Your Guide to Eco-friendly Choices This Earth Day
At KAB, we recognize that every day is an opportunity to celebrate the Earth and make healthy choices for our bodies. In fact, by avoiding harmful products for our health, we find that many of the same choices are more positively aligned with being healthy for the planet.
This Earth Day, we want to share with you some easy ways to begin making healthy adjustments or add to your current routine, to honor not just your body but the health of our planet.
SO, LET’S START WITH WASTE!
Generally speaking, items that are disposable and derived from plastic are definitely not good for the planet, and often not good for our health either.
It’s always smart to do some research before diving headfirst into anything, especially when it has to do with your life, so get creative! You can start by looking up or following social media influencers who are using their platforms to educate the public on zero waste lifestyles.
Also, be sure to use the internet to your advantage! Google “eco-friendly changes to make” to kick your journey off and find resources.
Below, we’ve curated some top tips for anyone looking to transition to a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Read on to discover some environmentally conscious brands, ways to cut water use and replacements for common everyday items.
One of the first changes you can make is to be aware of the brands you’re using and switch to ones that support your new lifestyle where necessary. Here are three forward-thinking brands that are ahead of the eco-friendly curve to spark your inspiration!
ECO-FRIENDLY A-TEAM
ILIA is a beauty brand above the rest. A fellow 1% For The Planet member, ILIA focuses on safe, clean formulas that protect your skin against the elements and celebrate your natural beauty. Each product is also encased in sustainable packaging including the use of recycled aluminum glass components and responsibly sourced paper. The clean beauty brand also has a recycling program for your used up products, whether they are ILIA’s or other brands!
You know Klean Kanteen makes this list too! Our long-time partner, the company has made the recent shift to using certified 90% post-consumer recycled 18/8 stainless steel for their TKWide and straw collections. By 2023, 95% of their products will be made from this recycled steel, resulting in substantial impact reductions! Learn more about their efforts and shop the recycled collection on their website.
Did you know that over 60,000 plastic phone cases are thrown away each year? One company, Pela Case, offers 100% compostable phone cases for Apple and Android phones. All you need to do is select your phone model, choose a case and you’re good to go!
LIFESTYLE SHIFTS FOR THE WIN
According to the EPA, the average American uses over 300 gallons of water per day. Though many people, especially in North America, are lucky to have access to water, many go without. Plus, states like California are experiencing droughts and suffering through water crises. To easily reduce the amount of water you’re using daily, try taking shorter showers, turning the water off while doing dishes, brushing your teeth, and fixing any leaks your faucets, hose or showerhead may have.
Adopting a vegan diet or cutting down on meat in your daily diet can go gallons and gallons towards conserving water for the planet and your health.
If you’re someone who loves a good cup of coffee, a simple way you can help the planet is by bringing your own mug or cup to your favorite cafe rather than getting a single-use cup each time. Sixteen billion plastic coffee cups are thrown away each year, so every day counts.
If you choose a container like Klean Kanteen, you can chug your cold or warm drink of choice with ease knowing the lining is nontoxic and you’re limiting your exposure to plastic drink containers, which can contain carcinogens.
Another great swap you can start with right off the bat is to use reusable grocery bags rather than plastic. Many grocery stores sell them right in the store and have initiatives to stop providing plastic bags in the coming years.
Becoming entirely zero-waste or completely non-toxic is a journey. Be gentle with yourself and keep these tips in mind as we head into the rest of 2022. When you feel comfortable implementing these into your daily routine, take it a step further.
Wishing you health, happiness and some fun outdoors this Earth Day! Our team will be offline and celebrating the day in their own special way, and we hope you’ll do the same. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to see what we get up to on April 22nd!