Replace 300+ Plastic Bottles with This
This post was sponsored by simplehuman.
My sister and her family are visiting the prairie for the first time in a year and a half. As we’ve not yet even broken ground on our small ADU (sigh), I can’t personally host them as I once used to at the Cottage. Thankfully, our wonderful neighbors down the dirt road have a lovely little studio apartment that they generously offered up for our four visitors.
In preparing the space for their arrival, the neighbors and I did the usual: converted the sofas to beds for the two young kids, prepped the space with plenty of matches and flashlights (the storms here are ferocious and often knock out the power), and stock the fridge with essentials. I also like to provide sleep masks and earplugs for folks staying in a small space like this who might not be used to such a format. After all, when one person wakes up, EVERYONE wakes up unless you’re practiced or prepared.
There were also some unique considerations we took into account when setting up the space to reflect the realities of air travel during this time as it pertains to safety and wellness.
First, with the help of an old, 2-tiered metal plant stand, we created a makeshift mini drop zone outside the front door, perfect for temporarily corralling packages, bags, masks, and shoes.
Secondly, we added a stainless steel hand soap pump to the narrow kitchen for frequent hand washing.
While bar soap is one of the easiest low waste alternatives to disposable plastic soap dispensers, one of my sister’s kids, along with my 4 year old, both act as though it’s their duty to destroy each and every bar with their mischievous little fingers as quickly as humanly possible.
Does anyone else have a kid who does this!?!
By contrast, this pulse pump by simplehuman is made to last. It refills neatly with an integrated funnel opening, is made for one-handed dispensing, and is tested to withstand 15 pumps per day for 27 years. (That’s over 300 plastic pump bottles.)
What sets it apart from other reusable pumps is that the spout is drip-free, clog-free, and made with a coating that resists germs and fingerprints. Additionally, it’s engineered with a mechanism that’s low friction, which not only makes it easy to use, but also puts substantially less strain on the pieces that typically break down over shorter spans of time in most reusable pumps.
When added to the studio along with items like a compost caddy, washable towels in lieu of paper alternatives, a charcoal water filter, and refillable toiletries instead of travel-sized bottles (which are so small that they’re usually skipped over for recycling), we’ve got a functioning, lower waste small space for their visit.
And, for better or worse, the kids will have to find something else to destroy…
