These items are almost impossible for manufacturers to recycle, check out the eco-friendly alternatives
27 August 2019
| Last updated on 21 January 2020
As this is being written, the Amazon rainforest in Brazil has been burning for weeks and an outbreak is scorching Angola and Congo in Africa.
The world is worried about how we treat the planet, and with good reason as there is no planet B. Alarming data found that tonnes of carbon dioxide are being pumped into our home's atmosphere, significantly contributing to climate change.
While such incidents are outside of our direct help, as UAE residents we should consider our own carbon footprint and increase our awareness as consumers.
SEE ALSO: The Amazon Burning - How Can a UAE Resident Help?
We express our concern about the environment, but far fewer make a conscious effort. Without making extreme changes in your lifestyle, there is a surprisingly simple fix - replace your everyday items with eco-friendly alternatives.
Instead of using a disposable cup for your next coffee run, use your own coffee container. Switch out your utensils with bamboo-made products, or opt for reusable cotton pads for your skincare and makeup routine.
Check out 10 eco-friendly alternatives to everyday essentials that are near impossible to recycle.
1.) Reusable Cotton Pads
Cheap as they may be, cotton pads are usually blended with synthetic materials which makes it possible to recycle. 100% cotton-made pads can only be composted if they have never been used with make-up, skincare products, and other chemicals. Consider skipping on buying packs of cotton pads and go for this pack of reusable cotton pads. Simply wash them and reuse.
2.) Glass Water Bottle
Even though recycling programs exist, 91% of the water bottles we use every year wind up in a landfill. And we use about a million per minute. Grab a cool water bottle you'll enjoy using and skip the plastic disposable bottles.
Hydro Flask Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, from $36
Even though plastic recycling bins can be found in most public places in Dubai, thousands of plastic bottles still wind up in a landfill every year with about a million water bottles being used by the minute. Grab this reusable glass bottle topped with a stainless steel cap and protected in food-grade silicon.
3.) Reusable Metal Drinking Straws
According to the National Park Service, you could fill over 125 school buses with the straws Americans use every single day (500 million in all).
Using disposable utensils of any kind introduces a lot of unnecessary waste into the environment, but straws are a particularly easy fix.
SipWell Extra Long Stainless Steel Drinking Straws, Set of Four with Cleaning Brush, $7.88
4.) Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags
Biodegradable bags for dog waste are the ideal choice for the environmentally-conscious dog parent. These bags are eco-friendly and are quicker to break down compared to most plastic bags which usually take a very long time to recycle. Take care of the environment while you take care of that little mess.
5.) Biodegradable Garbage Bag
100% compostable, leak-proof, and comes with a tie for secure wastes. These biodegradable garbage bags are a perfect choice.
6.) Rechargable Batteries
Batteries take up to 100 years to decompose and are made from a variety of chemicals, some of which are toxic and can cause extreme harm to humans, water, and soil. Rechargeable batteries are a fantastic alternative as they save you space, money, and our Earth.
7.) Reusable Coffee Filters
Save yourself money by brewing your coffee with freshly ground beans and this reusable filter pod, rather than heading to a coffee shop only to toss another one into the garbage.
8.) Biodegradable Cutlery and Bowls
Planning a party? Consider doing away with single-use plastic utensils and instead purchase a set of biodegradable wooden spoons, forks, and knives instead. Replace plastic and styrofoam plates and bowls with compostable dinnerware for a guilt-free, non-plastic party meal.
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