I, like most people, have become accustomed to having certain things in my daily life. Things that I just don't think about because I use them so much. Things like my morning coffee, or grabbing a bottle of water before I leave the house...stuff like that. But those things produce a lot of waste. Of course I recycle where I can, but not everything is recyclable. From used coffee filters to paper towels, a lot of it ends up in the garbage. Paper towels alone produce up to 3,000 tons of waste everyday!
At the 2013 International Home & Housewares Show, exhibitors showcased various products to help combat this ever growing problem. Here is a short list of some of my favorites...
SoftBrew
The SoftBrew porcelain pot from Sowden has a stainless steel filter that brews tasty
pots for one. By not using capsules or pods popular in single-cup
brewing machines, the SoftBrew reduces the amount of coffee grounds
used, saving money for the coffee lover. The pot stays hot longer than
glass or steel and works for cold-brew and iced coffee as well. The
filter is recyclable and the packaging is made of recyclable corrugate
material.

Dash Greek Yogurt Maker
Dash company debuted a prototype of a Greek yogurt maker that they plan to
have on the market shortly. Not only does this product have style, but
it saves on packaging from purchasing yogurt in plastic containers. You
can use cow milk, or choose to use soy or nut milks too! Once milk is
added into the machine, it strains and cultures the milk, turning it
into authentic Greek yogurt. Plus, there are no added sugars or preservatives!

Vapur MicroFilter
Expanding on their line of flat-pack water bottles, Vapur has introduced MicroFilter, a filter that safely removes 99.99% of
bacteria and organic matter. Filtering up to 1,000 liters over its
lifespan, the MicroFilter is not only extremely safe and easy to use,
it's also the lightest water bottle filter on the market. The
Microfilter is a hollow fiber membrane technology from SureAqua. Vapur's
refillable bottles are fold-able, freezable, and washable. They are a
great alternative to traditional disposable water bottles and takes up
very little space in a purse or bag. All Vapur Anti-Bottles are 100% BPA
free and made in the USA.
FlatBox-LunchBox
A recent study conducted by Dr. Charles Gerba and the University of Arizona in a K-12
school system found that the germiest place at school is the cafeteria table. So, naturally, being a mom, I loved this one! From Solvetta, makers of fold flat lunchboxes
in bright colors and patterns. FlatBox-LunchBox folds out to become a germ barrier place-mat. The
FlatBox-LunchBox is packaged and stored flat, further reducing the
distribution cost by 50%. Solvetta is also looking into material
alternatives to Neoprene, that are more sustainable and provide better insulation.