Looking to make your life more eco-friendly and sustainable in 2024? Then you’re in the right place.
Firstly, go you! Every year that passes, climate issues become increasingly urgent, and opting for eco-friendly products is more important than ever. Secondly, your search is over! In this eco-friendly products guide, we’ve compiled a list of 10 simple swaps that will help you contribute to a greener planet.
From reusable water bottles to eco-friendly cleaning products, we have covered all aspects of your daily life. Whether you're a seasoned environmentalist or just starting your sustainability journey, this guide will give you the ‘why’ and ‘how’ you need to kickstart a sustainable year.
Key takeaways:
- People in power need to take responsibility for making necessary changes, but every person can do their part to help the planet.
- Consumer trends show a growing concern for the planet and increasing demand for eco-friendly products.
- Skip to these 20 simple swaps will help reduce your daily waste and environmental impact.
Read on to discover the essentials you need for your most sustainable year yet!
2023 Overview
What a year, right?
Amid many world-changing events, it’s become clear that the issues of Global warming and climate change are not going anywhere fast.
- The 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 2010
- The oceans were the hottest ever recorded in 2022
- In 2023, global carbon emissions from fossil fuels hit a record peak
Governments, large corporations, and global businesses need to act fast. That said, individuals are not helpless. We can all do something to reduce our impact on the planet and show we stand for change.
That might be volunteering for an environmental organization, picking up litter, putting pressure on people in power, planting trees, investing in ethical brands, or opting for eco-friendly products over their single-use and unsustainable counterpoints.
As the famous saying goes, we have the power to ‘vote with our dollar’ for the kind of world we wish to see, and studies show consumers are voting for a world where environmental issues are taken seriously.
- 84% of customers say that poor environmental practices will discourage them from buying from a brand.
- 78% of consumers feel that sustainability is important.
- 55% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly brands.
- In 2023, products marketed as sustainable grew 2.7x faster than those that were not.
Source: The Roundup
If this is anything to go by, we’re heading in the right direction for a more sustainable year 2024.
10 eco-friendly products for 2024
Set yourself up for a conscious year by replacing finished products with eco-friendly alternatives. Here are our top pics.
- Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Duo, $29.98
- Reusable Paper Towels, $24.99
- Stainless Steel Seal Cup Trio, $33.99
- Reusable Menstrual Pad, $21
- Travel Coffee Mug, $24.95
- Toothpaste Tablets, $11.99
- Laundry Detergent Strips, $17.49
- Natural Deodorant, $16
- Reusable Makeup Rounds, $15.99
- All-in-one Healing Salve, $16.99
1. SWAP shampoo and conditioner bottles FOR zero-waste bars
Why?
The number of plastic shampoo bottles tossed out from U.S. households each year is enough to fill up as many as 1,200 football fields!
How?
Ditch the plastic and discover beautiful hair with Suds & Eco’s nutrient-rich Shampoo and Conditioner Bars. We’ve been loving the tropically-scented Sunshine duo to brighten up winter mornings.
Shop swap: Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Duo, $29.98
2. SWAP Paper towels FOR reusable cloth towels
Why?
Over 50,000 trees are cut down each day to make up for the amount of paper towels we use. This isn’t necessary at all - the US spends as much on paper towels as nearly every country combined!
How?
Replace countless rolls of paper towels with a pack of reusable towels. We love these 100% organic cotton ones by ZWS Essentials, which can be washed and reused for years.
Shop swap: Reusable Paper Towels, $24.99
3. SWAP plastic sandwich bags FOR stainless steel food containers
Why?
There’s a cost to the convenience of single-use sandwich and snack bags. 1 million plastic bags are used every minute across the globe, which can take multiple centuries to biodegrade.
How?
Ditch the plastic and opt for ECOlunchbox’s reusable and leak-proof stainless steel containers, inspired by the ocean with uniquely designed lids. They’re perfect for school or work lunches, and snacks to-go.
Shop swap: Stainless Steel Seal Cup Trio, $33.99
4. SWAP sanitary towels FOR reusable pads
Why?
Nobody likes that time of the month, especially since approximately 20 billion non-biodegradable feminine hygiene products end up in North American landfills each year.
How?
