Written by Climate change is real, and we might be unaware of all the products in our home that heavily contribute to the plastic waste in our landfills. Now is the perfect time to start forming new goals and ways to reduce your carbon footprint. The Northwest strives to take care of Mother Earth. We have many products made from recycled materials and water bottles. Whether you are veteran or new to eco-friendly alternatives, here are some easy ways to start implementing eco-friendly, zero waste products in your home.
In your kitchen:
- Silicone Stasher Bags: This product can be found in almost any store, like Target and Bed Bath and Beyond. For extra convenience, it can also be found on Amazon. These convenient bags can replace the over-use of plastic Ziploc baggies. The silicon makes the bags reusable, washable, microwavable, freezable, and can even go in the oven or dishwasher. This is an easy first step to reduce your plastic!
2. Dish Soap Block: Dish soap bottles add a lot of plastic waste and, more often than not, are non-recyclable. A better option is to make the switch to a dish soap block. The blocks last longer and are more concentrated than regular dish soap. The blocks pair well with dish brushes from Target that are completely compostable.
3. Lunch Kits: Instead of storing snacks and lunches in throw-away containers, opt for an eco-friendly option—lunch kits. This may be one of the easiest ways to implement no-waste. The Northwest offers many different lunch kit options to help with your new eco-lifestyle! In addition to the lunch kits, The Northwest offers different travel bags for any occasion, like the incline backpack and the “Clear Zone” tote. These bags offer a more sustainable alternative to throw-away plastic or paper bags.
4. Refillable Glass Cleaning Spray Bottles: To reduce costs and plastic, using glass spray bottles is a better option, especially since you can make your own cleaning solutions safer and more cost-efficient. Nowadays, most common cleaners have an endless ingredient list that can be harmful to you and your family. Use this DIY list to make your own cleaner!
5. Organic Unpaper Towel: In most stores, paper towels can either be very expensive or sometimes out-of-stock. To avoid any complications, make the switch to reusable towels that are 100% cotton that and more absorbable than paper. Paper towels are a significant contributor to deforestation, so minimize paper usage with these towels that you can find on Amazon!
In your bathroom
- Bamboo Toothbrush: These toothbrushes can be found at any home-goods store and are a great alternative to plastic brushes because they are completely compostable and biodegradable. There is so much plastic waste that happens in the bathroom, and making the switch to this toothbrush is a great start to your no-plastic waste bathroom!
2. Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash Bars: There are a lot of unwanted chemicals in our shower products; sometimes, it can be difficult to track if you are purchasing the right one that won’t damage your hair or skin. A better option is to make the transition and start buying soap bars. There are shampoo and conditioner bars that are all-natural and are better for your hair. And to get more bang for your buck, use reusable soap bar bags to prevent wasting any product.
3. Toothpaste Tablets: Start avoiding the plastic tubes and switch to toothpaste tablets! These tablets only use natural and organic ingredients that give the same freshness feeling that we love. Also, the tablets are healthier and offer more health benefits than regular toothpaste.
4. Water-Reducing Shower Heads: Showers contribute a lot of water-waste, and it can also increase your water bill pretty dramatically. Many inexpensive shower head options conserve water, but still gives you the water pressure you desire.
5. Put a compostable collector bin in your bathroom: We use a lot of little products in our bathroom that are compostable: like q-tips, hair, tissues, paper towel, and much more. Don’t miss your opportunity to compost these products and reduce your contribution to the overflowing landfill. Composting is great for gardens or landscaping, as its a great replacement for fertilizers! Click here to watch a great video about how you can make your own compost bin in your backyard to begin your eco-friendly lifestyle!
After a long day of adding sustainable products to your home, you can relax with one of the Northwest’s neck pillows! These pillows are made with recycled water bottles, so even when you are resting, you can still be reducing your carbon footprint.
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