Plastic Free Living

I admit, I am a big recycler, and have been trying to use less and less plastic (my water-bottle, makeup, etc.) but I never knew the exact statistics when it came to how harmful plastic really is for our environment.

Single-use plastics are one of the most damaging threats to our environment. Did you know 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into our oceans EVERYDAY?!  Yes, you read that right! So how do we, as consumers, do our part to reduce plastic pollution in our everyday lives?  Today, on the Today Show, we featured some of the most affordable and eco-friendly  products that are cheaper, cleaner, and healthier for ourselves and our planet.  Have you used any of these or love any of these companies? 

$15.50, wellearthgoods

$34.95, guppyfriend

$4.99, quinnsnacks

$19 - $32, modibodi

$6 - $128, girlfriend

$12.95, lushusa

$8.99, hello-products

$6.99 grinnatural

$35, madamelemy

Sappho & Aether Products, thedetoxmarket.com/today

Under $5, gosili

Product Deets:

• Well Earth Goods Detergent Strips: We have all heard about waterless products, but have you ever heard of waterless cleaning products? Well Earth Goods is a family owned and run shop in Oregon. They’re dedicated to high quality products with zero plastic, and their laundry detergent strips are amazing! The strips are similar to small pieces of paper that you throw in your washing machine to get everything super clean. And did I mention they work incredibly well? This plastic-free detergent option is fragrance-free, paraben-free, phosphate-free, readily biodegradable in accordance with OECD 310D, hypoallergenic certified by independent dermatologists, biodegradable, vegan, bottle free, AND it’s shipped in plastic-free packaging!

• Guppyfriend Washing Bag: Did you know your swimsuit is polluting the water? Washing your bathing suit (or any of your synthetic clothing) in a Guppyfriend filter bag helps to decrease the amount of microplastic shedding from your suit polluting the water.

• Quinn Popcorn Snacks: Quinn Snacks is the first microwave popcorn with NO plastic coatings or chemicals. Quinn’s patented revolutionary PURE POP® bag sets them apart from other microwave popcorn, as it  is the first and ONLY microwave popcorn bag to be completely stripped of all PFOA's, PFC's and plastic coatings, and it’s made with compostable paper. Not only did Quinn clean up the bag, but they cleaned up the ingredient deck by using organic corn kernels, high oleic sunflower oil, and REAL ingredients. Quinn Snacks is a leading advocate for full ingredient transparency in food.

• ModiBodi: Did you know that the typical tampon takes 500 years to decompose in a landfill? Which means the first plastic applicators invented in the 1970's are still around, not to mention that an individual who menstruates will purchase anywhere from 5,000 -15,000 tampons and/or pads over the course of their lifetime. US customers alone purchase almost $6 billion worth of tampons & pads per year. Modibodi is on a mission to change that. This innovative Australian brand's patented leak/period-proof underwear, swimwear, and activewear provide an eco-friendly alternative to disposable sanitary products (wear, wash, & repeat for up to 2 years!), so that all "bodis" can be comfortable, protected, and plastic-free no matter the time of the month. Combining their patented Modifier Technology™ with renewable & tech-savvy antimicrobial materials, including bamboo, microfiber and merino wool, Modibodi knows that every flow, leak and bead of sweat is something to celebrate (and requires 100% dependable protection). Besides being "green" all year-round, the brand has rolled out a new set of limited edition seasonal jewel-tones for the summer across their Sensual & Classic collections! Range from size 4XS to 6XL.

• Girlfriend Collective: Girlfriend Collective believes in ethical manufacturing and recycled materials because old water bottles and fishing nets look better on you than they do clogging landfills and polluting oceans. Each pair of their Compressive leggings starts with 25 recycled post-consumer water bottles. Leggings are certified safe by Oeko-Tex and guaranteed recycled. There is a disturbing trend in 'recycled' fabric production where some facilities will purchase unused water bottles to turn a higher profit. Their center is monitored by the Taiwanese government recycling authority to ensure that only used water bottles go into our bras and leggings.

• Lush Shampoo Bars: From 2012 to 2019, Lush fans used 7.5 million shampoo bars in North America, saving 22.5 million plastic bottles from ever being produced. That’s estimated at 620 tons of plastic saved, or about the weight of six blue whales! Making the switch to a totally plastic-free shower routine has never been easier! Lush has created a wide range of shampoo bars that are perfect for every kind of hair need. Not to mention, they’re also extremely cost-effective. One shampoo bar equals up to 80 washes, or about 3 bottles of shampoo!

• HELLO Toothpaste Tablets & Bamboo Brushes: Say hello to a plastic-free alternative to traditional toothpaste tubes. HELLO® antiplaque + whitening toothpaste tablets are thoughtfully formulated with natural peppermint, tea tree oil, and coconut oil. HELLO Toothpaste helps to brush away plaque, whiten teeth, control tartar, and freshen breath.

• Grin Naturals Floss: Grin makes it easy to take great care of your teeth and gums while caring for the environment with their new Grin Adults Biodegradable Dental Floss Picks! The floss thread is made from a luxurious, resilient material that doesn’t tear or shred easily and is naturally flavored with mint oil. The 100% biodegradable corn-starch handle has a handy pick on the end to help reach those tough spots.

• Madame Lemy Deodorant: Madame Lemy is an all-natural, vegan and cruelty-free, limited ingredient beauty brand that specializes in chemical-free and aluminum-free powder deodorants. Unlike most conventional deodorants, Madame Lemy gives consumers an effective everyday product in high-end luxury packaging (inspired by the style of the 1920s). When creating Madame Lemy, they knew they did not want to contribute waste to landfills, so they limited the use of plastics in their packaging. Packaging is designed to be reusable and refillable after the product runs out.

• The Detox Market: The leading green beauty retailer in the country. Committed to donating 500,000 trees in 2020 through it's Sustainability Starts Now Campaign. 

• Some of their standouts include - Aether Beauty: Created with expertise by beauty professional, Tiila Abbitt—who has over a decade of product development experience in the beauty industry.

• Aether Beauty created a truly sustainable packaging where everything can be recycled or refilled. The Yellow Diamond Highlighter just launched and is donating 10% of sales on this product to United Roots Oakland.

• Sappho: Produced in Canada in a zero carbon footprint facility, formulated for performance by experts in green chemistry and consciously designed by JoAnn Fowler, an Emmy nominated celebrity makeup artist. This Double Shadow Compact is reusable, recyclable, magnetic pressed paper compact so it reduces plastic waste, while keeping your shadows safe! Sappho has just undergone a massive rebrand which centers around sustainability.  

• GoSili Reusable Straws & Cups: In 2006, Stacey Feeley and Giuliana Schwab started GoSili because it was time to do things differently. They were tired of not having options other than a plastic cup or disposable straw. Before it was cool, they started making the best silicone stuff on the market — stylish and modern, tough, and 100% nontoxic. They are the first brand that focused on creating silicone products that have high-end design at affordable prices, competing directly with plastic. 00% petroleum-free, PVC free, lead free and no sketchy fillers. GoSili products last forever, are completely safe and nontoxic, and can be recycled if they ever wear out.