Why Buying Sustainable Eco Products & Gifts Are Important
We are living in a disposable world, where fast fashion, bottled water, excessive packing, and single use items have become the norm. Somewhere between box retailers & corporate greed, a keeping up with the Jones’s mindset, and the assumption that our natural resources are infinite, we have lost our way and continue to accelerate global warming. We can no longer afford not to make better buying decisions on how, and what we consume, and to better understand the impacts that our everyday choices have on the environment.
Mindful Gifts That Make A Difference
Some of our most commonly used day to day items are contaminating our landfills and oceans at alarming rates. With simple switches to more sustainable options these environmental impacts can be greatly offset. We have a few simple suggestions for your next gift gifting exchange.
1.) Sustainable Straw Sets $12
Why we love these: Both glass and stainless steel straws are sold in sets of 2 with a cleaning wand, they are durable, dishwasher safe and wide enough to enjoy smoothies, milkshakes and thicker drinks along with your favourite iced teas, and other beverages of choice. Bonus: They come with a super cute fabric wrap to allow easy and clean transportation and protection to the straws while in a purse, bag, or sustainable lunch kit.
How they help: Most plastic straws can not be recycled and a large majority of them end up in our oceans, causing marine animals to die by ingesting plastics. By switching to a sustainable options for your love of straws, the staggering 500+ million straws floating around out there can be drastically reduced.
2.) Cotton Produce & Bulk Food Bags $15
Why we love these: These organic cotton muslin drawstring bags are the perfect alternative to using plastic produce bags at the grocery store. They are light weight, machine washable, and reusable. They are sold in sets of two, one large bag for potatoes and larger items, and a smaller bag for ginger, garlic or almonds etc. Bonus: They pack nicely and easily to fit into a purse, backpack or grocery totes.
How they help: It is estimated that 4 trillion plastic bags are used annually world wide and only about 1-2% are actually properly recycled. On average 300 plastic bags are consumed per person each year. BYOB….Bring Your Own Bag. Let’s keep the movement going.
3.) Bamboo Travel Cutlery Sets $15
Why we love these: These travel bamboo cutlery sets are lightweight and made from sustainable bamboo fibre. The knife will actually cut your food, unlike some of the butter knife styles that we have encountered. They come in a washable, reusable carrying case to keep mess at bay, and to allow for easy transportation in a purse, murse, or backpack. They are dishwasher safe. Bonus: They are a wonderful option for eco traveler looking for travel cutlery sets.
How they help: 40+ billion plastic utensils are estimated to be circulating each year with the majority of them ending up in our oceans and landfills. Recycling is on the rise, but not quick enough. Making the switch to a Bamboo Cutlery Set is an easy way to stop the trend of single use utensils while out and about.
4.) Wool Dryer Balls $14
Why we love these: Wool dryer balls offer great energy cost savings by reducing the overall drying time of each load. As the balls bounce around in the drum they separate clothing and speed up drying, mitigate wrinkling, and naturally reduce static cling. Dryer balls are scent free making them a great option for individuals that are sensitive to scents or have severe allergies. The typical lifespan of a set of wool dryer balls is up to 750 loads. Bonus: You can add your favourite essential oils to the wool to achieve a natural scent that is chemical free.
How they help: Commercial dryer sheets contribute to excessive volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) emissions that increase air pollution on a daily basis. Not only are dryer sheets polluting the air by the toxic chemicals found within them, but they also end up in our landfills. Choosing a reusable option eliminates the need for single use dryer sheets.
5.) Beeswax Food Wrap $24
Why we love these: These Beeswax Food Wraps are a great replacement for plastic cling wrap, they are made from 100% cotton that is baked in a blend of sustainably harvested beeswax, tree resin and organic oil. We specifically love these ones due to how sticky and malleable they are, making them easy to use and very long lasting. The heat from your hands will self adhere the wrap in a similar ( but better ) fashion as a traditional cling wrap making food storage a safe, washable, reusable and sustainable option. Bonus: Beeswax has natural antibacterial properties and the wraps are great for keeping avocado green, and fresh herbs crispy. They are handmade in Ontario Canada.
How they help: It takes 500-1000 years for plastic to degrade and it is estimated that only 1/5 of plastics are actually recycled. Sadly most cling wraps also contain a hormone disrupting chemical called BPA. Using a washable, natural alternative will keep your food fresh longer and offset unnecessary plastic consumption.
BOHO & HOBO is a Canadian based eco company that cares deeply about the environment, and we have a mission to educate and motivate as many people as possible to make mindful choices that will reduce the consumption of single use plastics.
Each of the products highlighted in the blog, and many other sustainable products are available in our online Eco-Boutique.
For the month of August we have partnered up with our friends at 
We are happy to share with our readers a feature written by Megan, of Hen Family who has added BOHO & HOBO to her ‘The Best Eco-Friendly Products’ in Canada list for our signature 
At BOHO & HOBO we are celebrating Earth Day April 22nd, 2018 with a community garbage clean up, followed by a special Earth Day community celebration celebrating Mother Earth in Kingston Ontario.