Photo by Social.Cut on Unsplash

Environmental pollutants have and continue to produce a plethora of harmful side effects from their waste which not only affect the environment, but all living things in it. This has been particularly documented in pictures and videos of marine life which unfortunately get heavily bombarded with unnatural wastes like plastics and other synthetic materials.

An easy solution to most people would be cleaning up garbage in the ocean, however it’s a very complex task with many contributing factors. Mass amounts of trash float on the surface but a lot of that has also sunk to the ocean floor. Oil and other substances that aren’t water soluble are almost impossible to remove completely. Having access to a place to put collected trash afterwards that won’t contribute to more landfill mass, the continued production of garbage by humans that will inevitably make its way back to the ocean, and costs of resources to clean up are all things that would have to be considered.

Even though the task of cleaning up our environment seems monumental, we can all take small steps to help our planet be healthier. And although there are many socioeconomic and demographic disparities that can prevent groups of individuals from having access to many sustainable resources, there are options for everyone to help create less waste.

A tip to keep in mind is that when you buy sustainable and eco-friendly products, you end up saving money from not buying disposable items. With buying items that are long lasting comes the benefit that you do not have to buy replacements. For example, plastic utensils are usually thrown away after one use while metal or bamboo utensils can be reused almost indefinitely.

Here are a few great, reusable, and cost effective products for you and the planet:

1. Dr. Bronner’s

Dr. Bronner’s is an natural, fair-trade, cruelty-free, vegan, all-purpose soap. It’s extremely concentrated and can be used for a face and body wash, shampoo, household cleaner, and a variety of other uses. You can view their products and prices on their website.

1. Reusable water bottles

Glass or plastic water bottles provide a great alternative to disposable water bottles which create a lot of garbage buildup.

1. Stainless steel straws

Bamboo or stainless steel straws are particularly helpful to people who enjoy using straws. Plus, they won’t harm any animals like plastic ones can.

1. Glass containers

Although plastic containers are reusable, the can contain harmful toxins that can get absorbed into your food when you store them. Glass is also more sterile and will keep your food fresher for longer.

1. Reusable grocery bags

Bringing your own bags instead of using plastic ones from grocery stores can really help reduce not only plastic wastes getting put into the ocean but also accumulation at your home.

Photo by Laura Mitulla on Unsplash

For more information about sustainable products, visit these websites:

• 48 Eco Friendly Products You Can Buy Today to Help Stop Plastic Pollution

• 30 Eco-friendly Alternatives for Things You Use Everyday

For more information about environmental health and pollution, visit these websites:

• At The Current Rate of Pollution, When Will the Earth Become Uninhabitable for Humans?

• Global Pollution: How Much Is Too Much?

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• eco-friendly
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• sustainable