The new year is right around the corner!
This time brings a sense of a blank slate, a moment to hit the “reset button”.
It’s the opportunity to start executing our plans and to improve many aspects of our lives.
And while most New Year’s resolutions are centered around personal improvement, it can be a great opportunity to open up to our environment and fellow creatures.
That is, to think about ways to lead a more conscious and compassionate life on a day-to-day basis.
A greener lifestyle will impact both your health and the planet’s, and it will also make you save money! (by choosing reusable products, creating less waste, and reducing energy consumption).
So, here are 6 ways you can start minimizing your environmental impact this upcoming year.
1: SMILE: Replace your plastic toothbrush.
That first toothbrush you had when you were a kid is probably still out there in some form, polluting the planet. That’s because plastic takes centuries to break down.
Actually, It is estimated that 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes are used every year, ending up in landfills or the ocean.
So, for a fresh and smiley start of this year, ditch plastic and choose an eco-friendly alternative such as bamboo toothbrushes, made of a natural permanently renewable resource.
2: WEAR: Avoid fast fashion.
Fast fashion is an approach to the design, creation, and marketing of clothing that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers.
The thing is, behind that reduced price tag there are incalculable social and environmental costs, such as the exploitation of overseas workers and the pollution of vast amounts of cheap fabrics made of petroleum-based fibers that don’t easily decompose (polyester, nylon, and acrylic).
Start 2022 with a renewed and sustainable wardrobe! Here are some beautiful brands that minimize waste and carbon emissions and manufacture clothing to the highest ethical and environmental standards:
3: CLEAN: Choose kinder products.
Dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents and soaps are usually packed in plastic and contain harmful chemicals such as triclosan that can affect our health.
You can do yourself and the planet a favor by choosing gentler alternatives like the Laundry Egg (a unique and innovative laundry washing system that cleans clothes effectively using two types of natural mineral pellets encased in a recyclable egg), Soypa’s Degreasy dish washing soap bar (with a low-toxic formula containing organic, plant-based ingredients) or SOLIDU’s Body Soap Bar (made of charcoal and tea tree).
4: SWAP: One disposable for a reusable alternative.
As a rule, swapping from paper and plastic to materials that can be washed and used again is better for the planet and your wallet.
For example:
- Utensils and straws: Grab a set of reusable utensils and straws for on-the-go so you can refuse single-use plastics when you’re out. Check out our Bamboo Cutlery Set and the On the Go Gift Box:
- Paper towels: Air dry your hands when you’re out and swap for cloth napkins at home.
- Plastic bags: Bring your own produce bags for fresh goods at the supermarket.
- Razors: Get yourself these universal Bambooya safety razors that are 100% plastic free and cause less skin irritation and allow you to shave less often.
- Facial care: Switch cotton pads for these Reusable Makeup Remover Pads or these Reusable Cotton Face Scrubbies:
5: CHOOSE: Try to reduce your exposure to BPA.
BPA stands for bisphenol A, an industrial chemical that has been used since the 1950s.
It is found on most household products made of hard plastics, such as water bottles, baby bottles, and food containers. It also coats some metal food cans and is present in certain eyewear products.
BPA can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with it, and research has shown that it is an endocrine disruptor, which means that it interferes with your body’s natural hormones.
You can create a less toxic environment by using BPA-free products (look for this on labels and keep in mind that some, but not all, plastics marked with recycle code 3 or 7 may contain BPA).
Here at Bluehouse we rely on the Blue Labels, a set of sustainability standards that guarantees you’ll never find harmful chemicals in our products.
6: PROTECT: Have safe & sustainable sex.
Did you know that condoms are a Class II medical device, and as such, manufacturers are not required to disclose ingredients on the packaging?
Well, at Green Condom Club, however, they believe in transparency when it comes to products you put in/on your genitals.
These condoms are a vegan and gluten-free condom brand with transparent ingredients, and no toxic chemicals (no talcum, no gluten, no paraben, nononoxynol-9, no benzocaine).
And, individuals with only minor latex sensitivity have reported using them with comfort and success.
There you go.
6 habits you can start implementing this upcoming year.
Our advice? Try one at a time. It’s totally ok to build better habits incrementally.
The single most important thing is to actually start.
It may not seem like much, but small commitments like not using plastic straws or using your own reusable produce bags can have a lasting impact for years to come.
Real change begins with you! Keep it up!