Tomorrow is Earth Day! Which is kind of like New Year’s Day, but for instead of the resolutions to lose weight or spend less money, you pledge to plant trees and reduce waste. I’m not one for mindless consumerism, though I do spend money on things that go to waste. But I’ve found a few of these products not only help me reduce my overall waste but save me a bit of money in the long. And lucky you, I’ve added those to my list of 5 products for Earth Day!

1. Mesh Produce Bags, $16-If fumbling with those thin, plastic bags while trying to bag your fruits and veggies gives you headaches, grab these eco-friendly mesh bags! They’re machine washable, fold up for easy storage, and have the tare weight listed on the tags for ease. Plus, they’re great for non-produce items as well. Another great feature? Breathability. This means you can store your veggies in them in the fridge and they’ll stay fresher than if they would still be wrapped in plastics.
   
2. Rubbermaid Produce Saver Containers, $29-I know these are plastic containers, but the hype is true! These bins help keep that salad mix you keep buying in an effort to eat healthier, fresher for longer. I don’t know the technology, but I do know they work. They come in several different sizes as well!
   
3. Silicone Zipper Bags, $16 and up-First off, I know the link for this will seem crazy expensive for a silicone sandwich bag. But I’ve tried a few different brands, and the Stasher brand seems to hold up the best. I don’t use them for sandwiches typically (the opening seems a little small for that) but I do love them for storing things like butter and cheese in the fridge and sauces in the freezer.
   
4. Silicone Straws, $15-One too many videos of a plastic straw being pulled out of a sea turtle’s nose sent me in search of a reusable version. I love these particular ones because they are wider than a regular straw, making them perfect for shakes and smoothies. They’re sturdy too, so you don’t have to worry about them collapsing closed with a thicker beverage.
   
5. Brita XL Water Filter Dispenser, $38-If you don’t like your regular tap water and you don’t have a built-in fridge dispenser, invest in one of these and a reusable water bottle (I link some good ones here!). It holds quite a bit of water so you aren’t constantly filling it up and the filter keeps your water from having any funky flavors. A common occurrence with tap water. Ditch the single-use plastic water bottles and get one of these!

While it seems superficial to think that simply replacing single-use items is going to make a massive difference, small things add up to big things over time. And it all has to start somewhere. Maybe you’re tired of spending money on food that goes to waste too quickly or plastic zipper bags that get tossed. Maybe you just want to make a change in your life for the better.

And if you don’t want to keep it small, then don’t! Go however big you want. I have dreams of a greenhouse, raised bed garden, and one of those fancy kitchen compost machines. Big dreams happening around here. Just remember, do what is best for you, and don’t let anyone give you shit if you forget your reusable bags or buy that bottled water from the gas station.

Note: The links in the post are Amazon Affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you chose to shop using my links. This is no extra cost to you, and as always, I appreciate your support of the blog!