We’ve all been there. You’ve got some leftover dinner, you need to store it properly, so what do you do? You reach for the plastic saran wrap. You’ve just bought some fresh produce you need to store or else they’ll spoil in a day. However, you don’t know how to properly store them, so they last. Well, I’m here to tell you there is a solution that will both lower your plastic waste and costs and keep your food fresh – Beeswax Wraps! These eco-friendly wraps are made from cotton and are coated with jojoba oil, tree resin, and beeswax obviously. Just like any store-bought plastic wrap, you can use them to cover any dish, bowl, or wrap up your vegetables or fruits so they last longer. And, of course, they are reusable. One sheet can generally last up to a year. After using them you simply wash them with soap and cold water and let them dry. Yep, it’s really that easy. So, next time you are online shopping take a look at brands such as The Beeswax Wrap Co. or simply browse Amazon for multiple choices.

Ah, wintertime! The perfect time for a nice hot cup of tea. However, while enjoying our favorite leaf juice we don’t think about how much waste it produces. From the tea box to the tea bags themselves. Many companies use polypropylene, which is a type of non-recyclable or non-biodegradable sealing plastic to keep the bags intact. Not only does that plastic go and pollute our planet, but it also pollutes our bodies. That is why there is quite an easy swap you can do to get rid of that unneeded waste. A simple tea strainer. Instead of buying your tea in boxes at the supermarket, try buying it in its true form. Loose leaf tea is better for your budget and for the planet as there is minimum plastic waste. And you get to choose and mix whatever tea you like! Just put the tea into your strainer, then into the cup, and Voilà! The perfect cup of tea. Strainers can be found nearly everywhere these days, so keep an eye out for one on your next trip to the market!

Brushing our teeth is something every human on this planet does. Or, at least, I hope. So, you can imagine just how much plastic is used. Toothbrushes make around 1% of the waste in our oceans. That may not sound much but let me put it into perspective for you. If the average human changes their toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, that makes more than 4.5 billion toothbrushes thrown away a year. And none of us wants to harm our oceans on purpose. So, what’s the solution you may ask? Bamboo! Bamboo Toothbrushes can help reduce both plastic and environmental pollution. It uses eco-friendly materials as bamboo is biodegradable, easily deteriorates and it’s antibacterial! And one of the best parts, they are not more expensive than a regular toothbrush and you can find them in nearly every drugstore. Keep that in mind next time when you find yourself shopping for a new toothbrush.

That was part two of Sustainability Swap. Hope you enjoyed these small eco-friendly tips and learned something along the way! And remember even a small step in the right direction can make a change.

P.S. Keep an eye out for the BUAS Sustainability article to see how our university is tackling environmental problems.