20 Eco-friendly Alternatives for Things You Use Every Day
It is estimated that the atmospheric CO2 concentration is 35% higher today than before the industrial revolution. And the culprit behind this is human activities.
You already might know the consequences of global warming. And that is why you are here as a concerned human in a bit to help maintain the ecological balance by switching to eco-friendly products.
The image below shows a few of the global warming consequences.
Actually, there are many day-to-day eco-friendly products that you can swap with toxic products. Whether you plan to move into a new home and adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle or abandon toxic products in the home you are already living, it is a great move.
For those who are planning a move in the near future, you can gather some essential knowledge about moving trucks like the truck size you will need or the cost of renting one, prior to making your move.
Now, let’s have a look at the twenty day-to-day eco-friendly products that you swap immediately with eco-destructive products.
1. Ditch your traditional toothbrushes
Start from the basics. Traditional toothbrushes use hard plastic and nylon bristles, which are both non-biodegrade. Ditch them for organic plant-based bamboo toothbrushes.
The bamboo handle and soft plant-based bristles made from a vegetable oil base can clean your teeth as effectively as a traditional brush and last just as long.
After use, toss them in your compost!
2. Don’t go for single-use batteries
Improper handling of waste batteries can end up in releasing corrosive liquids and dissolved metals that are lethal to plants and animals, and even humans.
It has been found out that processes associated with lithium batteries can have unfavorable pulmonary, respiratory, and neurological health impacts.
As far as possible, don’t use single-use batteries. There are rechargeable batteries that you can regularly charge and reuse. Or even better, use solar power.
3. Switch to natural cleaning products
Many cleaning products contain phosphorus, nitrogen, ammonia, and toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans, animals, and plants in the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency labels many of these chemicals as VOC (volatile organic compounds).
The release of VOCs and other chemicals from cleaning supplies are linked to chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and headaches.
Go for eco-friendly cleaning products made of natural ingredients.
4. Say NO to single-use plastic coffee pods
According to John Hocevar, the campaign director of Greenpeace USA, coffee pods are a good example of needless single-use plastics that are polluting the earth.
Most of the traditional single-use coffee pods are made of plastic that get dumped into landfills after use.
Instead of using them, why not switch to 100% compostable coffee pods?
Eco-friendly coffee pods can be thrown into the compost bin after use without any guilt of them harming the environment.
5. Give nylon dental floss a rest
Dental floss made of nylon is an eco nightmare. Since it is a small piece of litter, it often gets swept up in the disposal process and finds its way to the ocean.
Non-tear floss is especially a real problem in the ocean. Just like any other plastic, it may suffocate marine animals.
Moreover, waxed nylon floss is made using perfluorinated chemicals, or PFCs, which pose serious health risks.
Try compostable dental floss instead.
6. Purchase reusable grocery bags
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in the US alone, in excess of 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are used.
There’s no doubt that plastic bags are very convenient. However, instead of contributing to the already excessive plastic problem, buy a few reusable grocery bags to help cut down on the habit without sacrificing convenience.
There are grocery stores that will even offer incentives if you take your own bags. It is a win-win!
7. Opt for stainless steel and bamboo straws
More and more eco-conscious businesses are ditching plastic straws to curb the plastic menace. Starbucks, the giant coffee company announced that it would eliminate all plastic straws from its stores by 2020
Many are switching to paper straws. But there are even better options!
For personal use at home, opt for stainless steel straws or organic bamboo straws.
You can wash and reuse them rather than throwing them away after use.
8. LED light bulbs are great alternatives
LEDs are 80% more efficient compared to traditional lighting options like fluorescent and incandescent lights. Only 5% of energy in LEDs is wasted as heat. The remaining 95% is converted into light.
They use less power, thus lowering the demand for power plants and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Enough reasons why you should be replacing your traditional lighting with LEDs!
9. Use compostable cutlery and bowls
When there are large gatherings at home or parties, you often end up using disposable cutlery as they are convenient.
