Cristina Mantovani z Pixabay Plastic surrounds us from everywhere and as consumers we most often choose the simplest solutions, but it is up to us what products we put into the shopping cart. In previous articles we wrote about plastic bags and bottles, but today we would like to talk about our bathrooms. Only when you think about it carefully will you notice how many products can be excluded or replaced. If at the moment you think that you have no problem with the amount of plastic in your home, specifically in the bathroom, open your toiletry bag or check the cabinets / shelves. We personally know that it is the most difficult to do grocery shopping without plastic because pasta, dried fruits, frozen foods and many other products are packed in it. But let's go back to the topic of our bathrooms and solutions that are increasingly available on the market. 1. body massage brush - currently a very popular product, which is a great substitute for peeling. It is not its only use. Dry brushing has a great effect on the condition of the skin, reduces cellulite, firms and smoothes the skin, and the treatment itself is simple and cheap and its effects are comparable to SPA treatments. 2. biodegradable cotton buds - this change doesn't take much effort. These are easily available products and you will surely not notice the difference between plastic and bamboo, paper or wooden ones. 3. silicone menstrual cup - not every girl will be convinced of it. Our psyche plays the most important role here, because in terms of comfort you will not feel the difference between it and a tampon. It saves a lot of money on hygiene products such as tampons or pads, and we do not generate waste. 4. metal razor with replaceable razor blades - a great alternative to plastic disposable razors. Not only are they practical, but also their design is delightful. They look much better on a shower shelf or bathtub cover. Its purchase is an investment that will pay off in a few months. 5. hair bands - sounds cliché right? Although the price of silk or cotton elastics is higher, it affects the condition of our hair so that it does not get tangled. 6. bar shampoo - as an alternative to a plastic bottle with liquid shampoo. Usually packed in a metal reusable container or paper. If you are concerned about its effectiveness and efficiency, you will not be disappointed. In addition, it is very convenient to travel and does not generate waste. 7. Body lotions - in glass jars they contain precious oils and plant extracts. Their composition is as natural as possible. In addition, we get a storage container, which means that after use, we can use it for other applications. 8. Reusable make-up remover pads - a great way to reduce waste in your daily facial skin care. They are delicate and natural, very pleasant to the touch and suitable for all skin types. They are suitable not only for removing make-up, cleansing the skin of the face or neck, but also for washing the child's face. The purchase of such makeup remover pads will pay for itself in a short time. There are many such examples from everyday life, but it depends on us how we use this knowledge. Our life will not change immediately, but everyday care without plastic can be extremely pleasant. With this article, we wanted to show that giving up some everyday items is no longer a sacrifice. Together, we can do a lot for the planet and ourselves. Do you have any questions ? Let us know which solutions you like the most.

There are many ecological and environmentally friendly products on the market today, but the question is how to choose the most suitable one among them. Today we will focus on one product. Quite popular recently and offered by many companies, but let's start at the beginning. We have entered the new year 2021 with protective masks on our faces. Although one of the most common wishes during the New Year's Eve was "that it would all end", some matters are beyond our control. But consider focusing on what you have influence on. January is the time of New Year's resolutions, but you probably know how it usually ends. Maybe it's time to change that? Today we take up a Konjac sponge as the main topic. We will try to present you with the pros and cons of this product and we hope this article will help you choose your best eco product. Currently, our skin is very vulnerable, not only due to the winter period (which is usually quite demanding for the skin), but also due to the pandemic. If you are wondering whether protective masks have an impact on the condition of your skin, we are ready to dispel your doubts. Symptoms usually occur around the lower jaw, and include acne, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis. To prevent this, your skin should be carefully taken care of, preferably with a delicate product, for which the Konjac sponge is perfect. Let's move on to the crucial questions: is it worth it and what are the advantages and disadvantages of such a product? Advantages

• 100% biodegradable and ecological product derived from the Amorphophallus konjac plant; medicinal perennial discovered in Asia;
• very affordable price;
•  perfect for cleansing the face because it does not affect the skin's hydro-lipid layer;
• proven safe for all skin types, including oily, combination and problematic skin;
•  in contact with water, the sponge becomes extremely soft and has washing properties in itself, so you don’t have to use additional cleansing products in most cases;
•  thanks to its flexibility, it easily reaches all hard-accessible places around the nose, eyes and ears;
•  if you use the sponge dry or slightly-wet, it gains peeling properties;
• not tested on animals and contains no animal ingredients;
• once it’s not good for use anymore, it can be used as a filling for potted flowers or in the garden;
• stimulates blood circulation, improves blood supply to the skin, unclogs pores and accelerates cell regeneration;
• it has no chemicals in it;

Do not think that sponges are flawless, every product available on our planet has both advantages and disadvantages. However, the art of creating an eco-friendly product is to make the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages. We personally also find some disadvantages in our products, however, when using this particular product these flaws are minimal. Disadvantages:

• it needs to be handled gently. What does that mean? Do not wring it out (squeeze it hard);
• its durability is determined between 6 and 12 weeks;
• some unsuitable sponges have a synthetic smell, so choose a good-quality, proven product;
• after use, you need to hang it in a well-ventilated place (high humidity may affect its condition).

