Saving the earth doesn’t have to take a lot of effort. From plants that absorb harmful radiation to edible cutlery, these eco-friendly inventions are so genius, you wish you’d known about them sooner. Besides helping you reduce waste, these 14 items can also save you money AND enhance your home health and wellbeing. Not convinced? Read on to find out what they are:
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Swap out your slimy, plastic sponge with one of these eco-friendly ones made of terry cloth and cotton fabric. Known as “Unsponges”, they’re tough on stubborn stains but gentle to the earth, with a bamboo filler that won’t lead to mould and mildew. Once they’ve maxed out their usage, simply cut it up and compost it. Plus, they come in a variety of eye-catching colours and designs too! From $10, from The Sustainability Project.
Portable, lightweight and reusuable, this cutlery set is great to keep in your office or handbag. It comprises of chopsticks, a knife, fork and spoon to suit your meal requirements, and come in an assortment of four different colours. At $1.75, from Shopee.
We know the perils of plastic straws, but metal straws may not always be the most eco-friendly alternative, although it’s a step in the right direction. So why not opt for these 100 per cent natural bamboo drinking straws instead? They’re handmade entirely from bamboo and suitable for young ones too. To clean, rinse them out after every use. For a deeper clean, soak in hot water mixed with a bit of vinegar. At $3.50, from The Sustainability Project.
You might not think much about your regular tiny plastic floss but a lot can add up in a landfill and they’re non-biodegradable too. However, thanks to GoodFloss, we’ve got a biodegradable floss that’s great for the environment. They’re sold in fours and are shaped in a credit card-size so it fits your bag easily. At about S$8, available at GoodFloss.
Inspired by the Japanese tradition Furoshiki, these knot wraps from Lush are kind to the environment and a chic way to wrap gifts! Each wrap is made from either organic cotton or two recycled plastic bottles, to help you live that #ZeroWaste lifestyle. Not only that, they can also be used as an accessory like a scarf, or even a tote bag. Available at Lush at Suntec City (West Wing, #01-303).
Typical tea bags contain staples to seal the tea leaves in. However, these lovely reusable cotton tea bags are made out of 100% cotton so you don’t have to worry about anything less than natural. Plastic-free and made with zero-waste, reuse them day after day with your favourite loose leaf teas. To use: Simply add your favourite loose tea leaves into the bag and tighten the bag before leaving in hot water to soak. From $6.50, from TWG Tea.
What sets this soap bar apart from its commercial counterparts is that it is made of natural glycerin instead of petroleum-based ingredients that are more harmful to the environment. Additionally, its lack of plastic packaging and that it is handmade with only natural ingredients, makes this a soap that is good for the earth and your skin. It is also great that it is produced by a local company so that helps to further lower your carbon footprint! At $9.90, from Your Sustainable Store.
Made from recyclable materials that conforms to eco-friendly Food Grade Silicone standard, it is also BPA free and lead free. Best of all it can quickly be collapsed into a 5 cm leak proof disk where you can simply slip into your pocket or a pouch. It comes with a big straw so now you have another excuse to get a cup of your favourite bubble tea. At $29, from E&E Dynamic Trading.
For an insta-worthy smoothie bowl at home, use this coconut bowl and spoon set from The Sustainability Project. Made from real coconut shell discarded as waste, this is also perfect for salads or a stir-fry dish. The Sono Spoon that comes with it is made out of reclaimed Indonesian rosewood (Sonokeling) that is cut, sanded and cleaned before virgin coconut oil polish is applied. At $18, from The Sustainability Project.
A great green alternative to single use plastic bags, each of these reusable snack bags are handmade with quality 100 per cent cotton fabric while the interior is lined with certified food-safe waterproof PUL fabric. You will be surprised at how easy it is to clean it, simply turn it inside out to handwash or just pop them in a laundry net and into the washing machine! The website also states that as the product is artisanally made, it should be noted that pattern placements of fabric may differ. At $20, from Trove of Gaia.
If you’ve been using cotton pads to remove makeup every day, try making the switch to a more sustainable option instead. These ones are made of 100 per cent bamboo fibre and are extremely thin and soft, and gentle on your skin. Simply wash them afterwards and you can use them again! They come with a laundry bag as well so you can carry them around on your travels. At $12.48, from Shopee.
Save gaia and keep the kids happy with an adorable five-piece dinnerware set from ecoWARE. Featuring different animal designs to cater to different preferences, each item is made from natural bamboo fibre and corn starch which is biodegradable and safe. At $22.90, from Shopee.
Forget one-time-use plastic ziploc bags – these reusable and environmentally-safe bags are made of 100 per cent premium silicone for flexible and sustainable food storage. They’re non-toxic, safe to use in the freezer, microwave and dishwasher, and can be sealed to keep your food fresh. From $20, from The Sustainability Project.
Made with rice, wheat and millet, the video of these edible spoons went viral in 2016 because they’re pure genius! Every year, the world is said to consume about 110 million tons of plastic and these spoons can greatly reduce the numbers. At about S$5, from Bakey’s.
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