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Eco-Friendly New Year’s Resolutions

Eco Friendly New Year’s Resolutions

New year, new year, what will you bring? For some of us, a new year means possibilities, the chance to start anew, a fresh beginning. For others, a new year means more of the same old same old, and in all honesty, most of us probably fall into this second category. The fact of the matter is, new year’s resolutions are hard to keep, lifestyle changes are hard to implement, and by the time February rolls around, most of us are knee-deep in our old habits.

But why are new year’s resolutions so hard to keep? These are things we want, aren’t they? So why is it so dang difficult to stick to something? Making a change isn’t as simple as simply deciding to do it. Making a change requires making that change in multiple areas of your life, and doing so in a way that makes it possible for you to achieve what you want to achieve.

If you want to eat healthily, you have to make healthy food more accessible to you by planning ahead and only grocery shopping for those healthy items. If you want to go on more walks, you have to be sure you have a good pair of shoes, otherwise, you will have a great excuse to not get up and go.

If you want to go into a greener, cleaner 2020, we want to help you stick to your resolutions. At Wowe Lifestyle, we design products that make living an eco-friendly life easy and accessible for everyone. There are lots of things out there that make being environmentally conscious more difficult, but with a little planning and a healthy dose of commitment, you can resolve to improve the way you live for the sake of yourself and the planet. As you consider your new year’s resolutions for 2020, consider adding a few of these eco-friendly options to the list:

Say ‘No’ To Plastic Straws and Water Bottles

You already know that plastic straws and water bottles are bad for the environment. You already know that, although plastic water bottles are recyclable, they are rarely recycled. You already know that plastic straws are piling up in shocking numbers in the ocean. And you are well aware that plastic bottles leach BPA into your water, potentially impacting your health. Even though you know all of this, taking the leap and actually saying ‘no’ to these items has yet to happen. This New Year put your best foot forward and actually commit to cutting plastic water bottles and straws out of your life.

Rather than begrudgingly giving in to plastic water bottles and straws, plan ahead and make an eco-friendly option accessible. Rather than going to the store to pick up a plastic water bottle next time you head on a road trip, pack an eco-friendly reusable Stainless Steel Water Bottle from Wowe. Made from FDA approved stainless steel that never rusts or tarnishes, this water bottle also features a water-tight bamboo lid so you can take it anywhere you go.

Straws are an important tool for people with limited mobility, a good way to avoid staining teeth, and just a fun way to consume your favorite drink! Though plastic straws are bad for the environment, you don’t have to give up your favorite drinking accessory altogether. If you love using a straw, pick up a pack of our eco-friendly and fully reusable Stainless Steel Straws from Wowe. Our straws come in curved or straight varieties, and we even offer water-tight bamboo travel cases so you can take these straws on the road or to your favorite cafe.

Take the Bus

The myth that everyone needs a car is one that has caused a serious uptick in greenhouse gas emissions. Typical commuter vehicles are rarely filled, often occupied solely by the driver. The average personal use vehicle emits just under 1 pound of CO2 per mile traveled. With plenty of commuters traveling upwards of 20 miles each way on their daily commute, daily CO2 emissions can be upwards of 40 pounds per vehicle, often carrying a single passenger.

Buses and public transit options emit considerably less CO2 than personal passenger vehicles. A typical city bus emits only .6 pounds of CO2 per mile and can transport up to 40 people at a time. To put this in perspective, think of it this way: 40 individuals driving their own cars for 1 mile would emit 40 pounds of CO2. 40 individuals taking the bus 1 mile would emit less than one pound of CO2.

This coming year, resolve to reduce your impact on the environment and reduce CO2 emissions by electing to take public transit. Start by taking it slow. Try hopping on your local city bus once a week instead of driving your car, you may find that you enjoy taking the bus and want to do it more! Instead of focusing on traffic and the road, taking the bus can give you a chance to relax a little on your way to work. Bring a book, listen to a podcast, enjoy your favorite tunes, or just enjoy watching your neighborhood pass you by.

Buy Second-Hand and Donate

There are many reasons that waste is such a prevalent issue in our world today. In a world where the next best thing is always being advertised, it can be difficult to combat the urge to stay current with the latest trends. The fashion industry is one that profits greatly from the rapid cycling of trends, and though we would never discourage you from expressing yourself through style, we do want to encourage you to do so in a slightly more environmentally friendly way.

Make your closet greener next year by committing to donating your unwanted clothes and buying second hand where possible. Rather than chasing the newest item on the rack, consider how demand might impact waste in the fashion industry. If demand remains the same, companies will continue to rapidly cycle through products, and consumers will continue to buy and create more waste.

By buying secondhand, you avoid the necessity of completely new pieces of clothing being made, new textiles being woven, and new resources being used up. By donating your unwanted clothes, you can help others to break the cycle and find the fashionable clothes they want without creating more waste.

Carry Reusable Bags

You have probably heard plenty about the war on plastic bags, and you’ve probably heard all the statistics about marine animals and wildlife consuming or getting stuck in bags, only to perish as a result. Though most of us know that plastic bags are bad for the environment, without planning ahead, plastic bags can be difficult to avoid.

In the coming year, give yourself a leg up and make the job of avoiding plastic bags easy. At Wowe, we carry a range of reusable Organic Cotton Produce Bags that are perfect for plastic-free grocery shopping. Use these bags to protect produce, carry bulk groceries, and pick up loose baking ingredients. Our produce bags can be washed and reused for years, making them a super-environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic produce bags. Keep these bags in your purse, backpack, car, or by your door so you always have them on hand when you visit the grocery store.

Stop Buying Short-Life Plastic Items

Though extremely taxing on the environment, the most prominent poster children for single-use plastic items (plastic bags, straws, water bottles, etc.) are not the only culprits. Plastic is relatively durable, making it good for single-use items and short-term use items like razors and toothbrushes. These important lifestyle items that we use each and every day may not be something you have ever closely considered, but when you realize the amount of waste they produce, you will start to think twice about them.

More than 1 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away every year, most ending up in landfills where they are buried and left to slowly turn to microplastics over hundreds of years. Like toothbrushes, plastic razors suffer a similar fate. Often only used for several months, these mostly plastic lifestyle tools must be replaced frequently, continuing the wasteful cycle over and over again.

At Wowe, we know that the solution to these problems is fairly simple, which is why we love sharing our lifestyle products with our customers and surprising them with how easy it can be to live green. Rather than ever grabbing another pack of plastic toothbrushes or disposable razors ever again, try our eco-friendly versions.

Wowe’s Biodegradable Bamboo Toothbrush is made from water-resistant bamboo that will never splinter. Working just as well as a traditional plastic toothbrush, our bamboo toothbrushes need replacing every 3 months. Once you are done with your bamboo toothbrush, the natural bamboo handle will eventually biodegrade or can be reused/repurposed for crafts, garden markers, and more.

Also made from bamboo but also sporting stainless steel components to increase weight, balance, and durability, try Wowe’s Bamboo Safety Razor. Made to last a lifetime with proper care, our super-durable classic safety razor could be the last razor you ever purchase. Rather than needing to dispose of the full razor and head, our safety razor allows for easy blade replacement so you never are without a sharp edge. Once your blade goes dull, pop it out, recycle it, and replace it with a new blade.

Are you ready to take the plunge and commit to making 2020 your most eco-friendly year yet? Visit Wowe Lifestyle to learn more about living green, and about the many eco-friendly products we offer.