Sip Sustainably
Pick your poison, but don’t poison the environment.
Do you need a strong cup of coffee first thing in the morning? A cup of detoxifying herbal tea before you go to bed? Do you buy a bottle of juice with your lunch? Whatever you’re sipping on, we go through a ton of unnecessary plastic waste with each speedy purchase. Many of us have already banned plastic water bottles from our lifestyles; it’s time to do the same with our other beverages, too. Water surely isn’t the only thing we’re drinking throughout the day!
memobottle
When your water bottle looks this chic, it’s hard not to stay hydrated. Based in Melbourne, Australia and motivated by the disheartening effects of single-use plastic water bottles on the oceans, memobottle was created to reshape the way we think about drinking water. Unlike other water bottles you see in the market, memobottle’s slim design allows you to fit the bottle in places where others cannot. If the luxe clear glass isn’t enough to sell you on it, memobottle also works with water.org to provide someone in a developing country with two months’ access to clean water.
Soma 10-Cup Water Pitcher
Let’s be honest; drinking tap water just doesn’t feel very glamorous. Filter out all the nasties with this stylish, sustainable water pitcher, which happens to look good sitting anywhere. Soma’s 10-cup pitcher size is perfect for families, or if you simply want to deal with less refills. The plastic is shatter-proof and BPA-free, and is complimented nicely by a rustic bamboo handle. Chlorine, mercury, zinc and copper are all filtered out by technology that is 65% plant-based and made of renewable materials. The cherry on top? You barely have to lift a finger when refilling; the lid opens automatically when you place the pitcher under the faucet.
Larq Self-Cleaning Bottle
If you’re less of a cup and more of a bottle person, forget about the middleman and skip straight to the main act – a self-cleaning water bottle. The first of its kind, Larq uses UV-C LED light to neutralize 99.9999% of the bacteria (the stuff that causes odor!) from tap water. All it takes is a mere 60 seconds, which it will remember to repeat every two hours, so the only thing you have to worry about is drinking. Double-insulation keeps your hot beverages hot and your cold beverages cold. No replacement filters are needed and one charge lasts 1-2 whole months. Hydration has literally never been easier.
FinalStraw
Did you know that Americans alone use enough plastic straws to wrap around the earth 2.5 times? Maybe you did, and so you have a stash of rose gold-colored metal straws in your kitchen drawer so you can sip with a clear conscience. But what happens when you want a quick iced tea to go or when you’re getting drinks after work? That’s still plastic that may end up in the ocean and harm wildlife. FinalStraw wants to offer you the only straw you’ll ever need. Collapsable and reusable, it comes with an extendable cleaning brush, both of which fit in a small case (made from recycled materials) for you to easily carry around on your keychain wherever you go! Goodbye, plastic straws, you will not be missed.
S’well Insulated Tumbler
If you’re anything like me and functioning as a normal person is difficult until you’ve had your morning coffee, then you’re also going through a lot of paper and plastic at your local Starbucks. Say no to the unnecessary waste and start bringing your own tumbler. That way, you’re still getting your festive lattes, minus the single-use cups! Plus, this tumbler from S’well is a lot prettier to look at on your office desk. It’s triple-walled and vacuum-insulated so that your coffee or tea stays nice and hot. And don’t worry if you’re a little clumsy in the mornings – the tumbler is shatterproof, too!
Keurig My K-Cup Reusable K-Cup Pod Coffee Filter
Maybe instead of getting your morning coffee on your way to work, you brew yourself a cup at home. If the French Press or Chemex is too high-maintenance on those days you pressed snooze one too many times, chances are your brew method is by Keurig, and that means lots of K-cups! I, too, am a fan of the convenience and efficiency, but Keurig has come up with a better way for you to enjoy your morning cup of joe without the single-use plastic. This is a reusable K-cup coffee filter that allows you to brew your favorite ground coffee in two different sizes and comes with a removable lid that makes filling and cleaning effortless.
Photographed by Jelena Jojic Tomic.
Originally from Los Angeles, Alicia lived in Shanghai for 11 years before moving back to the states to attend the University of Miami, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and minors in art and philosophy. Currently residing in New York City, Alicia applies her knowledge of strategic communication and design in her career. She enjoys painting, rugby, exploring, and more often than not, you’ll find her petting someone’s dog.
Did you know that Americans alone use enough plastic straws to wrap around the earth 2.5 times?
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