“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
Vincent Van Gogh
The One Where It All Started
Over the past few weeks, while I have been recovering and adjusting to the new normal, I found a lot of joy in finding ways to live more sustainably and lower my impact on the environment. So, welcome friends, family, coworkers, and whoever else, to the first edition of my short series: “Simple, Sustainable Swaps.” I’m not saying, ‘toss everything and go zero waste,’ mainly because I am an accountant and I LOVE hard copies, but here are a few brands you can switch to, to make your everyday a bit more Earth friendly.
***Disclaimer: All opinions and research are my own. Do with it what you may, but may I remind you, I am an Accountant, not an Environmental Scientist or an English Professor. ***
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
Robert Swan
Why These Brands?
While researching brands, I found that many of them were small, U.S. based, women-owned businesses. Now, more than ever, these types of businesses need our help while their store fronts are closed. For Earth Day, many of these companies are having large sales too. What’s better than saving the planet and your tax refund?
General Home Cleaning
With all the cleaning that is currently being done due to the global pandemic, thousands of plastic bottles are being thrown away. As you run out, try switching to these brands with reusable bottles, eco-friendly refills, and fewer toxins.
Supernatural: Using the water in your tap and a concentrated blend of essential oils, these cleaning products use the antimicrobial, antifungal, and a plethora of other natural ‘anti’ properties to keep your home looking and smelling great. I just ordered the starter pack and stainless steel cleaner! (Use the link for $25 off your first order! https://www.talkable.com/x/vNglCc )
Blueland: Water and concentrated tablets make these eco-friendly products. This company also makes foaming hand soap tabs; however, I didn’t like their container due to the large logo sprawled across the front. I found foaming soap dispensers on Etsy, so once I finish up my current hand soap, I will be making that switch. (Use the link for a free refill tab! http://rwrd.io/xx1f8x8 )
CleanCult: This company fills their glass bottles with cleaners made of natural ingredients. Instead of using tablets and concentrates, they send you paper-based cartons lined with plastic to refill your bottles. This company is more holistic because they carry items for your dishwasher and washing machine too, making it more of a ‘one stop shop,’ if you want that kind of convenience.
Bathroom
From what you brush your teeth with to what you wash your body with, there are SO MANY easy and less expensive swaps you can make in the bathroom. If you want to ease into sustainable living and help reduce the amount of plastic that enters our landfills, this is probably the best room to start with, in my opinion.
Mouth:
- Bite Toothpaste Bits: Just bite into one each time you brush your teeth and brush like normal. They come in a month’s supply of ‘bits’ in a variety of flavors from berry to lemon lavender (don’t worry, they also have mint, if you’re into that).
- Georganics: While they are from ‘across the pond,’ their mouthwash tablets are what got me. Stick a tablet in a shot glass (full of WATER), gargle, and spit. Easy as that. They take up far less space than a huge bottle of mouthwash and the brand has many more sustainable mouth products including chewing gum! (Use the link and the code FREEFLOSS at checkout for free dental floss! https://georganics.com/pages/_go_?ref=1577:11274 )
- Dental Lace: 100% compostable floss in a pretty, glass container. Need I say more?
- Boie USA: I LOVE their toothbrush and body scrub. They are colorful and extremely durable. The luffa may take time to get used to but I will never go back to buying a normal toothbrush ever again. I even got a compliment from my dentist (my teeth are whiter; my gums are happier…)
Shower:
- Plaine Products: This company carries pretty much any body care product you could want in recyclable and reusable aluminum bottles. From shampoo to facial toner, they have it all. When you order refills, they send a return label so you can put your empties in the same box and ship it back to them. (Use code GreenGT for 20% off your purchase!)
- Body Wash: Whenever I travel, I try to get bars of soap from local businesses/farmer’s markets. Not only is this helping small businesses in that area, but your suitcase will always come home smelling great!
Toilet Paper:
- Who gives a Crap: They have funny name, a Chief of Feline Relations named Gustov Griffiths, and make toilet paper out of recycled (clean) paper. Each roll is wrapped in patterned, recycled paper that can be reused at gift wrapping paper! Did you know that most wrapping paper is not recyclable? But that’s part of a post for another day. The toilet paper (and other paper products) is delivered right to your doorstep. Except not right now. It’s all out of stock.
Where do we go from here?
If you’re still reading this far, I first want to say THANK YOU and I promise that I am almost done. You won’t get the time you spent reading this back, but hopefully you will get a few ideas on how easy it can be to live a more sustainable life.
The companies that I listed are just a few of the amazing groups that have worked to make products that we use every day a little less harmful to the world around us. There are larger brands like, Lush Cosmetics, that also provide sustainable alternatives, but the ones I included were just my preference. Stay tuned as I create other issues dedicated to the kitchen, bedroom, laundry room, and other, random ways to make your life more eco-friendly.
Happy Earth Week!
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to send me an email at Hello@sustenance-and-sustainability.com
Thanks,
Nicole
Sustenance and Sustainability 