13 Products that are Good for the Environment
Plastic has been on the way out for a while now, it’s one of the leading causes of pollution in the ocean and on the planet, however, there are some alternatives! What I found surprising when I looked into it, is that there are a lot of environmentally friendly products on the market that are alternatives to the traditional products we’ve been using for so long. After seeing all the options (and watching my bank account lose money) I decided to share them with you!
Don’t feel pressured to switch to everything on this list as some of these products may simply not be right for you, or perhaps you – like myself – are low on money right now and simply can’t afford to buy everything. So try out as much, or as little as you want!
#1 Instead of single-use plastic bags,
Try reusable/washable mesh bags
Single-use plastic bags are not only bad for the environment and likely end up in our forests and oceans, but they’re also weak and likely to tear. So why not try out some mesh bags that will last longer and carry more!
I got mine from: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0792X6NKN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
#2 Disposable cotton pads?
Try some reusable ones!
Cotton makeup remover pads can’t be recycled and while they are biodegradable it can take years for this process to happen, so often they end up in landfills, or sometimes in wild animals’ dinners! So instead try some reusable pads! Use it, wash it and use it again! It’s simple and it will save you a lot in the long run!
Get some here at:
#3 Say goodbye to cling film
…and hello to beeswax wrap!
Clingfilm belongs in one place: The bin. Even if it weren’t bad for the environment, it’s still a pest. It doesn’t stick to anything except itself, so I hope you’re willing to wrap your bowl a hundred times so it’s airtight! Or better yet, try some beeswax wrap. Is it cheap? No, but again it’s something that will pay off in the long run. Its washable and reusable, it uses natural antibacterial properties to keep your food fresh and allow repeated usage.
Get your own set of three here:
#4 Instead of Plastic toothbrushes
Turn to bamboo!
At this point, I think it’s safe to say that if it’s plastic, it’s probably not good for the planet. BUT a good alternative is bamboo-based products! Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet and it’s biodegradable! The only downside to these brushes is that the bristles aren’t biodegradable too.
Get a pack of four here:
#5 Instead of Cotton earbuds
Turn to bamboo!
Plastic – bad. Bamboo – good! Also, look at how cute that box is! It saves the planet and is aesthetically pleasing? Sign me up! Buy some here:
#6 Ditch the Starbucks cup
Bring your own!
I love Starbucks as much as the next girl, but I was surprised to find out that a lot of places won’t actually recycle single-use coffee cups. However, what Starbucks will do is let you bring your own coffee cup and you’ll actually get a small discount on your drink! In the long run, this will help save the planet and your bank account! Plus, it adds an argument as to why you should buy that travel mug….
Find some cute cups at Redbubble here:
Or Amazon here:
#7 Menstruation Products – instead of pads or tampons
Try a moon cup or reusable pads
This may not sound the most appealing, but it is more environmentally friendly. Cotton pads and tampons are a huge contributor to landfills and can cause all sorts of environmental problems – while they’re in landfills you run the risk of them potentially being eaten by animals. On average, a woman will spend £18, 000 on menstrual products throughout her lifetime – another reason why they shouldn’t be taxed – so instead of spending thousands, you can spend tens! On either the diva cup or washable pads, they’re easy to clean and will save you and the environment a lot. If you’re considering making the switch, check out some options here:
Diva Cup:
Washable pads:
#8 Go from Plastic Bottles
To reusable bottles
While plastic bottles are recyclable, many people choose to throw them away instead, resulting in them filling landfills or hurting sea life. So instead, make it easier for yourself and get a reusable bottle! Fill it up in the morning and then refill it throughout the day at any water fountain on campus. There are thousands of types of water bottles available, so save yourself the worry of recycling and get a cute, reusable water bottle that will save you money fast!
#9 Make the switch to rechargeable batteries!
When batteries are taken to landfills they release harmful metals into the environment, so instead switch to rechargeable batteries! Buy a couple of packs and whenever the batteries die you can just charge them again! It will save you money and the environment from even more damage.
Buy some here:
#10 LED lighting
LED lighting is more energy efficient, has no toxic elements, less lights are needed and has a longer lifespan than traditional lighting. This makes them more environmentally friendly and means they’re more cost effective, which is good for when your bills come in.
Try some here:
#11 Paper towels?
or Bamboo Paper Towels?
Paper towels are biodegradable, however between the manufacturing process and the number of trees being torn down to make them, the negative environmental impact that they have is huge. Switching to Bamboo paper towels is a really good way to try and combat this – plus I’m in love with the idea of reusable paper towels! It’s like living in the year 3000 now!
Each sheet can be washed and reused up to 85 times, saving an absolute fortune for the environment and your bank account.
Check them out here:
#12 Switch to the Lush Life
I love Lush. There, I said it, I’m obsessed! Normal body washes, facial washes, shampoos, etc. are packed full of chemicals that can be damaging to the skin and don’t properly cleanse it – furthermore, some of these products are also tested on animals. It’s for these reasons that I decided to switch to Lush products last year. I now use Lush facial cleanser, wash, toner, moisturiser, face masks, shampoo, body butter, and conditioner (some of these products I only use on occasion). What I will say is the cost of Lush does quickly add up, and while I strongly recommend using Lush I would also say ease yourself (and your bank account) into it. Test out a few products, find the ones you like and set up a routine, but most importantly upon your first visit to the store, talk to the employees. I know we all try to avoid them, but at the end of the day, they do know what they’re talking about and are trained to help you. So tell them what you’re looking for and your skin/hair type and they’ll set you up with the best products for you! If you still find that daunting, you can use the live chat option on their website, where they’ll recommend products and you can research them at the same time!
You can check out their products here:
#13 Eco-Friendly Straws
plastic straws are on the way out! After a video of a turtle with a straw in its nose went viral in 2015, straws have been public enemy number 1 to a growing number of people. There is no environmental benefit to them, but there are plenty of alternatives! From paper to bamboo, glass, or metal – and there’s even some biodegradable plastic straws on the market (not to mention pasta straws!)! There are so many alternatives, check some out here:
Note: While bamboo is an excellent and environmentally friendly resource that can be used in place of plastic. It is important to remember that due to bamboo deforestation many wild Pandas are losing their main food source which acts as a contributing factor to why Pandas are currently listed as ‘vulnerable’ on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species.
Therefore, while it’s important to find alternatives to plastic, it is equally important to protect wild Pandas through either replanting more bamboo or using other alternative options.