A simple and comfortable way to reduce sanitary waste is by swapping single-use pads for absorbent reusable pads. This one by Last Object can be worn for up to 12 hours. After use, rinse to clean and store in its carrying pouch until you can wash it on a cold cycle.
Shop swap: Reusable Menstrual Pad, $21
5. SWAP take-out coffee cups FOR a travel coffee mug
Why?
Your job might require the assistance of caffeine, but maybe there’s a better way to work together. The average American worker uses 150 disposable cups each year, and 1 million single-use coffee cups are sent to landfill every minute.
How?
Carry your hot drinks the forest-friendly way with a reusable coffee cup. We love Hydro Flasks Coffee Mug: made from pro-grade stainless steel, its insulated press-in lid ensures temperature control and no red-hot spills.
Shop swap: Travel Coffee Mug, $24.95
6. SWAP toothpaste tubes FOR toothpaste tablets
Why?
In the US, over 1 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away every year. Now add plastic toothbrushes, floss, floss containers, toothpaste boxes…it’s not looking good!
How?
Switching up your daily dental care is an easy and impactful action. You can start by swapping plastic toothpaste tubes for toothpaste tablets. Just pop one in your mouth, chew, and then use a wet toothbrush like you normally would.
Shop swap: Toothpaste Tablets, $11.99
7. SWAP liquid laundry detergent FOR laundry detergent sheets
Why?
900 million plastic jugs of laundry detergent are thrown away each year. Most of these detergents don't biodegrade and contaminate our waterways and environment with harmful ingredients.
How?
Switch messy liquid laundry products for easy-to-use detergent sheets, like these by Tru Earth. They’re packaged plastic-free, are readily biodegradable, and are free from harsh chemicals like parabens or phosphates. Just toss in the wash – it’s simple!
Shop swap: Laundry Detergent Strips, $17.49
8. SWAP synthetic chemical deodorants FOR plant-based alternatives
Why?
We know old-school spray deodorants and antiperspirants harm the environment by releasing chemicals into the air, but even roll-ons can harm the planet. Many contain harsh chemicals that, when washed off the body, enter waterways and harm marine life. Not to mention the problem with plastic packaging…
HOW?
Opt for natural and zero-waste deodorants, free from parabens, silicone, sulfates, and aluminum. We love this plant-based product by PAPR. It’s lightweight, unisex, safe for sensitive skin, and comes in 100% recyclable packaging.
Shop swap: Natural Deodorant, $16
9. SWAP makeup wipes FOR reusable cotton pads
Why?
Wet wipes might be a quick fix for removing makeup and daily grime, but we’re flushing away an astonishing 11 billion every year which can take up to 100 years to biodegrade.
How?
Reusable cotton rounds are a chemical-free alternative to wet wipes and an eco-friendly alternative to classic cotton makeup rounds. This handy set by LastRounds has been lab-tested to last 1750+ uses and comes in a compact case made from ocean-bound plastic.
Shop swap: Reusable Makeup Rounds, $15.99
10. SWAP niche grooming products FOR all-in-one solutions
Why?
The first R of zero waste living is ‘Reduce’, but it seems the grooming industry never got the memo. The average adult uses 12 or more personal care products every day!
How?
Instead of investing in lots of niche products, stick to multifunctional products that work on multiple body parts, for multiple functions. This could be a lotion for the face AND body, a lip AND cheek stain, a hair AND face serum, or an all-in-one remedy, like the All Good Goop Healing Salve. You can use this handy product as a lip balm, to soothe sunburn, to heal scars and burns faster, or to simply soften the skin.
Shop swap: All-in-one Healing Salve, $16.99
What sustainable alternatives will you try this year?
There you have it! 10 eco-friendly products to kick start a more ethical and sustainable new year.
If you’re a zero-waste newbie, we hope these easy ideas inspire you make a change today. For seasoned eco-warriors, if you’re already kitted out with everything here, we’ve got many more eco-friendly products in store to take you to the next level.
But remember, the most sustainable products are the things you already own!
Use up every drop, fiber, or slither of what you already own, sustainable or not, before you shop for an eco-friendly replacement. And if you don’t think you need don’t get it. No matter how green it seems, buying things you won’t use does more damage than buying nothing at all.
With that in mind, we wish you a green new year!
