If you're like us, you're super excited to see all of the new sustainable products out there -- everything from toothbrushes, to bar shampoos, to sneakers made entirely from recycled plastic. And like us, you're super excited to get a jump on giving them all a try. Today, Lexi talks about how to stock up on sustainability, sustainably for your wallet!

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*This video is in no way sponsored*

Let me just say that the first thing to remember when you’re off to stock up on the latest sustainable items, is that you probably don’t need them! Right now, at least. There are doubtlessly things in your cupboards which don’t tick the sustainable box, and are maybe even single use. But they’re in your cupboard – the least sustainable thing you can do is throw them out to replace them.

Having said that, some things do need replacing regularly! We’ll start with the all-important toothbrush. Standard bamboo toothbrushes, most of which have synthetic removable bristles for recycling and a compostable handle, are available quite cheaply. In the $5-$10 bracket you can grab a Humble Brush, which now comes in 100% recyclable and compostable packaging. Or
there’s the recent winner of the inaugural Forbes Travel Guide Eco Oral Care award, Woo Bamboo, who have a two pack in zero waste packaging. Then in the $10-$20 range you can get a 4 pack of Brush with Bamboo, which have plant based bristles.

Now your teeth are clean, what about the rest of you? It really is affordable to ditch the plastic bottle liquid shower gel. A good old-fashioned bar of soap does the job, has zero waste, and is much cheaper! A pack of 4 Dove moisturizing bars sits in the $5-$10 range. 4 bars of soap should last you several months! And Dove has recently pledged to eliminate plastic wraps from their packages and to convert all of their plastic bottled products to 100% recyclable forms. Slightly more expensive is Tom’s of Maine, which is made with Rain Forest Alliance certified ingredients. For very dry, irritated or eczema prone skin you could grab a bar of African Black Soap (with Shea Butter), which come in around $5, and should last for many weeks. There are two tricks to making your soap bar last longer. The first is to dry it out before your first use. Obviously it feels dry when you get it out of the box, but trust us, there’s still moisture there. So wrap it in linen or tuck it in a wooden draw for a few days before you start working it into a lather. And second, keep it as dry as you can during and between uses. Use a soap dish with a grill on it, which allows water to drain off and the bottom to stay dry.

Next is your hair. You can get shampoo and conditioner bars! These can be a little more expensive than the liquid in a bottle, but when you consider that most shampoo bars last 2-3 times longer, like around 60-80 washes, you’re actually saving money. Whether you’re looking for frizz control, deep moisture, deep clean or voluminous locks, there are options. And it’s about trying several until you find the right fit. But as they start at less than $5 for some brands, it’s not going to break the bank to experiment with them. Body and Earth Shampoo bars seem well loved and great value, in this under $5 bracket. And they include a convenient travel tin…but, if you ask us, they do need to address that little bit of plastic packaging. Love Beauty and Planet Bars come in 100% already recycled and recyclable packaging and sit in the $5-$10 range. By far the most popular brand is Lush, and they’re honestly more affordable than you might expect, fitting in the $10-$20 range. For keeping your hair hydrated, although there’s not quite the same number of options, conditioner bars are out there, and will last even longer again. Ethique Eco-Friendly Conditioner Bars are cited to last 5 months! But, the original outlay is a little steep, in the $15-$20 range.

A constant danger of leaving home is encountering single use plastic, so take your own cutlery. You can get a stainless steel or bamboo set which can include a straw and chopsticks, all held within a carry pouch or container, for between $5-$20! A separate stainless steel straw will run you from $5-%10 with a special scrubby cleaner and pouch. I’m sure you’ve already got your reusable water bottle – be it stainless steel or glass, it will save you so much money (and obviously mountains of plastic!) in the long run. We picked this one up for around $5.

We truly understand that being sustainable is daunting in lots of ways, and the perceived cost is high up on that list. Small and consistent steps, taken by a steadily growing number of people, is what we need to successfully transition to a sustainable planet.

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