A huge conversation in the media lately has been about the inevitable doom of climate change. And, it’s true. If we don’t shape up our act by 2030, we will reach irreversible climate change. The majority of the change that has to come in the next eleven years is up to governments around the world and large corporations, both of which majorly contribute to climate change and rising global temperatures. However, there are things that we, as everyday citizens, can do to help alleviate pollution and climate change. One of those is to make the switch to eco-friendly everyday products. Here are 5 products you can start using to lessen your contribution to climate change:
- Reusable Straws. According to the National Park Service, 500 million plastic drinking straws are used in the United States every day. That number doesn’t include how many are used around the world. The plastic straws thrown away daily in the U.S. alone could fill 125 school buses. This number can be greatly reduced if we started using reusable straws, which are better for the environment and your budget. You can buy a pack of 8 stainless steel metal straws for $8.99 on Amazon.
- Bamboo Toothbrushes. One great alternative to plastic toothbrushes is a reusable electric toothbrush, but those can often be expensive. A great, biodegradable alternative to plastic toothbrushes, which take decades to decompose, are bamboo toothbrushes. They won’t splinter, and the bristles are just as soft as those on a plastic toothbrush. A pack of four from Wowe go for $11.97.
- Reusable Water Bottles (metal, preferably). 91% of the plastic water bottles we use end up in the landfill each year, and we use about 1 million plastic water bottles per minute. By using a reusable water bottle, you can save money on bottled water and save the environment in one go. Get a Hydro Flask from Amazon for $29.
- Biodegradable Trash Bags. Trash bags aren’t something we think about when we try becoming more eco-friendly. But, the normal, everyday trash bags we buy from the grocery store are made of plastic. They don’t decompose in the landfill. They just sit there and contribute further to plastic pollution. These trash bags from Unni are only $11.95 for a pack of 100, and they are BPI certified.
- Biodegradable K-Cups. Keurigs have become more popular over the past few years, and the most common k-cups that can be found in grocery stores are made of single-use plastic that isn’t recyclable. These cups sit in the landfill and take, once more, decades to decompose. While reusable k-cups are an option, they’re not always the most convenient, especially for college students who need quick and easy solutions. Biodegradable, single-use k-cups are the perfect answer, and a box of 80 k-cups is only $34.99 from San Francisco Bay Coffee.
It might seem like a daunting task to make the switch from convenient everyday items that aren’t good for the environment to eco-friendly items that can be harder to find. But, the truth is, they’re not much more difficult to find than the convenient items. In most cases, the eco-friendly products end up being a little more budget friendly, too. So, they’re good for the environment and your bank account.
Photo: brikolite.com
