Shopping eco sounds tough. With the fast pace of modern life, eco-friendly and ethical shopping seems like ‘A Big Thing To Do’, especially when compared with standard shopping, which permits you to walk into a supermarket and pick up whatever you fancy. It can seem like there are a million and one things to look out for and avoid, which feels overwhelming. Once upon a time this was true, but thankfully, this is no longer the case.
Thanks to the recent surge in eco, green and conscious lifestyles, the availability of ethical household products, from cleaners to dental floss, has grown exponentially, along with the use of sustainable natural materials like bamboo and coconut. Not only does this mean that there’s a wide range of products around, allowing you to pick and choose what works for you, but it also means that it is incredibly easy to bring an ethical mindset into practice.
To show you just how easy it is, we’ve collected together some super simple and unobtrusive eco swaps that you can make today. These items are all sustainable, environmentally friendly, plastic-free, reusable, cruelty-free and vegan.
Some products might seem to cost a little more than their non-ethical alternatives, but it is very likely that the reusable nature of the product counteracts this – plus, you can’t put a price on a clean conscience, or clean environment.
Ten Easy Eco Swaps
1 of 11SHO Ultimate Water Bottle
Disposable water bottles are a blight on the environment and taking your own water with you will save you some pennies in the long run. Plus, the SHO bottle is super durable and will last you for years.
2 of 11rCUP Recycled Travel Cup
The rCUP is the ultimate ethical and environmentally friendly travel cup. It is insulated, and 100% leakproof, offering one hand operation and 360-degree drinking. Each unit is made from six reclaimed single-use plastic and paper cups which were otherwise destined for landfill and boasts a lengthy 10-year lifespan. Once it reaches the end of its life, the rCUP itself is also 100% recyclable.
3 of 11Eco Rock Scourers
This all-natural alternative to the polluting traditional sponge scourer is made from coconut fibres, which are natural, tough, flexible, antibacterial, non-scratch and non-toxic. Just throw them in the composter when they've reached the end of their lifespan.
4 of 11Magnitone WipeOut Bamboo Microfibre Make-Up Cleansing Cloths
The WipeOut cloths are an ethical alternative to both the traditional and wasteful disposable make up removing wipes and plastic bottled make up removing fluids. These reusable bamboo cloths will remove long-wear and oil-based products with warm water, and nothing else.
5 of 11Stainless Steel Straws
To reduce plastic waste from traditional plastic straws, and as a reusable alternative to disposable paper straws. This set is particularly easy to clean by hand with the provided cleaners or in a dishwasher.
6 of 11Hydro Phil Sustainable Bamboo Toothbrush
A bamboo toothbrush is a great way to reduce your plastic waste. They're made from a completely natural and sustainable material, and when it wears out, throw it in the composter rather than recycle bin.
7 of 11Georganics Natural Dental Floss
This plastic-free, sustainable floss alternative is made from bamboo. Whereas typical nylon floss is coated with petroleum derivatives, Georganics coat its offering in peppermint oil and beeswax, offering a smooth and pleasant use and taste. This does mean, however that this product isn't suitable for vegans.
8 of 11Who Gives A Crap Eco-Friendly 100% Recycled 3-Ply Toilet Paper
Who Gives A Crap gives a crap. The toilet paper is made from 100% recycled, ink-free, scent-free, sustainably sourced materials, and each roll comes in a funky, plastic-free paper wrapping. Plus, they get extra ethical points for donating half of their profits to sanitation projects around the world. As if that wasn't enough, they're very economical, with each box containing 48 rolls, each with 400 3-ply sheets.
9 of 11Cheeky Panda Bamboo Tissues
So, it turns out that bamboo is a marvellous material – it's incredibly sustainable, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, hypoallergenic, and super soft. No wonder pandas love it so much.
10 of 11Cotton Vegetable Bags
These multifunctional bags are ideal for keeping all your fresh vegetable and fruit produce together while on the big weekly shop. The bags are breathable, machine-washable, and 100% reusable. A simple and hugely satisfying swap.
11 of 11MÜHLE Chrome Safety Razor
This razor is completely plastic free – the razor itself is constructed from metal, and the packing includes no plastic wrap. The only disposable element to this shaving setup are the steel blades, which are long-lasting and offer a much closer and more precise shave than their multi-bladed, disposable alternatives, which is ideal for faces and legs alike. The initially outlay might seem steep, but they soon pay for themselves.
If you're looking to keep up on the latest ethical news and products, check out Ethical Consumer, a website dedicated to bringing you all of the information and inspiration you need. Join thousands of others and revolutionise the way you shop, save and live.