This Guest post was written by Maya Vertigans; Founder of https://sustainercontainer.co.uk/
Maya had difficulty in her quest to find the perfect eco-friendly gift for her sister who at that time was going to University. She in the end gave her her Aloe Vera plant.
This lead to her starting Sustainer container which sells cost effective eco-friendly and ethical, plastic free and waste free everyday alternatives for everyday living.
https://sustainercontainer.co.uk/pages/our-eco-warrior-credentials
- 2 in 1 Shampoo and Soap Bar
Swapping to a soap bar is one of the easiest eco friendly products you can use in your daily life to reduce the single-use plastic you use. Additionally, shampoo bars are another eco friendly product used in daily life and are a great way to further reduce the plastic waste you produce. I know that shampoo choice is a very personal thing and many of us are apprehensive about changing our trusty shampoo bottle. A 2 in 1 shampoo and soap bar is ideal because you can give a shampoo bar a try and if it isn’t for you (although I’m sure you will love it), you can use it as soap instead! Plus, these 2 in 1 bars smell just as delicious as your usual bottled soap and shampoo.
- Beeswax wraps
Beeswax wraps are a reusable alternative to clingfilm, which, instead of being made from single use plastic, are made from natural materials. Beeswax wraps can be moulded using the heat of your hands to cover a plate, or wrap up sandwiches or cake, just as you would use clingfilm. After use, clingfilm is binned and then can take decades to decompose!! Whereas, beeswax wraps can be rinsed with warm water and reused over and over again, for up to a year. Although beeswax wraps may be more expensive than clingfilm initially, they are long lasting so this eco friendly product used in daily life will save you money in the long run, as well as helping to save the planet.
- Bamboo Cutlery Set
Bare with me here because I am not suggesting you need to replace all of your metal cutlery with bamboo cutlery. But, bamboo cutlery is perfect for taking with you for eating your packed lunch on the go, to work, or for a picnic lunch, instead of picking up disposable plastic cutlery. Although you could take metal cutlery, the bamboo cutlery set comes inside a hessian pouch which will help keep your cutlery clean in your bag, plus bamboo is a much lighter material to carry around. Just like with your reusable water bottle, get into the habit of taking your bamboo cutlery case with you when heading out over a meal time.
- Recycled Paper Notebook
If you are trying to be more environmentally conscious, I would always recommend making notes on your laptop or phone as much as possible, to reduce the paper you use. In the UK, the average family uses 6 trees worth of paper every year, so reducing the paper you use is definitely the best option for the environment. Sometimes though, tasks do require you to write on paper. If you need to use paper, use a recycled paper notebook for your notes, this will reduce the negative environmental impact of your scribbles.
- Refillable Bamboo Pen
The final eco friendly product used in daily life is also stationery related. Pens are probably not your first thought when considering how you can be more eco friendly. But consider how many pens you use and chuck in the bin when they run out. Not only is a bamboo pen made of a compostable material instead of plastic, but it can be refilled over and over again. The pen insert is plastic, but this is the most sustainable option available and still reduces the plastic waste. The pens can be refilled with a standard biro refill and reused over and over again, helping to reduce the single use plastic that you use in your daily life.
If you are ready to start (or continue) doing your bit for the planet and adopt these eco friendly products used in daily life, all of the products above are available as part of our Eco Essentials Boxes. Not only does the pack include all of the eco friendly product swaps you need in your life, they come packaged in a beautiful reusable box so also make a lovely gift!
“Eco Essentials Boxes”:
https://sustainercontainer.co.uk/products/eco-essentials-box
6 Trees Stat Reference: https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/26773/Paper-Waste-Facts/pdf/Paper_Waste_Facts.pdf?m=636706261704270000