How to Have An Eco-Friendly Bathroom Plus The Best Eco Toiletries!
By: Dex Jones
Are you doing your best to reduce your plastic consumption but you don’t know what the next step is? We’ve been there. There are certain areas in our home that don’t cross your mind— but there’s always room for improvement.
If you don’t make the right choices within your home, certain products have a negative effect on the environment. From your toothbrush to your shampoo bottle, find out just how environmentally friendly your bathroom really is.
What does eco-friendly mean?
Eco-friendly products are items that have a less harmful impact on the environment.
Both eco-friendly and environment-friendly products reduce plastic waste and preserve our natural planet. Purchasing eco-friendly products like this reusable water bottle is beneficial to wildlife. Small changes like this will help our ecosystem thrive.
Ocean Blue Project Supports Eco-Friendly
Ocean Blue Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating our youth. OBP is taking action to help clean up the ocean and prevent further damage to the planet. We’re spreading our mission by helping you educate yourself on the products in your own home that are harmful to the environment.
Items such as plastic toothbrushes, single-use water bottles, and even your plastic shampoo bottle can have a harmful effect on the environment. Start making changes today by browsing Ocean Blue Project’s blog to learn about these Ocean-Friendly Brands.
The Green Guides
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has created a set of “Green Guides” that explain marketing rules to sell eco-friendly products. The Green Guides state that it is against the law to claim a product as “eco-friendly” unless packaging specifically explains how a product is good for the environment.
It is illegal to sell a product labeled as “green” or “eco-friendly” if it does not benefit the planet.
To verify your toiletries are eco-friendly, read the product’s label. If your products at home don’t have a clear explanation of how it impacts the environment, it likely isn’t eco-friendly.
How Do I Know My Toiletries Are Good for the Environment?
Now that you’ve learned about the Green Guides and how to tell if something is eco-friendly, let’s take inventory of your own home. What toiletry products do you have in your home contributing to plastic waste?
What changes can you make today that will make your home environment friendly?
How to Have an Eco-Friendly Bathroom
Many of the items you use in the bathroom are short-lived. We quickly go through toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, and hair products. Even your toothbrushes, which the CDC recommends we change every 3-4 months, contribute to pollution as they end up in landfills or the ocean.
To reduce the impact of your toiletries, switch your products to natural, eco-friendly options. Some great options to consider are bamboo toothbrushes and soap/ shampoo bars instead of plastic bottles. Reduce your plastic waste by opting for plastic-free and reusable products.
Small swaps like this are beneficial to the environment because there is less plastic to end up in the ocean.
How Can I Upgrade to an Eco-Friendly Kitchen?
One of the most affordable swaps you can make today to have an eco-friendly kitchen starts with paper towels. Paper towels are single-use items that come in a plastic wrapping. Switch to reusable kitchen or dish towels. These towels are not only more durable but they’re also machine washable.
Reusable food containers are another option to help you make your kitchen friendlier to the environment. Instead of using plastic wrap to cover leftovers, invest in reusable ceramic or glass containers to store food. Check out the Ocean Blue Project blog to learn how you can reduce your waste by replacing single-use plastic wraps and bags with reusable items.
Why You Should Switch To Products That Are Better for the Environment
Scientists estimate that each year, over 8 million tons of plastic ends up in landfills or runoffs, and the effect is damaging to our oceans. With each person swapping to eco-friendly products, this number reduces. Do your part by switching to certified environmentally-friendly brands. But don’t stop there!
Teach your friends and family about the dangers of plastic pollution. Invite them to make small changes like bamboo utensils, toothbrushes, or reusable glass bottles. Small swaps starting with you will have a ripple effect.
The Birds Will Thank You!
Plastic pollution from products falling short of being eco-friendly end up as debris in the ocean. Single-use plastic bottles, discarded toiletries, bags, and wraps filling the ocean are mistaken for food by wildlife.
Reduce your risk of endangering wildlife such as seabirds by applying what you’ve learned from Ocean Blue Project. OBP is consistently dedicated to creating a thriving planet and a safe place for our wildlife.
Save Wildlife and Help the Human Race
Plastic pollution in the ocean is not just harmful to the native wildlife on our planet. Plastic contains toxic chemicals, exposing you to a number of health risks, according to Harvard Health. Reducing your plastic consumption decreases your chances of exposure to dangerous poisons.
Make an Impact Today
Are you ready to level up and become a local hero? Organize an ocean, river, stream or freshwater clean-up in your community. In as little as twenty minutes, you and a friend (or lots of friends!)help preserve our ocean by cleaning up litter and debris from your local beach.
Learn how to rally up your community with a clean up by visiting Ocean Blue Project’s clean up page.
Visit the OBP online shop
Now is the time to take action against pollution and its effect on the environment. Start by educating yourself with Ocean Blue Project’s blog, or visit the OBP Shop to invest in reusable items and cool gear.
Help Ocean Blue Project continue to have an impact and create a flourishing planet. Your continued support allows OBP to educate our youth and connect our community. Our commitment to fighting climate change and enhancing our planet comes in many forms. Donate here to allow Ocean Blue Project to continue protecting our wildlife.
What is YOUR Favorite Eco-Friendly Swap?
The changes you make today are only part of the solution. Lead by example and inspire your neighborhood to do their part.
Which of these changes can you make today?
Are you already eco-conscious? Tell us below about your favorite eco-friendly brands!
Dex Jones is an adventurer, mom, writer, foodie, and PADI scuba diver living in California.
