There are a lot of great green products out there, these days. And then, of course, there are the green-washed products (don’t be fooled!). You can be sure that this list of five great eco-friendly products offers you great products for a great deal.
1. Burt’s Bees Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub – We’ve always been a fan of Philosophy’s Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash but wanted to find something that was better for the environment (and our skin) to replace it. nter Burt’s Bees Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub, with its finely ground peach stone naturally and gently exfoliating our skin, and willowbark and goldenseal to help clear our pores. Compare its price ($8 for 4 ounces) to Philosophy ($25 for 8 ounces).
2. Dolphin Faucet Fountain by Jokari – Looking for a way to make tap water more interesting to your kids? This clever little Dolphin turns your tap into a water fountain! Jokari’s been making cool gadgets for the home for over 33 years. Surely their longevity is partly due to their awesome prices. This little dolphin can make your tap more fun than you thought possible, for only $3.79.
3. Dr. Bronner’s Classic Fair Trade Castile Soaps – Way before its time, for over 60 years Dr. Bronner has been the go-to for multi-purpose castile soaps. They’re not only certified Fair Trade, but also certified under the USDA National Organic Program. An awesome multi-tasker, use the rose soap for your bubble bath, bring peppermint on camping trips and use it to wash your hair, skin, as well as your teeth! Or buy baby mild, add your own essential oils and make your own laundry detergent and more.
4. Kootsac – Kootsac is an alternative to throw-away plastic bags. They come in various sizes, colors, and are available in 100% natural silk (bulk food bags), 100% cotton (produce bags), or ripstop nylon (both). They’re lightweight, strong, washable and reusable. We love that they come in sizes that vary from small enough to allow you to buy fresh spices out of the bin, and large enough to buy grapefruits. Although the prices vary, you can probably get as many bags as you need for under $20. Another perk: they’re homemade and sold through Etsy.
5. The Old Farmer’s Almanac – Like a good friend who miraculously has all the answers, this oldie (but goodie!) will help you plan your garden, predict the weather, and make your own homemade chicken stock. All for only $6.95. I know…we can’t believe it either!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the list, but just wanted to point out that Burt’s Bees is now owned by Clorox. Burt’s Bees originators may have been environmentally focused, but now if you buy their products you are supporting a big corporation who may be simply trying to “green” their reputation. Personally, I shop Etsy for natural beauty products and feel better supporting the smaller sellers there (you can also customize your Etsy search to find sellers who are local or at least closer to you). Plus, the ingredients are often simpler and more effective.
When large corporations try to “green” their reputation, it means they see the writing on the wall, in my opinion. It is also small type of change, while slow as molasses, that’s still change for the better. As long as Burts Bees remains environmentally sensitive, people should continue to use their products. If Clorox makes a profit on green, they will get greener. And that’s a good thing. Making environmentally sound practices profitable will bring big business around sooner and maybe even save the planet.
TM, thanks for the feedback. I admit I did forget about BB being purchased by Clorox. Too sad. I love Etsy as well! Another great brand for homemade beauty products is Lush. I’ve been trying their shampoos as of late – no packaging all pure, pretty impressive. I didn’t think a girl with long hair could deal with a soap-looking shampoo bar but it’s pretty impressive. I will check Etsy out for their beauty products as well…
Good point, Tracy.