First, just let me say: finals are over! So, I hope to have a few good posts over the next week and a half. I have found that one of the most important things that I can do to live more sustainably is to pay close attention to the products that I buy. Manufacturers today know that a product that requires you to continually purchase replacements or components for it will, in the end, make them more money. Marketers know that if they can convince us that these products are faster and easier, leaving us with more time for living, we will surely buy these products. We live in a society in which quick and easy are valued above quality and longevity. At times, quick and easy is just fine. I mean, who doesn't like saving time?!
There are other times though, that saving time doesn't mean saving money or sustaining your household and the planet. There are times when that seemly convenient product can be replaced with something equally convenient, easy and will surpass the lifespan of the other product. This is the start of a series of posts that I'd like to call "Use this, not this" in which I give you product alternatives that are sustainable without any added hassle. So, without further ado...
Purchase a hand-powered flashlight instead of using a battery operated one. We all know we need to have flashlights around the house, with batteries in them, for safety. The problem is, those batteries lose charge over time, even if we rarely use the flashlight. I found this hand-powered flashlight at IKEA for $4.99. You simply crank the handle a couple of times, push the button and, voila, you have light! No batteries needed It is a nice bright light too, it actually shines brighter than my battery-powered. An alternative to this would be to invest in rechargeable batteries to use with a battery-powered flashlight, but recharging will add to your electric bill. Link to IKEA Flashlight: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30190857/
Instead of buying peel-away sticker lint rollers, purchase the original fabric lint remover. The peel-away kind really are just a gimmick. They offer no quicker, more convenient or easier way to get this job done. They just add trash to your garbage can. I know what some of you are thinking, "I have a pet, you can't imagine how much fur I deal with." I too have a pet, so yes, I can. And I can tell you this reusable lint remover works twice as well as the sticky kind. I have had this one for years and it is not wearing out in any way. When it has accumulated hair, I simply use a little friction with my hand to comb the hair (fur) into a bunch and throw it away. Simple as pie! The traditional lint roller can often by found alongside the peel-away lint rollers at your local store.
Alright, I admit, this one is a stretch. As a Seattle-ite, I know that the last reason people choose their coffee-making method is to save money. Everyone has their particular type of bean and their particular type of method of brewing that they prefer. But I was thinking, if anyone does happen to be flexible, this is worth a mention. Drip coffee pots require filters. Filters cost money and contribute to trash (although I believe compost is an option with some brands). By using any of the options on the left (Espresso machine, Percolator, French Press) no filter is required. You simply wash the components of the machine itself and reuse. These methods also leave your grounds compostable. These coffee-makers are available at most retail department stores, big box stores and coffee shops such as Starbucks, Peet's, Tully's, Seattle's Best and a whole host of local shops that I am sure the coffee snobs would vilify me for not knowing. :-)
That's it for now. Not trying to overwhelm anyone with too many products to exchange at once. I will continue to find new sustainable replacements and post them, so stay tuned. I've been using many for years and often forget that the disposable alternatives exist. Still working on my mental inventory of what I've replaced with sustainables. In the meantime, I've been finding awesome new homemade products that will save you money on Pinterest. Once I try these out and can officially give them my seal of approval, I will share them with you too! If you are impatient and want to try the first run of these out yourself, you can scoop them off of my board called "Money Savers!" here: http://pinterest.com/alliemcnurse/
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