Going Green(er)

I am SO EXCITED about this! I just discovered a new option for recycling in my area, and I encourage you to check it out in your neighborhood as well.

Hefty now sells specific trash bags that you can fill and then toss into your curbside recycling bin to recycle A TON MORE ITEMS!

Of course the best option is to buy packaging that is as environmentally friendly as possible, but it's not always possible, especially for particular items.

Foam take out/food delivery containers, cereal and baked goods liner bags, “crinkly” bags like chip and candy bags, plastic film, shredded cheese bags and the like… you can now recycle it all.

Just picked up our bags this weekend and we're starting our new green practice today. :D

You can find the bags at Kroger and a variety of other places. ( I recommend Kroger specifically because it's in my area and they have stayed true to their DEI commitments.)

FYI: I did notice that Amazon has them, but they are DOUBLE the amount you'll find them elsewhere.

How the Hefty ReNew Program™ Works

Organic Cotton Mesh Reusable Produce Bags

Tree-Free Napkins - 100% Bamboo

Serving Spoon

Parchment Baking Sheets

Blueland is an extraordinary company with so many certifications it's ridiculous. :D They are Cradle-to-Cradle certified, Leaping Bunny certified, B-corp certified, Environmental Working Group verified as a “Safer Choice,” EPA “Safer Choice” verified, Climate Neutral, and Vegan.

In other words, if you are looking for a company with strong ethics and green practices, you won't be disappointed in Blueland.

Blueland calls these “Forever Bottles.” The idea is that instead of replacing your plastic soap dispensers every month, you use these refillable bottles. Obviously this is not a new concept, but when combined with their easy, small foaming soap tabs ...

The great thing about buying soap tabs or concentrate (as some other earth-friendly companies offer) is that you can minimize not only plastic production and waste, but also MANY more of these tiny tablets can be shipped than if you were purchasing a...

Blueland's hand soap duo starter kit comes with two glass bottles with pumps and FIVE soap tablets (It's weird the photos show three. I think it's because other than the fragrance-free option, the other two options each feature three scents. I find i...

In looking at this option, I am actually preparing to order these myself. We have recently learned that my son needs fragrance free, dye free soap for his sensitive skin, and Blueland's option is MUCH cheaper than the other options we have found whil...

(Please note this is an affiliate link.)

Hand Soap Duo

Hand Soap Tablet Refills

If you're willing to do a little extra work, you can typically save both money and earth's resources by making your own foaming hand soap by mixing regular hand soap and water.

We have just reused our plastic pumps for this purpose, but if you find you don't mind the process, if might be nice to upgrade to a more eye-pleasing option like this one.

I especially love that Grove's bottle shows the ratio of soap to water, so any family member can help with this chore! :D

Grove (along with other eco-friendly companies) offers a concentrate if you want to make it a bit easier to fill your container, but it is more expensive than if you purchase a more traditional hand soap at your local store.

If you plan on using your regular soap for your concoctions, I will say I like the look of Grove's bottles better than Blueland's, which is part of why I have included both options on this list. :D

(Please note this is an affiliate link.)

Foaming Hand Soap Dispenser

1

Protective Lip Balm with SPF 15 - Mint Flavor

Have a wiggly kid who makes applying sunscreen a battle? I did! :D

Spray sunscreen is convenient, and this one is Environmental Work Group verified to be safer and healthier for your family and for you. Great for sensitive skin, Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Spray is fragrance free, hypoallergenic, soy free, paraben free, vegan, and cruelty free.

You can also use this sunscreen for your face, just apply to your hands and then apply it. The cost is a little on the higher end, so especially be sure to check the size of this spray to ensure it's what you expect and how much you should order.

If you want to feel good about your purchase, however, there is no reason to hesitate when you purchase from this B Corp, woman-founded business with products that receive Peta's animal test-free seal. Because it uses Bag on Valve technology, it is a...

(Please note this is an affiliate link.)

Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF30

Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF30

When first looking into more eco-friendly shaving options, I heard a lot about safety razors. Being a little intimidated by retraining myself and learning how to use a safety razor properly, I was looking for an alternative option.

The Preserve Popi Shave 5 Razor was a great match for me, and now that I've used the razor for well over a year, I can say I'm pleased with my choice.

It isn't fancy, but it performs well and the five ceramic-coated blades give a closer shave than my previous razor. It does have a little lubricant strip on it as well, but if you are used to using additional cream or gel, you may want to continue th...

The best part for me, however, is the satisfaction of making a much better choice for my routine. It's a change I researched once and have been happy with ever since.

A couple of awesome things to know about this razor, the replacements, and the Preserve company who makes it:

1. The razor is made of recycled plastic recovered from the ocean.

2. Preserve is B-corp and climate-neutral certified.

3. The razor and replacement blades ship in recyclable packaging.

4. Preserve donates 25% of their profits to groups cleaning up our oceans.

I have linked this product on Grove Collaborative, another green , B-Corp Certified company, as I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase on their site. They also have a wealth of other products I have not yet tried but you may enjoy ex...

If you would like to purchase directly from Preserve, however, you can find them (and more information about them) here: preserve.eco .

Recycled Ocean Plastic (POPi) Shave 5 Razor System

If you're pretty sure you'll love the Preserve Popi Shave 5 Razor, you will eventually need these replacements.

Like the razor, they come in recyclable outer packaging, which is definitely a plus in my book! Unlike the razor, however, the cartridges and the plastic container that holds them during shipping are not recyclable.

My least favorite part of this razor system is the plastic container that the replacement cartridges ship in. I know something secure is likely needed for safety during shipping, but I find separating the razor from this holder very difficult. I do h...

