Eye-Catching Designs Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles
The company sells a range of eco-friendly items like leggings, rash guards, and board shorts that are made using recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. There are currently 16 causes represented by distinct marine-life patterns, from whale shark research and invasive lionfish removal to sockeye salmon monitoring and abalone restoration.
One such organization is Get Inspired, a nonprofit that specializes in ocean restoration and environmental education. Get Inspired founder, marine biologist Nancy Caruso, says supporting on-the-ground efforts is one thing that sets Waterlust apart, like their apparel line that supports Get Inspired abalone restoration programs.
"All of us [conservation partners] are doing something," Caruso said. "We're not putting up exhibits and talking about it — although that is important — we're in the field."
Waterlust not only helps its conservation partners financially so they can continue their important work. It also helps them get the word out about what they're doing, whether that's through social media spotlights, photo and video projects, or the informative note card that comes with each piece of apparel.
"They're doing their part for sure, pushing the information out across all of their channels, and I think that's what makes them so interesting," Caruso said.
And then there are the clothes, which speak for themselves.
Advocate Apparel to Start Conversations About Conservation
Waterlust's concept of "advocate apparel" encourages people to see getting dressed every day as an opportunity to not only express their individuality and style, but also to advance the conversation around marine science. By infusing science into clothing, people can visually represent species and ecosystems in need of advocacy — something that, more often than not, leads to a teaching moment.
"When people wear Waterlust gear, it's just a matter of time before somebody asks them about the bright, funky designs," said Waterlust's CEO, Patrick Rynne. "That moment is incredibly special, because it creates an intimate opportunity for the wearer to share what they've learned with another."
The idea for the company came to Rynne when he was a Ph.D. student in marine science.
"I was surrounded by incredible people that were discovering fascinating things but noticed that often their work wasn't reaching the general public in creative and engaging ways," he said. "That seemed like a missed opportunity with big implications."
Waterlust initially focused on conventional media, like film and photography, to promote ocean science, but the team quickly realized engagement on social media didn't translate to action or even knowledge sharing offscreen.
Rynne also saw the "in one ear, out the other" issue in the classroom — if students didn't repeatedly engage with the topics they learned, they'd quickly forget them.
"We decided that if we truly wanted to achieve our goal of bringing science into people's lives and have it stick, it would need to be through a process that is frequently repeated, fun, and functional," Rynne said. "That's when we thought about clothing."
Support Marine Research and Sustainability in Style
To date, Waterlust has sold tens of thousands of pieces of apparel in over 100 countries, and the interactions its products have sparked have had clear implications for furthering science communication.
For Caruso alone, it's led to opportunities to share her abalone restoration methods with communities far and wide.
"It moves my small little world of what I'm doing here in Orange County, California, across the entire globe," she said. "That's one of the beautiful things about our partnership."
Check out all of the different eco-conscious apparel options available from Waterlust to help promote ocean conservation.
Melissa Smith is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker, and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainable studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a non-profit that's featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.
Eye-Catching Designs Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles
The company sells a range of eco-friendly items like leggings, rash guards, and board shorts that are made using recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. There are currently 16 causes represented by distinct marine-life patterns, from whale shark research and invasive lionfish removal to sockeye salmon monitoring and abalone restoration.
One such organization is Get Inspired, a nonprofit that specializes in ocean restoration and environmental education. Get Inspired founder, marine biologist Nancy Caruso, says supporting on-the-ground efforts is one thing that sets Waterlust apart, like their apparel line that supports Get Inspired abalone restoration programs.
"All of us [conservation partners] are doing something," Caruso said. "We're not putting up exhibits and talking about it — although that is important — we're in the field."
Waterlust not only helps its conservation partners financially so they can continue their important work. It also helps them get the word out about what they're doing, whether that's through social media spotlights, photo and video projects, or the informative note card that comes with each piece of apparel.
"They're doing their part for sure, pushing the information out across all of their channels, and I think that's what makes them so interesting," Caruso said.
And then there are the clothes, which speak for themselves.
Advocate Apparel to Start Conversations About Conservation
Waterlust's concept of "advocate apparel" encourages people to see getting dressed every day as an opportunity to not only express their individuality and style, but also to advance the conversation around marine science. By infusing science into clothing, people can visually represent species and ecosystems in need of advocacy — something that, more often than not, leads to a teaching moment.
"When people wear Waterlust gear, it's just a matter of time before somebody asks them about the bright, funky designs," said Waterlust's CEO, Patrick Rynne. "That moment is incredibly special, because it creates an intimate opportunity for the wearer to share what they've learned with another."
The idea for the company came to Rynne when he was a Ph.D. student in marine science.
"I was surrounded by incredible people that were discovering fascinating things but noticed that often their work wasn't reaching the general public in creative and engaging ways," he said. "That seemed like a missed opportunity with big implications."
