Greener Days Prevail

Lately, I’ve been telling myself I need to carry more sustainable items in my bag, only to pull everything out of said bag and realize I have way more sustainable items in there than I thought. And that’s because when it comes to living more sustainably, there are so many different angles we can look at it from. So, let’s take a look at the sustainable essentials I always carry with me!

The bag: My everyday bag for over a year now has been the Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag in Black. This bag is a firm favourite, as it looks small but can hold so much, and I love the adjustable strap on it as well. I am also a huge fan of Baggu as a brand, as everything I have from them has been great quality and very durable, and I appreciate that they utilize a number of sustainable practices from sourcing recycled materials to minimizing waste design.

Reusable shopping bag: Another Baggu favourite of mine is these reusable shopping bags. On top of the array of fun colours and patterns that they offer, these bags fold up small and flat, and the carrying pouch they come with ensures they stay folded up inside your bag. The standard-sized bag is the one I always have on hand, as it can easily hold the same amount as 2-3 plastic grocery bags, and they’re just hands down the best reusable bag that I’ve tried.

Reusable straw: I don’t use a straw too often when I’m out, but when I do I like having a reusable option on hand. I love that this one is collapsible and comes in a convenient container, meaning your straw stays clean until you’re ready to use it, as well as keeping your bag from getting sticky after it’s been used. No idea where this one is from, but you can find a ton of options in stores and online.

Bamboo tissue: I always need tissues on me, and I love the ones by The Cheeky Panda. I wish this brand was easier to find near me, as the only product I can ever find is their tissues at Dollarama. If you’re not aware, bamboo is an amazing alternative to trees as it’s naturally sustainable in regards to how fast it grows. I find these tissues more durable, and I love that they come in plastic-free packaging and are not bleached like traditional tissue. The company is also B Corp Certified!

Refillable container for hand sanitizer: I know hand sanitizers are a dividing topic, but personally for me it’s something I always like to carry in my bag. A simple way to be more sustainable (that also saves money in the long run) is instead of repeatedly buying these small, plastic bottles, instead buy a larger size and simply refill the small container.

Multipurpose balm: I love a good multipurpose balm, as it’s fewer products I need on hand, which means less packaging waste. This Mymatcha All-Over Moisture Stick by Cocokind is so nourishing and has lasted me ages as a little goes a long way. Plus, it’s completely natural and cruelty-free. Unfortunately, it looks like they’ve reformulated this product to make it vegan (removed the beeswax), and a lot of people seem to find the new formula not as good, which is disappointing to hear.

Another simple way to look at our sustainability? Looking at how long we have had some of the items in our bag!

For instance, I’ve had my Ray-Ban Original Wayfarers for over a decade now, and they still look like new despite the fact I wear them almost daily. As tempting as it may be to buy a bunch of trendy, inexpensive sunglasses, they more often than not break within a year or two. And because they are difficult to recycle, Earth911 states that around 4 million eyeglasses are sent to landfills every year in North America alone. If buying a higher-quality brand of sunglasses is not within your budget, you can often find deals, as well as shop secondhand.

Another item I have had for over a decade is this small zip wallet from Matt & Nat. I find vegan leather can be hit and miss, but all my items by this Montreal-based company have held up well for me. They use 100% recycled plastic bottles for their linings and source a bunch of different recycled materials for their products.

I now challenge you to take a look inside your bag! You might be surprised by how many sustainable items you already carry, and it’s also a good way to make notes of any things you might want to make a swap or look at adding. For me, I know I’d like to carry more sustainable items on me for when I’m eating out, such as a handkerchief to help replace napkins along with reusable bamboo cutlery. I also should probably look into better brands of hand sanitizer to use.

What are some sustainable things you carry in your bag or want to start carrying in your bag?