Sustainable living in our world today
Ocean First Jul 06, 2022
Now more than ever it is important to take action in helping our planet. Many people think that plastic pollution and the contamination of our marine ecosystems and the planet as a whole is such a large scale issue that there is nothing they can do to help. But there is! Dozens of brands, groups, and everyday people are making household products that can help you contribute to the efforts of living sustainably. After all, with no blue, there is no green. We’ve compiled a list below to learn about converting to the use of sustainable products, how they are better for the environment, and where you can get them.
Laundry Detergent Sheets: Eco-friendly and plastic free, these sheets come in plastic-free packaging. All you do is tear and throw in the washer. Well Earth Goods makes sheets of concentrated laundry detergent, eliminating the need for the plastic container, and harsh chemical concentrates. Photo to the left courtesy of Well Earth Goods Facebook Page.
Toothpaste Tablets: Byrdie makes these chewable little tablets that you pop in your mouth, bite down on, and start brushing! Not only do they save the waste of the toothpaste you can never fully get out of the tube, but it eliminates the plastic tube altogether! Plastic-free, zero waste, and eco-friendly.
Blueland is your go-to cleaner for an eco-friendly alternative that also sustainably cleans your home. You fill their glass bottles with water, drop in tablets of concentrated cleaner and that’s it! From glass cleaner to hand soap - skip on the plastic packaging and harmful chemicals.
Lotion, Shampoo, Conditioner, & Body Wash Bars: Buying products like lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the form of bars eliminates the need for plastic packaging while using plant-based ingredients. By using these types of products you are not only using things that are better for your body, but you are cutting down on your plastic consumption and harmful chemical use. Check out these amazing options from The Earthling CO. Photo to the right courtesy of The Earthling Co Facebook Page.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Dozens of mainstream sunscreen brands use chemicals that are extremely harmful to coral reefs and kill marine life. By buying reef-safe sunscreen, not only are you choosing the healthier option for yourself and your family, but you are saving marine ecosystems around the world from dangerous chemicals that enter the water when washed off of your body. See the full list of approved brands here.
Beeswax Food Wraps: Bee’s Wrap makes a great alternative to Ziploc bags, foil and plastic cling wrap. Made from organic cotton coated in beeswax, these sheets can be used to wrap up leftovers and keep food fresh. They are easy to rinse off and re-use eliminating tons of waste. Photo to the left courtesy of Bee's Wax Facebook Page.
Silicone Reusable Food Bags & Glass Food Storage: There are now tons of options out there for food storage besides plastic containers and bags. Silicone food bags are washable, reusable, and keep food fresh. They are also made from recycled materials that are better for the environment. Glass containers are a great alternative to their plastic counterparts. Glass is more durable, long-lasting, and cuts down on plastic products that are incredibly harmful to our planet.
Metal/Silicone/Bamboo Straws & Utensil Kits: Plastic straws are widely known to be extremely dangerous to marine life. By using metal, silicone, or bamboo straws, you can cut out the use of plastic straws altogether. Most come with their own cleaner brush & compact container for easy travel. The same thing goes for reusable utensil kits and we love the ones made by Earth Hero. There are tons of brands that carry these products out there as their popularity has risen. A brand we love that makes metal, collapsible straws is called Sand Cloud. The best part about this company is that 10% of their profits go toward marine conservation! Photo below courtesy of the Earth Hero Facebook Page.
Reusable Bags & Waterbottles: Plastic bags and water bottles are a huge problem in our world today as marine animals can mistake them for food or get caught in them. By using sustainable options for both, you can cut back your plastic footprint and help save the planet! Find options for reusable bags with fellow B Corp ChicoBag & you can browse our merch site for reusable water bottles.
In a Zero Waste society, people would... "Think about the things they're purchasing and find more value in their stuff." - Brittney LaGesse, founder, Refill Revolution.
Many of the amazing products listed above are available in variations at this locally owned shop. Refill Revolution is a one-woman show. The shop, started single-handedly by Brittney LaGesse in 2017, specializes in bulk refills for household and body care products and sustainable, reusable products that help customers reduce waste.
There are many ways you can make an impact on our planet by taking simple steps to live more sustainably. The planet needs our help and by taking action today, no matter how small an adjustment, it will have a big impact.
Sustainable Brands To Check Out
- Boulder Clean- A Boulder-Based B-Corporation
- Earth Hero- A Boulder-Based B-Corporation
- Bee’s Wrap- A Fellow B-Corporation
- ChicoBag- A Fellow B-Corporation
- Refill Revolution
- Wild Minimalist
- Mighty Nest
- Blueland
- Eco Roots
- Sand Cloud
- The Earthling CO
- Well Earth Goods
- Grove Collaborative