As you can see the number of disadvantages compared to advantages is very satisfactory. Although it is a relatively new product on the market, it was discovered 1500 years ago. It has been introduced widely due to its amazing properties. But why are we talking about this? We mentioned at the beginning of this article that we think it’s worth gaining interested in this product and other eco-solutions nowadays. Our skin requires additional care and protection. Although you do not see it now, the times of masks will end sooner or later, but skin problems can last for years. As you know, prevention is better than cure. Think about it, and if you want to know more about any other specific product, we can conduct a product investigation for you. Let us know.

New year, new me. How many times have you said these words? This is usually how the typical beginning of January looks like. But how does it end? Well, mostly the same. Our motivation fades away with the last firework. Maybe, instead of waiting until next January or a greater influx of motivation, it is worth taking care of it today? New Year's resolutions mainly focus on ourselves: I will lose weight, I will quit smoking, I will start exercising, start a new hobby, start saving money and many others. In this article we would like to focus on the couple of last points. What would you say about a lifestyle change that will not only have a positive impact on the thickness of your wallet, but also the welfare of our planet? Okay, we know that sounds like a cliché. You've probably read thousands of similar articles, but in our case we spent the entire year 2020 testing various environmentally friendly solutions. We will not overwhelm you here with random life hacks but only with proven solutions. So let's start :

• The use of water - however banal, it’s hard to remember. Namely, after washing vegetables and fruits, let's use the same water to water the flowers;
• Bottled water - instead of buying another plastic bottle that we will throw away after some time, let's buy a reusable bottle with a filter. Thanks to that we save a lot of money and we can refill it in any place with access to water;
• Cotton cloths instead of disposable paper towels - an interesting fact is that we can make such cloths from unused T-shirts; Shopping bags - we must admit honestly, we don't always take a shopping bag with us, but we found a banal use for plastic shopping bags. It won't be a revelation of the year, but it's true that they're perfect garbage bags;
• Minimalism - this is the most difficult one for us. This ideology is about surrounding yourself with the most necessary things, but what does that mean? The answer is to create sets of clothes that will accompany us for years and give the rest to those in need. Also, you could try applying the same, universal cosmetic to the whole body and face, instead of using separate ones for each body part.

Our list is much longer, but these 5 points are a very good start. Why so little? You've probably heard that it takes 21-30 days to form a habit. This myth was created by plastic surgeon Maxwell Maltz and referred to patients with a lost limb. The surgeon noticed that after about 21 days the patients got used to the loss of a limb (if you can get used to it). Hence, he drew conclusions in relation to other life changes. However, this is just a myth. Shaping and adapting a new habit is quite laborious and takes at least 61 days. If you are motivated enough and want to test how the above changes can improve your life as well as the environment around you, take up our challenge and let us know! We will be happy to share your findings in the next article. So, who of you will take up the challenge?

Many companies across the world are encouraging their employees to lead a more sustainable lifestyle that creates zero waste. Businesses are also becoming more conscious and as an employer, it is your responsibility to make your employees aware of the impact of an eco-friendly lifestyle. It is a great way to help people think about their choice and encourage them to make better ones. So, in what ways can you bring this change to your workplace and motivate your employees?

How to encourage employees to live an eco-friendly lifestyle Knowledge

Many people already know the benefits of leading a sustainable lifestyle but they don’t know where to begin and how to begin. This is where you come in as you can provide them with the knowledge of taking that first step and then building on that. Tell them how they can switch to eco-friendly products for their daily needs and give them small ways they can achieve this. It is very important that you positively convey this knowledge to your employees.

Start by implementing small practices within the office

There are many ways you can implement sustainable practices within the office as well to encourage people. You can start by implementing conservation strategies that aim to reduce the amount of energy being used every day. You can implement a few things that include practices such as: • Switching off lights when a conference room isn’t in use • Shutting off all electrical appliances at the end of the workday • Utilizing minimal paper by doing everything digitally • Having plants all around the office This will motivate your employees to care about the workplace. This positive attitude will help them be more eco-friendly in other areas of their life as well.

Take part in green activities

Taking part in things such as plantation drives or beach cleanups can increase morale within the business and encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle at the same time. This is also a great way to increase participation within the office and show your customers that you care about more than just profits and numbers.

