Happy Earth Day!
While I’m not loving staying home every minute of every day, it is good for the environment.
The good news is: “Things have never been better for climate change.”
If you haven’t seen Julie Nolke’s YouTube video, you need to go watch it!
I wanted to share with you all some of my favorite items to help you live more sustainably and earth friendly!
1 – Take your own bags to the grocery store
I honestly really love the Trader Joes reusable bags. I have put things that are pretty heavy in them and they have worked well and they are only $0.99 per bag!
Side note: Something I do to remember to take my bags in the store (because that’s really the biggest struggle with reusable bags) is put them in the front passenger seat when I get to my car to drive to the store.
2 – Take your own produce bags to the grocery store
Norwex Produce Bags – These are so great to use at the store so you don’t have to use the plastic bags they have to put your produce in.
3 – Stop using plastic straws
Metal Straws – I really like straws with a little bend in them. If you aren’t sure what kind you like, the link above has a combo of straight and bent straws. (side note: I don’t like silicone straws, because I don’t like how stuff gets stuck to them.) If you don’t like metal straws, these agave straws are a biodegradable alternative.
4 – Start using a reusable water bottle
Yeti Tumbler (20 oz.) or Yeti Rambler (26 oz.) (depending on how you like to drink your water). I like the 20 oz. tumbler vs the 30 oz. tumbler because I know it will always fit in a cup holder. The Yeti Rambler is really cool and has a variety of different lids you can get as well.
5 – Use less paper towels
Norwex Counter Cloths – are a nice alternative to paper towels!
6 – Use reusable containers (not one time use plastics)
Pyrex Containers are a great alternative to plastic containers. Unfortunately they are not recyclable, but they tend to last a lot longer.
Mason Jars are also a good option! They are great for storing leftovers or even drinking out of. You can even get lids + straws if you want to drink out of them on the go.
7 – Take your own cup to your coffee shop or make your coffee at home and use a reusable cup
Another thing I love using my Yeti Tumbler (20 oz.) for, especially when I make coffee at home. I’m guessing right now (during COVID-19), you can’t take your own mug to get coffee, but hopefully that changes in the future.
8 – Use a French press or espresso maker
Unless you are recycling the pods from your Keurig (or using a reusable coffee container thing) or Nespresso (unfortunately they are no reusable pods for this), consider using a french press or splurging and getting an espresso maker to make your daily coffee. I have this french press (I got it at a thrift store!). I have this espresso machine and it was worth every single penny (I did get it when it was on sale, so definitely watch for those!). This will limit the pods used and also limit potential one time use cups you were getting every day at the coffee drive thru.
9 – If you have a dog…
Use biodegradable poop bags for when you go on walks. When purchasing biodegradable poop bags, make sure to do your research because not all of them are actually biodegradable.
10 – Shop at farmers markets or from your local farmer (or even grow a garden)
Often times when we buy produce at the store it is packaged in some sort of one time use plastic. Avoid that entirely by shopping at the farmers market (and taking your own reusable bag of course).
You don’t have to make all of these changes in one day! Just start by swapping one thing out at a time. One change can make a huge difference.
Things I haven’t tried:
I also wanted to include some things I have yet to try, but have heard good reviews on.
Stasher Bags – I have heard really good things about these, I just haven’t made the plunge to buy them. They are a little pricey, but should last.
Cotton String Shopping Bags – People seem to really like them, I just haven’t used them because I have quite a few other reusable bags.
Composting Bin – I don’t have anywhere to store something like this right now, but I definitely want to do some composting in the future.
A few of My favorite places:
