Trash is trashy. Reusable products are sexy. And the future is friendly.
In case the global plastics crisis hadn’t become glaringly obvious, most disposables available for our convenience are not only catastrophic for the environment, but they’re also totally unfit for human health.
Take, for example, Ziploc bags, which are now proven to release billions of microplastics into food being microwaved. Or the whopping 17 trees and 20,000 gallons of water it takes to create a single roll of paper towels.
Since the average person uses a freakish amount of plastic bags, plastic wrap, and paper products, we’ve rounded up our favorite (and super functional) reusable products that replace these single-use throwaways with low-impact alternatives. And they’re not just reusable, they’re also made with responsible materials and using ethical labor.
We’ll be soon revising this list using our new Brand Rating System in coming months. It basically extends what we look for in brands to a range of factors, like product longevity, circularity and climate impact. You can read our explainer here to learn more.
The Best Reusable Home Products For Simple, Sustainable Living
This has been a game changer for our laundry day routine. No synthetic fragrances and no harmful detergents, SuperBee’s Hexawash is as revolutionary as it is effective, and it can be used over and over again (i.e. 300 washes worth).
ZeroWasteStore.com’s facial rounds aren’t just a reusable and multipurpose essential; they’re also made of (the most colorful!) organic cotton. They’re our go-to cotton round for everything from eye makeup removal to cleaning up cuts.
Who Gives a Crap’s Dream Cloths are made of 100% compostable and super absorbent plant cellulose, making them a dream for cleaning and mopping up spills over and over again. We personally use these in our zero-waste kitchen, and they’re still going strong after several months of use.
Index: Everyday Reusable Products
- Leaf Shave Jump to brand
- SuperBee Jump to brand
- Who Gives A Crap Jump to brand
- Stasher Jump to brand
- Blueland Jump to brand
- Saalt Jump to brand
- GladRags Jump to brand
- etee Jump to brand
- ZeroWasteStore.com Jump to brand
Leaf Shave
Leaf Shave’s Bathroom Products
Price Range: $39–$84
With the EPA estimating candy-colored plastic disposable razors sold at drugstores take 1000 years to decompose, we’re all for embracing everyday reusables, and few represent that ideal better than a trusty safety razor.
Replacing single use options, the modern reusable razor is in fact the tried and true design of bygone days. Take a leaf out of Leaf Shave’s book, who create bespoke reusable razors that are anything but antiquated.
Leaf’s one-of-a-kind triple blade razor is the perfect reusable alternative to disposable razors like the Gillette Venus, and it provides a smooth, plastic-free shave of ease and comfort. This pivoting head razor uses three stainless steel blades that you can recycle locally or mail-in through Leaf’s own blade recycling service.
If you prefer a sturdy shave with a fixed head, Leaf also offers a stylish one of those. Try any of the two Single Edge Razors, The Twig and The Thorn with a small razor head they’re loved most by face shavers.
Both designs are sold in Prism, Gold, Rose Gold, Black, Chrome, Silver, and Mercury, with a sizeable handle to optimize grip and control.
About Leaf Shave
“Plastic-free shaving made easy” is their motto, and Leaf Shave has prevented three million-plus plastic disposable razors from hitting landfills. The Climate Neutral certified company also offset their carbon footprint, support climate action non-profit work, and ship plastic-free.
My Personal Review of Leaf’s Leaf Kit:
“I own one of Leaf Shave’s pivoting head razors, and after years of dedicated safety razor use, I found this to be the best women’s reusable razor I’ve tried. The pivoting head is extra gentle and capable of reaching those tricky nooks and crannies. It left my skin feeling smooth and supple, and I’d definitely recommend it for ease of use.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
SuperBee
SuperBee’s Home Products
Price Range: $50
SuperBee ensures your clothes are super beaming clean thanks to their Hexawash, the zero waste laundry detergent substitute that lasts for more than 300 washes. Simply throw the “miraculous little pouch” sewn from GOTS-certified organic cotton into your washing machine with dirty laundry on a normal wash cycle.
While the up-front cost might sound like a lot for laundry detergent, there will no doubt be some cost savings at the end of its three (ish) year lifespan.
