You Can Plant These Seeded Pencils in Your Garden to Grow Flowers and Herbs

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There's a common misconception out there that making your lifestyle more environmentally conscious requires a complete overhaul of everything you do and use. But making more sustainable choices can be as simple as changing dishwashing detergents, buying eco-friendly cleaning products, and shopping brands that use recyclable packaging.

Small steps can lead to big change, especially when everyone contributes. The best part? While these switches are better for the environment, sustainable products are usually better for us and our wallets in the long-term, as well. We call that a win-win-win.

What is a sustainable product?

Before you shop to make the change, it's best to get a basic understanding of environmentally-conscious marketing. For starters, be prepared to be bombarded with a barrage of terms like "eco-friendly," "sustainable," and "green," and know that they aren't synonymous. Here's some basic definitions:

• Green: This is the most basic term when it comes to environmentally-friendly products and tends to be overused and even misused by brands just to get consumers to purchase. If a product label just says it's "green," it's probably not all that environmentally-friendly in comparison to regular items.

• Eco-friendly: In the truest sense of the word, eco-friendly means that a product doesn't harm the planet. From production to packaging, these products are consciously sourced and made.

• Sustainable: Sustainability takes a broad prospective on more than just environmentally conscious choices. Companies that produce sustainable products focus on lessening environmental waste, but also on social benefits, as well. You'll see many of these brands have charitable initiatives in addition to environmentally-friendly ones. Out of all the terms listed, being truly sustainable is the hardest to achieve.
  

How to identify sustainable products when shopping:

To find sustainable products in the market, look for an item "made with the planet in mind throughout its entire lifecycle, spanning from the extraction of raw materials to its disposal," says Jhánneu Roberts, a sustainability expert and speaker.

Plus, Michaela Barnett, PhD, a strategic sustainability consultant and owner and operator of KnoxFill, recommends keeping an eye out for "companies that are reducing waste and emissions in their manufacturing, paying and treating people well at every stage of the product's lifecycle, and that have intention with their end of life beyond just being tossed in the bin."

And with that, you're ready to start shopping more sustainably. Ahead, shop the 43 best sustainable and eco-friendly products and get more expert tips for greener living. P.S. These picks make great eco-friendly gifts, too!

Countertop Electric Composter

If you can't have—or don't want—a backyard composter, or you just don't want to wait several weeks for kitchen scraps to turn into compost, consider the Lomi. It's an electric countertop device that will turn a day's worth of scraps into soil for your pots or garden in a matter of hours. Just fill it up, hit the friendly button on the front, and wait for the beep. No fuss, no muss!

Reusable Bamboo Paper Towels

If you're looking for a reusable cloth that has a feel that's similar to paper towels, then these bamboo towels are for you. They come on a convenient roll and are thinner than many other reusable cloths and more flexible when wet.

Pencils with Flower, Herb, and Vegetable Seeds

These wood-cased, seed-filled pencils are the perfect gift ideas for gardeners. After jotting down plans for their plot, they can simply plant these biodegradable writing utensils in soil to grow everything from flowers to herbs.

Added perk: Each pencil is engraved with heart-warming sayings, like "all things grow with love" and "absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Hand Soap Duo

We all need to wash our hands, and with Blueland's hand soap duo, you can keep yours clean with just the drop of a tablet. The set comes with two refillable glass bottles and five plant-based tablets that just need water to turn into soap.

Quencher H2.O FlowState Tumbler

If you still haven't ditched plastic water bottles, move that to the top of your to-do list. Beyond just the single-use plastic, factor in transportation pollution to the grocery store and to the landfill, and you can officially consider these to be a top culprit of household waste. Reusable water bottles are far more environmentally friendly, as a top-quality tumbler like this Stanley will last for years.

Savon de Marseille Laundry Stain Remover

Instead of the single-use plastics you'd find in your laundry products, this natural stain remover simply consists of marseille soap enriched with bicarbonate and a recyclable paper wrapping. To use, rub on stains for a pre-wash treatment or apply it to collars to get rid of grime.

Reusable Period Disc & Liners Duo

Both sustainable and safe to use for up to 12 hours without leaks, these Flex reusable menstrual cycle discs are designed to hold the same capacity as six super tampons. Plus, this set comes with 100 percent bamboo underwear liners for added period and odor protection.

Body Wash + Refill Set

Not only will you be able to gently refresh your skin with light grapefruit, mandarin, and Mediterranean herb scents in this body wash bundle, but you'll also get a refill to keep your shower stocked.

