Some people might get overwhelmed when choosing eco-friendly products there are so many out there.
It can be hard to choose where to start. Some swaps are simple and others can be very difficult to change. So I have chosen my top five swaps, I would never swap back.
1. Shampoo bars are a little
daunting but I love mine and would not go back to bottled shampoo. The variety is huge and with a range of prices, it is hard to work out which one is for you. Just like your bottle shampoo each bar has various properties such as argan oil, hydrate, or detox. The best way to discover which bar is for you is to go what the same properties as you would if it was a bottle of shampoo. Many companies now do shampoo bars but make sure that what you are buying is not been green washed and is a legit eco-friendly product. Lush, Peace in the wild, and wreath all have a variety of shampoo bars and will help with any questions you may have.
Shampoo bottles are continually found in our oceans around 9 million years are dumped into our oceans. By buying bar versions of shampoo you are stopping the use of plastic straight away. Most shampoo bars are wrapped in recyclable materials such as paper or cloth. Shampoo bars are also an excellent travel companion as they last 10x longer than bottle shampoo and are easy to pack away. Also if you are away for a weekend trip and have to go through security it reduces the amount you need to put in the small clear bag.
2. Coconut sponge, over the years coconut products have been emerging on the market. Coconut sponges are 100% biodegradable and compostable. They are reusable and if they become discolored and grimy they can be machine washed or put on the top shelf of the dishwasher. Coconut sponges also last longer than traditional plastic sponges. Traditional sponges release microplastics as they begin to breakdown. These micro-plastics are released into the ocean and enter our food sources. There are various forms of coconut sponges and brushes to complete all cleaning needs. Some are expensive but their area some companies in the UK that are making them affordable, ecoliving are a UK company selling coconut sponges and brushes. Coconut sponges are a simple swap that you can make.
3. Water bottles are the most common and easiest swap that anyone can make, the only difficult part is remembering to take the water bottle with you when you leave the house. I have three water bottles one in my gym bag, one in my work bag, and one in spare. Switching to a reusable water bottle you will save 150 million plastic bottles a year. Plastic bottles are never recycled they are dumped and then make into our waterways. Water companies don’t make water they only make plastic bottles and this is an important fact we need to remember when buying a bottle of water next time. Plastic bottles release gases that pollute the atmosphere. Reusable water bottles put a stop to gases being released and plastic being through away.
4. Reusable makeup pads are something I was given for a present and now I love them, mine are made of bamboo and hemp. Traditional cotton makeup pads are not 100% cotton recently they have found that traditionally make-up pads have 90% plastic and 10% cotton. Once you use the makeup pad you need to throw it away. Reusable makeup pads come with a net bag where all the makeup pads can be collected and machine washed. Reusable makeup pads can be either bought or made from old towels or face cloths. There are many tutorials on making makeup pads online.
5. Canvass / reusable bags has been around for several years and every supermarket and shop now has there own reusable bags. Shopping bags are the most common and most used plastic. We use them to do the shopping then we throw them away. Also the plastic bags cost you 20p or 30p depending on the shop so, in the long run, this adds up. Keep a bundle of the bags in the back of your car and the front door so you won’t forget them. Also, keep a canvass tote bag in your handbag or use the tote bag as a handbag. Canvass bags reduce the amount of plastic in your life. Also, reusable bags help to reduce your carbon footprint.
These are the best swaps that I have made over the last few years, some will be easy others will be more difficult but not impossible. Finding the best fit for you and your everyday life is important. Making these swaps is not to make life any harder but easier and better for the environment.
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