Waterlust initially focused on conventional media, like film and photography, to promote ocean science, but the team quickly realized engagement on social media didn't translate to action or even knowledge sharing offscreen.
Rynne also saw the "in one ear, out the other" issue in the classroom — if students didn't repeatedly engage with the topics they learned, they'd quickly forget them.
"We decided that if we truly wanted to achieve our goal of bringing science into people's lives and have it stick, it would need to be through a process that is frequently repeated, fun, and functional," Rynne said. "That's when we thought about clothing."
Support Marine Research and Sustainability in Style
To date, Waterlust has sold tens of thousands of pieces of apparel in over 100 countries, and the interactions its products have sparked have had clear implications for furthering science communication.
For Caruso alone, it's led to opportunities to share her abalone restoration methods with communities far and wide.
"It moves my small little world of what I'm doing here in Orange County, California, across the entire globe," she said. "That's one of the beautiful things about our partnership."
Check out all of the different eco-conscious apparel options available from Waterlust to help promote ocean conservation.
Melissa Smith is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker, and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainable studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a non-profit that's featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.
The meal kit industry is currently worth over $1.5bn and this is definitely set to increase, but can you consciously purchase these goods if you're committed to a sustainable lifestyle? Many of the meal kit and recipe box companies push the idea that you'll waste less food, as you're getting exactly what you need for the right sized portions all in the box. But what about the packaging? Is the balance of minimizing food waste equal to the additional packaging? Different sides would have you believe different things, so we're considering the case in depth, looking at the ecological impact of these kits and whether the good factors outweigh the bad.
Many food service providers have added value to their business or expanded it in this new direction, with great results. Others have taken advantage of the restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic to reposition their business and deliver the same restaurant-quality food to people's doors. Some companies have green ethics at the core of their business, so you may find their meal boxes are naturally eco-friendly whereas others may have a way to go to reach this stage. Therefore, it is important to consider your choice of meal kit as well as whether the industry as a whole is the right choice environmentally.
Why Have Meal Kits Become So Popular?
Meal kits provide a solution to multiple problems. People order fast-food or takeout and then feel guilty and worry about the excess calories. Others cook at home but are disappointed by their efforts to create quality meals, or aren't sure they have all of the ingredients they need.
Meal kits can be a solution for both these problems, and this has driven their popularity. They often provide a healthier alternative to fast food, come pre-portioned so there's no risk of overeating, and many providers of the kits or recipe boxes consult recognizable names in the food industry to produce their range of options. Meal kits also provide an easy solution to the "what's for dinner?" question and allow you to spend less time grocery shopping and meal-prepping. With all these benefits, however, not everyone is sold. A primary concern is the question of their environmental impact.
Analyzing America's Waste
Waste in the U.S. is a huge problem. Here we can split it into two categories to help look at how meal kits contribute to the waste problem. America generated 42 million metric tons of plastic in 2016 alone. Packaging makes up a huge proportion of plastic waste and statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency show that around 75.4% of all plastics end up in landfills, the worst possible outcome.
When it comes to food waste, the picture isn't much prettier. Food waste is estimated to be as much as 40% of the whole food supply according to research from USDA's Economic Research Service. Wasted food is considered the single largest category of material in all municipal landfills and much of this food could be used to help the millions in food poverty. Reducing food waste has become a focus and commitment of the government, as the USDA, EPA and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed a joint formal agreement to look to improve coordination and communication between federal agencies who could minimize food waste. They are also committed to better educating Americans, so they understand the impact of every ingredient thrown in the trash.
Meal kits may not be the whole solution to either of these problems, but finding out their impact on both of these areas could help decide whether they're the right choice for you and your family.
Do Meal Kits Contribute to the Packaging Problem?
Some of the first complaints about meal kits were around the packaging. There has been research carried out to analyze the packaging of meal kits. Many meal kits include a cardboard box for storage but also packaging to preserve all the ingredients, individual packing for different ingredients, linen materials, ice packs, recipe cards and more.
The Association for Plastic Recyclers found "each had more than two dozen different packages, including one with 31 different pieces of packaging." Much of the packaging was also found to be plastic and many weren't recyclable. Another cause for concern with many meal kits is the ice packs they are delivered with. These are almost always non-recyclable because they contain chemicals which need to be disposed of safely and cannot be reused.
The issue of adding more non-recyclable plastics into the ecosystem is not something any meal kit company would want to take responsibility for. While many may not have found a solution to the problem yet, others have already made steps to show they are committed to a greener approach to their packaging and their business as a whole.
Blue Apron, one of the biggest names in meal kits, says that around 85% of their packaging is recyclable by weight. This includes any rigid plastics, glass bottles, metal cans, molded fiber, cardboard boxes, and the plastic bags for their drain-safe ice packs. They've also partnered with How2Recycle to implement their labels on all packaging. Martha and Marley Spoon, a European brand teamed up with Martha Stewart, offers highly-effective recycling program to ensure boxes are properly disposed of. This shows that brands who want to make their products sustainable and eco-friendly can do so.