Why not use compostable cutlery and bowls during such gatherings? Plastic cutleries are a nuisance to the environment, and they also make their way into the oceans, rivers, and seas, contaminating the waterways.
10. Invest in reusable notebooks
It has been estimated that in the US alone, 69 million tons of notebook paper is used yearly. You can help save trees by cutting down on paper waste if you switch to reusable notebooks.
Special pens are used to write on such notebooks and you can wipe them clean to be used well with moisture.
11. Upgrade to a programmable thermostat
It is estimated that for each degree that you adjust your thermostat over eight hours, you can cut 1-2% off your heating or cooling bill. In one year, it could add up to hundreds of dollars.
Upgrade from a manual thermostat to a programmable thermostat and cut down on use and cost.
12. Install low-flow showerheads
By installing low-flow fixtures and taking shorter showers, you can reduce your water consumption and save many dollars every year.
Some showerheads claim to maximize the water that comes into contact with your skin by atomizing it and lend more coverage. Replace your traditional showerheads with such showerheads.
13. Use reusable water bottles
It is said that 91% of the plastic we use is not recycled. On top of that, globally, humans purchase a million plastic bottles in one minute.
If you don’t want to add to the figures, buy reusable water bottles and skip disposables altogether.
14. Cut down on the use of disposable tea bags
Teabags are among one of the biggest environmental wastes, plus, they are bad for the environment.
As per studies, even eco-friendly tea bags are only 70 to 80 % biodegradable. The 20-30% of tea bag material, which is made of plastic, can’t fully break down and hence negatively impact the environment.
Go for loose tea infusers to cut down the use of disposable packets.
15. Switch from paperbacks to an e-reader
Not only is it convenient, but an e-reader can help cut down on a production cycle that uses tons of paper and ample transportation.
Using an e-reader can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of people who frequently hoard books.
Another option is to visit the public library.
16. Apply natural beauty products
Beauty products usually have lots of toxic chemicals in them. Parabens, phthalates, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), toluene, lead, carbon black, etc., are the most commonly found in makeups.
According to estimates, on average, an American woman applies 12 personal care products daily, and each product contains twelve or more chemicals.
No wonder, beauty products are known to cause cancer, tumors, itching, and allergic reactions.
Switch to natural beauty products that are not only safe for you but are cruelty-free as well.
17. Wear watches made out of sustainable materials
Companies are now designing beautiful handcrafted wooden watches. In fact, many designers use repurposed wood from whiskey barrels so that they can design numerous such accessories.
Go for such sustainable and eco-friendly watches to help save the environment.
18. Limit the use of paper towels
Single-use paper towels are very convenient, but by using them, you are not helping the environment.
It is estimated that to make one ton of paper towels, seventeen trees are felled, and 20,000 gallons of water are used.
You can become a tree hugger by using 100% organic cotton dish towels. They are washable and can be reused many times.
19. Bio-degradable sanitary pads to the rescue
The chemicals released from the disposal of sanitary pads reaching the soil are likely to cause groundwater pollution and loss of soil fertility.
These days, lots of feminine hygiene brands are producing bio-degradable sanitary pads. They are affordable, hygienic, and sustainable. So you might also consider using them.
20. Wear sustainable clothing
Many apparel companies are going green and are focusing on producing sustainable clothing.
Such companies use green resources such as cotton, linen, and natural dyes. You can also contribute your bit to the environment by wearing these sustainable yet trendy and comfy outfits.
Wrapping-Up
Though many people want to switch to an eco-friendly lifestyle, they don’t know where to start.
Following all the tips in this article can help you kick start your journey in living an eco-friendly lifestyle and save the environment.
For those who are moving into a new home, make it a point to buy only eco-friendly products so that your new home is toxin-free. And since you will be hiring a moving company, you might want to acquire knowledge on how to tip movers.
You can’t go totally plastic-free in a day or replace all the harmful products in your home in a short time. But taking a small step at a time can take you a long way in becoming eco-friendly.