You don’t think much about what happens when you brush your teeth in the morning, or go grocery shopping.
What these everyday tasks have in common is the fact that what you use, like plastic toothbrushes and produce bags, will one day be thrown away.
And now, we’re drowning in garbage.
Here are 13 things you can buy now to help the planet resurface.
Shampoo bars
Not everything has to come in plastic packaging. Just like hand soap bars, shampoo bars are activated with water and create the suds necessary to wash your hair like regular shampoo. Companies that produce shampoo bars tend to use natural ingredients (not tested on animals) as well. Lush and Unwrapped Life are just two companies that are dedicated to providing ethical products, including shampoo bars.
Metal straws
Even small straws have become a big problem. Since straws are so small that they fall through recycling machinery, all of them end up in the landfill — and the mouths and noses of sea animals, according to National Geographic and The Washington Post.
The Washington Post also indicated that some cities are resorting to paper straws or banning single-use straws altogether. This is just a small part of the solution, so you can get your own alternative on Amazon or the FinalStraw website.
Reusable produce bags
The hundreds of plastic bags used to carry groceries home doesn’t even account for the individual bags used to hold and protect your fruits and veggies. These cotton and nylon mesh produce bags at Organic Cotton Mart and Amazon do the trick without the waste.
Beeswax wrap
Plastic wrap is perfect for keeping food fresh in a pinch. The biggest problem though, like Ziploc bags and produce bags, is that plastic wrap is a single-use product that isn’t biodegradable. With beeswax wrap, you get the ease of plastic wrap in a reusable, biodegradable product (if you do decide to throw it away.)
Recycled outdoor gear and bags
“We’re in business to save our home planet,” Patagonia’s mission statement reads, so it comes as no surprise that they are creating products with sustainability in mind. Patagonia Black Hole Bags are created with 100% recycled body fabric and webbing, which repurposes 10 million plastic bottles in just one shopping season. Even more, the company’s popular outerwear is made of recycled polyester.
Travel bamboo utensil set
Patagonia doesn’t just stop at gear and clothing, either. The Patagonia Provisions food line strives for “responsibly sourced food,” according to its website, and even makes on-the-go bamboo utensil sets. So next time you pack your lunch for work or eat at a restaurant, you can take this set with you instead of using single-use plastic alternatives.
Reusable water bottles
As of 2017, The Guardian reported that one million plastic bottles are bought every minute worldwide. Most of these are not recycled, and the number is set to increase 20% by 2021. While Patagonia is using a chunk of them in its recycled products, you can make sure that less are thrown away in the first place. Reusable water bottles help you bring your favorite drinks (and stickers) wherever you go, waste-free. Some brands include Hydroflask, Klean Kanteen and Nalgene.
Reusable zip-close bags
We use them for everything. Lunches, snacks, meal planning, traveling, leftovers. But what if we could use something that lasted a lot longer, that we could still easily use every day? Stasher makes durable, nontoxic silicone zipper bags that can be used endlessly.
Cloth bowl covers
Covering bowls is another way plastic wrap is used. Whether you’re storing leftovers or on your way to a dinner party, these cloth bowl covers keep your food fresh and safe over and over again.
Laundry alternatives
Using dryer sheets and laundry detergent is so commonplace, it’s hard to remember that this is an everyday item that is thrown away regularly. The Mineral Egg claims to be a long-lasting and eco-friendly way to wash your clothes, and these wool dryer balls help you reduce dry time and wrinkles in a more sustainable way. Better yet, eliminate dryer products altogether with these tips from cleancult.com.
Menstrual cups
There’s no denying that nearly half of the population uses menstrual products, which are inherently thrown away multiple times a day, multiple times a week, every month, every year.
The New York Times reported on the benefits of menstrual cups, including accessibility in lower-income areas, significantly-reduced time and money spent on using menstrual products and reduced waste. These cups last up to 10 years, becoming a $40 investment in saving hundreds of dollars each year, and in the well-being of the planet. Some menstrual cup brands include the Diva Cup and the Utah-based Bloody Buddy.
Bamboo toothbrushes
Colgate recommends you replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Some replace them even more frequently. But what if brushing your teeth left less of a footprint?
Package Free Shop and Mouthful have bamboo toothbrushes and toothpaste tabs among their other package-free, zero-waste products.
Biodegradable coffee pods
With the birth of the K-Cup came a morning routine of throwing away a little plastic cup after you make your morning brew. How about using biodegradable espresso pods by Woken? You can have your espresso and be a little more environmentally conscious, too.