38 Simple Plastic-Free Product Swaps You Can Make to Better the Earth
Photo Courtesy of Bite
Plastic waste reached 242 million tonnes in 2016—making up 12% of the world’s waste (1).
And one of the most gut-wrenching parts about this?
It’s suffocating our oceans. Out of the plastic that was produced in 2010, 8 million tonnes of it ended up in the ocean through outlets like streams, rivers, and drains.
The fact of the matter is that plastic makes an appearance in nearly every area of our life—from our home to our commute to even our to-go order at lunchtime.
It’s everywhere we look. And if we don’t vote with our dollars by making plastic-free product swaps, things are going to escalate—quickly.
So let’s get to it…
38 Simple (& Affordable) Plastic-Free Product Swaps
The following is my most recent list of simple, affordable plastic-free products that you can make to lessen your carbon footprint on the earth.
1. Reusable Water Bottle
Perhaps the most simple plastic-free product swap you can make: A reusable water bottle.
For both health and environmental reasons, you’ll want to opt for a plastic-free water bottle that’s BPA-free and toxin-free.
I’ve been using this 40-ounce ThermoFlask water bottle for years. It’s affordable (much cheaper than Hydroflasks), can keep your drink cold for up to 24 hours, and is stainless steel.
2. Travel Coffee Mug
Going to a coffee shop? Why not bring your own coffee cup so that you can skip the single-use ones that the baristas make your coffee in?
My favorite is this glass and cork coffee cup from Package Free. (Just think about how much waste you can keep from landfills by making this one small adjustment!)
Photo Courtesy of Package Free
3. To-Go Containers
Eat out a lot? Why not bring your own to-go containers to restaurants so that you can bypass the plastic or paper ones they typically provide?
Here are some airtight stainless steel containers that you can pop in your purse and then take out once you’re finished with your food.
4. To-Go Cutlery
Eating on-the-go?
Say no to plastic cutlery with this reusable bamboo cutlery set.
Photo Courtesy of Package Free
5. Reusable Straws
Bamboo. Glass. Stainless steel. There are all types of plastic-free straws that you can use. (There’s even one for Bubble Tea!)
If you end up getting the bamboo cutlery set from Product Swap #4 above, then you’ll be armed with the perfect bamboo straw.
If not, then head here for a few other options.
6. Reusable Grocery Bags
This is a plastic-free product swap I subconsciously made nearly 7 years ago when I moved to California. That’s because California has a ban on single-use carryout bags, so stores charge at least 10 cents per bag.
This ban went a long way—heck, it got me on reusable grocery bags before I even knew what “zero waste” was. In addition to that, cities in the Golden State have seen a significant reduction in creek and river litter, park and roadside plastic bag litter, and plastic bag litter in storm drains (2).
Choose from string bags (they hold up to 40 pounds!), canvas totes, or heavy-duty totes.
7. Reusable Produce Bags
This was one of the first plastic-free product swaps that I made…
You know those green plastic bags that you use for loose produce at the grocery store? The ones that you put things like cucumber, avocados, and tomatoes in?
Well, those can be swapped for something else: Mesh Produce Bags. I purchased two packs of these from my local Sprouts, and let’s just say I will never go back to those single-use plastic produce bags—ever again.
8. Reusable Grains Bags
Don’t just make the switch to reusable produce bags, get your reusable grain bags, too. These bags can be used to re-stock things like almond flour, beans, rice, nuts, granola, and more.
I purchased mine in the refillable bulk food aisle at Sprouts for .99 cents each, but these reusable bulk food bags work just as well.
Photo Courtesy of Colony Co.
9. Package-Free Snacks
Snack sustainably, but how?
Rather than buying snacks wrapped in plastic, swap for some zero-waste snacks like fresh fruit, and granola, peanut butter cups, nuts and seeds, and chocolate covered raisins from the bulk section at your grocery store (I buy my snacks from the bulk bins at Sprouts).
10. Glass Jars
Wondering what to put your bulk food items in to keep them fresh?
Not only are they great for storing bulk food, they’re also a statement piece for your cabinets and countertops. Herbs and spices can be bought in bulk too, and refilled in the herb jars that you already have in your cabinets.
Photo Courtesy of Package Free
11. Food Containers
Storing leftovers from dinner? Eliminate plastic containers and food waste with glass food containers topped with a bamboo lid. This will keep your food fresh for longer.
12. Silicone Bags
Have food items that you’d typically put in a Ziplock bag (think: sandwiches, chips, snacks)? Make the switch to plastic-free silicone bags.
These are perfect for preserving and/or freezing food.
13. Reusable Food Covers
Say goodbye to single-use plastic wrap for good…
Don’t be one of the average American families who uses 10 or more rolls of plastic wrap every year. Instead, invest in something that you can use over and over again. Like Reusable Food Covers (3).
Photo Courtesy of The Earthling Co.
14. Biodegradable Trash Bags
Cut the life of your trash bag by 995 years. (Yep, you read that right.)
With this 13-gallon biodegradable trash bag, you can feel a bit better about the waste that you’re throwing away.
There are also 3-gallon compostable trash bags for your smaller trash cans, too.
15. Loose Leaf Tea
You know how tea bags come in a box and then are individually wrapped in plastic packaging?
Well, there’s a way around this waste…
Loose leaf tea! All you need to do is get a tea ball spoon, add some loose leaf tea, stir it like a spoon, and voila…Tea—without the microplastics or single-use packaging.
Eco-Tip: If you’re an on-the-go tea drinker, invest in a travel mug with a built-in infuser.
16. Nut Milk
Nut milk fanatic?
Well, swap those plastic jugs and cardboard containers for a nut milk-making machine. (Yep, you read that right.)
With Almond Cow’s “The Milk Maker”, you can have 6 cups of freshly-made nut milk in minutes. With zero mess or cleanup.
17. Bars of Soap (for all the things)
Bars of soap have been used for thousands of years (like, since 2800 B.C.).
Fast forward to the present day and there are dish soap bars, body wash bars, razor bars, facial soap bars, shampoo and conditioner bars, and even underarm detox bars.
Here are a few high-quality shops that have a wide selection of soap bars…
Eco-Tip: If you want to be 100% zero waste and skip the packaging that it’s shipped in, head to a local Lush store or farmer’s market and buy your bars of soap there.
Photo Courtesy of The Earthling Co.
18. Loofah Sponge
Did you know that most loofahs are made out of polyester and nylon—two things that will never biodegrade?
Switch to a compostable and biodegradable loofah that will decompose within 30 days.
19. Plastic-Free Deodorant
In 2020, 298.7 million Americans used deodorants or antiperspirants (4). Take that number and multiply it by the fact that the average American goes through 4 to 6 deodorants every year…and you have a whopping 1.8 billion plastic containers going to landfills.
Because deodorant makes up such a large portion of plastic waste, more and more plastic-free deodorant companies are hitting the market—using paperboard or aluminum packaging instead of plastic.
A few brands that are rising in ranks are Bite, Wellow, and Native.
Photo Courtesy of Bite
20. DIY Makeup Remover
Why keep buying makeup wipes when you can make them yourself—without all the nasty chemicals and waste?
Click here for a 5 ingredient recipe.
21. Plastic-Free Makeup
Foundation. Bronzer. Eye shadow. Mascara. Lipstick. Setting spray. What do they all come in?
Plastic.
To outsmart this plastic-filled industry, reach for eco-friendly makeup brands like Izzy Zero Waste Beauty, RMS Beauty, and Athr Beauty. Sure, they’re not 100% zero waste, but they’re taking steps towards it. And that’s what matters.
Eco-Tip: Check with your local Ulta or Sephora to see if they carry these brands so that you can bypass the additional waste included in shipping.
Photo Courtesy of Izzy Zero Waste Beauty
22. Plastic-Free Lip Balm
If you’re like me, you have chapstick in your purse, on your nightstand, at your desk, you name it.
That’s a lot of plastic lying around just to keep your lips hydrated.
Try swapping to a lip balm with biodegradable cardboard packaging. I like these natural, handmade ones from HoniBeez Etsy Shop.
Photo Courtesy of HoniBeez Etsy Shop
23. Reusable Cotton Rounds
Say no to single-use cotton rounds wrapped in plastic.
The more sustainable swap: Reusable cotton rounds. (You can reuse them up to 14,000 times!)
EcoTip: If you have some old T-shirts lying around and know how to sew, you can make some reusable cotton rounds yourself!
Photo Courtesy of The Green Co.
24. Reusable (or Biodegradable) Ear Swabs
For eco-friendly ear swabs, there are—wait for it—reusable ear swabs. If this sounds too “ew, no thank you” to you, don’t worry, there’s a biodegradable ear swab option as well.
Head here for a zero-waste reusable ear swab or here for biodegradable ear swabs.
25. Bamboo Toothbrush
It’s estimated that one billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away each year—in America alone. (That’s enough toothbrushes to wrap around the earth four times!)
