Collaborative post:
8+ Eco-friendly Products to Try in 2021
With climate change rapidly taking effect, more and more of us are turning to eco-friendly alternatives to play our part in saving the environment.
If you’re new to sustainable living, you might well be wondering “where do I start?”
We’ve put together a list of 8+ eco-friendly products that you could try in 2021. Our list ranges from everyday items to quirky products made from recycled materials.
With that being said, let’s get started.
1. Bamboo Toothbrushes
Perhaps the most popular eco-friendly product currently on the market, the unassuming toothbrush is one of the easiest sustainable swaps you can make this year.
By going for a natural bamboo handle, we could collectively save hundreds of millions of pieces of plastic going to landfills.
2. Vegan Candles
The UK as a whole spends a staggering £2bn a year on candles. What you might not know is that the most common form of scented candles is made from paraffin wax derived from petroleum, coal or shale oil.
Fortunately, there are eco-friendly alternatives such as soy wax and coconut wax. On top of being a great eco-friendly product, they’re also vegan friendly unlike candles made from beeswax.
3. Recycled Rope Dog Leads
With most dog leads made from a type of plastic (nylon), buying a new dog lead poses quite the problem for environmentalists. This problem is compounded by the fact that there are around 8 million dogs in the UK.
One option is to use recycled mountain climbing rope which has been retired from suspending humans at daring heights but is still strong enough to keep your dog from running off.
Companies like goBambu have a host of these dog leads available.
4. Soap and Shampoo Bars
Plastic containers take an awful lot of energy to create and once finished with, usually end up in the general waste bin.
Switching to use soap and shampoo bars not only saves the environment from plastic waste and pollution but also saves you a bit money as in general, they last longer than liquid forms.
If bars really aren’t your thing, consider having a quick scout around your local area to see if there are any refill stations.
5. Bamboo Makeup Brushes
Like toothbrushes, makeup brushes are another source of enormous plastic wastage. Multiple companies have recently developed bamboo makeup brushes which are made using a compostable bamboo handle.
Moreover, they’re often cheaper than plastic brushes despite being comparable in terms of quality.
6. Reusable Food Wraps
If you often find yourself wrapping food leftovers in clingfilm you might be surprised to hear that there’s a simple eco-friendly alternative available.
Wraps made out of organic cotton and wax are a reusable solution and can be washed after they’re used. Another example of saving money!
7. Reusable Bags
Whether you choose mesh produce bags or simply opt to reuse an old plastic bag, reusable bags are the most sustainable way to carry shopping as well as food.
Plastic bags are almost impossible to recycle in the traditional way so the less we use them, the better.
8. Coffee Cups
Despite their appearance, takeaway cups are not in fact recyclable. The inner lining is made from polyethylene meaning they need to be disposed of in general waste.
The effect of having all of our disposable cups going to waste is similar to if we had an extra 30,000 cars on the road each year.
Most cafes now give you the option to use your own takeaway mug and even give discounts for doing so. It’s a no brainer.
9. Bamboo Toilet Roll
Another slightly odd eco-friendly product to try this year is bamboo toilet roll. Made from sustainable bamboo fabric, it’s a great swap from traditional toilet roll which is responsible for mass deforestation around the world.
Even making one of these simple swaps will go a long way. Whilst we don’t often see the impact of small changes, collectively it all adds up.
Which change are you most looking forward to making? Let me know in the comments!
For eco-friendly products and more sustainable tips, visit goBambu.co.uk.
Sarah x