20 Sustainable Swaps you MUST try
Swaps are important. But I want to preface this because swaps mean nothing if they aren’t sustainable. And I actually don’t mean sustainable in regards to the earth. We need to be able to sustain the new habit in order for it to stick. So these are some slower sustainable swaps that I’ve made in the past couple years along with some tips for how I got there.
plastic water bottle → hydroflask
I don’t leave the house without my Hydroflask. Period. This saves me when I find myself parched away from home. In fact, I loved my first Hydroflask so much that I just purchased my second one (in the used section of REI for over half off!!).
dish soap → bar soap
I actually love the look of wood brushes and a bar of soap by the sink, so this was a pretty easy swap for me to make. When it’s aesthetically pleasing, it’s always easier.
Toothpaste → tooth tabs
I’m a huge fan of tooth tabs, but I’ll be the first to admit that not all tooth tabs are created equal. I’ve had some that taste less than ideal. It seems to be a bit hit or miss, so I’d recommend finding one you like and sticking with it. I made the mistake of going for a cheaper option and suffered. My favorite is geoorganics peppermint flavor, and I can get them at my local grocery store.
plastic grocery bags/Produce bags → cloth
I’m not even going to sugar coat it, I despise plastic grocery bags. They are so flimsy, rip super easily, and they make things staticky. If I never had to see another plastic grocery bag in my life, I’d be a happy woman. I’ve preferred canvas bags since long before I found the zero waste movement. They’re stronger, washable, and they look nice to boot. I tend to take one as my purse whenever I go shopping that way it doubles as a bag to take items home in.
While I do like this sustainable swap, I rarely even use produce bags anymore because they simply aren’t needed. If I’m going to be washing (and sometimes even peeling) the fruit/veg when I get home, does it really need to sit in a plastic bag during my drive from the store to my house?
normal lightbulbs → led lighbulbs
I’m still working on this sustainable swap in all rooms of my house, but I have already noticed a decrease in my electricity bill.
shampoo bottles → shampoo bars
I love shampoo bars. It definitely took some getting used to, though, so don’t expect to love them overnight. I’d actually recommend easing into shampoo bars while you still have some of your plastic-bottled shampoo left. Perhaps use your normal shampoo once a week and use the shampoo bar in between washes (if needed). Eventually, I just preferred to use the shampoo bars and I have my plastic bottled shampoo in case I have a guest (I haven’t been able to get my fam on board with shampoo bars yet, and I want to make sure they feel at home when they come to my house).
Household cleaners → DIY cleaners
If you haven’t checked the ingredients of one of your household cleaners, take this as a warning. I love using natural, non toxic ingredients when cleaning my home. Think apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and a bit of elbow grease.
paper towels → unpaper towels
The first thing I did in preparation for this swap was moving my paper towels to a very inconvenient place. I moved them to the top shelf of my pantry, yet I placed towels/rags in easily reachable areas. That alone made a significant impact on the amount of paper towels I was using. I took this tip from one of the many habit books I’ve read – the key is to make the habit you don’t want to do difficult and to make the habit you do want to do as easy as possible. Eventually I took my paper towels away, and I didn’t even think twice about it because I no longer reached for them.
ziploc bags → stasher bags
I stopped using ziploc bags well before I ever got Stashers. I just used tupperware or a mason jar. Stasher bags truly aren’t necessary in any way, but I started getting sick of bringing bulky Tupperware on backpacking trips and having to lug it around on my back for multiple days at a time.
disposable razor → plastic free razor
I have a Leaf shave razor, and I absolutely love it. There are many other options, like safety razors.
sponge → dish brushes
There’s just something about dish brushes that are so aesthetically pleasing. Yet another sustainable swap where I actually prefer the zero waste version.
foil → baking mat
I wouldn’t think twice about using foil these days. Baking mats are just easier. All it takes is a simple rinse (and the occasional scrub) to remove the leftover residue.
cupcake liners → silicone cupcake liners
I prefer to make banana muffins over banana bread because they’re so much easier to eat on the go. Silicone cupcake liners have made that even easier for me.
Tea bags → loose leaf tea
Micro plastics are a real thing. Loose leaf tea cuts out the bag making it better for the earth, your body, and your wallet. Win win win.
Keurig → K cup or other coffee alternatives
I still feel guilty for the amount of plastic Keurig cups I’ve used in my lifetime. Until I found a K cup that is.
Dryer sheets → dryer balls
Oh how I love this sustainable swap! I just add a couple drops of essential oil on them before tossing them in with my laundry, and my clothes come out smelling fresh af.
Laundry detergent → sheets or DIY
I’m not fully sold on laundry sheets, but I do enjoy DIY laundry detergent. It’s probably even easier than you think it is! Plus, the less toxins, the better imo.
Toothbrush → bamboo toothbrush
Every plastic toothbrush ever made still exists today. 🤯 Bamboo is compostable (however sometimes the bristles are not, so check with the toothbrush brand first) meaning it will actually breakdown unlike plastic. Brush with bamboo is my personal favorite brand, but I know there are others out there as well. This is such an easy sustainable swap that you really can’t go wrong.
normal tp → bidet or bamboo toilet paper
I use Who Gives a Crap and I’ll never go back to normal toilet paper. I love that it’s delivered right to my door. And that they help build toilets in undeveloped countries. I’d like to try out a bidet as well, but I haven’t yet!
Books → ebooks
This sustainable swap is still pretty tough for me to get used to, but hear me out. The amount of books I’ve read this year alone would damn near fill a bookshelf, which is very unappealing to an aspiring minimalist. I’m sure there’s a way to read paper books in a sustainable way, like buying used books and selling/donating them when finished, only getting books from your local library, or creating a book exchange group with folks in your area. Renting ebooks from my library has been the solution that has worked best for me, especially since I’ve moved a few times in the last couple years. As much as I love reading paper books, moving with multiple boxes of books isn’t sustainable for my lifestyle.
READ MORE >> How to Slow Down
further learning
Still curious about the topic? Here are some of the resources I’ve learned (and still learn) from:
