Photo courtesy of Youtensil.com

Not-so-fun-fact: 40 billion plastic forks, knives and spoons are thrown in the garbage each year. And I’m pretty sure about one million of those come directly from me using new plastic utensils every time I sit down to lunch at work.

That’s why I was thrilled when the Youtensil appeared in my mailbox. This combined fork and spoon offers a serrated edge to serve as a knife, snaps in half for easy storage and can be popped in the dishwasher to clean. It’s got a carrying case (so I won’t lose it) and costs under $5.

Best of all? Every time someone sees me with this nifty contraption, it’s the perfect excuse to strike up a conversation about our daily habits—and how little tweaks like swapping plastic for paper or printing things double-sided—can add up to a big difference.

Your turn: What routines have you replaced with more eco-friendly alternatives?