Eco-Friendly Products

Eco-friendly products are made with sustainable materials and minimal waste and pollution. They are often packaged in recyclable or compostable materials. 

Being environmentally conscious is really important to me, and I’ve been working to make choices of eco-friendly products that help the environment and reduce my carbon footprint. I started by driving hybrid cars, like the Honda Insight and then the Prius Prime, which were great for getting around town. A few years ago, I upgraded to a fully electric car, and I’m really happy with it!

I bought my current home about two and a half years ago, and though it’s been a financial stretch, my boyfriend and I invested in solar panels, a heat pump system (for heating, cooling, and hot water), and an induction stove. We’re thrilled with these upgrades, even though we couldn’t afford a backup battery for the solar power. In addition, this year we also bought a second electric car thanks to instant rebates!

Likewise, I focus on using energy wisely. I’m careful with my electricity, turning off lights and unplugging things when I’m not using them. I’ve switched to energy-efficient LED bulbs and use a programmable thermostat, which helps reduce my energy use and my carbon footprint. With all these changes, my electric bill is under $16 a month!

Reducing plastic waste is another priority, although it’s tough with all the packaging out there. I use reusable bags, bottles, and containers as much as possible, and I look for products with minimal packaging or eco-friendly materials. When I give gifts, I try to choose things that encourage others to be eco-friendly too.

Most importantly, all these eco-friendly choices may seem small, but I believe every little bit helps. Do what you can. Together, these efforts let me live a greener life and make a positive impact on the planet. As I share my tips and choices, I hope you will share yours, too!

Here’s a starter list of eco-friendly products for your home

Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent

• Sheets Laundry Club – unscented and scented
• 4 Ocean – allergen free
• Hey Sunday – non-toxic, plant-based
• EC30 – #1 rated by Good Housekeeping, but expensive, made in the U.S.
• ECOS – low-cost and comes in a variety of scents, made in China
• Blueland Laundry Detergent Tablets – 100% plastic-free tablets in eco-friendly packaging; certified cruelty-free
• Ultra Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent with Dosing Cap – 98% plant-based, efficient, eco-friendly packaging, certified cruelty-free
• Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster – stain and odor removal; certified cruelty-free, EPA safer choice, BIPOC-owned or founded business, certified biobased, recyclable packaging

Dryer Sheets and Balls

• Grab Green Stoneworks Dryer Sheets – comes in fragrance-free and scented; biodegradable and compostable
• Grab Green Newborn Baby Dryer Sheets
• Vove hemp dryer balls – My new favorite. I gave these as stocking gifts in 2024. Cruelty-free, hypo-allergenic, 5X more absorbent than wool and chemical-free
• Wool dryer balls – 100% sheep wool. No Chemicals or Synthetics.
• Friendsheep dryer balls – cute colors and faces!
• Aluminum foil dryer balls – grab some aluminum foil from your kitchen and wrap it into a few balls! Once you’re done with them, recycle them or give them to your cats to play with!

Washing Bags

• Guppyfriend microwaste washing bag – keep microplastics out of the ocean and the food chain!

Kitchen

Food Prep

• Silicone cupcake liners
• Ecos Fruit and Vegetable Wash
• GREENER CHEF Organic Bamboo Cutting Board – 100% free from Phthalates, BPA, BPS or BPF.
• Sustainable Vegetable Brush – beechwood, sisal/palmyra fiber; backyard compostable; sustainable packaging

Food Transport

• Bentgo steel lunchbox
• Organic Cotton Mesh Reusable Produce Bags – 100% organic cotton mesh, certified cruelty-free, certified organic, reusable, B Corp
• Reusable Silicone Sandwich Bag – dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe, 100% pure platinum silicone, BPA-free, reusable, eligible for the Grove Recycling Program, woman-owned or -founded business
• Unbleached Paper Sandwich Bags – microwave-safe, greaseproof paper, biobased, FSC-certified packaging, FSC-certified product

