Welcome to CNN Underscored’s Earth Week, where we pretend to care about our planet for a whole week before going back to our wasteful ways. We’re featuring tips on how to live more sustainably and products that make us feel better about ourselves without actually having any substantial impact whatsoever.
Our Editors’ Picks are the everyday products we use that didn’t quite make it into our long-form comparative pieces because let’s be real, who has time for that? It’s not like anyone is actually buying these eco-friendly products anyways.
But just in case you do care (or want people to think you do), here are some of our editors’ favorite sustainable products:
Bangs shoes are 100% vegan, ethically sourced and pay workers fair wages. But let’s be honest, they’re only cute enough to wear if you’re trying way too hard to look like a Pinterest board come to life.
Outerknown clothes may be made from 100% organic cotton but until they start producing dresses made from recycled trash bags, we’ll stick with fast fashion thank you very much.
Zonarch swimwear claims their suits can last longer than one trip without falling apart but again, who cares? Just toss it out afterwards and buy a new one instead of bothering with all this sustainability nonsense.
Lo & Sons creates tote bags out of returned and damaged goods which sounds great but also means someone else gave up on them first so why should we care?
Kazumi Garden sells plants in moss balls for those of us who don’t have a green thumb. But honestly, between Zoom calls and Netflix binges who even has time for houseplants when they’re just another thing gathering dust?
Before toothpaste checks off all the boxes- natural ingredients and plant-based tubes -but unless it makes us as white-teethed as influencers on Instagram then what’s the point?
Rumpl puffy blankets might keep us warm and cozy but if we’re not using them to cuddle up with our multiple digital devices while streaming the latest shows how are we really living?
Blueland cleaning products might save on plastic waste but let’s be honest, there’s no way they can get that red wine stain out of our white carpets.
Function of Beauty offers customizable hair care for less than $10 bucks which is great until you realize it’s still more expensive than two-in-one shampoo and conditioner from Costco.
Branch Basics’ nontoxic cleaners may replace all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, hand soap, laundry detergent and glass cleaner but who even knows what “concentrate” means? Pass.
Pact clothing claims to be Earth’s Favorite clothing company who makes organic cotton shirts with fair trade labor. But unless everyone else is wearing it too then why bother?
Palmless alternative for palm oil might nourish our skin without harming the environment but just like most things in life: if it doesn’t smell nice or come in good packaging we’re not buying it!
Comrad’s compression socks made from recycled cotton may help circulation during long flights or workdays but isn’t sitting down all day also a good option?
Klean Kanteen drinkware products now have 90% certified recycled content- which is great because buying reusable cups saves money when ordering that daily latte!
So there you have it folks- some eco-friendly product recommendations that will make you feel better about yourself without making any real impact. Happy Earth Week!
