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A lot of the products we use daily are a result of habit, we grew up using them or have been using them for a while without considering the alternatives. The problem with a lot of common household products is that they’re far from sustainable. Globally, one garbage truckload of plastic waste enters the ocean every minute, and that amount is increasing steadily.
So, while it may seem like just one plastic bag, or one tooth brush, it adds up to a staggering amount.
The good news is there are so many great alternatives available now that will not only greatly reduce the amount of waste produced, but will also save you money in the long run. So we put together a list of 20 sustainable alternatives to your everyday household basics. Before we get into the list, we want to note two things. The first being, the most sustainable thing you can do is use what you already have. So before you switch to one of these sustainable alternatives, use what you have, then make the swap!
The second is a reminder that you’re not failing if you aren’t living a fully zero-waste lifestyle. We are strong believers in progress over perfection, because every time you choose a more sustainable option, you’re making a difference. As Anne Marie Bonneau, Zero Waste Chef said, “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
Speaking from experience, these are great! Ten and Co. sponge cloths replace the use of up to 17 rolls of paper towel, and at the end of their life cycle they’re biodegradable.
If cotton rounds are a part of your daily skincare routine, these are a must. They can last you years, saving you a lot of money and the planet a lot of waste. Our fave is these ones, made from organic bamboo and organic cotton.
Plastic straws are an especially harmful form of plastic waste, as their size makes it easy for them to be consumed by marine wildlife. Yet, it is estimated that Americans use 500 million straws daily. This is one of the easiest changes we can make, so if you haven’t already picked up a reusable straw or few, check these out!
Plastic wrap is definitely an item to try and stay away from if you can. It’s a difficult form of plastic to recycle, so it rarely goes through the process. A far better option is beeswax wrap, a natural alternative that can last more than a year and is compostable and biodegradable.
This is a simple one, and you may already have some old jars laying around. These are great for food storage and for bringing to stores that sell food in bulk.
For our fellow coffee addicts, this one’s for you. Not only will the Coffee Sock organic cotton reusable filter save you money, but it will also create a better cup of coffee as cotton imparts no flavor on the finished brew unlike paper.
Canadians use almost 15 billion plastic bags every year- a colossal amount of plastic waste. Any reusable bag you already own is great, but if you’re looking for one, Baggu bags come in tons of prints and can be folded into a pouch for on-the-go!
By reducing drying time, wool dryer balls save on electricity & preserve the lifespan of your clothing. You can officially take dryer sheets off the shopping list.
If you’re in the market for new bedding, consider a more sustainable brand like White Terry for a set that’s safer for you and the planet. Their bedding is GOTS™ Certified Organic, Oeko-Tex Certified , and ISO 14001, each of these are environmental certifications to keep an eye out for.
Save your snacks and save the planet at the same time with Stasher reusable silicone bags.
No local compost system? No problem. Convert your own organic waste into compost to enrich the soil in your backyard with this composter. All the pieces are made from biodegradable bamboo fiber.
Seventh Generation Bathroom Tissueis made from 100% recycled paper and is whitened without chlorine bleach. Even the plastic packaging is 100% recyclable.
Though not as visible as a plastic water bottle or bag, microplastics are an equally pervasive form of pollution that is even more challenging to clean up. Synthetic fabrics like polyester shed microfibers each time they’re washed, which ends up in our oceans and is digested by wildlife. Guppyfriend Washing Bag captures the microfibers that break while washing inside the bag.
Our Renew Sleep Mask is made from eco-friendly Tencel™ Lyocell and recycled polyester fleece. So you can rest easy knowing your sleep mask is good for the planet, and safe for your skin.
The BKIND package-free hair care trio includes a Bamboo box, a Shampoo bar and a Conditioner bar: the perfect kit for a plastic-free shower.
Did you know it takes at least 450 years for a plastic bottle to degrade? So if you haven’t made this sustainable swap yet, there’s no time like the present to opt for a reusable water bottle like this one from Klean Kanteen.
Disposable pads and tampons are minefields of plastic. A standard tampon not only can have a plastic wrapper and applicator, but the tampon itself often contains polyester in the wadding and string. Fellow Certified B Corp, Aisle makes reusable period products that are both safer for you and the planet.
Ditch the plastic bottled soap for a solid dish soap bar. It works just as well and the only waste is a small recyclable cardboard box!
Well-Kept Safety Razors are a sustainable plastic free alternative that’s made to last a lifetime. In the long run, it is more cost effective, offers a more precise and closer shave, and is less likely to irritate your skin. And best of all - you're not tossing plastic handles and blades into landfills.
Most of us will replace around 300 toothbrushes during our lifetime, yet they’re not recyclable. The simple swap for this essential is a biodegradable toothbrush like this one from BKIND made from bamboo!
