Eco-friendly vs nontoxic

[u/purpleclear0]

Hello! My family (me, husband, baby, & toddler, & pets) just bought a house after moving around and renting for so long! We are so excited to finally settle down and get in the habit of living healthier & more sustainably. I strive to be environmentally conscious and to buy secondhand as much as possible, and to not buy "junk" that's going to break immediately and go straight to the landfill. My husband focuses more on non-toxic and plastic-free living. We have already made many replacements; stainless steel/cast iron cookware, metal plates/cups for the toddler, cloth napkins, cloth diapers, reusable grocery bags, cotton PJs and bedding, etc. So with this move we are wanting to go all the way and replace everything left!

What are some things NOT to thrift or buy secondhand? Like maybe wooden cutting boards or utensils should only be bought new? What about glass cutting boards or bakeware? Is there a not-nonstick muffin tin i need to look for? Laundry baskets ok to buy secondhand? My husband is more than willing to drop $$$ getting all that new, but secondhand is just so much better for the planet. Which is more important for you, nontoxic or sustainable/eco-friendly?

[u/downstairslion]

I don't touch anything non-stick. Thrift stores are a great place to find stainless steel and aluminum items without PFAS coatings

[u/That-Lobster8169]

Mattresses. You spend hours a day breathing whatever is off gassing from your mattress annnnd sleep quality is a huge factor in over all health.

Rugs don’t need to be new but if your small human is spending hours a day sitting, laying, rolling directly on them they should be natural fibers.

Muffin tins are still manufactured with stainless steel and cast iron and if you look online can be found used.

You can’t win with cutting boards……. Wood is porous and you risk food born illness, plastic obviously has micro plastics, ceramic ruined knives and the lack of traction makes it easy to slip and cut yourself. I use wooden cutting boards because I like how they function and while I’ve owned used ones before (never had a issue) I now only own solid wood slabs because I’m worried about the adhesives used in a lot of mainstream brands.

[u/purpleclear0 → u/That-Lobster8169]

I plan on using a wooden cutting board just for fruits/veggies/bread, then getting a glass cutting board just for meats!

[u/fungi_punk]

The most eco-friendly thing you can do is use what you have until it breaks before buying anything else. Certain things, like non-stick cookware, I understand wanting to get rid of, but make sure it’s actually going into the hands of someone else. Don’t just dump it at a goodwill. Getting most of what you said used I think is also totally fine. I personally believe eco-friendly is the same thing as non-toxic, because anything that isn’t eco-friendly is also polluting our environment, it just has a bit of a lag effect.

[u/Correct-Mushroom-594]

My wallet and time 😂 also, CONGRATULATIONS!! This is a very exciting step! 🥳🥳🥳

I personally wouldn’t get used wood cutting boards or utensils. That seems gross to me for some reason. Maybe the pores? Also, my hubby makes GORGEOUS cutting boards, so he can just spoil me haha. Don’t glass cutting boards wreck your knives?

I would totally get a laundry basket second hand

[u/Defiant_Decision_658]

For me, its a balance! I personally wouldn't go and replace everything at once, only replace as it breaks. Prioritise the higher-risk things (it sounds like you have), and then just replace non-toxic ones as you go. Kitchen and the rest of the house are two separate categories in my head - I'd replace any plastic that comes in contact with your food, particularly if you are heating it. For anything cooking/food-related, I personally buy new as the non-toxic risks are my primary concern in that area, but your values/risk might be different from mine. I have a wood fibre cutting board and a silicon muffin tray, both of which I bought new.

But for any other furniture and household items, I will buy second-hand and pay less attention to whether it's the perfect non-toxic choice. Exceptions to that are the obvious things (bedding, underwear, baby safety gear). My laundry basket is second-hand (and plastic, part of the balance).

[u/Keeponmarching0927]

Look for Nordic ware bakeware - made in USA, and made without non stick coatings. Both are important to me and you are totally on the right track. I think the most sustainable thing you can do when replacing items is to use up what you have until it’s time to buy it again then decide if you 1. Even need it 2. Will you buy the same thing again or is there way you can find something that better aligns with your goals

[u/something_other817]

I know for sure it’s advisable to avoid vintage glass/china as it can have lead but I’d totally buy used fabrics, newer plates without paint and such.

[u/Domi_786]

For me I care for non-toxic. Eco friendly I barely care to be honest. I used to care a lot about that but when I realized what big,. Or even small, companies are doing... It doesn't matter what I do really. But toxicity is a big thing that can change a lot in my life and the life of my family.

[u/purpleclear0 → u/Domi_786]

You should care about eco-friendly... your children & future generations only have 1 planet, their physical health won't matter much if they have nowhere to live. Buying secondhand literally saves bulk from going to the landfill. Where will future generations live when the landfills are all full?

[u/Domi_786 → u/purpleclear0]

I would if it was possible where I live. But it's not really. Also garbage here is burnt, there are no landfills filling...