You cannot do all the good that the world needs
But the world needs all the good that you can do
- Jana Stanfield
In a world so reliant on plastic and synthetic chemicals, it can be difficult to know where to begin if you want to help the planet. So I've put together some of my favourite, tried and tested product swaps to help you become more green in 2019.
Search Engine
SWAP GOOGLE FOR ECOSIA
By simply changing your default search engine to Ecosia, you can help plant trees through your everyday web searches.
By following Google's model and generating money through search engine ads, Ecosia has used it's profits to plant almost 50 million trees in the places that need them most.
In my experience it works just as well as Google, although it's not quite as intuitive yet. However, I feel this is a minor sacrifice for the sake of the environment.
Environmental Benefits:
Reforestation: 45 searches = 1 tree planted
Laundry Detergent
SWAP COMMERCIAL DETERGENT FOR SOAPNUTS
Technically not nuts, but the fruit of a tree that grows in India and Nepal. Soapnut shells contain naturally-occurring saponins that have the power to lift stains and clean clothes. All you need to do is add 5 shells into the little muslin bag provided and chuck them in the drum.
I've been using these for almost 6 months now and I've been really impressed. My clothes are just as clean as they were when I was using commercial detergents such as Ariel.
My favourite part is adding essential oils as an all-natural alternative to fabric conditioner. I add 10 drops of lime, mandarin and bergamot to the muslin bag and my clothes come out smelling nice and fresh! I also add bicarbonate of soda to the washing machine drawer to keep my whites, white.
Environmental Benefits:
Organic, vegan, palm-oil free, cruelty free
Plastic free
In-expensive (1x 1kg bag = 480 washes!)
The nuts are compostable
Free from synthetic and toxic ingredients
Non-polluting
Shower Gel SWAP SHOWER GEL FOR A BAR OF SOAP
Somewhere along the way, the bar of soap has been villainized as the less hygienic, less glamorous counterpart to liquid soaps. Companies have been aggressive in their marketing of liquid body washes, yet, they've been shown to have no hygienic benefit over soap bars and are tremendously harmful to the environment.
Most liquid body washes are made of petroleum, while many traditional bar soaps are made of plant oils. Soap bars have come along way too, with great selections of handmade soaps with natural oils on Etsy. I've been using the one here and it smells delicious.
Environmental Benefits:
Less plastic / plastic free
Natural / non-chemical
Non-polluting
Phone Case
SWAP A PLASTIC PHONE CASE FOR PELA
The Eco-Friendly Phone Case that Gives Back
Not only are Pela phone cases created from plant-based materials, Pela are out to raise $250,000 to help protect our coastlines, oceans, parks and wild animals.
As a clumsy person, it is the best phone case I've ever had thanks to the bumpers around the screen to absorb the impact from my phone crashing to the ground.
Environmental Benefits:
Plastic free
Non-toxic
Raises money for environmental causes