Sustainability started as a trend over a decade ago, but it is a need now more than ever. The overpopulation mixed with our shopping habits has increased the effects of climate change over the last couple of years, and scientists project that this will increase in the next few years if we don’t take radical actions.
It is hard to think that one person can change the world, but the truth is, one person can make a difference and start motivating the people around you to shop sustainably and live a sustainable life. And that person can be you! The first step is to acknowledge that everything we consume ends up being some sort of waste. Everything! Think of all the clothes, food, beauty products, utensils, and snacks you have bought this year. All of these products come in some sort of package, and many of them are made with low-quality materials, which make us throw them away after a short period of time and buy another one.
So there are a few aspects that make a product sustainable. First, the material is natural. Secondly, the product is long-lasting, so you don’t have to buy many of them in the long term, and lastly, you can dispose of it in a sustainable way, either taking it to a recycling center or composting it to let it decompose properly and go back to nature. That being said, these are some of the sustainable products you can buy on Amazon today, and start the sustainable life you want!
It is fascinating to see how designers out there are thinking of how to introduce a sustainable solution for almost every product. Most people wouldn’t consider hair ties as a significant contributor to plastic waste, but they are, in fact, made of plastic, and we buy many of these every year, especially when they are cheap and break easily.
These plastic-free hair ties are made of natural rubber and organic cotton. They are as resilient as the synthetic ones, and they are long-lasting, so you won’t have to buy a chunk of them every few months. It is a simple and effective solution for reducing the amount of trash you produce, plus you get to keep your fabulous ponytail! You can buy the elastic hair ties here.
There are hundreds of reusable straws available in the market. We’ve seen all colors, shapes, logos, and designs. The only problem with a reusable straw is that most people forget them at home, so they end up asking for a plastic straw at the restaurant or cafeteria where they have lunch. Even worse, they end up drinking their beverage without a straw and spilling the drink on their clothes. As the ban on plastic straws is becoming more common, it’s really important that we welcome reusable straws in our life. This collapsible stainless steel is perfect for all of those people who tend to forget their reusable straw at home. You can carry it as a keychain, so you will always have it with you when you pick up your coffee or your favorite drink at lunch. And you can wash it right after you’re done using it so that it’s ready to go for the next drink you consume. The straw comes in many different colors, it is a great gift, and you will get in the habit of valuing reusable utensils. This will be your new best friend! You can buy it here.
Makeup remover pads are another understated contributor to waste. Regardless of your makeup and skincare routine, most likely, you use at least one pad every day, which is 3650 pads in ten years! Consider using reusable makeup pads. This will reduce not only your waste but your skincare expenses as you only have to buy them once and wash them. These pads have a black and a white side. You can use the black side to remove mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadows. Then, you can use the white side for your moisturizer. The pads come in a little laundry bag where you can put them before washing them in the machine. That way, you can use them as many times as you want without producing more waste! You can buy the reusable makeup pads here.
If the problem of plastic pollution wasn’t big enough, most phone cases are made of plastic. Plastic is a cheap, versatile, water-resistant material that protects phones in a very effective way. The good news is, there are sustainable options to have a fabulous and protected phone without contributing to plastic pollution. This biodegradable and compostable phone case is one of the few phone cases that are actually zero waste, as it will biodegrade effectively, but only if you put it in a compost. It’s shockproof, so it provides 5 feet drop protection, and it supports wireless charging. It can’t get any better than that! You can buy the biodegradable phone case here.
During these days, when all we want to do is stay in bed and have a marathon of your favorite show, this blanket will become your favorite thing in the world. It is made of 100% bamboo-based fabric, a natural and hypoallergenic material with soft beads that are evenly distributed for a super comfy touch. The cool texture of the bamboo is very breathable and will keep you cool all night long. The blanket comes in different sizes, so make sure to order one according to your body weight to balance the beads of the blankets accurately with your body. You can buy this blanket here.
Even though many people tend to take notes with digital devices these days, notebooks are still relevant. The number of notebooks with bleached paper and plastic covers that we use in our lifetime is very scary. However, by using recycled paper, we are giving a second chance to paper waste and slowly decreasing the demand for paper, which causes a loss of around 6 billion trees each year. This notebook is made of recycled paper, the cover is made of kraft paper, which doesn’t require bleach in the process, and it is very versatile. They are ideal for college students, teachers, business people, young professionals, or any kind of person who has to take notes. As we are losing around 11,000 trees per minute, our habits must change. Get your set of three recycled notebooks here.
A fan is one of those appliances that we use a lot during that time of the year when it is very hot, and we stay for long periods of time at home or at work. Even though it doesn’t require as much energy as a full air conditioning equipment, it still consumes a bunch of electricity, and there is an option to reduce it, without the need of giving up the comfort of a fan.
The heat powered stove fan by Cheffort converts the heat from the stove to electricity. No batteries or electricity are required! The whole fan is made of aluminum, which can be adequately recycled when it comes time for you to throw it away. (Most fans in the market are made of plastic that most consumers don’t recycle). You can get your heat powered stove fan here.
When mass media talks about plastic pollution, usually there is a photograph of plastic bottles floating in the ocean. Although plastic bottles are a big contributor to this issue, they are not the only ones. Plastic comes in many different shapes, textures, sizes, and volumes. Plastic can be flexible, water-resistant, and soft, like most yoga mats out there! This is why we must be conscious of the materials of all the products that we own and consume.
This yoga mat is made with the most eco-friendly foam available in the market. It is durable, non-slippery, and it has a soft cushioning so you can practice yoga, pilates, meditation, or any activity on the floor. It comes in different colors, and it is very resilient. You are going to love having it in your house! It is available here.
Remember that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to follow sustainable practices. Start reducing the energy you consume and the resources that you use according to your budget and your lifestyle. The best day to start living a sustainable life is today! Good luck.
