Innovative products that can help you reduce your plastic usage

If you've been trying to curb your plastic usage, or simply looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint, there are a few simple swaps you can make that can transform your day-to-day habits and lessen the impact you have on the earth. Eco expert Candice Batista is sharing her favourite innovative products that make it easier for everyone to go green. 

Zero-waste groceries

The easiest way to avoid picking up unnecessary plastics is by shopping at a low or no waste store. While these aren't quite on every corner yet, stores like Unboxed Market are popping up in more and more places all the time. By only carrying items with fully recyclable packaging, not carrying items like single use plastic produce bags, and selling things like individual eggs and dishwasher pods, you only have to buy exactly what you need so nothing goes unused at home. 

Bulk Bags

Bringing your own bags shopping is always a good idea, but you can take it a step further by bringing your own packaging, of sorts. Green Upward Bags allow you to fill them with bulk items like flour or nuts, and then when you check out the bags have their empty weight listed right on them so the price per weight is always accurate.

Refillable soaps

We can't really get around having to buy soaps and household cleaners, but by purchasing them in large containers that allow you to refill your existing pump and sprap bottles you can save hundreds of single use bottles from landing in a waste processing facility. Bare Home provides a selection of eco-friendly household products that worst as well as your traditional brands. 

Paperless paper towel

We might think paper towel is a harmless item since it can be recycled or composted, but a ton of energy goes into the making of those rolls, not to mention the trees that are lost in the process. Kliin makes the perfect solution which is a cross between paper towel and wash cloths. They absorb 15 times their weight in water, and are fully compostable but can be washed and reused up to 300 times before you'll need to buy new ones. And best of all, they come in a variety of patterns and colours so you can match your home and personality.

Minimize the micro-plastics

It's hard to believe, but even our clothing has plastic in it. Tiny, micro-plastics that come off of synthetic fabrics in the wash and enter our water systems. To reduce the effect this has on the earch, The Guppy Friend has created a washing bag that you put your clothing in before throwing it in the wash. Your clothing gets as sparkling clean as always, but the tiny plastics stay within the bag, keeping our waterways safe. 

Don't toss the floss

Dental floss is a bigger plastic waster than most realize. Each string is coated in a thin layer of plastic to help it glide through your teeth, but it's not the only way to keep your gums healthy. KMH makes an eco-alternative to traditional floss that's made from corn husk fibre that keeps cavities at bay while reducing your plastic usage. 

Swap, don't shop

You know the old saying "one person's trash is another's treasure?" Well, that's never been more true since the Canadian app Bunz launched a few years ago. It's a cash-free bartering platform that allows you to post items for trade with other people in your area. You can find anything from text books to luxury bags and furniture. It's an amazing way to pass along items you no longer have use for an know that they will get a second life.