Forever Eye Mask

Prepare for soothing self-care: After applying an eye gel, serum, or cream to your skin, allow the product to get tacky, then add these reusable eye masks on top for 10 to 20 minutes. The best part? You can reuse these eye masks umpteen times.

Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Struggling to clean up pesky dirt and stains? Made of recycled plastic, this Bissell machine is manufactured to tackle both of these issues from all surface types with its strong suction and scrubbing and lifting abilities.

The Way-High Jean

A good pair of jeans can last you years. And thanks to this Everlane denim pair, you'll also support the planet along the way. These were made in an LEED-certified factory that uses renewable energy and air drying to reduce its CO2 emissions by 80 percent. Plus, they're made of organic cotton.

Odor Removing Laundry Booster

Alerting all fitness fanatics: With this natural plant oil-based laundry booster, you can tackle tough workout gear odors without added perfumes. What's more, you can even use this versatile laundry booster as a multi-purpose cleaner to refresh surfaces and floors.

The reBoard

Made of kitchen plastic scraps and renewable sugarcane, you'll be slicing and dicing all your ingredients with sustainability in mind with the help of this upcycled cutting board.

Worthy SuperCharged SkinScent Travel Pen

This Moodeaux fragrance is definitely "worthy" of a spot in your clean beauty kit. Formulated with apricot kernel, grape seed, and meadowfoam seed oils, this fresh perfume is made to mesh with and enhance your natural chemistry. Plus, it comes in sustainable packaging to keep waste out of landfills.

Bamboo Toothbrush Set

Public Goods's bamboo toothbrush set is completely biodegradable to help you avoid routine plastic toothbrush waste. Plus, the bristles are soft, yet firm to allow sensitive teeth to get a thorough cleaning.

Moroccan Large Cone Drinking Glasses

Beer and wine bottles are upcycled to make this six-piece drinking glass set. Each sustainable glass is handblown and designed to hold the refreshment of your choice. Bonus: They also come in a few vibrant hues to choose from.

Size 1 Eco-Friendly Diapers

New moms will appreciate this pack of plant-based diapers that are gentle on baby's sensitive skin. They even have umbilical cord cut-outs that are contoured to protect newborns's belly areas, as well as a color-changing wetness indicator that'll let parents know it's time for a diaper change.

Dish Washing Block Soap

No Tox Life is a favorite all-natural brand of Barnett. Its vegan block soap lathers to help cut through grease and grime and is septic safe for the health of your kitchen drainage system.

Serengeti Tote Bag Starter Kit

Long gone are the days of bunching single-use plastic grocery bags together under the kitchen sink. This tote kit will reimagine this experience with two biodegradable bags and a reflective shoulder strap that can help you shop and protect the planet one farmers market trip at a time.

Baltic Amber Candle and Refill

It's always a shame to throw out gorgeous candle jars once you've burned through all the wax (candle lovers will know exactly what I mean!). Voluspa now sells wax refills that you can plop right back into an old candle jar, saving you money and cutting down on waste.

Reusable Food Storage Bag

It's estimated that Americans alone use around 100 billion plastic bags every year, about 365 per person, so swapping out plastic one-time use bags for reusable silicone bags is a simple but impactful place to start when it comes to making more eco-friendly choices. Stasher bags come in a variety of sizes and colors and are easily tossed in the dishwasher to clean.

Swedish Dish Cloths

Dish cloths > paper towels. When it comes to being environmentally friendly, reusable products are the name of the game. Of course, any dish cloth is better than a paper towel, but we're partial to these as they're easy to wash and reuse, but when you're done with them, they're biodegradable.

Reusable Metal Coffee Pod

Single-serve coffee makers definitely make mornings easier, but those plastic coffee pods are terrible for the environment. Cut down on your plastic use without cutting out your coffee addiction by switching to a reusable stainless steel pod that you fill with your own grounds. Yet another bonus: it's cheaper in the long run than the plastic alternative.

Reusable Grocery Shopping Bags

This might just be the easiest swap on the entire list. We all know plastic bags are bad for the environment, so bringing your own to the grocery store is a simple switch that positively affects the planet. Many reusable totes we find are flimsy, but these hefty bags are durable and can pack more than their weight in products.

Misfits Market Subscription

Or consider ditching the grocery store all together and getting a subscription to an eco-friendly delivery service like Misfits Market. They'll deliver your groceries straight to your door and select produce that has slight aesthetic defects that normally might be looked over at the grocery store.

Natural Dog Soap Bar

Calling all dog owners! Bathing your furry friend just got much easier and more sustainable with this handy little bar. It's made of all-natural ingredients and eliminates single-use plastic thanks to the small box it comes in.

