5 Ways to Save the World

Anya Gupta shares five easy sustainable swaps that can help reduce eco-footprint:

Garbage Bags

The most commonly used garbage bags are mostly plastic-based. Considering how abysmal waste disposal systems are, there's no doubt that all our garbage bags end up in landfills. These break down into toxins and slowly leach into nooks and corners of the entire ecosystem. The easiest eco swap to garbage bags is switching to compostable and biodegradable options made of corn starch or plastarch material which is plant-based. This switch is easy and does not take changing habits.

Home Cleaners

The chemicals used in some home cleaners are harmful to the environment. What we really need is a chemical-free, all-purpose cleaner product for kitchens, bathrooms, floors, windows, and appliances that does the job like a bio enzyme, a fermented cleaner made of citrus peels, jaggery, and water. Mix one part jaggery, three parts citrus, and 10 parts water - add to a plastic water bottle and store in a cool dark place. Open the cap to release gas build-up daily. In another 75-90 days, you should have an all-purpose cleaner that works on sinks, floors, windows, and other surfaces.  Don't worry, if you're lazy to DIY but still want to choose better, there are other options such as Stone Soup.

Toothpaste

A product we use every single day, toothpaste in plastic tubes harms the environment more than we think. The nature of the tubes makes it difficult to recycle and the caps break down into microplastics. All of this ends up in landfills or oceans, and even gets mistaken for food by fish. But can we make your own toothpaste? Yes, we can says Anya, "It's easy and cost-effective in the long run. All you need is baking soda, coconut oil, and peppermint essential oil. Take four parts baking soda, three parts coconut oil and 30 drops of peppermint essential oil, and store this in a glass jar. Your natural toothpaste will be ready to use."

Deodorants

Smelling fresh and clean shouldn't cost the planet. Chemical deodorants and plastic-based packaging are making mainstream deodorants an unsustainable choice. Fortunately, there are some great deodorants made of natural ingredients and packaged in eco-friendly materials. Whether you're looking for a deodorant stick in cardboard or a deodorant balm in tin containers, some incredible small businesses are offering affordable, sustainable deodorants.

Menstrual Products

A plastic sanitary napkin remains to be a widely used menstrual product in India- each one of which takes 500-800 years to break down. As women, we can have a positive impact on the environment by having a low waste period. Menstrual cups and reusable cloth pads are zero waste, eco-friendly alternatives. They are also easily available and affordable. Switching to these products will also make sure you are always prepared for your period.

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