These reusable items will help you reduce, reuse and recycle with ease! In an effort to become more conscious about how we consume, this list will provide you with all sorts of goodies. Not only will they make your life easier, but greener as well!
In order to do your part for the planet, we all have to take a deeper look into our consumption habits. Not only that, we have to improve and become smarter consumers. Here are some tips for shopping smart as well as 20 reusable items that will help you cut down on waste.
Shopping Smart & Green
As consumers we have more power than we may think. We have the power of choice, which means that our choices will impact a business and their products. If we all chose to shop with sustainable and greener brands, other companies would learn to change and become more eco-friendly.
Green Shopper
Green shopping requires environmentally friendly alternatives to everyday items. For example, using paper or cloth bags instead of plastic, using Energy Star appliances and avoiding food/drink that has excess packaging. Someone who practices green shopping is aware and mindful of the environment. This person maintains a healthy and sustainable lifestyle in order to protect the planet.
Smart Shopper
This relates more to spending habits. A smart shopper gets more bang for their buck while still achieving high quality. It is important not to confuse discount shopping with smart shopping. Discount shopping involves fast fashion and the cheapest alternatives. Buying smart means investing in yourself and your future. Start thinking about the clothes you buy and how long they will last instead of based on current trends.
@sigmund
Reduce, Reuse, recycle & Rethink
We all learned this way back in elementary school and it is still important today. These four R’s are the bare minimum of what you can do to be more environmentally friendly.
Reduce
R number 1 is reduce. This means to minimize the amount of waste we produce. When we reduce waste we save space in landfills which then decreases the need for more landfills. Additionally, reducing waste we conserve resources, protect wildlife and helps sustain the planet for future generations. In 2018, the U.S. produced 292.4 million tons of solid waste and this number grows each year.
Reuse
R number 2 is reuse. This refers to the everyday products we use and finding alternative reusable items. Reusing is more important than recycling because it saves energy. Additionally, reusable items significantly decrease waste and pollution. If you think about how much energy goes into breaking down recycled materials, reusing is much more efficient.
Recycling
Recycling takes materials that would be considered waste and re-makes them into new products. This could be coffee cups and even clothes or shoes. Recycling can be tricky because in order for there to be a greater impact, more people need to recycle. Recycling reduces waste and pollution, conserves natural resources and can actually boost the economy.
Rethink
This last R, rethink, refers to our lifestyle habits. We must consider how our actions and consumption habits affects the environment. You can rethink by learning and using alternative products. Additionally, considering your carbon footprint and making active changes to your lifestyle in order to minimize waste.
20 Reusable items
Reusable items will save you money, reduce waste, save energy and overall help you become a smarter, greener shopper. Here are 20 items to incorporate into your life today.
1. Metal or Rubber Straws
These durable straws allow for continuous use which reduce waste and energy. They are portable, easy to clean and lower your overall cost of buying one-use plastic and even cardboard straws.
Try This: These GrillJoy reusable metal straws come with their own cases and cleaning brushes. They make an excellent eco-friendly gifts.
2. Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Save money on buying beverages when you can bring one with you where ever you go. Additionally, you can fill it up almost anywhere. Stay hydrated, lower your consumption and cost on buying drinks when you’re out and about.
Try This: Owala insulated stainless steel water bottles are excellent for travelling or sports. They’re BPA-free, 32 ounces and come in a variety of colors.
3. French Press
This is a low-waste and cost effective way to make coffee every morning. The only waste that is produced is the coffee grounds, which can be used as a body scrub or composted. Not only does using a French press give you more control over the taste of your coffee, you can take it with you anywhere.
Try This: Bodum has a 1 Liter French press coffee maker. It is a great option for coffee enthusiasts who like to have more control over the flavor of their coffee.
4. Tea Infuser
Save money and reduce waste by buying a tea infuser (reusable tea bag). All you need is loose leaf tear, the infuser cage and you’re good to go.
Try This: These reusable cotton tea bags are wonderful option for tea lovers looking for an eco-friendly way of enjoying their loose-leaf tea.
5. Tupperware or Pyrex Glass Containers
No more take out containers or tossing out food. these durable containers reduce waste and pollution. Save money on food and enjoy it a little longer.
Try This: Pyrex food storage containers are BPA free, oven safe and come in a variety of different colors. They help us reduce food waste and encourage us to prepare meals ahead of time.
6. Rechargeable Batteries
Despite the higher initial cost of rechargeable batteries, the overall savings is significant. These batteries last much longer than regular batteries and can be reused up to 500 times. This lowers E-waste and the harmful pollution that comes from the batteries themselves.
Try This: Energizer rechargeable AA and AAA battery charger. It comes with 4 AA batteries and has over-charge protection.
7. Wool Dryer Balls
Say goodbye to dryer sheets because wool dryer balls are reusable and chemical free. Not only do they lower drying time, they soften fabric naturally. If you have sensitive skin, wool dryer balls will keep your clothes soft without causing irritation.
Try This: WilPoem New Zealand wool dryer balls soften fabric, prevent wrinkles and reduce static. Additionally, they can be over a thousand times. So much more cost effective than buying dryer sheets!
