What is this product?
Collapsible straws are a newer product we have seen in the last few years as people have moved towards cutting plastic from their lifestyles. There are many designs of these straws but they all come in a small case that you can keep on your keychain so that you always have it with you. Most of these straws come with a small brush or squeegee to keep it clean on the go.
How much work is this product?
My sister and I originally purchased straws made from silicone with four metal pieces on the outside that snap the straw together from Amazon. We had to get rid of them because they started to grow some black mildew and the silicone started to crack. After this happened I started to watch reviews of this brand of straw, Final Straw, where I learned that you have to keep the straw bent in a glass to let the moisture drain after washing it. This seems like a lot of work with little return so I looked into straws that would not come with this problem. I came across the silicone only straws that were designed to bend and do not have the metal that will cause the mildew to grow in the straw.
Will this product save me money?
No, this product will not save you money. The movement to ban or refuse plastic straws has gained momentum during the last few years and if that is something you want to participate in then a collapsible straw is the way to go.
What’s the verdict?
Maintenance Score: 3
This straw requires very little maintenance as you only have to clean it with the squeegee and a little soap and water. The reason it got a 3 rather than a lower score is because using this product creates work that previously wasn’t there when using disposable plastic straws. Initial Investment Score: 3 This was awarded an initial investment score of three because there are a variety of options on Amazon and across various websites. The one that I have only cost a few dollars after I split the set with my sister but the case was not made with recycled plastic like the more expensive Final Straw. There are also options with metal cases but I have not tried those products as I am happy with my current purchase and do not want to buy more than I need. Money-Saving Score: 5 Reusable straws receive a high score because it will never save you money however they were never designed to save you money. This is a product to purchase if you want to reduce your plastic waste, no matter the cost. Where can I buy this?
You can buy the original Final Straw with the post-consumer recycled plastic on FinalStraw.com. You can buy a silicone only straw on Amazon.com and a metal only straw with a metal case on Amazon.com.
Why is making the switch important?
I firmly believe that every little bit counts when it comes to saving the planet. You can reduce your plastic waste by simply refusing the plastic straw when you can but if you want or need to use a straw a reusable option is a great idea. I am pleased with my silicone only straw because it is the easiest to clean but I know the plastic case is a drawback to most. You can always choose to invest in a more expensive straw with a case made from recycled plastic or metal.
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What is this product?Bite Toothpaste Bits are an alternative to traditional tube toothpaste. These bits are solid pieces of “toothpaste” that you bite down on and use a wet toothbrush to activate into a foam just like your old toothpaste. The first order of bits will come in a recyclable glass jar with a metal lid and further refills of this product will come in a compostable bag. The product comes shipped in a corrugated cardboard box, which is accepted in curbside recycling where I live, and sealed with paper, not plastic, tape. This is an upgrade from most plastic tubes because they are not recyclable. According to recyclenow.com, “these tubes are often made of different types of plastics, as well as containing a metal layer. In general, they are not recyclable, although there have been breakthroughs including by Colgate and TerraCycle offer a recycling scheme for oral care products.” How much work is this product?This product does require a small change in routine and will add about a minute to your daily teeth care practice. You also need to remember to refill your jar every month or every four months depending on the size you purchase. Bite offers an automatic subscription to make this a ‘set it and forget it’ process. As for the actual product, the bits are easy to use but they do need to be chewed up evenly to not waste the product. I also find it uncomfortable to have larger pieces unchewed before I start brushing. Will this product save me money?No, this product will not save you money, instead, this is a more expensive alternative to conventional oral care products. However, it’s a great environmentally friendly swap if you can afford to spend about $100 a year on toothpaste. If this is out of your price range, there are some more affordable options on the market that I will be reviewing as I try them. Hopefully, this product will become more affordable for everyone as more people start to mix eco-friendly products into their lifestyles. While I do appreciate the environmental sustainability of the bits, these are not a financially sustainable product for me and I will be researching other options to switch to in the future. What’s the verdict?Maintenance Score: 2 This got a two because I wrote about above you do need to refill the jar and change your oral care routine slightly to use this product. This does not require a huge shift in your daily routine but does require some work, which is why it did not get the lowest score. Initial Investment Score: 5 This got the highest score because a four-month supply retails at $30 a jar making this product much more expensive than conventional toothpaste. Money-Saving Score: 5 This product is even harder to continue to use as it has no real potential to save you money and requires a real monetary commitment to use. This is just a reminder that switching to environmentally conscious products is a privilege in many cases. Where can I buy this?This product is only sold through Bite’s website which can be found here. You can read more about the contents of the product, their packaging, and their shipping methods here. Why is making the switch important?Conventional toothpaste tubes are made of plastic, which adds to the plastic pollution already plaguing our planet. This switch is easy to make and helps to reduce the plastic in our landfills and oceans with each glass jar purchased. I will be continuing to research alternatives to plastic toothpaste tubes to make sure that there is a financially affordable option represented on this blog in the future.
What is this product?
A bamboo toothbrush is one of the easiest zero waste swaps you can make in your journey to reduce your waste. This product is made out of a compostable bamboo handle and depending on the brand the bristles will be made of various products. The toothbrush I have is from Brush with Bamboo and they now offer a 100% plant-based toothbrush. You can read more about the composition of their castor oil bristles on their FAQ page. In previous versions of the toothbrush, the bristles were made out of nylon and need to be removed and recycled or sent to landfill if nylon recycling is not offered near you.
Whatâs the verdict?
A quick reminder: this is where I will be writing a short summary and give each product I review a score out of 5 in the three categories. A product will receive a score out of 5 in three categories: the amount of additional work, the amount of additional investment, and the amount it may save you long term. The lower the score, the better the product does in that category.
