Happy Earth Week, Bare Beauties!  I’ve teamed up with Be Home Well, one of my favorite conscious living retailers, for a timely promo: take 10% off your entire purchase with code BAREBEAUTY between today and April 23, 2016.  Be Home Well carries some of my favorite solutions to wasteful one-use-plastics.  One-use-plastics are the number one threat to our oceans; The World Economic Forum even says that there will be more plastic than fish (in terms of weight) in the world’s oceans by 2050. That is one scary thought, people.

In many municipalities, disposable grocery bags, produce bags and ziplock bags cannot be recycled.  Think about how many of those we use in a week.  Now, think of them piling up in a landfill, and taking 1,000 years to decompose.  That is just depressing.  However, I must say that every time I whip out my reusable shopping bags, produce bags, bulk bags and travel bags, I’m pretty pleased with myself.  I always keep balled up reusable shopping bags in my handbag, the reusable produce bags are great for keeping loose/wet produce contained when grocery shopping and the bulk bags actually save you money.  (If you haven’t, I dare you to look at the price of prepackaged organic chia seeds vs. those in the bulk aisle.)  The travel bags are awesome for keeping things organized while on the go; I use them for snacks, shoes, kids activities, you name it.  All are machine washable and last forever.

Diddo for plastic wrap.  It can’t be recycled, and it also leaches nasty chemicals into the food it’s “protecting”.  I’ll be honest; you can definitely still find plastic wrap and baggies in my house.  However, I probably buy one box per year, and that is largely due to the fact that I discovered Bees Wrap.  Made of beeswax, organic cotton, organic jojoba oil and tree resin, these wraps will protect bread, cheese, veggies and will even cover a bowl (using the warmth of your hands to create a seal)!  They are reusable and can easily be hand-washed in cool water.

I also love storing and reheating food in Onyx’s borosilicate glass containers (don’t heat or reheat with the lid on, duh).  I try to order one of these every time I place an order with Be Home Well, and I’m proud to say that we only have about 5 tupperware containers left in our home (I’ve recycled or donated the rest).  Again, not only are these better for the environment, they last longer than tupperware and they won’t leach toxins into your food.

The little bento boxes from ECOlunchbox are the best.  They’re lightweight, durable, (dishwasher safe!) better for the environment and better for your food and you.  Annabel loves opening hers up and being “surprised” at the next layer of her meal.  And, if you brown-bag it to work, these are way cooler than bringing in your kid’s Disney lunchbox.

Did you know that over 40 Billion disposable plastic utensils are used in the USA every year?  And, the vast majority are not being recycled, they’re ending up in landfills.  If you order takeout to your office every day, or if you frequent lunch spots that only offer plastic utensils, maybe you should give Organic Bamboo Travel Utensils a try.  They are really well-made, and last forever.  You will love saying “no utensils, please” when you place your next to-go order.

On that note, did you know that Americans use 500 Million plastic drinking straws EVERY DAY?  Our family loves the Onyx stainless steel straws.  They make them in two sizes, so they’re great for kids, too.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or helpless, I get it.  Earth Day, Earth Week and Earth Month are always a struggle for me, too.  It can be depressing, hard to know where to start, and it feels like you can’t possibly make a difference.  But, I believe we can – together.  What if everyone reading this committed to making one lasting change today?  Just think of those oceans… and 10% off!  Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox, now.  🙂

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 Photos: Bette Walker