These are the “green” products I have swapped over the years for more eco-responsible options. My motivation is to reduce my carbon footprint, help protect natural resources, and support companies that prioritize sustainability. Links are included but please do your research and feel free to share what you have found in the comments. This is not a complete list it is a journey but feel free to use this list as a starting point. This list is not sponsored but I am a Nikken Independent Consultant. I aligned with Nikken a few years ago because of their company philosophy.

I have included page links in the navigation below so you can quickly jump to a category of interest.

Kitchen WFH Office & Living Space Bedroom Beauty Bathroom Travel Pets

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 of its water systems including the 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.

Shop Here.

Just the Facts: Get the Nikken PiMag Waterfall Fact Sheet here.

Reusable K-Cup filters. I love my Keurig. It covers all of my coffee needs in minutes, I don’t waste water or coffee but the environmental impact of traditional K-cup pods prompted me to look for a more environmentally savvy option. You can buy reusable K Cup filters at several locations. Here is an Amazon link: https://a.co/d/iMBanQl These filters are from a small business, DeliBru. They are recyclable, reusable, and BPA-free.

Blueland Kitchen Clean Kit + Dish Detergent + Dishwasher Pods + Clothes Detergent + Reusable, Sustainable Cleaner Clothes. The Blueland Mission is to make it easy to be eco with innovative products in reusable packaging that are convenient, effective, and affordable. They believe, like I do, that a cleaner planet starts at home. They live up to their mission. Their products are scientifically proven clean, use conscious ingredients and earth-friendly packaging, and refills start at $2.25. I use most of their products and store the refill tablets in one of their “forever” tins. Visit https://www.blueland.com/

Natural Loofah Sponges. I can’t remember what prompted me to seek these out but natural loofah for scrubbing pots makes sense to me and the environment. They are also better for your pots and pans. Scrub & Throw Natural Loofah Sponges is a small business and Climate Pledge Friendly. You can shop their kitchen sponges here: https://a.co/d/4aFPA9v

Shark Steam Mop with reusable mop pad. Fill with water and the mop uses high-pressure steam to clean. When you are done just throw the pad in the washer and use it again when clean. I picked mine up at Lowes but you can check out a similar model on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/dPsqahT

WFH Office & 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 reusable prefilter for a reduced carbon footprint and features replaceable filters.

Shop Here.

Just the Facts: Get the KenkoAir Purifier factsheet here.

Watch a quick Nikken KenkoAir Purifier features video.

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. Here is a link to Jinhao Cartridge refills for fountain pens: https://a.co/d/aCvXVj5

Here is a link to a refillable Jinhao Fountain Pen made from acrylic resin celluloid. The celluloid will degrade faster than traditional resins. Take a look here: https://a.co/d/1lDk6xb. The refillable pens I have are made from aluminum but I can not find them.

Furniture Polish. ECOS Non-Toxic 22 Oz Bottle by Earth Friendly Products, Furniture Polish With Olive Oil. Furniture Polish with Olive Oil is made in the USA using thoughtfully sourced global ingredients. The polish is 100% natural, plant-based, non-toxic, biodegradable household cleaner, made with renewable and cruelty-free ingredients, never tested on animals, and packaged in recyclable containers. Sustainably produced in California, Washington, Illinois, and New Jersey facilities that are carbon neutral, water neutral, and zero waste. Check out ECOS on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bGlxxYC

Printer ink service with a recycling program. I use the HP Instant Ink service. My printer communicates with the service to order ink when needed. The service sends an envelope with prepaid postage with every black ink cartridge. Follow the instructions and HP recycles the cartridges. Here is a link to their sustainability program.

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

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/reusable packaging. Buy the sleep pack and get 10% off + free shipping.

Shop Here.

Watch a quick Nikken KenkoFit features video.

Watch a quick Nikken Kenko Makura pillow features video.

Shop Here.

Just the Facts: Get the KenkoAir Purifier factsheet here.

Watch a quick Nikken KenkoAir Purifier features video.

Natural bedding materials can reduce allergens.

Beauty

Saie Slip Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer. I have used the product for over 2 years now. My skin loves it and has a natural, dewy look. The tint is buildable for trouble spots. The tube is made out of 100% Sugarcane Bloresin. We the product is finished, snip off the end tip of the tube and rinse it out. Then dispose of it in your home recycling bin. Saie is climate neutral certified, certified plastic negative, leaping bunny certified, and part of 1% for the planet. Way to go, Saie! Check out the Saie collection here: https://saiehello.com/

Wegreeco Bamboo Reusable Sanitary Pads. The Wegreeco brand story is: WEgreeco comes from the idea of “We Agree Go Green Life.” We are specializing in reusable baby, maternity, and pet products for 8 years. I love their brand story and their products. Just wash and reuse. I found mine on Amazon. https://a.co/d/aniUBj7

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." https://kjaerweis.com/

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

The 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.
All True Elements skincare products are EcoCert COSMOS Organic certified organic, pH balanced, and naturally fragranced. There are no parabens, synthetic colors, or fragrances, and gender neutral. 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.

Shop Here, choose the Personal Care category

I make my own soap and body lotion. This was a decision I made to reduce packaging and to know what goes into my skincare. I also like making my own products. Science!

A Bidet. You know how much toilet paper your household uses within a week/month. My first reservation about using a bidet was the amount of water the device may use. In my research, I found out that while the bidet only uses 1/8th of a gallon of water per use it takes on average 37 gallons of water to make a single roll of toilet paper. I opted for a bidet you install on your household toilet it was a space and economical choice. Here is the model I purchased on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5SyFxZQ Note: installation is not complicated but can be tricky given the location of your toilet.

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. They believe, like I do, that a cleaner planet starts at home. They live up to their mission. Their products are scientifically proven clean, use conscious ingredients and earth-friendly packaging, and refills start at $2.25. I use most of their products and store the refill tablets in one of their “forever” tins. Visit https://www.blueland.com/

NUDUKO Bamboo Toothbrush, 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. NUDUKO has been focusing on green alternative products for years. They believe “Together, we can drive environmental Impact.” NUDUKO is climate pledge friendly. Check them out on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bqW6cOe

Greenzla Bamboo Reusable Makeup Rounds. These babies reduce waste. Just throw them in the washer and reuse them. Greenzla is a climate pledge-friendly company. Shop on Amazon: https://a.co/d/7XlSJG2

Billie Razor Blade Subscription Purchase. This reduces the waste created by constantly replacing the handle 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. https://mybillie.com/

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 of its water systems including the 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

Shop Here.

Just the Facts: Get the Factsheet here.

VIDEOS

Watch a quick Nikken PiMag Sport Bottle Features Video

Watch a short Chlorine Test video with the Nikken PiMag Sport Bottle

Reusable Straws. Disposable straws like toothbrushes compound to make a very negative environmental impact. There are several reusable options. My favorites are the Hiware 12-Pack Reusable Stainless Steel Straws. They are easy to keep clean. Take a look: https://a.co/d/dlpjJLQ

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

Pets

Kitty Litter. The latest addition to our family is our kitty “Houdini.” He is such a pleasure but I was concerned about the kitty litter (Houdini is an indoor cat) environmental impact and I was hoping for a flushable litter. I found Love World’s Best Clumping Litter. Made with 100% all-natural scented lavender oil and a natural compressed corn formula. It is dust free. Here is a link on Chewy: https://www.chewy.com/worlds-best-lavender-scented-clumping/dp/262337