11 Easy Plastic Free Swaps
If you’re looking to get started on your low waste journey, you’ve come to the right place. When first starting out on your sustainability journey, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. So many different options and swaps from so many different brands! I’ve been overwhelmed by the endless options so I decided to break it down and start by focusing on one part of my life. For example, I started with kitchen swaps and am now working my way into personal care. I do not live zero-waste but I’m always working to make my lifestyle a little more sustainable one step at a time.
Below are some of my favorite plastic-free swaps for beginners! Once you read on through, see which ones you feel most comfortable starting with and go from there. Remember to take it day by day and that all the small changes really do add up and make a difference.
Swap #1: Wooden Dish Scrubbie Brush
Swap plastic dish scrubbie brushes for this lower waste option! I love this wooden brush by IRIS HANTVERK that I ordered from Good Intent. My favorite part is that when the brush starts to wear down, you can simply order a replacement head instead of buying a whole new brush. Plus, when you’re totally done with it down the road, you simply remove the metal components and compost the rest!
Swap #2: Bamboo Cotton Swabs
Common cotton swabs are either made with plastic or they are packaged with plastic. To reduce plastic waste, you can swap to bamboo cotton swabs! The cotton swabs I use are by Sagano that I ordered from SeaBlue Collective. These are shipped in plastic-free packaging and feel just like normal cotton swabs without the extra plastic.
Swap #3: Reusable Zippie Bags
I don’t know about you but I LOVE zippie bags. They are so convenient for snacks on the go, leftovers, and freezing fruits and veggies. But I try to avoid single-use plastic so I made the switch to reusable zippie bags! I use Stasher bags and (re)Zip and both work great however there are a couple of key differences between the two brands. Check out this blog post here or watch this YouTube video review I made to find which one works best for you.
Swap #4: Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Years ago I tried shampoo bars from Lush but they really did not work at all for my thick hair. I swapped to hair products with more clean ingredients (I loved using Briogeo!) but still wanted something with less packaging. When Green Room Body Co sent me some of their shampoo and conditioner bars to try, I was excited but nervous to see if they would work. After using them for months now, it’s safe to say I found my new favorite shampoo and conditioner! I use the Floral Bars and they work great for my thick hair.
If you want to see a full review of these shampoo and conditioner bars + learn about some of their other products check out the video below.
YouTube Video: Shampoo + Conditioner Bars, Face + Body Soap, Face Lotion│Green Room Body Co. Review
Swap #5: Plastic-Free Dry Shampoo
I’m a big fan of dry shampoo but I used a brand that came in an aerosol can with a plastic lid and a bunch of ingredients that were not the best. When I finished that one, I told myself to start searching for a cleaner and lower waste alternative. Luckily the first one I tried I fell in love with! I use the dark dry shampoo by Urban Oreganics that is made with only three ingredients, comes in a plastic-free jar, AND has a biodegradable refill option. I made a full review video because I’m seriously obsessed with it.
Swap #6: Reusable Tote Bags
Reusable tote bags are an easy swap to help ditch the plastic waste! I always grab a tote before going grocery shopping and love keeping extra bags in the car and in my backpack to be prepared for spontaneous shopping trips!
Swap #7: Reusable Produce Bags
Swap single-use plastic produce bags for reusable ones! I got mine from Green Estate Goods and I also got an Organic Cotton Net Bag from Bamboo Switch that I love! (They also have regular produce bags and bulks bags as well.) Grab these before heading to the grocery store and keep your produce nice and safe without the plastic.
Discount: Use my code COURTNEY10 for 10% off your order at BambooSwitch
Swap #8: Plastic Free Tea
(not so) Fun Fact: A lot of tea bags are made with plastic! I was so surprised to learn this. Swapping to loose leaf tea with plastic-free packaging is a great low waste option. I got Purple Jasmine tea from JustTea as a gift and absolutely love it! Plus it came with the cutest little wooden spoon (that I actually use for my coffee) that’s an added bonus :)
Swap #9: Beeswax Wrap
Instead of using cling wrap, try beeswax wrap! They are aesthetically way cuter and cuter for the environment too ;) You are supposed to rub the beeswax wrap with your hands to warm it up so it sticks, but oftentimes I just put a rubber band around the jar. The cute orange ones I have are by Mālama from SeaBlue Collective.
Swap #10: Reusable Utensils
I always try to keep reusable utensils in the car or my backpack for those unplanned food stops! Usually, when I get food on the go there’s some plastic packaging involved but if I can at least divert plastic utensil waste, that’s better than nothing! I’ve tried three brands: Sea Hugger from SeaBlue Collective, Bambaw, and ToGo Ware and they all work great!
Swap #11: Reusable Water Bottle
Last but not least, ditch the plastic water bottle for a reusable one! I have a Hydroflask which is very popular but there are also so many other brands that work great too. I have a reusable cup from Simple Modern and another reusable bottle by HydraPeak! Target usually has a nice section with a lot of different cute reusable bottles and cups to choose from.
Those are some of my favorite plastic-free swaps! I did not start with all of these at once but rather took it swap by swap and focused on making continual progress. One of my favorite quotes is, “We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” - Anne-Marie Bonneau
Your actions make a difference! So, what swap are you going to start with? Comment below!