Lids, Wraps, Bags, & Food Storage

• Silicon stretch lids
• Beeswax food wraps
• Organic Cotton Mesh Reusable Produce Bags – 100% organic cotton mesh, certified cruelty-free, certified organic, reusable, B Corp
• Cotton mesh produce bags (another option)
• Glass Food Storage Containers with Bamboo Lids – Plastic and BPA free, non-toxic
• If You Care Recycled Aluminum Foil – 100% recycled aluminum foil that uses 95% less energy to produce.
• Water Bottle – stainless steel body, plastic cap
• Vegan Assorted Wraps – GOTS-certified organic cotton, candelilla wax, soy wax, organic coconut oil, tree resin; BPA-free, FSC-certified packaging, reusable, certified compostable product, B Corp, woman-owned or -founded business, etc.
• Reusable Silicone Sandwich Bag – dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe, 100% pure platinum silicone, BPA-free, reusable, eligible for the Grove Recycling Program, woman-owned or -founded business
• Unbleached Paper Sandwich Bags – microwave-safe, greaseproof paper, biobased, FSC-certified packaging, FSC-certified product

Eco-Friendly Dishwashing

• Plastic-free dishcloths
• Swedish Dishcloths – Assorted Prints – made of cellulose and cotton; cruelty-free and B Corp
• Biodegradable sponges – 100% plant cellulose and typically biodegrades in 2-6 weeks!
• Dish washing block – an alternative to dish soap in plastic bottles
• Dish Soap Starter Set – certified cruelty-free, natural fragrance, bio-based, refillable, recyclable aluminum, vegan, B Corp
• The Roundup.org – great list of eco-friendly dish soaps
• Reusable un-paper towels – can also use as hankies!
• ZeroWasteStore Reusable “Paper” Towels – 10×10, comes in different colors, 100% organic cotton
• UNpaper Towels: Prints – 100% cotton flannel, reusable
• Long Handle Pot Brush with Replaceable Head – natural sisal bristles; replaceable head is compostable
• Alternative to the long-handle brush
• 2-in-1 Bio Enzyme Disherwasher Detergent + Booster – cruelty-free, EPA Safer Choice, biobased, BIPOC-owned or -founded business, etc.
• Set of 5 Sisal Bottle Brushes – sisal, cotton, stainless steel
• Luffa sponge (buy one or grow one!) – plastic-free, package-free, cruelty-free, zero-waste, compostable and biodegradable

Bathroom

• Clear the Air Toilet Spray – certified cruelty-free, 100% natural fragrance, vegan, B Corp
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner Starter Set – “The first ever 100% plastic-free and zero waste Toilet Bowl Cleaner tablet—made without harsh chemicals, harmful ingredients or plastic packaging. Our tablets are septic-safe and use plant-based power to tackle a range of tough toilet stains including limescale, mineral deposits, hard water, and rust.”
• Plastic-Free Toilet Brush with Stand – plastic-free, wooden toilet brush and stand, terra cotta water tray
• Plastic Free Toilet Brush (no stand, less expensive) – made from beechwood, tampico, and coconut; FSC-certified, eco-friendly packaging, vegan, etc.
• Who Gives a Crap – toilet paper and beyond

Clothing

• Take Back Bag – “order a Take Back Bag, clean out your closet, and send us your filled bag”; earn “TrashieCash” to use on shop rewards
• Patagonia – one of the best out there and totally committed to the planet

Pet Supplies

• Pet Wipes – 100% renewable bamboo, hypoallergenic, phthalate- and paraben-free, cruelty-free, tree-free, compostable, etc.
• Pet Waste Bags – 65% post-consumer recycled plastic, leak-proof, cruelty-free, B Corp, etc.
• Earth Rated Natural Rubber Dog Enrichment Toy – for gentle gum massages, B Corp, cruelty-free, etc.

Beauty and Skin Care

• Detangling Hair Brush – 100% bamboo base, cruelty-free, vegan
• Package Free Biodegradable Hair Ties Pack – cotton + natural rubber, recycled paper packaging
• Reusable Organic Cotton Facial Rounds – 2-ply 100% organic white cotton flannel, FSC-certified, reusable, woman-owned or -founded business
• Package Free Face Roller – made of stone, claimed to be all natural and can be returned to nature; 100% recyclable; comes in Kraft paper box and 50% cotton, 50% linen drawstring carrying bag
• Lotion – biodegradable formula, zero-waste packaging, vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, etc.