8. Insulated Bottle
Whether you want a hot or cold beverage, you can get an insulated bottle for both. Reduce costs on buying coffee every morning by brewing your own and keeping it hot all day long.
Try This: Iron Flask sports bottle can hold 1 liter and works for both hot or cold beverages. It comes in a variety of colors and has two different types of lids!
9. Soda Stream
If you love soda but want to reduce the amount of plastic or canned drinks you buy, a soda stream will help! Soda stream’s are much better for you than a regular fizzy drink. In fact, they actually promote weight loss and improve digestion.
Try This: SodaStream Fizzi makes any beverage fizzy with CO2. It comes iwth BPA-free bottles and several Bubly flavor drops!
10. Beeswax Food Sheets
Unlike plastic wrap that speeds up the molding process, beeswax food sheets keep food fresher for longer. They are antibacterial, biodegradable and can actually be reused by just a quick rinse.
Try This: Bee’s Wrap is made in the USA with certified organic cotton. Not only is it plastic and silicone free but it is also reusable!
11. Reusable Grocery Bags
Most grocery stores these days charge for plastic bags so buying reusable grocery bags is a must. They reduce waste, save money and are easier to carry. Moreover, if you have a business, reusable bags is a cost effective marketing strategy that gets your brand in front of more people!
Try This: BeeGreen reusable shopping totes are extra large, durable and easy to clean. Say goodbye to overflowing drawers full of plastic bags!
12. Reusable Keurig Cups
If you have a Keurig, instead of buying k-cups every week, buy two or three reusable cups and a bag of coffee beans. Not only does this reduce waste, but is also much healthier. K-cups have all sorts of harmful chemicals, especially flavored ones. Keurig sells approximately 10.5 billion K-cups a year, that is a lot of waste. Using reusable K-cups is an efficient way to reduce your carbon footprint while still enjoying your Keurig.
Try This: These reusable K cups work for both 2.0 and 1.0 models. They are the best eco-friendly solution for Keurigs.
13. Menstrual Cups
Pads and tampons are expensive and since half the population are menstruators, we need a budget and eco-friendly alternative. Menstrual cups are actually safer than tampons and holds more fluids. This small and flexible funnel collects fluid rather than absorbs which can lead to infection. Additionally, they are eco-friendly because you can reuse them over and over again.
Try This: OrginiCup comes in multiple sizes and is an excellent, sustainable alternative to pads or tampons.
14. Silicone Food Savers
Have you ever used half a vegetable, put it back in the fridge and it goes bad within days? Silicone food savers are better than plastic wrap because they keep the food completely sealed and safe from mold.
Try This: Try these Food Huggers to keep your produce fresh for longer!
15. Silicone Cupcake/Muffin Baking Cups
Say goodbye to throw away cupcake wrappers. Silicone cupcake and muffin cups can be used over and over. If you love to bake, save money and lower waste with this reusable baking cups.
Try This: Use these reusable baking cups next time your making muffins or cupcakes!
16. Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
Save money and reduce waste with reusable makeup remover pads. Cotton makeup remover pads require huge amounts of energy to produce and they end up in our oceans and landfills. Cotton is one of the most pesticide-doused crops around, which means those cotton pads contain heaps of harmful chemicals.
Try This: Bamboo Cotton washable and eco-friendly makeup remover pads can be used over and over again. They even come with their own cotton laundry bag!
17. Reusable Sponges
Sponges get moldy and dirty very quickly, which leads them to being tossed regularly. Consider looking for polyester reusable scrubbing sponges that are machine washable. You’ll have to toss them eventually, however they will last much longer than the average sponge.
Try This: Jebb Labs Bamboo all-natural sponges are oil and stain resistant. Simply throw them in with the laundry, lay them flat to dry and they’re good to go again.
18. Safety Razors
Disposable razors are exactly that, disposable. Safety razors are built to last and the blades themselves are the only thing that needs to be replaced. The blades are recyclable and can be collected at a blade bank or just tossed in a recycling bin.
Try This: Vikings Blade makes an excellent fathers day gift that can be used again and again.
19. Shampoo & Conditioning Bars
Not only are shampoo and conditioning bars travel friendly, they have little to no waste. Many of them don’t even require water to nourish and clean your hair. Using these bars lowers waste and water use as well as keeping your hair healthy.
Try This: Ethique makes both shampoo and conditioning bars that work wonders for dry, itchy scalps. This all natural, sustainable, soap free and vegan product is a great alternative!
20. Dish Soap Bars
Instead of buying soap dispensers in the traditional plastic bottle, check out dish soap bars. Many are made from all natural ingredients unlike many dish soaps which contain detergents and other chemicals. Simply place the bar in a dish, use a sponge or brush and start cleaning.
Try This: Check out Dish Block for a vegan, fragrance and dye free alternative to dish soap!
@bluewaterglobe
We all need to do our part to save the planet not only for ourselves, but for future generations as well. Do your part by reducing waste and buying reusable items instead of disposables.
If you’re looking for products we trust that are also eco-friendly and sustainable, don’t forget to click the links!
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Climate Change and Transportation
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