20 Eco-friendly Products Every College Student Needs

 

1. Reusable 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.

Find the bags here. https://amzn.to/3KWhsRt

 

2. 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.

Find the pods here. https://amzn.to/3jQ6yAu

 

3.  Bee's 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 with soap and cold water when you're done using it.

            Find the wrap here. https://amzn.to/3Mdnmh9

 

4. Dishwasher Detergent Pods

           Most eco-friendly detergents 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.

           Find the pods here.  https://bit.ly/3OkakQN

 

5. Laundry Detergent Sheets

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 little strips cut down on shipping space by multiple times while still providing an effective clean that smells fresh and clean.

Find the sheets here. https://amzn.to/3L1xqJW

 

6. Wool Dryer Balls

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.

Find the dryer balls here. https://amzn.to/3EqmrHA

 

7. Reusable Silicone Straws

Not into the idea of lugging around a tumbler or water bottle all the time? At least consider packing one of these silicone straws.

Find the straws here.  https://amzn.to/3EqmMtC

 

8. Collapsible Travel Cup

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

Find the cups here.  https://amzn.to/3KXU9Xk

 

9. Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

             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.

             Find the makeup pads here.  https://amzn.to/3v4PmxX

 

10.  Refillable Deodorant

           The compostable container is able to be reused time and time again, while the refills come in biodegradable paper.

            Find the deodorant here. https://bit.ly/3jSCIvp

 

11. Whitening Toothpaste Tablets  

          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.

            Find the tablets here.  https://amzn.to/3Me75bM

 

12. Shampoo Bar

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.

Find the shampoo here. https://amzn.to/3uXAhOB

 

13. Hydrating Body Lotion Concentrate Bar

            Ethique's lotion concentrate comes in their compostable cardboard box and is added to boiling water to make a 11.83 fl oz bottle of lotion that you can put into a reusable dispenser.

             Find the lotion here.  https://amzn.to/3JXyJID

 

14. Boonboo Cotton Swabs

These bamboo cotton buds are an eco-friendly alternative to regular swabs as they're biodegradable.

        Find the swabs here.  https://amzn.to/3EAkV5F

 

15. Pencils With a Purpose

The Good Pencil Company, a certified B-Corp that supports a range of educational and environmental causes, makes pencils out of wood sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Find the pencils here.  https://bit.ly/3jUbe8x

 

16. Rocketbook Core reusable spiral notebook

Americans consume an estimated 208 million tons of paper in a year, so even if you're using recycled paper, it's still a lot of waste.

Find the notebook here.  https://amzn.to/3uVdBhE

 

17. Adidas Primeblue Shoes and Clothing

Adidas takes upcycled marine plastic waste, found along the coast, and uses it in all its Primeblue line of apparel and has the goal of making its entire product line free from polyester by 2024.

Find the clothing here.  https://bit.ly/38RBKx4

           

           18. Nimble Phone Cases

    Nimble makes these phone cases from 100% recycled plastic bottles and donates 5% of the proceeds to a range of environmental programs, including the Coral Reef Alliance, Carbonfund.org and SeaSave.org.

Find the phone case here.  https://bit.ly/37Yn9j3

 

19. House of Marley No Bounds Bluetooth Speaker

                  The company's waterproof Bluetooth speaker is made from sustainably sourced cork that's both renewable and biodegradable.

                  Find the speaker here. https://bit.ly/3KZXo0u

 

         20.   Preserve Shave 5 Five Blade Refillable Razor

                If you're not ready to make the switch to a safety razor just yet and prefer something a little more ergonomic, this low-waste  beauty product is made from 90 percent recycled plastic.

                 Find the razor here. https://amzn.to/3xCK5z0

 

                 Resource page: https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/g39375176/best-sustainable-products/