A Guide to Eco-Friendly Products for You & Your Dog
Another earth month is upon us and as always it’s time to compile a list of some of our favorite environmentally friendly human products and eco-friendly dog products to help give you ideas on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Remember that even the smallest changes today can still have a huge impact on tomorrow so let’s get started!
Hydroflask
According to Beyond Plastics, “One million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute. As of 2021, more than half a trillion plastic bottles will be sold annually. At best, less than 1/3 of all plastic bottles will be recycled. So by using a reusable water bottle, you could prevent an average of 156 plastic bottles annually.”
There are so many great options for reusable water bottles available today so it should be fairly easy to find one that works well for your lifestyle and budget. My personal favorite earth friendly water bottle is from HydroFlask. I have a large 40 oz. stainless steel bottle with a straw lid (no need for single use plastic straws) that I fill up and use every day. The bottles come in several fun color choices and they keep your beverage super cold. The bottle can be a little pricey initially but your savings are quickly made up by not having to purchase bottled water in the future.
Hydroflask also has several other reusable accessories like straws, totes and food jars to help ditch even more single-use plastics. In addition, they also have a Parks for All organization that has donated more than $2.5 million dollars in support of parks all over the world.
Stasher Bags
A great alternative to single use plastic bags are Stasher reusable bags! They are non-toxic, food safe silicone storage bags (and now convenient bowls!) that are dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe and come in all sorts of super cute colors and sizes for anything you’d need. They work great for meal prepping, travel, and even storing things for your pets–like super yummy biscuits–when you’re out and about.
Stasher originated in 2016 and has already replaced over a billion single-use plastic bags from entering oceans and landfills!
Bee’s Wrap Reusable Food Storage
Instead of your standard plastic wrap consider using a reusable food storage option made of natural beeswax. The Bee’s Wrap is washable, reusable, compostable, plastic-free and silicone-free! Use the wrap to store foods, cover containers, pack sandwiches and snacks…etc.
In order to clean, rinse the wrap with cool water & dish soap and air dry for next use. With proper care the wrap can be reused for a year or longer and then can be used for compost or as a fire starter when it loses its grip.
Eco Crock Compost Bin
According to the EPA, “Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30 percent of what we throw away, and could be composted instead. Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.”
Utilizing a compost bin like the EcoCrock is a convenient and even stylish way to get into composting especially if you are currently throwing away a lot of food scraps. The compost bin is small and compact and even looks cute on a kitchen countertop. It comes with a charcoal filter to prevent smells and an inner bucket to make it even easier to discard compost and clean.
Blueland Cleaning Products
At Blueland, the concept is simple: you buy a bottle once and then refill it. From hand soap to cleaning supplies and laundry detergent, Blueland offers quality products with zero waste.
The glass bottles for the hand soap are available in different colors. There are even designs that feature Mickey and the crew if you have a Disney fan in the household. Dissolve the paraben-free tablets (available in different scents, including holiday) in the water to create your foaming hand wash and you are ready to go. Refillable tablets come plastic-free and can be ordered in bulk or on a subscription schedule!
Kind Laundry Detergent Sheets
No need for pods or liquid detergent when you can simply throw in a detergent sheet that’s already pre-measured. Kind Laundry Detergent Sheets are not only quick and easy for you but they are also made from plant-based ingredients and offer a zero waste alternative for the environment.
Available in a fragrance free or ocean breeze option, these sheets dissolve easily in both hot and cold temperatures and can be used with all standard and high efficiency washing machines. These detergent sheets are also a great travel option if you are constantly on-the-go.
Wool Dryer Balls
Single use dryer sheets are very popular when it comes to drying your laundry, but next time think about using wool dryer balls instead! They are reusable and free from fillers, chemicals or synthetics, which is very helpful if you or any family members have sensitive skin. In addition to decreasing your drying time, these 100% New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls can last for 1000+ loads, reduce garbage waste, and contain anti-static qualities to help reduce wrinkles and can collect lint and… PET HAIR!
If you still miss the smell of those dryer sheets feel free to add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil to each ball for an added scent.
United By Blue Waste Bag Dispenser
Why are tiny versions of things so cute? This Dog Waste Bag Dispenser (aka the cutest tiny backpack you’ve ever seen) can easily be clipped onto your leash or belt and hold your dog’s waste bags and even a few treats or a small toy when you’re out for a walk or on-the-go.
It’s also made of 100% recycled polyester and comes in several fun patterns! United by Blue is also a wonderful company that removes one pound of trash from oceans and waterways for every product purchased. To date, they’ve removed 4,235,818 pounds of trash.
Give a Sh!t Biodegradable Poop Bags
Compostable, extra strength and leak proof, oh my! Give a Sh!t brand gives pet owners a 100% compostable and biodegradable bag option for when your dog poops. The company offers a 100% Back to Nature promise which means they only make products that can go 100% back to nature.
They also donate 10% of all profits to the Soi Dog Foundation, whose mission is to improve the lives of dogs and cats in Asia.
P.L.A.Y. Chill Pad & Toys
P.L.A.Y. pet chill pads are super soft, sustainable pet beds made with PlanetFill® filler. PlanetFill is made of 100% post-consumer certified safe recycled plastic bottles. The beds come in a huge variety of sizes and colors to fit your and your pet’s personal style (and most pet crates, too!) and are made to be machine washable and dryer friendly so you can take care of accidental messes with ease!
P.L.A.Y also has a wide selection of pet toys and toy bundles to help playtime go eco-friendly, too! Just like their beds, all of their plush toys are also made with PlanetFill® filler. Their toys are also machine washable and dryer friendly and feature double-stitched edges, making sure your pets favorite toys live on. In fact, this carrot plush toy from their Garden Fresh Collection has been an office dog favorite and has survived playtime with 6 different dogs!
West Paw
Looking for a safe alternative to sticks that won’t splinter or hurt your dog’s mouth? Try the West Paw Zwig toy that is perfect for fetch and tug of war! Made in the USA of recyclable materials, this toy can withstand tough chewers and can also float if your dog likes to play fetch in the water. Each toy is backed by their 100% guarantee and can be completely recycled if you Join the Loop® and send your toy back after it has been well-loved!
The Toppl Tough Treat Dispensing toy is also a great place to stuff our delicious treats or moist food for a delicious fresh or frozen treat!
Flowfold
Flowfold started with a sustainable wallet made out of recycled sailcloth fabric and then quickly grew into bags, backpacks, totes, pouches and even sustainable dog gear. Their products utilize sustainable fabrics and manufacturing methods to reduce excess waste and are 100% made in the USA!
Their Trailmate Recycled Climbing Rope Leash is made from recycled Sterling climbing rope that comes with a lifetime warranty and will be a great addition to keeping your pup safe during your daily walk routine.
Natural Dog Company
If your dog has sensitive skin then it might be time to check out the Natural Dog Company and their products starting with their Sensitive Skin Shampoo. Featuring aloe vera and oatmeal, this hypoallergenic formula is the perfect bath time shampoo for puppies and sensitive-skin dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes.
They also offer a selection of all-natural and organic balms for itchy skin, paws and snouts.
Earthborn Holistic Pet Food
At Earthborn Holistic we specially craft products that make it easy to love your pet and your planet! All of our plastic packaging is recyclable through our Earthborn ReBorn Program in partnership with TerraCycle and if you save the UPCs from your empty bags before recycling them and send them in, we’ll plant a tree through our UPCs for Trees Program and Trees for the Future.
Help us reach 1,000,000 bags recycled and 1,000,000 trees planted by Earth Day!! Learn more about our environmental initiatives and how you can help!