100% organic, and hypoallergenic, this plastic free, silicone free, and 100% home compostable detergent uses magnesium instead of chemicals to clean your clothes.
When the magnesium reacts with water, it creates hydrogen gas and magnesium hydroxide, or an alkaline solution of around pH 10.5. Negative hydroxide ions lessen the surface tension of the water, which makes it easier for oils and dirt to break down and get washed away. If it sounds too good to be true, rest assured that we’ve tested this gizmo and can confirm our clothes come out smelling and looking fresh and clean—with absolutely zero toxins.
At its end-of-life, simply reuse the miracle laundry pouch as fertilizer in your garden and compost the fabric.
About SuperBee
Based in Northern Thailand, SuperBee is committed to ethical business practices and sustainability, by using only organic and ethically sourced ingredients in their plastic-free products—which includes beeswax wraps, toothpaste, and more.
Bee-yond that, SuperBee is also a socially enterprising Certified B Corp, empowering local communities in the region via employment opportunities and paying workers 20% more than the Fair Trade Association’s suggested living wage.
SuperBee also takes a keen interest in women’s empowerment, rural employment opportunities for women, advocating for labor laws in Thailand, and supporting local volunteer firefighters.
Who Gives A Crap
Who Gives a Crap’s Cleaning Products
Price Range: $12 for 3
While old t-shirts and clothes rags can do the job of a reusable kitchen towel, sometimes you need a little extra absorbency from the likes of Who Gives a Crap’s reusable towels.
“One part sponge, one part cloth, and three parts marvelous,” WGAC’s Dream Cloths are reusable cellulose Swedish dishcloths with a million and one uses: mopping spills, cleaning dishes, and much more!
About Who Gives a Crap
Australian brand Who Gives a Crap offers reusable and recycled paper products for a range of household needs that prevent deforestation. The Certified B Corp also fights to ensure everyone has access to clean water and toilet hygiene by donating a remarkable 50% of its profits to improve sanitation and build toilets in impoverished areas worldwide.
Everything is shipped via carbon-neutral shipping.
Our Personal Review Of Who Gives A Crap’s Dream Cloths:
“We can confirm that WGAC’s Dream Cloths forever changed our kitchen (a bold claim I know!). We love that these super absorbent and quick-drying reusable paper towels come in funky patterns and are dishwasher AND machine washable. Plus, they’re 100% compostable, so we can just add them to our indoor compost bin when they’re worn through – which we imagine won’t be for a long time, given that we’re still using the same one after about 8 months of use.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Stasher
Stasher’s Food Storage Products
Price Range: $10
Tired of tossing plastic bags every day after at lunch? Or packing your food in stained plastic containers?
Once you build up your stash with Stasher’s reusable bags, you won’t have to.
The brand invented the world’s first airtight (non-plastic) silicone reusable bags, and carries more than twenty different food storage items that are durable, long-lasting, and safe for the freezer, microwave, dishwasher, and oven.
The silicone Stasher uses is made with 100% pure platinum-grade silicone (higher than food-grade silicone), so you’re getting some of the safest food storage free from lead, BPA, BPS, phthalates, and latex.
About Stasher
Stasher’s factory is SA8000-certified, ensuring an ethical supply chain.
Since silicone isn’t biodegradable, the brand partners with TerraCycle to responsibly recycle damaged, worn, or unwanted silicone bags free of charge.
My Personal Review of Stasher’s Silicone Food Storage Bags:
“For years, I’ve relied on Stasher bags as a sustainable alternative to Ziploc bags, and I’m a huge fan of the ‘self-sealing’ feature that keeps everything from snacks to sandwiches fresh. What I really appreciate is that these bags are made entirely from silicone, unlike some others that use a mixed-material zipper, which can melt when washed in the dishwasher (I’ve learned that the hard way!). I’ve safely used these bags in the freezer, oven, dishwasher, and even for sous vide cooking without a single issue. I don’t have a microwave, so I can’t vouch for that, but Stasher says it’s microwave-safe.
