For anyone that knows me, you know I try my best to keep waste to a minimum. Several years ago I made the switch from plastic bottles and sandwich bags to more sustainable products.
As more and more plastic makes its way into oceans and landfills, it's important to consider the impact our plastic consumption has. A lot of our plastic and paper use comes from choosing convenience items, but there are so many products available that may be just as convenient to use, wash, and reuse, cutting down on plastic use! Although most of these products may seem like an investment at first, the ability to reuse them cuts down on costs in the long term.
If you're looking to make the swap some of your products to more sustainable alternatives to help support a healthy planet, here are some of my favorites! Note: some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase something, I make a commission at no cost to you. Nonetheless, all brands/products are ones that I use and love!
1. Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags
Whether you need to pack snacks for a road trip or throw liquids in a bag for a flight, stasher bags are a great, reusable option. These bags are made of platinum silicone so you can heat them up without worrying about chemicals leaching into your food. Stasher bags are meant to be used, washed, and reused, over and over again.
2. Reusable Cup or Water Bottle
A reusable water bottle has been my go-to accessory for everyday life for several years now. I take it to work, yoga, my neighbor's house, basically anywhere and everywhere. They're great to travel with, even at the airport where you can take them empty and fill up once you get through security. They're a great way to help you stay hydrated and can be used for more than just water!
Here are a few of my favorites:
3. Reusable Paper Towels
Okay, so at first I was skeptical of this one. I thought 'surely this will not be worth it or save that many paper towels.' After that, I started paying attention to my paper towel use and realized that I used a lot of paper towels unnecessarily or barely before throwing them in the trash. So... I decided why not give a reusable option a try. And honestly, I love them and regret not getting one sooner. They are so great for water spills or tiny messes from your coffee stirring spoon or an overly-messy pomegranate. You can easily toss them in the dishwasher before you run it which makes them super convenient to clean and reuse as well.
4. Wool Dryer Balls
Replacing dryer sheets with wool dryer balls was a great decision. These are so simple to toss into the dryer with your clothes and help to eliminate, reduce wrinkles, and shorten drying time. Most eco-friendly, naturally sourced wool dryer balls are a great option, but if you're looking for something fun, how cute are these earth dryer balls!
5. Saalt Menstrual Cup
This one is for the females. I switched to a cup about 2 years ago and although I was super hesitant at first (as I'm sure you can imagine if you've ever considered the switch), it was honestly the best choice. It's so comfortable and easy to wear and I don't have to worry about it leaking or having to change or empty it on long days away from home. There is a learning curve when it comes to using it, but is totally worth it in my opinion. I've tried others but found saalt to be the softest, most flexible and comfortable option for me personally.