Support local vendors

As a business, you should support other businesses that are eco-friendly as well. Every office has coffee, why not get it from a local vendor that provides organic fair-trade coffee? The same way you can encourage such practices to your employees as well. You can suggest employees to support such brands and make small switches. They can switch from cotton swabs to bamboo swabs. Women can also be encouraged to switch to reusable makeup remover pads which will decrease their monthly waste.

Final words

If more businesses start taking responsibility and promote an eco-friendly lifestyle then there can be change. Implementing a zero-waste lifestyle is not easy, however, when people do it collectively it becomes easier and there can be an exchange of ideas. Promote a healthy and green culture in the workplace so workers can implement those practices in all areas of their life. This will make the planet and the environment around us much better.

When people hear the term zero waste, the first thing that comes to mind is if it even possible? Well, on a larger scale it might be really hard to reduce waste. Production goes on and this leads to plastic waste in the ocean, forests being cut down, and fertilizers being drained into our rivers. This happens all because we need to meet our consumption needs. Waste is a very big issue that has contributed to climate change and harming many ecosystems all over the world. So, then with this ever-increasing consumption is it possible to lead a life with zero waste?

What is zero-waste?

This started as a movement to reduce consumption. This leads to an economy that is functional long term and is circular. It uses the 5 R's to promote its motto: • Reduce • Reuse • Recycle • Refuse (Saying no) • Rot When you combine all of these and start working on these 5 R’s individually then there can be a collective change which leads to a magnanimous reduction in waste.

Problems that may arise

We are used to leading our lives in the way we have for so many years and bringing any change is difficult. While it is difficult, leading a zero-waste lifestyle is not impossible. Here are some possible challenges you might face and the solutions to them:

Problem #1: Time and effort

Changing the way you lead your life can be very time-consuming at first. It needs focus, attention, and a lot of your effort. So how do you get rid of this problem to make the process easier? Solution: Don't just dive into several DIY projects at first. Start simple. Consider the items that you use regularly and make a switch to eco-friendly alternatives such as: • Plastic Tupperware and water bottles to reusable water bottles and metal lunch box • Plastic bags to cloth bags • Plastic cotton swabs to bamboo swabs

Problem #2: Money

It can be expensive if you want to replace everything and adopt items that encourage zero-waste. However, this is a fairly easy solution to this. Solution: Instead of replacing everything at first, make smart choices by employing the 5R’s. Repurpose items and make new uses of them so you don’t have to throw them to waste.

Problem #3: Accessibility

Right now, the culture is capitalistic and not everyone lives in an area that has access to items that are organic, or eco-friendly. However, this should not stop you. Solution: Find local brands online that’s ell eco-friendly alternatives. If you don’t get organic vegetables in your area, why not start growing some in your own home? Focus on what you do have and what you can do with it.

Final words

It is possible if you stay persistent and consistent. If you want more support on such a lifestyle then you can even join groups on social media that are specifically for this purpose. From there you can learn tips and tricks on how to manage a zero-waste lifestyle! Reference: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2020/03/how-a-circular-economy-could-save-the-world-feature/

Who said en eco-friendly lifestyle has to be expensive? You can live green even on a budget. You can make the process either very complicated or very simple. Many people get caught up in too many details and don't realize how easy it is to implement an eco-friendly lifestyle. An eco-friendly lifestyle is not about sacrificing things you like consuming. It is simply about making better choices in your life that lead to positivity all around you. Here is how you can live a green lifestyle on a budget.

Conserve resources

We have limited resources and the increasing population means we need to limit our consumption. Use everything wisely. Try to save as much as you can. Start simple: • Turn off the lights before going out • Instead of letting the water run, fill a glass so that you can utilize it for brushing your teeth every day • Don't waste water, instead, give it to plants in your house These are very simple steps. Once these become habits you can practice conservation on a larger scale.

Reduce waste

You don’t need any money for this. All you have to do is take the garbage such as banana peels, vegetable stems, or any leftover food item to make compost. This compost can then be used for plants so they can get some nutrient-rich food and grow better. One other way to reduce waste is by simply putting a stop to consuming single-use plastic. Instead of a plastic water bottle, carry a hydro flask. Instead of grocery shopping in plastic bags, carry your tote bag. These small changes can add up and reduce waste magnanimously.

Support local brands

If you are going to buy big names, then of course even living an eco-friendly lifestyle will be expensive. This is why you should purchase items from local brands that make eco-friendly products. Support farmer’s markets and get locally grown vegetables. Support eco-friendly local brands and make the switch. Instead of using cotton buds, make the switch to bamboo swabs. Even when you are giving a gift to someone, give them eco-friendly gifts. These small changes go a long way and all of this can be done on a budget!

Thrift shop

Fast fashion is wasting many resources, especially water. One shirt takes hundreds of gallons of water to make. This is why you should try thrift shopping and get clothes from such places. They are as good as new and you can find some amazing unique items that you would never have before. Apart from that, they are super cheap! Why not look amazing on a budget while saving the environment?

