No act is too little when it comes to building a sustainable lifestyle. Saying no to one plastic bag will collectively lessen tons in landfills. One reusable cup can contribute to reducing over 50000 disposable cups consumed every half an hour. Similar to how waste builds up and affects nature, gradual steps can lead to sustainable habits.
Building Sustainable Habits
There isn’t a better place to start building sustainable habits than at home. Everything in our day-to-day lives has a significant impact on the environment. However, you can make this impact a positive one by patronizing sustainable products. In an eco-friendly online store, you can find small yet important items for your household. These products are plastic-free, sourced responsibly, and do not cost much for you and the earth.
It is easiest to maintain sustainable habits with household items that are considered necessities to our everyday life. Since you have no choice but use them, you might as well choose products that have the least environmental impact. Here are three of the most basic items you can start with:
Plastic-Free Toothbrushes
The ADA recommends that we change our toothbrushes every three to four months. They also advise replacing it immediately after recovering from an illness. This constant replacement amounts to almost 1000 tons of landfill per year when the toothbrush material is non-biodegradable. Instead of adding up to this waste, you can choose to buy plastic-free toothbrushes.
Bamboo toothbrushes have replaceable bristles, while some designs have a detachable brush head. These plant-based toothbrushes are fully compostable, meaning they will not accumulate as indestructible waste like the plastic types. Most bamboo toothbrushes come in adult and kid sizes. So if you have children at home, this product is a great way to introduce personal hygiene and environmental responsibility.
You can also add eco-friendly toothpaste while you’re at it. Yes, these things do exist. You can choose cruelty-free toothpaste that is made from safe plant-based ingredients. Some brands step it up with plastic-free packaging, such as compostable cardboard or reusable aluminium tubes. With these products, you can ensure your mouth, and the environment is clean and healthy.
Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is a consumable item every household can’t do without. The bathroom tissue industry is worth $30 billion worldwide. Though it seems unnoticeable for homeowners, the whole manufacturing process is surprisingly wasteful. Many forests are cut down just like producing regular paper. The transportation and chemicals in production add to the whole unsustainable process.
Fortunately, there are recent technologies that make tissue paper from sustainable sources. You can find toilet paper made out of bamboo, which is rapidly renewable and recyclable too. These new 3-ply tissues are plastic-free and septic-safe. Also, they are just as soft and well-built as the regular kinds. When you’re shopping at an eco-friendly online store, you might as well buy in bulk these genuine green products.
Safe Cleaning Supplies
Everyone has a different cleaning routine or schedule, but it is essential to every household nonetheless. When it comes to cleaning materials, you might think of potentially harmful chemicals. Thus, it would help if you looked for dish soaps, detergents, etc., with plant-based ingredients. These components are safe for the environment once it goes down the drain.
There are additional ways that cleaning product companies contribute to sustainability. For instance, many brands offer refills to eliminate new production of containers. Some brands ship without or using the least amount of plastic. For non-liquid items, some sustainable options include biodegradable cotton dishcloths and trash bags engineered from recycled plastic and sugarcane.