There are other eco-friendly boxes which ensure all their packaging is fully recyclable or even compostable in some cases.
Could Meal Kits Solve the Food Waste Problem?
Believers in the meal kit idea and the companies themselves regularly tell us they could play a key role in solving the huge food waste problem. Having looked at the figures, it's clear action is needed and the average American needs to find a way to minimize the roughly 30% of food thrown in the trash.
Convinced of meal kits' role in tackling food waste, research published in the journal Resources, Conservation and Recycling argues that average meals sourced from a store are responsible for 33% more greenhouse gas emission than the equivalent meal from a meal kit service.
The research suggests that the environmental benefits of meal kits can somewhat balance out the excessive packaging in some cases. It also found that meal kits can have a significant impact on food waste reduction because ingredients and portions are precisely measured.
The researchers selected five different Blue Apron meals (not in a sponsored or funding arrangement with the company) and used data about the environmental costs of different food production methods, fuel needs involved in delivery and concluded that most delivery services produced a similar level of emissions. To replicate this experience with grocery food, they visited the store and bought the ingredients to make the recipes from the kits.
The USDA food waste rate estimates were then used to estimate as accurately as possible how much of the leftover food and ingredients would end up thrown in the trash by the average American family. They then analyzed various aspects of the grocery-store meals versus the kit meals comparing factors such as waste, energy usage and requirements, emissions from transportation and selected other factors.
Of the five meals chosen from the meal kit provider, only the cheeseburger kit produced a higher level of greenhouse gas emissions than its grocery store comparison. This is in part due to the weight of the ingredients and also that beef production has a high impact on the environment in almost all situations. It's in the field of food waste that meal kits really stood out, as they significantly minimize the waste produced by the average person for each meal.
This study found that the environmental impact of meal kits beyond food waste reduction is minimal, but with the extent of the food waste problem, it's definitely something to consider. As meal kit delivery services continue to improve their packaging and offer more recyclable or compostable options, this could also change for the better.
Lifestyle Changes and Choices to Reduce Waste
Meal kits have their advantages and disadvantages, but they are an effective way of minimizing food waste if you have a busy lifestyle and need quick and easy access to fresh, quality food. Many meal kit companies also offer a selection of vegetarian and vegan options. They often come at a premium price, but are a great way to introduce a plant-based diet.
There are other ways to eat more sustainably with the planet and environment in mind including:
- Eat more plants: Upping the plant content of your diet is not only great for your health, it's also good for the environment.
- Consider your waste carefully: With meal planning, better organization can help you avoid wasting any food on a weekly basis. Utilizing your freezer properly can also help.
- Minimize meat: We've already mentioned the environmental impact of beef production, but this also applies to other meats; if you can consider cutting back, it'll benefit the environment and potentially your health too.
- Buy the best you can: Always opting for the best-quality meats and animal products means you are considering the quality of life of the animals you eat and the way they are raised. Buying eggs from uncaged hens is a good example of this. Look for certifications like USDA organic on your purchases.
- Celebrate your region: Eating locally and regionally minimizes the carbon footprint and emissions of the food you eat. Align your eating with your local area. Soy beans are the top crop in Illinois for example whereas Maine is the home of dairy and potatoes. Eating regionally, and seasonally, cuts down on emissions in the transport of food products.
Environmentally Friendly Meal Kits
As we've already mentioned, there are some meal kit brands who make their commitment to environmentalism a selling point. Meal kits from environmentally-minded brands can offer a better alternative when it comes to both packaging and ingredient sourcing. Sunbasket, for example, only offers 100% organic kits while Green Chef offers certified organic food with paleo and keto options. There are plenty of plant-based and vegan meal kits too where proteins are not derived from animal sources. The sheer range of kits available ensures even the most environmentally-focused diners can find a kit which suits their palate and their eco-friendly commitments.
They're not a perfect solution, but meal kits can help to tackle the food waste problem. Many people will also be rightly concerned about the food insecurity problem in the country, with the USDA's latest figures showing as many as 50 million Americans may experience food insecurity as a result of the pandemic. Uncertainty in access to food when so much is wasted should be a concern for everyone, and some meal kit companies have partnered with charities like Feeding America to donate to their cause and support their work in ridding the country of food poverty.
Many diners see the benefits of a meal kit in the perfectly portioned, high quality food that can be delivered at a competitive price. While there is still a lot to improve in terms of packaging, meal kits can definitely help reduce food waste and produce fewer green house gases than store-bought meals overall. With a little research, you can find an environmentally-minded company who offers the kind of food you love.
