Making more sustainable choices doesn’t have to be a hassle. Here are seven affordable products to help you effortlessly live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
1. Coffee Cup
Bringing your own mug or tumbler when grabbing your morning cup of coffee can greatly reduce unnecessary waste. Even better, most major coffee chains including Starbucks will give you a discount for doing so! Saving money and the planet? Sounds like a win-win.
Check out our favorite coffee cups perfect for any budget:
2. Food Wrap
Using aluminum foil or plastic cling wrap might be convenient for wrapping up leftovers, but it creates quite a bit of waste over time. Try purchasing 100% recycled foil or using these beeswax food wraps to minimize your environmental impact.
3. Straws
A study published in Science Advances suggests that 8.3 billion plastic straws end up on beaches all over the world. Not only do plastic straws pollute our ocean but they also hurt wildlife like endangered sea turtles and penguins. Changing to a stainless steel or silicone option is an easy choice to make to help the animals.
4. Toothbrush
Instead of using a plastic toothbrush that cannot be recycled, try switching to a more eco-friendly bamboo alternative. Not only will your teeth thank you, but so will the planet. It also helps that they look minimal and stylish.
5. Produce Bags
Research from National Geographic shows that 91% of plastic waste isn’t recycled. Rather than using those plastic bags for your produce at the grocery store, go without (just be sure to use a produce wash afterward) or bring your own bags! These eco-friendly mesh bags work perfectly for any kind of produce. They are also more durable than plastic and easily washable.
6. Travel Cutlery Set
Ditch plastic silverware and opt for an eco-friendly option. This travel cutlery set can easily fit in your purse or backpack for any time you eat out. Plus, it comes with its own magnetic carrying case so it will never get lost.
7. Coffee/Tea Accessories
Your favorite source of caffeine might also be a culprit for everyday waste. Stop buying plastic K-Cups for your Keurig and invest in this refillable alternative. Or if you’re more old-school with your coffee, try this reusable coffee filter. For the tea-drinkers out there, start buying loose leaf and using your own diffusers.
Remember, every little bit counts toward helping our environment. Using any one of these products will help you reduce waste to make the earth a better place!