8 easy swaps for a greener lifestyle
BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSH In an average lifetime, you could save 300 plastic toothbrushes from a landfill.
This particular one is made out of 100% sustainable materials – bamboo for the body and castor oil for the bristles. Also available in children’s sizes.
TRY BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSH (R40) FAITHFUL TO NATURE
BEESWAX WRAPS In a year, an average family could save 444m of clingwrap from a landfill.
Beeswax wraps are made of fabric coated in beeswax. The wax warms to the touch of your hands so you can mould it over any dish to preserve your food. It’s easy to wash and can be reused time and time again. Even once the beeswax starts to fade, you can rejuvenate your wraps with another coat of beeswax, melted in the oven.
TRY ( BUZZY WRAPS (FROM R39) YUPPIECHEF.COM
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE In a year, you could save 156 plastic water bottles from a landfill.
You can also opt for glass, but we like the fact that a stainless-steel water bottle will survive an accidental drop! Our top pick can store hot and cold drinks, and keeps the temperature stable for up to 18 hours.
You can also fit ice through the opening, and it has a non-slip cork grip.
TRY WARRIOR BOTTLE (R450) EARTHWARRIOR.CO.ZA
SHAMPOO BARS Using 1 shampoo bar replaces 3 plastic bottles of shampoo.
Almost all beauty products are packaged in plastic, but there are stores like Lush that encourage recycling or give you the option of ‘going naked’. Lush has a vast range of shampoo bars for different hair textures and needs. The bars are ideal for travelling and storage, and are so concentrated that they can be used for about 80 washes.
Simply wet your hair, then run the shampoo bar down the lengths of your strands.
TRY JASON AND THE ARGAN OIL SHAMPOO BAR (R120) LUSH
REUSABLE COTTON ROUNDS In an average lifetime, you could save 51100 makeup wipes from a landfill.
These organic cotton pads are gentle yet exfoliating for your skin, reusable and 100% compostable if you do eventually get rid of them – just cut them into little pieces to add to your compost heap. Add your chosen cleanser or makeup remover and handwash afterwards.
TRY WASHABLE COTTON ROUNDS (R99 FOR 6 SMALL ROUNDS) DAILYPEACH.CO.ZA
STAINLESS-STEEL STRAWS In a lifetime, you could save 35040 straws from a landfill.
These stainless-steel straws can withstand cold and warm beverages, are bent for easy sipping and are travel-friendly.
TRY STAINLESS-STEEL DRINKING STRAWS (R279 FOR 4 STRAWS, A CLEANING BRUSH AND CARRIER BAG) FOREVA STRAWS, YUPPIECHEF.COM
SHOPPING & PRODUCE BAGS In a year, an average family can save between 1000 and 1500 plastic bags from a landfill.
Ditch those flimsy plastic supermarket baggies. Veggio has designed fruit and veg bags that can carry up to 10kg of produce, and come with a convenient label on the side for the price sticker. The Earth Warrior cotton lattice bags are big enough to fit a watermelon, plus you can wash your produce in the bag and simply hang to dry.
TRY COTTON LATTICE BAGS (R70) EARTH WARRIOR
BODY WASH & HAND WASH In a year, you could save 11 plastic bottles of body wash from a landfill.
Saponera’s products come in minimalist amber glass, use 100% natural, plantbased ingredients and their products are biodegradable. This means that once your soapy water flows down the drain, it won’t harm our water’s eco-system. It’s also great for sensitive skin as Saponera’s natural ingredients don’t have added synthetic fragrances or drying and irritating ingredients.
TRY BODY WASH OR HAND WASH (R290 FOR 500ML) SAPONERA.COM