Sure, there are major life changes that ordinary people can make to help the environment. And there are smaller, everyday changes as well.
Many of the suggested small changes are so well-known they’ve become cliches. Replacing single-use disposable drinking straws with either reusable or compostable straws is one of those. Stopping your use of K-cup style coffee pods or disposable razors are two more.
Looking for alternatives, such as refillable coffee pods and razors with replaceable blades, is just plain better for Mother Earth.
But there are other, less obvious purchases that don’t make daily headlines. With Earth Day here, here’s a look at other items you should stop buying in favor of more environmentally friendly products.
1. Sandwich bags
If you pack a school or work lunch every day, you’ve surely noticed how many disposable sandwich bags you may use. Thankfully, there are better options.
Compostable paper sandwich bags are a great option because they can be recycled. Reusable beeswax food wraps are also available, as are reusable silicone bags. But my favorite lunchtime change was switching my daughter from using a regular brown paper bag or lunchbox to a bento-style box, which has separate, washable compartments for different foods.
2. Disposable chopsticks
Disposable chopsticks are usually made of wood — so, what’s the problem? Unfortunately, it’s long been known that mass production of these one-use chopsticks accelerates deforestation and leads to bigger environmental problems.
Get each member of your family a pair of reusable chopsticks for those sushi and stir-fry meals. Many come with slim and elegant cases so you can bring them to your favorite Asian restaurant.
3. Cotton swabs
Cotton swabs have many uses — ear-cleaning, makeup application, even laptop-keyboard cleanup. But the disposable variety are one-use products, which means they’re no friend to the environment.
You can now buy reusable cotton swabs, such as LastSwab, which is durable enough for more than 1,000 uses. There are two options to pick from: a basic version with a traditional tip for uses like ear cleaning and a beauty version with a pointed tip for targeted use, such as removing a smudge of mascara without taking the rest of your makeup with it.
Just note that many medical experts advise against putting swabs in your ears, as we detail in “8 Things That Could Be Damaging Your Hearing.”
4. Beef
It can be hard to turn down a juicy hamburger. But we’ve known for years that it requires a lot of land to raise cattle, and the methane they exude accounts for about 10% of all human-related greenhouse gas emissions. Consider cutting back on beef in your diet — The Washington Post reports that if you swap steak for beans once a week for one year, you will keep the equivalent of 331 kilograms of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Beef alternatives, such as Beyond Meat, use plant-based fats, binders and other ingredients to mimic the meat we love — and they do a surprisingly tasty job of it.
For more ideas, check out “8 Easy Ways to Cut Back on Meat.”
5. Disposable cutlery
When you eat at home, you can use your own cutlery. But on picnics or when grabbing takeout, that’s not always possible. I like to pack a few camping-style sporks (spoon + fork — some even feature a knife-like blade) that can be wiped down after use and tucked away until I can wash them.
And when we host parties where heavy silverware isn’t ideal, look for bamboo and other plant-based cutlery that is compostable or at least biodegradable instead of plastic utensils.
6. Disposable pens
According to the United Nations, 9 billion used pens are thrown away annually. Thankfully, eco-friendly options provide the write stuff. Consider a pen that can be refilled or one made from paper.
7. Disposable sponges
Those familiar sponges sitting next to your kitchen sink likely are made of plastic. As we know all too well, typical kitchen sponges tend to get smelly and gross, and they aren’t made to last long, which means they get tossed out frequently. But with a little shopping around, you can find eco-friendly alternatives.
Consider sponges made from plant-based materials like loofah and coconut fibers.
8. Balloons
Party balloons are enjoyable and colorful, but the party has a grim side. These dazzling decorations aren’t good for the environment or the many animals who unsuspectingly consume them after they deflate. Instead, consider ribbon streamers, bunting and pinwheels when you want a decorating option that will shout “the party’s here” without bursting your eco-conscious dreams.
9. Disposable batteries
It’s tough to get along without batteries — for our remote controls, for certain toys and games, for some small appliances. Thankfully, there are rechargeable batteries, and when you consider the use you get out of them, paying a little more upfront isn’t a big deal.
As a bonus: The New York Times declares that many name brands perform about the same, so you don’t have to sweat about which version of rechargeable battery you buy.
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