The need for sustainability and building sustainable habits keeps growing. As consumers, it is their responsibility to make environmentally conscious purchase decisions, such as buying products that have a low impact on the environment. Many eco-friendly alternatives are available for products that are used at home. Studies also suggest that consumers are willing to spend more on eco-friendly products if it means safety for those living at home and the environment.

Here are a few eco-friendly products that one can use at home:

1. Refillable bottles
Refillable bottles can store drinking water and cleaning solutions, like homemade detergents and shampoos. Refillable spray bottles are also quite popular. This is mostly because many people want to make their own cleaning solutions, as they are affordable, sustainable, and not filled with chemicals that can harm one’s health when used in excess. Refillable bottles ensure that one does not have to run to the grocery store every two weeks to buy a product packaged in a flimsy, disposable plastic bottle. Plastic bottles are disposed of after a single use and find themselves in landfills.

2. Reusable silicone bags
Many people use plastic bags to store their produce in the fridge. Sometimes, they also wrap the leftover food or fresh meat to be stored away in the freezer. One can instead opt for reusable silicone bags. They are sturdy, do the job well, and are good for the environment. These bags can be stored in the freezer, microwaved to reheat food, or cleaned in a dishwasher. Furthermore, they can withstand harsh temperatures and do not lose their integrity when put in boiling water. So, they are a versatile product that can be part of your kitchen essentials.

3. Swedish dishcloth
Swedish dishcloths can be used as sponges and cleaning cloths for kitchen counters. They are reusable, so one can easily wash them. When one feels they can no longer be used, dishcloths can also be composted. Instead of using paper towels to clean the counter or other spills in the kitchen, using a dishcloth is an eco-friendly, convenient, and effective alternative.

4. Travel cutlery set
Buying a travel cutlery set is a small step toward ensuring one does not use one-time plastic cutlery given out at small street food outlets. A travel-friendly cutlery set may sound like too much, but it is very convenient to travel with. It is compact and more hygienic.

One can also include a stainless steel straw in their cutlery set. Most people often drink coffee on the go and usually ask for straws to sip on their coffee. Stainless steel straws are must-buys and come in various colors and sizes. Some are slightly thicker and can be used for slushies and creamy cold coffees. A straw kit usually comes with a small brush that can effectively and thoroughly clean the straw from within.