- Purple Carrot: Best Plant-Based Option - EcoWatch ›
- A Sustainable Meal Kit: Our Take On Sun Basket - EcoWatch ›
- 6 Best Vegetarian Meal Kits and Why You Should Try Them ... ›
- Freshly Meal Delivery Service Review: Better Meals, Less Waste ... ›
- 5 Best (Eco-Friendly) Meal Kit Delivery Services of 2021 - EcoWatch ›
bpperry / Getty Images
A new study published in the journal Global Change Biology revealed that the rate of plastic consumption by marine fish has doubled in the last decade and is increasing by more than 2% a year.
The study also revealed new information about what species are most affected and where the risks are greatest.
The researchers did a global analysis of mounting studies of plastic pollution in the ocean and found data on plastic ingestion for 555 species of marine and estuarine fish. Their results showed that 386 fish species — two-thirds of all species — had ingested plastic. And of those, 210 were species that are commercially fished.
Not surprisingly, places with an abundance of plastic in surface waters, such as East Asia, led to a higher likelihood of plastic ingestion by fish.
But fish type and behavior, researchers found, also plays a role. Active predators — those at the top of the food chain, like members of the Sphyrnidae family, which includes hammerhead and bonnethead sharks — ingested the most plastic. Grazers and filter‐feeders consumed the least.
Blue shark at Cape Point, South Africa, 2016. Steve Woods / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
"Overall, the likelihood of plastic ingestion decreases with depth," the researchers found.
Although bioaccumulation of plastic and its associated chemicals can cause health problems, this isn't causing noticeable fish population problems — yet. The research revealed that the majority of the species they found to have ingested plastic remain abundant.
But at the same time, 35 species were listed as threatened or near threatened. Another 26 species are vulnerable to overfishing. The authors identified the blue shark, Atlantic bluefin tuna and chinook salmon as "species of high concern due to their threatened status, vulnerability to overfishing and frequent plastic ingestion."
Meanwhile the researchers found that three-quarters of commercially fished species ingested plastic, including ones common in recreational fisheries and aquaculture that "have the highest likelihood to be part of the supply chain." Common sole was found to be "most worrisome."
Even more troubling is that there's still a lot we don't know because some areas are better studied than others.
Some nearshore areas are among those where research is lacking. "Only four studies were conducted within the continental United States' Exclusive Economic Zone, despite more marine plastic originating from the United States than any other developed nation," the researchers wrote.
Oceanic gyres, those swirling eddies of plastic in the open ocean, are also a black hole when it comes to research. "We uncovered no studies from the Indian, South Atlantic or western North Pacific gyres though there is extensive knowledge of surface debris accumulation in these regions," they found. "Similarly, there was a paucity of data from high‐latitude seas and none from the Southern Ocean, even though the polar oceans are a sink for microplastic debris with new fisheries developing in these regions as ice retreats and climate changes."
By comparison, coastal waters — including estuaries — are well studied, as are the seas surrounding Europe. And they found a "recent flurry of studies" from East Asia.
Even with a growing amount of research, the scope and severity of the problem is likely still underestimated.
Filling in these knowledge gaps will be crucial to better understand the extent of the problem, but the researchers say we'll also need to study top predators more to learn how plastic bioaccumulates in the food chain and how these mobile predators may redistribute plastic across the ocean as they travel.
Little is known about how ingested plastic affects fish and marine ecosystems, and even less about how human health could be affected when plastic-eating fish end up on the dinner table.
"Current evidence for humans ingesting plastic directly from fish remains scant, but there is growing concern," the researchers wrote. "In particular, the continued aggregation and analysis of information on plastic ingestion by marine fish is vital as these data are inextricably linked to ecosystem and human health."
Tara Lohan is deputy editor of The Revelator and has worked for more than a decade as a digital editor and environmental journalist focused on the intersections of energy, water and climate. Her work has been published by The Nation, American Prospect, High Country News, Grist, Pacific Standard and others. She is the editor of two books on the global water crisis.
Reposted with permission from The Revelator.
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Best Reusable Produce Bag Set: Eco Joy Cotton Reusable Produce Bags
Eco Joy
If you're making the switch to more sustainable shopping bags and want a variety of products to use, the Eco Joy Cotton Reusable Produce Bags set is a great place to start. The set comes with three mesh drawstring bags, three muslin drawstring bags, a large mesh tote and a zippered sandwich-size pouch.
Each product is made with organic, non-GMO cotton that's ethically sourced in accordance with Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) standards. The cotton comes from India and Turkey, and the bags are hand-assembled in Canada by the owner of Eco Joy, so you can feel good about supporting a small business while reducing your environmental impact.
Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 300 Amazon reviews
Why buy: Zero-waste; Handmade in Canada; WRAP compliant; Machine washable
Best Mesh Bags: Organic Cotton Mart Reusable Cotton Mesh Produce Bags
Organic Cotton Mart
Some shoppers prefer to use mesh bags when shopping for fruits and veggies. We recommend checking out Organic Cotton Mart's Reusable Cotton Mesh Produce Bags if you're in this camp, as they're made with Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton.