Despite its drawbacks, I am still happy with my choice in this shaving system and confident that I have made a positive change that is more eco-friendly. The handle is made from recycled materials, the outer packaging is recyclable, and the amount of...

Shave 5 Replacement Blades (Fits Preserve Shave 5 and POPi Shave 5)

Protection from the sun is critical, but it's sometimes easy to skip when we're just in and out of our car or various locations, or we're just going for a “quick” walk.

At the very least, a large-brimmed hat can provide a bit more protection when we truly are just on a quick errand. Even better, though, is combining it with sunscreen on a longer outing.

While it seems like most stores simply focus on UV protective shirts, Coolibar has a variety of UV clothing options for days spent outdoors when the weather is wonderful but the sun's rays are at their strongest!

*I did have a hard time finding a “green” option when it came to sun protective clothing. I know Coolibar's quality from my mother, who has several of their items. I have had the opportunity to wear a few of these, and they are lightweight and soft!

(Please note this is an affiliate link.)

Sydney Kettle Brim Cotton Hat | Denim Blue

Coolibar's beach shawl wrap is one of their top selling items. It's lightweight and versatile, providing a barrier to the sun during the day or a light breeze at night. You could also use it as a light layer to cover your baby or toddler in a stroller to protect them from the rays.

*I did have a hard time finding a “green” option when it came to sun protective clothing. I know Coolibar's quality from my mother, who has several of their items. I have had the opportunity to wear a few of these, and they are lightweight and soft!

(Please note this is an affiliate link.)

Women's Sanibel Everyday Beach Shawl | Light Blue Heather

Silicone Straws

3

Are you a camper? Do you have a scout (current or otherwise)?

You may already have this item! A mess kit is compact, travel-friendly and great in some places for avoiding single use flatware. Depending on your leftover food, it could also serve as a “takeout” box as well.

There are all sort of options of collapsible containers, cups, water bottles and more at a variety of prices.

This set from REI is available in three color options, and I do like that it is made from 100% recycled materials. :)

UCO ECO 5-Piece Mess Kit | REI Co-op

Honestly, this is another item you likely already have in your home. And if you're like me, you may have 20 or so!

What I do like about this bag is this:

1. It is extra convenient because it has a snap that lets you fold it up to an easily packable small square that will fit in a purse, tote, fanny pack or backpack.

2. It's my design! :D This double-sided design incorporates my two most popular flower designs on Zazzle. I have it in a much sturdier shoulder bag/crossbody bag option as well, but this one is a lot easier to stow away and it's cheaper as well!

You can definitely find compact bags from companies with more eco-friendly materials involved in the making, so don't hesitate to look around and compare. But of course I won't be offended if you happen to choose one of mine.

P.S. I take requests: If you have an idea for a bag design you'd love to have, just message me here or on Zazzle!

(Please note that besides being my own creation, this is an affiliate link as well.)

Watercolor Blue Chiffon Rose and Pink Peony Grocery Bag

I link to Yeti here simply because I currently drink out of a YETI coffee mug and have been pleased with it and especially love that it can go in the dishwasher for easy care!

Below, you will find a couple of pieces of advice for looking for a water bottle that fits you, your needs, and your budget. If you would like me to do a “deep dive” on water bottles some time comparing a variety of brands in terms of eco-friendlines...

Lately, it seems reusable water bottles have gone beyond being a more eco-friendly, healthier option to a trendy fashion statement.

If you know me, you that's “not my vibe.” Even if I did just use the word vibe.

To be frank, if you want a new water bottle and want to be THE most eco-friendly possible, I suggest visiting your local thrift shop first. I would carefully check the bottles, though, because some are built better for your HEALTH.

A couple things I recommend when thrifting or shopping for these bottles in general:

1. Look for a note on the bottom that notes the bottle is BPA free.

2. I worry a lot about plastic for health reasons, so I tend to favor stainless steel, and I would especially recommend doing so if the bottle will be exposed to hot car temps/summer sun.

3. You don't need an expensive brand, but I do recommend seeing if a brand is listed so you can look it up online and verify the BPA information and where it was produced.

4. If you purchase a stainless steel bottle, look inside to see if it looks a little orange. This can indicate the presence of BPA in the form of a plastic liner to the bottle, which can leach into your water. Obviously I would skip by this option.

5. Follow the instructions on the bottle for washing and if it can be filled with both hot and cold liquids.

(Please note this is an affiliate link.)

Reusable Water Bottles, Mugs & Jugs

Just for fun: Keep an eye out for aluminum water bottles.

We were lucky to go to Las Vegas last year, and at several tourist locales, we found the Path brand bottles with the name of the place where we were.

It was cool to come upon these not only because they provided us with a pretty sturdy reusable bottle for our trip, but also because they were especially branded for those locations (we have bottles now from the famous Sphere as well as from Area 15,...

Now every time I use one of these, I think of our trip and the fun we had there. :)

A couple of notes about these bottles:

1. They are aluminum, so even if you choose not to reuse a crazy amount of times like us, they are the most recyclable material on the planet! WIN!

2. You MUST wash these by hand. And no hot liquids unless you want to burn yourself.

3. I would NOT leave these in the car on a hot day.

4. They do have a plastic liner (like most pop cans), but Path says their liner is BPA free. Many aluminum cans have this liner to keep the liquid inside from having a metallic taste.

I can't wait until we see these bottles in more places. Locally, I can find them at Staples of all places. They are available at a few other places, but I just discovered tonight that Staples still has their DEI statement on their site, so I am sendi...

P.S. I hope you'll check out my DEI list soon if you haven't already.

Refillable Aluminum Water Bottle with Purified Water | PATH Water

Going Green(er)

Eco-Friendly Products for everything from picnics to summer parties

Safer, Greener Body Products

Greener On the Go Fun