab ours from Tees For Bees! (If you love this bag as much as we do feel free to use our code ALYSAX for a discount 😉 ) We recommend keeping a little box in your trunk or backseat with multiple bags so you can simply grab-and-go to shop! The closer you have it to you, the less likely you will be to forget them!
Reusable Food Storage Bags (a.k.a. Ziploc bags)
Okay, these have made the BIGGEST difference in my day-to-day life. I had no idea these things even existed until I went down the Amazon rabbit hole and came across them. I was a huge contributor to the food storage bag waste and decided to try these out. Did you know just one of these bags can replace up to 300 single-use bags? OKAY, I will never go back, these are that amazing! They are extremely easy to wash, they are leak proof, and they are even freezer safe! You have any veggies or sauce-covered items you’d like to store? You will have NO problem with these and I don’t use these just for food. These are my new go-to travel essential! I pack my beauty or face products in them so no leaks occur in my bag. Multi-purpose bags to the rescue! This set was one of the best purchases I’ve made thus far in my transition to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Bamboo Cotton Pads
How many of you are/were guilty of using 3-5 of those cotton pads to cleanse your face? ME! Especially when I had a full face of make-up on… These were another one of those finds that I didn’t realize existed until I went down another shopping rabbit hole. I found this site called The Vegan Warehouse, where every product on their site is completely vegan. While I was looking in their household/beauty section, I saw that there were reusable bamboo pads that were completely machine washable with their own little bag to throw them in! How cool is that! I can now use these pads without fear of not knowing where these pads are ending up, and they work so very well! I add water and my cleaners as needed, and wipe away the impurities or make-up the day has brought me. Easy. Effective. Saving the planet. Another highly recommended switch.
Bamboo Straws
When I think of the first thing I was told to switch when first thinking of changing up my single-use living, I was told bamboo straws was where it was at! Like plastic grocery bags, a lot of cities and states started implementing restrictions on straws in restaurants. If you didn’t ask for one you weren’t getting one! As soon as this law was passed, I immediately started looking for straws I could bring with me on the go. By doing so, I wouldn’t even need to ask! I decided to buy these wonderful bamboo straws from BamBoo Roots and love them! Not only are they extremely reasonable, they have lasted me forever, are simple to clean, and fit nicely into my purse. If bamboo is not your thing, metal or silicone straws are other great alternatives that we’d highly recommend.
Bamboo Toothbrush
Last but not least, the bamboo toothbrush! Toothbrushes are another huge source of waste going into our landfills. Although they are not considered single-use, they are made from plastics that can be harmful to us and the earth. Around 1 BILLION toothbrushes are sent to landfills just in the U.S., creating over 50 millions pounds of waste. That’s INTENSE, especially when you think of the fact on average each person will use around 1,500 toothbrushes in their lifetime. That’s why switching to a toothbrush that is made from natural materials is a wonderful choice when being eco-conscious. These toothbrushes are not only natural but they also come in 100% biodegradable packaging. That makes the whole ensemble a green choice. Side note: One thing I’ve personally noticed with bamboo toothbrushes is the bristles tend to be softer, so don’t be scared if they don’t feel as tough as the plastic ones you’re used to! The clean is just as great, if not better!
Conclusion
Switching to a greener lifestyle can really seem like a lot of work, however with the right tools and recommendations you’ll realize it’s SO much easier than you ever thought it could be. Getting into the habit of these things may be difficult at first, but just keep your focus on all the difference you are making. You, just a single person, can have an impact and lead the way for others to follow. And now, more than ever, eco-friendly products are everywhere!
We hope our recommended eco-friendly products give you some insight and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or thoughts! As a reminder, every product in this post WE USE. The brand, the kind, everything…We believe in being honest in the products we share and will never recommend something we haven’t used ourselves. So now that you’ve made it to the end of this post, what’s the first thing you’re going to switch up on your personal eco-friendly journey?
