How To Trim Your Trash

The ice caps keep melting, the temperatures keep rising and droughts are going on for longer. Now more than ever it's become important to reduce our carbon footprint, ditch the plastic and adopt a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. 

Reduce, reuse and recycle has become more of a mantra rather than an occasional suggestion and we understand that sometimes it can seem like an insurmountable task. However reducing your household's waste is easier than you thought.  

If you're not used to adopting eco-friendly household practices then starting off simple is definitely something you can manage while maintaining the requirements of your busy day-to-day lifestyle.

We've compiled a list of the best reusable products that will not only make you smile, but the environment as well. 

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Drink Bottles 

Disposable plastic is out and reusable stainless steel is in! Buying and using a reusable drink bottle is one of the easiest ways that you can be helping the environment. Not only will you save some money but you'll also be doing your health a favour as plastic bottles have the potential to pollute the water you're drinking with nasty chemicals. Thankfully brands like Avanti and Oasis are dedicated to providing you with plastic free, BPA free, environmentally-friendly options you're sure to love. 



 Coffee Cups 

Let's face it, you're probably unlikely to give up your morning coffee anytime soon but that doesn't mean the environment has to pay. Make buying an overpriced coffee from your local cafe a thing of the past by making it yourself and taking it on-the-go with your very own reusable coffee cup! Alternatively you can still buy an overpriced coffee if you really can't say no to that barista made cappuccino, just take your eco-friendly product with you! 

Try a colourfully patterned one from Avanti. Their range of BPA-free, stainless steel masterpieces will ensure your beverage stays the same temperature as the second it was made with its double wall insulated technology. 

Straws

Plastic straws have quickly become a symbol of the world's unnecessary reliance on plastic. One way to combat this is to not use straws at all. However if you really can't imagine drinking your mojito straight from the glass then brands like Appetito and Avanti feature a range of stainless steel and silicone straws that'll give you the licence to sip. 

If you're still not convinced, here are some reasons why reusable straws are the way to go: 

1. They're safe and easy to use
2. Even easier to clean
3. Unique and elegant 
4. Easy to transport and don't take up that much space
5. REUSABLE
6. Less waste in landfills
7. Less overall economic cost 

Lunch Boxes & Bags 

We understand that mornings can be a bit hectic and stressful. You've got to pry yourself out of bed, get dressed, have breakfast and then do the same for your kids, and somehow find time to make them lunch to take to school. While convenience often seems to win out when it comes to packing a healthy and nutritious meal, switching to a reusable, environmentally-friendly option can be easier than you thought. 

Brands like Sachi have brought out sustainable lunch bags as part of their eco-friendly range. These bags feature a number of fun and colourful designs fit for the whole family, and are built with insulated technology that helps keep your food at the right temperature until you're ready to eat it. 

Alternatively, Davis & Waddell offer their own range of eco-friendly products with their Ecopockets. Made from a durable, BPA free PEVA material, these reusable pockets are a good alternative to packing lunch in plastic food wraps. Their easy to use design features an expandable base and a double lock closure for an air tight seal, making them perfect for storing your sandwiches or favourite snacks. 

Shopping Bags 

I know it's tough to remember to bring them when you're going grocery shopping but trust us when we say that switching to reusable shopping bags doesn't have to be an inconvenient hassle. Not only are they generally stronger but they will also last you longer (we love a good rhyme), and using them will help to stop the manufacturing of disposable, plastic bags which are causing major environmental damage to the world's wildlife and climate. 

One of the champions for reusable shopping bags is Karlstert. Offering eco-friendly products, such as their 'Midi Foldaway Bags' and their 'Sort & Carry Trolley Bags', environmentally-friendly grocery shopping has never been easier!