Ways to Make Your Home More Eco Friendly

We all have that friend that is just obnoxious; they lecture you on recycling, they tell you the dangers of eating fruits and veggies that aren’t organic (they even use the word dirty), and they make you feel bad about trying to live your goddamn life.

We’re all busy. We have all have shit to do. And especially us parents have a whole other burden. We are responsible for keeping little people alive and all the crap that goes along with it. The last thing we want is to be guilt-tripped about our use of a plastic fork, AMMIGHT?!

Except I am that friend. I am that annoying mother who watches you use paper towels to dry your hands and thinks, ermahgerd that is so wasteful. Use a hand towel! That’s why we have them!

I am that friend that goes through people’s trashes and pulls out cans at a party because hello, this is 2019 and we are in a trash epidemic.

Maybe limiting your plastic use seems unattainable. Maybe you think it might be expensive or too much work. But there are many ways that you can make small but important changes to your everyday routine that will limit your consumption and help with the enormous waste problem that is currently plaguing us. You don’t have to use every one of these products but try to slowly make it there. Take baby steps. Be aware of how much you utilize single-use-plastic, and try to eliminate each thing, one by one.

It should also be noted that anytime the word “biodegradable” appears, this doesn’t mean that it can just sink back into the earth like unicorn magic. Not all recycling plants accept certain products, some products only degrade at high temperatures, etc so your “eco-friendly” products might not be doing much good. Here is an easy to read factsheet.

Have any other awesome recommendations? TELL ME.

**I am an Amazon affiliate so for most of these items I have linked to their products. Any time you buy through my link, a portion goes back to supporting this blog. However, they are merely there to show you examples. I love Amazon because I have three children and taking them to the store is like forcing three drunk squirrels to perform line dancing. But please buy your supplies anywhere. Just get them.

1. Bamboo Toothbrushes (Especially For Kids)

My children may suffer from an oral fixation because they tear up toothbrushes like they’re scrubbing the toilet with them. (Which, let’s be honest, has probably happened at some point.) We went through so many plastic toothbrushes and each time I would feel horribly guilty throwing them away. But children are nasty and it is necessary. However, these eco-friendly bamboo toothbrushes are bio-degradable. Furthermore, I thought my kids would be upset that there wasn’t a Disney cartoon on their toothbrush but instead, they were enthralled by the simple animal stamp at the end of each one.

SOLD!

2. No More Disposable Floss, Yo

My seven-year-old struggles with flossing. The easiest thing for her chubby little fingers to use are those cute colored flossing thingies. Except they are made of plastic and are used only once or twice. But I stumbled upon these bad boys and BOOM. No more plastic floss, baby. They’re easy to use, fairly cheap, and her breath won’t smell like the sewer.

3. Tooth Paste In A Jar

It might sound bazar but the standard toothpaste container is not recyclable and is, therefore, creating more plastic waste. There are a number of companies out there that offer alternatives. Off of the advice of a friend who has made the switch, I just ordered from the company Bites. Their toothpaste comes in a glass jar and refills are sent in recyclable containers. I am excited to try this! I ordered charcoal/mint which should not only make my teeth clean but naturally whiten them, too!

If you have tried out any other alternatives, let me know!

4. Keep Reusable Sporks In Your Purse/Car

If you eat on the road, you will find yourself in a situation where someone is going to hand you a plastic spoon or fork. REFRAIN. The fix? Buy one reusable spork for every person in your family. Keep them in your purse or in your car. And after each meal, wipe them down. Voila.

5. Washable Makeup Pads

I don’t use makeup pads because I can barely remember to wash my face and I am too lazy to wear concealer. But I have a bunch of friends who got addicted to these in the ’90s and can’t drop the habit. No worries, ladies– there is an easy solution. These makeup pads are machine washable and have excellent reviews.

