Eco-friendly Products for a Green Home
- By Healthy Planet
- Apr 13, 2023
The eco-friendly trend is catching on around the globe. People are becoming more and more conscious of what they eat, drink, and use in their homes—and for good reason.
- Plastic pollution is a major concern; of the 8.3 billion metric tonnes that have been produced, 6.3 billion metric tonnes have ended up as waste.
- Around 91% of plastic is not recycled but added to landfills.
- Canada generates 3.2 million tonnes of plastic annually.
- Trillions of pieces of plastic in the ocean endanger and kill marine life.
- The consumption of plastic particles is linked to birth defects, disruption of the endocrine system, cancer, and other serious health risks.
The chemicals in commonly used household products like detergents and cleaners clog the oceans and harm human and animal life.
In light of this, it’s no wonder that people are willing to exercise responsibility by switching to a green lifestyle. While it can be overwhelming, shifting to sustainable practices doesn’t have to be complicated.
Start small by replacing the household items you use every day with natural alternatives. We’ve compiled a list of eco-friendly products to help you get started.
Natural Home Products to Make Your Home Sustainable
Reusable Bags and Pouches
Single-use plastic is one of the biggest contributors to the world’s increasing waste problem. While some supermarkets have stopped giving out plastic bags, or begun charging for them, there’s still a long way to go.
When people don’t have their own, they end up buying a plastic bag. In addition, plastic pouches are commonly used to store essentials like stationery and makeup.
Avoid plastic bags, instead carry a reusable cloth bag whenever you go grocery shopping. Replace plastic pouches with cloth ones. Most of them come with lead-free zippers, and they are biodegradable. This is one of the easiest ways to protect the environment.
Eco-friendly Water Bottles
Using fancy plastic bottles or buying single-use water bottles increases your environmental footprint. While some of them end up in rivers and oceans, others stay around for years on land.
Switch to eco-conscious materials like glass or stainless steel. Glass bottles are fragile, but they keep beverages cold for a long time and are recyclable. Stainless steel flasks and bottles are BPA- and toxin-free, sturdy, reusable, and maintain the temperature of beverages.
You don’t have to compromise on aesthetics, as they are available in various colors and designs.
Sustainable Food and Beverage Containers
Airtight plastic containers are common in the kitchen; however, plastic releases a number of chemicals when heated. These toxins enter the food, and eventually your body.
Making a shift to more sustainable natural home products is the simplest way to make your home environment-friendly. Opt for glass containers when storing cooked food, beverages, grains, and snacks at home.
Silicone bags and bowls are microwave-friendly and recyclable. These natural home products can be used to store veggies and fruits or to carry food while traveling.
Eco-friendly Snack Boxes and Bags
Packing a lunch for school or the office seems innocent. After all, you’re eating healthy by bringing home-cooked food; however, the plastic boxes and bags used to carry the food add to the waste problem. In addition, don’t forget the chemicals that enter your food when you warm the plastic container.
Switch to eco-friendly lunch boxes that are made of glass, ceramic or stainless steel. They’re durable and can be used for years. You can heat food without worrying about toxins. Unbleached natural snack bags are a great alternative to plastic and other toxic wraps.
Biodegradable Garbage Bags
Trash cans are usually lined with plastic bags that go into landfills and end up in oceans, where they last for years. They harm Mother Earth and endanger undersea life.
These days, you can get garbage or food waste bags made of plant-based materials like organic potato starch. You won’t have to worry about leaks because they’re as strong as plastic trash bags.
They’re also compostable and biodegradable, so they reduce the burden on the environment. Replace your plastic garbage bags with this eco-friendly alternative.
Natural Dishwashing Liquid
If you haven’t read the list of ingredients in your dishwashing liquid or soap, do it. You’ll find several toxins, such as SLS, formaldehyde, and foaming agents, that are linked to serious issues, including respiratory problems and cancer. These toxins have a negative effect on our oceans and pollute the air.
Replace toxic detergents with natural, safe dishwashing liquids. They’re made of natural ingredients and are toxin-free, gluten-free, and dermatologically tested. Using these eco-friendly products at home will eliminate allergic skin reactions.
Natural Home Cleansers
Another way to make your home green and safe is to swap your chemical-laden bleaches and liquid soaps for products that incorporate the goodness of nature.
These natural home care products are made of plant-based, organic ingredients. They’re free of chlorine, phosphates, dyes, and other harmful chemicals that carry severe health risks. What’s more, no artificial fragrances are used, only natural scents. Plus, they are good for the planet.
Natural Air Purifiers and Deodorizers
To keep the clothes in our closet smelling great and the air in our home fresh and clean, we use purifiers and deodorizers. Most commercially available products are laden with chemicals, including VOCs that pollute the air and water and carry potential health risks.
