Our guide to the best eco-friendly summer products
The is summer officially here! It’s time for sunny holidays, long days in the park and dancing at our favourite music festivals! We have also decided to collaborate with some other eco-friendly businesses for an eco summer giveaway!
Unfortunately the problems arising from plastic pollution are ever-growing and at times, can go hand in hand with the joys of summer. The great news is there is plenty we can do to become environmentally friendly - starting with what we buy. We believe that we all have a responsibility to make sure that our summer fun doesn’t cause any more wrong doing to our beloved mother earth. There are so many products available on the market today that are recyclable, eco friendly, affordable and also enjoyable.
Below are some of our top tips on how to be more environmentally friendly this summer, and some recommendations of our favourite products, all of which you can win in our summer giveaway!
Reusable water bottles & coffee cups
Plastic bottles make up a large proportion of plastic waste, and only about one in five bottles are properly recycled. Reusable water bottles and coffee cups are a convenient and environmentally friendly solution. Aside from the environmental benefits, switching to a reusable water bottle and coffee cup has many other advantages.
First off it is better for our health! Single-use plastic bottles contain a chemical called BPA – bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. BPA is found in rigid, transparent plastics like water bottles and could be harmful to your health. Most if not all reusable water bottles are made from BPA-free plastics and are much better for you. Also if you're someone who regularly forgets to drink enough water or struggles to stay hydrated, having a water bottle with you at all times could make a huge difference. A reusable water bottle can sit on your desk while you're at work and can go to the gym with you.
There are also great financial benefits too. For example, using a reusable water bottle/coffee cup is far cheaper than constantly buying disposable ones. Plus, if you like fashion there are so many creative and sleek designs to choose from.
In our own competition we are running this month we are giving away Sol Cups reusable hand-blown glass coffee cup and metal straw kit…which takes us to our next recommendation.
Metal/Glass straws
Plastic straws have quickly become a symbol of the world’s unnecessary dependence on plastic. Even more, they have become a symbol of plastic’s horrific effects on the environment. Plastic straws cause pollution and damage to the environment during its entire lifespan. After all, plastic is made from oil (a non-renewable fossil fuel), and plastic pollution can harm or even kill a large variety of animals. One way to reduce the impact of plastic straws on the environment is use a reusable alternative to plastic. Reusable stainless steel or glass straws are such an alternative. They are much better than plastics, for more than just the reason of benefiting the environment! They are easy to clean, safe (the metal straws especially for children), portable and they reduce waste at landfill sites.
Bamboo toothbrush
Like many other single use plastics, although used more than once, the plastic toothbrush has also quickly become a symbol for our reliance on plastic. Millions are thrown away each year and sadly it will take hundreds of years to degrade.
A great way to keep our pearly whites clean whilst also helping the planet, is to invest in a bamboo toothbrush. Widely regarded as the eco-friendliest toothbrush option, the Bamboo toothbrush possesses an extensive range of qualities that sets it apart from other toothbrush types. They are eco-friendly, naturally antimicrobial, sustainable, easily portable and stylish.
Another great product on our giveaway competition is the Truthbrush bamboo toothbrush & bamboo travel case.
Natural Deodorant
Natural deodorants are more than just good for your body, they are better for the environment too! The use of only natural ingredients in deodorants means no harmful chemicals are making their way into our eco-systems, both in production and use. Some chemicals are known to release a lot of carbon emissions during production such as mineral oils, while others are damaging to wildlife and plant-life; aluminium, triclosan and formaldehyde for example. Switching to a natural deodorant will help your skin, health and environment.
One of our favourites is the Natural Deo Co - Grapefruit & Mint and Lemon & Geranium natural vegan and cruelty free deodorant balms, which also is in our giveaway competition.
Biodegradable glitter
Getting sparkly and dressed up can be lots of fun, especially in festival season! But many of those glitters we put on our face end up being washed off and put unnecessarily into our eco-systems - where they cause considerable damage to our oceans and marine life. But there is still a way that you can help our environment and look beautifully sparkly at the same time! Choose to purchase from a biodegradable glitter brand this summer.
Our favourite choice is Eco Glitter Fun. Their mission is to bring responsible sparkles and plastic pollution awareness to the world. All of their glitters are biodegradable and mother earth friendly! Their pots will also be in our giveaway competition.
We are also featuring our very own products in the competition. The gorgeous Dry Shampoo Powder, Glow Face Mask, Herb Water Face & Body Mist and cotton Tote bag! All natural and organic ingredients helping not only our bodies but also mother earth.
All the products in our giveaway are worth over £145 combined! To enter simply follow our Instagram page and all the other brands featured in the competition post. Then tag a friend in the comments. The competition ends on Monday 29th July. Good luck and we hope this encourages you to choose eco-friendly this summer!