Hygiene

• Hand Soap – certified cruelty-free, natural fragrance, bio-based, recyclable aluminum, vegan, B Corp
• Hair + Body Wash 2:1 – biodegradable formula, zero-waste packaging, vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, etc.
• Shampoo and conditioner – biodegradable formula, zero-waste packaging, vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, etc.
• Leaf Razor – recyclable metal
• Luffa sponge (buy one or grow one!) – plastic-free, package-free, cruelty-free, zero-waste, compostable and biodegradable
• Toothbrush – made from moso bamboo and castor bean oil
• Floss – made from 100% plant-based polylactic acid (PLA) and candelilla wax
• Toothpaste Bits with Fluoride – zero-waste, B Corp, vegan, cruelty-free, woman-owned, etc.
• Toothpaste Bits Fluoride-Free – I think with a fluoride alternative; same company as above and claims to be palm oil-free
• Mouthwash Bits
• Whitening Gel (you can also just use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide)
• Titanium Toothpicks (reusable)
• Cotton Facial Rounds
• Hand Sanitizer – in aluminum bottles, pocket-size
• Deodorant – also from Bite; provides clinical trial results

General Cleaning Supplies

• Powder Cleanser – used for splatters, spills, burned-on grease, baked-on food, and a quick counter cleanup; triclosan-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, chlorine-free, dye-free, and hypoallergenic; made in the US with responsible, recycled-paper packaging and never tested on animals
• Multi-Purpose Cleaner Starter Set – certified cruelty-free, certified bio-based, FSC-certified packaging, refillable, part of the Grove Recycling Program, vegan, B Corp
• Glass Clearner Starter Set – certified cruelty-free, certified bio-based, refillable, part of the Grove Recycling Program, vegan, B Corp
• Tub and Tile Cleaner Starter Set – same credentials as the other starter sets
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner Starter Set – The first ever 100% plastic-free and zero waste Toilet Bowl Cleaner tablet—made without harsh chemicals, harmful ingredients or plastic packaging. Our tablets are septic-safe and use plant-based power to tackle a range of tough toilet stains including limescale, mineral deposits, hard water, and rust.
• Plastic-Free Toilet Brush with Stand – plastic-free, wooden toilet brush and stand, terra cotta water tray
• Plastic Free Toilet Brush (no stand, less expensive) – made from beechwood, tampico, and coconut; FSC-certified, eco-friendly packaging, vegan, etc.

Trash/Compost

• Take Back Bag – “order a Take Back Bag, clean out your closet, and send us your filled bag”; earn “TrashieCash” to use on shop rewards
• Washable Trash & Recycling Bag – FSC-certified packaging, reusable, woman-owned or -founded business; empty trash and recycling into curbside bins and then wash; check with your local trash collector to see if this is permissible
• Pet Waste Bags – 65% post-consumer recycled plastic, leak-proof, cruelty-free, B Corp, etc.

Gift-Wrapping

• Kraft Wrapping Paper – made from wood pulp and is biodegradable and recyclable
• Kraft Tape – plastic-free, recyclable, natural rubber adhesive
• Kraft Ribbon – made with recyclable matte paper
• Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth (or use your own fabric) – this one is made from linen

Miscellaneous

• Straws – come in glass, metal, silicone, bamboo, paper, and more, but here’s an example
• Bamboo Utensil Set – reusable FSC-certified bamboo chopsticks, spoon, fork, knife, straw, and straw cleaner; donate to World Wildlife Fund in exchange for this set
• Silicone Menstrual Cup – 100% Medical Grade-A Silicone, reusable, BIPOC-owned or -founded business
• Period Underwear
• Reusable Pantyliner – 100% cotton, handmade, woman-owned shop, B Corp, US made, etc.
• Double Sided Shop Tote – 100% recycled cotton
• TerraCycle – recycle the unrecyclable