Furthering Our Commitment to Change

Products From Lower Left to Right: “All-Purpose Spaghetti Scrub” by Goodbye Detergent, Saponetti “Stain Remover Laundry Bar,” “All Purpose Cleaner, Rosemary & Peppermint,” “T.C.U. Dishwasher Tabs,” “Laundry Liquid, Lavender & Lime,” “Beebagz Starter Pack” (large size not pictured)

After watching Greta Thunberg vehemently demand change from our world leaders and seeing how many millions of people turned out for climate strikes around the globe, I feel more empowered and inspired than ever.  

Yes, the science and data is scary and yes, it’s easy to say it’s all up to big business and government to turn this thing around.  But I truly believe that collectively, if we all commit to change, open our eyes, live mindfully and with awareness, we are capable of moving the needle in the right direction.  

Since becoming an ambassador for 10000 Changes (@10000changes), Canada’s Commitment to Rethink Plastics, there has been an even further shift in my thinking.  I can’t get groceries, take-out or shop online without questioning where the item or packaging will go once I’m done with it.  My eyes are open all the time for ways to do better and waste less. And I’ve grown more inspired than ever by the great many of you that have shared your changes and tips with me.

Here are some of the permanent switches we’ve made and some products that we’ve learned about that help reduce how much we throw in the garbage or recycling. (And p.s. this is not an #ad)

Products from Left to Right: Saponetti “All Purpose Cleaner, Rosemary & Peppermint,” “T.C.U. Dishwasher Tabs,” “Laundry Liquid, Lavender & Lime,”

Once I heard about refillable household products, I was sold hook, line and kitchen sink(er).  A friend told me about Saponetti, a Toronto based company that sells Canadian-made, environmentally friendly household products delivered in reusable glass mason jars. And the best part is, once you’re done, they’ll pick up the empties “just like the milkman used to do!” (They also have a depot where you can go and refill yourself). 

I loved the online ordering process but was even more impressed by the products themselves.  My order was delivered in 2 days by a zero-emissions courier.  The Rosemary & Peppermint all-purpose cleaner smells fresh and clean and because it’s non-toxic I feel good using it all over the house. It’s extremely concentrated (you dilute 1-2 TBSP per 4 litres of water) so this 1000ml jar will last us a long time. Oh, and I used an empty cleaning bottle so ta-da!!!! one less item in the bin too.

I’m obsessively smelling my clothes since switching to this laundry detergent, I love the stain remover bar and the dishwasher tabs work great.  With these changes alone we stand to eliminate several plastic containers into our recycling bin every month.  I know refill depots like this are popping up all over the place, so it’s definitely worth doing a google search in your area to see if refilling instead of re-buying is available where you live.

Keeping with the dishwashing theme, Randall came across these dishwashing scrubbies and while they are a bit pricy, they have been a total game changer.  There is nothing nastier than a funky dish sponge, and because I’m “fresh obsessed,” I was throwing them out almost weekly.  These “Spaghetti Scrubs” are made of peach pits and cotton, they claim to last for 4-6 months without breaking down and you can pop them in the dishwasher or the microwave to disinfect.  

We’ve long said goodbye to single-use storage bags, as there are so many wonderful and reusable options out there.  I was really happy to come across these bags from Beebagz, because my love of beeswax wrap is real.  I got the 4-pack with different sizes and I use them almost daily.  They are especially great at keeping bread fresh and are super easy to clean.  I personally love the smell of beeswax, but if you don’t and you’re worried that scent will transfer to your food you can rest easy. It doesn’t. I picked mine up at Logan & Finley.

I love this quote from Anne Marie Bonneau “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero-waste perfectly, we need millions doing it imperfectly”

What a great message we should all be living by.  Look around your house, what you pick up, use, and throw in a bin each day.  Then start to ask yourself if there is a better, less wasteful option.  You’d be surprised at how easy it is to implement changes once you start. All you have to do is get the ball rolling.

Big love (for you and the planet),

Danielle