10 non-toxic replacements for things you use daily

As the circumstances surrounding global warming continue to get worse and worse, it is more crucial than ever that consumers are thinking about the future when buying their products and going with eco-friendly options instead of regular, wasteful items. While the vast majority of consumers are putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to climate change, there are still a lot that are not.

If you are interested in achieving a lower carbon footprint, then you may want to consider purchasing these ten great eco-friendly alternatives to items that you use every day.

1. Mattresses – Go with a sustainable eco-friendly brand like Ely Mattress

We’ll start with our speciality – If you’re in the market to buy a new mattress, then look for a sustainable one, that is made from all natural materials. Our Ely Mattress is 100% natural and 100% biodegradable. Mattresses are bulky and can last in landfills for years – not the Ely Mattress. We also help you dispose of your old mattress by offering to recycle it for £100.

2. Reusable Water Bottles

Ditch the plastic and buy yourself a reusable water bottle that will last you a long time. It should come as no surprise that one of the biggest threats to our oceans is the ridiculous amount of plastic that is piling up in them. Even with the presence of a nationwide recycling program, it is estimated that over 90 percent of water bottles still end up being dumped in landfills every year.

3. Rechargeable Batteries

Shifting to planet-friendly NiMH rechargeable batteries reduces the number of batteries that end up in landfill. Modern research shows that cadmium, used in traditional batteries, is harmful to the environment and to our health. Even in small amounts, exposure to cadmium metals can cause multiple hazardous health related issues. This is due to its dangerous toxic compounds.

4. Bamboo Toothbrushes

Billions of plastic toothbrushes are disposed of each year, and each one takes up to a thousand years to decompose. Plastic toothbrushes contain nylon 6; a harmful chemical that poses a threat to our aquatic animal friends. We need to make a serious change.

Bamboo toothbrushes are a great alternative. They’re good for your health, too. Bamboo has natural antimicrobial properties that aid in stopping bacterial growth.

5. Reusable Cloth Shopping Bags

How many plastic bags do you have under your sink? How often do you forget to take them to the supermarket? Reusable cloth shopping bags save the environment and are a cheaper alternative to plastic. Sustainable and made from ethically sourced materials, reusable cloth shopping bags are also durable. You can buy them in most supermarkets.

6. Stainless steel and bamboo straws

Plastic straws are a single use plastic and need to be eliminated from day-to-day life. They end up in the ocean, where they are dangerous for marine life. Polypropylene in plastic straws releases compounds when in contact with UV light, and some research shows this can have an affect on human estrogen levels.

Stainless steel and bamboo straws are reusable and friendlier to the planet. Plus, they’re easy to locate – you can find them in most home stores.

7. Natural Cleaning Products

Disinfectant sprays and gels touch every surface in your home, from your floors to your countertops. These means potentially harmful toxins are spread all over central family spaces. Replace chemical-based cleaning products with those made from natural ingredients. Some good brand examples include Ecover, Method and ECOS.

You can also make your own. Natural products like lemon, white vinegar, castile soap, tea tree oil and lavender oil are brilliant for cleaning and disinfecting, and you can find lots of recipes online.

8. Biodegradable Bin Bags

Bin bags are usually plastic, and they often end up in landfill. Only 1% of plastic bags are recycled worldwide today. Biodegradable bin bags are available in most stores and are made from plant-based starches, which are easily absorbed by nature. They have the added benefit of aiding plant growth, and keep wildlife and oceans safe.

9. Beeswax wrap instead of cling film

Traditional cling film is often used to wrap food mixed with other waste, which means it cannot be recycled.

Let’s not cling on to old habits. Beeswax strips could be the answer to your environmental consciousness. Beeswax wraps are toxin-free and break down quicker than regular cling film, so if they end up in landfill, it doesn’t have such serious consequences for the environment.

10. Cloth napkins

Paper isn’t the world’s worst environmental issue, but paper napkins are single use and, of course, come from trees. Does nature have to take the chop to clean our messy surfaces? To produce one tonne of paper towels, we lose seventeen trees and 20,000 gallons of water.

Cloth napkins are reusable, which means they are less harsh on the environment. They also absorb more liquid, and they last longer.

Look for non-toxic cotton napkins – lead, PVC and phthalate free.

Can you think of anymore sustainable and non-toxic replacements? Tell us in the comments below.