While living the sustainable lifestyle can be rewarding, it isn't always easy. It takes planning, and a fashionable purse, of course, equipped with the green gear you need to navigate through a modern day of eco-challenges.
Check out our list of the purse essentials every eco-chick needs, and let us know if you think something is missing!
Purse Essentials
Vintage Handkerchief(01 of11)
Flu and cold season is here. Battle the sniffles without creating your own personal tissue landfill by stocking up on some pretty handkerchiefs. You can find them at almost any vintage store, antique shop, or flea market for less than five dollars. (credit:Flickr/storebukkebruse)
Reusable Bottle(02 of11)
It’s a no-brainer to carry a reusable bottles, as plastic bottle fill up landfills and the ocean. You’ll be surprised how often you’ll be pulling it out to take a swig throughout the day. It's the most fashionable green accessory there is!Just make sure to choose a reputable brand that is BPA free. (credit:Getty)
Food Containers And Utensils(03 of11)
You’ll probably have food containers with you if you cook and pack your own lunch every day. But if you’re heading out to a delicious dinner and want to take the leftovers home, the amount of Styrofoam, plastic, and paper used to create your doggy bag is alarming. Come prepared with your own containers. Even if toting around Tupperware seems like too much, you can still make a difference. Carry a spare fork or spoon with you so you can avoid using plastic, throwaway utensils when you grab food on the go. (credit:Flickr/Rubbermaid Products.)
Reusable Bag(04 of11)
You honestly never know when you might find yourself with an extra five minutes to swing by the farmers market or convenience store. Cashiers are quick on the draw when it comes to shoving your purchase in a bag, but you can be quicker by having a little fold-up bag stashed in your purse. “No bag please!” you’ll declare, as you hand them your own. Doesn’t that feel good?For bonus points, pick up some produce bags as well to cut the plastic out of your shopping cart completely. (credit:Flickr/foldablebags.com)
Toxin-Free Moisturizer And Makeup(05 of11)
Cold weather is setting in, so you might be thinking about keeping a bit of balm and moisturizer within easy reach. Choose tubes of gloss and lotion that are free of phthalates and other nasty toxic chemicals. You can find detailed information on what’s in all your beauty products by looking them up in the Skin Deep database. It’s a win for you and the environment. (credit:Flickr/Mr. T in DC)
Travel Coffee Mug(06 of11)
Oh you coffee drinker, you. You need it to get going in the morning, and the holidays just aren’t the same without a gingerbread spiced latte. We totally understand.Impress the folks at your corner coffee shop by showing up with a reusable coffee mug and say good-bye to the stream of empty paper and plastic cups going in the trash. (credit:Flickr/urbanlatinfemale)
Monterey Bay Fish Guide(07 of11)
You’re out to dinner at a fancy restaurant and you see striped bass on the menu. Sounds delicious, but is it OK to eat?No one expects you to memorize the various nuances of which fish stocks are depleted, which have mercury, and which pollute. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a wallet-sized guide for that. Take a quick look next time you’re standing at the fish counter or salivating over fish fillet. The bluefin tuna will thank you. (credit:AP)
Reminder Wrapped Around Your Credit Card(08 of11)
OMG! It’s shopping season! The greenest product is one that you never bought, but it’s easy to forget your minimalist pledge when standing in front of a glittering display of fancy accessories and clothing. Make yourself a reminder to wrap around your credit card. “Do I really need this?” it might say. Or more to the point, “Go put it back, it is SO not in your budget.” (credit:Alden Wicker)
Public Transportation Ticket(09 of11)
If you’re lucky enough to live in a city with good public transportation, you don’t want to leave home without your subway or bus card. Car keys, on the other hand, are very optional. (credit:Flickr/Mr. T in DC)
Guide To Pesticide In Produce(10 of11)
It’s not always easy to find organic and affordable produce. For those times when you find yourself in a jam, you can avoid pesticides by referring to a handy wallet card listing the fruits and vegetables with the most and least pesticides. Find the Environmental Working Group’s guide here. (credit:Flickr/Mr. T in DC)
Bonus: A Smart Phone(11 of11)
We don’t want to say you have to have the latest piece of electronic equipment, but a Smart Phone can be a conscious consumer's best friend. From looking up a company’s environmental record on the go, to using one of a dozen stellar applications, a smart phone can help you make smart decisions and give your money to the businesses that deserve it. Some of our favorite applications include Good Guide, which lets you scan bar codes to bring up a company’s health, social, and environmental record; TapIt, which will tell you the location of free water refills in the NYC area; iRecycle, which will point you to the nearest recycling location for a variety of wastes; Monterey Bay’s Seafood Watch; and an on-the-go recipe app like Epicurious that will help you out in the grocery store and farmers market. (credit:Flickr/William Hook)
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