2020 is finally over – woohoo! While this last year has had a lot of ups and downs, we’re excited for everyone to get a fresh start in the new year – and with that, a wonderful opportunity to create some sustainability focused resolutions, habits, and lifestyle changes. Join us as we dive into 21 of our favorite eco-friendly products for the new year, and a new you!
Starter Zero Waste Gift Box
If 2021’s the year you or a loved one are beginning a zero waste journey, this is the kit for you. This gift box includes products from a few of our favorite brands, including a bamboo toothbrush, a reusable bamboo utensil set, an organic cotton mesh produce bag, and the book 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste – filled with tips, tricks, and lifestyle shifts to implement this year. It’s a wonderful kickstart to your journey, and will inspire you with next steps!
LastSwab Classic Reusable Swab
To begin living a more zero waste lifestyle, start by auditing the waste in your life – then find reusable alternatives to your single-use products. An easy swap and habit change is to replace your single-use Q-tips with a LastSwab from LastObject! Reusable, sanitary, and sustainable, this groundbreaking swab is made with silicone, and comes in a compact biodegradable corn-based PLA carrying case. Plus, LastObject has other wonderful zero waste products, like Reusable Tissues!
CoffeeSock
If coffee, tea, or even nut milk is part of your daily routine, it’s time to try CoffeeSock! CoffeeSock is a sustainable and reusable alternative to wasteful single-use paper coffee filters, and is made in the USA with organic cotton. On top of that, they’re economical: typically, purchasing a CoffeeSock means you’ll be paying about a third of what you normally would for a set of premium paper filters – and with every CoffeeSock replacing about 500 filters over its yearlong lifespan, that’s a whole lot of savings. CoffeeSock offers a coffee cold brew kit, a nut milk kit, a tea kit, as well as a variety of cotton filters on their own.
Swedish Dish Cloths
Still using single-use paper towels? Make the switch to Swedish Dish Cloths! This reusable alternative is made with cellulose and cotton, making them fully compostable at the end of their long life. They’re waaaay more absorbent than paper towels, or even traditional dish towels and they’re machine washable for easy cleaning.
Guppyfriend Microwaste Washing Bag
Stop microfiber pollution at the source with the Guppyfriend! Did you know that every day, a volume of microfibers equivalent to 500,000 plastic bags comes from washes across the globe? These plastic fibers that wash off of synthetic textiles can be consumed by animals, where they cause health problems that impact the entire food chain. By creating a new habit to wash your clothing – specifically synthetic textiles like polyester – in the Guppyfriend washing bag, you can capture those microfibers before they reach our oceans and waterways. All you have to do is toss your synthetic clothing in the bag, and wash as usual!
Fresh Air Compost Bin
The new year is an amazing time to try composting! To start, first you’ll need to decide which type of composting you are able to do. For home composting, you’ll require space for an outdoor compost pile, or large rotating compost bin. For industrial composting, you’ll need to live in a city that collects compost, or have access to drop your compost off at an industrial composting facility. No matter which one you choose, a kitchen countertop compost bin will help get it done. This allows you to easily collect scraps before taking them to the next compost pile. Plus it filters out any odors and is easy to open and close!
Vejibag Organic Cotton Veggie Bag
Extend the life of your veggies with the Organic Cotton Veggie Bag from Vejibag! Made from 100% French terry organic cotton that is undyed, this produce bag provides a humid yet breathable environment that keeps produce crisp and fresh for longer than traditional plastic bags. Veggies love moisture, and this reusable, washable, and durable bag provides the perfect space for them to be stored in your fridge. It saves money spent on wasted produce, and reduces food waste! Plus, it’s an easy lifestyle shift!
Refillable Plaine Products
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, hand sanitizer – it’s all pretty essential. But the single-use plastic bottles they come in? Not anymore! Plaine Products packages their beauty and care products in refillable metal containers, and allows you to send back your bottles to be refilled. Just buy your bottles with the pump the first time, and reuse the pump indefinitely with your refills. Plus, their formulas are vegan and non-toxic!
Georganics Zero Waste Oral Care
Taking care of your teeth is already a habit – now make it eco-friendly! Georganics goes out of their way to find the best natural ingredients that clean your teeth the best, and don’t impact the environment or your health. They don’t use any harmful chemicals like SLS or Triclosan, and stay away from unnecessary artificial sweeteners. Georganics is also committed to making sure that nothing ends up in the landfill if it doesn’t absolutely have to. All of their oral hygiene products are packaged and shipped in waste free packaging! From tooth and mouthwash tablets, to floss, and more, check them out.
Zero Waste Home Book
Want some guidance around how to make your home zero waste? The book Zero Waste Home from Bea Johnson is our go-to for all things sustainable in the home. She’ll guide you through her routine and habits in each room of the house, inspiring you to make changes in your own life. Her ideas are accessible, simple, and ready to implement. A must read for sure!
