The Top 7 Home Products that Can Harm the Environment

One of the most common initiatives that most people especially Millenials is taking care of the situation. There have been calls to take care of the planet by going green. People are now recycling, plastic bags are becoming a thing of the past, and everyone is saving energy. However, have you ever thought that there is a myriad of products which are in your household that you do not know are harming the environment?

Here is a look at the top seven home products that you need to eliminate from your home due to the impact they have on the environment.

1. Glitter

If you have kids, then I am sure that they use glitter while they are playing. They might seem harmless, but they are very harmful to the aquatic space. A group of scientists recently found out that that glitter is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The product contains microplastics which when disposed to an aquatic environment are harmful to the organisms. You should eliminate glitter from your household. Save the fishes.

2. Tea bags

If you are a tea lover, am sure you have a couple of tea bags lying in your kitchen. Over recent years, tea bags have changed the way they are packaged. Silky mesh tea bags have replaced the traditional paper sachet.

You might think that they are ecological because they contain larger leaf garments but am sorry to burst your bubble. The bags are made out nylon and sometimes PET. If you are against plastics, then you should opt out of using tea bags.

3. Chopsticks

If you have come across Asian cuisine, then I am sure you have used chopsticks at some time. One thing about chopsticks is that they are disposable wood products. Thus once you are done with them, then you need to throw them in the bin.

According to recent studies, China is the biggest producer of chopsticks. There are 53 million chopsticks which are produced annually which requires 3.8 million trees to be cut. Save the trees and say no to disposable chopsticks.

4. Sunscreen

Sunscreen protects our skin from harmful rays of the sun. So, if it protects us why is it on the list? Sunscreen contains oxybenzone which is a toxic ingredient to aquatic life.

5. Wet wipes

Wet wipes were invented so that they could help parents during diaper changing. However they have become versatile, and even adults are using them as adult tissue paper.

However, most wet wipes are not biodegradable. Therefore they get stuck in the sewer which in the end create fatbergs.

6. Coffee Capsules

If you love beverages then am sure you hate this list. Coffee capsules have changed the way we make coffee in our homes. However, as you make your latte, millions of plastic pills end up in landfills. There are a group of artists who have found art in recycling coffee capsules.

7. Plastic Microbeads

Plastic microbeads have been part of the world ever since the ’70s. Products such as toothpaste, lotions, detergents, and shampoos all use microbeads because of their abrasive effect.

However, the microbeads are huge pollutants of aquatic life. Countries such as the UK and US have prohibited the use of microbeads.