Plenty of ordinary things we use daily can be swapped for more sustainable products. Everything we do has a knock-on effect; it affects us all, particularly the next generation. We can’t change the world single handily, but we can personally make a difference each and every day. These changes will also help you save money.
Easy swaps
1) Paper Napkins for Cloth Napkins – save paper and all those dyes. Changing to cloth napkins made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen is easy. Years ago, I changed to fabric napkins (made from upcycled fabric) and found them just as convenient as paper ones. They take up next to no space with my normal wash in the washing machine.
2) Paper Kitchen Towels for Cloth Ones – buy from your Zero Waste Shop or Online or DIY your own from upcycled cotton fabric and towelling.
3) Wrapping for Cloth Wrapping – learn the art of cloth wrapping from Japan called Furoshiki or Korean called Bojagi. The fabric can be used time and time again. Buy new fabric, second-hand napkins, upcycled clothes, or bedding for the fabric wrap.
4) Disposable Nappies for Cloth Nappies – an enormous problem to our environment is the seriously massive mountain of disposable nappies that are not rotting in the world. Think about terry nappies – they are now shaped like disposable nappies. Use a disposable liner as it makes washing the terry nappy much easier.
5) Liquid Laundry Detergent for Natural Laundry Detergent Sheets in Cardboard Boxes. Add a MagnoBall, to help to cut down on the volume of washing detergents you need which only ends up choking the rivers and wildlife. I use one in both my washing machine and dishwasher.
Their description of their product – The Ecozone Magnoball has been scientifically proven to remove and prevent limescale from setting in your washing machine and dishwasher in an effective and non-chemical way. It crystalises the limescale, making it impossible to stick to clothes, pipes or heating elements.
Product Advantages:
– Reduce the amount of detergent
– No more anti-limescale tablets
– Reduce the washing temperature
– 5-year guarantee
6) Plastic sandwich bags for a Reusable Cloth Sandwich Wrap, found in Zero Waste shops or online on sustainable sites. You can also DIY this sandwich wrap easily if you sew. There are plenty of websites with free patterns and instructions, or check out YouTube.
Image by Sew and Sew by Jo
Take a look at a Simplelifeco company based in Wales. They do reinforced paper sandwich bags or grease-proof paper bags from sustainable paper or 100% Compostable Self Seal Poly Bags.
7) Disposable make-up remover pads for Cloth Ones – buy from your Zero Waste Shop or Online or DIY your own from upcycled cotton fabric and towelling.
8) Paper products for Recycled Paper or sustainable, whenever possible recycled paper or even better paper made from sustainably managed forests.
9) Cling Film and Aluminium Foil for Reusable Food-Grade Silicone Wrap, eco stretch zero waste kitchen. It’s a cling film, aluminium foil and baking paper alternative.
10) Disposable Sanitary Wear for more sustainable ones. If you have periods, you will spend about £500.00 a year. The Independent outlines some of the best sustainable options available.
A menstrual cup costs around £25.00 to buy and, with proper care, can last up to 10 years – Saaltco.uk.
Tampons – Flo organic eco-applicator tampons from Boots.
Organic cotton pads – Lunette.com.
Reusable pads – Ticke-tots.com.
Sustainable budget option – Natracare tampons from Holland and Barrett
11) Disposable Drinking Straws for Reusable drinking straws – buy online or at your local Zero Waste shop
12) Bought Bottled Water for a Water Filter and Reusable Bottles
13) Clothes made from synthetic fabric for clothes made from natural materials and natural dyes. Try to buy fewer clothes but better quality and keep them longer.
14) Plastic for Compostable
15) Cleaning cloths and sponges for compostable cloths and sponges
16) Plastic handles for wooden handles on all sorts of brushes
17) New for second-hand sometimes
