Written for BOL Foods
We all want to look after the environment, but sometimes it can seem like an overwhelming task. The trick to success? Start small and work your way up. I’ve put together a list of simple swaps you can make around the house to begin living an eco-friendlier lifestyle.
Plastic toothbrush -> Bamboo toothbrush
You should replace your toothbrush every three months. meaning we all throw away four plastic toothbrushes each year because they aren’t recycled. This every year for the rest of your life adds up to A LOT. But if you swap to bamboo? It biodegrades along with being sustainable because it’s fast growing. They have the same cleaning power, but less of the guilt.
Paper napkins –> Cloth napkins
Family meals can get messy – even if you don’t have kids around. With this simple swap, all you need to do is throw them into the washing machine or wash by hand, if you prefer. This saves you money with no need to buy new ones and helps the environment. I recommend getting darker coloured ones just in case though…
Plastic straw –> Metal straw
Plastic straws are one of the top ten debris items ingested by sea life. If that fact alone isn’t enough to make you swap from the non-reusable option, we don’t know what is. Most metal straws come with a cleaning brush for easy use and they come in a variety of designs. The perfect gift for your eco-conscious friend on their birthday.
Bottles of shampoo/conditions/soap –> Bars
Looking for a long-lasting and sustainable solution for your daily shower essentials? Bars are the answer. They’re more concentrated than a normal bottle of shampoo because of the lack of water on the ingredient list and take up far less space on the shelf. So, while they may cost slightly more than your usual Herbal Essences, they’ll last a lot longer and smell just as delicious.
Tubes of toothpaste –> Toothpaste tabs
These convenient tablets are great for daily use. Just keep them near the sink in an airtight container (try reusing one of our pots) and reach for them when needed. You can even order them online in plastic-free containers with next day delivery. If you're worried about not having minty-fresh breath, they come in a variety of flavours, including mint. So easy you have no excuse not to try it!
Face wipes –> Face cloths
Be kind to your skin and the world we live in by swapping from face wipes to face cloths. They are easy-to-clean, removes make-up with a couple of drops of cleanser and re-usable. Simply pop in the washing machine when you was your clothes or clean by hand. It’s an easy way to say goodbye to face-wipes for good.
Search engine –> Ecosia
Ecosia use the profits they make from searches to plant trees where they are needed most. It might sound too good to be true, but they use search ads to generate their income when you browse the web. This has allowed them to plant over 93 million trees across the world to help farmers with support from over 15 million users. All you need to do is download the free extension on Chrome and get searching.