There’s one thing a few sponge that makes any kitchen really feel correctly geared up. You want that spectacular absorbency, that squishy flexibility, that quick-squeeze dryness for sure cleansing jobs that simply can’t be replicated by a dishcloth.
Sadly, the colourful artificial sponges that most individuals have subsequent to their sinks trigger environmental hurt lengthy after their helpful life spans have ended. The primary drawback is with the sheer quantity which might be discarded yearly—an estimated 400 million in the USA alone.
Sponges are designed to do messy cleansing jobs, which causes them to replenish with germs rapidly. That is why many consultants advise tossing the stinkers weekly—a advice which will assist us when it comes to hygiene, however results in a staggering quantity of plastic trash that can’t be recycled. As soon as in landfill, it may take tens of millions of years for them to interrupt down.
One other drawback is that, as a result of the vast majority of these kitchen sponges are constituted of plastic, they put on out by shedding tiny bits of plastic down the drain. These microplastics are too small to be filtered out by wastewater therapy services, in order that they enter waterways, lakes, and oceans.
Go Pure As an alternative
With this environmental nightmare in thoughts, it is a good suggestion to search for alternate options. Pure, biodegradable cleansing sponges do exist, and so they’re a implausible substitute, in a position to take up as much as ten occasions their weight in water. They’re environmentally pleasant, reusable, and constituted of wooden pulp or plant cellulose, which ensures they’re going to break down totally in an affordable period of time. Listed here are a few of our favourite inexpensive choices, obtainable from the Free the Ocean plastic-free store.
Treehugger spoke to Mimi Ausland, co-founder of Free the Ocean, who stated, “These plastic-free sponges carry out the very same job as your typical kitchen sponge. (I feel they work even higher.) As an alternative of your sponges ending up as a part of our rising plastic waste drawback, you may really feel good figuring out this different is constituted of wooden pulp and is 100% biodegradable!”
Free the Ocean’s sponges include rave critiques from many completely satisfied prospects.
“These are THE BEST sponges I’ve ever used, and can solely use these to any extent further. They’re snug in your hand, too!”—Marina B.
“Wow! So stunned how absorbent they’re and figuring out I’m serving to the setting is a double plus!”—Ruth P.
“These sponges are fantastic!!! Not solely are they secure for the setting, however additionally they final a very long time and take up an unimaginable quantity of liquid. I LOVE THEM!”—Fawn
Give pure sponges a attempt to you will not be upset. In reality, you’re extra more likely to be pleasantly stunned—and surprise why you didn’t make the swap earlier. Your kitchen and dishes can be as squeaky clear as ever, and all you must do is toss the sponge within the compost bin if you’re accomplished with it.
To buy and for extra data, go to Free the Ocean.