People produce a staggering 300 million tons of plastic every year, with half of it created for single-use. While a small percentage of it gets recycled, more than eight million tons of plastic is dumped into the oceans annually, according to Plastic Oceans.
Have you ever stopped to consider how many items you use on a daily basis are made with plastic? Everything from storage bags to bottles to food packaging — the amount is frighteningly high. And while it might seem daunting to address the large-scale global issue of plastic pollution, there are small changes you can make with little impact on the way you live but a big impact on our planet.
"The consumer can have it all - they don't have to make a sacrifice to live a sustainable lifestyle," says Jonathan Propper, the founder and CEO of Dropps, a line of sustainable, plant-based home care products shipped directly to your door.
The company, founded in 2005, created the first laundry detergent pod (yes, even before Tide pods), and has since expanded into other items, including fabric softener pods, dish detergent pods, laundry bags, and dryer balls. The products are all made without animal testing, and use recyclable and compostable cardboard packaging to eliminate single-use plastic. Plus, the company claims the average family can save as much as $100 a year by switching to Dropps, allowing you to do good for the environment and your wallet.
"We are dedicated to designing daily consumer products in a manner that is convenient for the consumer and engineers out single-use plastic. To some extent we are all experiencing Sustainability Anxiety Disorder. Dropps gives families easy-to-use solutions that are both eco-responsible and economical - which, if multiplied across a multitude of families, can have a measurable impact both on the planet and their wallets" Propper told GOOD.
Traditional liquid laundry detergents are typically packaged in plastic jugs made from high-density polyethylene, which often aren't recycled. By using Dropps, nearly one million single-use plastic bottles, jugs, pouches, and tubs have been avoided from entering our oceans and waterways since the company's founding.
Dropps pods are made with a biodegradable, water soluble film of polyvinyl alcohol; once it dissolves and enters the water stream, it's broken down by micro-organisms that commonly exist in nature. Instead of being stored in a plastic container or pouch, they arrive on your doorstep in a cardboard box that doubles as both the product packaging and shipping container.
GOOD spoke with Dropps founder and CEO Jonathan Propper about sustainability, the state of the industry, and plans he has for the company's future.
GOOD: Talk about your passion for social impact, particularly within sustainability. How do you think Dropps helps in that movement?
Jonathan Propper: While hard to pull off, sustainability, convenience, and cost are not mutually exclusive. It is our goal to design products that allow us to offer better alternatives - both from a formulation and packaging standpoint.
How can people live a more socially conscious life?
Be open to making small, convenient changes, and do what works for you. Small changes can have a big impact. Consumers can use their buying power to support businesses that offer better alternatives. This can support small businesses and put pressure on bigger companies to change (packaging, formulations, etc.).
What are your thoughts on the state of sustainability within your industry?
As more and more shoppers seek out eco-conscious products, costs are coming down, making sustainability accessible to everyone…major brands are starting to expand product lines to offer more sustainable options, but there is so much more work to do. Ninety percent of all the plastic ever made has not been recycled, and that plastic production is expected to quadruple by 2050. It's no secret that the household consumer goods category contributes to the problem.
Are there any areas of the company that you want to improve sustainability?
Become 100% carbon neutral. We are now offering carbon neutral shipping, and we are working on becoming a totally carbon neutral company.
What plans do you have for Dropps in the future?
Our plans are always to improve products and provide convenient and sustainable solutions to problems that the consumer is experiencing.
See more from Dropps and other sustainable companies at DoneGood!
*GOOD may earn a portion of sales revenue from purchases made through affiliate links on our site.
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.