3 Sources of Waste You Don't Even Notice

Reducing paper products, ziploc use, and eating your leftovers instead of tossing them is easy, but waste! is! everywhere! Here are a few seemingly small sources I have found that have a huge environmental impact:

1. Straws - We know, we know, everyone has a vendetta against straws. What's the big deal, right? The problem is that Americans throw away over 500 million straws per year, and straws are often unnecessary. Think about it, you go to the bar and order a mojito (vodka cran for my college readers), which comes with two straws. Want another one? Two more straws enter the game with each drink. All of a sudden, you've used half a dozen straws in a night!

Do we really need the a piece of plastic to sip a cocktail or an iced coffee? If your answer is yes, think about purchasing better long-wear lipstick and a set of reusable straws. This pack from Backcountry Gear is my favorite:

2. Chewing gum - We all love to stay minty fresh, but what happens to your gum once you toss it? It stays on the street, under the desk, or in the landfill ~*not to be dramatic butttt*~ FOREVER. It can't disintegrate quickly. It can't be composted. Seattle's infamous gum wall is a perfect example of this. When the gum wall was cleaned a couple years ago, the end result was 1.75 tons of gum that was headed for a landfill. So if we can't throw our gum out our car window, and we can't throw it away... Should we swallow it? Unfortunately, your body can't digest it, so it'll probably end up in the ocean anyway. Next time you think about buying that Costco pack of Extra gum, consider buying TicTacs instead.*

3. Toothbrushes, Toothpaste Tubes, and Floss - So apparently, dental hygiene is destroying the Earth, as well. Historically, I've been that person who gets excited about a new toothbrush from the dentist, but not after I learned that over 50 million pounds of toothbrushes end up in U.S. landfills each year.* This total doesn't even account for the toothbrushes that end up in the ocean.

The components of toothbrushes and most toothpaste tubes are not recyclable or biodegradable, so the best option to reduce your personal waste is to switch to bamboo toothbrushes and plastic tube-free tooth tabs. The bamboo toothbrushes reduce your waste impact because they are biodegradable and compostable - incredible!!

Lush's Toothy Tabs are definitely a different brushing experience. The tabs don't taste like your typical mint toothpaste, but they do come in a variety of flavors and in a recyclable container. My personal favorites include BOOM!, which has charcoal to help whiten your teeth, and Miles of Smiles, which tastes similar to an Altoid.

Finally, floss is usually made from Teflon or nylon coated with wax - not cute. These materials don't break down in landfills and can end up in the ocean. If you want to reduce your chance of tangling up a baby turtle, use a plastic-free floss! In my research, I found a lot of people recommending sewing thread or horse hair (it's a no from me), but I think the best alternative is Dental Lace. The floss is biodegradable, and the containers are reusable! Another plus - they come in a variety of flavors. For those of you who don't floss:

P.S. The products I've listed aren't the only alternatives out there! Amazon is full of waste-free products to try out. Try some and comment below what you think!