Whilst slowly (very slowly) trying to make better swaps for the existing items that I’m using, I wanted to summarise where I’m currently at and what I’ve been really liking and what hasn’t worked. I feel that there is overwhelming pressure to like environmentally friendly products and this guilt for not using or buying these products. Plus not to mention all those glass pasta sauce jars that I can’t fit in my drawer anymore and feel bad about recycling because who really knows if they are actually being recycled.
LIKE
- Toxin (ish) free deodorents.
The QV one is aluminium free and fragrance free but while I like it, I don’t love it so won’t be repurchasing. Plus, it’s in a plastic roller bottle. I’m really liking the No Pong, an Australian natural brand that is bicarb based. It comes in these cute reuseable tins and can be bought in a pack. I still sweat in these but I’m now thinking sweat glands were made to sweat.
- Wooden toothbrush
I actually got this one at the local supermarket now that they finally stock them (thank you Colgate). They are price friendly and do the job. I find price point fairly important in influencing me to make the swap. The downside of these is that they can’t stand in a traditional toothbrush holder as the handle will get mouldy so instead, I need to dry it flat.
- Re-usable water bottle
I always carry one in my bag everywhere and have used my current so much that the picture on the bottle has now completely rubbed off. After going through a handful of bottles, I’ve got a very good idea of what I want in a bottle.
Things that I look for in a reusable bottle:
– Size. Not too big and not too small.
– Neck. The neck of the bottle must be big enough to get a sponge and water bottle brush cleaner in. This is a non negotiable for me. There are too many that don’t fit this criteria which makes washing so hard.
– Material. I want a glass one but haven’t found one yet that meets all the boxes. I know many plastics are cleaner now than they use to be but I think I still would prefer the idea of drinking from a glass bottle.
DISLIKE
- Beeswax wraps
I’ve tried these wraps but don’t find them very user friendly. They don’t cling to the bowls so more often than not, I place it flat on the bowl and forget about even trying to wrap the bowl. I can’t see what is inside and whatever is under it tends to just stay hidden in the fridge for too long. Now, I’m trying to just keep food in tupperware containers instead and still have cling wrap on hand.
- Shampoo bars
I’ve tried and not liked shampoo bars. I find them very fiddly to use and don’t have the room really to host more bars in the shower. It might also be that particular formulation but I don’t like what it does to my hair and how my hair is post shower. For the moment, still sticking to bottled shampoo and conditioner.
What are some environmentally friendly swaps that have worked for you and what ones haven’t?
Lingo in Transit 
Leave a comment