eco-friendly swaps you will not regret

5 Eco-Friendly Swaps You Will Not Regret

Image by Anna Oliinyk via Unsplash

Eco-friendly swaps you will not regret

Sustainability is a growing priority, not only for us as individuals but also, for many companies turning toward greener technology. This is good news for us too, because the choice of eco-friendly products and items is becoming richer by the day. 

Of course, our eco-consciousness doesn’t depend entirely on big companies. Certain decisions will help you make green improvements. Some won’t cost a thing, while others will require a certain amount of money. Here are some eco-friendly swaps you will not regret.

1. Washables Instead of Disposables

The problem with most of the toiletries we use is they end up in landfills. For example, you might think using cotton pads is perfectly safe because they are made of a natural material, but this is not entirely true. The cotton pads go through a process of bleaching with various chemicals, which prevents them from biodegrading. 

Disposable tissues present a similar problem. They are made from timber pulp and wrapped in plastic. The pulp doesn’t always come from sustainable forests, and the plastic leaves a trace in the soil and water. 

These two, and other disposable products, can be swapped for washable alternatives. This will be better for the environment and save you money as well.

2. A Greener Sleeping Environment

People spend nearly a third of their lives sleeping. That means we spend just as much time on our beds. Now, try to remember…when did you buy your mattress? Did you pay attention to its material? 

If it was years ago, and if you haven’t looked into the label carefully, it’s highly likely your mattress contains flame-retardants and a cocktail of chemicals, the remains of which can linger for a long time. Now is a good time to swap it for an organic mattress. When shopping for a new mattress, look for one free of phthalates, heavy metal, and formaldehyde, but also comfortable and breathable. Next, swap your old bedsheets and pillows for organic options.

3. Green Cleaning Instead of Harmful Cleaning

Common household items, such as detergents and other cleaners, often contain dangerous chemicals. Laundry detergents contain enzymes in charge of loosening stains and dirt. All-purpose cleaning products usually contain solvents, ammonia, sodium hypochlorite, ethylene glycol and trisodium phosphate. Many of these are harmful to the environment. Additionally, most, if not all, of these products are packed in plastic bottles. 

These are sufficient reasons to swap your toxic cleaners for eco-friendly alternatives. You can find some green companies which sell them or go for DIY cleaning formulas.

4. Water Bottles and Coffee Mugs

Most of us have multiple servings of water and coffee per day. Often, we buy water in plastic bottles and take coffee in paper or plastic cups. What’s left ends up in landfills. Instead of contributing to the total amount of waste, it would be better to buy a reusable water bottle and a coffee mug. You can get one for your office or just use one takeaway coffee mug.

5. Rethinking Your Fashion

An average American throws away about 80 pounds of clothes annually. The majority – 85% – of those clothes end up burned or in landfills. 

The way you shop for clothes can help reduce the amount of waste: 

  • Instead of purchasing clothes from big brands, try to shop locally. You will support the local economy and reduce carbon emissions. 
  • Choose organic fabrics and support sustainable brands. 
  • Shop in thrift stores.  
  • Instead of throwing old clothes away, donate them or swap them with friends. Some brands accept clothes for recycling.

These are just some simple, eco-friendly swaps you can make. If you are interested in going greener, be encouraged to do further research on the topic. Don’t feel pressured  – take it one step at a time to actively contribute to positive change.

2 Comments

  • Olivia Burton

    We also strongly recommend replacing drain cleaners with eco-friendly options or simply leaving it to professionals if your drains are clogged. Commercial drain cleaners often contain harsh chemicals that can corrode metal pipes. Using a powerful drain cleaner several times in a row has the potential to corrode an entire pipe system.

  • Regina

    Another green swap to consider is a smart thermostat installation. With a smart thermostat, you can drastically reduce your energy consumption. And, of course, the less energy you use, the less money you pay. ENERGY STAR estimates that homeowners properly using smart thermostats can save about $180 a year on utility bills.

    P.S. You can install a smart thermostat yourself, and they are not very expensive.

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