Like a lot of people currently, I’m painfully aware of the state of the world. The world is on fire and it feels like there’s no way to stop it, and yet so many people in positions of power are claiming ignorance… anyway, this isn’t a political rant, this is just about the little sustainable changes that I’ve been making for the better, and to ease my woes slightly.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the items I use daily which are actually incredibly wasteful. I’ve started gradually making a few more sustainable changes in my life, and I thought they might be of use to you lovely humans.

One key point to make here is: don’t just chuck out all the things you’re currently using.

Use them until they’re falling apart, reuse them, repurpose them, do whatever you can to stop them heading to landfill/into the sea. It’s hard with some items, but a quick internet search will come up with loads of innovative sustainable ideas.

1. Organic cotton t-shirts from Organic Basics

One sustainable brand I am particularly loving at the moment is Organic Basics. Some of these items were gifted, but some I have bought purely because I love them – for example I bought an underwear set in another colour after being gifted one set, because they’re so damn comfy, as well as being better for the environment and the people making them.

My favourite items are the organic cotton tees (honestly, the softest t-shirts I have EVER worn), and organic cotton underwear (so comfy and natural fibres are better for your bits).

I have an Organic Basics discount code for you to get 10% off which is LITTLEOB2 – annoyingly I’ve been really disorganised and this expires on 11th Sept, so use it quickly.

2. Organic Basics bamboo toothbrush

I also really love the Organic Basics bamboo toothbrushes. You’re supposed to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, and when you think about how much plastic that you are throwing away, it’s pretty scary. Use your old toothbrush for cleaning things, especially around taps and hard-to-get-at, little spaces – don’t just chuck your toothbrush straight in the bin after its 4 month’s use.

A bamboo toothbrush is a more sustainable option, because it’s biodegradable. I love the size and shape of the Organic Basics toothbrushes, plus the bristles are pretty soft.

3. Modibodi period pants

Something in my mind switched a couple of months ago, and I suddenly realised how much waste I was creating with period related products. I’ve thought about what chemicals I could be putting inside myself before, but didn’t really care too much because it felt easier than anything else. But once I had enough money to invest in some reusable products, I did, and I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by them.

The Modibodi period pants are great – for me, they’re perfect for the first and last day of my period, as well as wearing at night when I was getting used to the menstrual cup. Their period pants come in various shapes and absorbencies, so hopefully there’s one that would suit you.

4. AllMatters menstrual cup

I’m not going to lie, I was pretty daunted by the AllMatters menstrual cup at first – putting a new foreign object into your body, not knowing if it was in right, not knowing how long I personally could leave it before it had to be emptied, whether it would end up like that scene from The Shining etc. But I got used to it pretty quickly and learned to feel whether the menstrual cup was sitting correctly and how long I could leave it.

My top tip is to be in the shower the first time you remove it. I won’t go into too much detail here, but if you have any questions I am very open to talking about it. Like, yeah, it’s kinda gory but also really fascinating at the same time, and I think this is connecting me more to my own body in a way, and I’ve never really been that squeamish about blood.

I did a little bit of research as there are quite a few brands selling menstrual cups now, but they are all kind of similar, so just have a look and see what could work for you.

I completely understand that this is not an option for everyone, and it is your choice as to how you deal with your periods, so no shame heading your way if using any of these period products makes you feel uncomfortable.

5. Reusable coffee cup from Keep Cup

I already have a reusable coffee cup, which I keep at work for when I need a mid-afternoon takeaway coffee to wake me up, but I was slightly put off Keep Cups as I thought I’d just smash it instantly. However, since I got this colourful coffee cup in a goodie bag, I’ve been taking it out in my tote bag and so far, so good.

It feels really nice in the hand, looks super cute, and is a good size for an american – though Keep Cups do come in other sizes too. With the amount of reusable coffee cups on the market now, there really are very few excuses to not have a sustainable one of your own if you’re a frequent hot drink buyer.

6. Teal Trunk reusable washing up scrubbers

I was sent these Teal Trunk scrubbers a while back, and have been busy putting them to the test. They feel really nice to use, and other than washing up, they’re great for cleaning make up brushes and loads of other stuff – there are tips on their website and Instagram. They come in lots of colours too!

Also, they are:
• made of FDA-approved silicone
• free from BPA, allergens and toxins
• bacteria and mildew resistant
• dishwasher and microwave safe

I would love to hear about any eco friendly changes you’ve been making, as I’m keen to continue on this journey of thinking about being more sustainable and conscious about the things I use. For example, I still need to swap to sustainable cotton pads for removing make up, and more natural toiletries like deodorant and make up. Any tips would be welcome.