I try to buy recycled or eco-friendly products whenever possible because it’s good for the environment and it makes me feel better about all the waste I threw away when I was younger.

As I try new things I’d like to give my review of both good and bad products. Here are a few I like:

1.  Pure & Natural Renewing Grapefruit and Pomegranate Bar Soap - This bar soap not only smells great, but it’s also made from real grapefruit and pomegranate, which leaves your skin feeling soft.

2. Tom’s Natural Toothpaste - I switched to this a few months ago and it’s definitely a better alternative to Colgate or Crest. The ingredients are all-natural, it tastes great and it’s cruelty-free towards animals.

3.  Clean Well All-Natural Hand Sanitizer - This stuff puts Purell to shame! Made with no alcohol and no harsh chemicals, this spray hand sanitizer also smells great and doesn’t leave a sticky residue on your hands.

4. Basura Bags Coin Purse - Made from recycled juice boxes by a women’s co-op in the Philippines, these are the perfect size for extra change and come in various colors.

5.  ACME Bags Recyled Dual-Handled Tote - I can reuse these 100% recycled cotton bags every time I go grocery shopping, but they’re also great for toting around my lunch and anything else I need to carry.

And now the items I didn’t quite like:

1.  Feline Pine - I decided to go green with my cat’s litter, so I tried Feline Pine. The pine pellets looked great, and since there were no artificial ingredients or fragrances I thought it would be healthy for my cat. But I realized that the pine pellets turned to sawdust after a day or two, and the pellets got kicked around easier than the litter did! I think I’ll keep looking for a better alternative.

2. Aubrey Green Tea Shampoo and Conditioner - I have naturally oily and straight hair, so I wanted to find a shampoo that would clarify my hair without subjecting it to harsh chemicals. So I went to Roots market and got the Aubrey products. After washing my hair on the first day I could feel the residue still in my hair (and yes, I did rinse it out). My hair still felt oily, so I wasn’t very satisfied with the product. Now the bottles are used for when guests stay over.

These are just my personal opinions. I’m all for any type of green product, so regardless if it worked for me, you should still try to think about the environment when you purchase anything.

You just might be purchasing the future of the planet.