You may already suffer from colds, sore throats, and breathing difficulties due to polluted air. Now, imagine that you’re breathing the same kind of air indoors.
Using natural home care products is especially important if you have kids. These products last up to a year and keep your home clean and safe.
Nature-friendly Laundry Detergent
Like dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents contain toxic ingredients. They include phosphates, surfactants, benzene, synthetic fragrances, bleaches, and dioxane, most of which are carcinogenic. These products also come packaged in plastic.
The laundry detergent market is growing and generating revenue in the millions of dollars each year. Imagine the effects such products have on the environment.
Replace your toxic detergent and soaps with natural laundry liquids, fabric softeners, and soaps that are made of eco-friendly ingredients and are hypoallergenic. You won’t have to worry about skin allergies or headaches with these products.
Multiple-use Gloves
Whether you’re doing the dishes or spending some time in the garden, you’ll need some gloves.
Gloves made of environmentally-friendly materials are the best choice. Those that are made of certified latex keep your hands soft and cause no chemical reactions on the skin. Most importantly, they can be used multiple times and are renewable, so they don’t have an adverse effect on Mother Earth when you discard them. This sustainable home product is an easy way to make your home green.
Sustainable Baking Essentials
When baking cakes and pies, we use plastic measuring cups and other utensils. Like the containers mentioned above, they carry environmental and health hazards.
Go for baking cups, trays, and other items made of natural materials. They contain no harmful bleaches or fluorochemicals, which makes them safe for everyone.
These are an ideal choice for vegans and vegetarians, as they are cruelty-free. You can also dispose of them safely without feeling guilty about your environmental footprint.
All-natural Cheesecloth
For straining extracts or cooking, cheesecloth is one of the best eco-friendly products. Natural cheesecloth is made with nature-friendly ingredients and is unbleached and gluten-free.
It’s also ideal for vegetarians and vegans because it involves no animal testing. Cheesecloth is safe to use when baking or boiling, and it doesn’t affect the flavor of your food.
Reusable Coffee Cups
On days when you have an early-morning meeting or are late to work, you might buy a cup of coffee on the go. Imagine the millions of plastic coffee cups that are bought and discarded each day.
There are several types of reusable cups available, made of materials from glass to bamboo fiber. Most of them are microwaveable and dishwasher-friendly. If you often buy coffee to go, reusable cups are for you.
Additional Tips for Making Your Home Eco-friendly
Using the eco-friendly products mentioned above is a great way to make your home green, but there are numerous other steps you can take to do your part for the planet.
Lights Off
There are many times when we forget to turn off the lights or switch off a device that has been charged. Conserve energy by turning off electronics when they’re not needed, and light switches when you’re not in a room to reduce your carbon footprint, as well as your power bills.
Conserve Water
Water is a natural resource that’s being exhausted, thanks to unhealthy usage and increasing pollution. There are several ways to save water, such as installing smart technologies and not leaving the tap running while washing dishes or brushing your teeth.
Opt for Energy-efficient Technology
From air-conditioning and television to heaters and light bulbs, use energy-efficient products. For instance, LED bulbs conserve energy and last longer. This means you use less power, save money, and make a positive impact on the environment.
Opt for Sustainable Protein and Avoid Food Waste
One of the major sources of toxic greenhouse gases is the livestock industry, which also raises the concern of animal cruelty. You can fight this problem by going vegetarian or vegan, or choosing grass-fed meat that supports sustainable practices.
Also, food waste contributes to the increase in CO2. Take small portions and if necessary multiple servings instead of overfilling your plate with food that will eventually end up in the garbage and landfill.
Reuse and Recycle
We often throw away clothes, notebooks, bottles, and other items that are broken or cannot be used anymore. Instead, try to fix things or recycle essentials. For instance, your perfume bottle can be used to store some other liquid. Try donating your clothes, or swapping clothes with a friend for an updated wardrobe.
The internet has lots of practical tips and advice on reusing and recycling materials to help you make your home more eco-friendly.
Use an Eco-friendly Dental Kit
Dental experts recommend changing your toothbrush every three months. By that measure, the average person will use four toothbrushes every year. Multiply that by millions, and innumerable plastic brushes will go into landfills annually.
Toothpaste, which comes in plastic containers, is also filled with chemicals that are harmful to nature.
Use a bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste made of natural ingredients as part of a more sustainable lifestyle.
Final Words
Living a sustainable lifestyle by switching to natural home products is not as difficult as it seems. Take one step at a time. Start with an easy-to-use product and gradually replace more items.
If you’re looking for affordable, eco-friendly products in Canada, head here.