Cleaning Concentrate

Grove Collaborative is a hub of eco-friendly and sustainable products, including both their own line of goods and outside brands they carry. They're both plastic and carbon neutral, meaning any waste they create they offset. Roberts loves "their cleaning concentrates, which come in glass and use natural ingredients"for just about every surface in your home.

Bee's Wrap

Yet another plastic you can completely eliminate in your household use—plastic wrap. Bee's wrap is a plastic wrap alternative made of cotton, beeswax, tree resin, and plant oils that can be reused for up to a year. Simply warm the wrap with the heat of your hands to create a breathable seal, then wash wish soap and cold water when you're done using it.

100% Recycled Paper Bath Tissue

This toilet paper is made from 100 percent recycled paper, but that doesn't mean it lacks softness or strength. It's two-ply, compatible with septic, RV, and low-flow systems, and comes in 100 percent recycled plastic packaging.

Dishwasher Detergent Pods

If there's one thing we'd be hesitant to give up in our cleaning product arsenal to be more sustainable, it would be our beloved dishwasher detergent pods. Most eco-friendly detergents we've tried either don't clean effectively or leave a gritty residue on dishes. These pods are different because they use oxygen-based bleaching and enzyme agents to fight stubborn stains without leaving residue. Consider me a convert.

Laundry Detergent Sheets

The problem with most liquid, powder, and pod laundry detergents: they take up so much space, and not just in your laundry room. From the plastic many of these detergents use to package the product to the transportation pollution caused by shipping, regular detergent is extremely inefficient when it comes to protecting the environment. These hypoallergenic eco strips cut down on shipping space by multiple times while still providing an effective clean that smells fresh and clean and is gentle on sensitive skin.

Wool Dryer Balls

File dryer sheets under yet another single-use product that has an even better eco-friendly alternative. Wool dryer balls are free of the harsh chemicals that some dryer sheets contain and can be used for years before needing to be replaced. Miss the fresh scent of your beloved sheets? Add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil to the dryer balls to get the same effect.

Bamboo Wooden Spoons

Obviously purchasing wooden or metal cooking utensils is better than plastic, but each can come with their own problems. Metal utensils can't be used on non-stick cookware, and most wooden utensils are a hassle to clean. These bamboo utensils are safe to use on any pan and can be popped in the dishwasher when you're done.

Stainless Steel Compost Bin

As we mentioned before, composting is one of the most eco-friendly changes you can make in your everyday life. By simply composting your food waste instead of tossing it into the trash, you save transportation pollution from shipping your waste to a landfill, and you reduce CO2 emissions. Bonus: You get great garden fertilizer! This kitchen scrap holder uses both an air-tight lid and a charcoal filter to eliminate any smells, until you can get the scraps to your backyard composter.

Waffle Bath Towels

We're already big fans of Pact's eco-friendly clothing line, including dresses and loungewear made with organic cotton in a fair trade factory. Expect more of the same from their bedding and bath line. Their luxurious towels have a spa-like feel and are made from premium, long-staple cotton.

Collapsible Travel Cup

If you prefer a cup with a sippable lid for your hot drinks like tea, then snag this one. It collapses into a small disk when not in use so it's also incredibly easy to travel with.

Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

If we've said it once, we've said it a thousand times. If there's a reusable alternative to a single-use product you use regularly, then make the switch! These bamboo makeup remover wipes can be used with micellar water, face wash, or just water to gently clean the face and then tossed in the washing machine to use again. They even come with a mesh pouch you can use to contain your clean or dirty pads.

Refillable Deodorant

Deodorant might not be the first thing you think of when you consider living more environmentally friendly, but this refillable deodorant makes it so easy. The compostable container is able to be reused time and time again, while the refills come in biodegradable paper. Not only is it an eco-friendly choice, but Humankind has made their deodorant sustainable by offsetting their carbon emissions through investing in forest preservation projects.

Safety Razor

Safety razors are by far the most eco-friendly shaving option, but anyone who's used them knows there can be a slight learning curve due to the fact that these razors don't pivot and bend like the plastic counterparts you're probably used to. This option is an investment on the front end, but there's practically no learning curve thanks to the metal razor's double-edge blades and a pivoting head. It also comes with 10 blade refills, so you'll be stocked for quite a while.

Whitening Toothpaste Tablets

So why is regular toothpaste bad? Well, for starters, the obvious plastic packaging. Next up, you're probably using too much toothpaste (a pea-sized drop is plenty), meaning you'll need to repurchase more often, which equals more transportation pollution. These toothpaste tablets use nano-hydroxyapatite, a fluoride alternative developed by NASA for astronauts to brush their teeth in zero-gravity environments. If it's good enough for astronauts, it's good enough for us.

