These are the “green” products I have swapped out over a year for more eco-responsible options. I haven’t included links for all of them due to time but I know my community of eco-warriors love to do their own research. You can use this list as a starting point. Please share some of your favorite eco-friendly products in the comment section below.

The Kitchen

Nikken PiMAG Waterfall. This was my first big switch. Nikken really did their research and I love their company philosophy. Nikken considered fundamental aspects for its water systems including application of the types of plastics used for water filtration and storage to provide clean healthy water free of pollutants found in bottled water. Read more here: Environmentally Responsible Water Filtration Systems.

SF Bay Compostable Coffee Pods. One of my favorite Christmas gifts is still my Keurig Kcafe. It covers all of my coffee needs in minutes, but I was really concerned about the K-cup pods. San Francisco Bay coffee pods are delicious, ethically sourced, and commercially compostable.

Blueland Kitchen Clean Kit + Dish Detergent + Dishwasher Pods. The Blueland Mission is to make it easy to be eco with innovative products in reusable packaging that are convenient, effective, and affordable. They live up to their mission. I have all of their products and one of their stylish soap dispensers in every bathroom and in the kitchen.

Luffa elves Natural sponges. I can’t remember what prompted me to seek these out but natural loofah for scrubbing pots just makes sense to me. I found mine on Amazon.

Swedish Dishcloth Cellulose Sponge Cloths. Eco-friendly just throw them in the washer and reuse clothes. Another Amazon find.

Shark Steam Mop with reusable mop pad. Fill with water and the mop cleans with high-pressure steam. When you are done just throw the pad in the washer and use it again when clean.

WFH Office and Living Space

KenkoAir Purifier. Clean indoor air is always paramount but it feels even more necessary given current conditions. The KenkoAir Purifier is Energy Star qualified: 35% more efficient than standard models and saves a minimum of 215 kilowatt-hours per year. It uses a re-usable prefilter for a reduced carbon footprint and features replaceable filters.

Refillable Fountain Pen. This isn’t perfect but there is less waste when you refill a pen instead of throwing it out. I also buy my ink refills in bulk for less packaging.

Furniture Polish. ECOS Non-Toxic 22 Oz Bottle by Earth Friendly Products, Furniture Polish With Olive Oil. I like the polish but they need to work on their packaging. The good thing is you order 2 at a time reducing packaging. Furniture Polish with Olive Oil is made in the USA using thoughtfully sourced global ingredients. Sustainably produced in California, Washington, Illinois, and New Jersey facilities that are carbon neutral, water neutral, and zero waste.

80% of plastic bottles never get recycled and can take up to 700 years to degrade.

Plastic Pens can take up to 700 years to degrade and the ink can be harmful to the environment.

The Bedroom

Kenko Naturest Bedding. The Naturest bedding is made of Chitocotton and contains chitosan. A magnetic layer completes the cocoon effect with far infrared fibers that help to release heat and maintain a comfortable temperature. Comes in biodegradable packaging.

Natural bedding materials can reduce allergens.

Save and reuse your product containers in new ways.

Bamboo is non-toxic, sustainable, natural, and organic. It grows at an accelerated rate.

Bathroom

True Elements Skincare Line. This line balanced my skin for the first time since my teen years. The seaweed species in True Elements are harvested off the coast of Brittany in northwest France, and the harvesting method ensures that the seaweed yields are sustainable.
These skin care preparations are natural, organic, and free from parabens, GMOs, mineral oils, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, PEG, EDTA, synthetic colorings, and fragrances. For men and women, True Elements Skin Care is a complete line of products that cleanse, tone, and moisturize — to enhance, protect and care for your skin using nature’s own secrets.

I make my own soap and body lotion. This was a decision I made to reduce packaging, to know what goes into my skincare, and I like doing it.

Blueland Bathroom Cleaner & Glass/Mirror Cleaner. In the past, eco-conscious cleaners have traditionally not performed as well as toxic cleaners but that is not the case with the Blueland products.

Bamboo Toothbrush and Charcoal floss in a glass bottle. This just makes sense. It is estimated that plastic toothbrushes create 50 million pounds of waste annually. A bamboo toothbrush solves that problem and is just as inexpensive.

Bamboo Reusable Makeup Rounds. These babies reduce waste. Just throw them in the washer and reuse them.

Billie Razor Blade Subscription Purchase. This reduces the handle waste because you only replace the blade. Billie’s packaging for the refills is evolving. I think it is important to work with companies in an effort to reduce, recycle, and find sustainable energy sources.

Beauty

BeautyCounter. What I like about the company BeautyCounter is their effort to regulate the beauty community, their transparency, and their efforts to update their packaging.

DIY Lip Balm. I make this myself to reduce waste and because I can know what goes into it. I buy in bulk organic ingredients for all of my DIY skincare products. I found some refillable natural bamboo lip balm tubes on Amazon.

Wegreeco Bamboo Reusable Sanitary Pads (Stylish Pattern). Just wash and reuse. One of my favorite new products. I found mine on Amazon.

Kjaer Weis Refillable lipsticks. I was attracted to this company because they have led the charge in sustainability since 2010. Here is a quote from company founder Kirsten, "Combining ingredient integrity with innovative packaging, we are committed to sustainability - a key pillar of Kjaer Weis. Our brand celebrates beauty in all of its expressions, including kindness, inclusivity, and the connection to our unique self."

Travel

PiMAG Sport Bottle. I never leave home without it. Mine has been around the world and I never worry about water. Nikken considered fundamental aspects for its water systems including application of the types of plastics used for water filtration and storage to provide clean healthy water free of pollutants found in bottled water. Read more here: https://www.selfcarehub.com/blog/environmentally-responsible

Reusable Straws. Disposable straws like toothbrushes compound to make a very negative environmental impact. There are several reusable options.

In just the U.S. alone, one estimate suggests 500 million straws are used every single day. One study published earlier this year estimated as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the world's beaches.

National Geographic

A clean environment begins at home. Every small change you make greatly reduces your carbon footprint. Indeed, when I decided to compile this list I did not understand how ambitious this project would be. We are all in this together while we travel on this Spaceship Earth.

Be Healthy by Choice!

About Heather N. Abbott:

Heather is the COO at “Self Care Awakening.” Heather is an IIN Certified Health Coach. "I create a sacred space for you to become your best self."

Use the Contact/Book an Appointment page to schedule a free consult.

Heather is a founding member of Ladies Leading Ladies a group dedicated to training and empowering current and future Wellness business leaders.

I am an Nikken Independent Consultant. I work with a team of consultants. I nurture client relationships. I love building new relationships. Let’s connect. I enjoy working from home.

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