This amounts to 50 million pounds of plastic ending up in our landfills—that takes up to 500 years to decompose.
Luckily, there’s a sustainable fix: Bamboo toothbrushes.
Photo Courtesy of Bite
26. Toothpaste Bites
Pair that fancy bamboo toothbrush with zero-waste toothpaste bites.
Yeah, it’s an adjustment you’ll have to get used to. But hey, you’re giving the earth something to smile about.
Photo Courtesy of Bite
27. Refillable Dental Floss
Get floss that isn’t made out of nylon—a non-biodegradable, petroleum-based material. Instead, get this refillable dental floss that’s 100% plant-based and made with vegan calendula wax.
Photo Courtesy of Bite
28. Bamboo Hair Brush
If you have hair and need to brush it, get a bamboo hair brush.
Eco-Tip: If you’re going zero waste, use the hairbrush you already have until it wears out! No need to go out and buy a brand new hair brush if you have one that’s still intact.
29. Plastic-Free Hair Ties
Whether it’s a messy bun or a man bun, you need a hair tie.
Use these plastic-free, biodegradable hair ties from Kooshoo.
Photo Courtesy of Kooshoo
30. Plastic-Free Razor
Make shaving plastic-free, too.
I personally use Leaf razors, and let’s just say…I will never go back to using plastic razors ever again. These all-metal razors get an insanely close shave—which reduces the amount of time spent shaving every week.
And as if it couldn’t get any better, these climate-neutral razors have a lifetime warranty, too. So it’s the last razor you’ll ever have to buy.
Photo Courtesy of Leaf
31. Applicator-Free Tampons (or Period Cups)
PMSing soon? Make it green by swapping those plastic tampon tubes for applicator-free ones.
Or if you want to go 100% zero-waste, try out a silicone period cup.
32. Reusable Sanitary Pads
Not wanting to contribute to the 12 billion pads that are discarded every year in the United States (5)?
Invest in these reusable pads by Glad Rag. Woman-owned. Made in the USA. And a Certified Benefit Corporation.
33. Refillable All-Purpose Cleaner
Clean green, baby.
With this refillable glass spray bottle and multi-purpose cleaner concentrate, you’ll be well on your way to a plastic-free cleaning spree.
Eco-Tip: Do a quick Google search to see if there are any refill stores in your area. If there is, take your empty cleaning supply bottles and refill them with whatever you need! Most refill shops have everyday household things that can be refilled (think: dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, laundry detergent, and more).
Photo Courtesy of Grove Co.
34. Compostable Dish Brush
Have you ever realized how most dish brushes are made of plastic?
Clean your dishes with the world in mind using a sustainable scrub brush.
You can also get 100% compostable loofah sponges, vegetable brushes, bottle cleaning brushes, and toilet brushes, too.
35. Plastic-Free Dishwasher Pods
Not only are most dishwasher pods wrapped in a plastic film, they’re also full of chemicals that can be slow to biodegrade.
Make the switch to a more eco-friendly, zero-waste option with these all-natural dishwasher tablets.
Photo Courtesy of Jialiving Etsy Shop
36. Biodegradable Doggy Bags
If you regularly take your dog on walks and use up to 6 doggy bags a day, make the simple switch to compostable.
These biodegradable doggy bags are made from a corn starch blend, making them 100% biodegradable in 3 to 6 months.
EcoTip: Don’t be fooled by a product’s label! Many doggy bags on the market claim to be biodegradable. Be sure to triple-check the item description (and reviews) before purchasing.
37. Biodegradable Sunglasses
Make your future even brighter with biodegradable sunglasses. These trendy sunglasses are made with bioacetate, a biodegradable and plant-based frame material. Oh, and they’re certified carbon neutral, too.
Photo Courtesy of Crap Eyewear
38. Compostable Phone/Tablet/AirPod Case
Protect your phone—and the earth—with a compostable phone case. Made from Flastic™, a material made up of compostable bioplastic elastomer and flax straw materials, Pela is the world’s first sustainable phone case.
They also have compostable tablet cases, AirPod cases, smartwatch bands, and zero-waste screen protectors.
The Bottom Line
Plastic may seep into every area of your life, but it doesn’t have to.
There are simple, everyday product swaps that you can make to decrease the amount of waste you produce. Choose one swap, or three, or all 38 of them. Every sustainable shift counts.
Caroline Nicks
On a mission to leave places better than she found them, Caroline spends her time with her hubs and parti poodle researching how to live a less wasteful life, picking up trash on her beach walks, and tending to her 32 houseplants.
