Chemicals present in cleaners get washed up in waterways and plastics pile up in landfills, thus polluting the environment further. Luckily, you can switch out these harmful products for eco-friendly ones! Read on for some eco-friendly alternatives you can utilize in your home while helping to conserve our planet.
Biodegradable Kitchen Utensils
Instead of buying plastic kitchen utensils, go for the biodegradable ones. Forks, knives and spoons made from corn starch and wheat fibers are resistant to heat and can be used multiple times. Moreover, kitchen utensils created using bamboo, palm leaves or wood, like these from Target, give your kitchen an exotic look. By using these biodegradable materials, you conserve the planet, helping avoid harmful consequences.
Biodegradable Party Plates
Similar to plastic cutlery, party plates made of plastic or paper are usually used once and then disposed of. House parties, baby showers and BBQs can all produce plenty of plastic and paper waste, especially if you guest list is long. Lessen such waste by using biodegradable alternatives instead, which you’ll find at most grocery stores.
Homemade Cleaning Products
Eco-friendly home cleaning products may be better for your health, your home and the environment because they do not contain many of the harmful chemicals present in traditional cleaners. There are several brands, which you’ll find at your local market, that offer eco-friendly house cleaning alternatives. It is also possible for you to make your own cleaners in the comfort of your home using products you most likely already have lying around like baking soda, vinegar, cinnamon and lemon juice.
Homemade Paper Towels
There is a large amount of paper towel waste created everyday around the world. Given you possess some craftiness; you can improvise with a sowing machine to make DIY reusable paper towels that you can wash in your washing machine at home. This can save money and resources by limiting your need to purchase paper towels as often.
Beauty Supplies
Baking soda, lemon juice and white vinegar are also great when it comes to common beauty needs. Combining baking soda and white vinegar can help cleanse and moisturize hair, and a mix of cucumber and lemon juice can prove beneficial to a dry and itchy scalp. A simple search on a site like Pinterest can get you started.
Eco-friendly Dog Waste Bags
If you are a dog-owner, consider opting for biodegradable dog waste bags instead of the traditional, non-biodegradable bags. These are a great alternative for environmentally conscious dog lovers. Carry a few with you as you walk your dog to keep your neighborhood clean while keeping the environment in mind.
LED Bulbs
LED light bulbs are much more efficient than ordinary light bulbs. A larger percentage of the energy in a LED bulb is converted into light, and not much is wasted as heat. You’ll find a large selection of LED lighting at most hardware stores. These include interior and exterior bulbs as well as items like Christmas lights and other home decorations.
Reusable Drinking Bottles
Billions of plastic water bottles are thrown away as waste every year. Many of these plastics end up in landfills and oceans causing severe damage to our wildlife and air quality because they contain harmful chemicals like BPA. Whenever possible, consider opting for eco-friendly drink bottles like those made from stainless steel or glass. Bottles like this one from Yeti can be refilled, making up for their initial costs quickly.
Reusable Grocery Bags
Plastic shopping bags produce a great amount of waste each year. Eliminating this type of waste is very easy by using reusable shopping bags. These reusable bags, which can be purchased at almost any store nowadays, provide an eco-friendly alternative for carrying items purchased from the grocery store. Plus, reusable shopping bags are typically stronger than paper or plastic bags allowing you to make it home with your groceries without your bag ripping. Make it a habit to keep a few bags in your car for your next trip to the store.
When it’s time to stock up on common household items, don’t just buy anything, consider the materials and chemicals used. Choose to conserve your environment today!