Did you know that, on average, an Australian makes 10kg of trash a week? When you do the math, you’ll end up with roughly 67 million tonnes of garbage in just one year, in Australia only.
Only a portion of it gets recycled; the rest ends up in a landfill or the ocean. These are terrifying facts that make more and more people turn to using eco-friendly products such as Frank Green cups, reusable straws and bags, and change their lifestyles.
Buy Recyclable Water Bottles
The amount of plastic that gets disposed of each year has reached incredible numbers. It’s quite concerning, and by continuing at this rate, we will soon be drowning in plastic. One of the biggest contributors to this ecological disaster is plastic water bottles. But there’s a simple solution to this problem, and if we all incorporate it into our lives, our planet will thank us.
The solution is reusable water bottles. They can be made of multiple eco-friendly materials, such as glass, ceramics, stainless steel and silicone. Australia has a few reliable brands of reusable bottles, and Frank Green is one of them. The high-quality, sustainable Frank Green ceramic bottle is one of their top-selling products. It’s a combination of ceramic, stainless steel and silicone, and it’s BPA-free.
This eco-friendly product won’t affect the water’s flavour, will fit any standard cup holder, and is dishwasher safe. Plus, it’s recyclable when it comes to the end of its life. These bottles look stylish and are very practical, and they’re spill-free, which is great if you’re a little clumsy. Frank Green bottles are available in a range of sizes from 300 mL up to 1.5L ones. Depending on your daily water intake, there’s something for everyone.
Some also feature vacuum insulation. This means there are 2 walls joined together, with sealed air in between. There are also double-wall constructions that aren’t necessarily vacuum sealed. But they still do a good job of maintaining the drink’s temperature. Additionally, you can also find copper-lined Frank Green bottles, which conduct and radiate the heat back to the liquid inside.
The bottle’s lid can vary as well. Some of the most popular options are screw-tops, flip-top lids, straw lids and sports caps. Because you’ll be carrying the bottle around with you, it should be easily portable and ergonomic.
Use Bamboo Toothbrushes
Experts recommend replacing your plastic toothbrush every three to four months, or roughly four times a year. This means that in a single year, Australia throws away at least 50 million toothbrushes. This is a large number that, when combined with the rest of the planet, can be devastating. Luckily, there are bamboo toothbrushes that are completely biodegradable.
This alternative is superior to plastic brushes in many ways. First, bamboo is a fast-growing plant that won’t go extinct, doesn’t require a lot of attention, and is easy to shape and work with. Next, it has antibacterial properties and is flexible. And third, once you’re done with using it, you can recycle it, and it’ll decompose in just 4 months.
The bamboo brushes do a great job at brushing your teeth as plastic ones, but without leaving toxic substances behind.
Get Reusable Straws
Research shows that there are at least 14.4 million tons of microplastic at the bottom of the ocean. Unfortunately, this number increases with every passing day. One of the main contributors to this problem is single-use plastic straws. Now that you know this, it’s time to switch to something more sustainable: reusable straws.
Just like the Frank Green ceramic bottle, they’re a great way to reduce plastic waste. They most definitely won’t end up at the bottom of the ocean because they’re made of stainless steel or glass. Both of these materials are recyclable, lightweight, toxin-free and easy to clean and maintain. Reusable straws are portable and usually come in their own container, so you can take them anywhere—to coffee shops, restaurants, picnics, work or at the park.
Compost Bins are a Good Addition
Investing your money in something durable, practical, useful and eco-friendly is always a good idea. One of those things is a compost bin. These bins work by combining water, which is the main ingredient, and food waste, which includes fruits and vegetables, peals, dead leaves, dirt and branches. The bin combines everything inside and does its magic.
It composts the ingredients over a certain period of time. Then, you can use it in several ways. Use it as mulch, add it to potting soil, feed it to the plants, and mix it in garden beds or around fruit trees. It’ll make the soil healthier by adding nutrients. These bins come in many sizes. Smaller ones can go inside the kitchen and bigger ones are meant for outdoor usage.
Don’t worry about the smell. These bins are odour-free; you won’t feel a thing when they’re not open. Before buying a bin, think about how many people live in the house. More people means more compost, so choose carefully. Some of them even have compartments on the inside, so while one compost is maturing, you can work on another in the meantime.
Don’t Forget Reusable Shopping Bags
We all go grocery shopping at least once a week. Getting plastic bags each time contributes to the ecological disaster that we’re currently living in. That’s why, you should get reusable shopping bags. There are several types you can choose from:
- Cotton – durable, eco-friendly, machine washable;
- Canvas – long-lasting, thick;
- Recycled bags – foldable, lightweight, easy to clean;
- Jute – sustainable, strong, wear and tear-resistant;
- Mesh – lightweight, transparent, breathable;
- Insulted – maintain the food’s temperature, durable.
No matter which one you choose, you’ll be doing Mother Nature a huge favour.
