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The decisions we make in our daily lives affect the planet – from what we eat to the products we rub on our bodies. In the past, our choices have been short-sighted and have resulted in the current climate crisis. But it’s not all gloom and doom – there’s a lot we can do to make things better and that’s where sustainable living comes in.
Sustainable living is a philosophy and a lifestyle that aims to reduce our individual and collective environmental impact. It’s about making positive changes in our daily lives that will ensure that future generations will inherit a safe and healthy planet. There are plenty of ways to live sustainably. For example, ditching single-use items to reduce plastic, recycling properly and buying locally to help cut carbon emissions.
If you care about the planet and are looking for ways to live more sustainably, here are 6 eco-friendly products that will change your life.
Refillable Brands
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The U.S generated 80.1 million tons of municipal waste from containers and packaging in 2018. From your shampoo bottles to your moisturizer containers, 50% of those land in landfills. Refillable beauty products are a BIG game changer. Instead of tossing the packaging when you’re done with the product, you can give it a new life by getting a refill. This will save it from landfill and conserve resources that would otherwise go into manufacturing a new jar.
Bite Toothpaste
Bite is a brand focused on eliminating the waste that comes with our daily oral hygiene. Their chewable toothpaste tablets come in tiny glass containers that are reusable and 100% recyclable. They also use plant-derived and organic ingredients like sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, and xylitol, and avoid potentially harmful preservatives such as parabens. On Earth Day in 2019 Bite announced they were palm-oil free,sha big win for tropical forest conservation.
HumanKind
The average American goes through 4-6 deodorants each year. That’s almost 1.8 trillion plastic deodorants containers we throw away every year. HumanKind deodorant is a perfect solution to this plastic problem. It comes in a refillable plastic roller, with paper-pod refills (which the company calls KindFills). By using a deodorant like this, you can reduce your plastic waste by 90%.
Water-Free Brands
Water waste is a bigger problem than taking a shower that is a little too long. It’s a worldwide dilemma created by distribution discrepancies and pollution. Industries like fashion have recently been slammed for their use of water that can be as high 2,000 gallons for a single pair of jeans. In the beauty industry, the average moisturizer is 60% water. Yet, for all the water these industries use, the UN estimates that 1.2 billion people, or 1/3 of the world’s population experience water scarcity.
Lush Solid Shampoo
Lush shampoo bars may look small and cute but they pack a big punch. One bar can outlast three 350 ml bottles of liquid shampoo and can last up to 80 washes! And that’s not all, Lush shampoo bars are also plastic free and packed with natural ingredients derived that are certified organic.
Lush Solid Body Moisturizer
This is a zero-waste alternative to the traditional plastic-bottle-based moisturizer. From the product itself to the packaging it’s shipped in, the Lush Solid Body Moisturizer contains no plastic. Rather than squeezing lotion out of a bottle, you simply rub the bar right on your skin. It may be different from what you’re used to, but it works perfectly.
Reusable Bags
Sometimes it’s the small changes that can be life-changing. For instance, let’s look at the plastic bag. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), ‘The average American family takes home almost 1,500 plastic shopping bags a year.’ Less than 5% of them are recycled. And, most of those bags are petroleum-based which means that they can take anywhere from 700-1,000 years to break down in landfills. Imagine the impact a simple ‘no’ to plastic bags at your next shopping trip could make. That could be 1,500 bags LESS in landfills.
Wegreeco Reusable Sandwich Bags
These reusable bags are a sustainable alternative to plastic baggies for your lunch, snacks at school or in office. They are sturdy, easy to clean, quick-drying and will last you for several years. The packs come in 3 different sizes and fun prints that will make your snack times that much more enjoyable.
Feed Shopping Totes
What if you could look chic when shopping, save the planet and support a noble at the same time? Feed Shopping totes are designed to do just that. Each purchase of this natural burlap tote, provides one child with school meals for an entire year in 63 of the poorest countries around the world. You’ll not only be saying ‘no’ to the plastic, you are making a difference for those in need.
Read more about sustainable lifestyle choices: