33 Products That'll Make 2021 Your Most Eco-Friendly Year Yet
Time to clean up your act.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A trio of celestial bees wax food wraps that'll keep your food fresh for longer and eliminate your need for cling film. Just use the heat of your hands to put them into action and get down to business packaging up your snacks.
I swear by these because they're a lot less sticky than cling film and are great for storing wetter foods, like tofu. Oh, and you can compost them when you're done using them, so you won't be creating waste.
Get a set of three wraps in assorted sizes from OlsenolsenDesign on Etsy for $19.99.
2. A Pela AirPod case that'll save your precious earbuds from getting bashed around in your bag. It's 100% compostable, so you can bury it in your garden when it's come to the end of its life.
Get it from Simons for $35. Available in three colours.
3. A five-pack of lined Post-it notes that are made from 100% recycled paper and a plant-based adhesive. They're longer than traditional sticky notes, so you'll have plenty of space to jot down your thoughts.
4. A genius wooden coffee maker that'll craft you the perfect cuppa Joe without any filters. Using it is simple: just place it on top of your cup, add coffee grinds, pour hot water, and get to sippin'.
5. A set of machine-washable, reusable makeup-removing rounds that'll replace your regular old cotton pads. They come in a floral storage box, so they'll look cute displayed on your vanity, too.
6. A handy DivaCup menstrual cup that'll be your BFF when Aunt Flo rolls into town. You can wear it for up to 12 hours (depending on how heavy your flow is), so you won't have to worry about changing your tampon or pad half-way through the day.
Get the medium-flow version on Amazon Canada for $37.97. Also available in styles for light and heavy flows.
7. A eight-pack of reusable silicone tea bags that are an environmentally-friendly alternative to pre-packed sachets. Each bag has a different coloured tag, so you'll never forget which drink belongs to whom when you have friends over.
8. A non-toxic soy wax candle that'll fill your apartment with the smell of sweet treats (even when you're not baking them). The holder is just as dreamy as the scent and can be used as a plant or makeup brush holder once you've reached the end of your wick. Congrats on the recycling!
For every purchase, the brand plants a tree.
Get it from MalaTheBrand on Etsy for $30.
9. A tit-illating tote bag covered in bazongas of all shapes and sizes that's a fashionable and reusable alternative to plastic bags. It has a zipper at the top, so you won't have to worry about strangers snooping around your stuff.
Get it from LemonkaEcoStore on Etsy for $25.99.
10. A pack of lavender-scented dog poop bags made with recycled materials, because you don't need to create waste with waste. They're extra thick and strong, and won't split open when you're carrying a full load.
You can grab a leash dispenser, too, if you don't want to fill your pockets with poop bags.
Get a pack of 270 on Amazon Canada for $13.99. An unscented option is available.
11. A pair of apothecary bottles that have wide mouths, so you'll easily be able to decant shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and soap into them at your local refill station. They're also the perfect stylish solution, if all the mismatched, multicoloured bottles in your shower drive you bonkers.
12. A tub of natural black sugar face mask, an exfoliating treatment that will scrub out your pores while restoring nutrients and moisture to your skin. Reviewers love how gentle it is and say it leaves their face feeling softer than a baby's booty.
13. A bottle of plant-based, paraben-free EcoTools makeup brush shampoo that'll help you cleanse your beauty tools. It's strong enough to get all the built-up gunk off your brushes, so you don't have to worry about germs.
"After reading about how necessary it is to actually clean your makeup brushes (I know, I KNOW, I should’ve been doing this for years) I was super grossed out and motivated to order the right supplies to do the job. I’ve heard good things about Ecotools makeup brush cleansing shampoo so I figured I’d start there. I could not believe how much residue came off my brushes in just one cleaning. You only need to use a little dab of the shampoo, so one bottle will definitely last a long time." —Heather Braga
Get it on Amazon Canada for $20.77.
14. A roll of machine-washable bamboo sheets that are stronger and more absorbent than typical paper towels. They're soft enough to wipe your face with, so you can use them in place of wash cloths, too.
15. An oh-so trendy Hydro Flask that'll save you from buying single-use alternatives when you're out and about. It's made of double-walled stainless steel, so it'll keep your drink cold (or hot) for an entire day.
Get it from Simons for $40. Available in three colours.
16. A bottle of eco shoe-protecting spray that'll repel dirt and stains from your precious kicks. The water-based formula is safe for leather, suede, nubuck, and fabric, so you can probably use it on most of your footwear.
Get it on Simons for $13.
17. A pack of concentrated fresh linen detergent strips that'll clean your clothes without releasing any nasty chemicals into the water. They don't require any measuring, so you can do your laundry on autopilot.
18. A pack of non-toxic, chemical-free sticky traps that'll catch unwanted pests and look cute doing it. They can be used both indoors and outdoors, so whether you're suffering from a fruit fly infestation in your kitchen or an aphid onslaught in your garden, these are sure to come in handy.
19. A pack of biodegradable hair ties that are made of organic cotton and natural rubber, so they won't harm Mother Nature when they go MIA. Even the packaging is recyclable, so you won't need to worry about creating extra waste.
Get a pack of 27 on Amazon Canada for $20.99.
20. A kitchen scrap bin that clips right to your countertop, making it easy to discard your crumbs and compostables, so they won't end up in your trash. It comes with a brush scraper tool, so you can effortlessly sweep away messes without getting your hands dirty.
21. A rose gold double-edge razor that, unlike plastic drugstore versions, you won't have to toss out after just a few uses. Congrats, your shower routine just got a little bougier and a lot more environmentally-friendly.
22. A pair of mid-rise Nike leggings that are made of recycled polyester fibres. They have three hidden pockets in the waistband, so you can stash all of your essentials on you.
23. A pack of pastel silicone straws, so that you can sip your drinks in style without hurting any turtles. They can bend without breaking, meaning you don't have to worry about they getting banged around in your bag.
"I love the variety of colours in this set, and they're a bit longer and wider than the metal ones I have, so I can use them in any cup or bottle to drink water, juice, smoothies—literally anything. I also love that they're soft and flexible. I can easily fold them into my water bottle or even tie them around the handle! I can stick them in the dishwasher to clean them, but they come with a little cleaning brush if I want to wash them by hand. They also come with a little drawstring bag, making it easy to travel with. And I can bend them into a smaller size if I'm using a smaller bag, without worrying about them warping or losing their shape." —Kaysey Davis (read their full review of the silicone straws; it's #13)
Get a set of ten silicone straws from Amazon Canada for $11.99.
24. A dual-ended cleaning brush that's made of recycled plastic and bamboo. One side has a firm-bristled brush and the other has a soft detail nib, making scrubbing and scraping off caked-on grime a breeze.
25. A pair of floral snack pouches that you can use to tote around treats in your bag. Unlike regular sandwich bags, they zip closed, so you won't have to mess around with any of that press-and-seal nonsense.
26. A pack of 100% biodegradable cotton swabs that are made of renewable bamboo and cotton. Time to kiss your regular Q-tips goodbye!
27. A set of metallic stainless steel flatware, so that you can jump on the low-waste bandwagon and finally stop asking for single-use versions when you order takeout. It'll also make your lunch situation cute enough to post on the 'gram (which, in my opinion, is a major plus).
The set is made of stainless steel and includes a spoon, fork, knife, straight straw, bent straw, straw cleaner, and a pair of chopsticks. There's also a handy lil' travelling case so that you don't get stray bits of food all over the bottom of your bag.
Get it on Amazon Canada for $17.99. Available in three colours.
28. A set of rainbow crystal nail files that last ages, so you won't have to toss them out after a few uses, like regular emery boards. Reviewers say they cause less breakage than ceramic and metal alternatives and leave your nails feeling smoother than ever.
29. A set of plastic-free mesh bags that you can use to carry and store your produce. Now you won't have to fumble around with the annoying filmy ones at the grocery store.
You can also use them to wash your delicates!
Get a pack of 12 on Amazon Canada for $16.99. Also available in a pack of 15.
30. A sample pack of Ethique hair products that looks like a box of truffles and will transform your haircare routine. Reviewers say they're awesome for travelling (less liquids in your carry on, yay!) and that they leave locks looking shiny, without feeling greasy.
It comes with their bestsellers: Frizz Wrangler, Heali Kiwi, Wonderbar, Saint Clements, and The Guardian.
Get it on Amazon Canada for $24.87.
31. A sleek compost bin that's cute enough to leave on your countertop. It snaps closed and keeps odours trapped in, so you won't be faced with gross smells if you forget to empty your bin for a night or two.
New to composting? Here's BuzzFeed's full guide for beginners. And don't forget to grab some compost bags so that the inside doesn't get covered in stray food bits and coffee grounds.
Get it on Amazon Canada for $30.99+. Available in four colours and three sizes.
32. A set of sponge cloths made from wood pulp to clean up your messes without even touching paper towel. They can absorb about 15 times their weight in water, making them real saviours for cooking crises and wine spills.
Get a set of four on Simons for $24.
33. And finally, a set of BPA-free glass meal prep containers that are safe to put in the microwave, oven, and freezer. The tops have hinged locks to keep them firmly attached, so you won't face any surprise spills in your bag.
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