Eco-Friendly Household Items You Should Know About

The global waste problem is huge, and from an individuals’ perspective, it can seem like an impossible issue to combat. However, we can make it less overwhelming by dealing with the issue one step at a time. For example, household waste is what we all hold the most control over, which is why we should focus on making positive change in this area first.

There’s a shining light within the world’s waste problem, and that’s the rise of incredible, innovative brands that are creating eco-friendly products, and the rise in the demand for these products, too. Just a few years ago, hardly anyone was aware of how destructive single-use plastics are, but now, reusable alternatives are everywhere you look.

In this article, I have outlined a handful of household items that are good for the planet, but also still super convenient to start you off on your low impact journey!

Cutting out plastic straws is probably one of the easiest zero-waste switches to make. Stainless steel straws are readily available in high street stores and online, and cheaper in the long-run. In the U.K., at least 4.4 billion straws are thrown away every year. These single-use plastics are a threat to wildlife, marine life, and our natural environment. Fortunately, plastic straw bans are happening across the world, so hopefully, these destructive items will soon cease to exist. 

Did you know that soap grows on trees? Well, not all soap, but there is a natural version called Soapberries. This amazing creation is simply dried fruit shells that contain natural soap inside, and they’re also compostable! It’s not hard to see why they’re all the rage in the eco-friendly scene right now. 

The majority of mainstream and traditional tea bags contain harmful microplastics. And as the average U.K. household goes through quite a few cups of tea per day, it would make a significant difference if everyone started using loose leaf instead. Not only is loose-leaf better for the planet, but the ritual of preparing it is very soothing, and you can have more control over the strength of its taste. 

A Laundry Egg is an innovative, cheaper solution to using regular laundry detergent and fabric conditioner. It contains no harmful chemicals and helps to reduce single-use plastic as you won’t need to buy bottled products again. All you have to do is fill the egg with the required mineral pellets, close it up, place on top of your laundry in the washing machine, and then you’re good to go! 

Every household goes through a great deal of waste bags; it’s practically unavoidable. However, you can support the decreased production of non-degradable, polluting plastics by opting for compostable waste bags instead. There are lots of brands to choose from; for example, Maistic use organically grown corn from food production. 

In regards to household cleaning chores, an 

is one of the most environmentally-friendly, yet simple tools out there. Cut down on your use of disposable wipes and germ-harbouring sponges in favour of these super versatile and reusable cloths!