Whether you are a hit the snooze button 5 times kinda gal or you hop right outta bed at the first rays of sunlight peaking through your window, we’ve got you covered for ideas to help make your morning a little greener. Check out these five easy swaps to use less plastic and simplify your morning routine.
1. Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap, and Lotion Bars
Who needs bottles to get your lather on? Shampoo bars are just as capable of giving your hair bounce and shine without adding to the recycling burden most major cities are facing. Bar soap is one of the best things to pick up at local farmers markets or craft fairs because doing so supports local small businesses, and you know you’re getting quality ingredients in lots of funky cool scent options. And how better to lather up than with a bamboo scrub brush? Girl, put that plastic loofah thingy down, we’re about to upgrade ya. If you want to take it a step even further, why not reach for a lotion bar next time you’re looking to stock up? Many even come in metal tins so you can keep it in your bag for on the go use throughout the day.
2. Green Dental Hygeine: Bamboo Toothbrush, Toothpaste Tabs, Floss in a Glass Container
There are so many ways to keep your pearly whites stunning without ever touching a molecule of plastic. Bamboo toothbrushes have a longer lifespan than their plastic counterparts, biodegrade over time, and don’t strain the planet during creation. Win win in our book. You can find toothpaste tabs in glass jars now too. Simply pop in your mouth, begin brushing, and enjoy the benefits of cavity protection and whitening without the plastic tubing of conventional toothpaste – we know, we live in the future! Corn husk floss replacements additionally come in glass containers now as well, replacing the polymer strands and tiny plastic cases we were so used to. Just double check you’re skipping the silk options are those are spun by little silk worms and not free of animal products. Smile! Your morning just got greener.
3. Eco Beauty: Bamboo Makeup Wipes, Sustainable Make Up
The beauty industry has evolved so much in the past few years, and now consumers have more options than ever when choosing products that are right for your glow up and the planet.
Single use items like make up wipes and cotton balls are so 2010. Embrace this new decade with clean green swaps like reusable organic hemp makeup wipes, which you use, toss in the laundry, and keep on deck to clean that gorgeous face another day. Opt for paper cotton swabs over plastic ones, and look into a bad ass safety razor so you can ditch those plastic pink ones that last for two shaves before getting chucked. Dab on your sun screen from a metal tin to protect you from the free elements, and brush your hair with an all natural plastic free wooden brush to tame your look. In addition, why not have some fun with sustainable make up options like eyeliner, mascara, and lip color in glass pots. Sephora stocks many trusted varieties from beloved vegan brands like Tart and Kat von D. Invest in a wooden applicator and your look will be as fierce as it is environmentally friendly.
4. Reusable Coffee Filter or Ceramic Pour Over
If you’re like me, you may be a zombie in the mornings before indulging in those first few glorious sips of coffee. One of the best ways to keep your coffee consumption eco-friendly is to invest in a reusable coffee filter. You can pop it into your coffee maker and simply rinse out every morning before starting a new batch. A ceramic pour over is also cool because it allows you to skip plastic all together and simply pour hot water over your coffee grounds and boom ya got coffee. Bonus points for composting your coffee grounds! No excess paper heading into the bin on your watch.
5. Travel Mug and Glass Food Storage
One of the biggest things we can do for the planet is cut back our single use plastics when possible. Ditch the plastic baggies and Styrofoam cups from the coffee shop, and opt for cute, personalized glass or metal containers for your snacks and beverages. This glass container has a tea strainer inside, so I plop in a chunk of fresh ginger, some turmeric root, and loose tea leaves in it to steep overnight. Fun huh?
Your coworkers will be so impressed with how you upped your meal prep game, and many coffee shops will even discount you a percentage of your order if you bring your own cup. Mama Earth thanks you!