This post contains affiliate links. Check out my Disclosure Policy here.
There’s no denying the fact that humans are slowly killing the planet. It’s becoming more and more apparent every day.
While we are each individually responsible for our own pollution, it is proven that 90 companies alone are responsible for producing 2/3 of the entire planet’s man-made greenhouse gas emissions. That’s huge!!
While big industries are mainly responsible for killing our planet, there’s small things that everyone can do to help prevent the damage we’re doing to our home.
Plastic is one of the biggest pollutants, taking up over 90% of all ocean trash. Oceans are being overrun with plastic and waste, and hundreds of thousands of marine life is dying each year. It’s estimated that by the year 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
The whole world is currently producing nearly 300 million tons of plastic each year, isn’t that crazy?! We HAVE to find a way to reduce our impact on the Earth soon, or we’re going to reach a devastating point of no return!
Here’s a few sustainable products to replace your single-use plastics…
Straws make up about 4% of all plastic trash, piece by piece. One straw is about .42 grams, and yearly, 2,000 tons of plastic straws pollute the oceans. Some scientists estimate that there are anywhere from 437 million to 8.3 billion plastic straws on shorelines around the world. Make the switch today, and reduce the amount of single-use straws being thrown away.
Six million tons of plastics that have a useful lifespan of less than three years are being discarded each year. That includes plastic silverware, cups, grocery bags, plastic packaging, etc. Transportable bamboo utensils are a great sustainable substitute for single-use silverware.
As far as plastics go, grocery bags have one of the shortest decomposition times, taking about 100 years to decompose. In the US alone, more than 100 billion plastic bags are used each year. The whole world uses an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion bags in an entire year. How crazy…
4. BPA-free Reusable Waterbottle
One million plastic bottles are bought every minute around the world. Reusable waterbottles have a lifespan of 3-5 years, maybe even longer. Think of all the plastic bottles and water cups you’re saving by carrying a reusable waterbottle everywhere.
The whole point of going zero waste is to eliminate trash. But as you’re starting off, and slowly eliminating your waste, use these plant based kitchen trash bags.
6. Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps
A great replacement for plastic wrap, beeswax food wrap clings to itself and food storage containers, keeping food fresh. You can use it on top of bowls, or wrap it around fruit and veggies. Think of how many rolls of plastic wrap you could prevent going into the ocean just by using these reusable beeswax food wraps.
7. Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags
Single-use plastic bags are easy and convenient to store food in. But it gets one use and is thrown away, and another is used for the next food item. How wasteful! These reusable silicone food storage bags are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. That makes it easy to cook something, freeze it, thaw it, wash it, and reuse!
8. Plastic-free Food Containers
Dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and oven safe up to 520°F, these glass food containers with bamboo lids are an awesome plastic-free option to food storage. BPA and phthalate free, these are containers you can feel safe and good about storing your food in.
What’s the first thing you grab when a mess happens in the kitchen? A paper towel, or several. If I used paper towels to clean up our messes, I’d be going through six rolls a month. Think of all of those paper towels ending up in landfills or, more likely, the ocean. That alone is enough to make me start using washable un-paper towels.
10. Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
An easier, healthier way to clean, these microfiber cloths use just water to remove over 99% of bacteria and other ickies. No need for harmful chemicals. Just wash and reuse!
11. Natural Loofah Dish Scrubbers
These kitchen sponges are made out of natural, plant-based fibers, and are biodegradable. So once it’s all worn out, toss it in your compost! In the meantime, enjoy washing your dishes with basically a plant!
This lunch box holds six cups of food, and comes with three different compartments. BPA and plastic free, this stainless steel lunch box is the perfect way to safely carry your food on the go. This box is even rust and corrosion free, so you don’t have to worry about what kind of food you put in your box! There’s even a smaller version for your kiddos!
How cute and convenient!
I don’t know about you, but the house we’re living in right now EATS bread, and fresh fruit and veggies. A loaf will go bad before we get the chance to eat it. We also waste a lot of plastic bags trying to keep our bread fresh… This rolltop bread box would definitely solve our problem! With lots of space to spare, this bread box would hold and keep all of our food fresh until we’re ready to eat it.
Plastic is quickly taking over our planet…
…and it’s our fault! Every human and every corporation is responsible for their own plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The only way we can change what’s happening to our planet, is to take responsibility and make drastic changes! A few basic ways we can do that are, make the switch to eco-friendly products, walk or ride your bike when you can, compost everything that can be composted, and eat less meat.
We really have to start getting serious about what’s happening to our planet. We’re killing all the plants, animals, and ocean life, to the point of throwing off whole ecosystems and wiping out entire species. How will we survive?
Have any questions or comments? Let me know down below! Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I really hope you feel motivated to start going eco-friendly. Let me know if you have any more ideas to add to my list!
Leave a Reply