With 2020 right around the corner, now is the time to plan out what you want to accomplish in the coming year! In addition to fitness, work, or relationship goals, take time this New Year to make some green goals. Sustainability is so important due to the many human activities that are wreaking havoc on the Earth such as plastic pollution and climate change. Even if you can only accomplish one of the goals mentioned below, you are still making a positive impact!
“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” -Anne Marie Bonneau
There are so many ways to make a positive change in 2020! Start small and work your way up...everything matters! Here are some more miscellaneous resolutions you can try this year:
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On a recent trip to Little Cayman Island, I was tasked with finding travel toiletries that would last me a month, were plastic free, and wouldn't harm the environment as they ran off from our outdoor showers into the ocean. I was thoroughly surprised with the outcome of my search and hope these products will help you live a more eco-friendly and plastic free lifestyle!
I bought the D.R. Harris & Co Shampoo Bar off of Amazon for $9.51. This bar comes in many different scents and inside of a small tin container the size of your fist, perfect for protecting your shampoo bar during travel. The tin can also be reused and recycled, a great alternative to the plastic packaging of regular shampoo bottles. The only plastic used was a thin film around the bar itself. I was surprised at how well this bar shampoo worked. Even after I was in the ocean all day, this shampoo had no problem cleaning my hair and making it feel silky soft. After using it for a month, I still have ¾ of the bar left!
I went with a bar concept for my conditioner too and purchased the Aspen Kay Naturals Solid Conditioner Bar for $16.99 off of Amazon. This bar also came in a recyclable tin container however, the container was sealed with plastic. Other than the plastic packaging, I loved this bar! I bought the Rosemary Mint version and it smelled so refreshing. It held together even better than the shampoo bar and by the end of my trip it didn’t look like I had used any of it. I was a bit skeptical on how well the conditioner would work given that I would be in dry, salty conditions but it worked better than the bottled conditioner I have at home with much less of an amount needed. The Aspen Kay bar also is sulfate-free, cruelty-free, and vegan!
After trying many brands of bamboo toothbrushes, the Eco Fella has been the best. Made from sustainable bamboo and BPA free, 5 trees are planted for each pack you buy from Eco Fella. Another reason I love this toothbrush is that the bristles are infused with charcoal to help clean your teeth and they haven’t frayed after more than a month of use; much more durable than a plastic toothbrush! The bristles also are classified as soft for sensitive gums. Most people are afraid to use wood or bamboo products because of slivers or an odd taste, however, this brush was sanded down and treated so you won’t have any of these issues! You can get a 4 pack of these bamboo toothbrushes on Tidal Tees for $8.97! Also, the first 20 orders of our Limited Edition Hammerhead Shirt will recieve a FREE toothbrush!
Many sunscreens have harmful chemicals in them that can kill corals when they enter the water. In addition to the damage they can cause marine life, some sunscreens use ingredients known to be endocrine blockers, which mess with hormone levels in humans. You should avoid synthetic sunscreens that contain ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and avobenzone. If it's in an aerosol can, that also means that the sunscreen is not actually reef safe like some companies claim.
The best sunscreens to buy are mineral sunscreens made from titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which is why I bought Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Lotion. This sunscreen can be found at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Amazon and depending on the SPF protection you get will vary in price from $7.79 to $16.99. While the tubes are made from plastic, they last you a long time. I’ve used one tube for a beach trip and a month long trip and still have sunscreen left. Because this sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen it also stays on much longer and blocks sun better than regular sunscreens, though can be a little tough to get off. But hey, that’s the point, no?
Mosquitos are a big problem in the Caribbean so I knew I needed a quality bug spray that was also eco-friendly. I bought Skedattle on Amazon for $12.95 because it was DEET-free, non-toxic, safe for pets, and chemical-free. At the time, the only negative was that it came in a plastic bottle. The spray was created from lemongrass and essential oils, making it smell amazing. However, after my first night on the beach, 100 bug bites later, I realized this bug spray did absolutely nothing! I ended up having to use a friend’s different repellent because my legs were coated in bites. Now this spray is just being used as an air freshener due to it’s nice smell.
As consumers, we have the power to give our support to companies working to help save our planet and producing sustainable products. I've always loved buying from companies with a mission to save our oceans such as Puravida, Cape Clasp, and 4ocean. While all of these companies are creating a positive change for our oceans, it's important as buyers to know the sustainability and impact of these products just like their cost and quality.
The “Save The Sea Turtles!” bracelet from Puravida is a very inexpensive way to contribute to ocean conservation. Coming in at only $6.00, this bracelet is 100% waterproof, adjustable, and sent with a free pack of Puravida decals. The best part is, 10% of the net sales of this bracelet are donated to the Sea Turtle Conservancy which works to help recover sea turtle populations through research, education, advocacy, and protection of their natural habitats. When it comes to the sustainability of this bracelet, the packaging used is described as biodegradable on puravidabracelets.com but is still sent in a plastic mailer. However, the bracelet will come in a canvas carrying bag too and when you send back 10 of these bags, in an effort to reduce waste, you get a bracelet free. Another sustainable element of the “Save The Sea Turtles!” bracelet is the use of soy-oil based ink to color the bracelet. Soy-oil based ink uses less energy than traditional petroleum ink and is environmentally friendly. In addition, when this bracelet is constructed it is made by and provides a steady income for artisans worldwide. I’ve had this bracelet for about two years now and it has maintained its original high quality.
I recently purchased the “Manta Ray Clasp” bracelet from Cape Clasp because of their stunning designs, high quality of work, and profit donations. This bracelet was on the more expensive end at $29.99 due to the metal design. However, I feel this price is justified when you look at the durability of the Marine grade accessory cord and metal. I wear my “Manta Ray Clasp” everyday, even in water, and it is still in perfect condition. Additional characteristics of this bracelet is that its adjustable, waterproof, and made in the USA. My only wish for this bracelet is for it to be made with recycled materials, something the company’s new Tikos bracelet collection is made from. That being said, I love that their packaging is made from 100% recycled post-consumer materials. Each package comes with two decals, a handwritten thank you and canvas carrying bag. Lastly, I commend Cape Clasp on donating 15% from every Manta Ray Clasp directly to Blue Sphere Foundation. This non-profit works to protect threatened habitats and marine species such as manta rays.
The “Leatherback Sea Turtle” bracelet made by 4ocean has such a unique design and mission. The beads and cord on this bracelet are made with recycled ocean glass and plastic recovered by 4ocean employees, earning it a Green Circle Certification for being made from post-consumer recycled materials. By purchasing a 4ocean bracelet, you will remove one pound of trash from the ocean & coastlines. 4ocean has pulled over two million pounds of trash from the ocean and coastlines since the company was founded in January 2017. In addition, this 4ocean bracelet is waterproof, adjustable, and comes with free decals and a canvas carrying bag. All packaging is also made from 100% recycled post-consumer materials. 4ocean creates a limited edition bracelet every month and donates to an ocean conservation organization with that cause. This month they are donating to Florida Atlantic University Marine Research Lab that helps fund the study and care of endangered leatherback sea turtle hatchlings prior to their release back into the ocean. This year, 4ocean is donating a flat rate of $25,000 to each cause they partnered with! I have two 4ocean bracelets and they are still in the same condition even when being worn while swimming, working out, and showering. For only $20.00, it's amazing to see all the good that comes from this bracelet!
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