Best and Worst Sustainable Products 2024

As an environmentalist, I’m always looking for ways I can reduce my impact either through behavioral changes, lifestyle changes, or even product swaps. If you’re looking to make sustainable swaps in 2024 to help reduce your impact, here are my best and worst product recommendations.

Best

TruEarth Laundry Strips and Wool Dryer Balls

After moving into a cargo trailer full time in 2022, I needed a space saving and sensitive skin friendly option for my laundry. I didn’t love the plastic coating in pods, so I decided to give laundry strips a try and these are now my favorite go-to laundry detergent. Space saving, and better yet, no plastic jug that has to be recycled or thrown away!

On another laundry related note, I haven’t used dryer sheets in years because the scent irritates my sensitive skin and conventional products are made of polyester (when heated in a dryer, no thank you!). But in the winter, my clothes get extremely staticky from the dry air and I needed something. Insert, wool dryer balls. So simple, yet effective! I bought mine from TJMaxx, but TruEarth also makes wool dryer balls that is 100% sheep’s wool. But be forewarned, your dog or cat may steal this thinking it’s a toy and love it more than you do!

Rechargeable Batteries

Between my outdoor gear for things like hiking and camping, to household security cameras, I was going through a lot of batteries. I finally pulled the trigger on these amazon basics rechargeable batteries and I’m mad I didn’t do this sooner! Batteries are one of those difficult to dispose of products, not to mention the cost adds up, so save your wallet and the landfill and opt for the more sustainable option.

Menstrual Cup

In 2021 I made the switch to a menstrual cup, something I’d already been considering but after the toilet paper debacle of the initial pandemic response, I wanted an option that wouldn’t leave me stranded. It can be intimidating to try a new feminine hygiene product, but I’m so happy I did because I haven’t looked back since! I save so much money not buying tampons every month, I don’t have any product waste, and there’s no fear of remembering if I took my last tampon out before putting in a new one (ladies, you know what I mean!) Furthermore, dogs love to peruse the bathroom trash and it’s not uncommon for a dog to consume used hygiene products, but with the menstrual cup that’s never an issue. I do keep emergency options on hand, in vehicles, and for guests.

Worst

Blueland Spray Bottles

I purchased the Blueland Clean Essentials cleaning kit which came with three spray bottles and three cleaner tablets: one kitchen cleaner, one bathroom cleaner, one glass cleaner, and a foam hand soap dispenser and tablet. Unfortunately, the spray bottles didn’t function properly and weren’t dispensing the product. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend purchasing the kit with the bottles included from Blueland. I did, however, like the formula of the cleaners themselves, so I’d recommend buying the tablets individually.

Natural Flea and Tick Preventatives

My yard has fleas, it just does. Wildlife exists and passes through, and can carry fleas on them as they travel. Every spring, without fail, if all of my pets aren’t treated with a flea and tick medication AND if my house isn’t sprayed with pesticide, I will get a flea infestation. Fleas can come into your home even without pets, tagging along on your shoes and making it through screens and other small gaps.

I tried using a “natural” spray in my home in previous years to treat the flea infestation, but it didn’t solve my problem and things only got worse while the fleas proliferated. Additionally, natural remedies only work as preventative, and do not kill harmful pests like fleas and ticks that make it onto you or your pets. Furthermore, many natural alternatives are not as strictly regulated or understood as their counterparts, and can be harmful if applied improperly or dosage is off.

My dog, Scout, contracted anaplasmosis while on a 3-month dose of Bravecto, because it does not guarantee against all tick-borne illnesses for the entire three months. Thankfully, I caught the signs early and treatment was easy, but this isn’t the case for many. Additionally, my cat Daisy experiences flea allergy dermatitis, which causes severe irritation and fur loss. Therefore, I don’t mess around with “natural” alternatives for flea and tick prevention and treatment in our home.

Mesh Produce Bags

I used mesh produce bags for a while as an alternative to the plastic ones offered at most grocery stores. However, I ended up misplacing most of them, which is more a personal issue than problem with the product. However, after losing most of them, I realized they were mostly unnecessary. All the produce I buy is handled and moved around anyway, and I wash my produce when I get home anyway to clean it off and help keep it longer in the fridge, so I found there wasn’t a reason the bag was needed. My produce just goes in with all of my other groceries in my big reusable bags. It’s not a bad item to buy if you use them frequently (and don’t lose them), but not a necessary thing to purchase if you’re looking to be more sustainable in 2024.

Find What Works For You

Ultimately, there is no one fits all to sustainability. Finding what products and actions work best for you is the best, and easiest, way to live a sustainable lifestyle!