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5 Products to Make You More Eco-Friendly

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at McGill chapter.

These are just some of my favorite products; I use most of these at least once a week if not everyday. You don’t need to buy any specific brand of each product listed, but I linked the ones I found to make it a little easier for you.

 

1. A Stainless Steel Insulated Coffee Travel Mug

 

You can get any brand you like, but this one is my favorite. After scanning through countless travel coffee mugs on Amazon, I finally chose this one and I love it. It’s the best travel mug I’ve ever had. The lid pops in and out smoothly (so it’ll never fall off and spill your coffee everywhere during a Leacock 132 lecture—that’s happened to me a few times…) and it keeps your drink warm without burning your hand. It comes in six pretty colors and is definitely worth your money.

Get it here for $22.06!

 

2. Metal Straw Kit

 

You knew this one was coming. Will eliminating plastic straws save the earth? No. But, will it reduce plastic waste? Yes. Metal straw kits are retailed by many brands online (and in person at Le James as well). The pack shown here has eight straws in a variety of colours and also contains two cleaning brushes that’ll ensure the soap gets through them. I like to bring one or two in my bag everyday just in case I stop to get some iced coffee or end up craving some Booster Juice. I also have a friend who brings them to every pre-game. That’s the environmental vibe I aim for.

Buy the kit here for $9.99!

 

3. Mesh Produce Bags

 

Everytime I go grocery shopping, I bring my reusable shopping bags but I still end up using plastic bags for produce. As your fruits and vegetables need to be separated in different bags for the cashier to check them out, many smaller bags are needed and you can’t just use your large reusable shopping bags. These smaller mesh bags allow your produce to breath while you shop and prevent you from using those plastic bags each time you choose a different fruit or vegetable.

Get a 12 pack here for $15.99!

 

4. Bamboo Cotton Swaps

 

I keep telling myself to buy these so now I’m telling you guys to buy them too. Cotton swabs are made of plastic and after use, are dirty and can’t be recycled. They’re also only used once before getting thrown into the trash. Biodegradable cotton swabs get the job done just as well, but don’t pollute the environment. 

Get ONE THOUSAND of these here for $22.99!

 

5. Beeswax Food Wraps

 

I’m not going to lie, I’ve heard mixed reviews about beeswax food wraps, but the reviews for this brand seem pretty promising. These self-adhesive and air resistant sheets are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic cling wrap. Not only is plastic wrap only used once before being discarded, it’s often not accepted in recycling facilities and is usually contaminated by food. Like I said, this brand has good reviews, but some other ones receive customer complaints about getting sticky or less adhesive over time. In my opinion, I think that’s a small price to pay in exchange for the increased wellbeing of the earth.

Get a pack of 6 here on Amazon.

 

These are just five ways to live more sustainably, but there are infinite ways to help care for the environment. I hope this gave you some insight on eco-friendly products that you can incorporate into everyday life. 

Melody Zhou

McGill '22

Melody Zhou is a U2 student from Boston, Massachusetts. She is studying cognitive science at McGill University with a focus in computer science and neuroscience. She is passionate about medicine and hopes to attend medical school to eventually pursue a career in pediatrics. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with her dog.