Environmentally Friendly Alternatives for Everyday Items

Pela Phone Cases

Most people have a phone case on their phone. Personally, I have gone through several during the six years I have been using a phone case. Most phone cases are not recycled and I am not sure if they could be either. Because they are an item that you will use for five years tops but can stay in the environment for up to 1,000 years; I would suggest getting a compostable phone case. Pela cases offer a compostable phone case option for Android and iPhone users. Although they do not have too many options, raising the demand for compostable phone cases will bring more options. If more people support these types of companies, more like them will pop up. Hopefully, a day will come where there will be as many or more environmentally conscious than there are unconscious.

Reusable Shopping Bags

I feel like most people have these already really. Probably because although they are convenient for the moment, that one moment cannot compare to the time they will spend on this earth. The problem with these again is, people don't remember to bring them to the grocery store. I don't remember to bring them, if I am being honest. Just try though. They are more sturdy and hold more items than the plastic and paper ones. They really are more convenient when you bring them. Don't forget your plastic bags people! If you only bought a couple things, simply carry them to prevent the use of another plastic bag that will remain on earth for thousands of years.

Bamboo Toothbrushes

Toothbrushes are terrible for the environment. There are about 50 million pounds of toothbrushes sent to landfills annually. And even worst, they end up in our oceans. Plastic does not degrade. The sun degrades it into smaller and smaller particles, but they are still there for aquatic animals to eat. These particles bioaccumulate, making the toxins very concentrated in individual organisms. Then they biomagnify up the food chain. People are at the top of the food chain, so chances are you are getting a high dose of someone's toothbrush, grocery bag, or water bottle in your food. One way to reduce this is bamboo toothbrushes. There are so many options online and in stores to buy them. Personally, I prefer online because I like the charcoal-infused brands for whiter teeth.

Reusable Straws

People love to drink out of straws. I don't love it necessarily, but I do feel like I finish my drink quicker when I use one. Like all single use disposable plastic product, straws are extremely wasteful. The difference in this situation is, they are easily replaceable. Know needs to come up with a new innovative idea to find an alternative. There is a simple one. Reusable straws. The thing about these straws is, you have to not only remember to bring them, but you also have to remember to ask for no straws at restaurants. Which will take some time to do, but don't worry, it's possible. One phrase I saw while searching the internet that I love is one less straw a day. It encourages making a change without overwhelming you with the pressure to refuse every straw and always have your reusable straw on you. It really does make a difference.

Buy in bulk.

Buying in bulk is good for the environment as it eliminates some excess individual packaging. Less packaging results in less waste. You can even bring your own containers to fill at the bulk bins. Mason jars are very trendy right now, but I just like to use empty glass food jars again rather than waste them. If your local store does not sell in bulk; you can also try to buy the biggest size package of items. This helps reduce waste because you are buying the packaging less. This is especially helpful when buying items like vinegar. Usually, the glass bottle is bigger, but the plastic capsize is the same. Also, you can reuse the bottle.