Earth Day might not get as much recognition as some holidays like Thanksgiving and Halloween, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less important.
The day is dedicated to reminding people about the fragility of our planet. It was also established to promote environmental awareness and educate individuals on how they can protect the earth.
I’m not a person that goes above and beyond to be environmentally friendly, but I’m trying to get better at it! We recycle at home, I use a reusable water bottle and I’m even starting to swap my grocery bags for recycled bags.
While I still have a long ways to go, I hope to learn aobut some small, easy things I can do to be more eco-conscious. One of those things is using reusable products around my home and in my day-to-day life.
Since I’m still learning about all of this, I did some research and found a bunch of other ways to make a difference! Below, you can find some product swaps you can make around your own home.
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Product Swaps To Use At Home
You can start your eco-friendly journey at home with a few household alternatives to your go-to items.
If you always seem to have leftovers lying around, you’ll want to look into these Reusable Stand-Up Food Storage Bags from Ecolution. The 10-piece set comes with a 1-gallon bag, two 1/2-gallon bags, three 1-qt bags and four 14-oz snack bags.
You can also use them to store produce or deli meats in the fridge!
But if you’d like a more structured storage solution, I recommend this Pyrex set from Target.
It comes with 18 tempered glass containers that snap shut. They’re secure enough to take on the go and they’re also dishwasher safe!
Instead of using paper napkins in the house, you can swap them with cloth napkins. I found this beautiful Marlo Thomas set of napkins at Williams Sonoma and I just adore the patterns. Plus, they’re navy… my favorite!
If you find yourself washing your hair every day, you probably go through a lot of plastic shampoo bottles. Well here’s an eco-friendly solution!
These days, they make these neat shampoo bars to cut down on plastic waste. I found this Ultimate Blends bar which is infused with honey to protect your hair.
The Ecolution Reusable Beeswax Food Storage Wraps are a great alternative to aluminum foil or plastic wrap. They work wonderfully and they can be used over and over again.
All you have to do is warm them up with your hands and wrap your food like any other wrap. It’s a simple swap if you ask me!
I’ve been wearing a lot more makeup than usual thanks to these photo shoots… not complaining, but sometimes I just want my face to breathe!
Anyway, getting makeup off can be complicated without using makeup wipes. But instead of buying those disposable towelettes, you can use these Eve Lom reusable muslin ones instead.
How To Be More Eco-Friendly On The Go
Going out? Don’t leave without these eco-friendly swaps you can use throughout your day.
This reusable utensil set from Walmart is super compact and easy to take on the go. It will also prevent all those “Oh no!” moments where you open your lunch only to find there’s no plastic silverware in sight.
There’s a lot of hype around reusable straws because they’re such an easy swap. These ones from Zoku are made with stainless steel, and each one comes with a case of it’s own.
So easy to toss in your purse when you’re out and about!
Hey, coffee addicts! This adorable Ello Jane Travel Mug will help you ditch the paper cup for good. It’s made with ceramic and it has a splash-proof lid. The bottom is also covered in a silicone boot to prevent it from scratching or breaking.
I carry around a reusable water bottle all the time. It’s such a simple thing to do and it reminds me to drink water throughout the day!
This Peace Love World water bottle is designed to keep your drink cold for 26 hours. And if you’d like to sneak a latte inside, it will keep it hot for over 13 hours!
Reusable grocery bags used to be bland… but now there are so many cute options on the market! I think this shopper tote from Madewell is a great pick. Plus, the florals are perfect for spring.
If you haven’t heard of Stasher bags, now’s the time. These reusable silicone food bags are ideal for lunch bags. They’re both microwave and freezer safe and made with a Pinch-loc closure.
And when you’re done, you can throw them in the dishwasher!
Clean Your Way To An Eco-Friendly Life
Most cleaning products are filled with harsh chemicals and packaged in harmful materials. Here are some alternatives.
If you’re looking for a variety of eco-friendly cleaning products, look no further than Grove Collaborative.
They have a reusable cleaning glass spray bottle that can be used over and over again — which is good for the planet AND good for your wallet.
Also from the site is the Walnut Scrubber Sponge which has over 5,000 reviews! One side with made with 100% plant-based cellulose.
The other side of the scrubber is made with walnut shells and recycled plastic fibers, which provides a coarse surface for those tough-to-clean dishes.
These Tree-Free Paper Towels are a more sustainable alternative to your regular paper towels. They’re made with bamboo and sugarcane (non-GMO grasses), and they’re just as absorbent!
Ecos is an eco-friendly brand that has everything from baby care products to household cleaners. But if you’re trying to help the planet from your laundry room, you can opt for this liquidless laundry detergent.
It’s made from natural ingredients, it’s hypoallergenic and it’s packaged in 100 percent recyclable materials.
And while we’re talking about the laundry room, let’s talk about dryer balls! Made with wool and bamboo, they help soften fabric, reduce drying time and reduce static.
And since you’re not going through a bunch of dryer sheets, they’re a great eco-friendly alternative!
Thanks for stopping by to look at some eco-friendly swaps. I hope you’re able to try one out! Because after all, it only takes a little effort from every one of us to make a difference.
From my home to yours,
Jill