Mesh reusable produce bags can make the checkout process easier than muslin bags since you can see what's inside them without having to open them up. Plus, the tare weight (i.e., the weight of the empty bag that should be subtracted from the total weight of your produce to make sure you don't pay extra for using your bag) is printed right on the label of Organic Cotton Mart's bags, making everything that much more convenient.
Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars with nearly 1,000 Amazon reviews
Why buy: GOTS certified; Machine washable; BiodegradableBest Muslin Bags: Simple Ecology Reusable Produce Bags
Simple Ecology
On the other hand, if you just want to purchase muslin bags, we like Simple Ecology's Reusable Produce Bags, which are also made with GOTS-certified organic cotton. Simple Ecology also has a starter kit that comes with several reusable grocery bags if you're looking for more variety.
The benefit of using muslin reusable produce bags is that, unlike mesh, there are no holes for small items to slip through. This means that in addition to larger produce, you can use them to purchase bulk foods like lentils, beans and rice — or even powders like flour or spices — without worrying about anything leaking. They're also best for keeping leafy greens fresh.
Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars with nearly 1,500 Amazon reviews
Why buy: GOTS certified; Machine washable; Biodegradable; Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified packaging when purchased from manufacturerBest String Bags: ECOBAGS Market Collection Reusable Bag Set
ECOBAGS
Whether you're buying bread, fresh flowers, produce or all of the above, the ECOBAGS Market Collection Reusable Bag Set is ideal for farmers market shopping or large grocery hauls. The netted bags are durable, flexible, and pack down small so they're easy to keep in your car or purse.
ECOBAGS is a woman-owned certified B Corp, which means it uses sound social and environmental practices. These bags come in packs of three or five and have a few different handle lengths and color options, but they're all made with GOTS-certified organic cotton.
Customer rating: Not applicable
Why buy: GOTS certified; Machine washable; Biodegradable; Certified B Corp; SA8000 certified for the protection of basic human rights of workers
Why Make the Switch to Reusable Produce Bags?
According to the UN, humans produce 300 million tons of plastic waste each year, and about 60% of the plastic produced since the early 1950s has ended up in a landfill or the natural environment.
Plastic grocery bags and produce bags are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Technically, this type of plastic can be recycled. However, in practice, plastic bags easily clog recycling machinery, so most municipal recycling centers do not accept this type of material.
A study by the EPA showed that only about 6% of the LDPE generated in 2015 was recycled. Other types of plastic, by comparison, were recycled at 18% and 10% rates.
Although some grocery stores offer plastic bag recycling, the easiest way to get around this is to refuse plastic bags in the first place. Many cities have instituted plastic bag bans, but more often than not, it's up to individuals to choose to make the switch to reusable grocery bags in their day-to-day livesMelissa Smith is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker, and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainable studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a non-profit that's featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Best Overall: ChicoBag Reusable Grocery Bag
ChicoBag
Standard reusable grocery bags — foldable cloth "green bags" that typically have company logos on them — are bulky, can't be machine washed, and tend to break down after a number of uses. ChicoBag reusable grocery bags solve these problems and more. They hold up to 25 pounds each, can be tossed in the wash, and stuff down into a tiny attached pouch that you can easily keep in your purse or the center console of your car until you need them.
Customer rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars with over 1,000 Amazon reviews
Why buy: Machine washable; Certified B Corp; Climate Neutral Certified; Supports 1% For the Planet; Fair Labor Association memberMost Convenient For Shopping: Lotus Trolley Bags
Lotus Sustainables
If you prefer bigger reusable grocery bags that add convenience to your shopping experience, Lotus Trolley Bags may be perfect for you. These bags fold flat and nestle in your cart so that you can sort items while you shop. There's a large insulated cooler bag, as well as two standard reusable shopping bags and a bag with pockets for wine bottles and egg cartons. Each can hold up to 50 pounds and has double-stitched seams for added durability.
Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars with over 3,000 Amazon reviews
Why buy: Machine washable; Removable rod for non-cart use; Supports 1% for the PlanetMost Popular: BAGGU Standard Reusable Shopping Bag
BAGGU
For another versatile option, try the Baggu Standard Reusable Shopping Bag. This product is modeled after a conventional plastic grocery bag but is made with 40% recycled ripstop fabric. Baggu reusable bags can carry up to 50 pounds but stuff down into a five-inch internal pocket for carrying.
Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 50 Amazon reviews
Why buy: Machine washable; Made with 40% recycled materials; Ethically manufactured; Packaging made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified materialBest Handmade Bag: Ecodunia Canvas Tote Bag
Ecodunia
Ecodunia's reusable bags have a sturdier feel than most products on this list. The canvas used to make each bag is produced from 100% renewable resources and natural cotton, plus they have long handles for comfortable carrying over your shoulder. Ecodunia's fun prints will likely make you want to use these bags for more than carting groceries, but they're great for a weekend trip to the farmers market.
Customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars with under 5 Amazon reviews
Why buy: Made from natural cotton; Machine washable; Handmade; Provides dignified work for communities in Kenya
Best Tote Bag: Simple Ecology Tote Bundle
Simple Ecology
Another canvas bag option comes from Simple Ecology. This brand's eco-friendly grocery bags are made with Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton and feature pop-out sleeves for more fragile goods and double-stitched seams for extra reinforcement. The large size has about the same capacity as a grocer's paper bag. Simple Ecology also has a reusable bag starter kit that comes with a tote and several reusable produce bags.
Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars with over 900 Amazon reviews
Why Buy: GOTS certified; Machine washable; Biodegradable; Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified packaging when purchased from manufacturerBest Bulk Bags: BagPodz Reusable Shopping Bags
BagPodz
BagPodz Reusable Shopping Bags are all about convenience. You can get a pack of five or 10 bags, all of which fit in a low-profile "pod" that can be stored for use on the go. When at the grocery store, the pod clips to your cart and has an easy-dispense pocket for when it's time to check out. After use, just stuff them back into the pod. BagPodz reusable bags are made with Bluesign® certified materials, which means they're manufactured sustainably.
Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars with over 2,000 Amazon reviews
Why Buy: Machine washable; Made with Bluesign certified materialWhy Switch to Reusable Bags?
The UN says people produce 300 million tons of plastic waste each year, and about 60% of the plastic produced since the early 1950s has ended up in a landfill or the natural environment.
Plastic grocery bags are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Technically, this type of plastic can be recycled. However, in practice, plastic bags easily clog recycling machinery, so most municipal recycling centers do not accept this type of material.
A study by the EPA showed that only about 6% of the LDPE generated in 2015 was recycled. Other types of plastic, by comparison, were recycled at 18% and 10% rates.
Although some grocery stores offer plastic bag recycling, the easiest way to get around this is to refuse plastic bags in the first place. Many cities have instituted plastic bag bans, but more often than not, it's up to individuals to choose to make the switch to reusable grocery bags in their day-to-day lives.
Melissa Smith is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker, and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainable studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a non-profit that's featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.
- This Grocery Store Shames Customers With Embarrassing Plastic ... ›
- California Bans Plastic Bags - EcoWatch ›
- Australia Cuts 80% of Plastic Bag Use in 3 Short Months - EcoWatch ›
- Plastic bags ›
- Plastic Bag Bans Put on Hold Amid Coronavirus Fears - EcoWatch ›
- Sustainable Shopping: 4 Best Reusable Produce Bags (2021) - EcoWatch ›
Why Use Bamboo Utensils?
There are a few reasons we recommend tossing bamboo utensils in your pocket or purse. As takeout and food delivery is becoming increasingly popular, the use (and disposal) of plastic to-go cutlery is on the rise. According to Forbes, in the U.S. alone, it's estimated that 40 billion individual plastic utensils are wasted every year.
Many times, it's not just a single fork or spoon but a whole set wrapped in a disposable plastic bag, complete with a napkin and even single-serve salt and pepper packets. More often than not, people only use the one utensil they need and toss the rest without a second thought.
By carrying reusable utensils with you, you can refuse the single-use cutlery. But with so many options — metal, bamboo, or sturdy plastic — it can be difficult to narrow down the best set for you.
Here are a few reasons we recommend going with reusable bamboo utensils over metal or plastic alternatives:
- Lightweight: Bamboo is lighter than both plastic and metal, making it more convenient to carry for everyday use.
- Odorless: Some materials, especially plastic, can take on the smell of the foods you've eaten. Bamboo doesn't trap odors, so you don't have to worry about them getting funky.
- Compostable and biodegradable: If your bamboo utensils get worn out, they can be composted at the end of their life, so they'll never end up in a landfill or waterway.
Best Bamboo Utensil Sets
Based on our market research and firsthand use, these are the three best bamboo utensils and eco-friendly bamboo cutlery sets available:
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Most Sustainable: To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set With Carrying Case
The To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set includes a fork, spoon, non-serrated knife, and chopsticks. It comes in a handy carrying case that's made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, so not only are you preventing plastic from entering the waste stream, but you're also helping to reduce the amount of existing plastic clogging our landfills and oceans.
The company itself, a certified B Corp, has a steadfast commitment to the planet. Aside from using sustainable materials, it collaborates with eco-friendly brands like Patagonia and 4ocean and has employee programs such as a zero-waste pledge and community clean-ups to reduce its environmental footprint.
Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 1,500 Amazon reviews
Why Buy: Sleeve made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles; Certified B Corp; Climate Neutral Certified; Supports 1% For the Planet; Fair Labor Association memberMost Convenient: Bambu Reusable Bamboo Sporks
If a full bamboo cutlery set is too bulky to carry, consider the compact Bambu Reusable Bamboo Spork. This merges two bamboo utensils into one convenient tool that's small enough to fit in your pocket yet still large enough to hold in your hand and comfortably eat with.
