Black Friday all throughout Cyber Monday “weekend” is an overwhelming time to all our eco-lovies out there, especially since we don’t get the same shopping flutters of excitement as everyone else. While we might always say avoid unnecessary shopping, to save a few bucks and while shipping is more consolidated and at it’s peak anyway, might as well (begrudgingly) partake on these essentials.

Remember, the key is to keep it simple and natural – stick to basic non-perishable essentials and those with natural materials. If you’re a sustainable newbie, now is also the chance to take that leap to either new items you have your eye on for a while or swap to more sustainable, everyday options. Need more help? Here are the items on our list:

Everyday Cleaning Essentials – stock up on everyday, cleaning home essentials or finally throw out (and we mean recycle, please!) those big jugs and tubs of cleaning liquid. Chances are you’ll end up buying them anyway in a few weeks or so. We love Blueland’s starting kits that easily sets you up for success, for those who need no introduction take advantage of refill discounts at this time. 

Bathroom Essentials – never go through plastic bottles of hand soap ever again with Supernatural their site-wide sale includes their lovely powdered hand soap (and refills)! Other items we use a lot of on a regular are bar soaps (body and hair) and bamboo toilet paper and Bamboo has all of those items and more!

Home Compostable Products – finally ready to make the switch to home compostable products? Say goodbye to traditional plastic that lasts in the landfills for centuries. Nata’s Home Compostable Zip Bags are on extended Kickstarter launch price so grab a few zip bag bundles before then. We also love Repurpose’s everyday, compostable tableware that’s perfect for more holiday parties to come in the next weeks or so.

Reencle Composter – if you want to graduate from dropping off to making your own compost but live in an apartment and no access to an open yard, or simply want to start composting and don’t know where to start. Easy, compact and convenient to use. We love how it turns food waste into real compost and not just dehydrated scraps.

Holiday Gifting – get ahead of holiday shopping and gifting and make the most out of Made Trade’s sitewide sale of ethical, sustainable home goods, decor, clothing and accessories. Anything really that would make the best gift to your sustainable besties.

Lastly, if all of these don’t appeal to you then we applaud you! Consider participating on Giving Tuesdays instead and donate (online) to your favorite local group or international organization that help better the world. Some of them like Ocean Conservancy and Rescue.org will be having matching or double donation programs all throughout the week. 

Regardless on how you choose to participate, remember that your decision matters. Every little bit of climate action goes a long way in impacting the world to be a better, safer place for us and the next generations to come. For more everyday, digestible, sustainable content, follow @humbleearthinitiative on IG. Stay humble!