10 Eco-friendly products that you need for a plastic-free living
Our interaction with plastic begins the moment we wake up; toothbrush, packaging of toothpaste, microbeads in beauty products, and what not? Isn’t plastic becoming inevitable?
The worst comes when we see this plastic everywhere- on the beaches, parks, deeper in the oceans, and the gut of animals too.
To be true, we have been blindfolding ourselves and don’t even dare to see what we offer each day to this planet. We can avoid it today, maybe tomorrow but not for long as the waste is increasing exponentially.
And not to miss, only 9% of the world’s plastic is recycled. Rest is littered around; will home on this planet for centuries.
If we begin today, we can further stop the damage, and maybe with continuous efforts, we will be able to reverse it.
But to begin, we need to shift our preferences from non-biodegradable options to biodegradable ones.
I’ve figured out 10 products that we interact with almost every day and are a major cause of waste and they can easily be replaced with their eco-friendly alternatives.
Switch to these eco-friendly everyday products
1. Bamboo Toothbrush
Per the recommendations, an average toothbrush needs to be replaced every 4months.
And we have no clue where the brush ends up after this. To deal with it, bamboo toothbrushes were introduced.
Though they are claimed to be 100% bio-degradable but that is not the case, as its handle is made from bamboo but bristles are made from nylon.
Plant-based or boar’s hair-made bristles are available but they have a very short shelf-life. Hence, bamboo brushes with nylon bristles are widely sold. It still saves a lot of plastic from going to landfills.
2. Wooden Comb
It is not only an eco-friendly replacement for your plastic combs but also a boon for your hair.
Wooden comb helps to prevent static, get rid of breakage and frizz. You can also opt for a Neem wood comb to soothe out the itchy scalp and eliminate dandruff.
100% bio-degradable and highly durable combs are also available. Go for a good quality comb and you will not face the issue of breaking wooden combs.
3. Reusable Cutlery
Billions of plastic cutlery pieces are dumped each year. Being low-quality plastic they don’t get recycled.
And I came across reusable cutlery- our daily use cutlery but wrapped in a fancy bag. Though it’s a sustainable product, but more than buying new resources it’s better to use what you already have in your home. Only a good travel case is required to convert your cutlery to market bought reusable cutlery.
4. Reusable Straws
Unlike cutlery, reusable straws are usually not available in homes. And for every drink you buy, you will be given a plastic or paper straw.
But there’s even a better option available i.e. to have your own stainless steel straw which you can carry anywhere and reuse for infinite times. A cleaning brush is also provided along with the straw to make your cleaning easy.
This is a great product to buy and you can easily choose the preferable sizes.
5. Disposable Tissue
Don’t go for use and throw tissues, they are majorly contributing to deforestation. They are non-recyclable and are simply contributing to your dependency on them.
Instead, use a kitchen towel cloth made from bamboo. One cloth can last upto 100 washes easily.
If you don’t wish to buy one then you can make reusable cloth from an old cotton t-shirt. Remember to use 100% cotton only.
6. Loofahs
Loofah is actually a plant that was imitated to be made into a synthetic and cheap version of a naturally found sponge. Synthetic sponges are one of the biggest contributors to microplastics.
It’s better to switch to a complete bio-degradable loofah that’s plant-based and is compostable.
A few things to note about natural loofah are you need to soak it into warm water for 5 min before using it. Next, initially, you will feel it a bit harsh on your skin, but after 1 bath it will get soft. Also, each loofah lasts for about 4-6 weeks only.
If you can find one at your local shop, go for it else you can buy from Amazon too.
7. Menstrual Products:
Menstrual pads have plastic in them and the same goes for tampons also. After disposal, they litter around and from the start of manufacturing, they contribute to a huge carbon footprint.
Leave them off and go for silicone-made menstrual cups, it lasts for a decade. But if you are reluctant to use it, you can go for washable cotton pads that are not only comfortable but are eco-friendly too. It will last for years and can be washed easily.
8. Plastic Scrubs
Replace your scouring pad made from plastic with the one made from coconut coir. It is easily compostable and lasts longer as well. Look for other alternatives for an eco-friendly cleaning.
9. Kitchen Storage Containers
The most sustainable option for containers is to reuse what you already have in your home. We usually buy items that are served in plastic containers, reuse them to prevent them from going to landfills.
If you are still willing to buy containers, then go for tin containers as they can be reused, are long-lasting, and can be easily recycled.
Though wooden canisters are also available but they usually have moisture issues. Recommend one if you know a good wooden container.
10. Plastic Carry Bags
If you have been using plastic bags for carrying groceries then opt for the ones which are bio-degradable and are chemical-free. These bioplastic bags are made from the plant material and are sturdy too. You can easily buy one from the link provided.
For a sustainable alternate you can use cotton bags or jute bags.
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