One tip: be sure to allow the inside of the bags to dry completely after washing to prevent any mold or mildew from forming.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Blueland
Blueland’s Household Items
Price Range: $18 for 3
Ditch those dryer sheets in favor of Blueland’s dryer balls that reduce drying time, energy costs, and waste. Tossing in a set of reusable dryer balls improves warm airflow while the balls soak up excess water from your wet clothes.
They’re also a popular and reusable dryer sheet alternative because they help prevent static cling and leave you with softer laundry. A set can replace over ONE THOUSAND plastic-based dryer sheets.
Blueland’s 3-pack of New Zealand wool dryer balls are 100% compostable at end-of-life and sustainably sourced to ensure sheep are well treated and farms never participate in harmful practices like mulesing.
About Blueland
Blueland believes “a cleaner planet starts at home,” which is why the brand offers a large variety of reusable products to reduce waste, namely refillable cleaning products, which are EWG Verified, USDA certified organic, Leaping Bunny certified, and EPA Safer Choice verified.
As a Certified B Corp conscious of their eco footprint, Blueland is Climate Neutral Certified, Cradle2Cradle Certified, prioritizes efficient energy and water usage, and is committed to worker safety and happiness.
All packaging is compostable and/or recyclable, and all shipped orders are 100% carbon offset.
My Personal Review Of Blueland’s Dryer Balls:
“Before sampling Blueland’s version, I had never used dryer balls before, though I’d heard great things. For a little context, I have a combo washer/dryer that dries clothes using a ventless steam function. This is great for convenience and not releasing VOCs into the air like vented dryers do, but the downside is that the dry cycle takes AGES. That’s half the reason I line dry clothes when the weather affords.
But in the winter, the dryer is necessary, so I was so excited to find that these dryer balls reduced my average dry time by about 1/3! Plus, my clothes never come out feeling staticky or starchy even though I haven’t used fabric softeners in years.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Saalt
Saalt’s Hygiene Products
Price Range: $29–$55
Turned off by tampons that become part of 12 billion tons of annual period waste?
Saalt’s reusable items prove periods can be lower-waste. Because who wants toxic petroleum-based products near their lady bits when Aunt Flo arrives for her monthly visit?
Saalt’s reusable menstrual cups and discs are made of medical-grade silicon, and are guaranteed to last more than a decade. Designed with a comfortable fit, these reusable period cups are good to go for twelve hours at a time, making your period a distant memory even if you’re riding a raging crimson wave.
We recommend the Saalt Soft Cup, which is their softest, most flexible and supple design yet.
About Saalt
Certified B Corp Saalt commits 2% of their yearly revenue to period care in regions with the most need, plus they help fund a variety of initiatives in menstrual health, education, and sustainability.
Founder Cherie was first inspired when she learned of her own family members struggling to access period care in Venezuela.
When she went to source menstrual cups and sustainable period underwear, but couldn’t find products that met her expectations, Cherie began to custom design products she truly wanted to use and share with family and friends.
To date, Saalt products have not only helped divert 12 million disposables from the landfill, but they’ve used over half a million plastic bottles to make products, of which Cherie has donated more than 65 thousand reusable period products to those in need.
GladRags
GladRags’ Menstrual Products
Price Range: $15–$25
What is a reusable product that stands to save you a bloody ton of money?
We don’t know the last time you checked prices in the menstrual hygiene aisle, but reusable menstrual pads can save you upwards of $150/year!
We may never be fully glad to be “on the rag” per se, but GladRags helps with their reusable menstrual products. Available as a pantyliner, thong pad, regular pad, and overnight pad, each 100% organic cotton pad features a three-part design for your favorite underwear that can accommodate their absorbent inserts according to your flow.
Plus, they’re guaranteed to last at least five years. Translation: literally thousands of disposables being saved from our landfills and hundreds of dollars saved in your bank account annually.
About GladRags
Reusable items that save money also happen save the environment while also being a healthier option—which is why Portland, Oregon-based GladRags has gladly provided reusable period products for more than thirty years. The independently woman-owned business makes everything by hand in-house in the USA, while everything is shipped worldwide in recycled, recyclable, and/or biodegradable packaging.
