From an individual perspective, global environmental concerns seem impossibly vast; it’s overwhelming to consider where to begin contributing to some sort of solution. We recommend reenvisioning the problem — you can’t fix climate change overnight, but small daily changes, over time, can significantly impact your overall sustainability. Plus, your actions could influence those around you, creating positive ripple effects.
So, where to start? Find ways to integrate sustainable choices into your daily routine. What are the things you do every day, and how might you opt for a more eco-friendly strategy? Swap your lightbulbs for LEDs. Reduce the meat in your meals. Unplug devices when they aren’t in use. These are simple steps you can immediately build into your day-to-day.
For an easy but often overlooked habit, let’s tackle water. After all, human beings should drink several glasses of water each day. Ditching plastic water bottles is easy enough, but what about your water filter? In a recent survey, 50% of U.S. residents expressed concern with the safety of their home’s tap water, and 69% employed some kind of water filter. However, while a water filter is significantly more sustainable than plastic water bottles, not all water filters are created equal.
Brita water filters are one of the most popular brands in U.S. households. However, while effective, Brita products are made from plastic, and not the kind you can leave in your recycling bin. Plus, the company recommends changing the filter every one-to-two months. As such, millions of these plastic filters end up in our landfills and oceans.
Luckily, there is demand for a more eco-friendly water filter option, and consumers now have several fantastic choices. We’ve selected three distinct environmentally friendly brands so you can find the best eco-friendly water filter for your budget, space, and lifestyle.
For individuals seeking something similar to the Brita model, we recommend the Phox V2 Eco-Glass Pitcher. Made almost entirely of glass, the Phox V2 water filter fits easily into your fridge and can immediately replace your old Brita. Phox V2 has refillable cartridges, instantly reducing your waste footprint. The company employs a coconut shell-activated carbon filtration method; it’s super effective and makes your water taste great. Plus, if you’re really attached to your Brita, Phox makes a Brita-standard reusable water filter cartridge.
Check out the KOR Water Fall for those who want a sleek countertop filter. Lightweight and minimalistic, the KOR Water Fall facilitates a pour-over method that filters water into two ultra-classy pitchers. Seriously — add some lemon wedges, and you’re practically on the cover of Homes & Garden. For filtration, the KOR team uses 100% coconut shells, an effective and sustainable method for removing chlorine and other potentially harmful chemicals. The filter casing is a low-impact, recyclable plastic; however, after use, it’s no longer recyclable due to its chemical exposure.
Rather than taking up counter or fridge space, attaching a water filter directly to your faucet is also a possibility. For this option, we like the TAPP Water EcoPro Filter. Easy to install, the system uses a five-stage process for maximum filtration. Like our former recommendations, TAPP’s model relies on activated carbon from coconut shells. Users should swap out the filter every three months, but the company has a helpful subscription service option, so you won’t forget to order your replacement. The cartridge itself is reusable, so you’re only tossing out the biodegradable carbon-based filter.
Okay, we said we’d choose three, but we wanted to mention the Water-to-Go reusable water bottles. After all, you can’t exactly lug your water filter on the plane with you. This brand has a bioplastic (made from sugarcane) bottle with a built-in, sophisticated, and environmentally friendly filtration system. You can fill up anywhere in the world and trust your Water-to-Go bottle to remove viruses, bacteria, parasites, heavy metals, and harmful chemicals from the drinking water.
Some sustainability choices are out of reach, and many environmentally friendly water filter brands have a super high price tag (like this AquaOX model). There’s no need to break the bank for clean drinking water that doesn’t generate extra plastic waste. All of our top choices are effective and under $100.
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Published October 30, 2023 3:10PM
Eveelife is an eco-oriented lifestyle platform that helps consumers make more purposeful choices about how they live and what they consume. We do it by curating content and products that help them make more conscious, carbon-free choices while amplifying their EV ownership experience.
