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If you’ve had your head buried in the sand for the last 20 years here’s an update: Climate Change is real. And it is a global threat. But, while major corporations stumble to deal with the problem and take responsibility for their abhorrent carelessness that’s commandeered the planet onto this treacherous path, here’s just a few ways you can help combat climate change – one basic product swap at a time. Did you know  that every toothbrush you have ever owned still exists in landfill (because the plastic will never decompose)?

 

Think of any product on the planet that you use (that isn’t sustainable) and there’s (probably) a sustainable switch. From canned soap or soap bars, to reusable cotton ear tips (Qtips if you’re American) there’s a boatload of sustainable, zero-waste (and possibly vegan friendly) alternatives. Sustainable products are those that are recyclable, or those that are environmentally conscious for their entire life cycle.

 

One product swap that is almost an unnoticeable change is a bamboo toothbrush. A bamboo toothbrush is an excellent replacement for your standard plastic toothbrush. The bamboo brush is not only recyclable but also biodegradable. They’re also super cost effective; depending on where you pick them up from you can typically get multiple (around 6-8) for less than £10. After using bamboo toothbrushes, I can honestly say that there’s no difference. They’re a great switch that’ll need to be replaced around the same time as your normal toothbrush, so buying them in a bundle will be easier for you.

 

Another viable product swap is LastSwab’s reusable cotton bud. For £10 you can get a reusable (and recyclable when it breaks) cotton bud (that you can clean!) that comes with a recyclable (or biodegradable case) that’ll last a long time. And think of the money you’ll save on normal cotton buds (and buds you’ll save from landfill)?!  After using this, it’s a great alternative to cotton bubs, and in the semi-chunky travel case it’s super hard to lose.

 

A final basic product swap is barred soap. It’s rather cheap and is zero waste (if it comes in recyclable packing) and it’s a great alternative to bottled soap. One thing I would recommend is getting a soap dish if you plan to use it in the shower, otherwise it’ll just dissolve (whoops). After using barred soap, I have to say I almost dropped it a few times and sometimes when using it I got it under my fingernails, so if barred soap isn’t for you it might be worth looking into canned soap, which from what I’ve read is somewhat easier to use. The soap comes as a liquid in a can that is 100% recyclable, so when you receive it all you have to do is empty the can into a reusable soap bottle (and recycle the can itself).

 

To finish up, there are many product swaps that you can make; but these are a few basic ones that, not only have I made, but you can make too. These are simple ways that you can help the environment by wasting less and recycling more.