Thy put fabric scraps to good use through a recycling program and give back include regularly donating period supplies to those in need and various give-back campaigns.
My Personal Review of GladRag’s Reusable Pads:
“I’ve been a loyal user of period panties for a while, so I didn’t think I’d be swayed by pads again. But when the chance came to try GladRag’s reusable pads, I gave them a go. They do feel a little bulkier than I’m used to, and I can notice them more than my period underwear, but they are a major step up from disposable pads. If you’re someone who prefers pads, I’d say these are as comfortable as they come.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
etee
etee’s Kitchen Items
Price Range: $10–$119
Canadian sustainable living brand etee offers the best reusable kitchen items with their wide range of reusable beeswax wraps to replace plastic wrap, along with other waste-free food storage items like sandwich bags and waxed canvas lunch bags or reusable produce bags.
Every etee beeswax food wrap is made from organic cotton muslin that is dyed with low-impact dyes in a rainbow of bright colors.
The cotton is then coated in a natural concoction of certified organic beeswax, coniferous tree resin, soy wax, organic jojoba oil, and organic cinnamon and clove essential oils.
About etee
Beeswax wraps were etee’s very first product and today, they continue to innovate reusable products for example by creating their own biodegradable refill pods of cleaning and skincare products. While these beeswax-based pods are not vegan, nothing is tested on animals, which extends to all their suppliers as well.
The brand bases itself out of Toronto, Canada where many of its items are handmade in a renewable energy powered lab and factory. Their packaging is entirely plastic-free down to their cellulose tape.
My Personal Review Of etee’s Wraps:
“My kitchen is stocked with etee’s variety pack of wraps, which comes with three sizes of bold and fun-colored wraps. I find that the small wrap is excellent for wrapping halves of fruit, the medium is ideal for covering bowls, and the large size wraps sandwiches perfectly. They work just as well as any others I’ve tested, but what makes these stand out from others is the added organic cinnamon and clove essential oils, which add just a hint of scent and some added antimicrobial power. I promise they won’t make your tuna sandwich taste like pumpkin pie!
These wraps are also simple to use (in part thanks to a solid seal that keeps our snacks fresh all day) and simple to clean; just pop them in cold water and wash them with a mild dish soap. Pro tip: Avoid hot water since it may melt the wax.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
ZeroWasteStore.com
ZeroWasteStore.com’s Beauty Products
Price Range: $20 for 20
We like to save face and save the planet simultaneously—which is why reusable cotton rounds are hot on our reusable products list.
So if you’re wondering, “What are examples of reusable products for the bathroom?”, ZWS Essentials‘ 2-ply OEKO-TEX and GOTS-certified organic cotton flannel facial rounds are a case in point.
Simply hand-wash with warm water after each use, and toss in your washing machine once per week. Items can be tumble dried on low, but we prefer to lay ours flat to dry since they don’t become any less soft after washing.
If you’re in need of added exfoliating power, ZWS Essentials’ 100% compostable loofah facial disks are a welcome addition to your reusable collections.
About ZeroWasteStore.com
ZWS Essentials is the in-house brand of a popular zero waste online store, which is appropriately titled ZeroWasteStore.com. It offers a solid selection ranging from kitchen goodies like reusable straws to shampoo bars, reusable grocery bags, and more.
Along with being plastic-free and often compostable, everything is cruelty-free, palm oil-free, plastic-free, and mostly vegan. They’re also Climate Neutral and donate to a variety of environmental causes.
My Personal Review of ZeroWasteStore.com’s Facial Rounds:
“After trying these myself, I have to agree with web reviews calling them some of the best cotton rounds for makeup removal, applying toner, stubborn eye makeup, removing dirt, removing nail polish, and exfoliating skin. The 2-ply organic cotton flannel is soft enough for sensitive skin types while still being sturdy enough to really lift off impurities. I don’t wear makeup that often, but fortunately, these rounds have a million other uses around my house, from taking off nail polish to cleaning cuts.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
I draw the line at reusable toilet paper.
Agree it’s a bit of a leap!