5 Unique Products You Didn't Know Can Help Save The Environment

Saving the world seems like a tall order for only one person. One conjures images of living in a yurt, off the grid and away from civilization, foraging for sustainably-sourced berries. But there are surprisingly easy (and shockingly unique) products for every aspect of your life that can do a little bit to decrease your carbon footprint and make the world a better place. No yurt required. Solar Phone Charger Who hasn't been in the middle of something important when the dreaded warning appears that your phone battery is nearing depletion? Even worse when you are away from an outlet or way to charge your phone! New to the mobile phone market are chargers that run off solar energy, rather than the power grid. Phone out of power? Just put the charger in the sun, plug in your phone, and watch the battery bar fill. Activated Charcoal It seems counterproductive to put something black onto your teeth to clean or whiten them. Users of activated charcoal, though, swear by its whitening and cleaning powers and are happy to not be using toxic chemicals on their teeth! You can buy activated charcoal for myriad uses, from indigestion to alcohol poisoning, but when using it to clean your teeth, just dip a wet toothbrush into powdered activated charcoal and brush normally. Adding it to your brushing routine just twice a week will have your smile back to dazzling in no time. Soap Nuts Wash your clothes with a berry? It sounds crazy right? But it works! Soap nuts are the shells of the Sapindus mukorossi tree, and contain a natural cleanser called Saponin. They are a gentle but powerful cleaner, and while they don't produce the heaps of bubbles we are used to seeing with commercial detergents, they produce a chemical free clean that is even gentle enough for babies and sufferers of eczema. Burial Pods Most people don't like to think about their own funerals, but what better legacy to leave than one of sustainability? The chemicals used in embalming and burial are terrible for the environment, but there a company in Italy is developing a product that will allow your remains to nourish a growing tree as it grows. Gives a whole new spin to haunted forests, doesn't it? Moss Carpet Stepping out of the shower into a forest glade, allowing the moss to tickle your toes: it's a beautiful fantasy, and at least part of it can be a reality in your bathroom. A moss bathmat helps clean the air in your bathroom, and lives by the water that falls on it after you shower. The movement to save the environment is creeping into the mainstream, making it easier than ever to do our part to save the world. All you have to do is make small changes to your everyday routine and you can really make a difference. It really is amazing how much of a difference one person can make in the world.