Maintenance Score: 1
There is no maintenance required for this toothbrush. I read that it is better to use an open-air toothbrush holder so I did purchase a metal holder before I started using this brush. I try to wipe down the toothbrush after every use to keep the grime from accumulating on the toothbrush holder. Initial Investment Score: 1 This product does not require a large sum of money to start using if you purchase a single brush. Money-Saving Score: 2 This product received a 2 because it is almost a complete wash but could be a few dollars more a year depending on what toothbrush you used previously. Where can I buy this?
I purchased my Brush with Bamboo toothbrush from Package Free Shop for $4.50 because they offer the option to purchase a single toothbrush. Both Package Free Shop and Brush with Bamboo offer subscription services for bamboo toothbrushes. You can also check out the toothbrush section at your local grocery or box store for a bamboo toothbrush, I have been seeing them start to pop up on shelves near me.
Why is making the switch important?
This is not only an easy switch but it is important because in many places toothbrushes are not recyclable and end up going straight to the landfill. Reducing plastic waste is a major way we can all help to be more eco-friendly.
Clearly by Marliii is the refreshing new single that will pull us through this unprecedented time of quarantine and social distancing. Marliii’s distinctive style stands out in the current age of pop music as she mixes familiar beats with a modern sound to create a style that draws you in and keeps you there. Her music combines R&B and jazz and everything in-between to create a song that is uniquely Marliii. I have known Marliii as Marli Delaney for the last four years during our time at Hofstra Univerity where we were Alpha Epsilon Phi sisters and both on the board of WRHU, our college radio station. Marli, true to form, was the station’s Music Director, whereas I worked as the Program Director of Talk. I enjoyed listening to Marli DJ events that we had at school and her WRHU show, Marli’s Mashup Mania, where she created her own musical mashups. The release of Clearly is timely in the age of a global pandemic. The track grasps concepts about nature and connection as the entire planet faces serious upheaval in our day-to-day lives, work environment, and ability to connect with others. Getting into nature has quickly become one of the few safe activities for so many of us to enjoy and so we are all getting time to connect with nature in a way that we might not have done before. This song serves as a great reminder that in this time of social distancing we can still enjoy the company of our loved ones, we just need to get a little creative Marliii has been working on her music for the last decade in New York City and has a strong understanding of sound mixing and production as evidenced by her latest music. Marliii hopes to change the industry by becoming one of the few female mix engineers. She is a strong female artist taking the lead to create a more inclusive market and a space for non-male producers. 👇 Click on any of the images below to find marli's music 👇It has been exciting to watch Marliii take this next step into her music career after watching her grow as a musician and leader during our years at Hofstra. I highly recommend you check out Marliii’s newest track, Clearly, for an easy-listen, well-produced, and enjoyable song. You can find Marliii on any major streaming platform.
What is this product?Wool Dryer Balls are one of the easiest zero waste switches I have made; they are made out of wool and are used to replace single-use dryer sheets. This product reduces drying time by helping to move the clothes around in the dryer and helps to soften clothes without the chemicals in a traditional dryer sheet. Wool is a natural fabric and compostable, which means at the end of its life it won’t create additional waste in a landfill. How much work is this product?This product creates little to no extra work when doing your laundry instead of throwing used dryer sheets in the trash after a single use, you can put the dryer balls right back in the dryer ready for your next load. Most wool dryer balls come unscented but if you prefer a scent, you can use a few drops of any essential oil on them. Just make sure to allow a few hours for the oil to soak in and dry before use. If your wool dryer balls are causing a build-up of static electricity there is an easy fix: reduce your dryer time. If you want to take it one step further you can add a metal safety pin directly to your wool dryer ball or to a sock you will keep with your dryer balls. The metal in the pin will help to reduce the build-up of static electricity in your clothes. Will this product save me money?Three wool dryer balls should last up to 1,000 loads of laundry and only need to be replaced when they start to unravel. The wool dryer balls I have from Mighty Nest cost $17 and the ones my mom has from Norwex cost $30. I am not sure why there is such a price discrepancy but even if you choose to purchase the more expensive dryer balls you will save money over time. The cost of a 70 count box of dryer sheets at our local store is $5.75 making 1,000 loads of laundry cost $82. What’s the verdict?A quick reminder: this is where I will be writing a short summary and give each product I review a score out of 5 in the three categories. A product will receive a score out of 5 in three categories: the amount of additional work, the amount of additional investment, and the amount it may save you long term. The lower the score, the better the product does in that category. Maintenance Score: 1 This product requires no additional work. All you have to do is pluck the balls out of your clothes and stick them back in the dryer for next time. Initial Investment Score: 2 This product received a lower score for the initial investment because the wool dryer balls cost about double the cost of a box of dryer sheets. However, the initial cost is not so outrageous that it is impossible to start using the product. Money-Saving Score: 1 Wool dryer balls received the lowest score for money-saving because if you make the switch, you can save around $65 per 1,000 loads of laundry. This figure could vary for individuals depending on how long your dryer balls last past the 1,000 load mark and the amount you were spending on dryer sheets before you switched. Overall, this product has the ability to save you some money, which makes it an economical switch. Where can I buy this?I purchased this product on Mighty Nest and my mom bought hers from Norwex and there are vegan alternatives available such as these plastic puffer fish balls. Why is making the switch important?This switch is easy to do and helps the planet by reducing the number of single-use products we send to landfill. This is probably the easiest switch to make because there is almost no maintenance to the product and it keeps the chemicals in dryer sheets out of your laundry room. Did you know that, according to Mighty Nest, dryer sheets emit up to 8 hazardous air pollutants? The air in your home will thank you for making this switch!
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