Shampoo Bar

I imagine when most people think of shampoo bars, they imagine a similar feeling to soap bars—drying and harsh. But that couldn't be less true with ethique's shampoo. While each bar is environmentally friendly and comes in a compostable box, they're formulated without soaps, parabens, and sulfates, aka the drying ingredients that give you that squeaky-clean feeling you might not want on your scalp. We also love that they offer a wide range of bars for different hair concerns, including an extra-mild shampoo for kids. Need conditioner, too? They've got it in bar form, as well!

Reusable Cotton Swabs

Okay, hear us out on this one. This reusable swab replaces up to 1,000 regular cotton swabs, saving so much transportation pollution from the single-use products. To clean it, simply wash with a mild soap and warm water.

Boonboo Cotton Swabs

If you're not ready to fully make the switch to reusable cotton swabs, then these bamboo cotton buds are an eco-friendly alternative to regular swabs as they're biodegradable.

What to look for in the best sustainable products

"When we're shopping for sustainable products, the first place we have to look is inside—that may sound cheesy, but it's true!" says Barnett. She recommends asking yourself the following questions: Do I need this?, will I use it?, and how many times? "Our closets, pantries, and homes are filled with stuff we don't use, most of which will one day end up in a landfill," Barnett says.

Reusable

"Reusable products help reduce waste and conserve resources by replacing single-use items," says Roberts. "They should be durable enough to withstand multiple uses, reducing the need for frequent replacements."

Durability

Roberts recommends choosing products that are built to last and designed for easy repair or maintenance. "Repairable items reduce the need for premature replacements, extending their lifespan and reducing waste," she adds.

Packaging

Keep an eye out for products with little to no plastic packaging, notes Roberts. Plus, make sure it's recyclable, compostable, or made from recycled materials.

Local and Sustainable Sourcing

Have products you can shop from small businesses in your community? This is not only a great way to reduce transportation emissions, but it also helps support local economies, Roberts shares."Refilleries, zero waste stores, and local shops are a great place to start, and their owners and employees will be happy to answer your questions about why they stock the products they do," adds Barnett.

Certifications"Look for products with recognized sustainability certifications, such as Fair Trade Certified, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Oeko tex, B Corporation, and Climate Neutral Certified," says Roberts. "These certifications provide assurance that the product meets specific environmental and social standards."

How to live more sustainably

In addition to making more environmentally conscious shopping choices, there's plenty of other easy ways you can help the planet—without even spending a buck!

• Most obviously, pay attention to your electronics usage. Did you know you can purchase an energy usage monitor that'll tell you exactly what appliances are your biggest consumption culprits? If you don't want to spend the money on one, though, you can track your household usage via your monthly power bill. Make an effort to turn off appliances when not in use, and cut down on how often you use them. Do you really need to run the washing machine just for one shirt, or will a hand-wash do instead?

• Consider buying second-hand when you can. Remember when we said that many environmentally conscious choices are also good for your wallet? Here you go. This can go far beyond thrift shops and rummage sales. Sites like Luxury Garage Sale, The Real Real, and thredUP all sell high-end, luxury name brands at a fraction of the price because they're lightly used. You can also rent clothes via sites like Rent the Runway (yes, they offer everyday clothes in addition to formal wear).

• Another simple change that your wallet will appreciate is not wasting food. Food waste contributes massively to the detriment of the environment through wasted shipping resources and carbon dioxide emissions in landfills. Start taking stock of what's in your pantry and cook fridge clean-out recipes that make use of whatever you have on hand (pro tip: get the whole family involved in this one, like a homemade pizza where everyone picks their toppings). Also, eat those leftovers! Trust us, the planet and your wallet will thank you.

• Consider composting! For many people, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear composting is those massive turning compost bins for your yards. Contrary to popular belief, those aren't necessary. You can compost just as easily with a small bin placed in your kitchen or freezer, or a countertop composter. Bonus: compost makes wonderful fertilizer for your garden. Which brings us to our next point...

• Start a garden. Yes, being environmentally friendly can be as simple as getting out in the garden. Whether you plant your own vegetable garden, a few trees, or even just some pollinator plants, all plants take in CO2 and release oxygen, which is always beneficial for the planet.

Meet the experts

• Jhánneu Roberts is a sustainability expert and speaker.

• Michaela Barnett, PhD is a strategic sustainability consultant and owner and operator of KnoxFill, East Tennessee's first zero waste refillery.

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