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Perhaps if we were aware of just how much plastic we use daily and it’s negative impact on our planet and health, we’d leave single-use products on the shelves and purchase sustainable products instead. By 2017 we had produced nearly 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic. More than 50% of that plastic sits around in landfills and it’s not biodegradable. Instead, sustainable products accumulate and break down into small fragments over the course of several decades if not hundreds of years depending on the type of plastic. If it sounds like we need to slow down our production of plastic, then you’re right. From shampoo bottles to plastic bags, our natural environment is suffering from our overproduction of and addiction to plastic.
Between 2002 and 2015 we made the exact same amount of plastic that we made between 1950 and 2002.
Roland Greyer, Associate Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Like any solution, going cold turkey isn’t necessarily the answer. Using less plastic requires one step at a time. The first could be to shop for sustainable products that are better alternatives to their single-use plastic couterparts. Here are nine sustainable products that you can use every day to go zero-waste and help be a part of the solution towards living on a greener and less plastic-y planet.
RMS Lip Shine: Lipstick in Recyclable Packaging
Enjoy RMS Lip Shine for hydrating and highly pigmented color. Vitamin E, cocoa butter and coconut oil are certified organic to offer the most natural nourishment for your lips and natural mica give long lasting color.
Environmental Impact: It’s not always clear whether or not makeup containers are recyclable, refillable or biodegradable. But, RMS ensures that all of theirs are biodegradable and recyclable.
Feed 10 Bag: Reusable Cotton Tote
Cotton is better than plastic. This canvas tote proves that it’s sturdier than plastic during a trip to the grocery store and is machine washable so you can use it again and again. What’s also nice about this company is that buying this bag helps to feed children in disadvantaged communities.
Ethical Impact: Feed Projects is a lifestyle brand that partners with on-the-ground nonprofits to give meals to needing children in countries around the world. Since its beginnings in 2007, each bag has provided 10 meals to children through meal donations made at shcools.
Package Free:Deordorant Bar w/ Zero Waste Packaging
Natural ingredients like essential oils and arrowroot are used in these deodorant sticks. And, they’re safe to be used all over your body from your feet to your neck and of course your pits.
Environmental Impact: This plastic free deodorant is also zero waste. After use compost the container instead of putting it into the trash. Made with paper and sustainable inks, this packaging solution is made to reduce plastic waste.
LUSH Avocado Co-Wash: Solid Shampoo
This co-wash shampoo is highly moisturizing and ideal for curly-haired girls as it glides and cleanses hair without stripping natural oils like other shampoo bars.
Environmental Impact: Every raw material is carefully sourced and made fresh by local factories based around the world. Lush also aims to make a positive impact by supporting regenerative farming and zero waste product options such as zero packaging or refillable containers.
WEGREECO Bag: Reusable Sandwich Bag
After using these bags, plastic sandwich bags seem as silly as wearing disposable plastic socks. Pack a lunch or snack in these reusable bags that are BPA and PVC free and machine washable.
Environmental Impact: Wegreeco is a brand that focuses on providing reusable versions of your everyday products to help their customers live a zero waste lifestyle. Each item is Fair Trade certified, made with toxic-free dyes and sustainable materials like bamboo and organic cotton.
Stojo Cup: Collapsable To-Go Cup
Hand this cool cup over to your barista in the morning and save on filling up landfills for the sake of your morning coffee. This one is plastic, but it’s a step in the right direction as an item that collapses in your bag as an easy to transport sustainable product you can use year after year.
Environmental Impact: Each cup is made in a factory that meet the BSCI Code of Conduct, a rigorous set of requirements focused on employee rights, safety, and environmental regulations. Built to a last a lifetime, these reusable cups can also be recycled on the curb.
Saves: 23lbs of greenhosue gases, 281 gallons of water and 16 lbs of solid waste
Welly Bottles: Reusable Water Bottle
Welly is a reusable water bottle brand named after founder Ben Kander’s mom Elly. It is a company that offers highly functional, sustainable, and beautifully-designed products that promote healthy lifestyles. Each Welly Bottle comes with a small mesh infuser that can be used to brew coffee or tea and is guaranteed to keep your drinks cold for 24 hours, or hot for 14.
Environmental Impact: Welly makes it simple and enjoyable to reduce our reliance on single-use plastic by providing high-quality, stylish insulated drinkware that can be used again and again. This water bottle is made with bamboo, a natural, renewable resource and premium grade 18/8 stainless steel. Even better, Welly donates 1% of each sale to water projects that bring clean water solutions to those who need it most.
Patch Organic: Biodegradable Bandages
These bandages feel and act like regular bandages. But, the main difference (and eco-benefit) is that they’re biodegradable and packaged in compassable cardboard imprinted with a natural dye. They’re also a little cooler looking than regular band-aids too.
Environmental Impact: Made from organic bamboo fiber these adhesive bandages are 100% biodegradable. They’re made so that both the bandages and packaging both decompose within several months.
Public Goods Tissues: Zero Waste Tissues
Skip the box and non-disposable tissues. When flu season hits, why not go biodegradable? These 2-ply tissues are made from bamboo and are gentle for sensitive and allergy prone skin.
Environmental Impact: These tissues are made from fast-growing non-GMO grasses (bamboo and sugarcane) rather than hardwoods. So, trees are saved. They’re also free of any inks, dyes, bleach and other chemicals so that they can decompose naturally.