It's easier than ever to find products especially designed to promote a green, eco-friendly lifestyle. From items made with sustainable or recycled materials to those designed to help reduce your energy consumption or carbon footprint, there are many options to choose among.
Three Eco-Friendly Home Products
Waterpik EcoFlow Showerhead
If you're looking for a way to reduce water consumption, the EcoFlow showerhead from Waterpik is a great option to consider. While some low-flow showerheads provide a weak water stream, that is not the case with this particular item.
Waterpik sent me a sample to test, so I can report first-hand that the showerhead has excellent water pressure, even with a flow rate of just 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm), which is significantly below the legal maximum of 2.5 gpm, for maximum water-saving. Use the WaterSense calculator at EPA.gov to find out how much water you can save when you install this WaterSense-labeled product.
Features
- Certified with the EPA's WaterSense® label
- Available in wall-mount or handheld designs
- Very easy to install, with no special tools or plumbing expertise needed
- Has multiple spray settings, including soothing and massaging options (number of settings ranges from three to six based on specific model purchased)
- Unique 'Pause Control Dial' allows you to temporarily slow the water to a trickle (useful to conserve water while lathering, shaving, bathing children, bathing pets, etc.)
- Simple to maintain due to its self-cleaning nozzles
- Rated as a Bestcovery Best Pick for adjustable showerheads.
Purchasing
EcoFlow showerheads are available from The Home Depot, with prices ranging from around $15 to $45 based on particular model selected.
ROCKWOOL COMFORTBATT® Insulation
ROCKWOOL COMFORTBATT® (formerly known as Roxul) stone wool insulation provides a way to improve the energy efficiency of your home using a sustainable product manufactured in an environmentally responsible manner. According to GoGreenStar.com, Roxul insulation is made "from natural and recycled materials using natural basalt rock and slag (a by-product of steel manufacturing)". In 2012, on his LamiDesign Blog, architect Greg La Vardera spoke out in favor of mineral wool insulation as a means "to improve the energy performance of the way we build houses." La Vardera further described Roxul as "the only mineral wool manufacturer taking the residential market seriously" in the United States.
Features
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, switching to LED light bulbs can lead to significant savings on energy expenditures, as well as a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Cree light bulbs were introduced to the market in 2013 and quickly became "the best-selling LED bulb in America" according to SeekingAlpha.com. The brand's quick rise has to do with the fact that they look like traditional incandescent bulbs, as pointed out on Cnet.com, and light like them as well.
A review on TheVerge.com describes the lighting quality of Cree as better than other LED bulbs, something that I have observed first-hand myself (as someone who began purchasing LED bulbs many years ago) when trying samples I received of the soft white bulbs in 40 and 60 Watts (W).
Features
- Available in 40W, 60W, 75W and 100W sizes
- Dimmable when used in a standard dimmer
- Reaches full brightness as soon as you turn it on
- Cree True White (TW) bulbs meet California Energy Commission guidelines
- Long lasting bulbs that use less energy than incandescents; see Cree's Savings Calculator for typical savings
Purchasing
Cree bulbs are available at The Home Depot. Prices range from around $10 to $20 each, depending on the wattage selected. Individual bulbs and multi-packs are available.
Cascades Moka 100 Unbleached Bathroom Tissue
Introduced to the U.S. market in March of 2014, Element Refine from Adidas is designed to provide runners with the protection and support they need in an environmentally-friendly way. According to FootLocker, "the shoe's upper is made of 90% recycled PET material", which FreshnessMag describes as woven tricot. PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, and is the same recyclable plastic resin used in items like plastic strawberry containers and peanut butter jars. These shoes are part of the Adidas Better Place Program, which focuses on developing sustainable products and reducing the company's overall environmental impact.
Features
- The upper is a solid piece of fabric designed to behave like a second skin on the foot
- Lightweight design offering support and designed for durability
- Both women's and men's styles available in solar slime (lime green) and black
- Ladies' styles also available in neon pink
- Men's styles also available in navy/black and red/black combinations
Purchasing
- Purchase Element Refine from Amazon.com for around $70.
Gaiam Sol Natural Cork Block
The Sol Natural Cork Block from Gaiam is a sturdy and environmentally-friendly yoga tool. Whereas most yoga blocks are made of foam, this one is made entirely of natural cork, a material recognized for its sustainability. In a review on the SoMuchYoga, this block is described as being very sturdy and not giving under pressure. It's also described as providing good balance and support.
I received a sample to try, so I can confirm firsthand the durability and stability of this block.
Features
- Made of sustainable and recyclable natural material
- Designed to be solid and durable enough to meet the needs of advanced yogis
- Also works to provide support for beginner and intermediate level yoga practitioners
- Can serve double-duty as a seat to use in meditation.
Purchasing
This block is available for around $20 from Amazon (pictured).
Many Eco-Friendly Options
These are just a few examples of the many innovative ways you can incorporate green and eco-friendly items into your daily life. While it's important to avoid purchasing things that you don't really need, it is certainly a good idea to seek out sustainable solutions when you do need to replace worn out products or add new items to your home or lifestyle.
