Eco-friendly choice
Reusable Toothbrush
The time works against us. We need to act and start to implement eco-friendly choices.
Each year, 1 billion toothbrushes are thrown away only in the U.S. That is enough to stretch around the Earth 4 times!!! 99% of toothbrushes are made from plastic, which will end up in landfills, where they will degrade in 1000 years but never really biodegrade. They will become micro-plastics which is a real threat to our water supplies, health, environment, and wildlife.
Bamboo toothbrushes are a better choice. Bamboo is growing fast and it is biodegradable. Just be sure to buy from a sustainable source. Another option could be silicone-made toothbrushes. Silicone is not toxic for the environment and in landfills, it converts back into inorganic ingredients like silica, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.
Eco-friendly choice
Reusable Cosmetic, Menstrual Pads
Most of the cosmetic and menstrual pads aren’t biodegradable or environmentally friendly. 90% of a menstrual pad, and 6% of a tampon, are plastic. Once thrown away, they fill up landfills worldwide and break down into micro-plastics, which is a threat not only to the wildlife but also to humans, as they enter the food chain and water supplies.
If you think cotton is a better solution, listen to this. The farming of cotton makes a huge impact on the environment, especially when it’s not organically sourced. Chemicals needed for growing and caring for cotton can pollute rivers, damage local wildlife, and severely impact our ecosystems. The big problem is the amount of water used to produce conventional cotton. While organic cotton is a better choice for the environment, it needs double as much water as conventional cotton.
The best and most eco-friendly choice is to use pads, which are reusable and last longer. Buy washable cosmetic pads, makeup pads, which were made from environmental-friendly materials, and change your menstrual pads, tampons for a reusable menstrual cup made from silicone.
Shocking fact: The average user throws away an astonishing 125 to 150kg of tampons, pads, and applicators in their lifetime. Time for a change!
Every small steps counts, to make a big change.
Eco friendly choice
Shopping bags
We use every second 160, 000 plastic bags. On average, a plastic bag is used for 12 minutes, but it will take up to 1000 years to break down. We use 100 million tons of plastic every year. 10 % of this plastic ends up in the oceans. An estimated 300 million plastic bags every year end up in the Atlantic Ocean alone. By 2050, the world’s oceans could contain more plastic than fish measured by weight.
There is a better choice. Reusable shopping bags, which are made from organic cotton or recycled materials. Take your eco-friendly shopping bags with you. To make sure you won’t end up forgetting them, place some in your car, one in your handbag. Like this, you will never have to yourself „Oh I forgot them home“.
Eco friendly choice
Environmentally friendly cleaning and washing
Most cleaning products contain harmful chemicals for you and the Planet. Thousands of chemicals from cleaning products are washed into streams and rivers. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) in cleaning products can affect indoor air quality and add to outdoor smog. Many containers aren’t t made from recyclable materials. Packaging and empty bottles often end up in landfills.
Choosing green products is better for your and the Planet`s health. I often use lemon, vinegar, baking soda, or bicarbonate to clean. Make sure to choose biodegradable or eco-friendly packaging. (Same principles for shampoos, creams, etc.)
Choosing the right way to wash your clothes is so important as well. Most washing powder contains microplastics and other harmful ingredients which are hazardous to the environment.
Using eco laundry nuts, eco-friendly detergent made from 100% biodegradable ingredients, and pure essential oils are the best choice.
Eco friendly choice
Take away utensils, straws
40 billion plastic utensils per year and 500 million plastic straws are used per day in the U.S. The EU recycles only a quarter of the 25 million tonnes of plastics waste it produces per year.
The numbers are pretty concerning.
Make sure to have some reusable or biodegradable utensils made from wood or bamboo. I always take with me for my travels a reusable straw and kindly refusing the plastic ones in restaurants.
There is always a choice for an eco-friendly alternative. Plastic is everywhere, in landfills, in the water supplies, in the air, and it already entered our bodies. It is our responsibility to stop plastic pollution and spread awareness. Remember, every small step counts towards a big change.