6. Eco-Friendly Toilet Paper

Say what? Yes. This is a thing. It should be noted that this one of the items that my family struggles with. There are five of us and toilet paper can get expensive. I like to buy whatever I can from Costco but there is so much plastic wrapping on theirs. Furthermore, it is made from new trees. I tried a couple of brands online but they felt like I was wiping my butt with sticker bushes, so I nixed that. A friend recently pointed me in the direction of the company Who Gives A Crap. Check them out– their name is hilarious and their products are great!

Plus– 50% of their profits are donated to help build toilets. How cool is that?

7. Stop Using Ziplock Bags

I know. I know. They are freaking hard to give up. But Ziplock bags are wasteful and there are lots of alternatives! I have a handful of reusable bags that I stick everything from popcorn to sandwiches in. They come in fun prints and are easy to wash. You won’t miss your plastic, I promise.

8. Stop Accepting Disposable Cups

One of my favorite things about getting a coffee from Starbucks is the disposable cup and the lid. Why? I don’t know. Their coffee is burned (I know this on purpose but what the actual fuck, man) but something about having someone else make me something fills me with joy. But I had to give this nasty habit up. Instead, I bring my reusable coffee cup to the drive-thru window, and the angry barista with green hair and four nose rings can roll her eyes at me as she fills it up. It is fabulous.

This same habit applies throughout the day. If you go to a restaurant, ask them for their reusable plastic cups. Or better yet, bring a water bottle. Many restaurants try to accommodate kids by giving you toss away cups with lids but these add up, and they add up fast. Don’t do it. Stay strong. Let your child spill their water all over the table and when people look at you like they’re wondering why you’ve chosen to take wild animals to lunch, merely stand up from your seat and exclaim, I AM SAVING THE WORLD. People won’t make eye contact with you after that.

9. Ditch Plastic Cling Wrap

You know how annoying cling wrap is? You have to have the hands of a surgeon to get that stuff off the roll without letting it touch itself. Not only is it wasteful but it is a pain in the heiny. Fret not friends, there is a simple solution– beeswax wraps! They are easy to use, easy to clean, and you can cover your food with one kid hanging around your ankle and another trying to pants you.

10. Get Your Lazy Ass A Waterbottle

I don’t feel like this needs to be on here and yet…here we are.

I see you, mom at the park, rooting around in your trunk for that half-drank plastic water bottle from last year’s road trip. That plastic has been degrading in the heat, so not only are you creating more waste but you are drinking water that contains a shitton of bad stuff. Stop. Splurge and get yourself a nice water bottle. I have tried almost every water bottle on the market and nothing can compare to my stainless steel baby, whom I have dubbed “Big Bertha”. She keeps my water cold for 24 hours, so even if I leave her sweltering in the sun at the park, she will provide me with the chilled H20 that I need. I also purchased one of these for each of my children because they backwash. And I don’t want to share.

(I bought Big Bertha from Costco and she was cheaper, but Amazon and other retailers carry them, as well.)

11. Stainless Steel Straws

Straws are a must-have item when you have children. But they are also a huge waste. You use them once and then toss them away. Instead, invest in some stainless steel ones! This pack even comes with a brush so you can easily clean out all of the crap that gets lodged in there.

12. Bio-Degradable Dog Shit Bags

If your dog poops and you gotta pick it up, at least you can use a biodegradable bag! You’ll never know the difference but the planet will!

13. Reusable Bags

They legit have reusable bags for any occasion now! There are bags for groceries and also for produce. There is basically no excuse to use a plastic bag from the store (as long as you can remember to bring them, which is really hard for me…because mom brain.) I also got a collapsible crate that I carry around in my trunk that comes in handy, especially at places like Costco.

14. Biodegradable Plastic Trash Bags

This has been the bain of my existence because I could not, for the life of me, figure out how to stop using plastic trash bags. And then I discovered these! The downside is that you purchase them in a large quantity, so it feels more expensive on your wallet. However, you will probably be using trash bags for the rest of your life so it is an investment.