Support charity organizations

You don't have to give a lot of money on this. Some organizations such as Greenpeace rely on individual donations. They don’t take money from the government or any company so why not support their cause and donate as much as we can even if it is just a small amount.

Final words

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle is not that expensive or difficult. One just needs to make the right choices to have such a lifestyle on a budget. Start by using these tips and see how your life and habits transform for the better!

Ways To Switch To An Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

The thing about waste is that it keeps on accumulating which harms Mother Earth. There is waste in the oceans, landfills, and many areas where it shouldn’t be. It harms the local ecosystems and we need them if we want to survive in the long-run. Over the years, these problems have become magnanimous and this is why it is now more important than ever to switch to an eco-friendly lifestyle and eco-friendly products. Living a sustainable life is the key to preserving our planet for future generations and here is how you can make some changes.

Make the switch to eco-friendly products

Go check your beauty drawer or your bathroom cabinet and count the plastic items you have. I am sure there were many or almost all. This is a big indicator you need to change to something that is more sustainable. That doesn’t mean that you should throw it all out but start small. Maybe start by making the switch to reusable makeup remover pads or bamboo swabs instead of cotton swabs. Once you start making these small changes, you can move on to even bigger changes that will benefit you and leave less waste.

Get a tote bag for shopping

We waste a lot of plastic when we go shopping because our grocery items are endless and the plastic shopping bags that are provided are not good for the environment. This is why you should get a tote bag so you can take it with you while shopping and place your items in that. They last very long, you can even use a plain tote bag as your blank canvas to have some creative fun, and they are reusable. What more could you want from a shopping bag?

Repurpose items

You don’t have to dump every plastic item in the house and replace it with something else. The key is to find objects in your house that you can reuse. Have lots of plastic water bottles lying around? Cut them up and turn them into birdfeeders. Have old jars or plastic cups lying around the house? Just paint them and use them as stationary holders. You don’t have to throw everything away. The key is to create less waste and you can do it through other ways as well.

Don’t consume single-use plastic

Shopping bags, water bottles, straws, and any other plastic item that is only used once should not be consumed. The main reason for oceans being polluted is single-use plastic. It harms their ecosystems and kills many daily. Have sympathy for other beings that co-exist with us and think about them as well. You don’t need to consume single-use plastic as there are other eco-friendly products to help you stop consuming them.

Final words

We have a responsibility to our future generations and nature. We need to fulfill this responsibility by making sure that our existence doesn't harm the environment and ecosystems around us. Be mindful of the choices you make and switch to an eco-friendly lifestyle that will change your life for the better.

How A Sustainable Lifestyle Can Change Your Life And The Environment

A sustainable lifestyle is all about making conscious choices. It is about making choices that are beneficial for you, the people around, and the Earth. It is getting up every day and telling yourself that we will try to make a difference today because individual change leads to collective change. It is more than just eating healthy, switching to eco-friendly products, and banning single-use plastic. A sustainable lifestyle is a mindset that can completely change your life and the environment and here is how.

Ways in which a sustainable lifestyle can change your life and the environment

You will become more aware Most of our days are spent on auto-pilot, where we don’t know what we are doing and why. It is like a reflex that just comes and we don’t even think about it. However, a sustainable lifestyle will make you think about your actions and this will make you more aware. It will make you aware of your choices, your actions, your responsibilities, your thoughts, and this will affect every aspect of your life positively. Being present in the moment is what life is all about and choosing to live sustainably every day will get you there.

You will develop positive habits

Once you start with a more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle, choosing to do it every day will become a habit. This will also affect other habits in your life that might be detrimental to you and you wouldn’t have paid much thought to it before. However, being conscious and accountable will make you more aware of your habits as well. This will cause you to adopt healthy habits that will transform your life completely. Once our lens and the perception through which we look at the world changes, everything around us changes as well.

It is beneficial to other inhabitants on our planet

We don’t pay much thought to the fact that there are other species as well that co-exist with us. We are all supposed to live in harmony and not harm each other. However, the lifestyle most people are leading today has led to many of our species dying and also becoming extinct. There are forests, oceans, jungles, deserts, and so many ecosystems that can thrive if we adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. The ocean is filled with plastic, forests are being cut down every day for our needs and many animals are losing their homes. Switching to companies and products that are eco-friendly will protect those inhabitants as well. This way we can all live in harmony and enjoy the endless bounties that Mother Nature has provided us with.

Final words

If you think you are too small to bring a change then we need to remember that every individual’s effort adds up. If all of us start bringing individual changes to our lifestyles then only a wave of collective change will come which can heal nature. Think about yourself, think about other people, think about other beings and species, and start by making conscious choices and living a sustainable lifestyle. What you do affects everything around you so make sure it is a positive effect.