Happy Earth Day friends! What a weird Earth Day, huh? This year is actually the 50th anniversary of this holiday that aims to encourage environmental reform. And interestingly, for this golden anniversary it may actually be the cleanest and least wasteful Earth Day on record since everyone is staying home and purchasing less, driving less, traveling less and just doing less in general. I have no science to back that, but I’ve seen some snippets (whether completely true or not) that say pollution is even down in many major cities and Mother Earth is having a healing moment. I’d believe it though, and I want to believe it too. It’s definitely needed. And if there’s anything positive to come out of this craziness, I’d say that might be it.
While we might not be able to get outside and do something like plant trees everywhere this year to make a positive impact on the environment, we can at least start with small changes in and around our homes instead. I’ve been thinking what a good time it is to consider reusable and low waste options for product purchases and Earth Day is the perfect day to make a commitment to that.
With the coronavirus bringing about frantic purchasing and stocking up of things people are afraid they’ll run out of, it seemed like a good time to make a reminder to purchase reusable things when you can instead. For example, you wouldn’t need 50 rolls of paper towels during quarantine if you instead had a small stash of reusable paper towels to mop up messes. With all this extra time on our hands there doesn’t seem to be a better time to start thinking about ways to green-ify and focusing on lowering waste, right?! Because low waste also means less purchasing, less spending, and less panic really. Plus it’s more sustainable for the earth and often supports smaller businesses that are trying to make a difference which in turn fosters positivity, also something we really need right now.
I’ve put together a small list of low waste and reusable items you might want to consider switching over to while your stuck at home. I’ve just included a few items that are used on a daily basis that we often take for granted and that we likely stock up on regularly, use once and then throw away. This of course isn’t to make you feel bad for needing to use convenience items, because of course convenience is necessary for sanity sometimes and it’s not like a checklist of things you have to feel obligated to switch to either. Rather it’s just some ideas to get you thinking of what you might be able to swap to when you run out of what you’ve been using if it makes sense for your family!
Swap Paper Towels for…
Reusable Paper Towels from Eco Nuts
These will look and act like paper towels but actually washable and reusable too. They come on a roll with perforated sheets so you can use them just like normal paper towels. Of course after washing you’d have to re-roll them yourself. They are made from soft bamboo rayon which is a more sustainable choice.
Unpaper Towels from Marley’s Monsters
These towels are made from single ply 100% cotton flannel with serged edges for durability and to prevent fraying. They are washable and increase absorbency with washes. They also naturally cling together making them easy to wrap around a roll so that they can be used like normal paper towels too. They have a ton of fun prints and even an option that’s organic cotton here. You can also purchase a holder for them here.
Swedish Sponge Cloth from Ten & Co.
I know washcloths are also an option, but these are like a cross between a washcloth and a sponge and are great for everything from washing dishes to mopping up spills (it actually can absorb 15x its own weight in liquid, up to 3/4 of a cup). These can replace the use of up to 17 rolls of paper towels! The best part is that you can throw them in the dishwasher every night to disinfect and when it’s lived it’s life you can throw them away with compostable waste because they are 100% biodegradable.
Swap Toilet Paper for…
A bidet can be a completely TP free option. They help reduce the usage of toilet paper 75 to 100%. It might seem weird to forgo the paper, but I’ve heard that bidets get everything much cleaner than wiping anyway. This one is simple and comes in many stylish color options to match any bathroom. It attaches easily to your toilet so it takes up little room too. There are a ton of personal benefits to using a bidet as well (things like it’s less irritating to skin) that you can read here.
Toilet Unpaper Roll from Marley’s Monsters
I feel like many people are going to say this is a total woo-woo option, but is the least wasteful option if you insist on wiping. I can’t say I’ve venture this far into crunchi-hood yet, but it doesn’t seem that weird to me when you think about how cloth diapers and reusable wipes for babies, same process for cleaning really. The sheets washable sheets come on a tube and are made with single ply 100% cotton flannel. After washing and drying they can be rolled back onto the tube for reuse. Each strip is approximately 4.5″ wide x 12″ long (About 3 paper squares long). There would definitely be a learning curve with this one as far as figuring out a system, but it’s totally doable, or doo-able haha (couldn’t resist a pun opportunity)
Bamboo Toilet Paper from Reel or Who Gives a Crap or Number 2 or Bippy
So bamboo toilet paper is not shockingly sold out everywhere right now, but it’s still a good option to keep in mind for the future. It’s made of 100% bamboo which is a very sustainable plant as it regrows without needing to be replanted. All options above are packaged in paper too so there’s no plastic waste.
Swap Kleenex for…
Reusable Tissues with Box from EcoRebelle
These are washable and reusable tissues made from 70% Viscose de Bambou and 30% organic cotton fabric with no seams or serging for extra comfort. You can buy these individually or with this cute fabric and reusable box to stash them in. It looks like they could pop out just like regular tissues when used in the box.
This is an interesting reusable and washable hankie set that’s sewn into a book so you can keep it safe and clean in your bag or purse. It’s made with 100% organic cotton and created to be super soft on the nose. I know handkerchiefs can seem antiquated or something like your grandparents might have used, but there are a much more sustainable option since tissues are often made with non-sustainably harvested wood pulp and are not recyclable.
Hankies from The Zero Waste Maker
If you’d rather have individual hankies these are a great option. They are made from either woven recycled cotton or brushed organic cotton handkerchiefs. They say the brushed cotton is soft and thicker, and the woven cotton is thinner and has a similar feel to cotton sheets. They are washable, reusable and compostable when their life is through.
Hankies from Organic Handkerchiefs
Here’s another great option for individual hankies. They’re made of unbleached and un-dyed organic flannel with surged edges for durability. They can be washed and reused for years of use.
Bamboo Tissues from Who Gives a Crap
If you really prefer or need disposable tissues, these are a great option. These 3 ply tissues are made from 100% bamboo so they are friendlier to the environment than traditional tissues. Unfortunately they are sold out right now, but you can get on a waitlist to watch for them to come back in stock.
Swap Cotton Balls & Cotton Pads for…
Organic Cotton Facial Rounds from Marley’s Monsters
These washable and reusable cotton rounds are made from 100% organic cotton flannel. They are 2 ply, with serged edges and are about 3” in diameter. They say each pack replaces at least 1,000 single use cotton balls or pads repeatedly for years.
Organic Bamboo Fleece Rounds from Mama Bear Babywear
These serve the same purpose, but are made from organic bamboo fleece. They look super soft and gentle for the skin. They also have a natural cotton fleece option that looks soft and fluffy too.
Swap Feminine Products for…
A menstrual cup might seem intimidating or weird at first, but it’s really easy to use and can be much more comfortable than other alternatives. It’s made with medical-grade silicone and can be worn for up to 12 hours and used for up to 10 years. This one is great because not only does it come with a cute storage pouch, but for every one purchased they give one to a girl in need.
Reusable Pads from GladRags or Hannah Pad
These pads can be wash and re-worn many times for many years. They significantly reduce waste and are more comfortable and breathable due to the fact they are made with cotton. Plus, it reduces your exposure to chemicals from the cotton and plastics used in conventional period products. And over time there is a significant cost savings too. Both companies have organic cotton options and also have fun prints to choose from.
So that’s just a small start for ways you can replenish frequently used personal care items that often single use. Do you have any others to add to the list? I know there’s a ton more!
Have a happy and Mother Earth loving Earth Day friends! And don’t forget, Earth Day is every day! 🙂