Bambu products are sourced from the "bamboo belt" of Eastern China and sustainably handcrafted in family-operated workshops near the raw material source for minimal environmental impact. It's certified organic by a number of international organizations, including the USDA, LETIS, and CERES.
Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 50 Amazon reviews
Why Buy: Certified USDA Organic and Biobased Product; Certified B Corp; Carbonfree® Product Certified; Supports 1% For the Planet
Best For Travel: Waves of Change Reusable Bamboo Utensil Set
The Waves of Change line from Full Circle Home features ocean-inspired products to make meals away from home more sustainable, including insulated lunch bags, sandwich and snack pouches, and a reusable bamboo utensil set.
These eco-friendly bamboo utensils come in a zippered pouch for extra cleanliness while traveling or commuting. Whether you choose the wave or whale design, each pouch is made with a recycled fabric that's produced from plastic waste and certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).
Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars with over 200 Amazon reviews
Why Buy: Sleeve made from GRS-certified recycled fabric; Certified B Corp; Plastic Neutral company; Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified; USDA Certified Biobased ProductWhether it be bringing your own utensils, a reusable straw, or a takeout container from home, finding ways to reduce your plastic consumption when out to eat is key to leading a more sustainable life. With any of these three bamboo utensil sets, you can feel good about being able to refuse single-use plastic on the go.
Melissa Smith is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker, and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainable studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a non-profit that's featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.
Gjenge Makers is based in Nairobi, Kenya, where plastic waste pollution has become a severe problem. A study supported by the National Environmental Management Agency (NEMA) found that more than 50% of cattle near urban areas in Kenya had plastic in their stomachs. To combat this issue, the Kenyan government outlawed the use of plastic bags in 2017, and imposed a ban on all single-use plastic in protected natural areas last year. However, these bans only address the issue of consumer single-use plastic. Commercial waste is still a deep-seated problem within the country.
Nzambi Matee told reporters she was "tired of being on the sidelines," and decided to create a solution of her own for commercial plastic waste. With a career in materials engineering, she was able to design a brick made of recycled plastic and sand, compressed and heated to create a strong and sustainable alternative to concrete. The fibrous structure of the plastic makes it not only more lightweight but also less brittle than concrete.
"Our product is almost five to seven times stronger than concrete," Matee told Reuters about the current line of Gjenge Makers pavers and bricks. While she purchases some plastic from recycling companies, she also receives free shipments of plastic waste from local packaging factories. Currently, the Gjenge Makers factory can produce up to 1,500 bricks each day, according to Reuters.
The company offers pavers for residential and commercial uses. The heavy-duty 60 mm paver is strong enough to be used for parking lots and roads, while the 30 mm light-duty paver can be used for household patios and walkways. The light-duty paver is twice the strength of concrete and comes in a variety of colors.
Gjenge Makers Ltd.
The factory is only in its beginning stages, but it has already recycled 20 tons of plastic since 2017 and created 120 jobs in Nairobi. In addition, Gjenge bricks are also one of the more affordable options on the market. They cost approximately $7.70 per square meter, as opposed to $98 per square yard for concrete produced in the U.S.
However, it hasn't been an easy road. Matee says about the founding of her company, "I jumped in, off a cliff without even a parachute. I was building it as I was falling down. But isn't that how great things are done?"
With entrepreneurs like Matee, there is a beacon of hope for the worldwide plastic pollution crisis. To learn more about Gjenge Makers process and impact, you can visit their website or YouTube channel. Or, read this to learn more about ways you can help fight against plastic pollution in your community.
- One Man's Mission to Turn Trash Into Art and Music - EcoWatch ›
- Colombian Company Uses Coffee Husks to Build Low-Income Housing - EcoWatch ›
Researchers are concerned about microplastics because they are minuscule, widely distributed and easy for wildlife to consume, accidentally or intentionally. We study marine science and animal behavior, and wanted to understand the scale of this problem. In a newly published study that we conducted with ecologist Elliott Hazen, we examined how marine fish – including species consumed by humans – are ingesting synthetic particles of all sizes.
In the broadest review on this topic that has been carried out to date, we found that, so far, 386 marine fish species are known to have ingested plastic debris, including 210 species that are commercially important. But findings of fish consuming plastic are on the rise. We speculate that this could be happening both because detection methods for microplastics are improving and because ocean plastic pollution continues to increase.
Solving the Plastics Puzzle
It's not news that wild creatures ingest plastic. The first scientific observation of this problem came from the stomach of a seabird in 1969. Three years later, scientists reported that fish off the coast of southern New England were consuming tiny plastic particles.
