Guest post by Marianne Pierce
Today, the idea of green living, or “going green,” has become a priority for many homeowners all over the globe. The goal is to swap those convenient single-use items with reusable and sustainable eco-friendly materials. Think about all those take-out containers, plastic straws, and coffee pods you’ve gone through. How many of those disposable items made it to the recycling bin? How many items in your home can get swapped with greener alternatives? The answer is many items. And you can find eco-friendly alternatives to almost all of them.
Eco Friendly Alternatives To Common Household Products
By switching a few things in your home in favor of eco-friendly options, you’d be playing a massive role in bettering the environment. That’s how much of an impact you have.
But how do you know what eco-friendly alternatives are right for your home?
Let’s start with the cleaning products.
Natural Cleaning Products
When cleaning your home, think about the number of cleaning products you use. Now, consider how many chemicals are involved in said cleaning products. You may think that those harsh chemicals are needed to remove stains and grime, but that isn’t the case. Natural cleaning products made from plant-based products or minerals are just as effective and much better for you and the environment.
These products tend to cost a little more, but it’s worth it in the long run if you plan on living an eco-friendly lifestyle. Whether it’s multi-purpose cleaners, pool sanitation systems, or energy-efficient vacuum cleaners, there’s no end to how many green cleaning products are available.
Similarly, you can find eco-friendly alternatives to makeup, personal care products, and everything else you have and use at home.
Eco Friendly Alternatives To Plastic
Single-use plastics are a big no-no. Fortunately, the world of reusable products has expanded, and you should be taking advantage of the many reusable materials on the market. You can start with these popular reusable products:
1 // Water Bottles
This is quite possibly the most popular choice. Reusable water bottles not only cut down how many plastic bottles you might go through in a single day but they last much longer and hold more water.
2 // Shopping Bags
Many grocery stores are moving away from plastic bags and going with reusable shopping bags. If they’re doing their part, you could too! Reusable bags remove the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills, and they’re also much more durable and can be used for other functions as well.
3 // Straws
Have you noticed that when you go to coffee shops and get yourself an iced coffee, you end up with a paper straw? They aren’t that great, we know. But many companies are moving away from plastic straws. We’ve all heard about the “save the turtles” campaign by now. Switching to a reusable straw is the best move for you and the environment. Plus, you won’t have to worry about running out of straws!
4 // Paper towels
The usual paper towel roll can be extra convenient, but that’s a lot of paper waste. The answer to the issue: Reusable paper towels! You can find reusable paper towels made from bamboo or reusable dishcloths in many stores. They provide the same practicality as traditional paper towels. All you need to do is wash them, and you’re set.
5 // Wrap
Plastic wrap has finally met its match. Reusable beeswax wraps are beginning to become a staple in the kitchen. This type of wrap is made from beeswax, cotton, and tree oil.
6 // Coffee Pods
As K-Cup pods have made morning coffee a much faster process, the plastic from the pods has produced a wide collection of waste; they’re ultimately bad for the environment. You don’t have to give up your morning coffee routine, but you can switch to reusable coffee pods for your Keurig. They’re easy to use, and made of stainless steel. All you need to do is fill them with your favorite coffee grounds, place them in your Keurig, and voila! You have a cup of hot coffee all while bettering the environment.
7 // Dryer Balls
How often do you do laundry? If the answer is very often, then you must go through several dryer sheets, especially if you’re doing multiple loads. Instead of wasting sheets each month, you can opt for a wool dryer ball. These dryer balls last much longer than a box of dryer sheets and they can decrease drying times.
Swap to Biodegradable Bags
Much like plastic shopping bags, plastic garbage bags are no good for the environment. An alternative would be biodegradable bags, as they’re made from plants rather than plastic. The bags break down into the earth, which is a better method than a giant dump full of harmful plastic products.
Dog Poop Bags
If your home is a dog family, you’ll know that picking up your dog’s poop is just part of your day-to-day life. Instead of using plastic bags that harm the earth, you can find biodegradable dog poop bags in almost every pet store.
Take Recycling Seriously
Every day, more and more people throw recyclable products in the trash when they could have wound up in a recycling bin. Recycling is a simple but effective process. Doing your part and recycling items can help conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease air/water pollution, and conserve natural resources. All you need to do is check the item you want to recycle and look for the recycling logo. It’s that easy.
Start Gardening
It may sound like a lot of work, and it might be, but starting a garden on your property can play an effective role in helping the environment. Not only does it promote sustainable development, but it also provides many eco-friendly properties. Gardens can help improve the quality of our air, and growing your own food can reduce carbon emissions and the production of waste.
You also have more control over your gardening practices, meaning you can use eco-friendly produce rather than those with pesticides or preservatives. In addition, the pest control impact on plants is something you should look out for, as you don’t want your garden to become a victim of pests and harmful chemicals.
One small step can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking to practice greener habits or are motivated by a deep passion for making the environment healthier, many options are available. We hope you found these above tips helpful as you begin your journey into a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
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