DivaCup Menstrual Cup
In the spirit of new habits and new resolutions, it may be time to reimagine your menstrual care routine! Instead of single-use pads and tampons which can be wasteful (and contain harmful chemicals!), a menstrual cup is a zero waste and eco-friendly alternative. By creating new habits with a menstrual cup, you can greatly reduce the amount of waste created in your home each month. It’s made from sustainable silicone, and will last you for years to come!
Organic Cotton Lunch Bag
One of our favorite New Year’s resolutions is to bring your own lunch – to school, work, wherever! This saves money, waste, and is usually a lot healthier. By investing in a reusable lunch bag, you’ll cut back on single-use brown paper bags or plastic bags, and stay more organized when packing your lunches.
Silicone Stasher Stand Up Bag
Make 2021 the year without single-use plastic baggies. Switch to a reusable, washable, and sustainable alternative with Stashers! Made from non-toxic, BPA free pure platinum silicone that is endlessly reusable, these classic bags are a perfect option for snacks on the go, cooking, and more. This is because silicone can do so much more than plastic can, as you can use these silicone bags in the freezer, microwave, oven, dishwasher, or even a sous vide machine! You can also use this bag for toiletries, travel, arts & crafts, and tons more. Plus, check out all the Stasher bags here, and our new Tropical color collection here!
Cloth Diapers
New baby coming in the new year? This is the perfect time to create new habits around the latest addition to your family. One of our favorite zero waste lifestyle shifts is trying reusable cloth diapers! Single-use diapers are wasteful, not to mention incredibly expensive! Esembly Baby has created a simple two-part system for cloth diapering that includes washable outers and inners (see our blog on how to use their cloth diapers here). Although this might require a bit more planning to do, it will help reduce the 37 billion diapers that end up in landfills each year!
Safety Razor
Modifying your shaving routine is an awesome way to reduce waste and save money! Typical shaving blade attachments are expensive, and only last a few uses before becoming dull and getting tossed into a landfill. A safety razor uses inexpensive, effective straight blades that last longer – and provide an even closer shave. Plus, it has no plastic in the handle or the blades!
Cork Yoga Mat
If getting more active or starting a yoga practice is part of your 2021 resolutions, you need a cork yoga mat! Unlike classic yoga mats which can be made of virgin rubber and contain chemicals, Scoria mats are made with sustainably harvested cork, which activates with heat and water to provide amazing grip. Plus, for every mat sold, Scoria donates 10 meals to those in need through Feeding Children Everywhere.
Zinc Sun Butter
If you’re not wearing sunscreen every single day, 2021 is the perfect time to start! Regardless of where you live or what the weather is like, it’s important to wear some kind of sun protection every day. The sun’s rays are out all day long – even when it is cloudy! Opt for a plastic free sunscreen that’s oxybenzone free like this Zinc Sun Butter. It’s better for the environment, and your skin! Plus, the small size is easy to bring with you for applications throughout the day. Easy peasy!
Wide Mouth Water Bottle
Drinking more water is an important lifestyle shift – great for a resolution in the new year! But plastic single-use water bottles are wasteful, and can cost you a lot of money. Made from 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel to ensure pure taste and no flavor transfer, this eco-friendly reusable water bottle keeps beverages cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 12 hours. Just fill it up at the beginning of the day, and bring it with you to ensure you’re drinking water all day long! Hydration and a zero waste solution? That’s a major win-win.
Refillable Glass Cleaning Spray Bottle
Save money and resources when you switch to making your own cleaning sprays! DIY cleaning sprays are effective, easy, and less expensive than purchasing sprays from the store – which are usually packaged in single-use plastic bottles. Just google “DIY Cleaning Recipes”, find your favorite, and get to creating your own cleaning solution! When you’re done, put it in your reusable spray bottle, and you’re good to go.
Is creating your own cleaning products not for you? No problem! Meliora creates fantastic, safe cleaning solutions that are easy to drop into your refillable glass spray bottle – and come in easy-to-recycle, ethically sourced paper and aluminum.
Self Care Gift Box
Take care of yourself this year! This eco-friendly gift set includes everything for the perfect day off, including a non-toxic soy candle, an herbal lotion bar, a detoxifying bamboo charcoal soap bar, a kelp face mask, and an exfoliating agave fiber washcloth. All of the products included are made naturally, with paraben-free and sustainably harvested ingredients that are better for your body, and our planet.
Dotted Stone Paper Bullet Journal
The best way to make 2021 amazing is by planning it out, and manifesting it through daily, weekly, or monthly goal setting! We love using this Bullet Journal to do just that. Made from sustainable stone paper created from reused stones that were rescued from construction sites and factories, this journal is tear-resistant, water-resistant, and super durable to take on any 2021 adventure. Printed with non-toxic soy ink, this notebook contains 144 blank pages and has no wood-pulp, water, or added chemicals. The dotted bullet style helps with notetaking – and allows you to customize the organization of each page to meet your personal goals. From fitness, to food, to work, and any goal in between, this journal makes it easy to stay organized and on top of it all!
Now that you’re inspired to make some New Year’s resolutions with these eco-friendly products, go forth and conquer! The new year is a perfect time to pick new sustainable habits and goals you want to achieve. What are your resolutions for the new year? Let us know below!
