Youth Incorporated Magazine

Old habits seldom choose to get off our backs. We all have been using staplers for years to tightly pack a half-emptied biscuit or sugar packet. Similarly, we have been buying single-use items which have already begun to damage the environment. Continuing with these habits despite having alternatives highlights our sheer ignorance and carelessness towards the environment that helps us survive in the first place. It’s, thus, time to switch to using eco-friendly and sustainable products in your everyday life and ditch the ones that cost the environment and your pockets a huge loss. 

Tote Bags

Plastic bags take 1,000 years to degrade. Even after that, they don’t break down completely and continue to pollute the environment. Eco friendly tote bags on the other hand can be reused for years, are washable and have a good capacity to carry large quantities of materials.  

Reusable sponge wipes

Instead of buying plastic scrubs to clean surfaces, make use of reusable and washable sponge wipes which not only clean better but also have a high soaking capacity. They are also soft on the skin and protect it from any kinds of cuts and other damages.  

Reusable bag clips

Like I said earlier, using staplers to pin the smallest or small packets is not a sensible habit. Invest in a set of reusable bag clips to pack any food items or accessories. 

Glass/Metal containers

Using glass or metal containers to store material is more sustainable than using plastic boxes or pouches. You can reuse them and also heat them if used to store food. You must use metal or glass containers especially when you store hot food as plastic material tends to react to heat and release carcinogenic compounds into the food. The same goes for water bottles as well as straws. 

Bamboo Toothbrushes

Bamboo toothbrushes are not just reusable but also biodegradable. They are also comfortable and soft to the teeth and gums, unlike the plastic ones.  

Cotton washcloths

Switch to using 100% cotton washcloths instead of paper cloths or tissues. They are even more harmful to the environment as they use tons and tons of water to be made. Since chlorine and other chemicals too are used to make papers and tissues, they lead to damaging the water bodies as well. Using a cotton washcloth is thus sustainable and eco friendly.