This article is part of CNN Underscored’s Earth Week, a week focused on our planet and ways to celebrate and preserve it. We’ll feature tips on living more sustainably, products to help you spend more time in nature, and exclusive deals all week, so check in every morning to see what’s new and stay tuned. remember to subscribe CNN’s underrated news to see them all.
From an insulated water bottle that will help cut down on plastic waste during outdoor hiking trips to a reusable dish towel that can replace up to 17 paper towels to a bidet that can The dryer will help reduce our use of toilet paper, we’ve tried and tested some of the best eco-friendly products available. Below, we’ve rounded up our top 9 performance products, perfect to help you reduce waste and live more sustainably.
The coffee
Pouring coffee machine
The best pour-over coffee machines in general: Kalita Wave 185 Coffee dripper
$39.60 $24.99 at Amazon
Don’t run out to the coffee shop every time you need gas – save time and energy and avoid using another paper cup (or Keurig capsule) by making your own great cup of coffee. We found the Kalita Wave 185’s flat bottom, three-hole design to produce the most uniform and consistent coffee of all the models tested. Kalita produces the strongest coffee, maintaining the spot temperature and uniform saturation of the grounds. Not only will you enjoy great-tasting coffee with Kalita, but once it’s brewed, you can brew everything.
• Read more from our test of pour-over espresso machines here.
Single-serve coffee machine
The best single-serve espresso machines in general: Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe by Breville
$189.99 at Outdoor shower bed
The Breville-Nespresso VertuoPlus, which uses pods to deliver both espresso and “regular” coffee, simply cannot be beat for its convenience. Intuitive and quick to use right out of the box, it looks good on the counter, contains a detachable 60-ounce water tank so you don’t have to refill it every time and delivers hot coffee, Perfectly delicious with just a simple tap of a lever and push of a button.
For an eco-friendly option, we recommend using the “sustainable” pods to go with this single-serve coffee maker. A good choice is Illy Espresso Single Serving Coffee Compatible Capsules Pack of 10 sets for $9.49 at Amazon.
• Read more from our test of single-serve espresso machines here.
Home
Bid
Best bidets in general: Alpha JX toilet seat
$398.10 $369 at Amazon
Trying to cut down on paper waste? Why not start in the bathroom, where a bidet with a dryer will help you and your family cut down on toilet paper use (and feel so much cleaner and fresher!). We recommend the Alpha JX Toilet Seat, which has an instant and endless supply of warm water with a fully adjustable line, dryer, remote control and heated seat. This makes it the best bidet on the market, especially because of its eco-friendliness and price.
• Read more from our bidet test here.
Water bottles
The best water bottles in general: Yeti Rambler 26 Ounces
Starting at $30 for 18 oz bottles at Yeti
If you know someone who still uses plastic water bottles, help them make a sustainable transition with the Yeti Rambler. Any water bottle will help cut down on plastic waste, and the Rambler came out on top in our testing thanks to its good insulation and incredible durability. It also has a great chug lid that gives you a comfortable and quick drinking experience, while maintaining easy accessibility with the super wide mouth.
• Read more from our water bottle test here.
Raincoat
Best rain jacket overall: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
$149 at Patagonia
Patagonia is rooted in environmentalism, and those core values are evident in everything the brand produces. The company’s Torrentshell jackets are not only made from post-consumer recycled nylon and are Fair Trade certified, but they outperform all other jackets we’ve tested in key regions . It’s amazingly waterproof and will keep you dry in the worst of rain. It’s also extremely breathable, durable, and comes with Patagonia’s Lifetime Ironclad Warranty. If you really want to make an impact, Patagonia resells used products, keeping even more materials out of the landfill.
• Read more from our raincoat test here.
Kitchen
Dish towel
The best dish towels overall: Swedish tablecloths Cellulose foam fabric
$24.99 $21.99 at Amazon
Ready for an interesting reality? One Swedish cellulose wadding can actually replace 17 rolls of paper towels. Let it sink in, guys. Invented by a Swedish engineer in 1949, these Swedish dish towels are reusable, biodegradable, and incredibly affordable, not to mention highly effective. Therefore, they are widely used throughout Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, which are also among the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. Bottom line: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a roll of paper towels in any Nordic home or business, as they rely on Swedish dish towels instead. Grab this bulk pack of 10 and change your tissues forever.
• Read more from our test of Swedish tablecloths here.
Reusable bags
Overall best reusable bags: Bag
$12.65 at Amazon
The stasher bag is a reusable bag made from platinum cure silicone which is the most stable silicone for food use, as it removes residues from the manufacturing process that you can I don’t want in my food. The bag is free of BPA, BPS and other phthalates, and meets FDA and EU requirements for food contact and safety. We recommend them as a great way to reduce your single-use plastic waste. And thanks to Stsher’s variety of shapes and sizes, they’re more than just a plastic bag replacement – they’re versatile enough to replace all types of containers and will quickly become an essential tool in your home. your kitchen.
• Read more from our test of the stasher bag here.
Reusable food wrapping paper
Best reusable food wrap overall: Bee’s Wrap, 3 packs
$17.99 at Amazon
Seeing arrive Get rid of plastic wrap from your kitchen and life and cut down on your use of plastic bags? These organic beeswax wraps are sustainable and reusable, and can store everything from fruit and vegetables to baked goods and leftovers. With sustainability at the forefront, even the packaging of Bee’s Wrap is fully recyclable and compostable. To clean them, simply hand wash them in cool water with a bit of dish soap.
• Read more of our review of reusable food wrap here.
Smart technology
Smart thermostat
Best smart thermostat overall: Nest Learning Thermostat
$249 $199 at Amazon
Looking to make a positive impact on the environment and feel more comfortable doing so? By learning your temperature preferences and automatically adjusting the conditions in your home, smart thermostats can guide you to becoming a more energy-efficient household, reducing energy needs. Your home by turning down the heat or air conditioning when you’re not around, and gently turning them back on when you need them, helping you avoid unnecessary heating or air conditioning. The Nest Learning Thermostat is the smartest, most capable system we’ve tested, and features a simple, easy-to-learn interface.