Since then, well over 100 scientific papers have described plastic ingestion in numerous species of fish. But each study has only contributed a small piece of a very important puzzle. To see the problem more clearly, we had to put those pieces together.
We did this by creating the largest existing database on plastic ingestion by marine fish, drawing on every scientific study of the problem published from 1972 to 2019. We collected a range of information from each study, including what fish species it examined, the number of fish that had eaten plastic and when those fish were caught. Because some regions of the ocean have more plastic pollution than others, we also examined where the fish were found.
For each species in our database, we identified its diet, habitat and feeding behaviors – for example, whether it preyed on other fish or grazed on algae. By analyzing this data as a whole, we wanted to understand not only how many fish were eating plastic, but also what factors might cause them to do so. The trends that we found were surprising and concerning.
Leopard sharks swim past plastic debris in shallow water off southern California. Ralph Pace / CC BY-ND
A Global Problem
Our research revealed that marine fish are ingesting plastic around the globe. According to the 129 scientific papers in our database, researchers have studied this problem in 555 fish species worldwide. We were alarmed to find that more than two-thirds of those species had ingested plastic.
One important caveat is that not all of these studies looked for microplastics. This is likely because finding microplastics requires specialized equipment, like microscopes, or use of more complex techniques. But when researchers did look for microplastics, they found five times more plastic per individual fish than when they only looked for larger pieces. Studies that were able to detect this previously invisible threat revealed that plastic ingestion was higher than we had originally anticipated.
Our review of four decades of research indicates that fish consumption of plastic is increasing. Just since an international assessment conducted for the United Nations in 2016, the number of marine fish species found with plastic has quadrupled.
Similarly, in the last decade alone, the proportion of fish consuming plastic has doubled across all species. Studies published from 2010-2013 found that an average of 15% of the fish sampled contained plastic; in studies published from 2017-2019, that share rose to 33%.
We think there are two reasons for this trend. First, scientific techniques for detecting microplastics have improved substantially in the past five years. Many of the earlier studies we examined may not have found microplastics because researchers couldn't see them.
Second, it is also likely that fish are actually consuming more plastic over time as ocean plastic pollution increases globally. If this is true, we expect the situation to worsen. Multiple studies that have sought to quantify plastic waste project that the amount of plastic pollution in the ocean will continue to increase over the next several decades.
Risk Factors
While our findings may make it seem as though fish in the ocean are stuffed to the gills with plastic, the situation is more complex. In our review, almost one-third of the species studied were not found to have consumed plastic. And even in studies that did report plastic ingestion, researchers did not find plastic in every individual fish. Across studies and species, about one in four fish contained plastics – a fraction that seems to be growing with time. Fish that did consume plastic typically had only one or two pieces in their stomachs.
In our view, this indicates that plastic ingestion by fish may be widespread, but it does not seem to be universal. Nor does it appear random. On the contrary, we were able to predict which species were more likely to eat plastic based on their environment, habitat and feeding behavior.
For example, fishes such as sharks, grouper and tuna that hunt other fishes or marine organisms as food were more likely to ingest plastic. Consequently, species higher on the food chain were at greater risk.
We were not surprised that the amount of plastic that fish consumed also seemed to depend on how much plastic was in their environment. Species that live in ocean regions known to have a lot of plastic pollution, such as the Mediterranean Sea and the coasts of East Asia, were found with more plastic in their stomachs.
WATCH: People are ingesting plastic from drinking water but also through foods like shellfish, which tends to be ea… https://t.co/cKgzBYx2CF— Reuters (@Reuters)1608093600.0
Effects of a Plastic Diet
This is not just a wildlife conservation issue. Researchers don't know very much about the effects of ingesting plastic on fish or humans. However, there is evidence that that microplastics and even smaller particles called nanoplastics can move from a fish's stomach to its muscle tissue, which is the part that humans typically eat. Our findings highlight the need for studies analyzing how frequently plastics transfer from fish to humans, and their potential effects on the human body.
Our review is a step toward understanding the global problem of ocean plastic pollution. Of more than 20,000 marine fish species, only roughly 2% have been tested for plastic consumption. And many reaches of the ocean remain to be examined. Nonetheless, what's now clear to us is that "out of sight, out of mind" is not an effective response to ocean pollution – especially when it may end up on our plates.
Alexandra McInturf is a PhD Candidate in Animal Behavior at the University of California, Davis. Matthew Savoca is a Postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University.
Disclosure statement: Alexandra McInturf is affiliated with The Ethogram. Matthew Savoca receives funding from The National Geographic Society and the National Science Foundation.
Reposted with permission from The Conversation.
- Whale Dies After Swallowing 88 Pounds of Plastic Bags - EcoWatch ›
- Ocean Plastic Smells Like Food to Sea Turtles, Study Finds ... ›
- One Third of Freshwater Fish Face Extinction, New Report Warns ›
- Cuttlefish Found Capable of Delayed Gratification, a First for Invertebrates - EcoWatch ›